Favorite Things: April 2021

From a drama-filled young adult novel to a product that has changed my life forever, check out my favorite things for April 2021 below!

Amazon affiliate links are included for some of the products mentioned. When you purchase from these links, my website gets a small commission.

Once again I am sharing some of my favorite products that are recent or longtime favorites. Life is so much better when we share the good stuff, isn’t it? Feel free to chime in with your favorites too!

BOOK: Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley

One of my goals for the year has been to read more books about Native American culture. It’s something that has always been of interest to me, so when I saw Firekeeper’s Daughter was a book coming out exploring the culture from a young adult perspective and it took place in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula {Sault Ste. Marie}, I was ALL in.

Though the book is a work of fiction, there are some really neat tidbits of the Anishinaabe culture weaved throughout. It took me a bit to get into the storyline at first, but once you hit the middle, it’s hard to put down. It’s labeled as young adult, but I would recommend ages 18+ because there is heavy drug and alcohol use as well as rape.

If suspenseful stories highlighting culture are of interest to you, I suggest giving it a read. Additionally, it will be made into a Netflix series soon. I can’t wait to see how the story is brought to life!

{To learn more about Anishinaabe people, I highly recommend a visit to the Ziibiwing Center in Mt. Pleasant, Mich.}

STORE TIP: Shop & Scan at Meijer

For those of us that still shop in stores these days, you may be like me and have a love/hate with the long lines at checkout at Meijer as more employees shift from the register to fulfilling online orders.

Shop & Scan has become one of my favorite things to do because it saves time, makes it easier to check prices on items, and I can keep my items organized and pack my reusable bags as heavy as I’d like. {And I never forget my bags in my car now!}

All you need is the Meijer app to get started. It even shows when there is a coupon available for the product you are purchasing. When you are done shopping, simply scan the QR code on your phone at the registers designated for shop & scan {next to the self checkouts at my store}. An employee will then scan some of your items to verify them and you will be on your way. It’s easy peasy!

HOME DECOR: Mixtiles

I’d been getting ads for Mixtiles on my Facebook and Instagram for a few years. I recently repainted our upstairs hall and realized our photos were pretty outdated. I was looking for a cohesive look and hoping not to put a ton of holes in the wall, so decided to give Mixtiles a try because you can easily move them multiple times before they loose their stickiness. They turned out so cool! TIP: If you are interested, subscribe to emails — they will send you new offers constantly. I suggest buying more than you think you need. I bought 12 and wish I had more!

WOMEN’S HEALTH: DivaCup

This felt appropriate to share for my April — aka Earth month — post! As silly as it sounds, nothing has altered my life as a woman during the past 20+ years more than the menstrual cup. One day I decided to buy a DivaCup on a whim after feeling over tampons, their high costs, and the environmental impact they make. My body was angry for a few years postpartum and it needed change.

Though it took a few cycles to figure out how best to use it, I can say after several years of use, I feel so much cleaner and healthier with it. It has made working out, running, swimming, camping, etc. during my period so much more enjoyable. I will never go back to tampons and pads and hope my daughter’s will give it a try when the time comes for them as well. Three cheers for health AND a better planet! {I’ve replaced mine once in the past few years. They recently started a recycling program too so you can recycle them.}

{FYI: All cups are not created equal. To find a menstrual cup that fits your body and life stage, take this quiz.}

BEAUTY PRODUCT: Make-Up Eraser

There is one dirty habit I struggled to break during the past few years: Using make-up remover wipes. I loved how well they work, and how they never irritated my skin. But man, they are terrible for the environment. I tried several “better for the earth” wipes, including compostable ones. But their high price quickly became a deterrent.

Enter Make-up Eraser. I was able to snag this 7 pack at Costco for $20 and they have worked out perfect. They are made with a special material that works to remove makeup with nothing but water. It’s amazing how well they work! I’ve washed them several times now without issue. I will likely still use compostable wipes when traveling, but am hopeful this habit sticks forever since it’s so much better for the planet.

What is new on your radar this month? I’d love to hear what products have been a hit or miss!