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The 16 Products and Services that Changed My Life the Most in 2013

December 31, 2013 · by Tiffany Merritt · 3 Comments

Last week I highlighted my top 10 posts of the year. Definitely worth a glance if you haven’t faithfully read every single post I’ve written this year (and I’m pretty sure my mother-in-law is the only person who has!). I mention it because there are 2 products on that list of most popular posts that I would also consider to be among the most life-changing. So hop on over and take a look before seeing the other 16 items that rocked 2013 for me (not listed in any particular order).

best products of 2013

photo credit: Philo Nordlund via photopin cc

1. Reynolds products. To say Reynolds has been a game-changer for my kitchen (and for my blog!) would be a huge understatement. I’m hopelessly devoted to you, parchment paper!

2. Iced coffee. It is my constant companion. And now that I’ve gone Keurig, I can’t go back! Thank goodness for those awesome refillable K-cups!

3. Longer eyelashes (without using falsies!). I feel like this product really helped me look more alive and youthful. Major winner!

4. Bob McGrath. This CD, while not my own personal favorite, is loved beyond measure by my youngest. It is played CONSTANTLY in the car. I know every single lyric, and every xylophone solo by heart. At least it’s Bob…he is pretty cool!

5. Justin Timberlake. This is Darah’s favorite CD. We’ve been playing it every chance we can since we got it in March. Two of the tracks put Layah to sleep on long car trips. So that makes this CD precious to everyone in the family!

6. The Honest Company. I learned how to get all of their trials for free (score!) and in the process, fell in love with their products. I have a feeling that they knew I would! Sneaky…

 7. A cool night’s sleep. I purchased a second pillow for Tim since the one I reviewed was such a game-changer. They make for an ultra-comfortable night’s sleep!

8. Carry On, Warrior. The only book that wasn’t directly related to my job that I read this year. It was AWESOME!!!!

9. Kiwi Crate. Thank God for smart and crafty people who put together awesome kits for those of us who aren’t. Kiwi Crate is the best, by far. We have ordered and been gifted more subscriptions over the past year. LOVE!

10. Orbit Gum for Kids. Getting to chew gum for the first time was a big deal for Darah. Big enough to make this best of the best list. She’s head over heels about her Orbit Gum.

11. Bookboard. We have new books to read every single night on the iPad. Darah loves the challenge of reading more to unlock more. This is worth so much more than the subscription price. I simply adore it and strongly recommend it to other families!

12. Shark Sonic Duo. This mop and carpet cleaner is the best of the best, folks. And we had a mop that we totally adored, previously. But we were blown away by this device!

13. Stitch Fix. I don’t have the time to hit the mall looking for clothes, so I hired a personal stylist. It is MUCH more affordable than you might think. Every mom needs to try it just once!

14. Octonauts. We were introduced to Octonauts at a birthday party in January, and haven’t looked back! Sound the Octo-alert!

15. Amazon Prime. I experimented with it this year to see if it was worth the $79 fee. TOTALLY worth it!

16. Compassion, International. We sponsored a child this year. Her name is Vanessa. Thinking about her and praying for her has been humbling, and caused me to think more critically about some of the frivolous purchases I make. We have completely changed her life just by sending $38/month.

As you think back on 2013, what were the products and services that rocked your world the most? Leave a comment and tell me about them so I can do check them out!

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: My Favorite Finds · Tagged: 2013, best products, best products of 2013, favorites, product reviews, review

Favorite Products of 2011

October 29, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · 1 Comment

About a month ago I made a list of my VERY VERY favorite products that I reviewed in 2010 (if you missed it, click here to check out this blogger’s favorite things!).

I really enjoyed writing that post, and decided that I’m also going to write one for 2011. And at the end of the year, I’ll write about my 2012 top picks, as well! When I first reviewed all the products from 2011, I was blown away by all the awesome, and was really overwhelmed. I had 33 “top picks” at first! But I have since narrowed it town to my top 10. These are the products that got and are continuing to get the most use in my home. If a product isn’t on this list, it doesn’t mean that I didn’t like it, or even that I didn’t love it, though.

So here’s my list, in no particular order:

1. Shaklee cleaning products. The cost per use is so unbelievably cheap, the products work amazingly well, and everything is eco-friendly. What’s not to love?

http://stuffparentsneed.com/shaklee-basic-h2-and-shaklee-scour-off-review/

2. George Foreman Grill. This is how we cook our chicken about 90% of the time, which means this gets used every single week.

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2011/06/knock-out-the-fat-with-george-foreman-and-win-1000-2/

3. Robby Wash Ball. This has pretty much replaced other detergents in my home for any non-cloth diaper laundry. I love how little space it takes up in my laundry room!

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2011/06/think-about-your-laundry-detergent-once-per-year-giveaway/

4. Automatic Yogurt Maker. I’m not sure how anyone with small kids in the house lives without one of these! It makes excellent yogurt and it much more cost effective than buying it!

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2011/06/how-we-successfully-made-our-own-yogurt-giveaway/

5. Girl Gotch underwear. Not only are boxer-briefs adorable on little girls, but the coverage is also unbeatable. Best underwear for little girls on the planet. For real.

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2011/06/does-darah-prefer-boxers-or-briefs-giveaway/

6. Fun Fort. This makes building a fort take about 30 seconds. Can be used inside or out. Will be used for years and years. Basically, this product rocks.

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2011/12/fun-fort-build-a-fort-anytime-anywhere-giveaway/

7. Gallery Direct Framed Art. I have reviewed many MANY gorgeous pieces of art from Gallery Direct. This beach scene was my first. And it remains my very favorite. I look at it every single day and it always makes me feel calm.

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2011/07/the-case-for-framed-art-2/

8. Build a Dream Playhouse. This cardboard castle still gets played with and is in pretty decent shape, and I just love that it lives under our couch!

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2011/06/build-a-dream-playhouse-review-and-giveaway/

9. Hanes Comfort Flex Bra. I slept in these throughout my pregnancy and even 5 months postpartum, I am still grateful for their comfortable fit. It’s the perfect “around the house” bra.

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2011/10/maternity-week-sleeping-a-lot-in-comfort-hanes-review-and-giveaway/

10. Kaboost Chair Booster. Darah went right from the high chair to an adult size chair thanks to this product. It still gets used 3 times a day, every day! We’ll be getting one for Layah as soon as she needs one!

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2011/04/booster-chair-alternative-kaboost-chair-booster-2/

 

Filed Under: Featured, General · Tagged: automatic yogurt maker, best products of 2011, build a dream playhouse, fun fort, gallery direct framed art, george foreman grill, george foreman grill review, girl gotch underwear, hanes comfort flex, hanes comfort flex bra, kaboost, kaboost chair booster, product reviews, robby wash ball, shaklee cleaning products, shaklee cleaning products reviews, yogurt maker, yogurt maker reviews

Best of the Best: Tiffany’s Favorite Products of 2010

September 13, 2012 · by Tiffany Merritt · 3 Comments

I got into blogging thanks to being a product review blog fan. And even though I’m now writing reviews most every day day of the week, I still make time to read other review blogs. I’m still a consumer, after all! And I often wonder what bloggers would say their VERY favorite products have been. So I thought I’d share some of my favs with you!

My blog started in the fall of 2009, but my consistent reviews began in 2010. Since that time, I have reviewed MANY different products and services, and I stand by what I wrote for all of them. If I saw a flaw in a product, I mentioned it in the post. If I didn’t like a product, I sent my concerns directly to the company.

All this is to say that I genuinely like every product that I blog about here at Stuff Parents Need. But I understand that sometimes when you read a whole lot of positive recommendations, it can be difficult to discern which products are SO UNBELIEVABLY ROCKSTAR AWESOME and which ones are just really cool.

So I’m ready to share with you my favorites! This month I’m highlighting the top 12 products I reviewed in 2010. I can’t even begin to tell you how hard it was to narrow it down to 12 items. I reviewed some SUPER awesome stuff that year. But these are the items that got used the very most in my home. Here they are, along with a link to the original review, in no particular order:

1. Tupperware Quick Chef. I still use this gadget at least 3 times a week in my house!

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2010/02/plastic-can-be-green-tupperware-review-2/

2. Beaba Babycook. I am chomping at the bit to break this bad boy out for Layah so I can make her some delicious homemade baby food, just as I did with Darah. The Babycook made it so easy.

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2010/03/100th-post-giveaway-celebration-beaba-babycook-2/

3. Mam Pacifiers. This is the only pacifier Darah would use. She just gave up hers on her third birthday a month ago. And little sister is loyal to them, too.

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2010/04/do-we-like-pacifiers-yes-mam-giveaway-2/

4. Playskool Activity Ball. Darah played with it for about a year and a half. Not bad for a baby toy!

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2010/05/toys-that-grow-with-your-child-playskool-review-2/

5. Sodastream. I haven’t bought soda that comes in a can since we started using this. Enough said?

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2010/06/diy-soda-yes-sodastream-giveaway-2/

6. My First Yoga Book. Darah has been reading this several times a week since she first received it. It is very well-loved!

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2010/12/yoga-an-awesome-toddler-activity-giveaway/

7. Softbums Omni Diaper. Just watch the video. I’m still blown away by this dipe.

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2010/10/softbums-launches-brand-new-diaper-ridiculously-huge-giveaway-including-an-ipad/

8. Cloth Wipes Solution from BareBebe (now Ali & Swan). Still using these fabulous stars to make wipe solution every few days! So easy!

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2010/05/make-cleaning-up-after-your-kids-a-breeze-super-giveaway-2/

9. eBags Diaper Bag. We continue to love our diaper bag that isn’t a diaper bag. It’s holding up great still!

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2010/08/the-ultimate-diaper-bag-giveaway-2/

10. Barbar Eco8000 Hair Dryer. Love how fast it dries. And I don’t miss all that radiation one bit!

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2010/08/happy-birthdy-to-me-my-hair-dryer-is-radiation-free-awesome-discount-code-2/

11. Pediped Shoes. I’m all for paying as little as possible, but these shoes are worth twice the asking price. Promise.

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2010/10/shoes-for-the-shoe-hating-baby/

12. Rubbermaid Reveal Mop. Tim stepped on the handle while it was on the floor during our recent move. We purchased a new one within 24 hours. That’s how great it is!

http://stuffparentsneed.com/2010/11/my-favorite-mop-ever-giveaway/

 

So there you have it. My top picks of 2010! Next month I’ll feature my favorites from 2011!

Do you own any of the products that made my list? Are you as in love as I am? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: Featured, General · Tagged: best new products 2010, best product reviews, best products of 2010, blog reviews, consumer product reviews, consumer reviews, product review blogs, product review sites, product reviews, review blogs

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Welcome!


Grab your beverage of choice (mine is iced coffee) and let's hang out for a spell! I'm Tiffany, and I've rambunctious little girls and a fierce desire to share any tip and trick I can find to make lives with little ones a bit less hectic and a lot more fun. [Read more...]

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