My 10 August Favorites–Definite Lifestyle Improvements!

We’re 2/3rds through September and I’ve never gotten around to sharing my August favorites. A lot of my favorites are those things related to the major garage overall I completed recently, but a few fall outside that renovation–like my new desk chair. I’m pretty crazy about the new desk chair that I bought in August when the gas lift cylinder failed on my previous chair and I was unable to repair it after several attempts.

Office Desk Chair, Adjustable Back Support, Arm Flip Up Out of the Way

 

This chair is super comfy which is important since I spend so much time here.

Desk Chair, Adjustable Back Support, Flip Up Arms

 

This diagram shows some of the features that make it really comfortable. If you’re in need of a new desk chair, you can read more about this chair’s features here: Office-Desk Chair with Back Support.

Desk chair with Flip Up Arms

 

Probably my most favorite purchase in August had to be the solar lights I added to the walkway in front of my home. They are so beautiful and so welcoming! I absolutely love them and love seeing them through the windows at night when I look outside.

Curb Appeal with Gas Lantern and Outdoor Lighting

 

Can’t recommend these enough! You can read more about them where I purchased mine, here: Solar Outdoor Path Lights.

Solar Lights Add Safety and Beauty to Paths and Walkways

 

Love this cutting tool I purchased for breaking down boxes for recycling here in the garage. I liked it so much after it arrived, I ordered a second one to use inside for opening packages. You’ll find it available here: Retractable Cutting Tool.

DeWalt Retractable Knife

 

I mentioned this stud finder in a previous post because it turned out to be a fabulous purchase in August. It worked beautifully in helping me find the studs in the garage walls the first time, every time. It was invaluable in helping me secure the cabinets to the wall in the garage.

Wall Stud Finder

 

Definitely a great buy and a tool I will use over and over through the years when hanging pictures and mirrors inside my home. You’ll find it available here: Stud Finder.

 

 

I’ve had this flashlight in my office for many years and love it. During my garage makeover, I decided to purchase a second one to keep available in the garage. I love how I can stand it up or hang it whenever I need my hands free for a task. It uses a standard Dewalt Lithium Ion rechargeable battery which makes it a bit of an investment, but definitely worth it since it lasts a long time and is rechargeable. You’ll find it here: Dewalt Flashlight.

Dewalt Flashlight

 

I just shared this beautiful weather station in my Met Monday post–a great replacement for my older black and white weather station that was having some issues. I purchased the first one toward the end of August and loved it so much, I ended up purchasing a second one for my office. It’s even prettier in person than it appears in my photos. Pictures don’t do it justice! Just a wonderful addition to my kitchen and office. I plan on buying a few more to give as Christmas gifts this year. You’ll find it on sale here: Favorite Weather Station, Colorful.

Wireless Weather Station, Color Weather Station

 

A recent tablescaping purchase was the plaid napkins I recently used in a table setting for Tablescape Thursday. Over the years I’ve purchased these napkins in so many colors and definitely recommend them for adding a bit of spice to your tables. I love that you get 12 in the set!

Blue Willow Napkins, Hydrangea Napkin Ring

 

You’ll find them in a variety of colors and designs here: Blue Plaid Napkins.

 

Blue Plaid Napkins

 

Had to mention the new bulbs I added to the garage in August. They are designed specifically for working in garage door openers. They are bright and I love the pure-white light they emit. I also love that I won’t have to replace them for a very long time, if ever. They are available here: Bulbs Designed for Garage.

 

Best Light Bulbs for Garage Door Opener

 

I updated some of my tools during the garage makeover and one of the items I purchased was a new set of drill bits for my DeWalt drill. Previously, I was using a different brand, I think Husky, and every time I got them out, they were a jumbled mess. They would not stay inside the little slots inside their box. Drove me crazy! These snap into place and there are so many more sizes from which to choose. I use these whenever I’m about to install a screw into something I’m concerned will splinter or just to make installing the screw a bit easier. I wish I’d had them when I was drilling new holes for some of the shelves in my garage cabinets. My old drill bit set didn’t have the size bit that I needed and I had to use a smaller bit and kinda wallow out the hole which was a tedious process to get it just right. So glad to now have a set with so many more size options and a much better storage box for holding them! Sometimes it’s the little things, ya know?! These are available here: DeWalt Drill Bit Set.

 

DeWalt Titanium Drill Bit Set

 

Absolutely love the paper towel holder/dispenser I added to the garage in August during the makeover!

Star Art for Garage Wall

 

It’s like the endless, bottomless paper towel dispenser! I’ve used it a ton since the garage makeover was completed–so much that I figured it was probably time to refill it. I opened it up and, nope! It was still 3/4ths full when I checked. Amazing capacity and works flawlessly. Definitely a great buy for the garage! I’m very tempted to add one to my laundry room, as well. You’ll find this awesome holder here: Paper Towel Dispenser. These are the paper towels I purchased for it and they dispense beautifully–and I definitely won’t need to buy more towels for a very, very long time: Paper Towels.

Cabinet or Wall Mount Paper Towel Dispenser for Garage, Bath or Kitchen

 

See you tomorrow for Tablescape Thursday!

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Comments

  1. Speaking of solar, the best purchase I ever made was to have solar hot water installed. Here in Mexico, electricity is expensive and propane is widely used for water heaters, cooking and laundry drying. 6 years ago it cost about 600 USD for the solar water heater installed on the roof and the cost of propane has risen drastically since so it has more than paid for itself since my propane usage went way down.

  2. Hi, Susan,

    I’m very behind on reading your blog posts, but I did read this one and wanted to let you know that the link you posted for the box cutter goes to the office chair, so you may want to change that.

    I’m eager to find time to go back and read all the posts about your garage renovation. I saw enough to know you had some challenges, but I’m glad it’s finished and you’re happy with it.

    Maureen

    • Thanks for letting me know that, Maureen! I’ll go back and check all the links in case another one isn’t working correctly. Well, it’s about 9-10ths finished. They are having to repaint the plantation shutters, which will be done this Saturday. The original painter made a mess of them. Thankfully the owner of the painting company is great and is standing behind their work. The only issue I had throughout the renovation was with the painting. Thankfully everything else (lighting, flooring, etc…) went really well the first time around.
      XXX

  3. Great finds Susan! I’m definitely eyeing that level/stud finder – what a handy thing to have around. Your chair looks comfy too. Thanks for sharing all your wonderful purchases!

  4. franki Parde says

    Thanks for ALL the RESEARCH you do to “find these buys!!! franki

  5. Thanks for all the info on these favorites. Your new chair looks to be comfortable, but I’m wondering if the large padded area in front of the seat with the side seams doesn’t cut into your legs? I have such trouble with seats! I need a new studio chair, but I’m afraid to order online and would much rather test it out first. It’s hard to find chairs now in Office Depot or furniture stores like in the past.

    • I know, I would much prefer to sit in a chair before buying it but I can never find ones I like in the stores. The selection is always so poor.
      No, the seams are soft so you don’t even notice them. Actually, my legs fit between them but even moving over to where I’m touching/sitting on them, they are soft. Very comfortable.

      • Hi Susan,
        That’s good to know. It’s sometimes difficult to judge how wide/long something is online just by photos. Glad the leather is soft, too.
        Enjoy your comfortable chair! 🙂

  6. What is the Husky toolbox…can you mention that soon with a link?
    Thanks!

    • I bought the toolbox quite a few years back in Home Depot. They still carry Husky Tool chests, but I’m not sure if Husky still makes that particular style. Here’s a photo of it in its box the day I brought it home, in case that helps. I rotated the photo, it was originally a vertical photo.

      Unfortunately, during the recent garage renovation, someone pushed my cart into it so now it has a tiny ding in the top drawer. 🙁

    • Forgot to say, I really like this style and hope Husky still makes it. I store all my birding supplies in the cabinet part on the right.

  7. Love all your posts with your purchases and that you give honest reviews … pros and cons. Saves me soooo much time!
    Cheers

  8. You are just the very best “personal shopper” ever! Your website is the only one I subscribe to and I’m so very happy that we “linked up.” I love the way you perfectly lay things out on your site. Your site is uplifting and I so love the frequency of it. Unfortunately, at my age my in-person social circle has either died or retired out of state, so you are like another friend that likes all the things I like and I’m grateful for your reviews!

    BTW, could you please advise the maker and style name of the pretty flatware in the above napkin photograph?

    Thank you!

    • Thanks so much, Renee! You made my day with your sweet words. That’s always my goal–to share something that is uplifting or hopefully makes the day a bit brighter!
      I purchased that silverplate flatware on eBay many years ago–I loved its silvery patina. It takes a while and a lot of daily use to get that gorgeous patina on silver or silverplate. I couldn’t remember the pattern but several readers have identified it as Oneida Beethoven and that definitely does ring a bell. It says Oneida Community of the back so I think the pattern is Beethoven from around 1971. If you love the pattern, you may want to check eBay. I remember it was very affordable when I purchased it.

  9. Cyndi Raines says

    Great choices and great ideas for Christmas gifts. Thank you Susan!

  10. I bought your previous office chair and am having problems with the lift cylinder staying in place. Did you talk about this in a previous post? What did you try – sounds like it is not repairable.

    • That’s what happened to mine eventually. I purchased a kit that helps you take it apart to replace the cylinder and I was able to get the cylinder to release from the chair seat, but I could never get the bottom part of the cylinder out of the wheeled base. I finally gave up after multiple attempts. This was the kit I purchased that helped get it part way apart: https://amzn.to/3UH76Ku
      Here’s the post where I talked about trying to fix it: https://betweennapsontheporch.net/office-desk-chair-with-lumbar-support-and-best-wall-stud-finder/
      You may have better luck getting it separated to replace the cylinder, I couldn’t get the cylinder out of the wheelbase to save me. It really irritates me that these companies use parts that don’t last for the long haul. I would have been happy with that chair for many years if not for the gas lift cylinder failing. I’m sorry you’re having the same issue.

      • Karen Glaser says

        Susan, thank you so much for this info! I’m sorry I missed your August post about the chair – starting back to school is such a busy time. I received so many compliments on these 2 chairs I bought for the school office and just mine seems to have the cylinder issue. I’ll have to think about repair kit…or maybe just order the same one you replaced yours with!

        Thanks for all the details you provide with your shopping finds and loved your book recommendations you put together last year. Karen

  11. Wanda Bradkey says

    Great ideas. Your suggestions help me greatly when Christmas shopping. Thank you! I wanted to ask about the additional napkin with the plaid. I have bought several plaids of same brand and love them but would like to have the other ones shown. Do you know who they are offered by? Thanks. Wanda

  12. Susan, I bought this weather station and have a question. Where did you put the sensor? It does have to go outside, right? Thanks!

    • Yes, wherever you wish to be able to measure/monitor the temperature. I put mine on my screened porch. I can’t remember if the instructions recommend it being in a protected area away from rain. Check the instructions on that. But I figured my screened porch would be a good spot. That’s where I had the sensor for my old black and weather station and it worked great there. I wouldn’t put it where it gets direct sunlight beating down on it–that would probably throw off the temperature reading. Do you have a front or back porch…or someplace outside that’s somewhat protected?

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