Hey there....thought it was time for another Favorite Things post. This is the part of the show where I tell you about products that I love because I think you might love them too. Sometimes they're crafty in nature and sometimes they're not. Today, we're all over the map. Haha. (no pun intended!)
To start things off, I want to tell you about the Vagabond Sizzix electronic die-cutting machine by Tim Holtz. Now, before you start wondering, neither Tim Holtz nor Sizzix have any idea who I am. I'm just telling you about the Vagabond because my dear husband got it for me as a surprise for Christmas. I was shocked. I hadn't asked for one but he'd heard me talking about it because my bestie has one and loves hers. Anyway, as it turns out, I love this electronic die cutting machine! First of all, isn't it just cute? I love that it looks like a well-traveled little suitcase!
Here's what it looks like when you open it up. In case you want to order it online, Ellen Hutson has the Vagabond here and Two Peas has it here.
It comes with everything you need to get started, though if you plan to use wafer thin dies (like Papertrey's dies), you'll also need to buy this die adapter (it's basically a shim) which retails for about $10. Two Peas has the Solo Thin Die Adapter HERE and Ellen Hutson has it HERE.
The thing is, I do a lot of die-cutting. A lot. And I have to say that it's soooo nice to just put the sandwich in the machine, slide the lever back or forth (telling it which way to crank the sandwich thru) and then push a button and watch the machine do all the work for me! I've been super impressed with this machine. It's very heavy duty -- it weighs 14 pounds -- and is very strong. It cuts like buttah. And the extra length on the platform makes it really nice when using longer border dies and such. Tim Holtz has a demonstration video here, so you can see the Vagabond in action.
So if you're in the market for a new die cutting machine, you might want to consider this one. Ellen Hutson also carries the extended cutting plates for the Vagabond (they're longer just like the platform).
Next up, let's talk make-up. Now if you've been hanging around here for very long, you've probably figured out that a lot of the time, I'm a MAC make-up girl. I love my MAC, but there are a few exceptions to that rule....one being in the mascara department. I have fairly long eyelashes and big eyes so if I use a cruddy mascara, it's kind of obvious! Haha. And one pet peeve of mine, is when mascara flakes off as the day wears on. I don't think one should ever have to look in the mirror only to find mascara crumbs on your cheeks.....but maybe that's just me. :) That's where Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara comes in. I've been using this mascara for....well, gosh....quite awhile now and I have to say that I love it. It makes my lashes look longer and thicker and most importantly -- NO flaking! And the best part is that you can have all of that, at a drug store price! Score! You can find this mascara at just about any drug store, box store, or make-up store where inexpensive brands are sold. One word of caution though.....don't poke yourself in the eye accidentally with that "brush". See in the picture above?? Those aren't "bristles" but actually hard plastic spikes. They do NOT feel good when jammed into your eyeball. Or so I've heard.
Lastly, before I go, is Garrett's Popcorn in Chicago. Yes, I know I don't live in Chicago. I'm well aware that I live a good 8 hours away from being able to conveniently buy any of this delicious popcorn myself, but there's always the internet, right? Whenever we go to Chicago -- even if just on a layover passing thru to somewhere else -- Garrett's is a main priority for Bartley and I. The cashew caramel crunch is the most amazing caramel popcorn I've ever had and I say that in all sincerity. It's just so RICH tasting without being super sugary, if that makes any sense. We also highly recommend the cheese popcorn. Super cheesy and delicious.
I will readily admit that to order it online, you pretty much need to take out a loan because it's rather pricey, but OH MY STARS is it fun when a box of this delicious goodness arrives on your doorstep. I speak from experience. A dear, DEAR, very beautiful, charming, loving, hilarious and did I mention beautiful friend sent us a cannister of Garrett's for Christmas this year (she obviously loves us a LOT) and I nearly danced a jig when I saw the logo on the outside of the box when it landed on our doorstep. I called Bart right away at work and promised to not eat one single solitary kernel until he got home to share with me. Bart and I are not the type to keep score with each other....about anything, really......except when it comes to Garretts Popcorn. That's when very strict sharing rules apply. :)
Do yourself a favor.....go take out a loan, order yourself some Garrett's Popcorn and enjoy every last morsel when it arrives. Or better yet, run to Chicago, walk right in to any Garrett's location and enjoy every last morsel they put in your bag.
You don't have to thank me.
This concludes today's Favorite Things post!! Hope you've enjoyed it.
Happy weekend, dear readers...
