Dear Wendy readers are some of the most intelligent, stylish, super cool people around (it’s a proven fact), so, when a commenter suggested I create a regular feature for them to recommend some of their favorite products, it was a no-brainer and Reader Recs was born. Today’s recommendations come from Jennylou, who is an accountant and lives in her Denver condo with her best friend. She loves watching nerdy TV shows with her boyfriend – they’re so sad about “Warehouse 13″‘s untimely demise, but so excited for the new seasons of “Doctor Who” and “Sherlock”! She’s also passionate about board and card games, traveling, pub trivia, books (fantasy, history, biography, classic, and more!), and, of course, the perfect morning-starter combination of coffee and Dear Wendy! Keep reading for some of her favorite things.
Mikasa Cheers Balloon Glass Set
When I headed off to college 12 years ago, my mother gave me a gorgeous set of four iridescent, pastel-coloured balloon glasses from Mikasa. Sadly, in the past year, my set has shrunk to 2.9 (one is chipped, one is no more!), and they no longer make those beauties. But these are the perfect replacements! Mikasa’s balloon glasses have a delicate appearance, but they are really quite hardy – my full set survived 11 years and 8 moves. These glasses are unique and charming; guests never forget which glasses are theirs. They’re always the perfect size – whether you want to fill ‘er up or have just a wee taste!
Copco 16-Ounce Capacity Acadia Reusable To Go Mug
These mugs are plastic and very inexpensive – so when my roommate first recommended them to me, I was skeptical. We now have about 15 of them on our shelf, in every color offered! They keep my coffee warm for roughly an hour and a half, fit perfectly in my car’s cupholder, rarely splash back, are light and slender enough to carry in my purse on the way home…and best of all, they are microwave and dishwasher safe!
Pacifica Perfume Roll on Indian Coconut Nectar
Up until a few months ago, I was a lifelong Highland Lilac girl. But then I saw these roll-on perfumes at Whole Foods and was hooked! (Amazon offers a better price, though!) My favorites are the Tuscan Blood Orange and the Indian Coconut Nectar, but they all smell heavenly. Reapplying is a breeze – even in public, because there’s no chance of accidentally spraying a stranger. They are so convenient; I always carry one in my purse now!
Canned Unicorn Meat
It’s hard to surprise my roommate and my boyfriend; they both have quick wits and are so silly and fun. When I saw this on ThinkGeek, I knew I had something that would shock them both speechless for at least a few seconds! I left the dragon one in our pantry amongst my roommate’s soup tins, and I buried the unicorn one in my boyfriend’s fridge. Given their reactions, I’m pretty sure there are some evil pranks coming my way soon! My roommate has left hers out on a side table for a funny conversation starter, and, sure enough, our guests always notice, feel compelled to investigate, and laugh for several minutes. 🙂
Remington King of Shaves Alphagel Cooling Menthol Shave Gel
I don’t know about you, but I have always hated shaving cream – the messy foam! The inconvenient cans which leave rust stains on my tub! The razor burn and dry skin! The fact that I always manage to cut myself when using it! I encountered this shave gel last year when I was living in the UK, and now I order it in bulk from Amazon. It provides the smoothest, happiest post-shave skin I’ve ever had – and way fewer nicks, because it’s clear and I can see exactly what I’m doing! While it is formulated for men (my ex-boyfriend also swears by it), I find the scent pleasant and not overwhelming – it’s especially mild after rinsing.
Thanks, Jennylou!
If you have some products you’d like to recommend to the DW audience, shoot me an email at wendy@dearwendy.com with links to five recommendations. (Write “reader recs” in the subject line, please). Your recommendations can be from any store or website, but they need to be accessible online — and I would love it if at least two items could be found on Amazon where I am an affiliate. If your list is a good fit for the site, I’ll ask you to write a brief description of each item/explain what you love so much about it.
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csp September 4, 2014, 1:14 pm
So…..I just bought the perfume roller. I have a Readers Recs problem.
Diablo September 4, 2014, 1:26 pm
Ha! Love the unicorn meat. M would crap herself if I hid that or dragon meat in the pantry. Make mine rare!
csp September 4, 2014, 1:36 pm
Wendy – Is there a way we can put out a plea for male Readers Recs? I know that Christmas isn’t close or anything, but I am always looking for gifts for my husband, brother, dad and would love to see what the men put up.
Diablo September 4, 2014, 1:39 pm
Sorry, csp, but men don’t use or buy products of any kind. Many of us still have underpants that date back to before cotton was first spun into cloth, where it is not entirely clear which holes were originally meant for the legs.
csp September 4, 2014, 1:49 pm
but isn’t there a tool, video game, unicorn meat that you might love? What about a remote controlled something.
Dear Wendy September 4, 2014, 1:39 pm
Good idea. I can reach out to our his take guys and also our male readers.
ktfran September 4, 2014, 1:49 pm
There was a reader rec a while ago that suggested a body scrub. Anyone remember? I could go back and look through them, but I’m being lazy and I’m sort of busy at work.
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The shave gel reminded me of it.
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Speaking of body scrubs, I had that and a massage last Saturday and I felt so effing amazing afterwards. I kept wanting to pet my super soft skin. I also had the best shave ever the next day.
Dear Wendy September 4, 2014, 2:47 pm
I think you’re thinking of this one from LANY, who recommends a Fresh body scrub:
http://dearwendy.com/reader-recs-lanys-loves/
ktfran September 4, 2014, 2:58 pm
Ahh, thanks Wendy! I need to order it. From your link of course. I don’t like my current scrub.
ktfran September 4, 2014, 3:01 pm
Also, that’s a really good price considering I use to pay $20 for the lemon body scrub at The Body Shop, and it was less than half the ounces. It’s also discontinued, which is why I’ve been on the search for a new one.
something random September 4, 2014, 3:19 pm
Okay, Just got me some of that shower gel. Jennylou, mad props on this list! This stuff is fabulous.
Jennylou September 4, 2014, 7:20 pm
Thanks!! 🙂
Jennylou September 4, 2014, 7:21 pm
Hope the gel works well for you!
MsMisery September 8, 2014, 12:49 pm
I have also seen that Pacifica line at ULTA, where they also sell matching soaps and lotions. I agree the coconut one was very nice. And my friend (who *I* got hooked on ThinkGeek stuff) got her daughter the Unicorn Meat one year for xmas and the family loved it 🙂