Things I’ve bought lately that make me happy:

The song Velvet, by The Big Pink. Just lovely, and great for running.

Also, Sabali by Amadou & Mariam. Sounds a bit like that pretty Devotcha song, “How It Ends”, then the singing starts and you go, wow.

Dapper Snappers. These things are freaking genius for beanpole kids whose pants are always falling off their scrawny behinds. They snap onto the back of the pants, cinching the waist tighter without causing any weird bunching, and unlike belts there’s no extra stuff for a kid to deal with if he has to, say, use the bathroom. I got one for Riley and it’s like he has a whole new wardrobe now, where he can finally wear all the too-wide but just-right-in-length pants I’d sadly stored away for whenever the peanut butter calories actually start sticking to his body.

Morrocan Oil. I saw this mentioned over at Not Martha and decided to try out a small bottle, because I am a giant sucker for supposedly miraculous hair products. Usually I’m disappointed, but this oil is amazing. It makes my dry, damaged hair actually look like hair—swinging and soft—and smooths out a lot of frizz without adding any heaviness. It’s got a strong, exotic scent, which I really love.

iTunes U. This isn’t something I’ve paid money for because it’s free, and seriously, holy awesome. Thousands of lectures and videos from universities available from iTunes, and did I mention the free part? I studied for (and subsequently aced, thank you very much) a quiz on the digestive system in part by listening to lectures while running and during my commute. FREE!

The TiltShift iPhone app. This is an awfully nice little program for making your cameraphone images look a lot more special, without adding the super-processed look that gets old after about, oh, two images.

Little Black Book of Stories by A.S. Byatt. I can’t remember the last time I’ve enjoyed a collection of short stories this much. Each is rich, dark, wistful, beautiful, and spooky. Fairytales for grownups.

Your turn! Share share share.

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Casey
13 years ago

Thanks for these great tips. I am especially interested in getting my hands on some Moroccan Oil. Just a heads-up on that, though. Seems that Amazon is shipping out bogus, counterfeit Moroccan Oil (as stated by reviewers in the 1-star range), so you might want to link right to the producer’s site directly: http://www.moroccanoil.com/ Then your readers can find local salons that sell the real product.

Thanks again!

Mare
13 years ago

Two dresses that I bought on a whim, and make me look and feel so good, I just want to twirl around and throw my hat in the air, a la Tyler Moore.

And THEN, as if that wasn’t enough, a bathing suit that makes me look so cute, I don’t dread being seen in it. SO WORTH THE MONEY!!

Faith
Faith
13 years ago

Casey – apparently that depends on the Amazon seller. The one linked here has quite a number of bad reviews stating that they were given counterfeit product, but at least one other seller (FragranceUp) doesn’t seem to have that problem. So just shop around and be wary.

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[…] shared a list of things she’s bought lately that have made her happy, and I thought I’d follow suit here. You […]

victoria
victoria
13 years ago

Oh, DANG! I am such a fan of Linda’s, and such a straw-hair sufferer myself, that I immediately clicked on that llink & bought a bottle of “Morrocan Oil” from Amazon.

I didn’t even bother to check the seller’s reviews! (Smacks hand to forehead.)

Oh, well. Guess that’ll teach me about the dangers of one click shopping.

Linda
Linda
13 years ago

Victoria: I’m pretty sure that’s the link I used when I made my purchase, and I didn’t get ripped off. Here’s hoping the real product makes its way to you!

Christina
13 years ago

Hey, totally random but I was looking at the May issue of Parent magazine and I am pretty sure you made it to print! Have you seen that? The Tweet deck or something like that about Dylan learning to do the chicken dance at school.

wealhtheow
13 years ago

Oh my GOD, how did I not know about iTunes U? This is BRILLIANT!

My big buys are the giant container of spring mix baby greens at Costco for under $5. Enough salad for a week of big salads for two, and so damn cheap.

Also, Crocs for the toddler. Yes, they are expensive, but so much better than the knock-offs.

Renee
Renee
13 years ago

Moroccan Oil – I love this also! Have you noticed how much faster your hair dries when you use the oil and blow dry? My hair is super thick and it cuts the time down considerably….and the smell is yummy!~

warcrygirl
warcrygirl
13 years ago

Sadly I don’t have much extra money to spend on myself; my most recent purchases have been two new shades of Orly polish (Swizzle Stick and Orange Punch) plus a shade called Beverly Hills Plum which is really a french manicure polish and a new bright orange bag from Clinique (free with purchase). I just wish their bags had pockets in the inside.

cindy in AZ
cindy in AZ
13 years ago

I bought seeds for growing my own tomatoes, cilantro, jalapenos (thinking salsa here) and….Carrots. Also bought trees for landscaping/shade around the house. I got all excited for spring and then it snowed. What the Hell?

SC Girl
SC Girl
13 years ago

I loves the Moroccan Oil too. I work in the beauty industry and they are having problems with diversion. They are only selling it to authorized salons and stylists now so just be careful where you buy it from. Your best bet is to get it from a salon. I was also told it may turn light light blond hair brassy – just watch your color. It DOES dry your hair faster! I don’t know how or why it works but gotta love an amazing product that has that perk.

I’m reading the latest book Diana Gabaldon in hardcover now. It’s really good but SWEET MOTHER OF GOD what an intimidating book – over 800 pages. I developed carpal tunnel from holding it up! It’s a bit descriptive and wordy in parts for me but worth looking for in paperback. Classic Gabaldon. I didn’t read the book before this one.

Corona and lime. ‘Nuff said.

wordygirl
13 years ago

I went straight to the Dapper Snappers website to check them out, and they look FANTASTIC. Also, the last Q/A on their FAQ page made me laugh my ass off:
Q: What is the meaning of life?
A: I don’t know, but a Dapper Snapper couldn’t hurt.

My latest greatest purchase: airfare and hotel for a girls’ trip to Vegas this fall. Woo hoo!

Melissa
13 years ago

Thanks for the tip on ItuneU! I will have to check it out!

Dina
13 years ago

Love fairytale stories for grown ups! Thanks for the tip, I’ll check out the book!

suz
suz
13 years ago

i bought a new camera. a Fuji Finepix S2100. My brother found it on ebay for a beyond awesome price (not that I can afford it!). we’re going on vacation to celebrate hubby’s graduation and really needed a better camera. totally can’t afford it, but it had to be done (i hate my little camera-long story). stupid seller mess up my address though so now I have to wait until Monday to play. whaaa

btw-hubby is almost 44 and getting his undergrad…you can do this!

Emily Hooke
13 years ago

I just gave you a blog award! I’m a long time lurker and I love your blog!
http://eatrunlivecbus.blogspot.com/2010/04/i-got-blog-award-yipee.html

Celeste
Celeste
13 years ago

I’m loving:
* the amazed looks on my kids faces as the seeds we planted in their little tabletop green house actually grow! (who knew seeds really CAN grow)

* my new itouch – how ever did I survive bedtime without it?

* the burritos we bought for dinner to take on a hike up the “tallest” mountain my 4 year old could find

* playing with the iphone game that was actually written based on ideas from the kids on what would be fun! I can’t believe that the husband could build it! that its in the store, and if anyone buys it… well that would just be even more amazing. Its called SoundBingo (most daycares play it) and it turned out SO well — and I liked putting cameo pics of the kids in (no one else will know its them) http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/soundbingo/id366675690?mt=8#

chris m.
13 years ago

I’m in love with KinderGlo’s night lights. No more time wasted looking for the perfect gift for kids birthday parties – I just stock on these beautiful and comforting caricatures.

Everybody loves them! (Click on my name if you want to see these cute night lights).

Annabelle
Annabelle
13 years ago

Bless Diana Gabaldon for the guilty pleasure reading. I’m loving my new kitchen cabinets(the part that is finished, anyway… the kitchen island is GEINUS!).

I’ve already sent the dapper snapper link to three friends. Horray for using the pants you’ve got.

Meggish
Meggish
13 years ago

I didn’t buy it, but a wonderful friend gave me some of Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s new Lychee/Peach Oolong, which tastes just like the Dragon Eye Oolong (only served at P.F. Chang, and don’t try to buy it from them because you can’t afford it, boo) that I’m in love with.

And Sally Hansen HD nail polish in this teal-y color is like something from another planet. =D I keep catching myself admiring my nails in public.

And if you love “Sabali,” you’ve GOT to check out “Senegal Fast Food”!

Deb
Deb
13 years ago

Hey –

I ordered some Dapper Snappers and then got an email from the company asking where I had heard of them – apparently they experienced a spike in sales. Naturally, I directed them to you.

Good job helping a company out and using your powers for good and not evil! You’ll go to heaven for sure now. And if they send you some kind of Thank You Coupon Code, share please! I could use a few more set for my skinny guy.

JenN
13 years ago

Ooo. Love AS Byatt. Don’t love movies made out of her books, though, especially ones with anyone named Gwyneth in them. Hung out with AS Byatt as she got drunk in Stockholm once. I didn’t get drunk, and I wanted to tell her all about why that was, but she didn’t care that much.

Michelle
Michelle
13 years ago

Deb and Linda,
I got that same email after I ordered Dapper Snappers for my little guy! Of course I directed them here. Maybe they’ll make you there new spokeperson or send ya some gratis!

dani
13 years ago

check out fables (comic book series, now in compilation books), by bill willingham. you will eat them up.
and ya, the moroccan oil.

Kate K.
13 years ago

I am obsessed with the Moroccan Oil! My hair stylist talked me into the small bottle a few months ago, and I am hooked! Glad to know others share my new obsession.

Jackie
Jackie
13 years ago

Some of my recent favorite purchases:

My 1st pair of TOMS Shoes – They are RIDICULOUSLY comfortable & the company has a wonderfully philantrophic focus.

‘Chelsea Chelsea Bang Bang’ by Chelsea Handler – I actually scared other passengers on the train the other day because I was laughing so uncontrollably reading it.

gjegqmvj
8 years ago

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