There is one thing that Mary Poppins Julie Andrews and Oprah have in common. They both have a love of sharing a few of their favourite things. Mary Julie did it in song (side-note: out of everything in the world… BROWN PAPER PACKAGES tied up with string makes her list of FAVOURITE THINGS?? WTF Mary Julie?! A brown paper parcel does it for you?? Something tells me Poppins Andrews was the kid in school who was easily amused by a ball of string, but I digress) and Oprah does it every year with her ‘favourite things show’, in which lucky audience members get Oprah’s favourite beach tote and scream like they just found out their husbands have morphed into Brad Pitt and have promised daily massages involving chocolate syrup.
I have decided to join their ranks and come up with my own list of favourite things. Because I a) I have strong opinions on things b) I’m in a linking mood and c) I have the damned Poppins song in my head and am using this as a clever strategy to remove it from my brain. Permanently. Keep in mind, these are just my current favourite things. I’m saving my all-time favourite, unbeatable, I can’t believe it, list of stuff for my own show.
Favourite lip-gloss: This is difficult. More difficult than picking my university major. However, I’m going to go with my current top two: CO Biglelow Mentha Lip Shine in Rootbeer or Victoria’s Secret Beauty Rush lip gloss. Both are tasty, give a little bit of shine and make my lips feel like they are loved.
Favourite television show: I feel like I’m going to put a big X on my back when I say this, but I’m not really into a lot of the fall shows. I tried to get on Grey’s Anatomy so I could feel cool, but I’m just not into it anymore. I was hooked after the first season (you know, the season no one actually watched when it was on but instead bought it on DVD after they started watching season two and saw how hot McDreamy really is), but not anymore. I’m hoping the love comes back, but I’m not going to push it. The only show that I’m currently watching every week? The Office. If you aren’t watching it, I feel… like I may not want to know you. Seriously. Start watching. I love the crap out of that show.
Favourite salad dressing: Not just because I have a nonsensical crush on him, but Newman’s Own Lighten Up Sundried Tomato dressing is fantastic. When I have it, I imagine that Paul himself made my bottle himself and whispered sweet nothings while kissing it gave it a thumbs up before it got sent to me. Is that weird?
Favourite Can Opener: The Starfrit can opener. Now, many of you might think all can openers are the same, but you would be wrong, they are not. The Starfrit can opener is the best because it is the awesomest (I could totally have a job reviewing products, don’t you think?). The only downside is, if you are a tuna eater (which I am not) and like to use the lid to drain the tuna it’s a bit of a pain since the opener takes the top rim of the can off with it.
Favourite jeans: American Eagle. They are super cheap, come in a ton of different styles (including petite which has changed my life) and are super soft. If I’m wearing jeans on a casual Friday and am teaching an art lesson, I never have to freak out if pastels get on my jeans. Because they cost $40, not $200.
Favourite Deep Conditioner: Be prepared, Ojon Restorative Hair Treatment is intense and slightly addicting. It smells like coffee (which took some getting used to but now I like) and when I put it in my hair (I usually put it in, braid my hair and go to sleep) I have daydreams of living in a jungle (that makes more sense when you read the pamphlet that comes with the conditioner that references the rainforest).
Favourite gadget/toy that I’m probably too old to own: It’s a tie between the Explorer Smart Globe or The Xyron sticker maker.
Favourite drinking glass/clock: These from Ikea are at the top of my list. They remind of glasses my grandmother used to have, and are the perfect size. I also love them because they are perfect to hold tiny groupings of flowers and they are cheap enough if I’m enraged, I can smash a few until I feel better. Also, this clock from Ikea is fantastic. It’s really huge- the picture doesn’t do it justice (twss), but simple and I love it more than the idea of world peace.
Favourite non-alcoholic drink that gets me drunk with happiness: Fanta. My love for fanta is strong. I had a fanta everyday when in Europe (I had never had it before in Canada) and brought back two six-packs when I returned. (Seriously. I actually took out clothes and left them in Europe so my backpack could hold more Fanta). Now fanta is everywhere, which is fine, but it’s not the same. I still have friends who make sure to bring me back a bottle when they come back from overseas. I just got a bottle from a friend who picked it up in Germany. I might have it at Christmas. I savor Fanta like other people savor wine. (Only Fanta orange though, the rest… yuck).
And lastly…
Favourite website to check out when I’m having a bad day: www.funnyordie.com Actually, I don’t even skim the whole website, I just watch The Landlord and find myself giggling at the genius behind it. Because nothing is funnier than watching Pearl. Nothing. Except maybe Michael Scott on The Office. Or Dwight on The Office during the Halloween episode, Season 2. Okay, I need to stop.
* Thanks to everyone who caught my mistake. I can no longer call myself a true “Sound of Music” fan after this mistake.
I just got home from a bad rehearsal (well not bad but not good either) and I have been having a pretty shitty day, but this changed everything. Funny how that can happen! I need to find my own list of favorites. I am also a big fan of the Newman’s dressings.
Sorry, lovely. But the song ‘Brown paper packages tied up in string…’ etc. is from The Sound of Music, not Mary Poppins ;) Too many movie watching sessions for me!
A wonderful post, as always!
Seriously that’s probably the only show of Oprah that I actually love to watch (I know how very shallow of me). But seriously! Some of that stuff she gives away! Makes me wish I were in Chicago and a part of her studio audience. Can’t say that she’s not a giving person.
And that episode of Dwight dressed up as a Sith Lord telling Michael to tell his fake head to shut up is too funny!
OOPS! Double post … and you like my little addition there huh?
Fanta!
Oh, man, haven’t had that since I was a little Pete.
Now I’m craving.
This being easily led thing can be a pain in the ass.
Have you seen some of the things that come in brown packages all wrapped up in string? These are a few of a lot of women’s favorite things!
The Office is hysterical. I love it! I was skeptical when I heard there would be an American version of the popular British series but man, they have really pulled it off.
I just discovered Newman’s Own dressings this summer. I’ll have to give the Sundried Tomato one a try.
Seriously? American Eagle Jeans? I am completely bewildered you chose that b/c, well, I am petite, but I just can’t wear their pants. Its just a bad fit all around – but at least you have found a go-to brand that is cheap when you need some jeans on the fly. I don’t even have that.
Wait. Before I read your list. I must clarify. When you talk about Poppins and her Favourite Things song…you’re talking about the lady who plays Poppins right? Julie Andrews? Because that song isn’t from Mary Poppins…I think. It’s been awhile since I’ve seen Poppins and I’ve never watched Sound of Music (I know…but seriously…it kind of freaks my shit out). I’m just checking. Ok. Proceed. I’m going to go read your list now.
Ok. This is the best list ever!! Paul Newman…not weird at all. He was HOT!! And he still has some amazing eyes.
And Fanta!! OMG! When I went to Greece, it was the first time I had ever tried it. I was in love. I hearted it so much. But we couldn’t find it in the US. A few months after our trip, we had a picture party with all the people who went and we tried to get Fanta. We even called the Coca Cola distributer, but no luck. But yeah – Fanta Orange is really the only way to go. If you’re going to have Red or Purple soda, it has to be Welch’s.
Umm, I was going to tell you but it looks like 9 people beat me to it – that’s not a Mary Poppins song, she does Spoonful of Sugar.
The Office is hilarious! It is soo stupid, but funny.
A sticker maker?! FUN! My nephew would LOVE that :)
Fanta! Fanta! Remember the commercial! Ahh, good times. :)
oh, (not surprisingly), we share a lot of the same things. i think im with arm about the julie andrews/mary poppins thing. i think the song is from sound of music, but im not positive.
anywho, i use the same lipgloss; im an addict. i also like that salad dressing, the cups, the clock, the office, and obviously, the landlord. have you seen the other one with her? im with you on greys… im watching this season, but im losing interest. give me more hot hookups and juicy story lines and STOP with the merideth/derek thing already! fantastic list, my friend!
Brown paper packages tied up with string — I think it has to do with the time of the song…like, you know, she (Maria in the Sound of Music) when to the store and bought nifty things and got to bring them home. It’s the equivalent now of coming home with Macy’s bags loaded down with great finds from the clearance rack and then having the happy experience of looking at each and every purchase. What a lovely way to spend an evening….ahhh….
And the Paul Newman thing…well, my grandma once told me that people always told her my grandfather looked like Paul Newman, so I’ve never been able to get on board with that particular non-sensical old Hollywood crush, because, really, that would just be weird. But Gregory Peck? Cary Grant? Jimmy Stewart? James Dean? I’m there.
My ex boyfriend had a empty bottle of Fanta that he brought back from Spain. Everytime we were at his house (not very often!) he would pick it up and show me how cool it was.
Perhaps this was one of the reasons we broke up. ;)
`T`- What? Why not good?? Is sitting under the table not working out? Screw this, i’m going to email you.
Rosanna- Thanks! I’ve made the correction. Man. If I only spent more time watching those movies, I always get Julie Andrews mixed up in her roles. Except Victor/Victoria. That one is pretty easy to keep straight.
Airam- Don’t worry, I can delete one. And yes, Dwight as a Sith Lord cracks me up.. “what’s he saying, quiet you!”. Oh man, I’m giggling right now. I could never have pulled that off with a straight face. My mom and her friends are a on a waiting list to see Oprah- 2 years. And I keep joking that the episode they go to is like ‘sex perverts come out’ or something. Not a give away show.
Peter- Go get one. And get me one too. Just orange though. Any other flavor and I will think you are a weirdo.
STill just me- Perhaps. I just don’t think brown paper packages would make my list. I would much rather list something that would be inside the package. Ie. black stilettos. But, that isn’t nearly as pretty sounding I suppose.
pam- I haven’t really gotten on board with the British one. Everyone I talk to says it’s fantastic but far more dry, which I’m not sure I would like. I like that Michael Scott is kind of a fool but he’s still a romantic who wants to cuddle with Jan. I’m scared I wont’ get that kind of story with the British version. Man, I’m such a nerd.
Claire- Yep, the petites are perfect for me. Although, I just found that GAP is making petite jeans and I have a pair that’s fantastic. My problem is always trying to find a pair that makes it look like I have some sort of butt and the Gap ones do it.
armalicious- Agreed!! And can I just say, there’s something about experiencing your fanta far from home that just makes it even better?? Now whenever I DO have it, I think of warm beaches and good food, and a hook-up with an Italian man who wanted to marry me and have me ‘get the pregnant and then stay in the kitchen doing the laundry listening to the radio’.
bastet03- Yep, you’ve been beat. But I’m thanking you anyway!
appletini- See, I think it’s way wittier/less stupid than a lot of other shows because it makes fun of things we see everyday and don’t realize are funny. It reminds me of Jerry Seinfeld. I always thought to be able to be funny about average things- going to the dry cleaner, pushing the button on the elevator… you had to be extra smart. Eh. This theory needs better explaining but I’m lazy. As for the sticker maker, it rocks.
fanta- Fanta commercial?!! I’m so out of the loop…..
brookem- Yeah… I hate to say it but I was far more interested when there was more sex and less relationship talk. About Miss. Pearl, I DID see the one with her when she’s ‘bad cop’. That one made me laugh too, but not as much. Hey, did you know she’s Jeremy Piven’s niece? That is todays random fact. Hmm. Jeremy Piven. I like him.
Sarah- True, but if you were going to list your favourite things, would “Macy’s bags” make the list, or would the stuff INSIDE the bag make the list? That’s all I’m saying. About Paul Newman, that’s tragic. But very cool. Tragic that it prevented you from having that crush, but cool because… well, who has a gramps who looks like Paul?!!! Well done! (I like how I say well done like you had an influence on who your grandfather was going to look like)
Brandy-you know how I feel about The Office. You are right-it is the best show on TV right now. Hands down. No contest. I am so excited that the episodes have been an hour long this season instead of 30 minutes? Is that going to continue all season? Because an extra half hour of Jim Halpert makes my Thursdays complete.
Oh, and The Office comes on the same time as Grey’s Anatomy now so my love for Grey’s is starting to fade. Because, faced with this dilemma, I would rather watch Dwight Shrute than George O’Malley. No offense to George, but Dwight just put a cat in a freezer. And he can raise and lower his cholesterol at will. And his family members get married in their own graves. Now that’s entertainment for me!
Apparently, the internet is up on its Julie Andrews trivia!
Anyway, I’m a Burt’s Bees Pomegranet girl myself.. :)
nikolemarie- The man didn’t bring you back a bottle? That’s totally grounds for a break up! :)
Beth- I thought you would appreciate an office shout-out. I just watched the one the other day where Dwight talks about getting married in the graves and laughed. I think my all-time favourite Dwight episode (other than the Halloween one) is the one where Michael Burns his foot on the George Foreman grill and Dwight rushes out and pukes on his car. Ahhh Dwight.
Bre- I just saw that the other day in the store and was wondering if it was good! There was no tester to smell or to see what kind of color it gave but now I’m extra curious….
Ok, You have to keep this on the down-low (other than the 300 people who will comment on this blog, of course) but I love Mary Poppins. One of my favorite movies and Dick Clark is brilliant!!!!
Of course I will be singing Jack Jones’ version of my favorite things for the rest of the day, too. I’d list my favorite things, but it would involve food, tv and horticulture – because that is fun to say. Oh – and ‘in perpetuity.’ That is a lot more fun to say. Yes, saying ‘in perpetuity’ is now one of my fav things, too.
I’d better stop now. The Office is on tonight. Woot Woot!!!!
Yes, I realize I said Dick Clark instead of Dick Van Dyke. Oops.
Van Dyke yes, Clark, no….
oh, i didnt know that she was his niece! that’s a good piece of info for a thursday! thank you for that. i hear ya about antm, and couldn’t agree more about what’s her yale face. im done with her.
Brandy- I love that one! How funny is it that Michael keeps a Geroge Foreman by his bed and puts bacon in it the night before so he can wake up to the smell of bacon! And that he decided he was handicapped after that and gained a new respect for the disabled! Oh, how I love Michael!
Some of my other favorites are The Dundees at Chili’s and Phyllis’s wedding to Bob Vance when Michael tries to talk about sex to Phyllis right before the wedding and then asks her if she broke wind. Ha!
Excellent post today B… thanks for all the juicy good tips. I can’t wait to try the hair conditioner. And all those lipglosses I haven’t tried…oy!
You are too cute. I love that you actually corrected everything. I would have just said, “Screw you all and your correcting me on my post!” I do realize that I corrected you as well. But it was more for me making sure and all.
Anyway…an Italian man actually said that to you, eh? Ahhh…they are nice to look at, but damn are those latin-type men annoying with that shit.
I went to Costa Rica the summer after I graduated high school, and discovered the glory that is Fanta (okay, especially mixed with $3 bottles of vodka bought from vendors that even didn’t know there was a legal drinking age). I tried to bring back the bottles for keepsakes, and was stopped at customs by officials who were #1 shocked that anyone thought bottles were keepsakes and #2 shocked that I didn’t know what a Molitov Cocktail was. Small town Canada is a little sheltered at times.
The Landlord is like the funniest. thing. ever.
okay so here’s something! so a friend of mine who works for a business where they restore old cars for people, has a very important client, who happens to live in ct. GUESS who this client is? PAUL NEWMAN! and also? my friend is starting his own company, and paul is going to stay with him! unfreakinbelievable, huh? oh, jay leno is also a client too. thought you’d appreciate that piece of info.
Im sure it’s less than a spoon full of sugar that helps all these good things go down…The Office always has me rolling (not like Mr Potato head)…”Dwight mercy-killed Angela’s cat; it’s causing some tension between them”
Ah, yes, I do see your point. But…but…I still really like the song, even if paper packages tied up with string doesn’t make MY list of favorite things. But you know what does make my list? The random bags full of unknown goodies that my friend gives me everytime I see her. The bags are never exciting, usually empty bags from khiels or marc jacobs or something, but the SIGHT of the bags makes me excited, ’cause I know there’s good stuff inside. It’s like seeing the presents under the Christmas tree…it’s the THOUGHT of what’s inside. A bunch of unwrapped presents under the tree would be so boring…and my imagination would be so bored for the two weeks leading up to Christmas!
this is funny. Click on the tag on my most recent post and I have done a bunch of “favorite things”…most recently, from Drugstore.com. Hehe. I love reading about yours! (and Oprah’s are way too expensive!)
MC- Horticulture is fun to say. In fact, it’s fun to say repeatedly. As for the Office, I missed the first 15 minutes tonight so it took me awhile to figure out what the hell they were talking about when Dwight kept saying he beat the computer. Fav line tonight: “you don’t know stupid!”
brookem- “yale face”… oh brookem you crack me up.
Beth- The Dundee’s are classic! I love that Phyllis gets the bushiest beaver award.
Jasmine- Dude, I just read your post on everything in your bag, if anyone DOESN’T need a new lip gloss, it’s you!! :)
armalicious- Well, I hate to be so wrong about something, especially when it appears that Mary Poppins is close to many people’s hearts. As for the men, ugh. I know what you mean. The first day in Europe I was so psyched that the guys were so interested then after that… I didn’t like it. As much as a girl loves to be told she’s looking good, I do not like cat calling. It make me blush. And walk very quickly.
Princess Pointful- Man. Customs totally kills me sometimes. I know I know, safety issues, but seriously? It was a can. Anyway, I’m going to stop before I get on a serious rant about customs. But … I’m glad you enjoyed the fanta.
Michelle- Agreed! I’m so happy a friend introduced me…
brookem- Seriously?! That’s awesome! Congrats to your friend, I can’t imagine just hanging out with Paul. Okay, well that’s probably not what happens, but I just imagine that your friend is tinkering under the hood and Paul is leaned up against it drinking a beer.
Evans- Oh, that made me laugh too, and the part about their being claw marks in the freezer… oh Dwight.
Sarah- Got your point! Thanks for clarifying :)
steppingoverthejunk-I will have to check it out! And I agree, Oprah’s stuff can get expensive. I always giggle when she starts raving about some miracle toaster that’s only $130. That’s about $100 more than I would spend.
I’m with you on the “The Office”. I’m actually watching it right now! It’s hilarious!
And…VS Beauty Rush lipgloss rocks! I like the “I Want Candy” color. I also really like Vincent Longo “Baci XXX” gloss…slightly more color, but still very sheer.
Through the magic of digital TV recorders, I am off to watch it now. I am so thrilled I trembling. TWSS
the VS catalog just came. with any purchase of a sweater, you get a 4 (mini) pack of the beauty rush lip gloss. four different flavors, mini sizes!
and now im an infomercial.
Jenni- I want candy is one of my favourites too!! I got the grapefruit one, but as much as I like the color, I don’t like the taste. Oh the trade-offs….
MC- Jealous. I am very, very jealous.
brookem-mini sized lip gloss?! That’s fantastic. Makes me want to buy a sweater. Or a few. They have so many cute shirts in the new catalogue I think. When I look at it, I suddenly have visions of being the girl who wears berets when I’m out getting flowers from a street vendor while wearing my new ‘trouser jeans’.
This is a great list. I love those Ikea glasses too. The best part is you included a favourite can opener selection. I totally hear you that not all can openers are created the same. I prefer to OXO brand when it comes to this stuff. I love their squishy easy to hold handles.
I’m pretty pysched The Office is now an hour long. I do hope the show hasn’t jumped the shark though, like Grey’s Anatomy has. Not that I ever watch Grey’s, but I hear it’s just not what it used to be. I blame spinoffs.
egan- I love that can opener so much I had to include it. As for the office, I don’t think it’s an hour long all year, I think they are just having a few hour long episodes at the beginning. AT least I think I remember reading that is what is going on. Or I made it up. One or the other. As for spin-offs, I know what you mean. I’m now thinking of a spin-off that was better than the original. I know there has to be something but none come to mind. I guess Frasier wasn’t a bad spin-off of Cheers, but it wasn’t better. Nothing beats Sam and Diane tension. nothing.
You have some pretty nifty stuff here… someday I’ll have to check them all out.
I watch the Office but never got into Greys… I was going to get the box set and my daughter talked me out of it, so no worries.
i hear you on dermot. i just emailed you back about the weekend plans and some bartender. frasier flippin crane. i liked niles. nyles?
Ha, Brookem cracks me up. She’s hitting up the local pub for some men in uniform I bet.
Sam and Diane tension, I remember those two. What a cute show that was.
OMG the Office is HILARIOUS. This week’s “What is a Jim” totally cracked me up. I worry for anyone who doesn’t like this show. No, really. I do.
I could never mix up Mary Poppins / Sound of Music. They are like extensions of me. Without the lame music / high notes / yodelling children.
You do make me laugh!!
Have you tried Bluenotes jeans? They also come in an inseam of 30, which for those of us at a towering 5’2, have changed my life. And they’re 29.95$ – 39.95$!!
Re: Fanta – I LOVE FANTA. But only the orange one too. I had it every day living in Hong Kong and was broken hearted to not be able to find it in North America. Luckily there is this cute little Italian store that sells Orange Fanta here in Ottawa.
sue- Ahhh grey’s. It would appear that people either love that show more than anything in the entire world, or they could care less about it. It’s a show that divides instead of unites. Unlike Anderson Cooper 360. I’m pretty sure that show just brings people together.
egan- I think she’s past the local pub/men in uniform. I hope she moves on to finding a sweet doctor at the wedding. One who has a single brother who is also a doctor and is moving to Canada. These are my dreams.
Cheryl- I agree, that show is amazing. I think it’s the only show on television that I actually laugh out loud watching. My brother does not understand it though. I’ve tried to get him to watch the dvd’s and he’s like ‘why is everyone so weird?’. I think it’s an acquired taste. ;)
Rosanna- “they are like extensions of me”, oh Rosanna, you make me laugh too. And why don’t more people yodel? I think the last person I heard yodelling was Jewel, and that was a few years ago.
Carrie- Bluenotes, I should check them out! They are from Thrifty’s right? I haven’t been in that store forever, but any jeans that can be labeled ‘life changing’ deserve some detective work! As for fanta, I’m glad we are on the same boat! That stuff is amazing!
brookem- I missed you in comments. As for his name… I think it’s Niles. But Nyles looks more original. Or maybe his parents named it strangely like… Nyghles. Which is possible. Being a teacher, I have a strange hate-on for parents who insist on spelling names as strangely as possible. It makes you feel like a fool when you are at the front of the room doing attendance and don’t know that “Maghlloree” is “Mallory”. I like easy to know names. I also (apparently ) still like saying ‘hate on’.
Cool list Brandy! I recently purchased tops from AE. They’re quite comfy. I’ll have to try the jeans, too. I’m sick of the low-risers!!! The plumber look is annoying as hell.
New to your site. Found you via Egan. Brown paper packages tied up with string–I always thought she was referring to the wrapping indicating it was a gift for her. Maybe? I totally agree with you about Grey’s –it seems to have jumped the shark, sadly.
I LOVE the petite American Eagle jeans. They are the perfect length. Any store which does not offer this (I’m talking about YOU Old Navy!! Sure, label all your pants “4 REGULAR” and give me false hope that there are short length pants. There are ONLY regular!!!) is in serious need of ass-whoopin’.
Carrie!!! Oh, my gosh!!!! Orange Fanta??? Italian store in Ottawa? Oh, please tell me where! My friend is from outside Canada and would love this!
Thanks a million!