Current Favorites Vol. 2

1. My most-used kitchen item is probably my enameled cast iron Dutch oven*. (Mine is from Costo, but there are other affordable options out there.) I  pretty much cook everything in it. Stews, pasta dishes, stir frys, you name it. It’s easy to clean and just so useful all around. Oh, and I also use it to bake my rye bread.

2. I am one of the few people on this planet who don’t listen to podcasts on a regular basis. I simply don’t have the time (or, should I say, prefer to fill my time with other things?). But one podcast I do come back to occasionally is This American Life*. Well, it’s technically not even a podcast, but a radio broadcast, but I will download episodes for longer car (or plane) rides. They always cover such interesting, intriguing stories.

3. My love for Mudlove* is not secret. I didn’t sign up to be a “Wayfinder” (ambassador) for the brand for nothing. I just love what they stand for, and their products (bracelets, mugs, etc.) are so pretty and unique, so I am happy to share their brand and support a good cause.

4. When I bought the Peloton, I also had to invest in some proper cycling shoes and I went with the Nike SuperReps*. I love how light and breathable they are, and they’re really comfortable, too. I went up a size (as I do for my running shoes) and that worked out great.

5. Somebody on the Internet recommended the Wet’n’Wild Tinted Hydrator* as a new drug store favorite under $5 and whenever someone raves about a $5 product, I feel inclined to give it a try. Well, turns out this product is actually pretty good. It has hyaluronic acid and squalane and is lightweight, moisturizing, and nourishing with light to medium buildable coverage.

6. My friend Maegan recommended Grillo Pickles* in one of her Instagram posts and of course, I had to try them. I mentioned recently that I have a hard time finding pickles that meet my German standards (“not crunchy enough”, “too dilly”, “not vinegary enough” is usually my constant complaint). I usually get the imported German pickles from the International Market or World Market. But Grillo Pickles are actually surprisingly tasty. Different from the German pickles, but definitely tasty enough that I’ve been buying them a few shopping trips in a row.

7. I have barely used a hair dryer in the last 18 months, but whenever I had to be presentable for a video work call, I used my Revlon Hair Dryer and Volumizer* and it gets my hair in shape in no time.

8. I fell victim to online advertising. The Clio Greek Yogurt Bars* kept popping up in my IG and FB feed and when I saw a coupon on the Ibotta App, it prompted me to buy a couple to try them out. Well, turns out, they’re pretty tasty and the chocolate coating doesn’t hurt. It’s a nice little afternoon treat that I don’t feel too guilty about.

What are you loving these days? Share some favorites with me!


* #notanad, This is not a sponsored post. I have not been compensated by the brand or anyone else for linking the websites.

  1. OMG I love pickles so much. I never buy them though (no particular reason, I just typically save them for farmers market visits). I will have to look for these. And also I’ve never used a tinted moisturizer but will look for hood next time I’m in the drug store. Thanks for the recommendations!! Also I’m such a sucker for ads, it’s terrible lol. But I have purchased some pretty amazing things that way.

    1. I love that you love pickles. Go pick some up!

  2. Oh, thanks for the recomendations. I think I will have to try the Tinted Hydrator and the Clio Greek Yoghurt Bars.

    1. The Clio Bars are so good – don’t forget to try them when you’re here.

  3. Ooooh, I love this post! Always curious to see what other people use and love. I never used to listen to podcasts but I do when I walk the dog now, or fold laundry/ make dinner. It makes tedious tasks more pleasant for me. I will look up that one.

    1. Yeah, I love these kinds of posts from others too because it’s fun to see what products they recommend :)

  4. I have the same dutch oven and blow dryer and love both products! I used to have to straighten my hair after blow drying it but I don’t have to do that when I use that blowdryer. So it’s saved time and is better for my hair! I have probably blow dried by hair maybe 3 times in the last 1.5 years! I mostly can let it air dry now that I”m WFH! When I was working in the office, I had to blow dry it for Oct through May probably because it is too cold during that time of year for wet hair. So starting in Jan, I’ll be back to using the blow dryer regularly as I’ll be in the office Tues-Thur most likely.

    While you feel like you are in the minority when it comes to podcasts (I’m the opposite – I listen to sooo many – mostly on walks/runs but also when cooking, organizing, doing laundry, etc), I feel like I”m in the minority in not buying something from an IG ad. I don’t even notice them so maybe I don’t targeted for them? Or I just don’t notice them since I’m on the ap so little (I have a strict 20 min limit for FB/IG)? I often read about people buying things based on an IG ad, though so I feel like I am in the minority!!

    1. I think I knew you were also a fan of the straightening brush, but I had to laugh that you’ve also used it so little in the last 18 months :)

  5. You’re not the first person I’ve seen recommend those pickles so now I feel like I have to buy them! Pickles (and basically anything covered in vinegar) are one of my top foods and these just sound good. I have heard the top can be difficult to open though? I’ll take my chances ;) I’m also interested in trying that tinted moisturizer! Gotta love wet n wild!

  6. Okay, I don’t have the Peloton, but I did get a spin bike and my regular ol’ tennis shoes work fine in them. Is it a MUST to get biking shoes, you think? I just wonder what the benefits are.

    1. Honestly, I was the same. I had a regular spin bike before and used tennis shoes and cage pedals, but clipping in makes a HUGE difference (my husband said the same when he clipped in for the first time). Your pedal stroke will be much better because you can actually “push down and pull up” on each pedal stroke and it makes a difference in how much pedal power you create. I didn’t want to believe it, but would recommend to anyone to switch out their pedals/shoes if at all possible!

  7. You still haven’t tried the Dill Pickles form (Germany) that you can get at Trader Joes?

    1. I have. They’re pretty good, but still not the same as the German pickles. ;)

  8. That Revlon hair dryer got me through the pandemic and is still one of my favorite purchases. I’ve been too lazy to use it since it’s 90+ degrees around here, but I love how it extends my hair wash and how quickly it works. Best find ever.

  9. Ive recently eaten so many pickles right out of the jar specially when having a sweet craving 8don’t ask). And luckily enough I live close to the Spreewald so I am at the source. HA. That tinted face cream sounds interesting. I swear by all things hyaluronic acid.

  10. I think I’ve commented before that I must have some German ancestry, because I might have to try those pickles! The more flavorful, the more vinegary, the better. There is a Wisconsin company – Wienke’s Market (https://www.atasteofdoorcounty.com/) – that sells its pickles in my grocery store, and they’re pretty good. Not the best, but good.
    (Note that I also love sauerkraut, and rye and pumpernickel bread are my favorites…:>)

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