Six Things I Use Every Single Day

I am preparing for a beach trip that's coming up (yay!), and was just thinking about what I will need to pack. That, of course, made me think about what the necessities are, or What I Need To Get Through The Day. For your enjoyment, here is a list.

1. Eye Mask

Since I have Chronic Daily Migraines, it is important that I get a good night's sleep as often as possible. For me, that is impossible if it's too bright in my room. Luckily, Bucky makes the Ultralight 40 Blinks Eye Mask. I love it because it's lightweight, and it's also molded, so it doesn't touch my actual eyeballs. (I don't need anything tugging on my eyelids at any time, especially when I'm sleeping.) I keep a few of them on-hand, since they're perfect for me.

2. Slippers

I used to walk around my house in socks, which was fine, but then I was introduced to the world of Isotoner Ballet Slippers, and my feet's lives were changed forever. Seriously-- the comfort is unparalleled, if you ask me. Like walking on little clouds. (You think I'm joking!) So I wear them around the house all the time. I have a couple of pairs in black, and one in cream (which is more like champagne, since they're satin).

3. Water Bottle

I drink two things all day and night. The first is water. So I use a Sigg Water Bottle for that. It's the most beautiful water bottle I have personally ever seen-- mine is a brilliant purple-- but it's also stainless steel and the tops don't leak, so I can (and do) take it anywhere. (I got a Sport Top for mine, because I tend to be a spiller when not careful. It works great.)

4. White Tea

 

This is the other thing I drink, when not drinking water. White Tea is incredibly high in antioxidants/polyphenols-- something I learned back in my Origins days, when they started using it in their A Perfect World line of skin care. Due to my headaches, I have been off caffeine since 1993, so White Tea is a great option for me, because it has relatively little caffeine in it. It's delicious, mild, and somewhat sweet. Most of the time, I drink it hot, but when my Southern Tastebuds start craving sweet tea, I make some with White Tea bags, and it satisfies me just as well as the Luzianne would. One thing to know about tea-- the more it's processed, the less the antioxidants, so I recommend using loose tea whenever possible. I enjoy the Silver Rain White Tea from The Republic of Tea, as well as any of the blends from Teavana(to which I was introduced by my sister-in-law, Danielle, last year).

5. My iPhone

Don't know what I did before I had it, and can't bear to imagine life without it. My iPhone just pleases me to no end. I use it for Phone/Internet/Text Messaging/Camera/Twittering/Just About Anything Else I Do. The App Store fascinates me; where else could I find a way to make my phone tell me when my favorite shows are on (What's On), tell me what song is playing when I hear something I don't recognize (Shazam), and relax me with some peaceful goldfish, swimming happily (KoiPond)? Could not possibly love it more.

6. Something to Read

I absolutely, positively LOVE to read, and try to do so as often as possible. So the final thing I need with me every single day is my Kindle. It's a wireless reading device from Amazon. I love everything about it. I'm most delighted by the ability to download TONS of books onto it, anytime, and that each one takes only about 12 seconds to get to my device, ready to be devoured. I'm not joking-- I'm literally talking about 12 seconds or so. Let's say I'm talking to a friend who tells me there's a new book I should read. I just pick up my Kindle, quickly find said book in the online Kindle shop, click the button to buy it, and, in less time than it takes to sing the Alphabet Song (which I sing rather quickly, even), I've got the book, and can begin reading the thing. Oh, and if I'm not sure I really WANT the book, I just click on the "send me a sample" button, and it will instantly shoot me a sample. For free! Just like that. So, dear readers, if you are A Reader, and you haven't considered a Kindle for yourself, do yourself a favor and check into it. I don't know a single person who has one who doesn't want to marry theirs. Including myself.

So, there you have it. The Bare Necessities, According To Kimmy. When I'm packing for my trip, I'm going to try to remember to take only what I *need* with me. We'll see how that goes...

In the meantime, what are your must-haves? Anything I may also need? ; )

With love,

Kimmy

Don't Miss This Tomorrow!

Final Sale Boutique at RueLaLa.com

Okay, so I've blogged about the LaLa before, but what I haven't mentioned is their Final Sale Boutique. This is when the prices are super-low-- many bargains to be had. It starts TOMORROW at 11am Eastern time.

I don't know much about what's going to be on sale, but I do know that stuff FLIES outta there like nobody's business, once it starts, so One Must Be Prepared. In light of that, I would like to share with you the following tips, straight from Rachel, one of the RueLaLa Goddesses.

Rachel writes:

"If you were in our offices right now, you’d notice a hyper buzz in the air. And it’s not just our caffeine addiction. The Final Sale Boutique is coming. Thursday.

The Final Sale is like Ooh La La times infinity. Ooh la la plus an entire tray of seven layer bars. Ooh la la on fire.

It’s fast, it’s frenetic, it’s no holds barred. It’s not always pretty in there. And it’s more fun when you get what you want. That’s why I’m disclosing a few of my personal Final Sale shopping tips here:

Before the doors open:

1. Make sure your account info is up to date. You don’t want to be in there and realize you don’t have a credit card listed, or the one you have is expired.

2. Make a list of your favorite Rue La La designers and check your closet to see what size you are. Also, if you have a dress and/or skirt length you like, take a measurement.


Once inside:

1. When you get inside the Boutique, scan the list of designers and go quickly to the one you love most.

2. Hit the “see all” option so you get a bird’s eye view of all the offerings.

3. Move fast. Really. I can’t stress this enough. The prices are phenomenal. One you put a must-have item in your cart, check out. It’s better to check out twice than lose it.

4. Repeat, starting with 1.


When you’re done:

1. Sit back.

2. Call a friend.

3. Gloat shamelessly.


Have fun in there! And don’t mind my elbow.

-Rachel"

So those are her secrets for shopping success. Use them, then come back and tell me what you scored at the sale!

Oh, and if you have not joined RueLaLa yet, you can do so by going to the site and registering. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL TOMORROW AT 11AM TO DO THIS! Just go on and do it now. It's free, so why not? When it asks you for a referral, which it will, you may use my email address: 

You can thank me later.

Good luck, and don't forget to come tell me how it went for you!

Love,

Kimmy

Buffalo Dip

There are few things I like better than chips and dips. Especially hot dips. I've been known to nuke some dip and eat it on Tostitos for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner, and sometimes all three in one day. I just love it.

I tried a new recipe I'd found for a Buffalo Chicken Dip on Oscar Night, and it was quickly added to the List Of Kimmy's Favorite Foods. It occurs to me that it's only right that I should share it with the rest of the world, since it was so good, so here it is.

I've tweaked it a little bit to my liking, and I call it Buffalo Dip.

Buffalo Dip

2 cups cooked chicken, diced or chopped
--- or one large can/pouch of chicken
(I use one pack of boneless, skinless chicken breasts. I cook them, then throw them in the food processor on pulse.)
4-8 oz. Franks Hot Sauce
12-18 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup blue cheese dressing (I use Marie’s Super Chunky—the one with the black label)
2 cups shredded blue cheese crumbles, divided
The biggest bag of Tostitos scoops you can find

In a large bowl combine: chicken, hot sauce, cream cheese, dressing and ½ of the cheese crumbles. (Adjust the amounts of hot sauce and/or cream cheese to make the dip mild, medium or hot per your own taste.)

Pour mixture into a dish (of course, I highly recommend one of the Pampered Chef bakers, since they retain heat so well, and keep the dip hot longer) and sprinkle with remaining blue cheese. Microwave it until it’s hot and bubbly.
Serve with Tostitos.
You can also eat the cold leftovers on celery sticks.

I actually woke up this morning and realized that I'd left out the cream cheese on Sunday. So, darn, I'll have to make some more... waah. ;)

Enjoy!

Love,
Kimmy

The Dream Remote

I've not blogged about it before, but one of my most valued possessions is my remote control. In fact, once, during a Tornado Warning, I gathered our pets in the bathroom with the absolute necessities-- a bottle of water, my purse, my cell phone, and my remote. I do know how nutty that may sound, but it is THE Remote Of My Dreams, and I love it. Anyway, I just heard that it's on sale right now on Amazon, so I'm telling you about it today. (Offer expires on March 2nd.)

It's called the Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote, and it is AWESOME. Click here to see what it does-- be sure to watch the short video. 

I know it's pricey, which is why I'm posting about it while it's on sale. But, like Pedro says, it will make all of your dreams come true...

Happy clicking!

Love,
Kimmy

Getting My Blog Back On

Forgive me for not having blogged in so long. Out of nowhere, I have come down with allergies, so I sneezed my head off for about a week and a half, then started to feel better. Today, I'm back to tell you what I learned during my stuffy nosedness...

Kleenex is not the only tissue in town.
For my entire life, I have only used Kleenex brand tissues. I'm not really sure why, but I've never had a reason to look elsewhere for my tissue needs. Until these allergies hit. Yes, dear readers, I have learned how badly tissue can truly rip up one's nose. My nose started peeling after only one day of sniffling and sneezing. Redness, soreness, chapping, chafing, flaking, even mild scabbing. For the first time in my life, I felt what it might be like to be Michael Jackson-- I practically needed tape to keep my nose on my face. After going through a whole box of Kleenex, I asked my husband to get me the kind that has lotion in it, in hopes it would feel better on my nose. He came home with Puffs Plus. My nose took to it, and immediately felt better. At last, it didn't sting to wipe my nose. Yay!

Sometimes It Takes a Foot Product
My nose was obviously in very bad shape, and very uncomfortable in its dryness. I tried all sorts of creams and salves to restore some moisture and get rid of the dry skin that was flaking off by the minute, but NOTHING helped. Finally, I put some real thought into it, and realized I needed something that would exfoliate (without scrubbing-- ouch) AND moisturize well. It dawned on me that I had just the thing-- Kerasal Foot Exfoliating Moisturizer. Now, I knew full well that this heavy-duty stuff has petrolatum in it, which I don't like to put on my face, but I was out of options, and I knew that the 5% Salicylic Acid in it would probably exfoliate better than anything else I would find. Well, presto-change-o. It not only helped-- it FIXED MY NOSE IMMEDIATELY! Poof-- dry flakes were gone. Dryness, done. My nose was returned to normal. So if your nose ever needs it, get yourself to the foot care aisle of the drugstore and find relief.

What Works For My Husband MIGHT Work For Me
For the first week of my Allergy Hell, no medicine worked. I tried several-- Alavert, Tylenol Allergy, Sudafed, Zyrtec, but nothing helped stop the sneezing at all. Finally, on the eighth day, when I was at my very worst (on a Sunday, of course), I asked my husband to go to CVS and "please find me something to try." And the most remarkable words came out of his mouth! He said, "well, Claritin has always worked best for me." I couldn't believe it! Here, I had been at the mercy of my nose and everything related to it for seven miserable days and nights, totally new to the whole World Of Allergies, when, all the while, he actually had some experience with allergies, and had an idea of something that might even help me with mine! The words "NOW you tell me..." were said, in some tone or another, I am sure. But off he went, and came back with the most wonderful drug ever-- Claritin-D Allergy & Congestion. It changed EVERYTHING, and I've been taking it every day since. So THANK YOU, dear, sweet husband, for sharing that kernel of wisdom with me... even if it was eight days into it, it was appreciated. (Alas, men will be boys...)

So those are my lessons learned. Hope it may be helpful to anyone needing some cold/allergy-related relief. My next blog will surely be more interesting...

Until then,
Kimmy

The Zoya Great Nail Polish Exchange

This is going to be really short, merely because I just want to share it with you as quickly as possible.

I recently discovered the perfection that is Zoya nail polish. It's a "three-free" line, which means they are Toluene, Formaldehyde, and DBP-free, and their colors are just delicious. My particular favorite/obsession is Kalista-- a rich, beautiful, shimmery mahogony that is simply dazzling. I could stare at my Kalista'd nails for days... [sigh] but I won't.

Instead, what I will do, is tell you about the utterly fantastic promotion they're doing right now, in which you can trade in any/all of your nail polishes, bottle for bottle, for bottles of Zoya polish (with a minimum of six, and a limit of 200 bottles). Yes, you read that right. You just have to pay for the shipping and processing ($3 per bottle). I am positively giddy!

Anyway, the details are here. Please let me know what you like/what you end up getting in the comments section.

Enjoy!
Kimmy

Guys-- It's Not Too Late to Get the Stocking Stuffers Right!

Okay, so this blog is called Stuff Kimmy Likes for a reason-- I write about stuff I like. Admittedly, I don't speak for every girl on the planet, but I am willing to share some tips that I think might be beneficial to the general population.

So here's what I have to say to men about Stocking Stuffers for their girlfriend/wife. [Ladies, feel free to forward a this to your guys.]

Guys, I cannot stress enough that this is a hugely under-used way to score major points with your lady every year. Sound impossible/ridiculous/like I might be wrong? Believe me when I tell you that I'm not wrong about this. Think about it-- stocking stuffers give you a chance to show her in some tiny, inexpensive ways that you are paying attention to the little things. Which your girl loves, as you know. So I am going to tell you how to do it, while keeping the Hassle Factor at a minimum.

Here's the key:
It's NOT about filling a stocking with cheap crap. She'll be onto that quicker than you can say "book of Life Savers and an orange." No, it's all about things you know she enjoys. It could be anything. This is much easier than you think, as I'm going to show you. Consider me your Stocking Stuffer Wingman.

Where to go for the best results: The Drugstore.
Gentlemen, your local drugstore is where you can hit the stocking stuffing jackpot. Seriously, I don't know any girl who couldn't find a handful or three of little things she'd like to have. [Note: for every specific product I suggest, I'm posting a link where you can see a picture, so you'll know what to look for. Print everything out, if you think it will help you.] Now grab a basket, and let's get this done.

You can start at the very front of the store, with the Snacks.

Does she chew gum, or is she an Altoid girl? Does she like candy bars, or does she go more for gummy bears? Stop for a second and think about what she snacks on during a road trip, or what she gets when you go to see a movie. If she likes Reese's Cups, she might like the yummy new Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares. I'm pretty sure they've got them at CVS now-- if not, they're at the grocery store. In my world, you need something salty and something sweet. So what's her favorite kind of potato chip? You could include a snack bag, or a mini can of Pringles. (Note-- if she's watching her weight, don't go crazy with the snacks. I know they can take up lots of room in the stocking, which I am sure is part of your goal [insert eye roll here], but you don't want to undermine her efforts to maintain a healthy diet.)

Next up, with no groaning from you, let's think about Beauty Stuff.

Don't panic, either. I know that most CVS stores usually have someone in the department to answer questions, so if you get stuck, just ask someone for help. (No matter what drugstore you're in, I'd venture a guess that you can get assistance.)

Okay. Does she file and/or paint her nails? Then look for polish colors she might like. If you're not comfortable about selecting colors for her, remember that many women use bolder/brighter colors on their toes, so you really can't go wrong. My friend Lynn loves the new nail polish pens that she got at CVS, so look/ask for those. Also, the very best Top Coat (translation: clear polish that speeds up drying time) in the world is called Seche Vite, and they carry it at many drug stores-- it's a fabulous treat, and a must-have for any girl who paints her nails. A nail file is a safe bet for anyone, whether they are into nail polish or not.

Does she use lip balm? Nivea has a new Kiss line I particularly recommend-- especially the Kiss of Moisture one in the dark blue tube. There are several varieties in this line, and they're cheap, so you can get a couple for her to try.

Does she like hand lotion, or taking care of her feet? Curel makes some great products in their Targeted Therapy line-- the Fast Absorbing Hand & Cuticle Cream is fabulous. My current Foot Faves are the Blue Foot Smoothing Disk from Sally Hansen/LaCross-- you'll find it with the nail clippers and files, and Kerasal Foot Ointment, which is in the foot aisle (where the insoles, foot sprays, and that kind of stuff are).

If she uses body wash, Dove has a Go Fresh line of great-smelling products like Grapefruit & Lemongrass. If you find a wash she might like, snag one of those pouffy mesh sponge thingies to go with it.

A good, safe beauty bet is in the Burt's Bees section, where you'll find lots of cutely packaged, high quality, natural goodies that most any girl would enjoy.

Next up is the Travel Sizes section.

Don't miss this aisle, because she will use these items for much more than traveling-- she can keep these little goodies in her desk at work, in her purse, in her glove compartment, or in her gym bag. Small containers of Q-Tips, baby bottles of body lotion, hand sanitizer, or even a purse size pack of Kleenex is good. They usually have those tiny lint rollers, too-- who couldn't use one of those?

Let's move on to the Office Supplies

This section seems boring, at first, but they have all sorts of pens, highlighters, post-its, notepads, etc. Don't just grab anything that's on sale-- go for the cute things that you can see her wanting to use. Just about anybody can use a small notepad for their purse. Cute sticky notes make great bookmarks.

Off to The Magazine Rack

Does she like to crochet? Get her a magazine about crocheting. Is one of her favorite actors on the cover of a magazine? Grab it! (The amazing Tina Fey is on the cover of Vanity Fair right now, for example.) If she likes to cook, Martha Stewart's tiny "Everyday Food" magazine is fantastic. O Magazine is a safe bet for any Oprah fan.

The Medicine Aisle

'Tis the season... to get sick. She's probably been running ragged, trying to make the holidays go as perfectly as possible for everyone, and her body might be ready to crash. Grab some Airborne. If she's already sick, get her something to make her more comfortable, like tasty throat lozenges. If she's been headachey, get her a Head On stick, or some Be Koools (yes, with three Os). The key here is to Think Soothing.

Miscellaneous Things to Check Out

Go down the Seasonal Aisle, just in case something jumps out at you that your girl might think is cute. I once found some adorable little bitty salt & pepper shakers shaped like Santas in the Seasonal Aisle at CVS that I still love. The key here is cute-- not tacky/ugly.

Also, if you aren't on a budget, you can check out the Gift Card display. If she loves to read, maybe a Barnes & Noble gift card. Does CVS carry iTunes cards? If so, that's a score for any iPod user. Starbucks, restaurants, movie theatres. Any of these would be great additions, and perfect invitations to go out (possibly even with you!).

Finally, The Greeting Card Aisle

Take a minute and pick out a card for her. In it, you can tell her a couple of things that you think are special about her, and include it in the stocking. Seriously-- I know it sounds gross, but TRUST ME, grasshopper. She will be so touched, and you will get major bonus points for it. Just do it. I wouldn't steer you wrong.

What Not To Do

I'm adding this section at Lynn's suggestion. Here are the things you do NOT want to get her. Nothing to suggest that you think she may need to improve her appearance/hygiene, like self-tanner, acne treatment, or mouthwash. Nothing to address any PMS or moodiness. No cleaning products or pest control. No batteries.

Good luck and have fun!!!

Buying gifts that people will enjoy is really rewarding. I hope I've given you some ideas that will help you stuff the best stocking ever. As long as you are thinking of what she likes during the whole process, you should be successful.

Feel free to leave a comment to let me know of your success, as well as any other suggestions that I've left out.

Otherwise, happy holidays!

Love,
Kimmy

P.S. If time is not an issue for you, and you're not opposed to going to a mall, there are also tons of great Stocking Stuffers to be found at some other stores, like Origins (my personal favorite), Bath & Body Works, and Sephora. In strip malls, look for Bed Bath & Beyond, ULTA, and The Container Store.

P.P.S. Just got another awesome suggestion from Ashley-- SCRATCH-OFF LOTTERY TICKETS. Woo! What a great idea!