15 Products I Use and Love

It’s been a while since I put together a post where I share the products I love, the ones that make my life better or a whole lot easier. This past weekend while visiting my son and daughter-in-law, my dil and I started talking about some of the things we enjoy using like hair products, lotions, etc…

Today I’m sharing them all with you and if they are still available, I’ll link to them where I purchased them. I think most, if not all, are still available. Some of the items I’m sharing are the ones I most frequently get emails about, so hopefully this will answer some questions, too.

In this photo I shared when I changed out my winter bedding for summer bedding, you may have noticed a dark object on my bedside table.

Sewing A Heavy Very Full Bedskirt

 

Projection Clock Radio With Dual Alarm & Temperature Display

It’s a clock radio with dual alarms, that also shows the indoor temperature and projects the time on the wall or ceiling. The arm adjusts so you can project it as low or as high up as you like. I purchased it last year and absolutely love it. It’s awesome being able to wake up in the morning, open my eyes and instantly see the time in front of me.

It also comes in handy if you wake in the middle of the night and you’re wondering what time it is. It interrupts your sleep less than rolling over and fumbling around trying to see the clock. When you walk into the room during the daytime, you can’t see the numbers on the ceiling, which I like when I’m awake. They just show when the room is mostly dark or dark.

I would definitely buy this again if this one ever quits working. It’s available here: Projection Clock Radio With Dual Alarm & Temperature Display

Projection Alarm Clock

 

Anji Mountain Bamboo Chairmat

I’ve had several emails over the past year asking where I purchased my bamboo chair mat here in the office. I purchased my first one at a local office store. Recently, I wanted to purchase a second one to place in front of the area where I use my puzzle board.

Pottery Barn Bedford Office Layout

 

I found the exact same mat on Amazon for a good bit less. I was kicking myself for not having bought it on Amazon the first time. It comes in different shapes and looks great on hardwood flooring. I use the rectangle shape for my desk configuration and it measures 48 x 42. Here’s where I purchased the one I bought recently: Anji Mountain Bamboo Chairmat

Anji Mountain Bamboo Chairmat

 

Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed Blender

I love my NutriBullet! It stays out on my counter full-time and I use it 2-3 times a week. You can read more about how I use it in this previous post: Fast & Easy Juicing For The Lazy Cook. I was impatient and purchased mine from Target but later I realized I paid around $40 more than if I had purchased it on Amazon. I’ve learned the hard way, always check on Amazon before buying it in a big box store. Magic Bullet is available here: Magic Bullet NutriBullet 12-Piece High-Speed BlenderNutriBullet

 

Hagerty Silver Holloware Storage Bags

Occasionally, I’ll use silverplated candlesticks in table settings. In the past when I would get them out to use them, they would have tarnished and I’d have to polish them before I could place them on the table. That was inconvenient since I usually didn’t have the time to stop and polish them right then. Also, I was beginning to worry that all the polishing would wear through the silver plate to the metal below.

I love Hagerty Silver Polish so I went online to see if they made storage bags that would keep my candle sticks looking good in between uses, and they do! I love these bags because they save me time and work. They come in a bunch of different sizes.

Hagerty Holloware Silver Bag

Since the smaller Hagerty bags worked so well for the candlesticks, last year I ordered their larger 25 x 30 inch bags for storing my silverplated Christmas ornament trees seen in this whimsical winter table setting. The larger bags are available here: Hagerty 24 by 30 inch Zippered Holloware Bag. You can see the various sizes they come in at that link, as well.

Silver Ornament Tree with Crystal Swarovski Snowflake and Star Ornaments

 

Brome Squirrel Buster AND Brome Squirrel Buster Classic

Recently I got an email asking what bird feeders I use and like best. I’ve tried a lot of feeders over the years and there are only two that I know of that actually prevent squirrels from getting to the seed. I put out some pretty expensive bird seed for my birds, so I can’t afford to let the squirrels have it since they can clean out a regular feeder in no time flat.

The two feeders I having hanging out full-time are the Brome Squirrel Buster with Cardinal Perch Ring…Brome Squirrel Buster Bird Feeder

 

And the Brome Squirrel Buster Classic. The thing I love about both of these feeders (besides the fact they shut down under the weight of a squirrel) is birds that prefer a perch or platform to sit on while eating, love these feeders. Even fat blue jays and mourning doves can fit on the one above with the perch ring. My cardinals LOVE both feeders and have no trouble sitting on the perches below or the ring above.

 

Brome Squirrel Buster Classic Bird Feeder

Here’s the older version of the one above, and you can see what happens when a wily squirrel attempts to steal all the seed. It closes down over the open ports and after a few minutes, he gives up and leaves. 🙂 Love both these feeders! They are available here: Brome Squirrel Buster with Cardinal Perch Ring AND Brome Squirrel Buster Classic.

Squirrel Proof Feeder

 

But as you can see, it’s not raccoon proof. 🙂

Raccoon Eating From Backyard Bird Feeder

 

Electronics Recharge Station

A while back I went in search of a charging station so I could corral all my charging cables once and for all. I found one on Amazon but it was sold out at the time. I ended up buying a used one on eBay.

This little charging station has transformed my life! This is Grand Central Station, where I charge everything I use regularly including my fitness band, phone, iPad, wireless headphones, wireless speaker and the battery for the new camera I just purchased for travel.

Charging Station for iPad, Headphones, Phone, Fitness Band, Bluetooth Speakers

 

The station I had seen that’s very similar is now back in stock here: Electronics Recharge Station I use the drawer on mine for storing adapters and instruction booklets. I think you may need to purchase a power strip to go in back. Mine already had one since I purchased it used.

Recharge Station for Multiple Devices

Anker USB Charger

In addition to the outlet strip, I tucked my Anker USB Charger Unit inside the back because I find it’s easier to charge a lot of my electronics via their USB cord. Since I charge so many things on a regular basis, it helps that I don’t have to fit all those big plugs into the charging strip.

Anker 5-Port Desktop USB Charger

 

Sony Bluetooth & Noise Canceling Headset

Several months ago I began looking for a good pair of bluetooth, noise canceling headphones that were affordable. I’ve always wanted a pair of Bose noise canceling headphones but they were more than I wanted to spend.

I was looking for headphones that would pair with my phone so I could listen to books or music while vacuuming. Vacuuming is soooo boring, I’m always looking for ways to make chores like that more enjoyable or at least tolerable. Regular headphones wouldn’t work since the music/book would have to be turned up way too loud which would be bad for hearing. If you’ve ever tried to listen to music while vacuuming, you know it’s pretty much impossible.

This headset works perfectly, just as I had hoped. Whenever I vacuum, I fire up a good book on my phone that I’ve downloaded from Audible and enjoy it while I vacuum. If a call comes in, I can press a button on the headset and answer it right there. Once I hang up, I’m back to my book. It has a pretty good range, I’m surprised how far I can walk away before the connection is lost. I really like these a lot. They should be great for travel, too. They are available here: Sony Bluetooth & Noise Canceling Headset

Sony Wireless, Bluetooth, Noise-Canceling Headphones

Puzzle Sorting Trays

As an adult, I’ve rediscovered the joys of doing puzzles. When working on a puzzle, I needed a way to sort the pieces. I love these little puzzle-shaped sorting trays. They stack which makes it easy to tuck them away when I’m done for the evening. Here’s where I purchased mine: Puzzle Sorting Trays

Puzzle Sorting Trays

 

Ghost Eclipse Perfume

Several months ago I was watching a You Tube video uploaded by another blogger. She was raving about this perfume called Ghost Eclipse. I never, ever buy perfume without first smelling/trying it but after listening to her talk about it, I was super tempted. She said she had worn it while on holiday and the whole time she kept getting compliments. I loved the bottle it came in, too…so cute!

The more she talked about how much she loved it, the more I wanted to try it, only problem is, it’s made in the United Kingdom and isn’t available for sale in the U.S. I was thrilled when I found it online with just $8 shipping from the U.K.

Update: This shop has it with free shipping, an even better deal than what I found: Ghost Eclipse PerfumeGhost Eclipse Perfume

 

When Ghost Eclipse arrived, I loved it so much I turned right around and ordered their nighttime fragrance Ghost Deep Night. I like Deep Night a lot, too…but Ghost Eclipse is still my favorite of the two.

Ghost Deep Night Perfume

 

 

Mill Creek Biotin Shampoo

I’ve shared my favorite shampoo in the past but I was thrilled to discover it’s now available on Amazon! I love this shampoo. I’ve been using it for a couple of years now and if they ever discontinue it, I’ll be devastated. I love how it makes my hair look and feel and it doesn’t have any of the bad stuff in it that is so terrible for hair. The info about it says: “Free Of Animal testing, artificial colors, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate.”

If you have a GNC near you, you can buy it there. That’s where I first purchased it. If not, you’ll find it here: Mill Creek Biotin Shampoo

MillCreek Biotin Shampoo

 

A few months ago, after I ran out of the conditioner I’d been using, I decided to try the conditioner. Absolutely love it and wish I had bought it when I purchased the shampoo.

MillCreek Biotin Conditioner

 

Conair Hot Air Styling Brush

I love to add soft waves and curls to my hair but all the curling irons I could find ended up making tighter curls than I wanted. I purchased this styling brush and use it every time I wash my hair. I usually blow-dry my hair most of the way, then finish with this styling brush.

The heat helps set the waves/curls and I love how it works. It comes with two styling brushes but I just use the 1-1/2 barrel since I want body and a big loose curls. I think this brush is more gentle on the hair than a traditional curling iron, too. It’s available here: Conair Hot Air Styling BrushConair Hot Air Styling Brush

Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bag

I’ll finish this post with the travel purse I blogged about recently. I love this purse! It holds my iPad, my travel camera and everything I need for travel. Plus, it has tons of anti-theft features like RFID protection.

You can read more about it this previous post: A Peek Inside My Tavelon Travel Purse. It’s available for purchase here: Travelon Anti-Theft Cross-Body Bag

Travelon Crossbody Travel Bag with RFID Block

 

 

If you enjoyed this post, here’s a previous post sharing other products I love and use regularly: 20+ Products I Can’t Live Without

Ooks

*If a post is sponsored or a product was provided at no charge, it will be stated in post. Some links may be affiliate links and as an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases. *



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Comments

  1. All good ideas! I have used a hot air styling brush for several years. I cannot live without it for sure. I have been thinking about a juice or smoothie maker…and will check Amazon first. 🙂
    Sheila

  2. BOBBI DUNCAN says

    SUSAN, THESE ARE ALL GREAT SOUNDING PRODUCTS…WOW! WHAT A HELPFUL GAL YOU ARE. I HATE VACUUMING WITH A PASSION…ALL THAT AWFUL NOISE! I WILL BE PURCHASING MOST OF THESE ITEMS. CAN’T WAIT TO SMELL THE PERFUME…I’M ALWAYS HAPPY TO FIND A NEW SCENT SO I’M NOT WEARING THE SAME ONE YEAR AFTER .

    • Bobbi, I’m the same way, I get bored with the same perfume and love having several perfumes to choose from, depending on my mood that day. 🙂

  3. I am interested in the shampoo, I take Biotin capsules everyday..is this shampoo and conditioner safe on color treated hair? I have highlights put in my hair at the salon. I couldn’t tell by their bottle if it was safe or not.

    • Yep, I color my hair and as far as I can, it has never striped my color or anything like that. It’s very gentle on hair. It says on the front that it has natural and organic ingredients and is PH balanced. It has no artificial colors and is paraben free.

  4. Jennifer Christenberry says

    great ideas! I love these lists. Question: what are the things on your cords to color code them??

  5. Angie A. says

    What are the curly things called that you have wrapped around your cords on your charging station? That is the neatest thing to be able to write what they go to so you can visibly see and also to have the different colors!!

  6. Marlene Stephenson says

    Thanks Susan for all the info sounds wonderful can’t wait to see how i like some of these things.

  7. Great post Susan. I am still using the shampoo and conditioner your recommended. I am lucky enough to have several GNCs close and if I time it right they give me a discount. Must check Amazon to see if they can do better on the price. Now to check out your other goodies. Thanks, I love these type posts.

  8. I always love to get good tips! Have ordered the styling brush and can’t wait to try it. I use velcro rollers but they end up pulling out a good bit of hair so will give this a try instead!

    • Marsha, let me know how you like it. I’m letting my hair grow out longer now that I’ve found a way to give it body and big curls. I’ve been experimenting with it by taking small, tighter sections of hair and curling those to see if I can get the separate curls I see in some hair styles, but my hair isn’t quite long enough yet to do it. I really do like it a lot better than a curling iron.

  9. Thanks for a new list. Love these posts, and I refer back to them from time-to-time, especially the winter ones. I use the Biotin hair products after your recommendations previously, and love them. Highly recommend.

  10. I bought a Squirrel Buster with the Perch Ring a couple of years ago, after battling with the squirrels for years. It has been the best feeder I’ve found. AND after their first few attempts the little rascals have noted that they cannot “break in” and no longer even try 🙂

  11. Hi Susan – I love it when you post list of your favorite things or things you cannot live without. Last time you posted about the Mill Creek Biotin Shampoo, I took a chance and tried it. Oh my I LOVE it!! I just have to use a small amount and get a head full of lather. My hairdresser had been concerned because I was losing a lot of hair. She noticed a difference as soon as I started using this shampoo and now my hair is back to normal. Anyway, thanks so much for the recommendations. Michele

    • Michele, that is awesome! It’s scary when you start losing hair, I know. I had that issue before I found out I was hypothyroid. It’s such a relief when it stops falling out.

  12. Linda S. in NE says

    Your “Things I Can’t Live Without” posts are always on my favorites list. Thanks for doing it, Susan, and also thanks for the links. Several of the items on today’s list are things I have wanted to buy/been looking for. The other items, I have friends and neighbors who could use these things. It’s really not too early to be thinking of Christmas gifts!! Who said that???

    • Oh, I need to do that, t00. One Christmas I did that and it was such a relief to have it all done early. It’s a lot easier on the pocketbook to spread it out a bit, too.

  13. I so appreciate and love posts like these…we need to see “reviews” by ‘real’ people. I take all of these to heart, Susan, and plan to look up a good many. Thanks!!

    Jane x

  14. Susan, I have a large bamboo rug in the den where I sit at the computer. We bought special wheels for the chair so that it would slide over the mat without harming the mat.
    Have had it for about three years and a quick wash brings it up like new.

    • Where did you get your wheels, Megan? The first desk chair I was using was a very heavy wooden one from Pottery Barn and after a while the wheels didn’t turn properly anymore and that wore some of the finish off my first mat. Would love to see the wheels you purchased!

      • Am e- mailing you a photo. I purchased them from Staples and they were approx. $50.00. They have a rubber outside, sorry I cannot remember what they were called.

  15. That clock looks really interesting. It is a pain to turn over to see the time in the middle of the night. I also think those puzzle trays look wonderful. My daughter and I like to work on puzzles together over the summer.

  16. I need to get that bird feeder. My supposedly squirrel proof feeder does not work; they literally hang upside down and get the seeds out! GRRRRRR

  17. I am intrigued with the hot air styling brush…will have to check it out…Great post Susan….

  18. Hi Susan,
    I have read up on the Ghost Eclipse and it sounds lovely, but I am not sure about the rose component in the scent. Is it heavily rose-scented? Do you know whether any US retailers carry it and might have a tester available?
    Sincerely,
    Brenda
    PS — I enjoy your blog tremendously — you are a constant source of inspiration!

    • Thanks, Brenda! I don’t think of it as smelling like rose, but I’m not sure how to describe it. It and Ghost Deep Night are very different from anything else I have, so I really liked the change. I like a lot of different scents, that way I can wear one that suits my mood for the day. I’m not aware of anyone selling it here in the U.S. so not sure where you would be able to find a sample. You may want to check the Ghost Eclipse website to see if they mail out samples. They may not mail them to addresses in the U.S. since you can’t buy it here. Check out this video by a blogger who really loves and owns a lot of different perfumes. She describes it at the very end of the video and compares it to another perfume that she loves that’s very expensive. She talks about Ghost Eclipse at the 8.50 minute part of the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_NGHzJ1nh1M

  19. Hi Susan,
    Love your blog for many reasons. But I had to tell you how much I love your personal recommendations! And I love to see what your followers recommend, too. It is very helpful to hear about products from real people.
    Thanks so much!

    • Thanks so much, Maureen! I love the comments on these posts, too. It’s so helpful hearing the products other folks are using and can recommend. 🙂

  20. I can’t wait to try the shampoo. It sounds wonderful. Also Haggerty makes a small 6″ x 6″ zippered bag that I like to store my silver bracelets and earrings in between wearings.

  21. Sheila in Garden City, SC says

    Susan, I was surprised at how many “favorites” we share. I so enjoyed your travel tips post and comments in April, 2015 before our trip to London, Paris, and Normany. ✈️ I use a Bose headset that’s very similar, the same Conair appliance, and love my Nutribullet. I will consider the fragrance if I ever add one to Shalimar, my signature fragrance. Your blog is so varied, so delightful! Thank you~ Sheila

  22. Ok, you talked me into it. I just ordered the perfume. I wanted the expedited shipping (otherwise it doesn’t go out til July) and paid for it using my Chase Freedom points, so it’s kinda free lol. Other reviewers likened it to other perfumes that I like, so I’m hoping to like it too. Fingers crossed. 🙂

    • Wow, July…I remember it took a month to get it when I ordered it, but I figured that was just the shipping time. Maybe it took that long to get mailed out. It was worth the wait, though. Hope you like it Diane. I know it’s kind of risky ordering it without smelling it first. That’s the first time I’ve ever done that so I was a little nervous. Fortunately, I did like it a lot. Let me know if you like it, once it arrives. Keeping my fingers crossed for you! 🙂

  23. Susan, I can’t wait to try the shampoo. I’ve been using the curling brush for years and it’s only around 17 or 18 dollars at Walmart.

    • Hope you like it, Carol! The hot-air styling brushes that I saw at Walmart that were like this one were around the same price, as I recall. Does yours have two settings, high and low and two styling brushes/attachments? I think the one I saw that was less didn’t have quite as many features. Good to hear from someone who has been using it a long time. I’ve had it about a year, maybe a little longer and I really do like it, too.

  24. Lynn Case says

    When you posted this, I had just been in the process of wanting to try a new perfume. I would NEVER have thought to order perfume w/o trying it first but trusted your judgement 🙂 and ordered Ghost. It arrived today and I LOVE IT!! My daughter happened to be here when I opened the package and she loved it also (so I just ordered a bottle for her upcoming birthday). Thank you for the recommendation!! 🙂

    • Lynn, I felt the same way when I ordered it. lol I heard a blogger on You Tube raving about it and took a chance. I’ve never purchased perfume without first smelling it, so I was hoping I would like it when it came. I loved it, too! I’m so glad you are happy with it! 🙂 Thanks for letting me know! XO

  25. Catalynn says

    Okay I have to give you a HUGE thank you for giving me a heads-up about Mill Creek Biotin Shampoo & Conditioner!!!
    I finally used up my bottle of a shampoo bought at salon which was recommended by my stylist.. it was fairly expensive and just “okay” but I didn’t want to buy it again and I’d been wondering about your Mill Creek recommendation so I looked around but couldn’t find it locally so I finally ordered it from amazon.
    The first time I used it I was a little surprised by the fragrance.. it seemed a little ummm maybe medicine? smelling lol.. and my hair was very tangled afterwards even though I used the conditioner.
    I was a bit disappointed but thought it might be a matter of it cleaning off the residue from other products and maybe my hair just needed to get used to the Mill Creek Biotin formula.
    Well I am soooooo glad I stuck with it because now I LOVE IT!
    My hair hasn’t felt this soft, shiny and wonderful in years yet it still has body! IT’S A MIRACLE!! Yay!!
    Plus I found the more I used it the more I liked the smell, it smells CLEAN not full of perfume like other products I’ve used in past.
    Anyways… thanks for sharing Susan.. I love this stuff and will be ordering it again! 🙂

    • Catalyn, I’m so glad you like it, I love it, too! I LOVE how my hair feels after I use it, so I know exactly what you’re talking about! 🙂 I just tried it on a lark while in GNC one day buying vitamins. I also love how it doesn’t seem to build up on the hair like a lot of shampoos do.
      For conditioner, I alternate between the Mill Creek Conditioner and another conditioner I first read about and tried in January of last year. I’ve always had super dry hair/skin, plus I color my hair, which makes my hair even drier. So the other conditioner I’ve been using is this one: http://amzn.to/1X28NgB .
      It’s pretty expensive but it only takes a little. Plus, I only have to wash my hair about every 4th day, (since my skin/hair is so dry) so it’s last a long time for me. If I needed to wash my hair every day, I’d probably still use it because it is awesome! I alternate between that conditioner and the Mill Creek Conditioner.

      lol I know what you mean about the scent. I was so surprised the first time I used it because it does have that really fresh, almost clinical smell, very different from most shampoos. I think it has a touch of peppermint oil in it, so that may be what we smell.

  26. ohhhh of course.. yes it’s peppermint… hehe.. all I could think of to describe it was “medicine” lolol.
    At any rate I’m now used to the scent and really like it.. not to mention how great and full my hair feels after using… just amazing stuff.
    I’ll make sure to check out the Kerastase as well… every once in a while I wash my hair and give it a thorough conditioning treatment and that sounds like a good alternative.
    I’ve tried so many shampoo/conditioners recommended by stylists over the years and more often than not I’ve been disappointed and my wallet wasn’t too happy either.
    The Mill Creek Biotin product is very reasonably priced even with the cost of shipping from amazon.
    I can’t quit smiling! 🙂

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