Every year Oprah Winfrey launches her list of Favorite Things. All wonderful, but they can be a bit pricey. If you are a billionaire, it really doesn’t matter what it costs, does it? My friend, Susie, for many years at Christmas would share a list of her favorite 12 things that she had discovered during the past year. It was fun to see what new salad dressing she had found and on and on. I looked forward to seeing her list each year, and it was disappointing when she stopped. So, this year for the New Year, Cynthia and Mary Ann are going to share some of their favorite things in a joint blog.
Mary Ann’s Favorite Things
Sabon Rich Foot Cream – If you ever get a chance to walk into a Sabon store, you will find their iconic vanilla, patchouli, and lavender signature fragrance surround you. It is unforgettable! Sabon is a French company (originally Israeli} and has four stores in NYC – that is where I discovered their luscious products. All the lotions are divine, and my all-time favorite is their foot cream. It smells wonderful, it is so silky as you apply it, and I haven’t had a callus since I began using it. All their products are online – us.sabon.com. It is a bit pricey, but they run sales all the time. That is when I stock up on the Rich Foot Cream. Their products make great gifts for a special person. I gave my daughter an advent calendar from them that was full of samples to try each day. You can also get the products at Ulta.
Hinza Swedish Totes – I discovered these at a Scandinavian Festival and have been in love with them ever since. They are made of eco-friendly plastic and have a multitude of uses – grocery baskets, craft storage, and you can carry ice and drinks in them – they are that sturdy! I have four large totes in a variety of colors that I use to carry my school materials for the classes I teach, and a small one as my upstairs-downstairs tote to carry around my daily necessities. Large totes run around $60.00, and the small totes are $42.00 – a bit pricey but remember you will only buy them once. You can find them at hinza.com and on Amazon, but there are many vendors listed online.
Walker Bags – I found these durable plastic mesh bags and cases at CO Bigelow’s Apothecary in NYC (fun store to visit). The cases come in a rainbow of colors and variety of sizes. I use them everywhere, and they are my go-to bags for travel. With all the colors, I can color code their uses and find them quickly in my suitcase. Blue bags for toiletries, orange case for first aid supplies, and red bags for my upstairs-downstairs tote. The Walker website, walkerbag.com, has everything you could possibly need. I have never had the mesh or a zipper fail. The price is worth it!
Ganz Charms – This company makes tiny treasures that highlight a variety of events and holidays. I have a thing for miniatures, so I buy these to put on my desk and give them as gifts. I often gave them to my teachers for inspiration. Each little treasure comes with a card that explains what the item represents. It could be a little lighthouse, a miniature blue bird for happiness, a prayer box, or a tiny bucket list that can be carried in your pocket or in your purse. All of them are under $10. They are cute and meaningful. Many gift shops or bookstores carry them, or you can go to the website, ganz.com, which has a large selection.
Acropodia Boots – I have been wearing Acropodia shoes from Portugal for years. I found them in a travel products catalog. They are comfortable (soft uppers for your toes), supportive, and last forever. Then I found their boots. L19 is the style I really like. They come in a wide range of colors and textures. They fit like gloves, have excellent arch support, and fit snuggly around the ankles. They are made of vegan leather, so they clean up easily and are waterproof. I always get compliments on them – maybe people are surprised that an old lady can have cool boots! You can get them at their website, acropedicousa.com, on Amazon, or at magellans.com. They are pricey, nearly $150. I look at them as an investment for my feet.
Holiday Jam – This discovery came in a random catalog from American Spoon during the Christmas season a few years ago. I ordered the Holiday Jam for me, and Christmas Cherries filling for my brother as a Christmas present. The website, spoon.com, has all kinds of jellies and jams. They have wonderful recipes to make with their products. The Holiday Jam and Brie Pull-Apart Bread is scrumptious. Holiday Jam is a seasonal product, and I stock up to use throughout the year. Bon Appetite!
These are a few of my favorite things. On the next post, you will read about some of Cynthia’s favorites.
Silver Sage Sisters 