Trader Joe's Spinach & Kale Greek Yogurt Dip

Sometimes it's okay to indulge in unhealthy, but delicious acts once in awhile. But for the most part, we can all be making better choices when it comes to food.

This Trader Joe's dip blew my face off, it was way more flavourful than I was expecting it to be. It tastes like it should be a terrible-for-you dip but somehow it isn't. And it's definitely better than any grocery store dip I've ever bought before. You have to try it. There's a copycat recipe for it here, but really... just go buy the stuff. (I mean, what the hell is dillweed? Is that dill? Is dillweed different? If it's the same, just call it dill!)

And for my Canadian readers, I know that Trader Joe's isn't in Canada, but if you find yourself in Buffalo at some point, I really think you should check out the Trader Joe's there. I'm not telling you to solely cross a border for this dip (though it IS cross-a-country-kind-of-good), but Trader Joe's has some great stuff in general. I'm sure you'll find a few things you wouldn't at Loblaws.

Later, dillweed.

e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit

If a) you're not picky and b) it's not raining outside - then this is the eyebrow system for you.

Every time I'm in the vicinity of e.l.f. products, I find it extremely hard not to overindulge and buy everything in sight. Their prices are insane and some of the products actually work better than some I've sampled from Sephora.

Normal, sad eyebrows (left) & e.l.f-ed up eyebrows (right)

I'm sorry you have to look at my creepy one eye shots (I'm purposely not making that an image you can open/zoom - in fear of someone walking in on you looking at such an enlarged eye photo and labelling you a serial killer), but you can see the difference that an eyebrow filler makes.

The worst part? If you touch your face a lot, it smudges like mad. I tend not to touch my face, so I haven't really run in to this problem. But also, why would you touch your face a lot? That's gross, stop that.

I started using this kit as the backup (or sometimes in conjunction with) the Anastasia one I like and there's probably no going back for me now. I will continue to sample new eyebrow pencils and systems until I magically find one that isn't over $20 and is somehow all-weather friendly. 

Martha Stewart Bedding Collection

This is the autumn/winter bedspread I just bought for my bed from Macy's. I was going to show you a picture of how it looks on my bed, but I'm not sure I'd want you to see my bed since beds are so terribly personal. Instead here's what the gorgeous print looks like up close.

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It's a flannel duvet cover that was on sale for $70 that apparently I couldn't live without. And honestly, after having slept in it the past few days, it's one of my favourite things in this house now. It's more comfortable than anything I've ever slept in, it's weird - I feel like it's almost a hotel bed. 

I'm not a fan of how duvets feel (and I don't own one), so instead I bought this flannel duvet cover so that I could put my regular old comforter inside. That way I have a beautiful, warm new cover, but with the comfort of my old, I'm-sick-of-its-pattern comforter inside hiding. I swear to God it works just as well as with any duvet. I hate even writing "duvet" - such a stupid word. Almost like it knows it's expensive.

Anyhow, if you don't have a duvet or don't like them, then please try out this idea. Duvet covers can be costly, but if you look hard enough you can find a great one (or even better, a flannel one) for between $60 - $80.

Travel Jewelry Pouch

How have I never seen nor owned this beauty? I feel like it might have been only available to women of a certain class, but now some deviant at Pottery Barn snatched the idea from the higher ups and made it available to us simple folk for the completely (un)reasonable price of $80.

Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful. I'm definitely going to put it on my Christmas list. Look at it! It's gorgeous! And so practical! Can't wait to be a woman of a certain class. 

IKEA's New Sit/Stand Desk

A few months ago, Nathan read an article in Time that he kept mentioning to me - it was about how we all need to stand more and sit less. Anyway, it made some valid points. And while I'm sitting as I type this, I do think we might all be able to benefit from products/ideas like this one below. 

The Whiskey Wedge

The purpose of this glass? You can keep your whiskey cold without watering it down. When you order one set ($15), it includes an old fashioned whiskey glass and a silicone mold. You put some water in the glass, insert the mold, then freeze. The ice "forms into a wedge and, similar to a glacier, melts slowly due to the reduced amount of surface area."

At first this sounded like a lot of effort to me, but if you have at least one drink a night when you come home from work, if this is waiting for you in a freezer? That's pretty sweet to come home to. Ya know, if you're into that kind of thing. You can buy a set over here. 

Breakfast To Go Container

I'm not saying that Martha Stewart doesn't have an amazing team, but I love her personally for having this container available through her Martha Stewart Collection at Macy's.

It's a small (to-go) container with a rubberized airtight seal, it has two compartments to separate wet and dry ingredients and a snap-in spoon (it snaps into the bottom of the top layer). It's ideal for taking yogurt, granola, berries, milk or cereal on the go in the morning or whenever.

Is this not fantastic? If there's one thing that gets me hot and bothered all over, it's purposeful, fancy tupperware. I just bought one recently and I can't tell you how nice it is to have yogurt and granola as a snack when you're out in the world and you don't want to eat terribly. 

The Bed Butler

It holds laptops up to 17", magazines, tablets, e-readers, books, cell phones, remotes, pens, glasses and more - all within arm's reach while you're in bed. While I try not to tolerate cell phone usage in my own bed, this does seem like a great idea to have.

(Sidenote: no couple should allow cell phones NEAR their bed. Let a bed be a bed, unfettered. Shouldn't it be the one place where technology doesn't take over your surroundings?)

Ikea Shoe Cabinet

I wouldn't call myself an Ikea fan. Let's get that straight. But I've never seen anything like this, have you? I'm not really sure why everyone who knows about its existence hasn't already gone to Ikea and bought one...?

It's EONS more attractive than those shoe racks that hang off the back of a door. EONS!

I'm getting this as soon as I can afford it. Just heavenly. I saw it in person the last time I was at Ikea and it's so small and slim - the person who designed it should be hugged endlessly for the rest of humanity. Here's Layla next to the one we saw at the store. 

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Layla, understanding the beauty of a shoe drawer

There are different sizes, as you can tell if you compare the top and bottom photos, so beware of that if you're thinking about getting on. Just gorgeous.

A Pop-Up Ring Box

Presentation is everything. LOOK AT THIS RING BOX.

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Should a box cost $90? Well, if a phone can cost $500 and be socially acceptable, then yes - an expensive, fancy box like this is completely normal.

It was designed by packaging designer Andrew Zo for the company Clifton, and it's described as "a slimline engagement ring box that slides into your pocket with less resistance than a wallet. When you open the Clifton, the ring doesn’t just appear. It pirouettes into position thanks to a pop-up mechanism intended to present the ring like a blooming flower."

Ummmm, this is incredible? And even if you're not proud of giving whatever ring is inside - anybody should and better be wowed by this damn box. (And as a small sidenote: anyone who has ever complained about the details on a ring/GIFT that someone else has given you, you can go right to hell. It's the gesture that's kind! Not the damn object!)

I wish one of my hobbies somehow included giving rings to people 'cause I would be all over this box. Man. So cool.