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OH! How I love thee…

January 29, 2010

We believe we should all love where we live.

We’re a couple of homebodies, working to uncover the home our home wants to be. And we’re so happy to have you here. 

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We’ve been photographed together for years…





I have driven a red Ford Focus since I turned 16. I learned how to drive in one. I took my driver’s test in one. In 2002, we traded in the old red Ford Focus for a new one. Red. Ford. And still a Focus. When my family moved across the country, the red Ford Focus came with us and even had its own spot in the moving truck next to our couches and table. I eventually bought it off of my parents and when I came home from my mission, it was still in one piece waiting for me. Now, it’s friends with Chris’s white Toyota Camry…they share a driveway. The truth is, although I have always driven a red Focus, if someone gave me a Lexus–I would be okay with that. If someone gave me a cute little Rav 4, I would be okay with that, too. It wouldn’t even matter the color. I am not completely loyal to my red Ford Focus…it’s just always been there. Given the opportunity and, more importantly, the financing, I would trade her in. Is that sad, or what?

You must be thinking, wow, she is not a very loyal person. Untrue. I will prove it to you. There are some products/brands that I cannot live without. Some have been in my life longer than red Ford Focuses and some I have only loved for a few months–but these products, I am 100% loyal, wouldn’t buy another brand, must haves for me (disclaimer: I am talking only of products/brands, I am very loyal to my husband, my church, my family, etc.):

1. The Proactiv system. I know you have seen the commercials, so I am not about to pull a Jessica Simpson on you and tell you how much it has changed my life. I’ll just say, I had problems with my skin for awhile and now, I don’t. I thought my acne was cured so I stopped using Proactiv for about 8 months and realized I wasn’t cured at all…so now I am using it again and I vow to never stop. It works for ME and has since 2005.

2. Kosher Salt. This one is a new one for me. It tastes different than regular salt, I promise. It tastes SO much better. It even makes food look prettier. We keep it in a little black crock on our counter top right next to our peppermill. Kosher salt is part of our family now. I would never go back.

3. Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lipgloss in Dreamy. I have tried to hard to walk away from this. Over and over I keep convincing myself that I can wear a different lip color. I have tried! I have spent money on lipsticks, stains and glosses that end up lost in the bottom of purses because I don’t care to find them again. I’m stickin’ with Dreamy. It’s neutral enough that I don’t think it will ever look like I’m stuck in an era…I hope.

4. Blistex Silk and Shine Chapstick. I got it in my stocking maybe 6 years ago and I am so completely loyal to it. I don’t always want/need color on my lips, sometimes I just want great moisture with a little bit of shine. Um, this is the product. My sisters sometimes make fun of me because I “still use the same chapstick!?” (They all got it in their stocking, too.) I say, “Why not?”

5. The Chi. Sigh. Where would I be without my straightener…one day I will have to post a picture of that with a viewer discretion advisory. My hair is quite out of control prior to straightening. Huge and puffy. The Chi has solved all my problems. I used to use a Revlon straightener, but it damaged my hair quite a bit and burnt out after 3 months. I have had my Chi for 4 years and I will never look back. Mwuah! I love you Chi straightener.

6. Victoria’s Secret So Sexy Hair Serum. I don’t even remember my life before this product. I don’t even know what it exactly does, or if it does what it says it does because I don’t go a day without it. If my hair is washed and wet, before I do anything–this product goes in it. Period. End of discussion. That’s just how it is.

7. Orbit gum. I don’t care what flavor. I don’t care that it might be more expensive. It’s a nice package and a good size portion. Currently chewing: Sweet Mint. :)

8. Heinz Ketchup. This loyalty goes deep into my childhood. I grew up in Pittsburgh where Heinz is manufactured. I have gone on fieldtrips to the factory. I am disgusted when I go to a restaurant and I see Hunts or any other brand. I just won’t do it. I can’t. It’s against who I am. If Heinz ketchup isn’t available wherever I am, I will either leave …. … OR choose to eat something that I wouldn’t normally have with ketchup–because I notice the difference. And the difference isn’t good.

…told you I was loyal.

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  1. Ok, mom said I should read this and she was right. This it a great post, Jules. I love it. And I love my Chi too. I’ll never buy Morton’s table salt again because sea salt is better and better for you and who needs Crest when you can have Sensodyne!!? And I get the chapstick thing because, for more than a year now, I’ve been buying Blistex Deep Renewal. Nothing else works! I panic when I can’t find it so, when I’m at Walmart getting ready to check out and I notice all of the ‘spontaneous buy crap’ by the register, there is my Blistex and I buy one…just in case. P.S. We’ve had our Buick for almost 7 years…it’s green and ugly but I’m grateful to have it. However, I’d trade it in a heartbeat for something even a little bit better! :)

  2. Ok, mom said I should read this and she was right. This it a great post, Jules. I love it. And I love my Chi too. I’ll never buy Morton’s table salt again because sea salt is better and better for you and who needs Crest when you can have Sensodyne!!? And I get the chapstick thing because, for more than a year now, I’ve been buying Blistex Deep Renewal. Nothing else works! I panic when I can’t find it so, when I’m at Walmart getting ready to check out and I notice all of the ‘spontaneous buy crap’ by the register, there is my Blistex and I buy one…just in case. P.S. We’ve had our Buick for almost 7 years…it’s green and ugly but I’m grateful to have it. However, I’d trade it in a heartbeat for something even a little bit better! :)

  3. Heather says:

    I’m laughing. Okay. Have you tried Redmond’s Real Salt? Totally amazing. The regular, nasty white table salt will never do….I agree!

  4. You are a crack up. I too am loyal to Proactive…I sometimes wonder if they put something in their product so you can NEVER go without it…the rest of your life. Shoot, I thought, “Well, I’m 28, I shouldn’t have acne anymore.” Like you, I stopped for a few months. BAD IDEA. Just called in my order a few weeks ago!!!!

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