Favorite things for $30 or less

 I would wither and die if I didn't have some of these favourite consumable things for under $30.

If you're a Keurig coffee fan, try the Mexico variety. LOVE it. (Black Silk is nice too) Add less water for more kick and you have one kickin' homebrew to start your morning off right.

But then again, ya gotta have a fav when out and about. Some love it, others hate it, but I need it. Starbucks pumpkin spiced latte is my method of madness. Grande, 3 pumps instead of 4. It just makes me HAPPY!

If you'll note on my blog sidebar, I don't have a Shaklee sponsor so I'm not pumping this just because. But I USE to and she got me absolutely hooked on these products. I no longer buy the average bear out there, I must have these three at the very least. At all times. Or I'm unhappy.

#1. Get Clean Nature Bright - laundry whitener. I can't STAND the smell of bleach and this is just... clean. No fragrance. LOVE. And it works.

#2. Get Clean Dish Wash - there is no other dish washing soap that works this well nor stays this sudsy that I know of. No scummy residue on my counters. It's perfection and I'm emotionally upset when I run out.

#3. Get Clean Fresh Laundry - unscented. I detest scented laundry products. DETEST. Even the stuff that says it's unscented  IS scented. Well, this isn't. I want fresh and clean. This is it. No scent and it works.

If you ever land Brookside dark chocolate covered cranberries, don't hesitate. Not even for a moment. Perfection! I'll take this over higher quality chocolates any day.

Have one of these? It's a garage door keypad. You can purchase them at any big box stores. You jive it in with your auto garage door opener and you're in business! They generally come with a remote that fits on your keychain too. INVALUABLE. I'm able to leave the code with neighbours if they need something and I'm not home. Saves loads of trekking through the house.

I'm not sure if these are under $30 or not, but if they're more, chalk it up to TWO things I love then. Just get one.

Olpha stainless steel knives

Granted, I use these for my work. But I'd buy them even if I didn't. The stainless blades are tricky to find, but if you do, you'll never go back to non stainless again. The blades just stay sharper longer. Not o mention, these are a nice slim fit for a hand, which offers you more accurate cutting for small things. I draw with these things on vinyl. Would you rather cut with a pen or a block of wood? That's why I love these.

I don't have this brand, but the real point is, a real lens cleaner in a cute little pump bottle far outweighs any alternative when trying to quickly clean your glasses. I keep mine by the kitchen sink.

Scentsy Mochadoodle

If you like your house smelling pretty but are hesitant on real flames, this is the answer. And the Mochadoodle scent is my alltime fav.

Swiffer, oh how I love thee! Nothing picks up pet hair on hardwood floors like this. I'm not really happy with having to replace the swiffer pads though, but I use them a few times before I do. If you sweep first, then use this, you can prolong the agony of making more landfill and having to buy them so often.  Then again I don't have a Dyson animal yet do I... but it's over $30 so this is it for now.

That was fun! I needed to write something fluffy this AM and now I did. I'm all better. :) (I'll be adding more as I think of them)

What are some of your purchased fav things for under $30?

Share in comments! I'd love to see what I'm missing out on.

Nester is having an impromptu $30 or less favorite things link party. Come join!

SNS #59 brings you - Your favorite things (gift or DIY inspired)

~ Sidebar features are now up!  ~

Reader readers, hop on over! 

Wow!

Welcome to Saturday Nite Special #59, the favorite things edition!

If you're new here, join in! There are three categories to link to. Home Decor as well as Crafts, Sewing, Recipes, plus the 3rd themed link up. Check below for this weekend's theme.

Party starts Fri night and ends Sunday 11pm pacific, so you have all weekend to join!

I LOVE to highlight inspiring posts during the event on the sidebar, so make sure you check in several times over the weekend. You may be next. :)

Are you stumped on what to get your loved ones for Christmas?

The very best way to figure out what the best gifts are, is by asking others what THEY like best!

With that in mind, here are...

~ My favorite things ~
(gift giving inspired please)

Coffee

I love my coffee! Especially fancy coffees that have an expiry date so it seems. :) Ah well...

A hot beverage gift certificate is a very good gift idea that feels like a luxurious hug. :)

Tools

If you're a DIY type, you need tools in order to create.

I have a list of 5 must have tools HERE, however my ultimate favorite can't live without tool is my cordless drill with all the fittings that come in it's own carrying case.

How do YOU choose? #1 - ask advice. #2 - Go into a tool isle and hold various tools in your own hand.  Some will feel the right weight, while others will be too heavy and bulky. Figure out what works for you, then hand your list over to Santa. :)

A good computer

Everything is done on a computer these days. So if you're still dodging crashes and peering into itty bitty dark fuzzy screens, a new family computer gift (wink!!) is a REALLY good idea. I guarantee, it will change the way you do everything online.

Just a note: If you are into photos, I  recommend to compare a Mac screen to a PC one. Just know what the differences are. My own PC to Mac review is HERE.

favorite treats

Call me old fashioned, but if you showed up at my door with a box of quality dark chocolate covered cherries, I'd forever be your friend! No rust needed on this one. :)

Girls are girls and most of us love our own favorite chocolate. Find out what that is and you'll ALWAYS give the perfect gift.

Or any treats or favorite foods for that matter!  My neighbor loves pop out of the can and chips. Just knowing that is wonderful ammunition, wouldn't you say? :)

movies

 I positively LOVE to escape into fantasy land now and then. IMO you can never go wrong with a gift certificate to the local movie theater. And make sure you leave enough for the popcorn and a drink. It doubles the cost, but is also double the fun. :)

blogger necessity alert :)

If you ever desire to be online while on the run, this baby is made for you!

I take pictures for clients from thrift stores and phone them over on my glorified cell phone. I check my email. I look in on my blog on a lunch break.

If debating on a phone that goes online, look at ALL the screens. On this particular one, the buttons and graphics are large enough to see for failing older eyesight. :)

warm cozy blankets

This one's for my son. He ADORES warm cozy blankets for TV watching. A warm pretty blanket will always be useful AND appreciated!

This lovely blanket has a wonderful story attached I've been meaning to share. Sewers will appreciate the handiwork and DIYers will LOVE the hidden detail that makes it extra special. Coming soon!

Did you know a single gal dreams of someone knocking on her door to help her lug heavy stuff around even for an hour? Or to help fix something? Do you have a computer guru in your family that could help someone out with a net glitch? Maybe it's a new mom that could use a real nap. Or maybe it's the young boy next door that would DIE to come to a hockey game with another guy. How about the delivery of a home cooked casserole or a plate of cookies?

I think the gift of time is perhaps the most valuable gift of all. And I guarantee, YOU will benefit from it probably even more.

Soo... which of those things could you handle having? :)

What are your fav types of things?
Link them up in this weekend's 3rd themed linkup!
(gift giving or non gift giving)

 

"Dear Santa,

I totally adore all of the following things in The Sponsor Store. 

I've been a good girl too!

So.. how about it? I rust up your sleigh in exchange for a few of my most favorite things there?

Hello? Helloooo..... 

oh oh..."

 Click  

~ HERE  ~

to check out a few of my other favorite things that I've chosen over in The Sponsor Store. 

It may be quicker. :)

Ho Ho Ho!

~ Upcoming December Themes ~

Dec 10 - your fav Christmas recipe (link open until Dec 25 2010)

Dec 17 - your full home Christmas decor reveal (link open until Dec 25 2010)

Dec 24 - No theme. Just let'er rip! SNS will be up for those loving the extra browse, however I won't likely be highlighting or commenting. It's time for family. :)

Dec 31 - Share this years' Christmas story (link open until Jan 7 2011)

I hope you'll join in the fun!

Be sure to check the themed linkups master list to add your newest creations anytime.

List HERE.

 

~ SNS blah blah linkup rules ~

1. Please link up your intended post, NOT your blog homepage url. (post, then click the title of your post, then cut and paste that url) If your post has been deleted, please try again.

 2. Please put a link in your post (button or text) that leads back to the party so others can see what's up! (see BUTTONS label under main blog header)

 3. This party is geared for DIY type projects we can all attempt to make ourselves. Items for sale may be linked up IF your entry is posted on your blog and in tutorial style.

4. For Home Decor and Crafts, Sewing, Cooking, please link projects up that are new to SNS and/or within 1 month old.  This helps keep content fresh!

The 3rd weekly themed link may have older posts and not brand new to SNS and will remain open for your new additions at any time. Click HERE for the main list.

If you can't decide which category to enter yours in, please just pick ONE and go with it. It's all good!

This I Love: Window Shopping Edition~

Last week I stopped in at one of my favorite stores. Can you say Tar-jay? (Everything sounds better with a French accent, don't you think?) I had my two littlest kiddos with me, but they were surprisingly subdued, so I was actually able to look around for a minute. Usually, if I have those two with me, we dash in, go right to what we need, throw it in the cart, and sprint through the checkout before the screaming starts or Mr. Three tries to launch himself out of the cart. But for some reason, they were content to let me look around. I found a few things for my wish list that I thought I'd share with you all today...

First up, this elegant Aluminum Beaded Cakestand. It was nice and heavy, and so pretty! Perfect for holiday entertaining.
This is the "Elegant Neutral" bedding in the Simply Shabby Chic line by Rachel Ashwell. This picture really doesn't do the bedding justice. It's a soft beige damask with hints of blue. Very understated, very pretty and a little less girly than many of the Shabby Chic options.

Some of you may recall that Mr. Two is a dinosaur fan. Well, I found this adorable dinosaur muffin plaque (that's what they called it) reminiscent of the great baking pans at Willi*m's Sanoma. Wish I'd found this BEFORE his dinosaur birthday party. They also had butterflies and cars. So. much. fun.

Again, from the Simply Shabby Chic line, this Ruffled Swiss Dot curtain panel. Can you say love?

And then this Ruffled Shower Curtain...again by Simply Shabby Chic. Reminds me of something from Anthro. This would be perfect in my bathroom. mmmmmmmm.

And finally, I have to admit that my T*rget didn't have this chair. But as I was rounding up photos on-line I remembered it from seeing it before (I think it is sold exclusively on-line, but I could be wrong.) Isn't it pretty? Loving the blue toile-ish bird print. sigh.

Hope you all had fun window shopping with me today! Let's hope I'm able to get my dresser drawer repurposing project ready in time for tomorrow's Frugal Friday post...the weather has not been cooperating with me.

And finally, you still have time to enter the drawing for one of my ticking rosette pillows over at Heather Bullard's blog. Hurry over and enter!

Have a great Thursday~

Bird Brain~

Since the name of my blog is The Shabby Nest I guess it should come as no surprise that I like birds. I guess you could say I have birds on the brain. Here are just a few of the winged creatures that make their home in my nest.

Some of you may remember when I found this real live nest. It looks so sweet in it's little jar next to this darling bird print.
I made this little fella for Christmas, but he is still sitting there in my Sweetheart tree...yeah, I'm leaving it up until the end of the month.

This birdie is in the Princess' room...hanging from her lamp. A toile bird...two of my favorite things in one...

And I found these darling little salt and pepper shakers at Target for only $5.99! I can't wait to use them at a Spring brunch...ooh, and on Easter! They make a lovely addition to my kitchen shelves. (And yes, I noticed that I typed my watermark wrong on the bottom picture of these little birds...I'm clever like that.)

Then today, what should come in the mail? But this beautiful, little, mercury glass bird from sweetheart Shannon over at Bless Our Nest! After reading my "Smitten" post, she saw this little beauty and thought I should have it! What a wonderful surprise! And she wrapped it in...what else?...the same TOILE wrapping paper I framed up for my 10-minute bathroom makeover. Does this girl get me or what? THANKS SHANNON!!!

Have a wonderful weekend~