1. Black Tulle Midi Skirt If you know me, you are probably shaking your head in disbelief because I'm so NOT a tulle skirt wearing person. But bare with me for a minute: the longer, midi length makes it dignified, it's an instant party outfit even when paired with a simple shirt and it's a timeless classic that I'll be able to wear for a long, long while. If you need something a little bit dressy and unexpected, go with a poof black skirt for the win.
2. Nordicware 12 cup Bundt Pan It's $11 bucks and it works just as well as the fancier, heavier versions sold by high end cookware stores. In fact, it's even made by the same company! Lightweight, pretty color options and the cake slides out like a dream. It's a keeper.
3. Ninja Blender I've gone most of my life without a blender and never even missed it. That was until a friend convinced me to get the Ninja and I haven't looked back. I've been sneaking in green veggies in my daughters smoothies and making cauliflower rice in it non stop every since. I can't wait to puree soups in it for fall.
4. Wood Slice This isn't entirely new as I've been obsessed with using these as chalkboards since 2013. You would think I would have grown old of it by now but they really do make the perfect signage and can be reused over and over again. I've used it for a hot cocoa bar display, dinner party menus, party decor and a 1st day of school sign. They also make great trivets and cheese trays.
5. Oh Crap Potty Training Ok childfree people, avert your eyes. Everyone else can proceed. While this book was magic, it really did help having a plan of attack before we tackled the great potty challenge of 2015. Potty training in general is for the birds but having a reference during the dark days was very helpful. I really appreciated how the author made it clear it wouldn't be overnight and that chilling out was the key to success. Up until then I had heard so many stories of parents snapping their fingers to a potty trained child that having a voice of reason was hugely helpful.
6. White Gelly Roll Pen I'm pretty sure I have tried every white ink pen in the history of creation and I keep coming back to this one. It writes beautifully, is opaque and is reasonably priced. Save yourself the money and just stick with this one for all your dark envelope addressing needs. (It also writes pretty well against black paint if you want to create something permanent on a wood slice!)
So there you have it. My must haves for fall. What about you? Any loves you want to share?
If you are open to Ninja products... the Ninja 3-in-1 or 4-in-1 slow cooker is PERFECT for fall. They incorporated a cooktop into the slow cooker, so you can saute those onions and spices right in the cooker pan and then just add the other ingredients - far fewer pans to wash. It works so well and has really streamlined my food prep (I cook a week's worth of lunches in it each Sunday morning and a dinner or two a week during the fall/winter). I also recommend the America's Test Kitchen slow cooker cookbooks - Slow Cooker Revolution 1 & 2.
ReplyDeleteOh thats good to know. I've always kept away from slow cookers because I always felt like the flavors were too muddled without searing the meat. Maybe I should try the Ninja version. Does it get hot enough to sear meat?
DeleteI have browned chicken in it, though not a larger roast. The cooktop does get hot (and has a high/low setting). The critical thing with slow cookers is getting good recipes that often require a bit of prep work beforehand and that don't rely upon lots of canned ingredients. The ATK cookbooks really produce quality meals with flavorful results. I'm having their Moroccan Chicken Stew for lunch today, in fact.
DeleteI sear my beef before crock pot cooking. Stews, soups and pot roasts are amazing in a crock pot and very, very easy. I just love it and use it often.
DeleteGood point Heather. Perhaps I'm just not using the right recipes.
DeleteMichele - if I have to sear meat in a pot before moving it to the slow cooker, I would just cook it all the way in that original pot. I will do anything to reduce clean up! :) I'm also way too paranoid to leave an appliance on if I'm leaving the house but I see the appeal of the slow cooker even if I just use it when I'm home doing other things.
Does that white pen work on fabric? I'm on the lookout for a white/silver/other light color pen or marker to write names in my kids' clothes. Some things have black tags and my kids have taken to removing the name tag stickers in things. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThanks Catherine. I think it would write on fabric (it writes on wood so why not?) but I'm not sure if it would stay legible when put in the wash. But certainly worth a try - a lot cheaper than the tags anyway.
DeleteArgh, that Bundt Pan!!
ReplyDeleteI have them only in black... if you do not take the silicon one in red into account. :)
I bet it would look great in mint green or a light pastel lavendar colour... <3
Writing on dark envelopes, are you? Halloween invites, perhaps??
ReplyDeleteOne note on potty training for you. I agonized over it with our first. She started at 2 and finished at 3. During that time I cleaned so much pee off of things and cursed the makers of pullups a thousand times. With my second, I was so lazy and did virtually nothing about it. She turned 3 and...no lie...trained herself in about four days. Nighttime, everything. I say, just wait and let them figure it out.
ReplyDeleteI ordered the skirt - hope it will take me through the holidays this year
ReplyDeleteLove the black tulle skirt.
ReplyDelete