Be your best self.

What Are The Top Three Things You’d Recommend to A Friend This Month?

What Are The Top Three Things You’d Recommend to A Friend This Month?
Carly Jacobs
M

y aunty once told me about her old boss and the unusual gift registry she had on her 50th birthday. She asked each of her friends to give her what they were currently into for a birthday present. For example a book they’d recently read, a TV series they were addicted to, a CD of their favourite songs, a voucher to a great new restaurant they’d discovered. It was such a great way to get to know her friends again and to discover new things she wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

It inspired me to start a new segment of reader recommendations. I often run surveys to get more information on the Smagglets, like how old you are or if you have kids or not, but this time I want to know what your obsessions are. So each month, I’m going to ask you for your top 3 recommendations from that month. It can be anything; a vegetable that’s been a staple in your weeknight dinners, a new workout that you’re loving or a fabulous app that’s changed your life. I’d love to hear about it!

Here are my top picks for May:

[divider type=”thin” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]

1. Maybelline Baby Lips in Berry Crush

Screen Shot 2014-06-12 at 8.26.11 pm

I grabbed one of these while doing my grocery shopping about a month ago for no real reason other than I forgot my lip gloss . I know it may appear to be just another slightly fancy Chap Stick/Lip Smacker variation but I’m completely addicted. I just bought my second one yesterday after ploughing through the first one in just a few weeks. It smells delicious, is ACTUALLY soothing for your lips and gives that perfect pouty just-spent-four-hours-pashing-the-pants-off-my-lover look. I’ve tried some of the other flavours and they just aren’t as magical as Berry Crush. It cost me about $4 so I highly recommend that you sneakily pop one in the trolley the next time you’re at the supermarket. A girl never can have too much lip gloss.

[divider type=”thin” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]

2. Wireless Sports Headphones

Avantree Jogger Pro

Mr Smaggle and I have very different schedules which means that he’s often up late at night while I’m trying to sleep and I’m up at the crack of dawn trying to start my day while he’s getting his beauty rest. I like to listen to the news or music while I get ready in the morning, not to mention watching Dr Who while I’m running on the treadmill and no one wants to be woken by a screeching Dalek at 6am. We decided to invest in some wireless bluetooth sports headphones, so I can wear them around the house while I’m doing my make-up and packing my lunch without disturbing Mr Smaggle with my early morning musical theatre playlist. We did heaps of research because some brands have bad feedback or don’t sync properly and managed to grab the Avantree Jogger Pro from Amazon for around $50. The JayBird BlueBuds are also meant to be great but a bit more pricey. These are a game changer for people work on different time schedules.

[divider type=”thin” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]

3. The Comeback

Lisa Kudrow - The Comeback

Do you remember when Friends ended and they did the spin off show Joey and it was terrible? Well this is a mockumentary style show called The Comeback about a TV star called Valerie Cherish who was a huge hit in the 80s. It’s basically a show about a reality show about a washed up TV star making a come back… on a different show. There’s lots of layers here but it makes more sense if you just watch it. Lisa Kudrow’s performance is amazing. It’s the perfect mix of cringe-inducing, endearing, hilarious and heartbreaking. As a massive Friends fan I have an odd sense of pride after watching this. Kudrow proves she is so much more than the dippy one trick pony everyone thought she was in the 90s. Oh also if you’re interested in more ex-Friends star, piss take, spin-off type shows Episodes is fantastic. It stars Matt Le Blanc playing Matt Le Blanc with plenty of references to how utterly shite Joey was. Brilliant stuff, both of them.

[divider type=”thin” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]

Melbourne Bonus

The sushi counter at Woolworths on Smith Street

Screen Shot 2014-06-12 at 9.59.32 pm

This sounds like a weird one but I freaking love that I can have fresh sushi any time I like and it’s just a 5 minute walk away. A few months ago my local Woolies built a sushi counter and they have people who make sushi fresh onsite everyday. They have this amazing cooked tuna roll with crunchy bits on it that’s to die for and they sell packs of inari (sweet tofu wrapped rice) which I adore. It’s slightly cheaper than regular sushi and I can quickly grab it with my groceries if I’m feeling a bit too lazy to cook.

[divider type=”thin” width=”1/1″ el_position=”first last”]

Tell me… what are your top 3 recommendations from May? A product? A restaurant? A television show? What made May rock for you?

I know it’s already June but I was a touch late on May and I didn’t want to miss out on everyone’s May recommendations.

 

44 Comments

  1. Raquel 10 years ago

    1. Garnier BB Cream. I got sent some of this for free to review, and I’ll definitely be buying it again. It’s the best BB cream I’ve tried — light, but great coverage!

    2. Brandon Sanderson’s Stormlight Archive series. If you’re into fantasy but haven’t found a really decent read in a while, try these. I was initially very skeptical as I didn’t enjoy Sanderson’s interpretation of the last few Wheel of Time books. I now feel like a total dickbag for being so harsh on them because these books are AMAZING. They’re 1000+ pages, and each of them has like a 4.7 on Goodreads. SO GREAT.

    3. Only Lovers Left Alive, the film and the soundtrack. If you’ve ever thought that Tilda Swinton would make a great vampire, then this movie is for you. It’s by Jim Jarmusch of Coffee & Cigarettes fame. The soundtrack is also REALLY good — especially while you’re working…depends on your job I suppose. I listen to it while I code.

    4. Wellington, NZ bonus: the Wellington on a Plate programmes are out. Go get one and drooooool.

    Incidentally, Carly did you get rid of Disqus, or is it just this shitty library computer?

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

      Okay Tilda Swinton as a vampire. SOLD. I love that you added a Wellington bonus! I LOVE Wellington. And yes I did get rid of Disqus… the company have been having issues with it for months and I had lovely readers who couldn’t log in unless they were viewing in Chrome. I contacted Disqus several times and they seemed to have no interest in fixing this problem. It wasn’t just me it was happening for dozens of other bloggers. I’m experimenting to see what the best system is. The whole reason I blog is so I can gas bag with my readers and I can’t have commenting being a bad experience for them. Do you prefer Disqus? Did you have difficulty commenting today? Any info would be a great help, I want to have the best system for all my readers.

      • Raquel 10 years ago

        Ahh right fair enough! As a reader, Disqus and the defaul WP commenting system are both much the same, though I do like how Disqus notifies you about follow-up comments — I know that the default WP commenting system can do that, but I don’t find the system as good. As a Web Dev…well the jury is out. Adding Disqus slows your site down a little, but it’s great for eliminating spam. I’ve never been particularly impressed with WP’s commenting system because it just seems a little…lacklustre. However, the latest WP updates have been great, and I think they’re starting to take cues from systems such as Disqus.

        Whichever works for your readers! If people were having problems then that’s obviously not ideal, so using the stock system is a good idea.

        • Author
          Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

          I loved the way Disqus worked but if a large % of my readers can’t comment at all, that’s a huge issue. Comments have already increased since ditching Disqus but I’ll keep a close eye on it. Also a lot of my readers are old school and like to log in under only their email address and found Disqus a bit daunting trying to connect to their social media accounts. Thanks so much for taking the time to give feedback it’s so useful particularly as a web dev! I really appreciate it!

          • Caz 10 years ago

            Yes!! I’ve always hated/had many problems with Disqus. Very excited to see it’s gone -but I do love being notified of follow-up replies/comments so I guess it’s a bit of a catch-22.

            My 3 favourite things in May are:

            1. Local spring asparagus! Seriously I’m obsessed and can eat it every which way, every day if I was able.

            2. This quinoa pizza crust -the manfriend is gluten free and this is so easy to make and delicious. http://cafejohnsonia.com/2014/04/quinoa-pizza-lemon-goat-cheese-basil.html (I just only bake it for 10 minutes on each side, otherwise it gets too burnt)

            3. Craft beer! I am really a wine drinker but a beer in summer on a hot day is amazing, and there are some amazing micro breweries popping up in Vancouver (and in Melbs! -True South and Mountain Goat are always fun)

  2. Chrissy 10 years ago

    1. Revlon Balm Stain Crayon – Romantic. A deep red that you don’t need to worry about reapplying every two minutes because it does actually stain the lips!
    2. Aldi ‘Dairy Fine’ milk chocolate with choc comb.. Tastes sensational, and at the dangerous price of $1 for a 100gm block!
    3. Wentworth Tv Series – I must say that this has hooked me way more than I thought it would. Very edgy, and the character portrayals are incredible..

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

      Have you tried those amazing Aldi biscuits that have a milk chocolate slab on the back of them? The are TO DO FOR!!! I love them. I shall be looking into this Wentworth TV series… I need a new thing to watch!

    • nonnuclearmaven 10 years ago

      I need one of the balm stain crayons but they seem to be sold out everywhere!
      Laura Jay xoxo

      • Author
        Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

        Bummer! I want one too!

        • nonnuclearmaven 10 years ago

          Priceline had them! the lovely girl told me they had a GIANT box of stock in last week. Doesn’t help you much because I’m in Perth :/ but the matte balm is lush

          • Author
            Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

            Oh excellent, I’ll keep an eye out for it!

    • Aitch 10 years ago

      Thanks for the recommendation of the Revlon Balm Stain crayon! I went for a stickybeak at Priceline and they had 40% off all Revlon items (40% off is until 18/6), so I bought one in Standout, which is also a lovely red. I love it so much that I went back today and bought 2 more!

  3. Ooh I like the sound of the Baby Lips and those headphones. Great finds, lady!
    Here are my 3…
    1. STRIPES! In particular, this Target striped ponte dress that suits just about everyone and is only $40 (and I’m wearing today): http://www.target.com.au/p/hot-options-stripe-ponte-dress/55718929
    2. TEA! I’m obsessed with herbal teas and my latest favourite is the ‘I Am Love’ tea by I Am Infusion: http://mynourishbox.com/collections/the-tea-bar/products/i-am-infusion-i-am-love. It has rose, lavender, chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus and ginseng. Divine!
    3. SPARKLES! I designed my first ever piece of jewellery (by being bossy to my friend Mel of Formed Design Co and telling her what to make!)…it’s super cute, super sparkly and only $30: http://formed-design-co.myshopify.com/collections/frontpage/products/styling-sparkles
    Have a fabulous weekend! xx
    (PS: pop by my blog from 8pm EST tonight cos I have an interview with the one and only CARLY herself!)

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

      I’m so hugely into tea, I think I buy a new flavour every week. The trouble I have is remembering to actually make myself a cup! I love that necklace love, how exciting to get to design something! Can’t wait to see the post tonight lady! 🙂

  4. Leah Bridge 10 years ago

    1. The Daily Mark – I recently discovered this awesome beauty blog! With categories like “Pricey or Priceline” and teaching me how to contour, I’m hooked! – http://thedailymark.com.au/
    2. Ecotan – I get super excited about this product! Have only recently discovered it but it’s basically an all-natural moisturiser that gives you a nice glow. I’m in love! – http://www.nourishedlife.com.au/organic-fake-tan/4352/eco-tan-invisible-tan-certified-organic.html
    3. Nourished Life – am slowly converting all of my beauty products over to natural products – the black tea mascara rocks! http://www.nourishedlife.com.au/

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

      I love the Daily Mark, we’re in Drop Dead Gorgeous Daily’s blog school together and we ran into her at the airport last week. Mental! I’m all over the natural stuff these days… I’m just finding my skin responds better.

      • Leah Bridge 10 years ago

        Small world! 🙂 You’d adore Nourished Life then – my skin was never shocking, but it is definitely glowing now! Have a fab weekend x

  5. The Daily Mark 10 years ago

    Best idea ever! So watching that show now and I love the look of those headphones!

    My top 3 for the month would have to be:

    1. IFTTT – an app that’s making me feel like I have my own personal assistant. https://ifttt.com
    2. Navy Crockett – a site that made this month’s manly birthdays (dad and partner) one hell of a lot easier http://navycrockett.com.au
    3. Maybelline Express Nail Polish Remover – I thought this would suck, I was so wrong. I now paint my nails all the time because I know how little effort it takes to remove the chipped mess that results after a day or two. https://www.priceline.com.au/cosmetics/nails/polish-remover/express-remover-nail-polish-remover-pot-75.0-ml

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

      Ha! You’re here too! Gosh this blogging community is small isn’t it? I’m totally going to try that Maybelline Nail Polish Remover… I HATE removing nail polish. That just reminded of my next months recommendation! Yay!

      • The Daily Mark 10 years ago

        Hahaha bless feedly! It’s seriously the best even gets rid of glitter polishes..

  6. Liz @ I Spy Plum Pie 10 years ago

    Ooh my favourite post of the month – I love checking back to see what others have suggested! Here’s mine:

    1. Cosmos – we watched the first episode last night and it was mindblowing. I’m a bit of a nerd, but not really a space nerd, but I loved this anyway. Freaked me out a bit learning how teeny tiny we are compared to everything around us, but it’s super fascinating. Can’t wait to watch more!
    2. Peppermint tea – so it’s not really a new find, but I have been drinking it by the bucketload at work recently and loving it. So warming but caffeine free and good for your digestive system. How can you go wrong?!
    3. Hello Hair – a completely natural, Australian made hair mask that smells delicious and has made my hair so soft and shiny. I expressed my love for it here if anyone is interested in reading more! http://www.ispyplumpie.com/new-favourites-in-may/

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

      Oh Cosmos looks great! Mr Smaggle and I are EVERY kind of nerd so we’ll be all over that. I heard a rumour that David Attenborough is coming to Australia. I might well die. I need to do something about my hair, it’s driving me nuts. That looks great!

    • Mr Smaggle 10 years ago

      Little does Lady Smaggle know but I’ve actually already watched all of Cosmos without her because it’s AWESOME. Just gets better and better too!

      • Author
        Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

        You sneaky monkey! It’s JUST like the Sopranos all over again!

      • Liz @ I Spy Plum Pie 10 years ago

        Ooh it gets better, how exciting! Sorry to cause dramas though!
        I think the David Attenborough tour is replacing the one he had to cancel a while back because he got sick? Hopefully they release new tickets though!

  7. Victoria Eaves 10 years ago

    My top three are:
    Pic Monkey, me and my 12 year old are having so much fun with this! We transformed our favorite family picture in some really awesome works of art! And the best was, we turned it into a real mother-daughter project, bought wood frames, painted and decorated them, and now we have a really cool gallery in our hall way 🙂

    Eyetini Cordial Cream Shadow + Base In One: best eye shadow primer ever!!!! I have hooded eyes, so eyeshadow and liner never really lasts! With this one, my eye makeup really lasts all day! It comes in a really decent size bottle thingy, so it last you forever!

    The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton, What a great book! The writing style is gorgeous and the characters are weirdly charming and unique. The first 30% went by in a flash. Going to pace myself, as I really want to savor this story. It has been awhile since I read a book of this quality

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

      I really admire your ability to savour a story. I just can’t. If I love a book I plough through it! I love Picmonkey – what a cute story! I’d let them know that you’re doing that – starts ups love hearing stories like that.

  8. Nellie 10 years ago

    My three bests are:

    1. Jawbone Up. After burning through three Fitbits that died after two months each, I am in love town with this gadget. I won’t be a bore as you can spend years reading reviews from devotees of the Jawbone community (true. Weird and true). But it works. Distance, sleep, food etc etc all tracked. Unreal.

    2. Schwepppes have released a selection of grown up mixers for drinks. Lemon, apple and a berry I think. Not super sweet, no colouring or preservatives or fakery. 50 cals a pop and lovely with or without moonshine in.

    3. Goldwell keratin treatment. Just turned my crazy half curly, half frizzy mop into my dream hair. Wash and go. Was pricey but worth it.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

      Oh my goodness, I can’t believe you had a bad experience with Fitbit! I’ve had mine for almost 2 years and I LOVE IT! Bizarre. I do love a fancy soft drink. One of lifes little pleasures.

  9. Victoria Devine 10 years ago

    1. Real housewives of ANYWHERE! it’s trashy, annoying and totally watchable…. I’m obsessed.
    2. Go to skincare. I have the face wash, moisturiser, exfoliating swipeys and lip balm. Everything is all natural, smells amazing and my skin is super happy.
    3. Miso soup. In fact, all soup. It’s warm, healthy and just generally fabulous in winter.

    • The Daily Mark 10 years ago

      Yes yes and YES!

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

      I went to a restaurant the other day and I had spicy miso with pumpkin. Game changer.

      • Victoria Devine 10 years ago

        Oooooh spicy miso! Im sold!

  10. Deb 10 years ago

    A TV show… if you haven’t seen it, is Veronica Mars. Go back and get the 3 seasons and then get the movie. I can watch it over and over again and never get sick of it. Most underrated TV show ever.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

      Oh great idea! I’ll have to check if it’s on netflix. I never got into it the the first time around but I’m sure I’ll love it!

  11. merilyn 10 years ago

    hi smaggle, … what do you like to be called?
    not smuggle … sorry for that on Sonia styling’s blog … dyslexia rules me sometimes!
    I love any kind of herbal tea or remedy for any ailment known to woman!
    I love anything to support the arts so I’m suggesting listening to indie pop group
    shara worden ‘my brightest diamond’ … “be brave”
    a performance art experience especially … st giles in the field London
    I have recently found 300 denier fleecy tights with or without feet … mmmmmmmmm noice!
    lol m:) x

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

      I answer to anything! I get lots of Smaggle, Lady Smaggle and Smags but I’ll def answer to Smuggle! I do enjoy a fleecy tight… it’s getting mighty cold here in Melbourne!

  12. Amy 10 years ago

    Sushi is my favourite, for sure. It’s not massive in the UK – there’s only a couple of places that do it in my city but I just love it. Salmon sashimi is my jam.

    This month I’ve been all about:

    1. Rimmel Stay Matte Powder – with no foundation because it’s summer and I’m lazy. It works a treat and is less than a fiver – total win-win
    2. Orange is the New Black – for obvious reasons. So glad the second series is here!
    3. Caiprinhas – because the World Cup being in Brazil gives me a chance to drink my favourite cocktail – sweet, limey, dangerously more-ish. So into it.

  13. Author
    Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

    I adore sushi, it’s pretty big here in Australia – I’ve got about 5 or 6 joints within walking distance from my house! I can remember when I was in London it was hard to get good sushi… there was lame pre-packaged sushi but nothing fresh and yummy!

    Have you started on the second season of Orange? Mr Smaggle and I binged watched it last weekend and I’m dying to talk to someone about it!

    • Nadine 10 years ago

      I have just finished watching Orange is the New Black season 2. I did as you did -watched it over the weekend!!

      Loved it.

      • Author
        Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

        ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK SEASON 2 SPOILER ALERT!!!!! – You know I didn’t love season 2. I thought there were some pretty big character inconsistencies. It also just ended up being really pornographic. I feel like GOT has upped the nudity ante and now it’s all tits and ass in TV, I love a bit of nudity but there was just SO MUCH and none of it added to the story line. I LOVED Lorna’s story line where it turned out she’s a stalker. That was brilliant. The rest though felt a bit clunky and like they didn’t know what to do with it all.

  14. Harlow 10 years ago

    1) Broccoli pesto pasta – so easy to make and vegetarian!
    2) “Rockstar” soap by Lush – makes you smell like a raspberry frog candy all day long
    3) Wilfred – yes, that Australian show with the man in a dog suit.

    • Author
      Carly Jacobs 10 years ago

      I think you just sold me on the Rockstar soap and I don’t even really use soap. I’m a shower gel gal.

  15. robyn 10 years ago

    1. Nashville – mostly because of Deacon
    2. Genmai Sencha ( tea with popped brown rice)
    3. running ( with my fingers crossed) soemthing that helps me go further and faster

Leave a Reply