The holiday season is approaching and this is the time that folks share their favorite things. So let the We So Nerdy crew tell you about all the things that are making our lives this year.
The We So Nerdy crew is a varied group of folks…we are of different backgrounds, ages, occupations, and tastes. And even though you get a glimpse of what makes us fan-flail based on the items we live tweet and write about, we felt it was time to share the things that are our faves! Sit back and read about We So Nerdy’s 2015 Favorite Things:
Funmbi
Amazon Fire HD Tablet
I read a lot, so one of the best purchases I made in 2015 was my Fire HD 7 tablet.
Obviously, I love reading and reviewing for WSN, but even in my professional life, I’m easily working through 300 pages/week in academic texts. I used to be one of those people who prioritized physical books, but after I came across the Fire HD tablet, I readily changed my mind.
I love being able to carry thousands of books with me, all with my various highlights and notations. And even better, I like that I can sync with my Goodreads account to share my progress and fave moments from the book I’m currently on.
Even though I primarily use it for reading purposes, the tablet, is a powerful device with Internet access and hundreds of apps at your disposal.
The Amazon Fire HD tablet is an awesome gift for the bookworm in your life who’s looking for a simple, user-friendly device to serve as their portable, digital library.
Google Chromecast
There are a lot of streaming devices out there, but as far as I’m concerned, few offer the same level of flexibility as the Chromecast.
I first got my Chromecast in 2013, mostly because I didn’t want to pay $80 – $100 for another streaming device. But since then, I haven’t been disappointed. From the time the Chromecast was released, Google has continually expanded the number of compatible apps. I mostly use mine to bingewatch Netflix and Hulu and to catch up on shows with my TV Network apps (like Watch ABC, HBOGo, STARZPlay, and more). I love how the Chromecast frees me from having to rely on my tablet, so I can enjoy my favorite shows and films on my TV screen. What makes the Chromecast even more special is that I can also cast webpages from Google Chrome to my TV…talk about flexible!
If you’re looking for an affordable streaming device that will adapt to your various entertainment needs, the Chromecast is for you!
Keurig K45 Elite Brewer
I’ve never been a coffee drinker (I can’t deal with the aftertaste), which is why I was largely unaware of the single-brewer/Keurig revolution. However, this past April while attending a conference out of town, I used the Keurig in my hotel room to make some tea…and I fell in love. It really was some of the most delicious tea I’d had in a long time, and it was only Early Grey!
After doing some research, I found out that, in addition to coffee, Keurigs could brew all sorts of teas, ciders, and even soups. I bought my own brewer a few weeks later and haven’t looked back. (Truth be told, as I type this, I’m enjoying a cup of Campbell’s chicken noodle soup brewed in my Keurig!)
What I like about the K45 Elite is that it has a water reservoir (so I don’t have to pour in water every time I want to use it) and it comes with a built-in water filter.
As winter descends, you’ll definitely want a Keurig to help you warm up with delicious, warm beverages and soups.
J.M. Darhower’s Novels (yes, ALL of them)
Confession time: I’m a HUGE J.M. Darhower fan! I’ve been reading her work for years and she’s such a prolific writer. J.M.’s books span a variety of genres and topics, yet her writing is always poignant and compelling. This August, after reading The Mad Tatter, I went on a massive binge of her books. In the span of two weeks, I read Sempre, Sempre Redemption, MADE, Friends/Forever (novellas), and By Any Other Name. Let me tell you, I loved every moment. I was overwhelmed with feelings in the best possible way.
Similarly, J.M.’s other novels (the Monster in His Eyes series, the Extinguish series) sweep you away with complex characterization, gripping emotion, and so much sexy!
If you or a loved one are looking for contemporary fiction/romance that is epic in the most pure and literal sense of the world, J.M. Darhower’s books are for you (especially if you’re into mob bosses and the fierce ladies who love them)!
Katie
UD Matte Revolution Lipstick, Bittersweet
This lipstick is my absolute favorite! It stays on all day, and the color is fantastic. Since I wear so many dark colors in the fall, this lipstick really adds a pop of color. I think matte lipstick would be perfect for anyone, and Urban Decay never disappoints. There are eleven shades in this great style. A few other colors might be on my Christmas list, too.
P.S. I have 1993. It’s perfect and such a deep brown. Completely on point.
This is Emily’s new album that came out in October, and it’s so much fun! The songs are all about second chances at love, and while some songs are slow ballads, others are fast paced and pop-y. Her song “Molly” owns me right now. Oh, and “Last Chance” is about Beth Greene, her awesome character on The Walking Dead. She wrote it after learning her character was going to die, and my Bethyl shipper heart appreciates that so much.
If you want well written, emotional songs, give Emily Kinney a try. She’s a fantastic songwriter and is amazing live. I’m a huge fangirl if you couldn’t tell.
Everyone should have a portable phone charger. It’s Basic Survival 101 for any con you go to. This one saved me several times during Walker Stalker Con Dallas in March, and I’ll be taking it back again this March. It has two USB ports, so you can charge multiple phones at once, and it holds a charge for a long time so you can use this multiple times to fully charge your phone on one charge of the power bank.
I wouldn’t consider myself active, but this app has me up and running again. In this app, you are Runner 5 for Abel Township. This means you go outside the gates and on missions. You can listen to Abel Township’s radio as you run in between directions or you can create your own playlist. Each mission is about 30 minutes long so nothing too strenuous. You can even determine whether or not zombies chase you and how fast you have to pick up your pace and get away.
The app is free and unlocks a new mission each week, or you can pay $20 for an entire year, and you unlock all missions at once. As the missions progress, you learn more and more about how the world ended and what exactly caused the zombies to rise up. There are also altercations between townships. Another big plus, the guy talks to your through your headset is British. JS.
Paddywax candle: Edgar Allan Poe
My cousin bought this for me last year because I love sandalwood scents. This was one of those rare gifts that actually turned into something that I buy for myself now, too. This is my favorite candle ever. It burns really well and lasts a while. The scent also fills the room really well, too.
Plus, the packaging and candle glass is really cute. If sandalwood isn’t your thing, Paddywax has a big “library” collection with a lot of authors you can choose from.
This is the perfect gift the book lover in your life that loves candles just as much.
Marisol
Zojirushi Stainless Steel Mug
Commuter alert: this is the perfect travel mug for you. I have tried many travel mugs throughout the years, but none have come close to being as versatile as the Zojirushi Stainless Steel Travel Mug. This travel mug will keep your favorite beverage hot or cold for hours. And I mean HOURS! Personally, I love this mug and use it on an almost daily basis because I can toss it in my bag and let it tumble around in there without worrying about any spills or leaks. This mug also has a stainless steel interior so you can easily switch between coffee or iced tea and not worry about any residual smell or unsanitary buildup. The Zojirushi Stainless Steel mug also has a super sleek lightweight design with a flip open lid. Prices for this mug varies between $23.99 – $26.99, depending on your size (12oz or 16oz) size selection.
Brother – HL-L2360DW Wireless Mono Laser Printer
This is the most efficient printer I have ever owned. For many years, I owned color printers that were wasteful and required replacement cartridges every three months after minimal use. Finally, I decided that color wasn’t worth it and decided to purchase a printer that only prints using black ink. I’ve owned the Brother Wireless Mono Laser printer for around three years now and I have not looked back or missed buying overpriced replacement cartridges. This printer is a workhorse. It can print hundreds of pages without needing an ink replacement. In fact, I’ve only replaced the ink cartridge on this printer twice in the past three years. Yep, twice in the past three years. That’s why this printer will remain in the LOVE column for years to come. It’s not unusual to find this printer on sale, so keep an eye out on deals. Currently, you can find it on sale at Best Buy for $79.99.
Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste
Curls and control aren’t two words you normally see together in the same sentence. I’ve been in search of the ultimate curl control for a very long time. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve found various gels and pomades that do the trick, but the downside has always been that they leave my hair with white residue or flakes. Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste is the first lightweight control paste that minimizes frizz, regardless of whether I’m leaving my curls free and loose or slicked back into a sleek ponytail. I own a number of products from the Curls haircare product line, but my favorite is definitely the Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Paste.
T.J.
gameit
“gameit is a technology company that redefines how consumers engage with brands.” And it truly is! I was introduced to gameit at BlogHer ’15 in NYC this past summer. I met the lovely staff and was introduced to the app that brought Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals to my shopping experience on a daily basis. The concept is simple, watch an ad, then play a quiz. You are provided discounts that range from 10% off to free based on how fast and accurately you answer the questions. Even though the app has gone through some changes, from the very beginning I was provided the opportunity to find deals on products I had never heard of but needed in my life (i.e., evrgrn Crash Sack for $62.50; tax and shipping included) and on items that were amazing presents for others (e.g., Toshiba Chromebook 2 for $137.50; tax and shipping included). My current history on gameit is filled with goodies I can’t wait to purchase with a stellar discount. If you like quizzes and deals, then gameit is the app for you!
Ever since I went to college in New England I’ve been obsessed with maple products. If you offer me some maple candy or better yet, maple cotton candy I will do your bidding. So when my favorite publisher Quirk Books released Maple by Katie Webster, I knew this cookbook was needed in my arsenal. Maple contains 100 sweet and savory recipes that feature pure maple syrup and each one is something I feel I MUST make. So far my favorite recipes in Maple are the sweet and sour cabbage rolls, maple ranch dressing, sap bake beans, and seven-minute maple frosting (that I ate by itself…YUM!). Want a well-rounded cookbook with great methodology, and you like maple syrup just a tiny bit, then add Maple to your library. If you’re a maple fan and you don’t own this cookbook…SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!!! Get it now and get to making the greatness that Katie Webster bestows on us.
Coloring Books for Adults
The craze to color has hit new heights for adults and this is one trend I fully support the hype on. Nowhere does it say that we need to take the joy we had as children to play with toys or to create and put that away when we became adults. However, that has happened. But the world realized that coloring actually was relaxing and decreased stress levels, and a market of products were created to target to adults. So whether you want to hit the dollar bin at a discount store for your coloring books, or purchase items from the likes of Johanna Basford, Andrea Pippins, Lydia Hess, or Millie Marotta, I recommend you do it. Coloring might become your new favorite thing. My one recommendation before you jump into coloring is to photocopy your favorite pages before coloring them, this way you can create new masterpieces over and over whenever you see fit.
We hope you enjoyed seeing the favorite things of the We So Nerdy crew. Please take the time to tell us what you think and share your favorite items.
