Things I Love - Part IV

I have another gift to tell you about and how much I love it.  If you missed the first three of these posts, you can click below
Part I
Part II
Part III

Today I want to introduce you to my new friend and kitchen companion - Alexa

Amazon Echo

I know some people find Alexa a little creepy.....because she does know a lot of stuff....and is she listening in when we don't know it?  Well all I can say is if she is, she probably won't be for long because we are just not that interesting.  Here are the things I ask Alexa to do most often

- Set a timer (and the thing is she can set multiple timers which comes in very handy when I need the salmon baking for 15 minutes, the pasta boiling for 9 minutes and Big Brother coming on in 17 minutes)  Alexa, keeps it all timed perfectly.

- Play Lionel Richie's Hits

- Play Michael Jackson's Hits

- Play Bruno Mars Hits  (I keep trying to get her to only play his clean versions but she has not gotten that smart yet or she and I have different views of clean) So when a naughty one comes on, I hear the kids yell "Alexa, skip" hmmmm I am not sure how they can recognize these songs so quickly 😉

- Read my audio book (it is nice to sneak in a chapter or two while cooking)

- Read my notifications. Alexa is so sweet.  She keeps up with the stuff I have ordered from Amazon and lets me know when things ship and are delivered.
- Order such and such. Yes, I can now place Amazon orders by speaking #couldbedangerous #nosleeptalking

- Tell me a joke.  Alexa knows all kinds of jokes.  She told us Father's Day jokes, Firecracker jokes....she's got them all.

- How old is so and so.  I am constantly trying to figure out how old an actress, singer, or random person on tv is.  So I just ask Alexa- and she knows!!!!

We have also asked Alexa: when is Amazon Prime Day, what day of the week a particular date will fall on, how many days until Christmas and other super important things that we must know.

I think she is going to be a lot like my smart phone.  I really didn't think I wanted or needed one and now I can't live without it.  Yes, Alexa is quickly becoming my right hand gal.

Do you have one?  What do you ask her most often?

Alexa and I wish you a wonderful week.  See you back here on Wednesday!!!!

Pre-Sale Routine- Nordstrom Anniversary Sale

So next week the Nordstrom Sale will begin!  This is the one sale that merits a line item on my budget excel spreadsheet.  I look so forward to  it. I explained the sale in detail and the benefit of being a Nordstrom Cardholder here.  So I won't go into all the details again, but I will say the sale begins July 20th  and ends August 6th. BUT for cardholders the access to the sale will begin on July 12th. So, yes, we have a little shopping trip planned.
Here are a few things I found appealing from the catalog. There are no links yet because the sale hasn't kicked in, but just looking through the catalog has me ready to shop this sale.

These Blondo Knee High Boots.  These are regularly priced at $239.95 but during the sale they will be $159.90.  They come in black, dark grey, mushroom and burgundy.

Blondo Waterproof Boots

Anyone else an Eileen Fischer fan?  I am, but she is a little pricey. This shoe comes in black, earth, spice and plum.  It is regularly priced at $225 but during the sale will be $149.90.

Tilda Stacked Heel

The Frye Melissa Hobo Bag is also being offered at a significant markdown.  Was $398 but during the sale $265.90.  It comes in dark taupe and red clay

Melissa Hobo

And these Ugg Slippers would be a great treat for you or for a gift.  I am showing you the port color but they also come in black, grey and chestnut.  How cozy.....

Ugg Bow Slipper

and I always pick up the Voluspa candle set.  Available during the sale for $29.90

Candle Tin Set

If the catalog is any indication, this is going to be a great sale.  The good news is there will be even more on sale than those items listed in the catalog.  Don't forget to read about early access if you are interested by clicking here.  I will be doing some online shopping and making a trip to my closest store.  But don't worry, I will report it all here and hopefully help you out, by doing the scouting, searching and finding of some good deals......no, don't mention it.  I am happy to do it......no trouble at all.

Have a great weekend!

Happy 4th of July

Wishing you a wonderful day with family, friends, couches, throws, good food and fireworks!!!

I will see you back here on Friday!

Make it a super great day!!!!!

Things I love - Part III

I have three more gifts to share details about with you today. If you missed the first two of these just click here for Part I and here for Part II.

Today, Skincare, a makeup bag and the best little shea cream.

First Skincare - I am not a huge makeup, skincare person.  I don't have a big night time regimen and I am not sure if I were going to be stuck on an island and could only take one special item that it would be an eye cream.  But I was gifted these products by Colleen Rothschild and I must say I am loving them.  I was gifted this little trial set

Discovery Collection

This had 6 great products in it and it allowed me to try them all and see what I loved.  While these are smaller versions of the full sized products they are not super small.  I am in my 5th week of using them all and have not run out nor come close to running out of one yet.  So it really is enough to try to for a good while to see what you really like.  This one has

• Radiant Cleansing Balm, 30 ml (1 fl oz)
• Dual Enzyme Polish, 15 ml (0.5 fl oz) 
• Clarifying Detox Mask, 15 ml (0.5 fl oz) 
• Sheer Renewal Cream, 30 ml (1 fl oz) 
• Extreme Recovery Cream, 15 ml (0.5 fl oz)
• Face Oil N°9, 4 ml (0.14 fl oz)
• Muslin Cleansing Cloth
• And an exclusive CR Travel Bag

I am already planning on reordering several of these.  You know how you feel when you get a facial at a spa....everything smells so good and you really feel like you are treating your skin.  Well these products give you all of that at home.  I highly recommend.

If you want to try a few things, use code FLAG20 to save 20% on the entire site for their 4th of July Sale. Plus there is free shipping on orders over $49.

As luck would have it, I was also gifted this little make-up bag.

It is perfect for carrying around my new Colleen Rothschild products.  This bag is super soft and holds a ton of stuff.

It is from the Sweet Pineapple.  They have several sizes and patterns.  It you need an upgrade on a make-up bag or you need one for a gift, definitely check this one out.

Lastly, 1818 Farms Shea Cream.  I have talked here before about how much I love the 1818 products.  This shea cream is super light.  It is so light you will think the container is empty but it is not.  It is full of a rich little cream that is not greasy at all..... 

This one has a new spot on my nightstand and my hands are treated to a little shea cream at bedtime every night.

Pamper yourself or pick one of these up for a friend.  Loving all of these!!!!

It is a holiday week so hopefully it is a short one for you.  I am kind of excited about a break in the middle of the week.  Whatever you have planned, I hope it is a wonderful week.