Best of 2009

Yeah, yeah I know most bloggers are probably doing these posts, but I just wanted to share some of my favorite things from 2009. Some were review products, most bought by me, some won in contests, and some just favorite brands. In no particular order..........

HOUSEHOLD
1. Scooba by iRobot (think Roomba only it washes your hard floors). Can I just say I love having been able to add this to my cleaning arsenal? We have all hardwoods floors except 2 area rugs. I was vacuuming or sweeping my floors with a broom, and then using my Bissell Steam Mop on them. Still love the steam mop, but I looooooovvvvvveeeeeee the Scooba. Why? Because with my fibromyalgia, I don't have to worry about my back. I fill up the clean water tank with cleaner and water, and push a couple buttons. The Scooba does the rest for me while I can tackle other tasks like laundry and blogging.

2. The Cuisinart Multi Cooker Plus. By far the best kitchen appliance I own so far. Until I received this product, I could not cook a decent batch of rice. Not only did I make good rice with this, but I made great rice. I love that I can also make a small batch of soup or stew in it as well. With a kitchen as small as mine, it's important to maximize my space. Instead of a crockpot and rice cooker, I have them both all in one.

3. Marshall's and TJ Maxx. I love these stores for kitchen gadgets. I love my Kitchen Aid and Cuisinart knives that I bought in these stores. Oxo is a new brand I added to my arsenal this year that I love as well.

4. Clorox Green Works. Loving the laundry soap and stain remover. Our laundry smells great, but it doesn't irritate our allergies. I should've taken before and after pictures, but I sprayed the stain remover ALL over my son's blankie, and OMG the difference is night and day. I never thought that thing would smell good ever again, but it did.

TOYS
1. Leap Frog. Still a favorite brand for my kids. Zach is still loving his Didj, and got a new game for Christmas. Aaron love the Leapster2, and various other Leap Frog toys he received for Christmas this year. My love affair with Leap Frog started when Zach was a baby 7 years ago because all the Vtech toys were way too loud. I also prefer the more subtle colors of the Leap Frog products.

2. Fisher Price Little People. Currently Aaron's favorite group of toys after the Leapster2. Almost all are hand me downs from Zach, but Aaron absolutely loved the Christmas sets I got the boys this year for under the tree. I think he "play(ed) Christmas," every day they were out. As a parent, I suggest maybe one set. I bought 3, and they all play different songs. Aaron would get all 3 going at the same time, and at 7am, the Christmas cacophony wasn't always appreciated.

3. Crayola. We still spend lots of time coloring with various products of theirs. Color wonder markers and books, crayons, markers, colored pencils, etc.

4. Hasbro. Zach is still very much into Star Wars, and the Hasbro site saved my proverbial ass for Christmas this year when he changed his mind form Star Wars Lego sets to the action figures and vehicles.

5. Razor. Zach loves his scooter, and still asks to get it out every day the driveway is clear to ride despite cold winter temperatures.

BEAUTY
1. Cetaphil. (I know it contains petroleum Lora) Cetaphil is great on our eczema. I love that I can get the wash and lotion from the pharmacy at our prescription prices.

2. Say Yes to Carrots. I got a sample of some lip stuff somewhere. It's pink, but not too pink, shimmery, but not too shimmery, and tastes like mint. It's either this or Chapstick for my lipstick.

3. Loreal Double Extend with Lash Boosting Serum. Currently a campaign I'm doing for Bzz Agent, but I love it already. Another plus is it doesn't make my eyes itch like so many eye products do. Since I started the 4 week challenge in 2009, I'm adding it to the list. I saw a difference in my lashes after just one application. There will be a blog post after the 4 week challenge is up.

CLOTHES
1. Old Navy. Love the military discount on teh 1st of every month. I hope they continue this into 2010. I've been able to find great deals for the whole family. Love the 50% off clearance sales, and the fleece lined pants for the boys. Just wish they had the lined jeans for women as well. It gets cold in these parts even if we don't get much snow.

2. Kohl's. Again, I've been able to find great deals for everyone here. One of the few stores I've been able to find slim jeans for my kids with no butts to hold up their pants.

RESTAURANTS
1. Jigsy's Old Forge Pizza. Old Forge pizza right here in the Harrisburg area. What's not to love?

2. TGIFriday's. With Chili's doing away with their kids' night, this has become another of our haunts. Not only do they have kids' night where kids eat free, but we also earn Stripes on the money we do spend towards rewards.

3. Chili's. Even though they did away with kids' night, they do have the best dry rub ribs and chips and salsa in the area. Had to give them props for that.

4. Fudrucker's. New to our list of favorite places. We discovered this over Christmas break. It's so awesome to go to a place and get your burger exactly how you asked for it to be done. They'll be getting their own post soon. Kids' night at the Chambersburg location Monday-Thursday.