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It’s been a little while since I last told you about the things that I am obsessed with as of late. And since most of us spent last weekend eating nonstop and most of this week in a food hangover (those meatballs I posted on Tuesday didn’t help with that…sorry), I thought it was about time to change things up and share some of my new favorite things with y’all.
1. Blendtec Designer Series Blender: For anyone who follows me on Instagram, this is not going to come as a surprise at all since I already announced how I wanted to weep for joy when this baby arrived in the mail. As much as I had been lusting after a Blendtec blender, I wasn’t entirely sure how much of a difference it would really make – I mean, a blender is a blender is a blender, right? As it turns out…no. Not only does this puppy have automatic settings for everything from smoothies to dips and batters to soups (and even a cleaning cycle – I mean, come on), it is smart enough to know when you don’t have enough liquid for it to do its job (I’m lookin’ at you, early morning smoothie) and it really works. Don’t ask me about the engineering behind how a dull blade and a 5-sided jar make blender magic – all I know is I want to blend everything I see.
2. Quick Bread Love eCookbook: Guys!! My friend Stephanie from Girl Versus Dough just released her new e-cookbook on Monday! *Insert squeal of excitement here.* She’s been working long and hard on this little book for months now and it has just been born – in time for her actual baby to be born. (Good timing there, Steph!) I know just how much love Steph has poured into this book and it shows – these quick bread recipes are to die for and the photos are out of this world. This is a book for any level of baker – whether you are experienced in the kitchen or are just learning to bake, Steph has created recipes that you can totally handle and will want to make again and again – I know I plan to spend some serious time with this book this weekend. Head on over to check out the different cookbook packages and bake up something delicious.
3. Contigo Shake and Go Tumbler: Honestly, I feel like this is a weird one to be telling you about. I mean, normally I spend a lot of time telling you about jewelry and lip gloss and small kitchen appliances, so babbling about a water bottle seems to come out of the blue, but I have to tell you – I use this thing every.single.day. (Also, I’m in a makeup slump – what new products should I try, guys?) When you first look at it, it looks like a normal water bottle, but it has this handy little thing that snaps shut when you remove the straw, making it completely leak proof. In theory Contigo designed it for you to use with those powdered water flavoring things (you know – Mio, Crystal Light, etc.) – so you can shake it up and drink it – but I think its real golden use is with taking smoothies to work. I can make my morning smoothie, pour it into this cup, toss it into my bag (don’t forget your straw!) and pull it out when I get to work. Rinse it out when my smoothie is gone and I have my water bottle for the day. I honestly didn’t expect to love it this much, but it seriously goes everywhere I go.
4. Harry Potter: This is not new. This is a forever kind of love. But I like to tell you guys what I’ve been reading and, lately, this is exactly what I’ve been reading. I was feeling in a bit of book slump and wanted to pick up something that would get me out of it. When that happens, I reach for either East of Edenor Harry Potter. This time I decided to start from Harry’s beginnings and work my way through the series. Sometimes it is nice to hit refresh with a book you know and love well.What have you all been reading? Any suggestions for me (once I finish with HP, of course)?
5. Angry Orchard Green Apple Cider: Angry Orchard puts out some pretty good seasonal ciders, so I was anxious to give their new Green Apple cider a try. While I still prefer my JK’s Scrumpy when it comes to traditional cider, I really like the tart green apple flavor in this for something a little different. It’s perfect for summer and would be great with some slightly spicy barbecue or used in some kind of summery cocktail.
Post contains affiliate links. Blendtec, Contigo, and Angry Orchard sent me product to review and test, but I only share products that I truly love and use. All opinions are, as always, 100% my own.
17 Comments
You my dear have fab taste!!! Love seeing your collections (and I am lusting after your blender, lol)
Wait a cotton-picking minute here. You haven’t told me about this tumbler, and you know how I spill my water pretty much every. single. day when I take it to work. It’s on order now. And, may I say that it’s all Lynn’s fault for retiring with the makeup slump.
I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT! Although, I know her last name. How many Lynn Lulays can there be in Peoria? Maybe we could stalk her down. She would help us. Or she would help you. 😉
Also, I was having huge blender envy last night when I was trying to get my basil leaves to chop up for my marinara dipping sauce. I wasn’t happy. 🙁
We are the creepiest. But that’s not a half bad idea.
That is my EXACT issue. I mean, you think I have time or remember to double check if my bottle is tightly sealed before I throw it in my purse? Haha! Funny. 😉
Putting that hard cider on my loooooooong list of things to imbibe this summer (in moderation, SHEESH ;)). Thanks SO, so much for the eBook love, lady! You’re great.
I’ve wanted to try that green apple AO — I’ve only had the regular. I definitely need to try it now!
As for book suggestions, these are some I’ve read in the last year or so that I loved: Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (SO GOOD!), Where We Belong by Catherine Ryan Hyde, One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf, Favorite Wife: Escape from Polygamy by Susan Ray Schimdt, and the Ice Cream Girls by Dorothy Koomson. I LOVE reading 🙂
Oh girrrrrl, I cried from Amsterdam until the funeral in The Fault in Our Stars. Not just one glistening tear…no, no. Like heaving, body-wracking sobs. And I will probably re-read it again soon just because I apparently love punishing myself.
I couldn’t be more thrilled about Steph’s new book!!! And welcome to Blendtec land…your life will be forever changed. As in, anytime you cook at a house where there is not a Blendtec or a Vitamix, you’ll feel like you’ve hopped in the hot tub time machine to the middle ages 😉 Love the things you’re loving. Gimme that water bottle!!
What an awesome list of goodness. Starting with that hard apple cider, it sounds delicious!! Not sure if it’s available here in Australia but if it is, I’m tracking it down baby! Love the e-book too (and Harry Potter. Yep, a forever fan!) x
You my dear have fab taste!!! Love seeing your collections (and I am lusting after your blender, lol)
I always liked hard cider because you can drink it when everyone else is drinking beer, but it tastes yummier! Angry Orchard is a cute name, too.
Amen to that! Never been a beer drinker but I loooove hard cider!
My blender recently broke down on me. You’re right, a blender is not just a blender! I might have to look into Blendtec!
You’re gonna loooove it. Just a warning. 🙂
Wait a cotton-picking minute here. You haven’t told me about this tumbler, and you know how I spill my water pretty much every. single. day when I take it to work. It’s on order now. And, may I say that it’s all Lynn’s fault for retiring with the makeup slump.
Ooops. Sorry. And let’s not even talk about how I’m not going to even know how to do my makeup when I get married, now. Thanks, Lynn.
I THOUGHT ABOUT THAT! Although, I know her last name. How many Lynn Lulays can there be in Peoria? Maybe we could stalk her down. She would help us. Or she would help you. 😉
Also, I was having huge blender envy last night when I was trying to get my basil leaves to chop up for my marinara dipping sauce. I wasn’t happy. 🙁
We are the creepiest. But that’s not a half bad idea.
I could use a good leak proof water bottle! I’m always tossing mine into my bag and it doesn’t always stay shut. . .
That is my EXACT issue. I mean, you think I have time or remember to double check if my bottle is tightly sealed before I throw it in my purse? Haha! Funny. 😉
Putting that hard cider on my loooooooong list of things to imbibe this summer (in moderation, SHEESH ;)). Thanks SO, so much for the eBook love, lady! You’re great.
I’ve wanted to try that green apple AO — I’ve only had the regular. I definitely need to try it now!
As for book suggestions, these are some I’ve read in the last year or so that I loved: Hush Little Baby by Suzanne Redfearn, The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (SO GOOD!), Where We Belong by Catherine Ryan Hyde, One Breath Away by Heather Gudenkauf, Favorite Wife: Escape from Polygamy by Susan Ray Schimdt, and the Ice Cream Girls by Dorothy Koomson. I LOVE reading 🙂
Oh girrrrrl, I cried from Amsterdam until the funeral in The Fault in Our Stars. Not just one glistening tear…no, no. Like heaving, body-wracking sobs. And I will probably re-read it again soon just because I apparently love punishing myself.
I couldn’t be more thrilled about Steph’s new book!!! And welcome to Blendtec land…your life will be forever changed. As in, anytime you cook at a house where there is not a Blendtec or a Vitamix, you’ll feel like you’ve hopped in the hot tub time machine to the middle ages 😉 Love the things you’re loving. Gimme that water bottle!!
What an awesome list of goodness. Starting with that hard apple cider, it sounds delicious!! Not sure if it’s available here in Australia but if it is, I’m tracking it down baby! Love the e-book too (and Harry Potter. Yep, a forever fan!) x