Do you ever stop and appreciate little things that you have? I did the other day. I was opening the door to our front hall closet and I thought I am SO happy we changed out all our door knobs. It was a purchase that maybe wasn’t the most-fun to make, but it saves us so much frustration. The doorknob used to fall off every other day and then we would have to go and find a tool to get it back on and even be able to open the door. I should have done it a long time ago. It got me thinking what else did I put-off buying but now am so happy we did! I asked Kevin what he thought and shared his idea too. Friday Favorites is our best purchases as of yet.
I also get asked often to share “Wedding Registry Ideas” and some items on this list could be great gifts for newly weds! So listen up engaged couples or those who are going to a wedding soon!
These are all items that make our life easier and less-frustrating.
#1- Door Knobs and Drill
I told you. Door knobs are number one for me right now. We paid a little bit more for THESE really nice door knobs and love them. Every single door on our home as the same knob. In an older home this is something to celebrate. Although we still need to change out the back door knob. This is another thing I keep putting off. I want it to be a key-less entry knob. Do you have one that you would recommend? (PS- not the best wedding registry Item). But I would add that a Cordless Drill would be an awesome Wedding Registry item! Because new door knobs wouldn’t be in our home without a drill. We have THIS Drill and LOVE it and it has great reviews. We have had many cheap drills and not worth wasting your money.
#2- Quality White Quilt
We recently did a bedding post HERE about making a king bed. I also did one HERE, how I make our queen bed. I talked about how a nice quality quilt is the best place to start when purchasing bedding. (I prefer white because it mixes well with everything and you will never get tired of it). We have THIS White Quilt and it is by far my favorite quilt I have ever owned. And I have had several white quilts. It is light-weight and soft on the underside. Also we only have a queen quilt on our queen bed and it is generous enough to hit to hide the mattress and top of box-spring. So less-frustrating! Perfect item for a Wedding Registry.
#3- Nice Knife
Kevins Fathers day gift one year was THIS Wusthof Classic 8″ Knife. It was our first expensive knife purchase, and are only expensive knife purchase so far. I can see why people invest in nice knives! We use that knife for everything. We do make sure to sharpen it often and hand-wash. Planning on adding a few more to the collection (Kevin future gift spoiler). I think we got a block-set of knives for our wedding but one really quality nice knife would make a better Wedding Registry item.
#4- Glass Food Storage Containers
With the Amazon Prime day one of my favorite purchases was THESE Glass Food Storage Containers. I got rid of all our plastic Tupperware. I have been wanting to do this for about a year now. I don’t know why I just didn’t pull the trigger. But these new glass containers make a world of difference. The lids stay on tight! And I have been trying to get rid of anything toxic in our home. Although wi-fi and cell phones are amongst the most toxic and mattress with the fire-proof retardant. Baby steps.
#5- Outdoor Furniture and Fire Column
For Kevins top favorite home purchase he made a blanket statement and said “the outdoor furniture”. I would narrow it down and investing in a nice patio table is one of our top purchases. We love THIS Table because it is really nice quality and it easily folds down so we can put it in our shed come winter. And I would add investing in a second toddler chair/baby chair has been a favorite purchase. I used to have to carry out a chair for Finn every time. Might seem lazy to complain about that but when you are bringing out all the food, the serving ware, drinks etc hauling out a chair is not something you want to do. Life made easy. (we found our highchair at an un-finished wood shop). And we have to mention our Fire Column is a BIG favorite. This would make a great Wedding Registry item and I have seen many of you give our actual fire column as a gift. Sadly ours is discontinued. I found THIS fire column that is similar to ours or THIS one and THIS mini fire column that is a table top version.
#6- Pressure Cooker
In a small house with only a couple window units I prefer to use my oven the least amount that I can. We eat sweet potatoes a lot and spaghetti squash. Just using the pressure cooker for those two items alone that normally require the oven to be on for an hour is worth the investment. I recently bought THIS pressure cooker/instant pot because it is 8 quart and has the slow-cooker option. Our previous pressure cooker was just a true pressure cooker, not an in-stant pot. So the settings were very limited. I plan on using our new pressure cooker a lot more and sharing more recipes! (No-brainer Wedding Registry Item).
#7- Beddy’s Bedding and Knit Throw
Beddys’s Zip-up Bedding could be a Wedding Registry item too! They come in all sizes. But especially for little kids they have been our favorite bedding. One of the beds in my daughters room is pushed up against the wall, making it tricky to make the bed. In our house we have a routine that we make our beds before breakfast. And my girls are SO good at it. Never been a complaint. But I used to go up to their room and the beds looked a little sad, just because they were hard to make. (I never re-made their beds). So we switched the the zip-up bedding from Beddy’s and haven’t looked back. Very easy to clean too. A really nice large throw would make a great Wedding Registry item to add to the bedding or a family room. THESE Knit Throws are some of my favorite. If it were a gift I would go with a cream.
#8- Pantry Containers
We recently made-over my friends pantry and it was a huge transformation! The wallpaper was sure fun but the most valuable purchase were THESE containers to store food. Taking food out of it’s package and putting in a container not only saves space it helps the food to last longer! We have THESE storage containers in our cupboard because we don’t have a large pantry and I wanted them square to fit really tight together. I would love if they were glass too but not the most practical for our space.
#9- Nice Frying Pans
We have had SO many frying pans. I have found THESE to be our favorite. They work on a our smooth-top stove really well. We hand-wash them. I use them several times a day! And the wood handle is really cute:) the set makes a great Wedding Registry item.
#10- Built-in Banquette
No this isn’t a purchase it is just something that has made our life easier! I had to include this on the list because it is the favorite thing we did to our home. First of all it provides so much storage and functional seating. I get asked how we keep it clean. Well kids don’t sit there to eat everyday. The three kids sit in the chairs and Kevin and I sit on the banquette. The kids use the banquette a lot when they are coloring or making projects. But they do occasionally sit over there and Nutella get’s on the cushion (yes it is linen) so my partner purchase (and a wedding registry item) is THIS spot cleaner. I have only had this baby for a couple months but it is my new best friend. We clean sofas, the runner up our stairs, outdoor cushions, rugs you name it! I love it.
Now I want to know what your favorite home purchases are?
What things would you tell a friend for a Wedding Registry is a must?!
Other Favorites from the week-
Shop my outfit- Pants /// Stripe Shirt /// Pink Kerchief // Shoes
- We have vegetables from our garden!! We have had some issues with deer reaching their necks over the fence! ugh!! Since we noticed it we have been using THIS liquid fence. Their is still hope! We have had some yellow squash and two bell peppers. Makes us all so happy!
- I ordered THESE pillows when I was in Utah. I just loved the green for Fall. Trying to decide if I will keep them, but they came with the down insert so that really makes it easy to love them. For me to keep a pillow is I have to be able to mix them thru-out my home. And I do think they would look great in our master, in the front room or the family room. Ok I am sold.
- On Monday I am speaking on a panel for HGTV Magazine Block Party in partnership with @liketoknow.it.home This is a free event anyone can attend. Or you can tune into @liketoknow.it.home for a live feed of the panel!
- We went to Trader Joes last night and spent more than I have ever spent there before! All thanks to you guys! I am putting together a shopping list of Trader Joes favorites. I can’t wait to share all the details and the most recommended items. Stay tuned for that hopefully next week.
Also next week I will be sharing our back-deck makeover!! Well basically the bottom half where Kevin replaced the lattice. If I can get it done it might come out Saturday.
Have a great weekend! And wishing you many better than before’s!
Check out the August lock with the bridge. Best keyless smart lock and you don’t have to install a special knob for it. It has a ton more features than other locks.
I’m with you on the knife! Definitely a favorite purchase is a couple of good knives for my kitchen!! I just use 3 knives for everything. So it frees up space, not having a bunch of knives.
Yes! Ok tell me what three knives you have??
I bought Cutco knives years ago and they have been my favorite knives ever!! I have a large slicer-I use it for almost everything, a traditional cheese knife-it can be used for slicing cheese as well as slicing tomatoes and other smaller fruit and veggies. I use these 2 knives everyday. I also have a small trimmer, but I don’t use it as often.
Yes, I agree. Of course I didn’t know this until after I had a giant knife block taking up counter space for years. I use a 7″ santoku knife, paring knife and bread knife.
Favorite Home purchase…..new ceiling fixtures!! For years we lived with ceiling fans & other basic ceiling lights that were here when we moved in. I hated them!!!! My husband was oblivious to them and didn’t understand my angst over something that worked just fine (or maybe he did but since he knew he’d be the one to do the work to swap them out, he decided they were just fine 😉). Over the years I’ve found new & rewired vintage lighting and he’s been switching them out as I find things I like. Lighting doesn’t have to be expensive, especially if you’re patient and willing to wait for the right thing to come along. It is the jewelry of the room and it’s well worth the time & investment.
My Kitchen Aid mixer!! Although, I didn’t purchase it myself – it was gifted to me. The mixer belonged to my husband’s grandmother and she used it all the time. So awesome to know how much she loved it and now I am blessed to have it in my home. I think of her every time I use it. They last forever and I certainly would tell every young bride she needs one in her kitchen.
All great choices. I think my must have would be a good knife and a great frying pan. Love those.
Those knives are amazing! My husband’s siblings all went in together to purchase us the full set of Wusthof knives and while at the time, I wasn’t sure it would be worth it, now I’m in love! Whenever someone comes to visit and uses our knives, they always get positive comments. It’s such a good investment!
Where did you purchase the large gray lantern you have hanging in your hallway? Beautiful!!!
Thanks,
Jaclyn
High quality bed sheets is something i would request and invest in.😍👍
I feel like I’m seeing Beddy’s everywhere! I’m about to purchase them for my son’s bunk bed but I’ve been stalling st the price.
Have yours held up well??
Very well! I don’t wash once a week like I should (I figure they bath right before bed) I wash about every two weeks and they zip apart easily! Totally recommend for kids beds.
My iron skillet, Vitamix blender and Le Creuset dutch oven are some of my favorite home purchases that I use all the time!
I would have to second the Vitamix comment. I don’t use it daily (though I know some do) but it’s SO nice to have a blender that actually works. I have never seen the Beddy’s in all white like your girls’! I love those!
A smoker is hands down the best thing we own! I basically don’t cook all summer since my husband enjoys smoking and BBQ-ing!
I’ve given this a lot of thought. We have a small house too, but believe in investing in things that make our day-to-day lives easier and more enjoyable. A lot are kitchen related.
1)cast iron skillet
2) nice knives-we use wusthof and have an in-drawer organizer (both from our wedding registry)
3)kitchenaid because we bake a lot
4) nice rocking chair that’s Cindy for baby room
5)oxo pantry organizing containers
6)Nice white dishes (actually we’re from our wedding registry)
7)nice thick towels
8)door knobs here too! When we moved into our house all the doors had lever knobs and it was one of the first things I switched. You touch them multiple times a day!
9) drill/driver combo
10)nice screwdriver set
Ok I agree with a lot of your items!! For sure a rocking chair with a new baby is a must! And white plates is a must-have for me too!
Thanks for your list!!
Love that lantern in the hallway! Can you share where you purchased it? All great items! Thanks for all of your hard work on here!:) love your tips!
Thank you!! It is sold old!! It was from Park Hill- I don’t see it anymore
Just looked at the glass containers and several reviews said the glass chipped off and wound up in the food, glass dust, etc.Also the liquid fence FAQs said not recommended for use on consumables…not trying to be a crank…just some things to consider! Love your blog and IG!
I read those before buying and chose to get them. I thought it seemed weird for glass to chip like that without knowing it. So I got them and have been happy!
Can you fix the link for the frying pans? It goes to Sams Club but no info at all. What is the name of them? Thx
Robot vacuum! I didn’t vacuum every day before it, so I’m just disgusted at what it picks up every day.