Happy New Year!!!

Hello girls!

Happy New Year!!!

I was bitten by the “Best of 2009″ bug that was going around earlier this week and compiled my own list of favorites but, true to form, forgot to post it yesterday. I hope you won’t mind if I post it a tiny bit late.

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First up: my new camera, a Canon Digital Rebel XSi . I’m IN LOVE with this camera. Several of my family members came together for my birthday last April to purchase it for me and now I am forever indebted to them. And that’s fine by me.

My next favorite item is one that I don’t actually own. But my wise and hilarious friend Jen does. Or maybe it’s her Mom? Anyway, she gets to use it and I am green with envy. I think every parent should receive a Flip Camcorderupon the arrival of their first baby. How many precious moments have I missed because my camcorder wasn’t handy? I would love to reach into my pocket and FLIP this on when I stumble upon my kids doing something sweet, funny, or brilliant – ’cause they are brilliant, funny and sweet, ya know.

I need to send the always adorable Jenn of As Cozy as Spring a present because she single-handedly got rid of a couple of dark spots that had popped up under my right eye during my most recent pregnancy. Like Jenn, I don’t mind the fine lines that have started to appear but the dark spots really bugged me so when she mentioned that Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Tone Correcting Concentrated Serumhad lightened hers I decided to try it for myself and had the same great results. Thank you, Jenn!

It was also Jenn who turned me on to Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred. This it the only product I am going to recommend that will hurt you. It works, though. I know I can’t be the only one who repeatedly vows to be healthier in the New Year. If you’re looking for quick results Jillian is your gal. She may make you cry but you’ll thank her later…maybe.

So, apparently I should have just started this blog by thanking chickadees named Jen(n) because (again) this Jen changed my life when she sent me the 3rd season of Project Runway on DVD. She felt it was absolutely unacceptable that I had not yet formed an addiction to the show and set out to remedy that. And remedy it she did. I am a changed woman. Thank you, J. I was blind but now I see.

If Clinique ever discontinues their Tenderheart lipstick I will cry. That is all.

My Puppini Sisters! I love, love, love ‘em!

But you can’t mention the Puppini Sisters without taking a moment to acknowledge the beautiful Andrews Sisters. This CD is my new favorite.

There are a million cute aprons to be found but the Jessie Steeleline never disappoints.

Books: Wife Dressing: The Fine Art of Being a Well-Dressed Wife, Better than Beauty: A Guide to Charm, Suck Your Stomach In and Put Some Color On!: What Southern Mamas Tell Their Daughters that the Rest of Y’all Should Know Too. I adore these books. Each one of them is useful, funny and charming. (I also mentioned these in my latest Faith and Family Live blog here.)

Supplements: Optivite is hands down the very best women’s multivitamin on the market, in my very humble opinion. I first read about them in Marilyn Shannon’s fantastic book, Fertility, Cycles & Nutrition. When I am taking these I feel much more energetic and my mood swings practically disappear. My entire family recommends them, in fact!

Our family also loves L’il Critters Omega-3supplements. I pop one every now and then but I insist that my kids take them daily. I first heard about them from the sweet and lovely Suzanne here. She said:

“I have noticed marked improvement in attention and performance when the children take these supplements. We were lax about it one summer and had the worst September ever afterward. I got back on the regimen and the difference was amazing. Grammy was right, people. The human brain needs Omega 3s.”

If you have kids I highly recommend reading the rest of her post. I found it so helpful when I first read it! (Part II can be found here.)

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So, there you have it. Just a few things that made my life a little sweeter and a bit simpler in 2009. Do you have any favorites that you discovered last year and now can’t live without? I’d love to hear about them!

(I also want to thank you all for your friendship. As you know, the Beguiles’ family went through some tough times in 2009. Your support and kindness were such a blessing to me. I love you, girls!)