It's my birthday!!! YAY!! I'm always down for a good reason to celebrate! The older I get, the longer I milk the birthdays. And why not? I'm close to 60 than 50! I've earned the right to party for a few extra days!

For several days now, I've been asked this question over and over..."What do you want for your birthday?" My answer is always..."Please don't get me anything!" I mean that. I don't need anything. And yet, they persist. Bless. Family and friends are like that. Love them. :-)

I decided to stop and pause to think of those little things that I really can't get enough of, where size doesn't matter, and that won't break the bank. To me, the best things in life are simple. In fact, the really good things aren't things at all.

So, here are a few things that make me smile. I'd love to hear yours.

1. Fun socks. I love fun, colorful socks. Whether they're for a holiday or otherwise, you won't go wrong with me unless you buy wool. Please no wool; cruelty-free only. I've recently discovered John's Crazy Socks. Go check them out and read their story. I think you'll be inspired by what they do. That John is quite a guy.

2. Lip balm. I seriously have loved Lip Smackers forever! However, I have grown up a bit. I now adore the Treat Beauty brand of lip balm. I have them all over the house. Heck, there are 3 in the night stand next to me. They are certified organic and cruelty-free...YES! That's important to me. There are several flavors and I've loved all of them that I have. Oh, and they're big tubes like the old Lip Smackers used to be!

3. Cookbooks. I think I might love the cookbooks more than the actual cooking. I read them front to back like a novel. At this very moment, Rachel Hollis' new cookbook, Real Life Dinners, is on the night stand. Yes, the same night stand that is holding the Treat lip balms. And if you're a Rachel Hollis fan, you really need to read "Girl, Wash Your Face". It's a game changer for your life. Also on said night stand. My other new favorite is Joanna Gaines Magnolia Table cookbook. I've made a few of her recipes, and I can't recommend it enough.

4, Vinyl Record Albums. Old is new again, and vinyl is cool again. My daughter and son-in-law are experts at picking the best albums. The old classics are the best. Preferably without a lot of scratches, but scratches may not be a deal breaker, depending on the album. They can add character.

5. Anything handmade. Is there anything better than receiving a gift that someone made themselves? Someone thinks enough of you to spend time to make something for just you, and no one else has anything exactly like it. That's everything. It really is the thought that counts. Years ago, a work friend printed copies of her favorite Christmas piano music, bound and packaged them in a book of a dozen or so songs. So sweet, simple and inexpensive. I still have it in my box of Christmas things.

6. Jigsaw Puzzles. I love them. It may take days to get one done, but that's part of the fun.

7. A good coffee mug. Can't get enough. My newest one commemorates Prince Harry and Meghan. Drank way more than my limit of coffee in it while watching the royal wedding. I took a pic, but hey, it was 4:30 am. It's really, really bad.

So that's a short list. My full list probably isn't much longer but I'm tired and fading fast. I think I'll add a pillow and blanket now. Good night, LoveBugs!

Favorite things...since you asked