10 Simple Cost Friendly Products For Everyday Joy
Happy New Year! Do you have simple cost friendly products that make life enjoyable everyday? We do, like stackable coffee mugs, our favorite drinking glasses, a cozy cotton-knit throw blanket, the best wine stoppers and more.
There’s also what to watch, read and a sneak peek of our son’s new living room plan. It’s Sunday Faves time with Annie and Cindy!
Lovely Laptop Cover
My friend Mercedes has a pretty laptop cover and I copied her. For around $16, I smile each time I open it. There are other designs like pastel stripes or stars that are nice, too.
Wine Bottle Stoppers And Amazing Wine Opener
These wine bottle expanding stoppers ($15 for 2) make great hostess gifts with a bottle of wine but keep at least one for yourself! You can lay the wine bottle on its side in the fridge and it doesn’t leak.
And you won’t believe how easy it is to open a wine bottle with this pressure Corks Pop Wine Bottle Opener ($27). It gets awesome reviews.
Insulated Water Cup
My friend, Lisa (who gives the best gifts) gave me this pretty Rifle Paper Company insulated tumbler and I use it every day. So the price per use is very low 🙂
Three-Device Charging Stand
Station simultaneously charges an iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods (with wireless case). Not inexpensive at $79 (on sale at Target) but I use mine everyday and we put one in the guest room that guests appreciate.
Maldon Flaky Sea Salt Crystals
It’s a new year why not elevate your finishing salt with this large tub of Maldon Fine English Sea Salt Flakes? ($19 at Walmart online) I love that Howard buys this.
Rubber Handled Ice Scoop
I was using a metal scoop to put ice from the freezer into glasses and this OXO Good Grips Flexible Scoop is SO much better. And for $10, I am kicking myself for not buying it sooner.
Wicker Drink Glasses
My sister and I love how the wicker absorbs the condensation on the glass. These Cayman Seagrass glasses aren’t new or super cheap but we seriously use them everyday. You can get 20% off right now.
Stackable Mugs
Not only do we use these stoneware coffee mugs every morning for coffee, we bought several to serve chili in for a large party.
Anthro Satin Hair Ties
These satin hair ties are good for not pulling your hair with a tight pony tail! I use them when I work out or wash my face. $12 for 6. I think Louisa “borrowed” my pink one.
Cozy Knit Throw Blanket
You know I love Quince’s cashmere throw blankets but everyone grabs this cotton knit blanket first. I’ve given it as a gift and it’s holding up so much better than an acrylic one I had from Target. For $80, it feels much more expensive.
Please let me know what simple things you use everyday that you appreciate?
What To Read: Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes
This was named one of the best books of the year by NPR and is a Jenna Book Club pick. It’s sort of a light romantic comedy in my opinion, if you are looking for that type of book right now. I listened to the free audio version from Libby while doing chores and walking Chief.
“In a sleepy seaside town in Maine, recently widowed Eveleth “Evvie” Drake rarely leaves her large, painfully empty house nearly a year after her husband’s death in a car crash. Everyone in town, even her best friend, Andy, thinks grief keeps her locked inside, and Evvie doesn’t correct them.”
What To Watch: A Gentleman In Moscow on Paramount (also available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime and Apple TV)
Based on the 2016 novel by Amor Towles (which I loved), “A Gentleman in Moscow” is set against the backdrop of post-Revolutionary Russia, where Count Alexander Rostov is stripped of his title and material wealth, and placed under house arrest for life in a grand Moscow hotel (the same place Howard and I stayed, the Hotel Metropol almost 10 years ago). Although the series was filmed on sets and not at the actual hotel (I checked as I didn’t think it looked the same).
Our Son & Daughter-in-Law’s First Home Mood Board (sneak peak)
Our son and daughter-in-law bought a home in Tampa and I have been helping them (lucky they have some great Persian rugs from her parents). More to come.
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Some fun news: On Thursday, I am going to have a guest post (someone near and dear to me).
Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
Great ideas Mary Ann especially like the wine stoppers. Where did you get the candle vessels on the table with the wicker glasses?
Thank you!
I got them on Etsy from Colombia but the shop is no longer there. Sorry.
Excellent ideas, MA … I really need that laptop cover. Such a small thing, but it would really make me happy. Can’t wait to see A Gentleman in Moscow. xo
Hi Mary Ann,
Congrats on your son and daughter in law buying a home! Very exciting! Happy new Year!
A great post and so many good ideas. I especially like the floral cups and the striped tee caught my eye. Like you, I am vertically challenged and shy away clothing with horizontal stripes. Any tips on how to wear these without looking even shorter?
Thanks!
I loved Evvie Drake Starts Over! My Grandaughter is named Everly, which was my Mother in law’s maiden name. My daughter and I decided the spelling of her nickname would be Evvie because of this book.
A fun low priced household item is a champagne stopper. I have a surprisingly effective one that was a giveaway from Gruet, which makes a delightful French style sparkler, from New Mexico!
Oh, and I love the mood board for Tommy and Mona’s new home, starting with her gorgeous rugs!
So much good stuff, Mary Ann! I love how Louisa “borrowed” the pink one! I’m sure you don’t mind sharing!
xx
Hi Mary Ann
Wow this post is filled with great things! We need those wine stoppers! You guys find the best movies on Netflix! I don’t know why I have never purchased those glasses. I love them! I buy the maldon salts too from Amazon. One of Steve’s clients gifted us several years ago and I have never stopped buying them!!
I have had those swivel chairs for a couple years. Great purchase. Look more expensive than they are. I also paired with a cream sofa. Went high end on the sofa as I figured it would get more use. Congrats to their new home!
Good to know they last, Karen. The marble coffee table is being delivered this week. (our wedding present 🙂
Congrats on your sons move,I live in Carrollwood Village if they need anything
How kind, Emily! 🙂