Monthly Favorites: September 2016 – My Favorite Discoveries from the Past Month!
Welcome back to my cherished Monthly Favorites series, where I enthusiastically share my latest obsessions and go-to products that have truly enhanced my everyday life. From delectable food finds and innovative kitchen gadgets to thoughtful home essentials and delightful beauty discoveries, this series is a peek into what’s currently making me tick. If you’re new here, you can explore my very first compilation, the April 2016 favorites, right HERE. I absolutely love hearing about your personal recommendations, so if you’ve recently stumbled upon a product you can’t live without, please don’t hesitate to share it in the comment section below! Your insights are always a source of inspiration for me.
You might have noticed that I took a short break from sharing my August favorites, and there was a very simple reason for it: I genuinely didn’t have a fresh batch of new discoveries to present. Instead, my family and I were thoroughly enjoying the incredible finds from my July post, and the majority of August was dedicated to soaking up the glorious outdoors and making the most of nature’s beauty. But fear not, because today I am thrilled to return with a curated list of my top picks for September. I’m confident that you’ll uncover some exciting new products and experiences to try for yourself. Get ready to add some fantastic new items to your must-have list! 😀
1. Embracing the Freedom of Travel and Nature
While not a tangible product, the act of traveling and immersing ourselves in nature has been an undeniable highlight this past month, bringing immense joy and rejuvenation. As I briefly touched upon, a significant portion of our recent time has been dedicated to reconnecting with the great outdoors. In our fast-paced, often demanding lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind. Stepping away from the routine and witnessing the sheer grandeur of Mother Nature — whether it’s the tranquility of a vast lake, the majesty of towering mountains, or the serene hush of a forest — truly has the power to take your breath away. This always leads to the inevitable question, “Why don’t we do this more often?” The answer, frustratingly simple, is that life often gets in the way. However, these experiences serve as a potent reminder of the importance of prioritizing such moments.
The photograph you see below captures a stunning sunset over a serene lake, a moment of pure bliss from one of our recent excursions. I took countless photos of the lake and its surrounding landscape, and each one seemed to capture a unique facet of its captivating beauty. I wholeheartedly encourage you to seek out your own sanctuary in nature, be it a quiet spot by a shimmering lake, a challenging hiking trail, or a peaceful local park. Make it a point to get there, even if it requires a bit of a drive. The experience is profoundly refreshing and incredibly recharging for both mind and body. There’s something truly transformative about disconnecting from screens and reconnecting with the natural world, allowing its calming influence to wash over you. It’s an essential part of our well-being, and we absolutely adore these escapes!
2. Sunkist Fruit Chips: Healthy Snacking on the Go
Continuing on the theme of travel and adventure, let’s talk about a fantastic product that became an absolute staple in our snack bags during our recent trips: Sunkist Fruit Chips. This past month, Sunkist generously sent me a large box filled with an assortment of their trail mixes and, more importantly, their delightful fruit chips, and my family and I were instantly hooked! My children, with their discerning snack palates, unanimously declared the banana chips their ultimate favorite, and I wholeheartedly concur. The strawberry chips secured a very close second place in our household rankings. What makes these chips truly exceptional is their simplicity and health benefits. They are crafted from freeze-dried fruit, meaning you get all the natural flavor and nutrients without any added sugars or artificial ingredients. This makes them a perfect guilt-free treat for everyone, especially when you’re looking for a wholesome alternative to traditional snacks. Their light, crispy texture and intense fruit flavor are incredibly satisfying. They’re not just for road trips either; they make a wonderful addition to lunchboxes, a quick office snack, or even a healthy topping for yogurt or oatmeal. The convenience of having pure fruit in a shelf-stable, easily portable form is a game-changer for busy families and health-conscious individuals alike. They truly are so, so good!
For those eager to try these delicious and healthy snacks, the Sunkist Fruit Chips are readily available for purchase on Amazon. You can find them and explore the full range of flavors HERE.
3. KRUPS Programmable Coffee Maker: Your Perfect Travel Companion
Among our cherished travel essentials for last month’s RV adventure, the KRUPS Programmable Coffee Maker quickly rose to the top of my list of favorites. I am utterly smitten with its sleek design and compact size; it nestled perfectly into our RV’s small kitchenette, optimizing our limited counter space without sacrificing functionality or style. For my husband and me, coffee is a sacred morning ritual, and we often enjoy more than just a single cup. This means I’m constantly on the lookout for coffee makers capable of brewing a full carafe, and this KRUPS model certainly delivers. One of its most ingenious features, especially for life on the road, is the way the carafe is cleverly hidden within the machine itself. This innovative design provided immense peace of mind during our travels, eliminating any worries about the carafe sliding out or breaking during transit, a common concern in a moving vehicle. It boasts a convenient “BOLD” option, which is fantastic for those mornings when you need an extra kick to start your day, or simply prefer a stronger brew. I also appreciate that this model is available with a durable stainless steel carafe, an excellent option for added resilience and temperature retention. Beyond its robust brewing capabilities, it integrates a sophisticated water filtration system and a reusable filter that can be easily washed after each use. This thoughtful inclusion not only enhances the flavor of your coffee by removing impurities but also means you can say goodbye to the hassle and expense of paper filters, making it a more eco-friendly and convenient choice. This coffee maker truly combines form, function, and convenience, making it an indispensable part of our morning routine, both at home and on the go.
4. POPSUGAR Must Have Box: Curated Delights for Every Season
If you’re one of my lovely followers on Instagram, you’re likely already aware of my growing affection for the POPSUGAR Must Have Box. I’ve been fortunate enough to receive these expertly curated boxes for the past two months, and each one has been an absolute delight, consistently exceeding my expectations! The September Must Have Box, in particular, felt like a perfectly packaged embrace of autumn’s most coveted trends and practical necessities. Among its treasures, the Jack & Lucy Bicostal Wide Brim Hat immediately stole my heart. My adoration for hats is well-known, and this stylish, adjustable black hat is not just an accessory; it’s a quintessential statement piece for the fall season, adding a touch of chic sophistication to any outfit. But the box wasn’t just about fashion; it was packed with clever utility too. The NCLA MANI-ER Tool Kit, compact and comprehensive, is a lifesaver for any manicure emergency, making it an absolute must-have to toss into my travel bag for flawless nails on the go. And speaking of travel, the FLINT Lint Roller, with its sleek design and convenient size, is another genius addition. It’s perfect for keeping clothes looking fresh, especially since our beloved pup frequently accompanies us on our adventures, leaving a trail of love (and sometimes fur) in his wake. Each item in the POPSUGAR Must Have Box feels thoughtfully selected, offering a blend of trendy indulgence and practical solutions that truly enhance daily living. It’s like receiving a personalized gift box full of pleasant surprises every month.
For anyone intrigued by the idea of receiving these curated delights, you can easily sign up to get your own box HERE. As a special treat, use the code SHOP5 to receive $5 off your very first box! Please note that PopSugar Must Have kindly sent me this box for review, allowing me to share my genuine enthusiasm with you.
5. Stonewall Kitchen Jams and Preserves: Gourmet Gifts and Culinary Staples
As the holiday season rapidly approaches, bringing with it the joyful quest for the perfect gifts, I have an exquisite idea that I simply must share with you: Stonewall Kitchen Jams and Preserves. Stonewall Kitchen is renowned for crafting an exceptional range of gourmet products, and their jams, fruit butters, and preserves stand out as truly magnificent offerings. They are not merely spreads; they are culinary delights that make for an ideal, thoughtful gift basket component for friends, family, or even as a luxurious treat for yourself. I am absolutely captivated by their raspberry jam; its vibrant fruitiness and perfect balance of sweetness and tartness make it incredibly versatile. It was the star ingredient I used to create that unforgettable Raspberry Coconut Sour Cream Crumb Pie – a dessert so incredibly delicious, it’s truly crazy good! But my admiration doesn’t stop there. My second undisputed favorite would have to be their blueberry preserves. What sets these apart is the abundance of whole berries suspended in the preserve, offering bursts of natural flavor and texture with every spoonful. Critically, they are never overly sweet, allowing the authentic taste of the blueberries to shine through beautifully. This makes them perfectly suited for a wide array of culinary applications, whether you’re incorporating them into your baking projects, swirling them into yogurt, or simply spreading a generous layer over a perfectly toasted bagel for a delightful breakfast or snack. Stonewall Kitchen products elevate everyday eating into a gourmet experience, making them a consistently reliable and cherished favorite in my pantry.
6. Simply Nature Products at ALDI: Wholesome Goodness on a Budget
By now, it’s probably no secret to anyone who follows my culinary adventures that I am an enthusiastic devotee of ALDI stores. I make a point of shopping there every single week, not just for the incredible value but also for the impressive quality of their product lines. Among their diverse offerings, one of my absolute favorite ranges is the Simply Nature brand. This line consistently delivers organic and natural products that align perfectly with a health-conscious lifestyle, all at prices that are remarkably affordable. Their quinoa, for instance, has been a long-standing pantry staple for me, perfect for everything from quick side dishes to hearty salads. More recently, I’ve had the pleasure of discovering their green lentils, and they have quickly become another firm favorite. These lentils are simply fantastic – easy to cook, wonderfully versatile, and, most importantly, an exceptional source of iron. As someone who always keeps an eye out for iron-rich foods, finding such high-quality lentils at ALDI has been a genuine boon. The Simply Nature brand at ALDI proves that eating well doesn’t have to break the bank. It offers a convenient and accessible way to incorporate more wholesome, minimally processed foods into your diet, making healthy living achievable for everyone. Their commitment to quality and affordability makes the Simply Nature line a consistent winner in my grocery cart.
7. REEVA Dish Soap from ALDI: Powerhouse Cleaning for Pennies
Another unsung hero and undeniable winner from my weekly ALDI shopping trips is their REEVA Dish Soap. For those of you who appreciate the formidable cleaning power and sheer efficiency of popular brands like Dawn dish soap, you absolutely must give REEVA a try. I can confidently say it holds its own against the big names, tackling grease and grime with remarkable ease and leaving dishes sparkling clean. ALDI offers its standard green and blue variants, which in my opinion, are the most comparable in performance to the leading national brands, delivering that satisfying sudsy clean you expect. But what truly sets ALDI apart, and something I eagerly anticipate each season, is their delightful range of seasonal dish soaps! This fall, my heart has been completely captured by the apple cinnamon scent. It transforms the mundane task of washing dishes into a pleasant, aromatic experience, infusing my kitchen with the cozy, comforting fragrances of autumn. It’s a small detail, but one that genuinely enhances the chore. Not only does REEVA dish soap deliver exceptional cleaning performance, but it does so at an incredibly budget-friendly price point, offering fantastic value without compromising on quality. It’s a prime example of how ALDI consistently provides high-quality household essentials that make everyday life a little easier and more enjoyable. Prepare to be impressed by its potency and delightful scents!
8. The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook by Mary Younkin: Your Guide to Effortless Meals
Last but certainly not least on this month’s list of cherished favorites is a culinary gem from my dear friend in the food blogging community: The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook by Mary Younkin. Mary is the incredibly talented creator behind the popular Barefeet in the Kitchen blog, and she is, without a doubt, one of the sweetest and most genuine bloggers you’ll ever encounter. I have been absolutely devouring Mary’s book, and it has already become an indispensable resource in my kitchen. Her philosophy centers around making delicious, family-friendly meals accessible and achievable even on the busiest weeknights, a concept I deeply appreciate as a busy individual myself. I’ve already featured her mouth-watering Crispy Honey and Lime Chicken recipe HERE on my blog, and that’s just one of many recipes from her book that have quickly become family favorites in our home. What I love most about Mary’s cookbook is its practicality. The recipes are clearly written, use readily available ingredients, and are designed to minimize fuss without sacrificing flavor. She understands the real-life challenges of getting dinner on the table during a hectic week and provides brilliant solutions that are both inspiring and incredibly helpful. If you’re constantly searching for new, reliable, and delicious weeknight meal ideas that won’t leave you stressed, then Mary’s cookbook is an absolute must-have. You can easily get your hands on Mary’s fantastic cookbook on Amazon HERE, and I promise you, your weeknight dinners will be transformed for the better!
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And there you have it – a comprehensive rundown of all the delightful products and experiences that earned a spot in my September Monthly Favorites. I genuinely hope you’ve discovered some exciting new items or inspirations to try out for yourself, and if you do, please don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below! I’m always eager to hear about what you’re loving. What are you obsessing with this month? Share your current favorites with me – I can’t wait to hear! 😀
Have a beautiful day, everyone!
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