Patricia’s Favorite Things

I wanted to try something different for this week’s post so I searched for blog topic suggestions online. One site said that lists, reviews, and tips are especially popular. But I’m not a big fan of shopping and tend to just grab what I need without checking reviews or researching options first. As I thought more about it, though, I realized there are a few items I truly love and that others might want to know about – if not to consider buying them, maybe just to laugh at a glimpse of the madness that is the world of Patricia Mann. So I decided to have a little fun pretending to be a reviewer. I’d love to know what your favorite things are too!

1. SUGAR Tinted Lip Treatment (favorite color: plum, second favorite color: honey) $22.50 Sephora http://www.sephora.com/sugar-lip-treatment-spf-15-P57002?

I’ve spent decades searching high and low for a super-moisturizing lip balm with a little bit of color that feels, smells, and looks good. I’ve finally found it and I’m so in love that we’re now monogamous. It was tough to do, but I recently tossed all the other half used lip products that cluttered up my limited bathroom space. It’s an easy stick to use discreetly, always gliding on smooth and even – no mirror needed! Also, the plum shade, which is my favorite, can be applied lightly for the faintest hint of color and more heavily for a darker, lipstick-like effect.

2. Good Earth Original Sweet and Spicy Tea & Herb Blend, about $5.00 for 18 teabags,  in stores or at Good Earth restaurants.

I have a fierce love-hate relationship with coffee. More days than not, I drink it. But I’m always trying to give it up. One reason is because it’s hard on my sensitive stomach. Another is that I like my coffee packed with lots of high fat, high sugar extras, which, well… you know. I recently re-discovered this tea. I used to drink it all the time and stumbled upon it again a couple of weeks ago. I was reminded of how delicious it is, but more importantly, that somehow it packs quite a caffeine punch for tea. After a couple of cups, I was raring to go for hours. In my unscientific experiments, I find it boosts my energy almost as much as coffee. It’s great iced or hot and needs no sweetener. If you’re lucky enough not to need caffeine, I still recommend the caffeine free version because the taste is just so yummy.

3. Conair Blow Dryer with Brush Attachment, $22.99, Target http://www.target.com/p/conair-ionshine-dryer/-/A-10434299

Did you ever read that hugely popular daybook, Simple Abundance, by Sarah Ban Breathnach? What could be better than a new and profound life lesson for each day of the year? Here’s the title of the message for April 17: “Make peace with your hair.” Okay, Sarah, I adore your book, but really? Were you serious? I can agree intellectually, but emotionally I’m regularly disappointed in and on the verge of breaking up with my hair. My particular problem is uncontrollable curls and frizz. I usually blow dry it straight – a lengthy chore – the result of which can be reversed in about 4 seconds of humid weather. Sometimes I only dry a little of the top front straight and let the rest go wild. Either way, I often need touch ups. I’ve been using this Conair blow dryer with the brush attachment since I was about ten years old because for me, it’s the best way to quickly tame an errant strand, frizzy bangs, or even get my whole head of hair pretty straight if I dry it in sections. Having the brush and dryer attached in one unit somehow seems to make it easier to put all my might into yanking my hair into submission. I would think it would be convenient for touch ups and smoothing of straight hair too. And it only costs about $20-$30, depending on where you get it. I see it in most drug stores.

4. Old Navy Classic Flip-Flops $1.00-5.00 http://oldnavy.gap.com/browse/search.do?searchText=flip+flops

Sorry about this one – I expect that many of you will adamantly disagree and I hope we can still be friends. I know Havaianas are all the rage, but to me, they aren’t comfortable and they cost too much. And to be honest, I can’t really tell the difference. Flip-flops look like flip-flops to me. Are there any other Old Navy card holders out there who get excited about those emails announcing a $1.00 flip flop sale? I went to one not long ago and stocked up on almost every color along with a few new pairs for my kids for a ridiculously low total. I know there’s supposed to be some kind of limit on how many you can get for $1, but as long as I smile and play dumb as I unload my pile on the counter next to the cash register, they always let me get away with it. Even if you miss the sale, they’re usually only $2.00-$3.00 a pair. I can understand wanting to splurge on more blingy sandals for special outings, but for summer pool or beach time, running errands, hanging around the house, etc., these are my staples.

5. WELL REaD Organic, Sulfite-Free Wine $5.99, Trader-Joe’s http://www.ourdailyred.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=58..

A sad fact about getting older is that recovering from one too many becomes increasingly difficult. Still, I don’t think I’ll ever give up the pleasure of indulging in a glass or two of red wine from time to time. Who knows if it’s true that organic, sulfite-free wine is less likely to cause hangovers and headaches? But that possibility, in addition to the flavor and extremely reasonable price, make this my drink of choice. When I want something a little lighter, I mix it with flavored sparkling water and frozen fruit for a homemade sangria. Granted, I’m no wine connoisseur, but I know what tastes good to me. I also have to admit that the literary theme tickles me. I can’t think of two things that go together better than wine and a great book. Here’s the official description: “A blend of Grenache, Sangiovese and a kiss of Syrah, this wine was left on oak a little longer to strengthen its overall structure. You’ll find a dark rich blend with full mouth feel, subtle earth notes, traditional Sangiovese tannins, and a soft oak and vanilla finish.” Darn, it’s only 2:00 in the afternoon right now, but as they say, it’s 5:00 somewhere, right?

It was fun to tell you about some of my favorite things. The process led to much more self-disclosure than I had anticipated! I hope I didn’t come across as a vain, cheap, wino. I am not an expert in any of these products or companies, so if you purchase any of my favorite items, please do so at your own risk and don’t blame me if you hate them! But I would like to know what you think.

Thanks for reading,

Patricia