I keep hearing about this The Only 127 Things You Need book. I was curious, so I poked around a little bit on google and found out that this book is very popular right now, and it’s intended, of course, the help us focus on what’s important. To inspire us to prioritize. The writer’s list includes things like basic needs and peace-on-earthy type concepts (I’m guessing from the reviews because I haven’t actually read the book)

So I decided to create my own list of things that I don’t want to live without, but my list will include only THINGS…no concepts like love or compassion or peace on earth. Also, this list assumes basic plus needs, which I define as food, clothing, furnished shelter, and reliable transportation. Oh, and people and other living creatures (cats, for example) also don’t count as THINGS on this list. Lastly, the placement of the things on the list does not in any way indicate priority…it’s completely random. I’ve chosen the number 41 (seriously, you didn’t really want me to go all the way to 127?).

1. A pair of tortoiseshell sunglasses, preferably of the currently in vogue rehab variety.
2. A good black T-shirt… the kind a girl wears to Home Depot when she knows she’ll need some help carrying heavy, hardware store things.
3. A pair of great fitting jeans, even if they’re 10 years old and full of holes.
4. The Complete Works of Jane Austen. Life without Mr. Darcy (always and forever looking like Colin Firth in my head) wouldn’t be worth living.
5. White wine a couple of nights a week cuz’ Mommy needs her fruit juice.
6. Multi-grain waffles with raspberry jam…the perfect breakfast.
7. Coffee with flavored creamer in a heavy earthenware mug because coffee is best when drunk slowly and while sitting in a chair, not at the desk or in the car (although we all know that I’m in the realm of coffee fantasy here).
8. My wedding ring.
9. The copy of A Tree Grows in Brooklyn that my grandmother gave me when I was twelve. To this day, the story of Franny Nolan remains my favorite.
10. A nice family photo, preferably one that is less than three or four years old. If you have children and are relatively unable to organize a trip to the grocery store, as am I on most days, you’ll understand how challenging it is to stay current, photowise.
11. Facebook for fun with vampires and magnet walls and just general silliness.
12. All the Harry Potter movies on DVD, widescreen only.
13. U2 music, all of it. Every single song, but especially “One” and “Beautiful Day.”
14. Gwennie’s jaguar…he’s got a hole in his head and he smells like her.
15. This laptop.
16. A bowl that is the perfect size for an individual salad with Brianna’s Blush Wine Vinagrette dressing.
17. Earplugs.
18. My giant hairclip, which has been getting a great deal of action lately.
19. At least one really sexy matching bra and panty set (but more is better) because a girl sometimes needs to feel sexy underneath.
20. My embarassingly large, but very warm winter parka. It’s black and hooded and furry and very Nanook of the North, but it keeps me toasty on my walks across campus.
21. The Dyson. I honestly believe my floors must have been filthy before I bought this device. And I have a crush on James Dyson.
22. A good glass kaleidescope. I always forget how lovely it is to have one, and I’m always delighted when I rediscover it.
23. A book of Greek myths and a Bible…these are necessities for deconstructing all literature.
24. Good flannel sheets…from L.L. Bean or Lands’ End (not the Target kind).
25. My extra large bath towels because I like my coverage.
26. My grandma’s buddha from one of her many trips to Hawaii.
27. Mira’s first pair of glasses (from when she was two). They are the tiniest and most precious little glasses you’ve ever seen.
28. A hearty hairdryer and a good flatiron. I’ve got some seriously unruly hair (RT friends will say I’m lying, but that’s because they’re seeing the results of the aforementioned hair taming appliances).
29. A lotion that makes me smell pretty; wild honeysuckle from Bath and Body Works is my favorite.
30. Chocolate chip Kashi cookies. Each one is like a delicious little meal (best if microwaved for 10 seconds).
31. Leopard print footwear of any kind really…I’ve got sandals, slippers, and ballet flats.
32. Pledge’s All Surface dusting spray. Changed my life! (thanks mom)
33. The photo that my father took of my mom swinging me in the air when I was a baby.
34. My body pillow.
35. Smelly candles with citrusy and spicey (not flowery) scents.
36. Enough of a garden so that I can cut fresh flowers in the summer.
37. My Sirius Black action figure. I will not be ashamed. I look at him on my kitchen windowsill every morning, and he makes me smile.
38. The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
39. The photograph of me holding both of my beautiful girls on the day Gwennie was born.
40. My grandmother’s painting of daisies, not so much because I like daisies but because I loved my grandma, and I’m so proud of her for becoming an artist (even though she was in her 80s).
41. Dark Chocolate, which is to me the richest and most satisfying of the chocolates. My absolute favorites are non-pareils (aka sno-caps).

(A funny-as-hell British blogger created her own 127 list here at Brocante Home.)