My Favorite Things 2012 – iPhone Apps, Food, Beauty and More!
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!


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.
MoreBeaute2 App:
An app that gives you flawless, glowing skin???… yes please!
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.
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!
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You can get some of these at your local grocery store or you can buy a Chi here and Super Skinny Serum here.
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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.
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) ๐
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 ๐ 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. ๐ 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! ๐
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! ๐
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! ๐
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 ๐
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!! ๐ 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!! ๐
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 ๐ 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. ๐
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. ๐
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 ๐ 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 ๐ 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 ๐
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 ๐
Unknown says
Thank you for sharing. Lovely kids! Buyincoins