2018 Favorite Things~ Spring Edition
My 2018 Spring Favorites are a sampling of fashion, beauty and photography tech that have made my life slightly easier, more efficient, and give me the means to be more intentional with my time.
Everyone always has a handful of go to favorites in their lives. I’ll be the first to admit that when I’m looking for a new pair of boots, journal, coat, or bag, I scour the internet for reviews and suggestions from people who have a similar lifestyle.
A few issues ago Magnolia Journal had an article about hosting a Favorite Things party. So for the holidays, my meal group had our first annual Favorite Things party. It was so much fun, we decided to have the party twice a year once in the summer and then again during the holidays. With that theme in mind, I thought today I’d share some of my current favorite things.
In celebration of springtime, here in no particular order are five of my current favorite things.
2ndStoryStudioLLC- Mountain Foldover Crossbody Bag
I love a new bag. I’m always looking for the perfect, weight, size, function and style, while staying reasonably priced. I am going on an adventure with my daughter next week and wanted to buy a new bag/purse for the trip. Have you seen all the beautiful print or pattern mixed bags around these days? Well I took to Etsy to see if I could find one inspired by this trend. I love supporting small handmade shops too. After very little searching I found 2ndStoryStudioLLC!
The bags are vegan leather, canvas, and feature either a mountain or state specific patch. Once I saw the mountain patch I was sold. Based out of Montana, everything is handmade and there are several bags and wallets to choose from. Not to mention all the gorgeous patterns! I chose the fold-over crossbody bag with sw print, gray bull denim, and caramel brown vegan leather. I didn’t do a Colorado state patch (because it’s basically a square) but rather a mountain one.
My only requirements were, a lightweight bag that could also hold my wallet, phone and camera lens. Reasonably priced, my purchase came within days and I quickly followed it up with a coin purse, strapette and cotton-belting strap order. If you are considering going with a crossbody bag from 2ndStoryStudioLLC, order the cotton-belting strap as well, I love the versatility of length and the durability. As you know I think a picture can speak 1000 words so just take a look for yourself!
Kamik Women’s Waterproof Jennifer Garden Boots
In Colorado it doesn’t rain much, in fact when it does rain it’s a bit of an event. We do have several dumpings of heavy, wet, snow in the spring (like today, yay snow day!!!). I’ve been wanting a pair of knee high rain/mud boots for a few years but couldn’t handle spending around $100. The only mud that’s typically created in the spring is related to melting snow. However, I’m in and out the back door all the time, doing chores in the back, clearing fallen limbs, taking pictures when the light hits something just right, and watering veggies or flowers. So essentially, I wanted a pair of waterproof work boots. My requirements, waterproof, durable, comfortable, easy on/off, and cute. These Kamiks are perfect! They look very similar to Hunter boots (which I liked), are narrow around the ankle to help hold them in place (so no clunking in your rain boots) and are insanely comfortable. The best part, there are several colors and on Amazon they are priced under $25!!! I love them, just the work boots I was looking for! They don’t come in half sizes, so I did size up rather than down. I wear thin socks with them and can throw them on over leggings or skinny jeans easily. Every time I wear them I get tons of compliments!
Canon EF 50mm 1:1.8 lens
Being a photographer, I learned quickly that one of the best investments I can make in my kit is a solid lens. I have found this fixed 50mm lens to be an affordable, faithful in performance, lens that produces impeccable images. I will not go anywhere without it. While there is a slight learning curve, if you spend the time understanding its capabilities you will be absolutely blown away with the shooting power of this small but mighty lens. This year I’m committed to using it more, and shooting in manual as much as possible. It’s a great lens to force the best images out of my mind and camera. If you want to grow your skills as a photographer, get this lens. Since it’s fixed you have to think, move, and pay attention to your images in a way that is simply not required with a retractable lens.
Heliocare 360 Fluid Cream
Several months ago I was on the hunt for a new sunscreen (because, oh hey Colorado). I came across this product tutorial and decided to give it a shot. It is a water based, alcohol, oil, and paraben free face cream. I love it’s broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection. But since it’s water based it is also a moisturizer, sunscreen, and make up primer. I use this before my tinted BB cream, which I only need to dab in a few specific trouble areas on my face. Like many of you, I need a fast make up routine in the morning, I love the no makeup/dewy/fresh look and this product helps provide the base to achieving that, while still protecting and helping my skin at the same time. Win! Win!
Geekgo SD card reader
This little miracle worker makes transferring photos from my camera to phone a synch! If I’m not near a computer, traveling, or don’t have time to transfer my photos to the computer first this little guy saves the day! Simply insert the card reader into the power jack of your phone, then put the sd card in the slot and voila! Your phone will ask you which photos you want off the card reader, you pick and then it downloads them to your phone and that’s it! I love how easy it is to use. You may wonder why I don’t just take a photo with my phone. I do when I don’t have my DSLR with me. But this year, I’ve personally committed to taking the most beautiful pictures possible for my instagram feed and blog. I’m also trying to shoot in manual mode as much as possible, to grow my skills, intuition, and speed as a photographer. This SD card reader is the perfect incentive, because it’s fast and convenient. I also don’t have a fancy editing app on my phone aside from instagram filters, which I rarely use. Again, it’s another way for me to force the best photos possible out of my mind and camera. If you are a prosumer, momtographer, professional photographer, or hobbyist this little guy is a great addition to your kit!
When I find a new, “Oh I love this!” product it’s so satisfying. We’re all on a budget and I HATE wasting money. I wouldn’t say we live in an incredibly remote area, but we do live far enough away from a city that makes browsing the aisles of Target a bit of an event. So I spend a lot of time reading online reviews, and doing google searches when I’m in need of something. I’ve added links for everything. I’m not affiliated with any of these products. I’m just a normal mama on a budget excited to have found just what I needed. What are your current favorite things?
