week 26: midway

this week on the little dream farm

Can’t get enough of this pretty photo - summer sunset on the front porch

Ooo have I got something for you!

It being the halfway point of the year this week, I thought we’d do something fun.

Let’s call it Christmas in (almost) July!

Y’all have absolutely been loving the Sarah’s Favorites section of the Farm Note and I can’t tell you how happy it makes me for you to trust in my recommendations and for me to get the feedback of the things you’re buying, using, loving, and nabbed on sale from week to week.

This week, I thought I’d share with you the total rollup of all the Sarah’s Favorites shared to date, broken down into categories so you can shop the list as you please!

Now, if ever something pops into your mind like, Now what was that thing Sarah shared a few weeks ago and when exactly was that and how to do I go back and find it? Well, now you've got the whole list handy right here!

So you’re aware, I go through great detail to find the things we purchase as I’m always wanting to find the best quality for the best deals. I read a lot of reviews, compare products, sometimes buy multiples and keep what performs the best. I care a lot about finding things I’ll be able to keep, use, enjoy, and love for a long time!

Would love if you’d share in the comments today some of the things you’ve purchased and loved.

I’ll put this in a permanent place here on our Substack so you can always find it and I’ll keep adding to it as we go along. Feel free to share it with your friends!

For now…Happy Halfway Through 2024 and from all of us here on the LDF both two-legged and four, enjoy your Sunday!!

The Complete List

Included in this list are all of Sarah’s Favorites since this feature began in November 2023. Thinking of something you’ve seen or we’ve shared that you don’t see listed here? Comment at bottom for the link and so I can add it to the list!

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Beauty/Wellness/Self-Care

1. Hyaluronic Acid Serum - my go-to serum, a MUST in my lineup

2. Flat Iron - upgraded to this one this year 

3. Lip Mask & Lip Scrub Duo - I use these all year round

4. Hand Salve - from a local farmer friend! - I have it in citrus scent 

5. 50 SPF for Body - I use this all summer long on the farm or for the beach/hiking/outdoor fun

6. Facial Sunscreen - great under makeup or for being out in the sun all day

7. SPF Lip Balm - I use this all year round 

8. Zit Patches - every person should have these for those pesky little pimples! 

9. Brightening Facial Scrub - I use this once a week

10. Facial Ice Roller - great for de-puffing 

11. Body Massage Tool - a great little one you can take on the go! 

12. Body Massage Oil - I use this with the massage tools listed here

13. Gua Sha Facial Tool - have had this for years and love it for de-puffing 

14. Wearable Headband Headphones - love these for meditation

15. Myofascial Release Tool and Trigger Point Massager - great for full body massage

Style/Fashion/Clothing

1. Slim Mid-Rise Jean Light Wash - love these for any time of year - so flattering, order TTS (true to size)

2. High-Waist Biker Shorts - TTS

3. Extended Shoulder T-Shirt - size up one for an oversized look

4. Buttery Soft High-Waisted Leggings - my favorite for travel, TTS

5. White Leather Casual or Athliesure Sneakers - I wear these everywhere - size up 1/2 size

6. THE Most Flattering One-Piece Swimsuit - this is the best I’ve found! TTS

7. Polarized Aviators - flattering look

8. Everyday Watch - my favorite go to watch

9. Everyday Sunglasses - I wear these daily 

10. Chore/Gardening/Rain Boots - for everything! - TTS

11. Long Pajama Top and Long Pajama Bottom - I have these in several colors - TTS

12. Athliesure - Fuzzy Pullover - like a North Face without the price tag - TTS

13. Warm Puffer Jacket - I wear this for farm chores and it rolls up for packing too, size up one for a more roomy fit

14. Oatmeal Shacket - I get compliments on this every time I wear it - TTS

15. Grey Plaid Flannel Shacket - TTS

16. Brown Plaid Flannel Shacket - TTS

17. Black and White Striped Oversized Sweater - TTS

18. Striped Crewneck Sweater - TTS 

19. Crewneck Batwing Sweater - TTS 

20. Chunky Waffle Knit Turtleneck - TTS

21. Turtleneck Sweater in Mauve and Turtleneck Sweater in Coffee - TTS

22. Hunter Green Half-Zip Collar Sweater - TTS 

23. Mock Neck Ribbed Sweater - TTS 

Cats

1. Darwin's Natural Raw Pet Food - Use our code FURMERS at checkout for 50% off your first order!

2. Har Lifter Tool - we use this all over the house

3. Unscented Cat Litter - our only go-to litter

4. Litter Boxes - just upgraded to these this year and we love them 

5. Litter Catching Mats - these are a must have! 

6. L-Shaped Cat Scratcher - all seven cats love this so much we ordered a second!

7. Two-in-One Cat Scratcher - this is both BK and Buist’s favorite

8. Extra Sturdy Cat Scratching Post - this one is both LL and BWK’s favorite

9. Scratching Post - this one is Micro’s favorite 

10. Scratcher with Catnip Toy - this one is Dodger’s favorite 

11. Cat Scratcher Pad with Toy Ball Track and Replacement Scratchers for this Toy - BK, Micro, and LL play with this every day

12. 3-pack Ball Cat Toys - the younger cats go insane for these! 

13. Enzymatic Urine Cleaning Spray for Cats - a must have! (there’s a kind for dogs, too)

Patio/Lawn/Garden: 

1. Tree of Life Garden Bench - this is on our patio! 

2. Electric String Trimmer - this handles the toughest of jobs here on the farm

3. Digging Shovel - every hole dug on the farm was dug with this shovel

4. Gardening Fanny Pack - I wear this religiously for yard/garden work

5. Rattan Hanging Baskets - these are hanging along the font and back of the house

6. Metal Hanging Baskets - these are hanging under the porch 

7. Hanging Basket Hooks - these are the hooks for all the hanging baskets

8. Solar Flame Torch Lights - these are in our patio planters

9. Solar Flame Wall Lights - these are on the patio posts

10. Hanging Flickering Solar Lanterns - these are placed around our patio

11. Solar Pathway Lights - these are along the walkway in the front of the house

12. Garden Landscape Fabric - a must have for keeping out weeds

13. Natural Rodent Repellent - we use this in the chicken coop for mice/rats

14. Deer and Rabbit Repellent - I use this around my hydrangea hedges and around the garden perimeter

Around the Home

1. Cooling Blanket - Chris and I each have one and the cats love these too

2. Washable Chair Covers - needed when you have 7 cats

3. Space Heater - we use these in the bathrooms during winter! 

4. Wearable Warm Blanket - I have this with me all winter long

5. Wearable Weighted Heating Pad - this is a really good one

Cleaning

1. Handheld Vacuum - for all your small messes, and cleaning up after cats 

2. Handheld Steam Cleaner - I got this for my mom and she loves it 

3. THE Best Smelling Laundry Pods - I’m on my 3rd bag of these this year

4. Hair Lifter Tool - we use this on everything in the house - must have for pet owners!

5. Unscented Cat Litter - our only go-to litter

6. Enzymatic Urine Cleaning Spray for Cats - great for cleaning up cat messes (there’s a dog version too)

Kitchen

1. Calphalon Space-Saving Stackable Cookware - we got these in 2020 and love the set so much I got them for my mom

2. 7-qt. Crockpot Slow Cooker - used weekly in our home! 

3. Hamilton Beach Electric Tea Kettle - used every night in our home! 

4. Tea Brew Infuser Basket - love this for loose leaf tea

5. Ribbed Amber Tea/Coffee Mugs - love these for making lattes

6. Amber Tea/Coffee Mugs - these too!

Food/Tea

1. LMNT Electrolytes - when you use my link, you’ll get an additional free 12-ct. variety pack for free

2. Adirondack Creamery Ice Cream - Watch their story here

3. Manuka Honey - we use this in tea

4. Creamed Honey - I love this in tea 

5. Lemon Balm Tea - I drink in PM

6. Chamomile & Lavender Tea - I drink in PM

7. Liver Detox Tea - this really should be in everyone’s pantry as this herbal blend helps to cleanse the liver

8. Nighttime Tea - a lovely bed time tea

9. Tulsi Ashwaganda Tea - I love to drink this in the AM

10. Tulsi Lemon Ginger Tea - also an AM tea

11. Mate Lemon Tea - a high caffeine tea I drink only in the AM

12. Turmeric Honey Chai Tea - love this any time of day 

     

Books

1. Such is Life - written by me! - self-published this book in 2018

2. Simply Being Present - David's Book - the book I worked with David to publish! 

3. The Midnight Library - one of the best books I’ve read recently 

4. The Creative Act - an inspiring read for anyone who wants to create anything

5. Saving Simon - by a local author

6. Playing the Matrix - a great read 

7. Infinite Possibilities - This one will fire you up! 

8. The Body Keeps the Score - About how trauma lives in the body

9. Adrenal Transformation Protocol - an important read for everyone

10. The Autoimmune Solution - helped me learn about Hashimoto’s 

11. The 12-Week Year - great for strategizing your time

12. Crossings - Chris read this and learned so much 

13. Birding Without Borders - Chris read this and loved it

Travel: 

1. Carry-On Suitcase - perfect for all the travel I’ve been doing this year!

2. Packing Cubes - if you’ve never used them before, they’re a must!

3. Travel Water Bottle and Rubber Bumper for Bottle - I never go anywhere without it

4. Travel Coffee Mug - I use this daily!

5. Travel Pill Case - this was a game changer for packing meds on the go! 

Tech: 

1. Over-Ear Bluetooth Headphones - love these for running, walking, and gardening

Vehicle: 

1. Portable Battery-Powered Air Compressor  - we’ve used this twice this year in a pinch! 

Office

1. Yearly Planner - been using this one for several years now!

2. Journal 1 - these are lovely to use or gift

3. Journal 2 - gorgeous journal for all your thoughts and dreams

4. Journal 3 - another pretty place to write what’s on your heart

Inner Work 

1. To Be Magnetic - Manifestation Method Annual Membership or TBM Monthly Membership - I have an annual membership and absolutely LOVE TBM!

2. Notes from the Universe - been getting these for 12 years now! 

*Note: Not all, but most of these links are affiliate links. That’s no matter to you, as it costs you nothing. However, if you make a purchase, we -may- receive a teeny weeny commission.

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