go-to's

Thomas is napping, and Adam took Phillip out for a bit to help at the Yarmouth Waterfront Gallery, so I have a few minutes to myself. The weather has cooled down and there is a lovely breeze off of the water today. We have plans to go to the beach with friends (including a brand new little baby I'm hoping to get some cuddles with!) this afternoon. In short, a perfect day.

In the picture above is part of a funny little crafty thing I did with the boys - tape popsicle sticks together as show, flip it over and draw a picture. Take off the tape, and you have a puzzle to assemble!

I thought I would quickly share a few of my go-to's today - you know, those things that you discover that just work, and you always have them around. As always, no one's paid me - these opinions are all my own! I just like to share.

In no particular order, here are the ones that immediately came to mind:

Oakmoss - Amber's essential oil blends are amazing, and her sweet peppermint lip balm is better than Burt's Bees. (It's a wee bit softer and more delicious and amazing.) My favourite of her essential oil blends is the licorice one - I bought one of her candles several months ago and stop to smell it every time I walk by it on the pantry shelf. My mom loved it so much that she asked me to buy her one, which is almost unheard of. All of Amber's soaps, candles, and oils are scented with only essential oils, and she certainly has the knack and knowledge for blending them well. Her Etsy shop is here, and  she also has a lovely blog, here.

Also on Etsy, Country Life Naturals make the best reusable snack bags. The velcro is strong, they're extremely sturdy and well made, and I can't recommend them highly enough. We sent them in Phillip's lunch all year, and I take them to work regularly, and they look like new.

Athena Creates for un-paper towels, which we use for cleaning up spills, wiping faces and hands after meals, and anything else that people might usually use paper towels for. They wash up well, dry quickly, and are perfect.

I love Zhena's Gypsy Teas. They are completely fair trade and organic; they have their own tea fields and you can watch their 'Beyond Fair Trade' video here.

The Body Shop's Aloe line. The only commercial face care that has absolutely no scent and doesn't make me break out or dry out - the second ingredient is actually aloe, and it's soothing and nourishing and I love it. I especially love the cream cleanser and the day and night creams. And the mask is lovely, too. (When I just went to get the links, I saw that they have 40% off online today only (here in Canada, anyway - just thought I'd let you know!)

Speaking of faces, Neutrogena's Pure & Free SPF 50 face sunblock is lovely. Goes on well, no scent, blends right in and works under makeup.

Down East laundry detergent. Made right here in Nova Scotia, unscented, EcoLogo certified, and effective.

Meal in 20 minutes: pasta. I prefer salad form.

TV show to watch by myself on Netflix - Murder, She Wrote. (There are 264 episodes total, and I'm somewhere around 215. I don't know what it is about it, but I love it. The episodes set in Cabot Cover (Pop 3560) are by far my favourites.)

TV show that Adam and I watch together: Downton Abbey. I can't recommend it highly enough - the most beautiful show I've ever seen. (Unlike Murder, She Wrote, I don't feel the need to explain why I love it and how wonderful it is.) We're finally all caught up - I can't wait to see what happens next!
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Now, what are your go-to's that I need to know about? Do tell!