When I was getting ready this morning (oh, I even took a shower, oh yes I did), I started thinking about a few of the simple, everyday items that make my mornings a little easier and a little bit more pleasant. These things aren’t necessities by any stretch of the imagination, but they’re helpful. Maybe even a tiny bit comforting.
You know, stuff like Eucerin moisturizer. Because it prevents my skin from cracking and falling off of my face. So in that sense the Eucerin performs a vital role in my skin care regimen.
Or Maxwell House French Roast coffee. Because it’s strong without being bitter. Inexpensive. And delicious, too.
Or my beloved Mentholatum, which costs all of $2, soothes my chapped lips and makes my sinuses snap to attention as soon as I remove the top from the jar. I’ve even used it to minister to some deeply resistant under-eye bags, and it did not disappoint. I heart it deeply.
None of these things are fancy. You can buy them at any drugstore (or, as we say in the South, AT THE WALGREENS). But they’re my early morning support network – I use each of them every single day before I snuggle into my spot on the couch and start what Alex calls “Mama’s quiet time Bible study.” They help me to wake up, feel reasonably presentable, and face the day.
So, internets, what are your everyday favorites? What inexpensive treats make your mornings a little easier? And for the sake of clarity, let’s classify “inexpensive” as less than $10, though I think my Eucerin costs $10.99, so CLEARLY I AM DISQUALIFIED.
Comment away, girls (and guys!). Can’t wait to read about your faves.
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Staying in bed until the absolute last possible nano second and then rushing the kids out the door like it’s THEIR fault we’re running late! Then, at least during tax season, it’s grab the paper and head to Village Inn where I get breakfast. All the servers there know me and my breakfast order by heart so I’m greeted with a freshly poured glass of iced sweet tea (can you say aahhhhhhh?). I read the paper or chat with other regulars while I await my order. Eat up and then it’s off to the “war room” where I manage two tax offices 4 months a year and 4 offices the other 8 months. (Stress can be interspersed throughout). Must have the tea and the rest of the day is filled diet coke (until early afternoon) and then CF diet coke or green tea afterwards.
Beth
Diet Coke, my laptop, my St. Ives Apricot scrub face wash, and a bowl of Honey Bunches of Oats.
Neutrogena Deep Clean face scrub, Dove facial moisturizer (with the SPF built in), great coffee (Starbucks is the “cheapest” I can do), my laptop and a blueberry nutrigrain bar.
Creme brulee coffee creamer (because around here, we are the FANCY type!) in my Folgers french roast coffee
Secret deodorant, the green tea and cucumber scent
Colgate total toothpaste. All the rest leave my mouth feeling dir-tay by 5pm or so.
E-mail. I *have* to check it within 3 minutes of getting up or I get all twitchy.
COVERGIRL OUTLAST lipstick!!!
Yaa Hooty!!! put it on in the mornin… and I’m still wearing it when I got to bed at night.
LOVE it!!
Put it on before I drink my Folgers coffee and International creamer… YUM!!
Dunkin Donuts Coffee (they sell it in the store now! Even at the Walgreens!!!)
Burt’s Bees sensitive skin lotion (it has a far wittier name) is stinkin’ amazing. It’s about $7 a bottle and lasts forever. And it is at the Walgreens. Yes m’am, it is.
Now, it’s not at the Walgreens, but the Ion Silk Drops (similar to Biosilk)a good-hair-day-guarantee (also about $7)
I’m currently in love with my new C-PAP machine, though I’m sure even the co-pay is way more than $10.00. I’m seriously thinking of naming it in my will. But oh, my, mornings are something to enjoy again because of it!
Other than that, my cocker spaniel (oops, she cost more than $10.00, too) who thinks any morning with me is the ultimate happiness.
Cheese toast, cinnamon toast, long, hot showers with Johnson’s Softwash dry skin formula. Okay, now I meet the guidelines.
Fabric spilling out of baskets and off my shelves, and an offday to play with it. (Okay, SOME of it cost less than $10.00).
Swiss cake rolls and Dunkin Donuts coffee.
Maxwell house classic coffee, we use to buy the expensive stuff then we feel in love with this! Half and Half creamer.
That’s my first love in the morning,
Then my Bible, my journal from the dollar store and this one is kinda silly but the marker pen things, I love them! I write in a different color depending on how I feel!
The very first thing that greets me in the morning is my 15 year old daughter climbing in my bed for 15 minuets of snuggle time. She has done this since she was born, and I think I would curl up and die without it.
Second, I heart Burts Bees. Heart, heart, heart!!!
Then there is absolutely nothing like a hot shower with some Soothing Vanilla Milk body wash which squeaks in under the $10 mark.
After that, it is all down hill baby!
I’m so thrilled to see others who must have their Diet Pepsi (or Coke, those who haven’t discovered the deliciousness of the Pepsi) in the morning! My family thinks it’s totally insane – but really, how is it worse than coffee? The little bubbles just wash away all the sleepiness. :)
Socks To Stay Home In from JC Penney…so soft and warm. They are $8.99 regular price but in the winter, they are pretty much $3.99 all the time.
My other morning favorite is Folger’s 1/2 caffeine coffee with Land O Lakes fat free half n’ half.
Twinings tea with honey. My favorite is “Lady Grey”.
Vaseline on my lips every night before bed and after every teeth brushing.
The new Dove Body Wash.
A large unsweet tea from Sonic with their awesome ice. Sometimes I go for half sweet half unsweet. On the days when I’m feeling adventurous.
I must have my flower cup from Starbucks that was on sale ($7.99) it makes a difference in my morning really, if I just had some old blue cup, I wouldn’t feel quite as chipper I’m sure! I drink Folgers dark roast ($8.99) and I rub Vaseline hand lotion ($4.00) on so I won’t scratch my sweet children with the sandpaper hands the winter has left me with!
Well, my Max Lucado devotional book was more than $10, as was my tinted moisturizer, my ipod and my Bible …
So, I guess my inexpensive “thing” is doing everything in my power to stay as quiet as possible for as long as possible so as not to wake up sleeping munchkins.
And although it does not cost me a thing, I can tell ya – the time with me and God is PRICELESS!!!!
Coffee, hot shower, and my children’s faces as they are just waking up … it is so peaceful at that moment.
But then the day really begins, and I reach for more coffee – the Dunkin Donuts kind please! No funny flavors, just with lots of cream, a good amount of caffeine and sugar!
Love my Coffeemate Coconut Creamer and my Jergen’s Original Scent lotion.
Oil of Olay nighttime moisturizer…chapstick…lotion of any kind that is thick…not thin or watery…
french vanilla coffee creamer…
Wow, I got some great ideas for adding some new things to my morning routine! My cheap “first thing in the morning” item is my Dunkin Dounuts coffee with splenda and sugar free Hazelnut creamer. LOVE IT! I go to bed at dreaming about it. My other cheap love is my Oil of Olay Regenerist lotion and my St. Ives Cucumber Melon body wash. And I love the Slim Fast Chocolate Breakfast bars. Yummy!
Creme Brulee Coffee!!! A must!!!
If the baby weren’t starting to cry upstairs I would so love to read the whole list of comments and must haves! Here are mine in no particular order:
Sesame Street (lets me read my blogs)
My blogs (including the BooMama, at least the big three Boo, Big and Rocks)
Coffee with fancy creamer
A shower (not fussy on the type of soap or anything. Just getting a shower helps me wake up and face the day!)
My Clean and Clear moisturizer
Lip balm (not brand specific, just gotta have something!)
I think that’s a total of under $10 to buy one of everything I need.
Laptop
Cup of hot water with a lemon squeezed in, 2 Tbsp of Maple syrup and a dash of cayenne pepper – stirred – drink it up!
Aveeno Eye Cream (but now I am going to have to try the mentholathum- for sure)
and
CG Bigelow Ultra Mentha Lip Shine No. 1122 – worth the $7.
Ok, I know this sounds like I am really in shape and all, but I have to go to the gym in the morning! If for some reason, one of my kids has something or I have an appointment and can’t make it to the gym, it is just not a good day! So, ya I work out almost everyday, now if I could control my eating, I would look dang good!
my clearance priced bras from Lane Bryant :) betcha didn’t see that coming
Chock full o’Nuts
Bloglines
…need my morning bloggy fix!
I run every morning with my best friend at 5:15 am. It sounds crazy, but we start our day off talking about everything. I’m much more awake when I have to get the kids up at 6:40!! If I don’t have sugar free vanilla creamer waiting on me – I feel like crying. I can’t drink my coffee without it!! Before I start sounding all healthy……microwave bacon (thick cut please) is a must!!!
Espresso Milano from my favorite coffee house “The Daily Brew”, a clip to pull my curly hair out of my face and a little mascara.
Fiber One Carmel delight cereal — very weight watcher friendly when you eat one serving.
Aquaphor lotion. It’s like nice vasaline (is that really a possibility?). It makes your feet soft and fabulous, so it’s worth it. My neighbor swears by it and has been telling me about it for a year. Finally got the stuff and I am ashamed that I have been missing out for so long. Note to self: listen to her advice.
Rosebud Strawberry lip balm & chocolate milk w/ lots of Hershey’s syrup
I love…
Real honest to goodness half and half in my coffee;
Dove Energy Glow lotion;
Airborne tablets for my water bottle; and
OxyClean stain remover spray.
Twinings Irish Breakfast tea with splenda and sugar free french vanilla creamer (I drink it like coffee)
and/or Diet Coke on ice
Warm Vanilla Sugar body wash – the walmart brand smells just like the big brand
on a splurge day – homemade cinnamon swirl biscuit from the local restaurant (small town, and I mean small, population below 2000). Thanks for the hint of the mintholatum. I have tried so, so many products for the puffy eyes with no success.
I, too, am addicted to Chapstick. I keep a tube in my make-up drawer, one in my car, one in my husband’s car, one in my desk drawer at work, and two in my purse. At all times! I love the pepppermint flavor. I also like the vanilla mint, but haven’t been able to find that one in a while.
Also, I don’t start many mornings without reading a few favorite blogs this yours!
Burt’s Bees chapstick- will not buy anything else! I have it everywhere, on my nightstand, in my purse, on my desk at work. Also love the lip shimmers. I’m not one for regular lipstick.
Neutrogena Visibly Even cleanser & moisturizer. The cleanser had little beads in it that make my skin feel so soft and smooth. And the moisturizer has sunscreen too.
Seattle’s Best Henry’s Blend coffee.
Will definitely try the Mentholatum trick. Some days I could take a trip with the bags under my eyes!
I am (going to admit it here) jealous of your shower this morning… I am living in Alamosa, CO which if you haven’t heard through the news is where the water was contaminated with Salmonella… and as part of the treatment they are flushing the lines with high levels of chlorine and that means using the water for nothing but flushing the toilets! Now it is a nice excuse for not doing dishes or laundry, but a shower is sounding mighty good four days into the ban… when I can take a shower, I love my Clean and Clear Orange Burst face wash (it does the job but isn’t harsh and smells yummy). I also love my Olay moisturizer/sunblock in one (it’s sunny here in Colorado!), and my Marc Anthony curl products!
A few of my favorite things:
Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion and Dove soap
Chapstick, strawberry flavor
Oil of Olay Quench Body Lotion
I’ve got to try the Mentholatum.
Castile soap from Trader Joe’s, which I understand hasn’t made it to The South yet (sorry). It’s cheaper than Dr. Bronner’s brand, maybe $4.99 a bottle (I can’t remember precisely), and I use it as a face and body wash. It lasts a long time and keeps me zit-free. The peppermint kind I buy is refreshing.
PG Tips tea. It’s expensive for tea, but I think it’s delicious so I pay the extra as my little treat. Next best, and a little cheaper, is Tetley’s British blend, in cute round tea bags.
Oil of Olay moisturizer. I used to buy the basic, cheap kind, but for the first time ever, last week, with the temptation of multiple coupons and a store sale, I caved in and bought the really expensive kind that not only moisturizes, but also tightens the skin, fills in wrinkles, and supposedly follows through with about 25 other vain promises to aid aging skin.
A banana. Or even just half a banana. Yum.
And finally, steel cut oatmeal prepared in the crockpot overnight and steaming-ready when I wake up. I explained it in detail on this week’s WFMW. With blueberries and brown sugar. Mmmmmm…..
LONG HOT SHOWER… I love this so much that I am willing to get up half an hour earlier to ensure that I have plenty of hot water and plenty of time.
Also – I love Sauve Daily Clarifying Shampoo and Oil of Olay complete moisture cream.
If I have to skip any of this – I feel yucky and gross all day.
Folger’s Special Roast Coffee
AMBI face toner – it fades the darker spots on your face, is $4, and really works!
Crest Sparkling White Toothpaste
Japanese Cherry Blossom lotion and spray from Bath and Boday (if I were to list them separately only one of them would be over the $10 limit by 50 cents, but everything else I use is really cheap!)
Carnation’s Hazelnut creamer
Burt’s Bee’s foot cream…mmm
Blue Bic pens for journaling
Quaker Simple Harvest granola bars in dark chocolate chunk – My girls and I both really like these AND they’re pretty healthy AND I’m not allergic to any of the ingredients! AND I don’t have to cook!
Venus Divine Razor and Gilette shave gel – I can’t stand it if I don’t shave my legs every day, and these are what gives me the closest, most comfortable, and longest lasting shave!
Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer Firming – Tan and firm!! From one lotion!!
We live in the middle of nowhere so we don’t have a Starbucks but I love their Hazelnut Cremes. I searched in ‘Net & found a copycat recipe & now make my own. I start my mornings with a Steamer with what ever flavor of creamer I have on hand ( currently cinnamon bun..ohhh so yummy!) and a bagel slathered with peanut butter. After my shower I use Equate’s Daily Moisturizer. I make sure that I have perfume on.
I’m not a coffee drinker, so it is a Dr. Pepper in the morning. The Savannah Bee Company lip balm (Bath & Body Works). I used to use Burts Bees, but changed over when I found this great stuff!!
and of course a long, hot, uninterrupted shower where I must shave every day or I feel icky!! :)
Not trying to be overly serious here… really. But I have YET to find ANYTHING that brings me close to any kind of good feeling in the mornings… other than maybe my Bible and talks with God. I have gotten a little bit of a routine of Folgers (I think) Caramel Drizzle coffee with mocha creamer and a bowl of Special K w/Berries.
The tongue scraper. Very sexy, I know. Right when my feet hit the floor I need to brush, rinse, floss and SCRAPE away that morning breath.
Funny how we all have our lip products!
I enjoy a cold can of Diet Cherry Coke and my Cliff Bar for breakfast (healthy and yum!) (Cliff bar balances out the un-healthy Diet Coke) :)
Loreal Face Wash in the shower
Caress Body Wash to scrub the filth from my body.
Vaseline Body Oil after the shower
And some BooMama for my daily laugh.
PRICELESS!
Kelly S.
dr pepper.
clinique oil-free base make up.
and the golden girls on lifetime. :)
Cherry Chapstick, Maybelline Great Lash mascara, Purpose Face Wash, and Neutrogena On-The-Spot acne cream.
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