Inspired by Life ... and Fiction

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These are a Few of My Favorite Things

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I love raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens and all the other things in the song Julie Andrews made a household tune. But there are some more specific things I’ve enjoyed this year and I thought I’d share them with you. (I’ve included links for most, in case you want to order your own. Simply click on the image.) Thanks to Becky Wade for this post idea!

I’ve never been true to one makeup brand for all my makeup products, but once I find a product I like, I stick with it for eons. My mascara has been Lancome for decades:My lipstick is always COVERGIRL® Outlast Lip Color in either #559 Plum Berry or for a bit paler summer color, #555 Blossom Berry. This is the BEST lip color because it lasts all day long and doesn’t smudge on clothes or coffee mugs or Ken’s cheeks. I’ve been using it for years and can’t say enough good things about it.

One of my favorite new finds in makeup is this Velvet Skin Coat® Skin-perfecting makeup primer from DHC. It is well-named because it feels like velvet going on and makes a nice base for foundation and powder.The Aquis® Lisse Long Hair Towel (I got mine from Bed, Bath, & Beyond) is another favorite thing I’ve discovered this year. Now that I’m wearing my hair longer, but also still washing it every day, this towel is almost a necessity. It absorbs like a sponge (which helps your bath towel stay drier, as well). Can’t recommend it enough. A little pricey, but I’m saving up for a second one in aqua.

This URPOWER 200ml Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser Humidifier has 7 color LED lights and auto shutoff, plus it uses cool water, so safer when the grandkids are here. And I love these Natrogix Nirvana essential oils to use in the diffuser. I’m a skeptic when it comes to the “medicinal power” of essential oils (although I do believe God gave us herbs and plants to use for our benefit), but I just love the way the essential oils in the diffuser make our house smell! 

 

 

Another thing I’m so excited about is the Kasa App we use with TP-Link Smart LED Light Bulb. Our oldest son gave me one of these light bulbs, and I immediately bought three more. Using the app with these bulbs means we’re able to have four of the lights in our house set to come on, dim, brighten, and go off automatically at preset times. Besides being convenient, it’s a nice safety feature making it look like we’re home even if we’re not.

 

 

Windowsill plants give me so much joy, especially when it’s cold and dreary outside. My two favorites recently are an African violet that has bloomed its heart out since shortly after I bought it at a garage sale in June, and a cyclamen I picked up at our local garden center right after Christmas (and potted in a pretty 25-cent garage sale pot).

Instagram! I’ve been using Instagram for a couple of years now and it has become my favorite social media platform. I love the photo format and that it’s a short, quick way to give and get updates between friends, or check out topics you’re interested in. (Most of the accounts I follow are other writers or decorating blogs.) If you happen to be on Instagram, I’d love to see you there. My account name is: https://www.instagram.com/deborahraney/ These are the 9 top images selected from my feed by #bestof2017.

What are some of your favorite things you’re enjoying these days?”

 

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Deborah Raney

DEBORAH RANEY's first novel, A Vow to Cherish, inspired the World Wide Pictures film of the same title and launched Deb’s writing career. Forty books later, she's still creating stories that touch hearts and lives. Her novels have won RWA's RITA Award, the ACFW Carol Award, the National Readers Choice Award, and the HOLT Medallion. She is also a three-time Christy Award finalist. Deb is on faculty for several national writers’ conferences and served on the executive board of the 2,500-member American Christian Fiction Writers organization for 18 years before retiring in 2022. She is a recent transplant to Missouri, having moved with her husband, Ken Raney, from their native Kansas to be closer to kids and grandkids. They love road trips, e-biking, Friday garage sale dates, and breakfast on the screened porch overlooking their wooded backyard.
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Comments

  1. Yay! I loved this post, Deb. I’m glad you were inspired by my “favorite things” post to write your own.

    I definitely need one of those long hair towels! Where has this been all my life? How did I not know about it until now? 🙂

  2. I’m pretty sure that Plum Berry Outlast is the shade I wore on my wedding day! And, like, Becky, I’m pretty sure I need one of those hair towels now.

    • I wish I was monetizing with Bed, Bath & Beyond! 😉 And how cool about your wedding day lipstick! It’s a perfect shade. Not too dark, but bright enough to go the distance!

  3. I love Velvet Skin Coat, too, Deb! SO stealing this post idea for my blog tomorrow… Might also have to check out the Lancome mascara, and the towel, and….$$$$$ Whoops, there goes the next royalty check. 🙂

  4. Hi Deb, fun to read about your favorites! I’m going to check out the mascara and lipstick! Thanks!

  5. I love mascara but have never tried Lancome’s. I’m also going to have to get one of those hair towels for my daughter because she insists on going out in the morning with wet hair!

  6. Deb, thank you for sharing! I may have to try the Lancombe mascara. After using ALMAY for several years, I developed an allergy.

    Two of my favorite hair products are Kinky-Curly curling custard and aquage transforming paste.

  7. Hi Deborah, We just wanted to say thank you for sharing us on your favorite things list. And we agree that it’s always great to have a spare towel handy for when one is in the wash or for traveling. Enjoy and thank you! -the AQUIS team

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