At risk of seeming materialistic, I'd like to share a few really great things I discovered this past year. I'm talking about actual things of the tangible variety. Just in case anyone out there is remotely interested, here you go... Mama Indiana's top picks for 2014:
1. Ok, don't laugh, but my new favorite brand of clothing is Carhartt. Yes, I'm talking about the company that makes coveralls for people who have dirty jobs like collecting trash and building roads. Over the summer, while perusing Amazon for a new pair of denim Capri pants, I discovered some that looked like they could work. Well, work they did. They're super- cute, comfortable, and resilient!! I used to have a messy hospital job where we wore scrubs. Since I became a stay-at-home mom 13+ years ago, I've noticed that my clothes get worn out much more quickly than ever before in my life. Well, over a decade later, it finally dawned on me!! Motherhood is hard and messy work!! (I'm a slow study.) We need clothes that perform. Scrubs were great in the hospital, but are not so cute if you're trying to look at least somewhat presentable in the library, grocery store, wherever... So, hello! How about clothes made to actually work!! In addition to the first pair of jean capris, I've picked up 2 more pairs of jeans (one lined!), 2 shirts, and a denim jacket. Love them all!! They have a feminine, stylish cut, are sturdy as heck and wash great. Love!! Uniform-quality clothes for moms.
2. My folding cutting board. Picked it up in a kitchen shop in our favorite beach town South Haven, MI. After chopping up fruits and veggies to your hearts' content, you can fold the side up creating a funnel for pouring everything into another pot or container. Genius!! No more spilling potatoes all over the stove while trying to pour them into boiling water.
3. Of course, I could never have a complete list without including a book or two. Here are my favorite new reads from this year:
-Something Other Than God by Jennifer Fulwiler. She's a convert from atheism to Catholicism and is oh-so-funny and real. This is her amazing story. Must read.
-The Nesting Place by Myquillyn Smith. I've never in my life read a decorating book cover-to-cover... until this one. Her motto is "it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.". I always sort of thought a person without a real eye for color and decorating should just give up and hang whatever wherever. This book gave me the confidence to look at my living room with new eyes and give something bold a try. I can't wait to take her approach on another space in our house. This book is truly enjoyable to read and has lovely, inspiring photography!! So helpful for the design-challenged!!!!
That's it for now!! Hope your new year is off to a great start.
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