These Are a Few of My Favorite Things...

I have major butterflies in my stomach as tonight is the opening night for our musical, Fiddler on the Roof. I have to be at the school for my stage makeup in a wee bit so this list obviously can't encompass everything I use and love in daily life.

Disclaimer: I'm not being paid to advertise any of these products. I just love them.

PLUS: 299 Followers? Wow! Can we break the big 3-0-0 before tomorrow? *winks*

1. Pantene Pro-V Shampoo and Conditioner.
My hair is very thick and curly, and most shampoos and conditioners leave it too dry. (Apparently curly hair needs more moisture than regular hair.) I had been using Herbal Essences Hello Hydration and it worked alright, but I wanted to try the Pantene version. I got the Medium-Thick Pro-V set and LOVE it — I may even move up to plain old Thick.
- Recommended for: Any gal with thick and curly hair.
- Related Favorites: Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Anti-Frizz Serum. A little bottle with a big name, I use this stuff after I get out of the shower. Scrunch and twirl and my hair keeps its curl without getting frizzy.

Your pie will look similar to this. (credit)

2. Key Lime Pie.

Remember how I promised I'd give you guys some pie if you put up with me for long enough? Well here it is! This is a family recipe that we've perfected over time and it is THE BEST pie you will ever taste, guaranteed.

CRUST:

Blend 1 3/4 cup graham cracker crumbs, 1/2 stick of butter (melted and cooled), and 1/4 cup of cane sugar. Mold into a 9-10" pie plate. Bake at 350º F and cool.

FILLING:

Combine and blend one 14 oz. can of sweetened condensed milk, 3 fresh egg yolks, and 1/2 cup key lime juice. Pour into crust and bake for 15 minutes at 350º F.

- Recommended for: Everyone! This pie is amazing and quick to make. My stomach is growling just looking at the recipe card.

- Related Favorites: Whipped cream you whip yourself makes a delish topping!

3. IKEA.

I was literally nurtured on IKEA. For my entire childhood I lived in a almost completely IKEA and Danish modern design - furnished house. I still do, actually. It's a family affair. When I was younger I loved the stark look of classic IKEA and redecorated my room in green and white — everything from IKEA. Now I favor a gentle balance between French Provincial and modern design, but IKEA still rocks my socks with its awesomeness (and often adorableness) and low prices.

- Recommended for: Anyone redecorating on a budget that loves clean lines and great style. Especially people who live in apartments or whose rooms are small; IKEA stuff fits together quite nicely. Be warned, though: You'll need to assemble the furniture yourself. It's easy and painless but some people are surprised.

- Related Favorites: Antique furniture. My bedroom is a mix of antiques (painted white) and IKEA modern stuff. It keeps it from looking to grandmotherly or stark and gives a fresh twist to old favorites.

4. Apple.

*sigh* Every time I visit the Apple store I wish I was a billionaire so I could buy everything. Apples are so functional and pretty. They last, too! My current computer is a PowerBook from 2003 and it works like new (looks it too!). My iPod Nano was left out in a rain-and-sleet storm for four days on the front lawn and worked perfectly. It's also gone through the washing machine a few times. My iTouch is brand new so I can't speak for its durability quite yet, but it works ah-mazingly. Did you know that Apple's touch-screens are heat activated rather than touch activated? That's why you just brush the screen, rather than actually pressing. My family used to have all Dells but I started a trend by getting my PowerBook and there's no going back now. Apples may be more expensive but they are worth every cent. (I did a calculation and found that we had to replace our Dell laptop every two years or less. The cost of that was far more than purchasing a refurbished Apple.)

- Recommended for: People looking for functional and glamorous electronics that last a long time.

- Related Favorites: Nikon. I know it's not a direct relation, but all my Nikon camera gear is similarly functional and long-lasting.

5. 80's Fashion.

It's crazy, it's wacky, it's at times truly hideous... yes, my friends, I am talking about the fashion of the 1980's. Like vintage furniture I also love vintage clothing, so I covet my mom's old clothes from that era. Today I unconsciously styled my outfit to look vaguely 80's-ish — cropped t-shirt, big earrings, skinny jeans, and ballet flats. The tee is advertisement for our play's opening night, all the cast wore them. I modified mine a little... you can't really tell from the horrible photo to the left (in which I look a good 20 pounds heavier than I actually am), but the shirt's neckline bares one shoulder where my tank top strap has a cool design on it, and it's cropped at the bottom. When I got to school my hair was misbehaving so I swept it to one side (which I never do; I always have a center part)... and ta-da, instant 80's dance movie.

- Recommended for: Fashionistas who love vintage and aren't afraid to wear something wacky. I got a few odd looks today but those were cancelled out by the compliments. :)

- Related Favorites: Vintage shops and Goodwill. Clothes from those two places make up a good deal of my wardrobe! Some things from Goodwill can be truly horrifying, but some are really awesome and would probably be ten times as much at a vintage clothing store.

Well, I really gotta run for makeup! Wish me luck... but please don't say "break a leg" because I'm so clumsy backstage that might actually happen. Meep!