Since I couldn’t get my act together for a Friday 5+1, you get a bonus, with a Sunday 7+1 this week. I’ve been having a hard time getting back to Eastern time after being on the West Coast. But that’s the price you pay for a little bit of sunshine in the winter, right? Totally worth it at the end of the day. Let’s get on with this week’s Sunday 7+1, shall we? This post contains some affiliate links.
Weighted Blankets
I had been thinking about a weighted blanket for awhile, but finally pulled the trigger on one last month. It’s not that I have sensory issues – although sometimes I have a “restless foot” at night, and found that if I had a some extra weight on it, it didn’t bother me. I’m also the person who kind of likes the heavy X-ray apron they put on you at the dentist’s office. So, it wasn’t a leap to think that I would like a weighted blanket as well. So, I did some research and ordered this weighted blanket, and the verdict is in – I love it! The one I got has a “cool” side and a “warm” side, depending upon the weather. The cover on it also zips off so you can throw it in the washing machine. So if you’re thinking about buying one, I for one say do it!
Samplize
Samplize popped up in my Pinterest feed and caught my attention. They sell large scale paint samples that peel and stick to your wall. I wish all of the paint manufacturers did this – at least with some of their most popular colors. It would save you the trouble of buying sample paint to put just a handful of brushstrokes on the wall and have the can sit there and go to waste. They carry Benjamin Moore, Sherwin Williams and Farrow & Ball paint colors.
Mud Balls
When I was in California, we went to a cute little shop called Gracie James that had a bunch of different things – including these adorable mud balls. They sound ugly, but they’re super cute. They’re little mud balls wound with twine that contain a plant. You water the mud ball by submerging it in water, and then it’s good to go for a week or so. You put them on a little stand, and voila – a cute addition to your kitchen or even your bathroom. I picked up one of these for my mom as a gift, and am wishing I had gotten one for myself!
Alexa Outlets
My husband recently bought some Alexa outlets, and is quite proud of himself. I have to say though – I like them too. Given that I love to sleep in complete darkness, “like a vampire”, as my husband says, you can imagine how him leaving a light on in the family room, drives me a little nutty sometimes. Now, he hooked up the Alexa outlet to that lamp, and all I have to do is tell Alexa to turn off the living room light, and like magic, it’s DONE.
Free Solo
I saw Free Solo on a rainy day in California, and it blew my mind. Free solo-ing is basically rock climbing without ropes. It’s crazy. And this movie is for the faint of heart. This documentary follows Alex Honnold, who seeks to climb Yellowstone’s El Capitan in free solo fashion. For a girl who is afraid of heights, I was terrified and mesmerized watching this movie, and I think if I had seen it at an iMax theater, I probably would have had an anxiety attack. I was sweating just watching it – it’s that intense. It’s now available on Amazon, and I had to share it with my husband, who was equally intrigued and amazed.
GPS Dog Collar
Since my dogs got loose earlier this week and about sent me into a panic, I’m investigating GPS dog collars so I can track them down if/when it happens again. Having a fenced yard isn’t foolproof, and our older dog likes to jaunt about town when he gets the opportunity. Even though he pays the price by limping around for a couple of days afterwards. This Whistle GPS pet tracker was recommended to me, and I think I’m going to pull the trigger and get it so that I don’t have to search around for them all day long.
Leaf Herb Stripper
I spotted this leaf herb stripper in a clean eating group that I follow, and it made me smack my head in wonder that someone hadn’t invented this thing sooner. So much easier to get max usage out of your fresh herbs easily with no waste!
My +1 for the week –
I’ve shared how irritated I get when people talk during group exercise classes. And let me preface this by saying, I’m not talking about chit chat at the beginning or end of class. I’m talking about full on conversations throughout the entire class. I find it inconsiderate and disruptive to the instructor, as well as the class participants. You wouldn’t talk during a class in school, why is a fitness class any different, right?
Well, I finally snapped a couple of weeks ago, and actually yelled “Shut up!” in class. I did. And it felt good. Sadly, I don’t even know if the girl who was talking even heard me. But others thanked me, saying it drove them nuts too. I think I’m getting to an age where I just don’t really care what people think anymore. It’s really quite liberating.
So maybe this should have been part of the “things that I love” post this week…
Have an awesome week!
Jenny
7 Comments
Gayle Eatchel
February 17, 2019 at 7:15 pmLove the mud ball plant! I have been incorporating a few plants into my home because they apparently make the air healthier for you. I live in Utah and I hope I can maybe find one at a specialty garden store. Please keep us all posted in the future about the plant and let us know if it’s a hearty or is that hardy plant. Thanks for your post I enjoy them.
Jenny
February 17, 2019 at 7:24 pmThank you Gayle! I will keep you posted on the plant – my mom has a pretty green thumb, so I’m thinking it will thrive in her care. 🙂
Jess McGurn
February 18, 2019 at 10:35 amI wish I could have been in your exercise class! I’d have loved to see everyone’s face.
Ella
February 19, 2019 at 6:42 amI saw Samplize in my Pinterest or Instagram feed about a month ago & ordered some samples since I am going to paint my kitchen island & my master bedroom. The large sizes really do help. Also, we use the Whistle GPS collar attachment for our whippet & have for a couple of years now. He loves to chase squirrels & cats & if he got out, once he is focused on chasing, we fear that he would just keep going. It works pretty well but we have found that when walking the dogs that he has to be a pretty good distance out of the yard before we get the warning. Also we sometimes get false warnings every now & again which Whistle can’t explain but overall it gives us peace of mind.
Linda Smith
February 19, 2019 at 6:25 pmJenny, as a retired elementary teacher, I commend you for silencing your exercise class. You don’t ever have to apologize for trying to capitalize on the instruction you have paid for. I’m sure the instructor appreciated your efforts. Next time ask the Chatty Cathies to take their conversation out to the hall, or do what I did with my students: make them stay after class to write a letter home to parents that they must return with signatures before they are allowed back to class!!!
Jenny
February 27, 2019 at 7:19 pmThank you Linda! It’s not my normal character to burst out like that, but I think it was a lot of pent up frustration that just came out in the heat of the moment. I have to say, it has been quieter in there since, and I heard that some people in a nearby spin class told some talkers to shut up too!
classiccasualhome
February 24, 2019 at 11:14 ami hate the talking in exercise class too…or really loud talking in a restaurant…or on the airplane. Wow, that unleashed me. Love the paint sample idea and I could use the herb shredder all the time. Fun post.