MNU Love List – June 2014

Hello, friends. We wanted to share with you the things we are loving right now. We hope you will love them, too.  😆

1. Are you into really good Pinot Noir? If so, we have the wine for you to try. Based in Northern California, WAITS-MAST FAMILY CELLARS is a boutique winery founded by the husband and wife team of Brian Mast and Jennifer Waits.  Long passionate about wine as consumers, they became winemakers themselves, launching their eponymous brand in 2007.  We were lucky enough to indulge in these amazing wines, created with grapes from the Anderson Valley, Mendocino County and Russian River Valley. We recommend purchasing the Mendocino County 3-pack for $115.00, which contains wines from three different vineyard sources.  If you prefer fruity notes with a touch of floral and red cherry or berries and spice, any one of these bottles will make a spectacular choice, but all three together? Out of this world!

2. CHARITYMILES.ORG – If you are out for a walk, run or bike ride, you could be raising money for a worthy charity just by using this app. Free for iPhone and Android users, just set up an account, pick your charity and off you go. It’s 25 cents per mile for walking/running, and 10 cents per mile for biking. How easy is that?? Charities range from Stand Up to Cancer to Feeding America.  All you have to do is share your post on Facebook or Twitter for the company to donate money to your favorite organization. That seems pretty easy, right? Doing good while doing something good for you? That’s double the reward. Check it out here. 

3. CLARISONIC – This little number makes your skin look like you had a facial AND a vacation. Fo’ reals. Just use it with your favorite soap, it’s that easy.  There are a few versions, so make sure you research it a bit and find the right one for you, as they have different speed settings.  They also have models and brushes for sensitive skin.  We love that it alerts you as to when to move on to a different part of your face, much like a Sonicare toothbrush.  It not only deep cleans, it also exfoliates. Getting rid of those old skin cells is what makes you look so fresh and dare we say, younger.  Used regularly, the results can be amazing.  Who doesn’t like amazing? 

4. STITCH FIX – How many times have you stood in front of your closet and couldn’t find a thing to wear? Or how about if you aren’t feeling great and don’t feel up to shopping? We have the solution.  Stitch Fix is an online personal stylist. You tell them what you like, they shop for you and voila! A package arrives with your new duds. You get to try them on in your very own personal dressing room.  If you don’t like them, you just send them back with the always-welcome pre-paid return label.  They even give you tips on how to wear the product. The more you order, the more they will get to know your personal style and adjust accordingly. You don’t have to be a celebrity to feel like one.

5. SQIRL – O. M. G.  Have you ever tasted something so good and wanted to just spread it all over everything? The plate, your face, whatever? Oh, maybe that’s just us then, nevermind. 🙂  At any rate, this stuff is so delicious you will want a case of it. Located in Los Feliz, a suburb of Los Angeles, Sqirl is the brainchild of jam maker Jessica Koslow.  Her preserves were so popular when she started out that it evolved into a cafe with a line out the door (serving breakfast and lunch only). The most popular menu item is the brioche slathered with strawberry jam and ricotta.  Yep, it’s as good as it sounds. You can order a variety of yumminess here. We love the Rutiz Blackberry and Lemon Verbena. And we aren’t sharing.

6. FRIDGECOASTERS – We love things that make the daily grind easier and more aesthetically pleasing.  These little guys cover both of those things. Absorbent liners that catch drips, stains and keep your food fresh longer, you can adjust them to fit whatever shelf or drawer in your refrigerator that you need. They come in your choice of colorful styles, AND they have a money back guarantee.  We use ’em, we love ’em, go get ’em. 

If you end up purchasing any of the items above, let us know what you think! We love the feedback and it helps us as we curate new lists.  Thank you, friends!