The Official Pocketful of Joules Favorite Things List*

Now, I know I’m not cool (or rich) like Oprah… but I decided to compile a list of my absolute FAVORITE things for this year in the hopes that it helps you shop for someone on your holiday gift list.

Please note: these are not things that I WANT to receive for Christmas (sorry husband, your sneaky reading of my blog didn’t pan out for you this time. And yes, I know you’re reading even if you totally deny it!). These items are things that I already own and use on a regular basis. I just love them so darn much that I wanted to share them with you!

Oh yeah, and going back to the whole ‘I’m not rich like Oprah’ thing. I WISH I could shout out “YOU GET A CAR and YOU get a CAR and YOU GET A CAR” to each and every one of you, but sorry I can’t unless they were Matchbox cars. I may have a little giveaway coming up soon though, so I’ll be sure to keep you posted.

Okey dokey little cow pokey’s, let’s get a move on…

Stuff to Make You (even more) Beautiful
Origins A Perfect World SPF 25 Face Lotion: Oh my gosh, this stuff is divine! I use this face lotion every single day and I fully credit it for my smooth skin that totally still gets me carded. I’ve pretty much never met an Origins product that I didn’t like, but this lotion is one of my necessities that I’d take with me on a desert island.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Body Lotion: It smells great, it feels great and it keeps my dry, dry Sahara-like skin moisturized all day long. Oh yeah, and a bottle is less than $6.

Cover Girl Espresso Eye Liner: I literally do not leave my house without applying this eyeliner. The only time I’ve gone without is when I unexpectedly had my baby early and was at the hospital for three days with only the makeup my brother so thoughtfully stuck in my bag.**

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark Nail Polish: This is my absolute FAVORITE nail polish color and I typically have my toenails painted this color from Fall to early Spring. It seems like they’ve discontinued it, but it’s totally for sale at various beauty stores online.

Stuff to Wear
Under Armour jacket: I have this jacket in black from last year and it is one of my favorite things to wear. It is the perfect weight for layering over a t-shirt in the spring, or keeps you warm with a sweater and scarf in the beginnings of winter. On top of that, it is JUST form-fitting enough that you look a little girlie and it’s my go-to accessory for cold weather.

Fossil Watch: I have a silver “boyfriend” watch from Fossil that only leaves my wrist when I’m sleeping or showering. This is probably the sixth Fossil watch that I’ve owned in a row, because they are my total favorite. They are made incredibly well, look timeless and have amazing warranties. I wish my husband were a watch guy, because I’d buy him one in a minute. Or hot second. One of those.***

Tiffany ring: When searching for the perfect gift, a Tiffany’s box always gets a gold star. I’ve never actually received a Tiffany’s boxed gift myself, but I totally went out and bought myself this ring for Mother’s Day this year. It’s super simple, absolutely beautiful and looks great stacked with other rings or by itself.

Lucky T-Shirts: If I were sponsored by a clothing company with the rule that I had to wear something from there every single day, Lucky would be a perfect fit. I’m obsessed with their t-shirts – both long sleeved and short sleeved – and wear them year-round. The t-shirt that this link goes to isn’t in my collection but I totally love it. (Travis, this is a HINT if you’re still reading…)

Stuff for your Home
Diamond Candles: I bought a couple of these candles a few months ago when there was a Plum District deal going on. It’s like Cracker Jacks for grownups – you get a RING inside your candle. The rings from my candles are cute and the candles smell amazing. This would make a great present for pretty much anyone on your list!

Young House Love: 243 Ways to Paint, Craft, Update & Show Your Home Some Love: My favorite bloggers came out with a book and it is totally amazingly awesome. I just got mine the other night and ever since I curl up next to it and pet it fondly while reading all of their wonderful ideas. Buy this for the DIY gal or guy in your life and they’ll want to build you a heart out of reclaimed wood and spray paint to show their appreciation.

Snuggle Blanket: A home just isn’t a home without an oversized incredibly soft fleece blanket to curl up with. We have three in our living room alone and every single night those blankets get pulled out of the corner and spread across us on the couch.

West Elm Owl:  In my world, every room in your house needs something useless but fun. Every purchase of this owl results in $5 being donated to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®. I bought one in yellow and it’s adorable!

Stuff for your Baby
Clothes from Old Navy: 90% of Jack’s clothes come from Old Navy because they are adorable, sized perfectly and made really well. For some reason I can never find something for myself at the store (other than pj pants), but if I walk in for one little thing, I end up leaving with a bag full of clothes for my son!

Bottle Drying Rack: When there is a baby in the house you wash A LOT of bottles. I bought this drying rack when Jack was born and it has been in use every single day since then. Fun and useful = love it!

Baby piano: This is the piano we have, but we did NOT pay $250 for it. I got it at a Tot Swap for something like $15. Jack LOVES this piano and will sit there and play with the keys and turn the pages. There are similar pianos on amazon for closer to $50, but I suggest you try your local thrift store. Kids barely use toys and most are easily cleaned with a swipe of a bleach wipe!

WubaNub Pacifiers: When Jack came home from the NICU he would only use the Soothie brand of pacifier that they gave him there. These WubaNub’s are invaluable because the small stuffed animal is permanently attached to the pacifier, making it easier for your baby to hold and for YOU to find in a dark bedroom.

Stuff that Didn’t Fit on Any Other List
Marshmallows, of course – peppermint, homemade, gourmet, etc. I’ve seen yummy versions pop up everywhere from Target to Walmart to Trader Joes. There is even a Gourmet Marshmallow of the Month club that I recently heard about. See I’m not the only one obsessed with their sugary goodness!

So tell me – do you agree with me on any of my favorites? Did I spark an idea for a gift you can give someone this holiday season? Is there something that you’re totally in love with that I should know about?

 

*This post is NOT SPONSORED in any way so I didn’t receive ANY of these items for free or discounted in return for me writing nice things.

**I asked my brother to just throw everything from my makeup thingie into a bag and he took that to mean that I just wanted some face powder, bronzer and blush. That’s it. I was eyeliner-less for three days and lived to tell the tale. Barely.

***I apologize for my time-related puns. They are truly terrible. And by terrible I obviously mean awesome.