fAVoriTe ThiNgS of 2010: Part One

I had so much fun doing this in the Fall, I thought it was time for a Winter version!

I would LOVE to have you all join me! Share YOUR current favorite things!! They can be totally random and silly, just like mine ;) If you have Photoshop or Elements, and are interested in using the storyboard template I created for mine, I would be happy to share it with you! It is a clipping mask, and is super easy and fun to use!! If you have the programs, but aren't sure how to use clipping masks, I'd be happy to help you...just ask!
Send me an email: elephantjuicedesigns@gmail.com and I'll forward you the template.

If you don't have those programs, you can still join in! There are tons of other programs out there for creating storyboards, OR just post your pictures like usual!

So, here are some of my favorite things of 2010: Part I...

{1} Oregon Chai: Honey, Black Tea & Spices Chai Tea Latte Mix

I am not a coffee drinker. I used to be a tea drinker, until pregnancy took away all desire for iced tea. I'm wondering if I will suddenly like it again next time I'm pregnant?!!? So, when I want something hot, Chai Tea is my drink of choice. Tiger Spice Chai Teas from CHC are my favorite, but this new mix that my sister-in-law got me for Christmas is very yummy!! You just add hot water , or ice for a cold Chai.

{2} Homemade Laundry Detergent & Essential Oils
Many THANKS to my sweet friend, Katelin for keeping my detergent jar full! One of these days I will learn how to make my own detergent (because I love it, and it saves a ton of money). But for now, Katelin and I have worked out a pretty good trade: I do family pictures for her, and she makes me detergent and other fun things, like a baby sling :) It doesn't take much of this detergent for each load, so it goes a long way. Most of the time, I don't care for scents in my laundry, but I do occasionally add a few drops of essential oil to the detergent. My favorites are cocoa butter and lavender.

{3} My Green Purse
This was one of my 30th Birthday presents to myself! I got it at Kohl's on our Girls Trip to Tulsa a few weeks ago. I was thrilled to find it in the clearance section, and I loved the fun color. I hate long straps, so this one is perfect to fit right over my shoulder. Plenty of pockets for my lipgloss and phone too!

{4} Hello, Lemon Saver!!
You probably already know that my favorite beverage is ice water with a fresh slice of lemon or lime! My sister-in-law, Kim (she's always getting me fun things) got this for me for my birthday in November! I guess she didn't like my ziplock bag of cut-up lemons that was always on the shelf of the fridge door?!? The Lemon Saver keeps my slices fresh longer. It's hard plastic, and has a twist seal, so it's easy to throw in my bag when I'm going to my mom's or my in-laws. I don't like to leave home without my lemons. HA!

{5} Earrings
Got these beautiful earrings from my little brother, and sister-in-law, Jennifer for Christmas! Not much to say, other than I love them, and they're beautiful. They go with LOTS of stuff too!

{6} Pioneer Woman Cooks
Another gift from my sister-in-law, Kim! She got me the cookbook for my birthday. Ree was supposed to be in Ponca City, OK for a book signing, so we'd planned to have ours autographed. Unfortunately it was the same day as our big Thanksgiving dinner with Justin's family. So the bookstore was going to set them aside, and have Ree sign them at the end of the night. Well, they FORGOT...a big pile of books that were set back to have her sign, not just ours! The guy felt so bad, I am sure. We were bummed, but lucky for us, he called to tell us that Ree would be coming back to town the week before Christmas to sign the forgotten books. I was surprised to see what she'd written to me..."Enjoy Laura, Happy 30th Birthday!" It made it so special! I really haven't made much from the book yet. I'm just enjoying reading it from cover to cover. It's so fun that every recipe has awesome pictures of the process. I need to get into the cooking spirit!

{7} Scarf
Another 30th Birthday present from myself, to myself. A Kohl's find! The colors go with everything, and it's soft and warm :)

{8} Aveeno Facial Cleanser & Moisturizer
I had been looking for a new cleanser and moisturizer for quite a while. I've been using the Aveeno Positively Radiant cleanser and & daily moisturizer for a few weeks now, and I really like it. BUT...for a few days now, I've been trying the +FC5 Swiss skin care from Arbonne. I have a friend that sells it, so she's given me some samples to try for awhile. I just might like this better! The cleanser/freshener has fresh strawberry cell extracts! The nurturing day lotion with spf 20 has fresh kiwi cell extracts, and the moisturizing night creme has fresh mango cell extracts. It's tempting to just lick it off my fingers!! It smells delicious. Anyone use either of these brands/products??

{9} Silpada Watch
I hosted a Silpada trunk show at the beginning of December. With my hostess credit, I was able to get this beautiful watch as one of my free items. It's brown leather with an extra long strap that wraps twice around your wrist! I haven't worn it much since I got it, because I've had this annoying rash on the top of my left hand for a couple months. It's driving me bananas!

{10} My Rubbermaid storage
My FIRST EVER (and only) Black Friday purchase! Wahoo!! I got a set of 25 Rubbermaid storage containers in a variety of sizes with red lids for $7.00. I was pretty darn excited! My sister-in-law Jenn was with me and got some too! She was just as excited! We're easy to please! No, I did not get out of bed at 4am, (or whatever time it was) just for these!! My little brother was planning to get a new flatscreen, so I was going along with him for the heck of it. I have never seen anything like it in all my life! It was hilarious and scary, all at the same time. Not sure if I'll do it again? At least I was able to get a Cricut for Kim though (while she was cozy in her bed), at a REALLY good price! So anyway...I've never had a "set" of food storage containers. We use them all the time, and they can go right into the dishwasher. Love that!

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I am looking forward to seeing some of your favorite things! Come on ladies (and gentleman, if you're out there?!?!) delurk and join me! If you read my blog, but have never introduced yourself/commented, now is the perfect chance. I love meeting new blog friends...don't be scared, I don't bite! Now get to work on your favorite things, and leave me a comment and link, so I can come check them out! P.S. You don't have to rattle on about your faves like I did...you can just post the pics if you want.