Here are the ones that I absolutely love from must haves to nice additions:

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/13268 <<< this is an absolute MUST. Love the water and terrain effects. You can find others to go along with this such as "Lush Grass" "Lush Trees" "Flora Overhaul" "Better Dynamic Snow", "That's Ice", "Vibrant Auroras", "Skyrim Sunglare" and "Enhanced Distant Terrain".

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/3621 <<< installer allows you to automatically choose default replacements or choose your own.

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/2072 <<< the Frost, Earth, and Swamp dragons have a new gorgeous look! I chose the "rune wing" version.

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/17605 <<< adds realistic lighting along roads and places. Love it.

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/85 <<< makes night look awesome!

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/4929/ <<< this map can either show you ALL main roads or ALL roads, period. I got the one that shows everything and it makes finding places SO much easier!

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/26 <<< detailed faces for your characters.

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/498 <<< simply makes their eyes brighter and more detailed.

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/219 <<< shows you the "sweet spot". Some might consider it cheating but sometimes I have very few lockpicks to spare.

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/13463 <<< Dragons are 2x's as tough vanilla leveled and non-leveled. I picked the "2x's tougher vanilla level".

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/9504 <<< followers will actually DO things when you tell them this option. Have not used with the "Lydia Get Out Of My Bedroom" yet as I asked if it was compatible (I think it is).

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/15305 <<< adds a few herds of wild horses to Skyrim (can pick ridable file, non-ridable, or both).

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/11789 <<< designate a home for Meeko! Now, someone said that this conflicts with the "Undying Companions" mod. I placed this file higher on the load order list and I'm going to see if this is the case.



From other post:

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/15801
Although it's labeled as "Cellar" when you install it a pop up asks you if you'd like to have the Garden, Garden Cheat, Claude the house Troll and I think Greenhouse added
I picked everything except Claude as I don't really need a Troll.

http://skyrim.nexusmods.com/mods/15316
Pick the "Noble" file if you want the Noble big bed but the better housecarl bed.
The other main file keeps both beds as the animal blankets but better looking.
Do not do both at once or there is an issue.