November 2018 Favorites

Welcome back to my “Things I’m Loving” series! It’s been a little while since my last personal recommendations post – two years, in fact – but rest assured, the items I’m about to share are genuinely exciting and have earned their spot through consistent use and undeniable appeal. While I originally envisioned these posts as a regular feature, they’ve naturally evolved into an occasional, much-anticipated treat. This means that when I *do* share, you know these products, services, and experiences have truly captured my heart and become everyday essentials. My passion for these finds runs deep, so much so that I simply have to share them with you!

Before we dive into this new collection of favorites, I want to assure you that the items from my Things I’m Loving: December 2016 post have absolutely stood the test of time. If you’re looking for more tried-and-true recommendations, those are still incredibly relevant and worth exploring.

I genuinely adore hearing about the products, foods, services, gadgets, and websites that currently make your life better. Your insights are invaluable, so please, share your current obsessions in the comments section below! It’s a fantastic way for us to discover new, delightful things we might never have encountered otherwise. Plus, with the holiday season fast approaching, your suggestions could spark brilliant ideas for our own wish lists or thoughtful gifts for friends and family.

Transparency is important, so please note that some links in this post are affiliate links. This means that if you choose to follow a link to Amazon and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Similarly, if you use my FabFitFun link to sign up and receive a special discount, I might also earn a credit. My decision to feature these five items was solely based on my genuine love for them, not on the availability of an affiliate program. However, where an affiliate program exists, I’ve opted to use the affiliate link as a convenient way to share these products while potentially supporting the blog.

In addition to my own top five cherished items, I’ve included a special bonus at the end of this post – one of *your* long-standing favorites! It’s an item I’m frequently asked about, so be sure to read all the way through to uncover this popular reader pick!

I’m incredibly enthusiastic about introducing each of these discoveries, and I sincerely hope you find as much joy and utility in them as I have. After you’ve had a chance to check them out, please come back and let me know your thoughts. Without further delay, let’s explore my current must-have essentials!

1. Stitch People: The Ultimate Guide to Personalized Cross-Stitch Portraits

In life, it’s wonderful to have a diverse range of passions. My husband, for instance, enjoys a multitude of hobbies, from woodworking and hiking to home improvement, gaming, and fishing. For nearly a decade, my primary creative outlet and passion project has been this blog, coupled with the culinary exploration of developing and perfecting recipes. However, as this blog transitioned from a beloved hobby to my full-time career – a dream come true for which I am eternally grateful to all of you – I found myself seeking another creative pursuit. I wanted something fulfilling to occupy my evenings after our daughter, Claire, was tucked into bed, beyond (or in addition to) indulging in reality TV.

My ideal new hobby needed to be hands-on, artistic, and flexible enough to pick up and put down as time allowed, all while fostering a sense of accomplishment. I considered various crafts, including pottery, before stumbling upon a social media post about Stitch People. The concept immediately captivated me.

I was instantly and utterly *obsessed*. For those unfamiliar, Do-It-Yourself Stitch People (2nd Edition), a fantastic book by Lizzy Dabczynski-Bean, teaches you how to design and cross-stitch personalized portraits. This incredible resource allows you to customize characters and pets to resemble anyone you know, creating truly unique and heartfelt gifts. Despite never having cross-stitched before, I found myself scrolling through countless #stitchpeople examples on Instagram, bookmarking dozens of inspiring designs. It quickly became clear: I needed this book.

Even if you’ve never held a needle, this comprehensive guide will transform you into a #FlossBoss in no time (a little cross-stitching humor!). It meticulously covers everything from selecting your materials and mastering basic stitches to designing intricate pieces, offering a vast array of patterns for clothing, hairstyles, pets, and accessories. The book also provides clear instructions on how to beautifully frame your finished artwork. As an added bonus, purchasing the book grants you access to a private Facebook community of fellow stitchers, a supportive network ready to offer help, feedback, and endless inspiration.

Stitch People has proven to be the ideal hobby for me. There’s immense satisfaction in meticulously planning a design on graph paper and then watching friends and family come to life, stitch by stitch. I’ve already completed two portraits and am currently working on a third (which is a gift, so no spoilers!). Each finished piece fills me with pride. One of my first creations was a portrait of our family – myself, Mr. Bites, our baby Claire, and our dog Bennett. The one pictured is actually my second attempt, as I learned so much from my initial go! I also crafted a beautiful wedding gift for my brother-in-law and his new wife. Fortunately, the bride shared many details beforehand, allowing me to accurately capture her dress, his tux, flowers, hairstyles, and even their wedding arbor.

Stitch People portraits are fantastic for creating truly unique and memorable gifts, perfect for celebrating significant milestones like weddings, anniversaries, or the arrival of a new baby. They beautifully revitalize a craft often considered traditional, transforming it into something fresh, modern, and deeply personal. Once you’ve mastered the basics, the possibilities for adding intricate details to your portraits are endless. I’m excited to continue honing my skills and creating many more of these cherished keepsakes. If you’re a fellow stitcher, I would absolutely love to see your Stitch People creations! I’ve gained so much inspiration from others’ portraits and can’t wait to admire yours.

2. RTIC 30 oz Stainless Steel Tumbler: Your Essential Hydration Companion

You might think that a simple tumbler isn’t something to rave about, but let me tell you, this RTIC 30 oz Stainless Steel Tumbler has genuinely revolutionized my daily hydration. My husband gifted it to me two Christmases ago, and I can honestly say it’s one of the best presents I’ve ever received. It’s rarely out of my sight. Whether I’m running errands, visiting friends and family, or enjoying a vacation, this tumbler is my constant companion. At home, it’s always by my side, and at night, it rests on my bedside table. The only time we’re truly separated is when it’s being washed. Friends have playfully dubbed it my “adult sippy cup,” and frankly, they’re not wrong!

So, why such an intense devotion to a stainless steel cup? My secret is simple: I drink a significant amount of water, and I have a strong preference for it to be ice cold. This RTIC tumbler excels at keeping my water refreshingly chilled for an astonishingly long time. I can fill it with ice water before bed and wake up the next morning to find the ice still intact and the water perfectly cold. During scorching summer days by the pool, my drink remains wonderfully cold even under the direct sun and heat. After a long afternoon of errands, returning to my car means ice-cold water is waiting for me. Beyond its exceptional insulation, the cup boasts a “no sweat” design, meaning it never condensates, eliminating the need for coasters. The double-wall vacuum insulation also ensures the exterior of the cup remains at a comfortable temperature, regardless of how hot or cold your beverage is inside. While I primarily use it for cold drinks, it’s also designed to keep hot beverages steaming for hours! Its 30 oz capacity strikes a perfect balance – it’s substantial enough to keep you hydrated without being cumbersome, reducing the need for constant refills.

Many brands offer similar insulated tumblers, including the well-known and often pricier Yeti, and I’m sure most perform admirably. However, the RTIC is the one I personally use and wholeheartedly recommend. I appreciate its transparent, airtight lid, which allows me to easily monitor my drink level. My particular tumbler is an older version, but you can find the new and improved version with a sealable lid here, available in a variety of stylish colors! To enhance your RTIC experience, I also highly recommend two accessories: these durable stainless steel straws, which I absolutely love, and this convenient slide-on handle, which adds an extra layer of portability and comfort.

For anyone striving to increase their daily water intake, especially those who prefer their water icy cold, I wholeheartedly believe this cup is a game-changer. From personal experience, it has dramatically increased my water consumption. It also makes for an incredibly practical and appreciated gift that keeps on giving!

3. FabFitFun Box: Unbox Joy and Discover Your New Favorites

My journey with FabFitFun began just last season, with the Fall 2018 box, and I’m already completely hooked! For those who haven’t yet discovered this gem, FabFitFun is a premier seasonal subscription box, delivered four times a year. Each box is a treasure trove, brimming with full-size products and delightful goodies curated specifically for women. The categories are incredibly diverse, spanning fashion, beauty, wellness, home décor, technology, and more.

What makes FabFitFun particularly exciting is its personalized approach. While some items are included for everyone, others are selected based on a quick quiz you complete upon signing up. Even better, you get the opportunity to choose several items yourself from a range of fantastic options, ensuring each box feels uniquely yours.

The value packed into my very first box was truly astonishing. Here’s a glimpse of the incredible items I received:

• Vince Camuto Tote Bag: A stylish and versatile brown tote with a chic black stripe – it effortlessly complements any outfit!
• BeautyBlender: An essential tool for achieving flawless makeup application, now a staple in my routine.
• GlamGlow Bubblesheet Face Masks (2-pack): These invigorating masks left my skin feeling incredibly soft and refreshed.
• Grown Alchemist Hydra-Restore Cream Cleanser: I absolutely adore this cleanser; it not only works wonders but also has an amazing, natural scent.
• Cyclo Cobra Bluetooth Wireless Earbuds: A welcome addition, as I didn’t own any Bluetooth earbuds prior to this.
• Skin & Co Blue in Capri Shower Gel: A luxurious shower gel that I’m eager to use once I finish my current one.
• Simply Whimsical Tea Towels: Their neutral design makes them perfect for any kitchen décor.
• Cuccio Somatology Yogahhh! Detox Bath Salts: As someone who enjoys a relaxing bath every evening, these were an instant favorite.
• Alfred Teapot: I chose this over a French Press. While I don’t frequently drink hot beverages, it’s a beautiful piece for when the mood strikes.
• Luna Rica Bar in Salted Caramel Nut: So delicious, it was devoured before I could even snap a picture!

The total retail value of my Fall box was an impressive $357, yet the seasonal subscription costs only $49.99! Although I’m not directly partnered with FabFitFun, as a satisfied member, I’m thrilled to offer you a special incentive: use my link to get $10 off your first box, bringing the price down to an incredible $39.99! I’ve either already used or plan to use almost every single item from my Fall box (the teapot being the only potential exception). Even if I were only to keep one or two items and re-gift the rest, the immense value of this box would still make it an incredibly worthwhile investment.

I’ve already had the pleasure of customizing several options for my upcoming Winter box, and I’m eagerly anticipating some fantastic additions. I’m excited for stylish over-the-knee socks that will look adorable with boots, Oribe Gold Lust dry shampoo for refreshing my hair, a warm headband and glove set perfect for Buffalo winters, and a cozy, neutral color-blocked Mark and Graham throw blanket. I can’t wait to discover what other delights await inside!

Beyond the curated boxes, FabFitFun members also gain access to exclusive “add-on” sales, offering deep discounts on premium products. For example, I wanted to try a high-end moisturizer, and the Murad Hydro-Dynamic Ultimate Moisturizer, which typically retails for $75, was available as a $19 add-on. So, that’s another exciting item coming in my Winter box – truly a bonus!

If you’re curious to experience the joy of a FabFitFun box, especially the fantastic Winter edition, remember you can use my link to receive $10 off your first box. It’s an outstanding deal for discovering full-size products that enhance your lifestyle!

4. Tinybeans: Private Photo Sharing for Your Family’s Precious Moments

If you’re a parent, a parent-to-be, an aunt, uncle, grandparent, or even a devoted pet owner who treats their furry friend like family, you absolutely need to know about Tinybeans! This ingenious website and app provide a secure and private platform for uploading all those adorable photos and videos of your child (or children, or beloved pet) and sharing them exclusively with the people you choose. Instead of overwhelming your Facebook or Instagram feeds with dozens of baby pictures daily – which your distant ex-coworker might not appreciate – Tinybeans allows you to share these precious moments with those who genuinely care and want to gush over them.

The beauty of Tinybeans lies in its ability to bridge distances and keep extended family deeply connected. While “Tom from math class” might not be interested, I know for a fact that grandparents, great-grandparents, aunts, and uncles are eager to see as many pictures and videos as possible. Tinybeans offers a far superior and more organized way to share these memories than endless group texts.

Here’s how it works: As parents, you have complete control over who you invite to view your family’s Tinybeans album. You can also customize the access level for each invitee, choosing whether they can simply view or also contribute photos. Once they accept your invitation, they can tailor their notification preferences – perhaps a weekly email summary of photos, or immediate push notifications for new comments. If you follow multiple families on Tinybeans, you can easily switch between albums and set different notification preferences for each (e.g., push notifications for your baby’s photos, but a weekly email for your nephew’s). After setting up your preferences, you can effortlessly upload photos and videos with captions. Your invited friends and family can then browse these updates at their leisure, as often or infrequently as they desire, receiving notifications only as frequently as they’ve chosen. For example, if a late afternoon passes without a new photo of Claire, I can almost guarantee both of her grandmas will text me asking, “Where’s my Tinybeans?!” My friends, on the other hand, typically opt for a weekly email reminder and then delve into a week’s worth of new memories.

We’ve received an overwhelming amount of positive feedback from friends and family who are thrilled we use Tinybeans. My mother-in-law, who lives across the state, expressed her deep gratitude for being able to see daily pictures of Claire growing, trying new things, and being utterly adorable. It’s an invaluable tool for extended family to share in Claire’s humorous moments, celebrate her milestones, and stay connected. Posting videos is also incredibly popular and always a big hit! Both the app and website are exceptionally user-friendly; even Claire’s great-grandparents (my husband’s grandparents) use it daily to keep up with her adventures.

Beyond its fantastic sharing capabilities, my husband and I have discovered that Tinybeans serves as a wonderful personal memory journal. It’s incredibly easy to scroll back through pictures and videos, reminiscing about past moments and marveling at how much Claire has grown and changed in just eight short months. Looking at photos from even a couple of months ago, it’s astonishing to see her rapid development. Furthermore, when I need to recall exactly when she started sitting, got her first tooth, or began rolling over, I can quickly reference Tinybeans for photo confirmation!

Tinybeans is completely free to use, you retain full ownership of all your uploaded photos, and it offers a wonderfully private and secure way to share your little ones’ moments with trusted friends and family. If you have a child, their grandparents will undoubtedly thank you for introducing them to this fantastic platform!

5. Planetbox: Revolutionizing Meal Prep with Eco-Friendly Lunchboxes

About a year and a half ago, I decided to start packing lunch for my husband to take to work a few times a week. Working from home, I have the luxury of preparing whatever I fancy for lunch. However, my husband often found himself working straight through lunch or resorting to takeout. Given how much he does to simplify my life, I felt this would be a small, thoughtful way to give back. I first discovered Planetbox lunchboxes on Instagram, showcased by the wonderful @leslielosingit, who expertly packed lunches for her husband and four children. I was immediately intrigued.

The bento-box style compartments of Planetbox make meal planning incredibly easy and fun, allowing for creative food combinations and excellent portion control. Constructed from high-quality stainless steel, these lunchboxes are robust and built to last for many years, significantly reducing the need for countless plastic baggies and contributing positively to the environment. Furthermore, they are a breeze to clean and completely dishwasher safe, adding to their convenience.

Planetbox offers three distinct sizes: the Shuttle, the Rover, and the Launch. The Shuttle is a compact snack box with two compartments. Both the Rover and the Launch are designed for full meals. The Rover features five compartments, providing ample variety, while the Launch boasts three larger compartments, ideal for bigger serving sizes. For an adult male, I determined the Launch was the perfect fit. I initially had reservations about whether the portion sizes would be sufficient to fill him up, but once I started packing his lunches in the Launch box, he confirmed it was absolutely perfect! Just the right amount to feel satisfied without the overstuffed feeling he sometimes experienced with ordered lunches. Mr. Bites was delighted, feeling healthier and more energized, and I, in turn, found renewed enthusiasm for inventing creative ways to fill each compartment!

My passion for these lunchboxes even led me to create a second Instagram account, @lunchboxbites, where I occasionally share pictures of the lunches I prepare for my husband. I love exploring the #planetbox hashtag for innovative packing ideas and eagerly anticipate the day our daughter starts school, when I can get her a Rover and pack her healthy, fun lunches too. You can personalize your Planetbox with a variety of engaging magnets for the lid (Mr. Bites chose dinosaurs!) and choose from a selection of colorful carrying bags designed to perfectly fit the box.

I highly recommend investing in some of the Planetbox accessories. For the Launch model, we purchased the dedicated carrying bag, the “satellite dish” (a glass container with a silicone lid that perfectly fits into the largest compartment, ideal for packing leftovers needing reheating or wetter foods like yogurt or stew), and the “pods” (small silicone cubes that are the perfect height to further subdivide compartments, great for nuts or small treats). The box itself comes with a small metal sauce container with a silicone lid, which is excellent for salad dressing or dipping sauces like ranch or hummus. I use all of these accessories regularly. While the initial cost of the box plus accessories might seem significant for a lunchbox, its exceptional durability assures me it will serve us reliably for many, many years. I genuinely find it much more enjoyable and inspiring to pack lunches with Planetbox than with a conventional lunch bag, leading me to pack homemade meals far more often and feel good about reducing plastic waste.

Whether you’re preparing your own work lunches, packing meals for your children, or creating thoughtful lunches for your spouse, Planetbox is definitely worth exploring. I suggest browsing their Instagram feed or the #planetbox hashtag for a wealth of ideas and inspiration. It’s an outstanding way to bring healthy, fun, and eco-friendly meals to work or school.

Bonus: Stoneware Soup and Side Bowls!

I’m thrilled to include this bonus item because, from what I can tell, it’s consistently one of YOUR (my beloved readers’) favorite things! Every single time I post a recipe featuring these bowls in the photographs, my comments section is flooded with inquiries about where to purchase them. I often playfully think, “Hey, did anyone notice the delicious soup recipe…? No? Just the bowls?” Haha! To be fair, these truly are exceptional bowls.

Their design is perfectly suited for a wide array of meals. Imagine a hearty bowl of soup accompanied by a side of crackers, a perfectly cut sandwich, or a fresh salad. Or perhaps a comforting chili served with a side of Fritos. They’re also fantastic for dips with an assortment of veggies or chips, or even for breakfast creations like yogurt or oatmeal with a generous side of fruit or other toppings. You’ll find countless uses for these versatile stoneware bowls! I received them as a thoughtful gift (Thanks, Gram!), and they are readily available as a set of two on Amazon. For everyone who has ever inquired about these practical and stylish bowls, now’s your chance – go ahead and add them to your cart right now!

So, there you have it – a curated collection of the things that are genuinely enhancing my life right now. I’d love to hear what you think of my latest discoveries! If you’ve found inspiration in any of these favorite things, or if you’re eager for more posts like this, please leave a comment below. Even better, tell me some of *your* current favorites – I would absolutely love that! Connecting with you and discovering new recommendations is one of my greatest joys.

I’m also considering creating a dedicated post specifically highlighting my favorite baby items, if there’s enough interest. Please let me know in the comments if that’s something you’d be interested in seeing!