Hello! My name is Katie, and I blog over at Clarks Condensed! If you’ve ever visited, you probably know that I love babies, food, and my husband. My husband, Forrest, and I met three-and-a-half years ago while attending the same college, and were married about a year later. And one year, three months later, our sweet little guy, Jack, was born. It’s been a crazy adventure becoming a mother, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Motherhood is the most tiring, yet rewarding, job I’ve ever had, but each day is filled with joy. I just graduated with a degree in print journalism, and looking forward to what the future holds. I love social media, so you’ll often find me on Twitter, Facebook, Google +, and especially Pinterest. Come follow along!
While Forrest and Jack are definitely my favorite things, I don’t want any of you to come snatch them up. So here are some of my next favorite things, that are almost as good.
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This is probably our most used wedding gift (unlike the fine china that still has yet to be opened…) I was so excited that someone bought us a Crock Pot that was much nicer than the one we registered for! This one has a digital timer, and it automatically turns to low when the designated time is reached. No more having to time everything perfectly! It’s big and durable, and I see it lasting us for a long time. It’s definitely worth the extra price to get one with that digital timer though.
The only things that I absolutely detest about having a Crock Pot is cleaning it! For some reason, it seems like so much bigger of a task than cleaning any other dish in my kitchen. And believe me…you don’t want to leave these things uncleaned for very long! So when one of my sisters suggested I invest in Crock Pot liners, I jumped all over that. These make cleanup so much easier, and using a crock pot for meals so much more enticing. They are usually about 2-3 dollars for 4-6 of them, but I’ve found them on sale at Walmart a time or two for only .99.
I don’t know about you, but I love water! But I always have a terrible problem — I use way too many glasses. This problem has plagued my life since I was young, and it’s so wasteful. I just always forget to bring a glass out of my room, or I forget which cup is mine! So when I had Jack, I got one of those awesome and huge hospital mugs. It didn’t leave my side for about nine months. And our dish loads went down as well! So when I finally decided my hospital mug was getting kind of unusable, I decided to get one of these cute cups. And now, it never leaves my side! Jack is kind of obsessed with it too. Anyone out there who loves water has to have one of these.
Right as I entered my third trimester, Target knew just what I needed, and put these wonderful pants as their deal of the day. I got not just one, but TWO pairs for $10! While they aren’t currently that price, you can get one pair for 12 dollars, and they are totally worth it. I lived in them after I had Jak…and well…I kind of still do! They are just so comfy, and I don’t feel like a total slob if I wear them out in public when I run to the store. But, be warned, get a size smaller than you think you need. Because they might just fall off while you are walking…Yeah..That happened. Luckily, it was just while Forrest and I were taking a stroll where luckily no one else was at!
So I’m not really sure how I went 20-something years of my life without ever using a cast iron skillet…but Forrest got me one this past Christmas, and I’ve been obsessed with it ever since. It makes cooking so much easier, and cleanup as well. If I had realized how awesome cast iron cooking tools were because when we got married, I would have registered for every piece of cast iron available. And, cast iron basically lasts forever — you probably won’t be replacing it five years down the road.
This is a guilty pleasure of mine. One of my nieces got it for Christmas, and at first, I was hesitant to try it! I mean, I’m no dancer. However, I was convinced to do one song, and I was hooked for life. Forrest and I actually went and bought it because we knew we’d want to do it at home when we left Colorado. This is the newest edition, but I’m sure any version would be so much fun. It’s an awesome workout (I lost three or four pounds after playing it for less than a week!) and the music is so catchy. We may look like fools, but we play this a lot at our house.
Have you ever walked on clouds? I haven’t either, but these slippers are what I imagine it would be like. The insides are so soft and warm! And they aren’t made of flimsy material either. I feel like in the past when I’ve bought slippers, they wear out so quickly, and they aren’t soft anymore. Not with these ones though! I think they are cute too.
Now, I’m pretty anti-Apple products. But, I review medical apps and devices, and many of those are on the Apple operating system. So Forrest and I decided to get an iPad mini. And I seriously LOVE it. I like that it’s smaller than the regular iPad — it’s easier to hold and it fits perfectly in my diaper bag. There are so many tablets out there, and this one is a little more expensive, but it’s worth the cost. Plus, I get the best of both words — Android with my phone, and Apple with my tablet!
~ Katie
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I actually have the same crock pot and I love it. I love being able to throw stuff in it and by dinner time it’s ready to go. I totally hate cleaning it though! I am SO glad you shared these liners, because I honestly had NO idea that they even existed! Going to be sure to put them on my shopping list.
Okay, so I just ordered two of those cups and I’m super excited! It’s silly, but I seriously have a cup/mug/thermos fetish. So, thanks for a new suggestion. Love your favorites! I’m totally with ya on the ipad, lounge pants, slippers, Just Dance…you’re my kind of gal!