Favourite Things: October + November

Hey, hey. I’m back with another round of Favourite Things! This edition is mostly about how to stay warm and festive – topics that are very much on my mind as we slide into another Canadian winter. Also, I have a question for readers at the end of this post so, if nothing else, please scroll through to the bottom so you can chime in (I need winter footwear feedback…again)!

Now, let’s chat recent favourites.

HEATING MAT

File this under something I never expected to buy – or even knew existed – but when Engie wrote about her desk heating mat (which goes under your keyboard and mouse) I started wondering if such a thing existed for the floor. Cold feet are my nemesis. Once my feet get cold, that chill spreads into my bones and all hope is lost; it’s a foregone conclusion I am doomed to be a frozen ice block until I can take a long, scalding shower.

Well, such a mat DOES exist and I purchased one. From the second I turned it on, I have been obsessed. There is a button you can click with your foot to cycle through various temperature settings (I think it ranges from 85 – 145 F). If you ever get cold feet – and not the commitment kind – this might be the gadget you didn’t know you needed in your life.

I always, always unplug it whenever I leave the office because, well, I don’t think you can be too careful when it comes to heating devices.

DIGITAL LOCK

Ever since moving into our house SEVEN YEARS AGO we have had a very finicky door handle lock that has resulted in us getting locked out of our house numerous times. While I was visiting my parents, John took the lead on fixing the problem and we are now the proud owners of a digital lock. It is amazing.

We haven’t had it long enough for me to provide feedback on the specific model we bought (Weiser Powerbolt 3) but so far it has been awesome. It’s so nice to not worry about getting locked out of the house – go figure. It’s so nice to be able to set temporary codes and have unique codes for different family members. It’s amazing that the lock can be automatically set to lock behind you. It’s wonderful to not have to have fumble for keys. It’s fantastic that the keypad is backlit. Obviously, I’m already a VERY BIG FAN!!!

REUSABLE CHRISTMAS BOXES

Over the years I’ve built up a small collection of Christmas boxes and I have to admit I like them a lot more than Christmas bags which never seem as festive as a box (and they don’t stack very well). I haven’t actually purchased any of the boxes in my stash, but they come into the house one way or another and I always save them. They’re great for wrapping odd-sized items and I have a specific box of boxes on a shelf in our storage room that is just reusable Christmas boxes! For the most part, I use them for gifting things to people inside my home, so on Christmas morning once the presents are put away, I nest our Christmas boxes inside one another and stash them away to be used another year.

GUM IN A BOTTLE

I chew quite a lot of gum and find it a nuisance to have to punch out pieces (or unwrap them and then dispose of a wrapper). I have been LOVING gum in a bottle where every piece is unwrapped and I also feel like you get more gum for a lower price? 60 pieces for $3.50!

I have a bottle in my vehicle and another in our kitchen pantry.

CANADIAN PASSPORTS

I have always gotten a surge of joy when I receive a new passport, but I’m especially thrilled with the design, layout, and materials used in the new Canadian passports.

COMPATIBLE TOOTHBRUSH HEADS

Electric toothbrush heads are not cheap and Belle desperately needed some replacements. The brand name ones were pricey, but Amazon fed me a knock-off compatible brand ($11.88 for 8 heads). They’ve arrived, work like a charm, and cost a tiny fraction of what the Oral-B heads would have cost (braces are hard on toothbrush heads).

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS

I have a fairly minimalistic decorating style but it still makes me…really happy. And it’s definitely a favourite this time of year! More pictures to come – I’ll do a decoration roundup at some point in December.

CUSTOM CALENDARS

I’ve been making custom photo calendars for a handful of family members for years (and years). It always starts off feeling like a bit of a slog, triumphant when I finally order them, and nerve-wracking to open up the package and see how the calendars looks in real life.

This year I am extremely happy with how they turned out; I also adjusted my approach to building the calendars which made the process less onerous.

WINTER BOOTS RECOMMENDATIONS

A few years ago I wrote a blog post asking people for feedback about different winter boot brands. Then my blog got deleted – and with it the comment gold that was reader feedback.

Here’s what I’m looking for in a new pair of winter boots. They need to be:

• Warm
• Waterproof
• Suitable for walking quasi-long distances (so not too heavy/clunky).
• Warm
• Fashionable or at least fashionable-adjacent
• Warm

I have never bought a single pair of winter boots brand new, and I’ve lived the last decade+ with either Sorel’s or Kamik’s purchased second hand. Both brands have been fine…and I currently am using a set of $19 Sorel’s I thrifted a few years ago. But I hate the lacing, find they rub on the back of my ankles and, most tragically, they aren’t overly warm. I’m already grouchy enough as it is about winter weather, and suboptimal boots likely aren’t helping the situation.

I have been eyeing the UGG Adirondack III Boot since a friend told me the only boots on the planet that manage to keep her feet warm are UGGs (but I don’t want suede – I need whatever boots I buy to be extremely versatile).

Here’s where you come in. Firstly, anyone out there with feedback to offer about UGG Adirondacks? I know they’re pricey, but I feel like they’ll be a decade-long investment? Any other go-to brand that meet my criteria above you want to throw in the ring?

Your turn. What are your recent favourites? How do you feel about gift bags/boxes? What is your favourite tool/accessory for staying warm in a cold climate?