These are a few of my (current) favorite things...

TOMS.
These are the best shoes in the history of shoes. Not only are they comfortable and cute, but for every pair of shoes you purchase, TOMS donates a pair of shoes to a child in need. What could be more awesome than that? I own two pairs: Love is the New Black Navy Colorway and the Gilded Herringbone Women's Classics. With my Christmas money, I ordered two more pairs: Black Canvas Classics (for more every day use) and the Silver Morroco Women's Classics (because I can't get enough of the SPARKLE). I wore my navy TOMS at the theme parks Ricky and I visited last week after my beloved Converse low-tops made my heels blister, and I discovered that TOMS make the best theme park shoes. Seriously. They were such a comfort after the hellish Converse shoes. Even with two new pairs winging their way towards me, I am already thinking ahead to the pairs I want to buy in the future. So you know I've got it bad. If there was such a thing as TOMS Anonymous, I would sooo be a member. Yep.
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Lego Harry Potter (Years 1-4).
Ricky (le boyf) got this video game for the PS3 and invited me to play along with him, as it is has a two-player mode. At first I was all like, what is this silly childish game. But after just a few levels, I found myself completely hooked. We finished it last night and now I'm eagerly waiting for the next installment, Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7. Can't wait!
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Phyto Hair Products.
This past summer I noticed that my hair was beginning to thin, especially on the crown of my head. I became worried when clumps of my hair started falling out every time I shampooed my hair, and when my boyf noticed a bald spot on the top of my head, that's when I really became alarmed. I thought it was due to the Brazilian blow-out treatments I'd done in the past, since my scalp became very oily and I felt my hair's texture had changed permanently after doing three treatments. But after reading up on hair loss, I learned that it can also be a result of seasonal change, hormonal change, and even plain old stress. That calmed me down somewhat. Then I started researching hair products to help combat the hair loss and found that Phyto's haircare products had high reviews on Sephora, particularly for their products targeting hair loss.

I've always been a fan of Phyto's Phytodefrisant Botanical Hair Relaxing Balm (it's a must for frizzy hair), and I began using the Phytocyane Shampoo and Phytobaume Conditioner after reading some reviews that claimed these products helped women with thinning hair. While I like how clean the shampoo leaves my hair, I think the conditioner tends to leave my hair a little dry (it's formulated for thin hair so it won't weigh it down so much). My hair is a bit too thirsty for such a lightweight conditioner. In addition, I've also been using the Phytopolleine Universal Elixer - Scalp Stimulant, Phytocyane Revitalizing Serum, and Phytophanere Dietary Supplement.

These last three products, in my opinion, are what have helped my hair out the most. I've been using these products since October and already I'm starting to see results in the form of baby hair growing all over my scalp. I'm trying to wait more days in between shampooing my hair -- normally I wash it every other day, but now I've been waiting an extra day in between -- and I've also stopped using my straightening iron as much. Even my hair stylist has noticed a change in my hair. Here's hoping it keeps working!
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Flowerbomb.
This perfume by Viktor & Rolf is both sophisticated and subtle, perfect to wear by day or night. I tend to like perfumes with prominent floral notes, like Stella McCartney's Rose Absolute, and Flowerbomb is very similar to this scent, almost like an exotic older cousin. I say exotic because Flowerbomb also has some oriental notes in the background that give this perfume a little extra oomph. You know how most perfumes don't have much staying power? Well, this perfume is great in that it lasts all day. Plus it's a favorite of the boyf's, which is always a plus in my book.
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Mr. Coffee.
I feel like such an adult -- I finally have my very own coffeemaker! Never mind that I ordered coffee beans from an online store and tried to brew them today ... without grinding them first. (Who knew you had to grind coffee beans to make coffee? *cue Goofy laugh*) For years I've relied on Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts to get my java fix. It's nice to know I can make my own coffee at home now. I ordered the Mr. Coffee 4-cup Programmable Coffeemaker from Amazon, which for $19.99 I consider a steal. I used it today for the first time (with a Starbucks sample I had lying around that was already ground, happily) and found that it worked very quickly and neatly. Now if I could only find a coffee grinder that works just as well...
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The Art of Racing in the Rain.
I wrote about this book in a previous post. Why am I writing about it again? Because it is that good. Like every cliche of an amazing book, I laughed, I cried, and I wanted to immediately begin rereading it as soon as I finished it, I was that sad to have it end. What makes this book unique is that it is told from the perspective of a dog. That the author, Garth Stein, is able to do this in a manner that is both witty and heart-jerking is quite an achievement.

This is one of the best books I read in 2010, and I'm eager to read more from Stein -- I recently purchased Raven Stole the Moon, which I plan on starting after I finish the book I'm currently reading, Inside of a Dog by Alexandra Horowitz. I became so interested in dogs after finishing The Art of Racing in the Rain that I decided to pick up Horowitz's book. I guess you can say I've become dog-obsessed!

Do yourself a favor and read The Art of Racing in the Rain  -- it will forever change the way you view dogs. You can buy the book from Amazon for just $5.86. Read it and then come back here and tell me what you thought of it!

What are your favorites this month?

P.S.) This post marks my TWO YEAR anniversary of favorite things posts. Crazy. You can check out more of my favorites here.

{all pictures credit of Google images}
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1 comment(s):

Vanessa said...

I really need a pair (or 10) of Toms in my life asap!