faves

Debi's Faves

When a dainty dollop of ice cream just won't do, enjoy these giant latte bars from Weight Watchers®. They also come in four other flavors: fudge, cookies and cream, wildberry and orange sorbet. This is the first product from Weight Watchers® I've tried, and by golly it's so yummy that I think I'll try some of their other stuff.

Brilliant! These disposable pleated window shades are amazing! The only tool you need to install these is a pair of scissors to cut them to the right length. They're made of paper and adhere to the tops of windows like giant sticky notes -- just peel and press. Adjust vertical coverage using the plastic clips that are included. I first saw these in the home of a friend who had just moved, but they'd be great in any spot where you're not ready to spring for something permanent or pricey. Made by Redi-Shade®, they're in the $5 range at home improvement stores.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. That's why this nifty spoon rest from Pampered Chef® is on my stovetop.
It saves clean up time and looks cool even when not in use.

These stylish skinny wallets by Kristine Accessories are amazing! You can stuff 'em full, yet they still look sleek and chic. They can hold credit cards, receipts, cash, coins and even a full checkbook! I bought mine in a local store for about $20 and have purchased more as gifts, but alas this delightful store has no Web site. (Kristine Accessories only sells to retailers.) You can ask for them in department stores, or buy them for about $15 online from Current. Click the image and load up!

Years ago I saw a documentary that followed
a middle-aged (and out of shape) woman who hiked the entire Appalachian Trail. It tranformed her, inside and out. "I should do that," I said. Then I read the hilarious account of author Bill Bryson (also middle-aged and out of shape) hiking the AT in his gotta-have book, A Walk in the Woods. "I must do that," I vowed. Then I saw another documentary about "through hikers," those who walk the entire 2,174 mile trail without stopping. It revealed the beating that hikers' feet take by showing their gnarly tootsies with oozing blisters and rotting nails. "I'll never do that," I gasped. Pretty feet are too much of a priority in my life. Still, I would like to hike parts of the AT here and there. But you can be assured that when I do, water and potty breaks will be supplemented with pedicure breaks! Click on the image to learn more about the awesome AT.

Never again will I wonder why some married couples have separate bedrooms. The window-rattling snores of my wonderful husband robbed me of rest. Even when I shuffled to the sofa in search of undisturbed sleep, I could still hear him! Neal had tried nose strips, throat spray and special pillows. Nothing worked -- until now. (I've always wanted to say that.) SnoreMate WORKS, it's comfortable and it has a money-back guarantee. Not only did all the annoying snoring completely cease, so did loud breathing. Neal is now a totally silent sleeper, and that makes me a well-rested writer. Click on the image to learn more and place your order.

My new favorite addiction is chewey cinnamon bears! Some places package them as "jujus." My personal assistant Larena and I tasted these when we were in the Dallas area and became instantly hooked. We searched the most likely places in the Kansas City metro for more, and Larena accidentally discovered them at Tractor Supply Company! TSC sells them for $2.99 in 19-ounce bags as Cinnamon JuJus. Unfortunately, TSC doesn't offer them online...but the manufacturer, Hometown Candy Company, does! Click on the image and scroll to the bottom. There are no pictures on that page, so look carefully for the product name: Hot JuJu Bears. And hey -- if you order $175 worth, you get free shipping!

Forget world peace or the fountain of youth. What eveyone truly needs are beautiful cuticles. Not only are those two words assonance in action, but they are at last possible for the masses who suffer from chronic cuticle shame. Solar Oil's special formula penetrates the cuticle area and moisturizes better and deeper than lotion alone. And no one is paying me to say this! It's a great product you can order now from Amazon.com by clicking on the image. Get Solar Oil at Beauty Brands or Walgreens for around $10. Brush it around your cuticles twice a day -- fingers and toes -- and you can maintain (or fake) a professional mani and pedi.

Chocolate never goes out of season! My favorite flavor of gelato (an Italian treat with half the fat of ice cream) is chocolate-hazelnut. My favorite ice cream, though, is Baskin-Robbins' Jamoca Almond Fudge. The new chilled coffee drink from Burger King called BK Joe tastes almost as yummy!

Lest you question my depth, I can assure you my faves extend beyond nail care and chocolate. At the top of my faves are books! My all-time favorite book is A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens. Once I shifted gears from the pace of contemporary suspense to the detailed narrative style of Dickens' era, I couldn't put it down. If you've tried reading Dickens before but gave up before the first 20 pages or so, please try again. It will be worth the effort!

IMPORTANT NOTE: The items on this page are not intended to treat, cure or prevent any disease. Nor are they intended to solve personal problems or usher in world peace. It's just Debi sharing things she likes. If you choose to try any of these items, that is solely your decision and should be tempered with common sense. Example: if you are allergic to cinnamon, DON'T EAT THE CINNAMON BEARS! Debi does not receive any kind of compensation for recommending these products or services. Bummer.