My Favorite Things 2012 – iPhone Apps, Food, Beauty and More!
iPhone apps, beauty products AND food?…Oh my! Yup, I’m covering it ALL!
Every year I stumble upon random things that I end up LOVING and then do a roundup of my ultimate favorite items, to share with YOU! It’s one of the posts I look forward to every year because I really DO love sharing awesome finds with those of you who may not know about them.
You can see my favorites from past years, by clicking below.
Extra long iPhone charger cord from Mini In The Box:
I honestly don’t know how I lived without this the first year I had my iPhone. Instead of a measly few feet of cord, these colorful beauties pack over 10 ft of goodness… and for only $3.00 each!
iPhone Wallet Case:
It’s a phone case, it’s a wallet… it’s a wallet phone case! This is pretty much the ONLY thing I carry when I’m shopping. I just slide my ID and check card in one side, have my phone on the other and BAM, I’m doin’ some hands-free shopping!
The link above will take you to a shop where you can buy one, but I actually got mine at SassySteals.com when they had them on sale for about half the price! So just keep your eye out.
My ALL TIME favorite app EVER! Thanks to my brother who convinced me to try it.
Snapseed is hard to explain, but in a nutshell, it’s like Photoshop in a FREE app on your phone! You can lighten images, add effects, crop, re-size, rotate, etc. The coolest part, is that you can SPOT edit. Meaning that if just ONE part of your photo is dark, you can lighten just that ONE area. AHHHH! So cool!
Because my iPhone has become such a huge part of how I document everyday memories, using an app like Sanpseed (even though it takes a few extra steps) is TOTALLY worth it when I see how beautiful they look printed out and in a keepsake book or journal.
After Snapseed edits and Valencia filter on Instagram
MoreBeaute2 App:
An app that gives you flawless, glowing skin???… yes please!
You can definitely go overboard with this one so be careful, but when my skin needs a little brightening or smoothing… this little guy does the trick! It’s fun to play around with and honestly, the photos I love seeing this effect on the most, are those adorable newborn ones! It just makes them look radiant and heavenly.
Whitagram:
Instagram is tricky, because it cuts off a lot of your photo to fit it into a 1:1 format. Sometimes that’s okay, but other times you want to have the ENTIRE image show up, and that’s where Whitagram comes in. Just upload your photo to this app and it creates little bars on either side (in whatever color you choose) to fill the extra space, so the integrity of your original photo stays intact.
Wanting to kick your Instagram photo coolness up even MORE? Then you’ve GOT to get some of these awesome fonts & stamps from Rhonna Designs.
You simply purchase the font or stamps that you want from her site, and then she sends you a downloadable TTF (true type font) file that you can use on your computer at home OR your phone! All you have to do is download an app called Phonto to your phone, install the new fonts into that and you’re ready to go! Don’t worry, she gives you all the instructions when you place an order.
A lot of you asked how I added all those cool designs onto my New Years Eve photo last night… and now you know!
Don’t get me wrong, I love my everyday brown shadow, but if you’re looking to switch things up without going too crazy, this gray is perfect and that little container lasts forever! PLUS, it’s only $5.00!
Without my glasses, I’m totally blind… it’s the truth. So this extendable mirror is a MUST for me when applying makeup. One side is magnified as well and it’s an awesome deal at just $4.99!
TIP: We didn’t want to screw anything into our new bathroom storage fixture, so we simply adhered this mirror with command strips. It’s worked perfectly and NO holes in your walls or cabinets!
I probably have 4 tubes of this color floating around. One in my purse, one in my makeup bag, car, coat pocket… you name it. ha! It’s the nude lip… that’s not nude.
🙂
I’ve mentioned it before, but the Revlon Lip Butter brand is AWESOME. It’s not really a lipstick, it’s not really a gloss or chap stick… but a mixture of all three together. Genius! To be honest, I pretty much have EVERY color they carry in the Lip Butter brand, but this light pink is for SURE my everyday go-to lip shade, because it works with almost everything I wear. You can get it online or at your local grocery store.
These three items together pose a triple threat to my thin, dry, sometimes frizzy hair. I use a boars hair round brush to blow dry lots of body into my short bob, a CHI straightener to shape and smooth everything how I want it, and lastly a touch of my Paul Mitchell Super Skinny serum, to set the whole look.
Because I have fine hair, I have to make sure that all of my tools are gentle and non-damaging. Same goes with my hair products. I’ve tried a lot of serums to tame the frizz, and by FAR the Super Skinny is my favorite… and it lasts FOREVER!
You can get some of these at your local grocery store or you can buy a Chi here and Super Skinny Serum here.
Dark Chocolate Pomegranates & Hummus Sesame Chips:
These are my two Costco picks. We stumbled on these a few months back and both Cason and I fell in LOVE! You know when you’re roaming the isles at Costco, see something new, but aren’t sure if it’s really worth trying out?… Well, if you find these two items, don’t hesitate, just put them straight in your cart.
I know I’m trying to watch what I eat, but even just a few of these salty Hummus chips aside a turkey tortilla roll up at lunch or a couple of dark chocolate pomegranates before bed at night, totally satisfies the “snacking” monster inside of me.
Cason’s been doing a LOT (okay, maybe ALL) of our grocery shopping lately and decided to try a couple of these Steamfresh rice blends from Birds Eye. There are a few different options, but we (including our KIDS) have gone totally ga-ga over the brown & wild rice with broccoli and carrots. Honestly, these are GOOD! They steam up in the microwave lickity-split and there’s no hard-to-scrub rice pan to clean afterwards! Yup, dinner just got about 10x’s easier and quicker.
🙂
Ice Breakers Cubes – Peppermint:
I’m a bit of a gum snob. I don’t like crunchy candy outsides, gum that loses it’s freshness in 5 seconds, sticks to my teeth or fruit mixed with mint flavors (ack! GAG!)… I just want GUM. You know, straight-up make your breath fresh, lasts for at least a trip to the grocery store and back, kinda gum.
For me, these Ice Breaker cubes are a clear winner AND I always buy them in this big cube pack so that I have lots to share. Cason and I both keep a little container of our own in one of the cup holders in our car.
You can’t be good ALL the time, right? My indulgence this year has been Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. It may sound a bit weird at first, but I promise, you’ll LOVE it! When I’m out I pick one up at our local coffee shop, but if I want a warm treat and am just at home, this mix is by FAR the BEST that I’ve tried. And believe me, I’ve tried like 5 different brands.
The World Market brand has the PERFECT mix of all these amazing flavors in one and is actually really affordable, at only about $5.99 for this medium sized canister. (it made about 10 cups for me). Because there are more calories in this treat, I use non-fat milk to make mine.
Side Note: Starbucks has a version of this yummy treat, and it’s just oooookay. I’ve introduced 2 of my friends to it, via Starbucks and they all thought it was just aaaalright. Then I took them to my little local coffee shop for a sample, and they RAVED about it! Everyone does their Salted Caramel hot chocolate differently, and so if you’re going to try it for the first time, I’d go with this mix. It’s really yummy!
🙂
Some of these I have already mentioned before, but wanted to include in my roundup because I get asked ALL the time about them, so pay attention because this is going to go fast!
🙂
Deals everyday on ADORABLE kid AND Women’s clothes, shoes, toys and housewares. Deals start at 7am (my time), and you better believe that I set an alarm for it. Once things are gone… they’re gone! This is where I like to shop for one-of-a-kind items for my kiddos. They always have GREAT stuff and I get a lot of the girls’ shoes here too, because usually they’re really inexpensive.
Sassy Steals, Groopdealz and Very Jane:
These are Deal-a-Day sites and I love them all. Sometimes you see the same stuff, sometimes you stumble on totally awesome, unique items that make you squeal with delight because they are SO cheap! My advice… Check these sites everyday, if you can. I stock up and buy TONS of friend and family presents from here when there’s great prices on something I know a lot of people in my life would love.
Ugh… I don’t even want to tell you guys about this place because they’re SO cheap and I know they’ll start running out of stuff, but alas, I love you… so I will. Funky, trendy, modern items GALORE! A lot of my all-time favorite jewelry pieces come from here.
Enjoy, and save some for me, mmkay?
Talked lots about this site here when we did our curator sale, so I won’t say much more. Just know: Home decor + Deals = Joss & Main. The End.
Whew! Are you still with me?
🙂
Hopefully you learned about, saw and found a few new things that you can add to your OWN favorites list for 2013! What were some of YOUR ultimate favorite things this past year?
I’d love to hear about them, so I can try them out too!
Ashley C. says
Thanks for sharing all of your Instagram secrets/faves – you always have such well-lit photos and I was starting to think there was something wrong with my phone or something for not being able to take similarly cute pics!! Haha! (comparison is the thief of joy I must remind myself) 🙂
Michelle says
Thanks for sharing… can't wait to get me some of Rhonna's designs.. and am dying to try the Revlon Lip Butter!
Grabbing My Happy says
I am always FASCINATED by favorite things lists… especially those from real people who are not being paid to mention them! Thank you so much for sharing. I'm definitely going to check all these things out!
Melissa says
LOVE this post~it's better than Oprah 🙂 I was seriously just going to email you and ask your pink lip color, and here it is. What about cheeks~do you have a favorite? You are now coming to the gym with me…I printed off your workout and you are killing me. 🙂 xo
Leni says
Thank You, Thank You & Thank you!!! Sooooo excited!!!!
Brandi says
I love your list! Thanks for all the tips and tricks.
Sheen says
LOVE it all! Thanks lady!
Unknown says
Such fun faves! Definitely planning on trying a few of them out – especially that rice! 🙂
Alesha says
Love all these! I downloaded two of the apps right away! I hadn't found great solutions to the yucky skin or the "too-big photo" problems. Thanks!
Alesha <3
Elk Dresses says
I'm excited to try those new photo apps! I have snapseed but I just can't figure the dang thing out. Too much for my brain. I need someone to teach me.
Denissa says
I'm in LOVE with the Revlon lip butter too! I have peach parfait, want all of them too! 🙂
Love groopdealz and very jane also. My fav app at the moment is LINE camera, just got it the other day so I'm still tryig to play with it. lol
leemeandthegirls says
LOVE this awesome post! thanks for sharing! 🙂
Kristy Sims says
You are the ONLY person's blog who's links I even bother to follow anymore. As weird as it sounds, I love the fact that you guys love deals. Some examples are the random mommy blogs that post about what a great deal a $250 toy is.
it's like…..Really?
They must not even live in the same economy as me. Their choices are so out of my price range it is ridiculous.
SO! I found your blog through Pinterest (I think,) REALLY liked your style and decided to 'like' you guys on facebook as well. A while ago when you posted that the jacket you got from Target (for one of your daughters' birthday) was a bit expensive… made my day! Sounds crazy..but it seems as if most of the other pages are posting about how cheap their outrageously expensive items are and you guys are completely keeping it classy while living in the real world.
Anyway, I'd been meaning to let you know for a while (though I'm positive you guys have tons of messages and whatnot) that I totally appreciate the fact that you all know how to budget money and are just as excited about $5.00 deals as I am. hahaha 🙂
Christielulu says
Loved this post, thanks so much for sharing your favorites! Some of my ultimate favorites would be shopkick app and earning Target gift cards from my frequent visits. YNAB app and program to keep our budget on track and easy to update, I just add purchases at the register.
Emily @ TwoPurpleCouches says
I love the Joss too! Also love SassySteals and StyleLately (thanks to you!), but have to convince myself every. single. day. that I don't need everything on sale that day (esp. the jewelry). So dangerous!! Thanks for the roundup! I may need to check out some of those other photo apps!
Pitter and Glink says
I LOVE this post! I just downloaded all the apps, and I wrote a note in my phone to remember to buy the lipstick next time I'm shopping! Thanks, girl!
Unknown says
Loving the look of the the photo apps! Thanks so much for sharing x
Brandi says
Smiths, have you tried the app Red Stamp? One of my new favorites. Even my six year old likes to take pictures of herself and make cards for grandma. Great for saying thanks or thinking of you.
Kirsten Krason says
What a great post! I just downloaded all those apps.
Sara says
Love this post!! Thanks for all of the fun ideas! You always look so amazing!
Christy Ruffing says
Didn't get past the iPad cords! Immediately ordered 1 in every color! 4 iPhones and 2 iPads make cord stealing a big problem with 3 teen boys! Now we wil know which is which, and have a longer reach to the bed! Yea! Thanks… And LOVE you and your blog!
Leigh Anne says
Love these kinds of posts! Honest user reviews are the best! I'm putting these things on my list…….thx so much for doing this post!
Jennifer says
So good, but so dangerous – I just ordered from 2 of them!! 🙂 Thanks for posting these – they are great!!
Kim M. says
You got me hooked on Zulily and my little ones got the most DARLING pink boots for Christmas. Going to try a lot of these. Love this post! Thanks! (I think :))
ambermarie says
What a fun post!! I am buying that lipstick right now….I have considered it at the store a million times but thought it looked too bubblegum, but seeing it someone it looks perfect! I just found your blog through another diy blog and I love it. You, your house and your family are beautiful!! 🙂
Sweet Parrish Place says
I totally love your list of faves. I want to keep it so I can go back and refer to it a million times. Totally buying that lip stuff ASAP!
Anonymous says
Thank you for your favorites from 2012. I love learning about new products and places to shop.
Andrea Watson says
I've been obsessed with lipstick for the last few months for the first time in my life! I went out and bought this one after reading your post today 🙂 Love it! Happy New Year!
Anestazia says
Okay, not going to lie… I looked up most of the apps to see if I could get them on Android. Luckily, I was able to (except Whitagram, and I didn't check on the last one). Thanks for posting!
Amber says
Wow thanks for all of the recs! I already ordered my long iphone cord so thank you thank you! I was just thinking the other day as my phone came unplugged for the 20th time while I was holding it "there has to be a better cord!" So yipee!! And I too am IN LOVE with the Revlon lip stuff. It is awesome! And now I have a new color to try–and a new eye shadow. 🙂
Cynthia Robertson Shaffer says
what a wonderful list, thanks for putting it together… I especially love the iPhone charging cord…genius!
Anonymous says
Love this post!! Thank you!! Just bought a cute iPhone charger and I LOVE StyleLately!!!
McKenzie @ Girl Loves Glam says
Those are some great things! I love all of those Instagram apps!
Stephanie says
Absolutely loved reading your favorite things!
Do you still use Instagram or is Snapseed a "replacement" for it?
Also: I'm totally going to buy that gum next time I go shopping! It's so hard to find a flavor that lasts. 🙂
stephanie@metropolitanmama.net
Ker says
Thanks for this. You are adorable. Love your IG feed and blog!
Jennifer Ciani says
Loved this post! Thank you so much for sharing your favorites! So helpful!!!
Jennifer Ciani says
Loved this post! Thank you for sharing your favorites, so helpful & useful!!
Paige says
You are AWESOME! I love to try new things too! Just wanted you to know that I LOVE reading your blog daily. You are a beautiful person inside and out. You have some great ideas and I love how your family is so involved in everything you do. Keep bloggin' and we'll keep readin'! Thanks! Paige
krazgrl says
WOW!! I think I need it all…where do I press the button for that? :o) Thanks for sharing.
luce says
I have never left a comment but my husband is a periodontist and recommends to all his patients that gum and he as many containers around the house.
The Nester says
I. Love. This. Post.
Also, I bought that lip butter a few weeks ago and what is wrong with me? I always have the hardest time opening it!!!
Anonymous says
Hi Shelley!I love the Super Skinny Serum too! The very best use of it is applying it before you blow dry – it cuts drying time in half and your hair comes out smooth. Loved your post!
Unknown says
Awesome list! I love reading about what other people love! Gives me lots of ideas. I really want to go buy lip butter…right now…but I'm refraining (; Thanks for sharing!
Unknown says
PS. You have also inspired me to perhaps write my own 2012 'things I love' list (:
jackie jade says
excited to check out some of those apps! thanks for sharing! and can't believe the command strips keep your mirror up. those little guys are such hard workers!
— jackiejade.blogspot.com
Anonymous says
I love those dark chocolate pomegranate things! They are SO good. Ugh, I need some NOW!!
Noni says
So can you use the fonts and stamps from Rhonna designs on a blog??
Tammy says
I Love, Love Love your IPhone case. I have been looking for a cute "grab and go" case forever and most of them are cheesy ugly. When I saw your post I had to have one just like it, in pink as if there were another option. So I looked at your link, the price was manageable, but I was on a quest-so I googled, binged, and safaried (word?) until I went to Amazon and found it for $5.99 including shipping-SCORE SCORE! Only downfall, I have to be patient as it ships from Korea and isn't set to arrive until end of Jan till mid Feb. So I (im)patiently wait… Thanks for finding this case for me, I'm in case LOVE! Ps I've had a light pink 10 foot iphone cord for a few moths (via groupon) and its perfect for the car and lazy days on the couch 🙂 Happy 2013 thanks for all the inspiration!!!
Cristin says
This is awesome! Thanks for listing all of these!! =) I will have to think over my favorite things and get back to you! As always, a very enjoyable post! Definetly going to try that lip butter! =) Thanks Shelly!
Aimees5 says
I discovered that gum a while ago and I buy it by the bucket! Have you seen the sight called…and ruby? That's just like Sassy Steal (adorable)
Natalie @ Blossoming Visions says
I'm going to give more beaute a shot (I just downloaded it), and I bookmarked style lately 😉 I have a feeling I'll be doing some spending. I recommend these home decor stores. They are super duper cheap and they seem to be quality items. Check them out…homfurniture and home decorators.
kelly says
That's awesome thank you can't wait to try a few!
Bonnie says
I LOVE your recommendations!!! They are the best. TY so much. I just purchased Rhonna's chalkboard designs and can't wait to have some fun. Happy New Year and tons of blessings to you. — XO
Meg says
That Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter- Amazing!!! I just bought a few tubes today and my life is changed.
Zaralex says
You just look so much like reese witherspoon! Do people tell you that all the time?!?!?! lol (nothing to do with the post)
Christiana says
Just downloaded Snapspeed to my Android phone (so glad it's not iPhone exclusive)…it's awesomeness! Thanks for the share!
Just wrote about a few of my favorite things here – blissnmisc.com/2012/12/favorite-things/
Zaralex says
I just bought four iphone chargers! woooo hoo!!!!
Tonya @ Love of Family And Home says
Love this post!! Off to download some new iPhone apps!! Thanks Shelley!
Michelle F says
Hi!! I was so excited to see that nice long iPhone cord so I went and bought a couple right away. How was your experience buying from them? After I purchased I realized that it ships from China and I was reading some online reviews that weren't the greatest. Just curious to how your experince has been with them and did you receive any extra shipping fees from China? I was reading that some in other countries had to pay extra fees for customs etc. Just a bit nervous now that I ordered from them.
Thanks!!
House of Smiths says
Hmm… I don't remember having any extra fees or anything, and my cords came in about a week or so I believe. I think you'll be just fine 🙂
Rhonna Farrer says
LOVE this rundown sweets! Ahem…especially the RD! *wink*
love it!
xox
R
Unknown says
Good morning! Just saw that Sassy Steals has the smartphone wallets 58% off! Whoo Hoo! I just ordered the blush pink and the baby blue! Can you say, Whoo Hoo??!!!
Mrs. Moon says
I absolutely love this list. Thanks so much for sharing. I ordered 2 of the iphone cords. And downloaded the apps. Love it.
Seema says
{{swooning}} over this list.. I'm going to have to expose my readers to this list as well.. ! Loving all you latest posts!
Unknown says
Hi, i love your blog so much and saw this. i love the walent iphone case but if you put your credit cards with your phone but it will deactivate your cards.
Unknown says
Thanks for sharing the MiniInaBox charger! I hope you had an affiliate tag on that link cause I just bought a bunch of stuff from there 😉
Unknown says
Thank you for sharing. Lovely kids! Buyincoins