My Favorite Everyday Things.
This is a list of things that improve my daily existence… it’s self-serving because I realized that we can trade— you can tell me YOUR favorite things, and I will get all sorts of recommendations to improve my life.
In no particular order.
Castor oil.
My skin gets insanely dry in winter. My face and hands particularly… I have tried EVERYTHING, and for me, castor oil is miraculous.
FYI– it is incredibly sticky and goopy and does not spread easily. BUT it has TOTALLY resolved my skin… AND it doesn’t make me break out AT ALL… ZERO<– that’s the miraculous part.
I get a giant bottle and then decant half into a large pump container that makes dispensing easy and mess-free.
Coldpress coffee.
To me, it tastes better. But more importantly, it means I don’t have to make coffee in the morning.
We rotate two large 44oz stainless French press containers… (dishHULK kept breaking the glass ones)… In the summer we keep them in the fridge– my favorite!
Below, the black container is an airlock for storing coffee– it has a plunger-type lid that seals up once you push all the air out… great for any food you want to limit exposure to air. Mug was from my brother, here’s the same message, different font.
Collapsible drying rack.
I hang a lot of stuff to dry… this one folds up nearly flat, but has SO MUCH hanging space! I store it standing, on the short edge, next to the washing machine.
Neoprene socks.
I don’t own winter boots anymore. What I do now, is wear my regular rain boots WITH neoprene socks… I got the low cut ones, (they come in different heights)… I take out the boot’s insole in winter— then there is plenty of room to put the neoprene socks right over your normal socks.
FACT: no winter boots I’ve ever owned keep my toes as warm as neoprene– NOTHING.
The extra bonus of rain boots is you can tuck your pant legs in and go through any amount of snow and slush– since there are no laces, nothing seeps in.
ALSO! They complement any outfit!
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Curved shower bar.
To me, a normal shower bar is a violation against basic human decency… I LOATHE being near the shower curtain. The extra inches on a curved shower bar make a huge difference.
Noise-canceling headphones.
I bought these headphones for our trip to Hawaii… I hesitated because they were expensive and I wasn’t sure I would get that much use out of them after the plane ride. But turns out I use them ALL the time.
The excellence of noise-canceling cannot be overstated — vacuuming, cooking, doing dishes, cleaning… all the stuff that is noisy and boring is much improved if you are listening to a good podcast! Also, not being connected to your phone with a cord is a radical improvement!
Sun protective gear.
There is no sunscreen that I can tolerate. No matter what it is, I can FEEL it on my skin; even after showering and scrubbing… and yes, I have tried all of the Japanese/Korean/we-promise-you-will-love-this… LIES.
I would rather look like a freak.
Fortunately, I excel.
The hat I’m wearing above is great because it’s stretchy and fits OVER the super-chunky headphones— excellent while gardening; plus it holds its shape when I throw it in the washer.
Yes, I am wearing sun gloves.
Glamour.
And if you think it cannot possibly get EVEN MORE AWESOME, below is my newest swim shirt with face protection… the straw hat is old, the ribbon is mine/added, I had to jab holes in the hat.
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Baking soda and bentonite clay.
I used to wash my face with just baking soda— I love very scrubby things…. but in the last few years, I started using bentonite clay to make our toothpaste, and now I use the same mixture for my face wash; the clay makes it less-scrubby and cuts down on my tendency to sandblast my face with overly-enthusiastic scouring.
I get this large bag of clay and make one big container, 50/50 mix with baking soda… then I fill a small container with the mixture and add some peppermint oil to make toothpaste… if you google this, you’ll see lots of options to complicate the recipe.
FYI: it is NOT anything like traditional toothpaste, so if you try it, give yourself time to get used to it– fwiw, I have come to MUCH prefer it.
For my face wash, I have another container that I can operate with one hand… (don’t add peppermint!)… fill your palm, add water, make mush, wash face.
Electric toothbrush.
This is a new acquisition for me… my brother convinced me– I got the same as him, the least-expensive Oralb.
Here is my report:
I have been living in the Stone Age.
Although, for the record, my first reaction was— this is way too much vibration in my skull… so I ordered another with extra speed-options. But the low setting was the same on both, so I kept the cheaper one.
I still think it’s too vibrate-y… BUT my teeth are so super squeaky clean that I will never go back.
This outfit, below.
This is it— my peak.
It’s been a good run.
The plaid cape is a new-to-me vintage acquisition, and when I opened it, I was like… YUP— here it is: what I will be wearing every day for the rest of my life.
My sunglasses are here… SO MUCH do I love them, I ordered two more pair on Black Friday, (they come in a bunch of colors)… They are totally flat, which pleases me; PLUS $25 is cheap enough that if I lose or break them I won’t be upset… they are nearly identical to these $400 Celine.
Now, for my own satisfaction, I will enter into the record, past evidence of my excellence-in-capes and RIGOROUS ATTENTION TO PLAID.
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Ok.
Now it’s your turn.
WHAT THINGS IMPROVE YOUR DAILY LIFE THAT OTHER HUMANS WILL FIND USEFUL?
December 13, 2019 @ 4:32 pm
I live in southern Michigan where, if it’s green, it’s poison ivy. If it’s not green … yeah probably still poison ivy. (Hey, guess who got into poison ivy on Thanksgiving day this year?) Any trip outside is an occasion for a thorough scrubbing but despite best efforts, some will get through. I always have a couple of tubes of Zanfel with me, especially when traveling. The stuff is crazy, stupid expensive but is Worth. Every. Penny. The welts have to heal on their own time, but Zanfel takes away the itch. No more wanting to remove limbs instead of sleeping.
Thanks, Victoria for yet another dose of awesome.
December 13, 2019 @ 4:56 pm
Heated mattress pad.
December 13, 2019 @ 5:23 pm
Pure organic Jojoba oil is inexpensive and closest to our natural sebum oils. Not sticky, no acne and soaks in well. Go easy on the bentonite, as it may have lead. Neoprene comes with cancer warnings. I like Polar Extreme: https://www.amazon.com/polar-extreme-socks/s?k=polar+extreme+socks
Thanks for being you, Victoria Elizabeth. I especially love your devotion to animals. Happiest New Year yet.
December 13, 2019 @ 8:37 pm
My favorite things are Cerave moisturizer, electric kettle, and my new leopard throw pillows from Ballard Designs. I would also add Minnetonka slippers, and my Ugg boots. A recent thing that makes me so happy is a motion-activated light my husband just installed over our kitchen sink.
December 14, 2019 @ 3:25 am
My shopping list grew three sizes while reading this. Thank you for the great suggestions.
December 14, 2019 @ 4:32 am
Toss a box of baking soda designed for the freezer – with the flow-through panels – into your car or other small space to rid it of odors.
When I was a delivery driver, my car always smelled of dead pizza until I started doing this. No it smells like nothing. 😀
December 14, 2019 @ 10:48 am
My daily favorites are: DHC facial cleansing oil which helps take off the Cotz tinted sunscreen, anything from loquitabathandbody.com (the flan body butter is divine), and finally the mr beams battery operated motion lights which I have on the stairs and multiple locations in the garage. I love reading your insights and you’ve helped sway this 25 year vegetarian to become more of a vegan. Thank you!
December 14, 2019 @ 11:05 am
I LOVE castor oil. I use it on my eyes every night. It’s the only thing that doesn’t irritate them. Would you share if you used it in the shower or after you dry off?
Love your blog. You have a lovely voice and I love your vibrant energy with everything you do.
December 14, 2019 @ 2:22 pm
For me hands down it has to be old fashioned clothes pins because I prefer everything vintage and an outdoor clothes line with my vintage push laundry 🧺 hamper. Bliss
My 1800s cotton slip that I use as a nightgown
Good sheets ! I haven’t found an awesome cotton yet 🙁
December 16, 2019 @ 9:23 am
Ahhh, the smell of clothes air-dried outdoors!!!!
July 8, 2020 @ 2:48 pm
Shawn Underwood- We *love* our Brooklinen sheets. They were expensive, but I love love love them. I do not like limp sheets that cling to you…I want smooth, cool, almost crackly sheets that do not cling limply. For us- these are it. I love them. I love them in the summer. I love them year-round, actually. I have two sets and I don’t NEED another set right now- but as long as they make them, I will not buy anything else.
December 14, 2019 @ 3:54 pm
Second the castor oil; only i cut it with vitamin E oil and add a drop of essential oil to smell nice. Cuts waaaay down on the goopy stickiness of the castor oil, won’t clog pores, and it’s also super-great for your skin.
December 14, 2019 @ 5:38 pm
Carmex.
(I was going to leave my list right there, but then I thought my second tier might be helpful too.)
Injinji toe socks.
Sheepskin mattress topper.
Vintage Corning Pyroceram cookware, plain white.
Big dog that likes cats.
Dr. Dre beatsx.
December 15, 2019 @ 3:29 pm
About a tablespoon or so of coconut oil in the bath and my skin is never dry in the winter.
December 15, 2019 @ 7:20 pm
Avocado oil is AMAZING on dry skin. And, as at least 2 other comments mentioned, Darn Tough socks are wonderful. They fit well, they’re comfortable, and they are guaranteed!
December 16, 2019 @ 2:20 am
Acure cloud moisturizer, they are an ethical company and though I miss their previous line of moisturizers this one is great for super sensitive skin. I also use their shampoo and conditioner, though I hate the new square bottles. Im also a lover of wool, we have an amazing wool comforter from a famous wool mill that handmakes them and damned if I can remember their name. We also have a wonderful natural latex mattress and I can highly recommend such a thing. I prefer hand made in my home and can recommend many toy makers as I am one myself but Im drawing a blank for national brands you can get anywhere for household stuff. Anyway, happy holidays, love the cape!
December 16, 2019 @ 9:20 am
In no particular order:
1. Ceiling fans. I want them in all rooms of my home… But for now I’ll live with them in the bedrooms only.
2. Slow-release toilet seat/lid. I love to flush with the lid closed, so closing the lid while standing up and then flushing in a swift move? Life-changing when the lid doesn’t clang shut.
3. Solid shampoo. No packaging, smells good, my hair loves it, and it lasts forever. Also, solid conditioner.
4. Baking soda&vinegar. Works for clogged drains, burned pots&pans, grease stains on fabric, general cleaning, you name it. I only buy vinegar by the gallon and baking soda by the 10lbs. bag now.
Great idea to create this blog post!
December 16, 2019 @ 1:25 pm
You might like Dr Plotka toothbrushes. So clean, no vibration.
December 16, 2019 @ 5:28 pm
My neighbor convinced me to order a Norwex window cloth… it’s absolutely magical. It cleans glass surfaces, windows, stainless steel, television screens, all screens, and I even used it on our vehicle windows inside and out. Just get it damp, wring out the excess water and go to town! We have 110 window panes in our little Tudor cottage and cleaning them is a breeze.
My personal favorite thing I’ve discovered is 100 Senses Ultimate Bath Bar. It’s an all-in-one shampoo, bath, and shave bar…it is literally the only thing in the bathroom…we are completely bottle free ❤️
December 16, 2019 @ 8:56 pm
Sounds crazy but I ordered a toilet light off amazon and I love it for when I get out of bed in the middle of the night and I don’t have to turn on any lights, and I can fall back asleep easily.
December 17, 2019 @ 6:56 pm
Yes to Norwex products! Love them SO much.
Ordered the DHC facial cleansing oil and tried it last night. OMG, so amazing!
December 19, 2019 @ 10:34 am
I have three things that I now use every single day:
1) A hot water bottle. I initially purchased this to help with cramps, but have since gotten into the habit of heating water for it as soon as I get home from work, and putting it under the sheets at the foot of my bed. It warms the foot of my bed, and by night-time has cooled enough that I can tuck in and read with my feet rested directly against it. The absolute BEST Wintertime creature comfort.
2) Laneige lip balm. I used to be a strictly Burts Bees Pomegranate Oil chapstick girl until I found this! A little goes a long way and it is the best at preventing chapped lips. They also make an excellent overnight lip mask that works WONDERS!
3) Joco travel cups. In wintertime I drink endless cups of tea, coffee and warm water to protect myself from my naturally borderline hypothermic state (hereditary loooooow blood pressure). I haven’t found an insulated cup that I have been truly crazy about, but was gifted one of these borosilicate glass cups with silicone sleeve and lid and have since accepted no other substitutes! It’s pretty, the silicone sleeve protects your hands (But not so much that you can’t warm your hands while holding it), and because it isn’t metal you can pop it into the microwave should your drink need a reheat!