Obscure Things I Can't Live Without

I have realized that, at least in my world, there are some very under-rated products out there. There are just certain things I use every day that I maintain should be as popular as sliced bread (like unsliced bread). So I thought I would compile a blog about a few of these items just in case someone might discover their next can't live without possession.

First, my coat rack outside the shower. It never fails that every time I visit a home or a hotel, there is a general lack of places to hang a wet towel. I have always had this iron coat rack in my bathroom, and it is perfect! It usually holds my towel, my husband's towel, and my robe, and the towels have more air around them to dry nicely.

Speaking of robes, my white Bath and Body Works bathrobe. This is the softest, most amazing robe ever made. Enough said.

Next up, brow gel. Or actually, the applicator brush for brow gel. This is one of my stranded-on-a-desert- island items. I just use the brush from an old brow gel (actual gel tube long gone), and spray it with gel or hairspray and brush my brows into place. How do some girls live without this? I would look like Albert Einstein without this thing! Maybe it's just me. I'm only showing the handle (with me reflected in it) as the rest of the brush is no longer fit for human viewing.

My tiny whisk. OK, I stole this from a children's kitchen set when my son was about 3 years old. It's genius! Full size whisks are a pain to store and get bent in the dishwasher. And so many things that need to be whisked don't need anything but this little guy. He is responsible for all the scrambled eggs, gravy, and sauces made in my kitchen. I've even insisted that he be but away in a particular spot in the utensil drawer so I can always find him. (Thanks, honey)

The french press. This is the new thing added to the list this year that I cannot live without...unfortunately. I say unfortunately because I now know that french pressed coffee stains your teeth!! It was not enough to make me give it up, though. But I now brush my teeth right after my coffee and use "wisps" on my teeth if I'm at the office. The good thing is that the coffee tastes amazing, and you only use about 1/4 the amount of grinds you would use on a drip coffeemaker. We only drink Starbucks beans, so that's a big savings. Unless, of course, you count the $350 bleaching system for my teeth...

Goya Salad and Vegetable Seasoning. Can be hard to find in stores, but on top of salads or tomatoes, along with oil and vinegar, it's so good. It does contain MSG, I admit. I try to use it sparingly. OK, no I don't. I'm going to take some flack for this one.

Frozen Edemame. (no photo) I find these soybeans in the pod in the frozen foods aisle at WalMart. They steam in the microwave in about 4 minutes. I pour them into a bowl and toss with Kosher salt. My boys will eat the whole bag for a snack.

There's a starter list. I'll probably think of 3 more things as soon as I post. There may be a part two at some point. What unusual item can't you live without?