[busterleroy]

Okay the question about little girls coats got me thinking about how many wonderful things I learn on this forum, some adoption related and others just plain helpful in day to day life.

So I am betting you all have lots of info about things that can make my crazy life easier.

Here are some of my favorite finds, hoping you will all share some of your favorites:

I recently shared my newfound love for the floor-cleaning machine Scooba. I love Roomba, his vacuuming cousin as well. I not quite as passionate but still very enthusiastic about Corky's Coats for little girls. ( Love them)

LOVE Clarisonic (for washing face)

No Name Steaks ( consistently good, available in grocery stores and reasonably priced) Salmon is great too. I've heard the tilapia isn't as good though

Blackberry Curve ( but I have increasingly hostile feelings toward the phone service provider. Example I was recently able to make calls from a remote part of Africa that had no electricity yet calls drop in 25% of my hometown.)

Tourmaline curling iron

OxyClean powder for laundry and stains

Sun Laboratories Ultra Self-Tanning spray ( HSN carries it, so do some salons) Love this. No orangey look, no streaks, no smell and works on my pasty white skin)

The Cake Doctor cookbook ( how to modify box mix cakes so they don't taste like box mixes)

That's all I can think of for now...

[mommytoEli]

HANDS DOWN....my ball baby carrier. i put off baby wearing for so long. but my #5 kid was killing my back. he's 10 months old, 25 pounds, and tall. i use it every day now, and i don't know what i ever did without it!

Baby Carriers for everyone, mei tais, podeagis, po| Have a Ball Baby

(just in case you need a carrier....seriously...this revolutionized my life.)

[guatparents2be]

1. T3 tourmaline hair straightener (seriously i cannot believe that no one told me about this until last year...)

2. the thingie that allowed us to put all of the tv stuff (tivo, dvd player, receiver etc) behind the wall in a closet so we just point the clicker and it transmits a signal to the machine. voila, no pile of electronics out in view!

3. the instant filtered cold and hot water dispenser on my sink

4. ditto on the baby carrier (ours is the ergo)

5. i don't have this one but i long for the doodle that allows you to turn your car on and warm it up before heading outside. if i lived somewhere really cold i'd probably buy a new car just to get this.

[Waiting4Celeste]

Bottom line, no question about it, hands down:
our DVR !!!!!

I LOVE that if the kids come in the room and I am watching something, I can rewind it instead of "shh-ing" them until the program is over. Or if they say something and I miss something important, I just hit REWIND.

No more planning events around Grey's Anatomy... or Monday Night Football... or anything else I want to watch!

Also - if I am watching something and start to fall asleep, instead of staying up late to watch it, I just hit RECORD!

Oh - and we were out of town and missed SNL with Michael Phelps Sat. night, so I set my DVR.

I have a SERIOUS addiction!! We have two DVR's, so sometimes I have SIX programs being recorded at once.(did you know that if you have a Digital signal, you can record off the two TVs AND the Digital signal too!!) When I tape my beloved Chiefs, it is actually recorded THREE times at once (unless I remember to change the settings). Too bad they keep losing!

[SKL]

Organic convenience foods (for stovetop prep or eating as-is).

Organic instant coffee ("Mount Hagen" brand).

Aveeno products - for acne, itches, and their liquid bath soap scented for relaxation.

Cordless electric water boiler (kettle) that I bought from Wal-Mart.

Naturalizer loafers and pumps in size W.

Since we're talking about products, does anyone know where I can get well-made sneakers in size "wide" at a non-exorbitant price?

[mommytoEli]

wide non-pricy shoes? do you have a payless??

[jules17]

Holy cow, Cindy!! Do you have a machine that creates time that I don't know about? I have time for maybe (maybe!) 2 hours of TV a week. And I know I am missing a lot of good stuff...so far, our DVR is for Diego and Tony's soccer games. Sigh.

[becky]

My Frog Togg for cooling off when I am playing tennis. It's awesome if you are outside when it is really really hot.

My black and white polka dotted flip flops.

Portable DVD players and headphone for long trips.

My local public library that keeps in books...I just cannot seem to read enough these days.

[Justhavfaith]

It seems that I have a number of things that make my life easier and that I would have a hard time living without.

#1 - Hands down - my Dyson Vaccuum
#2 - Hoover Floormate hard floor cleaner
#3 - Portable DVD player for SUV
#4 - (not really a "thing") Weight Watchers meetings - I'm down 25 pounds.
#5 - Dixie paper bowls - don't use the plates as much but, the bowls are fab.
#6 - Phisoderm soap for face
#7 - Aveeno soaps and lotions for DS
#8 - Aquaphor lotion for DS's face
#9 - Insulated lunch bag for me to bring lunch to work. Don't know why I never did this before - I am saving so much money and eating so much better.

[asauer]

1. My Dyson vaccum- it's the only vaccum that's ever managed to get up all the cat hair

2. Oxy Clean for carpet stains- seriously, you'd never know we have 3 cats and two toddlers

3. Fisher price healthy care booster seats- they fit right on the chair and we can take then ANYWHERE

4. Photoshop Elements- yes, this seems strange but it has saved me so much money in wasted film if I can 'fix' a photo on-line then print it

5. Netflix- ok, this isn't a product, it's a service. But we're staying home alot more these days and saving a TON of money with these guys vs. a video store

[amylynn3]

1. Dyson vacuum...we have a Siberian Huskey, and let me tell you, THEY SHED!!!

2. DVR - never miss my favorite show anymore, and I can watch what I want...WHENVER I want. I love it!

3. Mary Kay Timewise 3-in-1 facial cleanser and moisturizer. When I use it faithfully...it's awesome. i also use their Day and Night solutions as well.

4. GE front load washer and dryer. They were pricey...but, worth every penny. I do so much more laundry in less time and use less detergent! I love them!

5. Mary Kay mineral powder foundation...two steps cut down to one (no more separate foundation and powder) with great coverage!

6. Home made playdough recipe...sounds silly, but DS LOVES playdough. The recipe I use is simple and cheaper than replacing play doh brand playdough that has dried out.

I know there are more, but I can't think of them right now...

[joyloo]

My Foreman Grill. I use it to make grilled cheese sandwiches or quesadillas for DS. I just throw them in there wait a few minutes and they are done. I also use it to make Panini sandwiches. I just put my cast iron skillet on top to add weight.

My Electrolux Pronto 2 in 1 cordless vac. Great for cleaning up crumbs in the kitchen that my dog doesn't already take care of. And it has a built in dustbuster that pops right out for easy use.

My Mac laptop and Ipod. Use them both every day. I download podcasts and listen to them while I play with Mario. I also download childrens podcasts for him to listen to like storynory and Spare the Rock Spoil the Child.

My Babybliss ( I think that's the name brand ) hairdryer. My hairdresser recommended it and it's what she uses. It's the only hairdryer that actually takes the frizz out of my hair! It was expensive but so worth the money! And it dries my hair in half the time a regular hairdryer would.

Ok, I am starting to feel like an infomercial now with all this product endorsement

Joy

[Hopingsoon]

Gotta love the Dyson Animal. The guy at the vacuum store told me they were a rip off and sold me a much cheaper Electrolux that he swore would do as well or as better than the Dyson. I didn't tell him I already had the Dyson and was sick of hauling it in between two houses.

Now I have one house with three floors of carpet. The Electrolux has been relogated to the dog free zone - that's all it's good for anyway........

I also can't live without my DHC olive oil make-up remover. I never would have believed that using oil to remove oil could leave my skin so clean and nice.

Last but definately not least, (and not a product, but I've got to brag a little) my little guy who finally learned how to say "love you" this weekend!!!!!

[pvanabel]

DVR all the way...behind on my soaps since returning from Guatemala, but love knowing they are there.

Children's Place Outlet- addicted

Green friendly grocery and shopping bags --use them at all stores I go to - bye-bye plastic bags

Baseball Hats - can't live without them with 4 kiddos - 2 being 9 months old

Best Friends who live down the street and help with my kids, decorating, shopping, etc...gotta love that

Grandparents that live close and love to help out with anything. Nieces are great to have too.

Text messaging -keeps me in touch when I have only a minute or two to spare.

Those little dental floss picks...love those.

Dual Breast bump --has been great for the two little ones.

[myrachel]

this is a good one..

here are a few...

1. first & foremost my mom who happpens to be my sitter now that I'm back to work... I thank god for her everyday

2. automatic starter in my car for the air & the heat one click from the window & viola

3. wrinkle releaser.. never travel wothout it

4. my cleaning lady

alex