The First Annual Favorites List (2008)

I'm sure I'll forget to list again next year, so remind me. If you remember. And if you're interested.

At the risk of coming across like a hedonist or a rich and pampered person, here are some of my random favorites - some luxury items, some everyday indulgences - in random order, and no you do not all get a free one. Sorry, but this ain't Oprah.

1. Dermalogica skincare, particularly their Special Cleansing Gel and Microfoliant.
It's expensive. If I can't afford it, I use a scrub by Almay, found easily at Kroger for $5. Not as good, but it'll do.

2. Mary Kay foundation and powder. They match! Seriously, check it out. You first find your skin's undertone (golden? rosy? olive?). This will give you a number - the 100's are for rosy tones, 200's for golden, etc... Then you move up or down the chart for your skin color, light to dark. So, that makes me an Ivory 104 in the winter. Then you buy the same powder, pressed or loose. They recently updated their foundation and the formula is my very favorite - not a cream, not a liquid. I love it, it's my favorite. The librarian once said to me, "Your makeup looks good. Is it Mary Kay?" And I said, quite surprised, "yes!" And she said, "You can always tell." I don't know about that, but it is good.

3. International Collection's Hazelnut Oil and Alessi's Fig-infused balsamic vinegar on my salads. SO. GOOD.

4. Sabra hummus... It tastes like the stuff I get at one of my favorite locally-owned restaurants at home. My sister-in-law introduced me and I'm hooked.

5. Green and Black's organic dark chocolate with hazelnuts and currants.
The dark chocolate is a bit intense, but the nuts and currants give it enough sweetness to make it yummy. It tastes like a treat, but it's not "too much."

6. Tazo's Zen tea. Starbucks makes their shaken tea with Tazo, and I usually get half green, half black. They use the Zen as their green tea. I make my iced tea with 2 family-sized bags of Luzianne tea, and 2 small Zen teabags. It's so good and very addicting. (and very cool website, by the way...)

7. Heart perfume, which I buy at Ulta. Thanks to Tara for introducing me to this, to. Second runner up...
Honeysuckle perfume by Demeter, also at Ulta. Both are inexpensive, around $20-$25.




8. Redken Butter Treat conditioner.
I have very thick hair, and yes, I use this EVERY DAY. Nothing else works half so well, and it only takes a little.




9. Another favorite tea, available online from Specialteas.com: jasmine and darjeeling. Mix the two and enjoy even more. The jasmine is good for multiple infusions.



10. The pressure of a 10. Hmmm...
How about anything from this store right here, pretty much... You wouldn't know it to look at me or my jewelry box, but I LOVE JEWELRY!!! I like mine a bit on the plain side, but as long as it glitters, I'm good. :)




11. Hey! Bonus time! I thought of one more! I love The Baker's Catalog. It's my favorite catalog right now, because it has great products AND recipes in it. Well, that and this catalog, where this print is located, and I do so want it. But I can't buy anything out of either catalog at the moment, so they are sitting in the wish pile, all dog-eared and rumply.

I could think of more, but yawn. I'm too tired. You can check out the sidebar for more if you're all that interested.

What are your favorites? Care to share?