Fun Finds from September

 

September brought about some new finds for our household, so I’ll share them with you today!

                A couple of years ago, I gifted Ryan a travel backpack that folds up into a tidy little rectangle – making it easy to pack – and our favorite thing about it was the chest clip that makes it easier to haul when it’s heavy. I’d still been using a Vera Bradley cinch sack my sister gave me years before I was even married. The straps on it were badly frayed from use, and there wasn’t a chest clip. (I don’t think it’s the Vera Bradley way.) So before our Mackinac trip, we ordered this bag for me, and I loved it. I wore it on the Bridge walk and throughout both of our days on the Island. It’s small and pliable enough to pack nicely and to fit in small spaces, like a bike basket. But it’s big enough to carry snacks and water bottles and all the supplies you need for a day out and about. It has a chest clip that was really helpful, and it even has a little pouch on the strap for a phone: easy access!

                This next thing was my FAVORITE purchase of the month, and sadly, I didn’t even get to use it. I haven’t had a swimsuit that fits correctly for a while, and Ryan really wanted us to be able to enjoy the hot tub at our hotel in Michigan. So I went on the dreaded swimsuit hunt and I learned about…THE SWIM ROMPER!!!! It’s made of swimsuit material, but it has flutter sleeves and shorts and POCKETS, and it fits like a little romper, so you can wear it without a coverup if you want. I am so excited about it, told everyone who would listen, and then the hot tub at the hotel was out of order and we didn’t get to use it. But I’m pumped about this romper, because it’s a good lake piece. If people come over, I can wear it and be ready to kayak or step into the water (which I rarely do) without changing!

                When we were in Michigan, we came upon a mealtime where we wanted and needed something to eat, but we didn’t want a big meal. We’d had too many big meals. We also just wanted to be in our hotel room, not out waiting our turn for a table somewhere. We stopped by Dollar General and I found that Banquet makes protein bowls that you can find in the frozen section! We each got the chicken fajita bowl (though there are other flavor options) and warmed them up in our room. They were the perfect size for a meal!

                Speaking of Dollar General, whilst perusing ours here at home, I found these darling little glass jars that come with tiny wooden spoons! They were in a display for a s’more/hot chocolate bar, so I think the idea is to fill them with peppermint pieces, chocolate chips, mini-marshmallows, etc. They were $3 each and I purchased three for the top of our little tiered tray that sits on the island. I put peanuts in one, pumpkin seeds in one, and I’m still figuring out what to put in the third. So cute!

                I’ve been using Skinny Girl ranch dressing for a while now, and it’s okay, but it never really tasted like real ranch dressing to me. This month I tried G Hughes sugar free ranch and it tastes MUCH more like regular ranch to me. (It’s thicker, too.) It’s not quite as impressive on the calorie count, but I don’t use a ton of dressing, so I’m okay with that. Worth it to me to get a more authentic taste. If you’re not a ranch dressing lover, this brand has other flavors!