Much of the personal time I spend perusing Amazon rests in practical needs, but sometimes a few special products catch my eye. Whether I need help with a hobby or just want something shiny and new, there’s a corner of Amazon that can tug on my heart and purse strings. Discover the finds that I absolutely love and you might just fall for them too!
This Bag Clip Makes a Spout
Though I love storing pantry staples in airtight containers, the idea of turning a bag into a resealable container. I’m always grabbing coffee bags from local roasters, but I obviously don’t want to mix them or have a million coffee canisters. This cool lid fits onto coffee bags (as well as cereal and similar bags) and creates a spout for pouring without making a mess or needing a scoop.
This Stylish Drawer Organizer
I’ve come across many drawer organizers over the years, but they tend to lack a level of sophistication or cost an arm and a leg. This honeycomb organizer makes plastic look good and leaves some space in the drawer for other items like tanks and bras. Years ago, when I first learned of Marie Kondo, I mostly took away the idea of being able to see all of my clothes at a glance. This will be a great home for socks and underwear!
This Festive Flamingo
This party light just seems like a good way to create some ambiance on a nightstand or dresser. It’s definitely a cool piece to have out for a get-together, but I just like having quirky sources of light that make areas a little more fun and cozy. If flamingoes aren’t for you, you can get one of these LED lamps in cactus, palm tree, or pineapple form.
This Cotton Swab Holder
We all buy cotton swabs in bulk, but those containers are overwhelming in any bathroom. I like that this fun cloud-shaped holder can keep a few within reach without cluttering the counter. The bottom opens up for refills and a smaller door gives you access to individual swabs.
This Mud Mask
I definitely went all-in on the sheet mask trend, but lately, I’ve missed the thicker masks of yesteryear. This Dead Sea mud mask is loaded with minerals that exfoliate and clean your pores. Living in smog-filled Los Angeles, I’ve definitely missed more intensive masks like this that really detox and refresh your skin.
This Affordable Setting Spray
Honestly, I used travel-sized hairspray as setting spray for a long time and I still do in a pinch. Finding a setting spray that really works without coming in a very expensive, tiny bottle seemed impossible before I tried this NYX spray. It comes in dewy and matte, but my combination skin is partial to the latter. It’s a mandatory part of my summertime makeup bag!
This Toning Body Oil
Moisturizing my skin is one of my top priorities during any season and body oils have two purposes: extra protection in the winter and a camera-ready sheen in the summer. I’ve been looking for something more nourishing than regular baby oil and came across this blackthorn toning oil. In addition to toning and firming skin, this oil prevents stretch marks during pregnancy and can reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks.
This One-Piece Swimsuit
I’m not sure where I first saw this swimsuit, but I know I’ve seen it buzzing a lot in just about every color variation. It’s like the Sisterhood of the Traveling Swimsuit; this one piece meets the needs of pretty much everyone. The ruching gives tall and plus-sized wearers more room while still being comfortable for petite frames and flattering on smaller chests. Reviewers agree that you should generally go up a size, but they’ve mostly been forthcoming about their measurements, so you can find what size worked for one of nearly 2,000 happy customers.
This Pocket Notebook Cover
I have a notebook problem. I’ve worked on it over the years and am slowly depleting my arsenal which means those little Moleskine notebooks are looking pretty cute. They are also notoriously susceptible to the elements, so it’s wonderful to find a leather cover that matches the simplicity of the notebook within it.
This Tiffany Haddish Memoir
It’s come to my attention that there are people who still don’t know who Tiffany Haddish is and that needs to change. This book is filled with side-splitting personal essays from her incredibly complicated life. You can also enjoy these tales in audiobook form and hearing this comedian is believing in her inherent hilarity.
This Fun Bag
My closet is very black and white, so getting ready is always a breeze. But I still enjoy pops of color and whimsy when it comes to my accessories. This satchel pulls on my love of typewriters and pop art in a compact package. I also like the practicality of an outside pocket which novelty purses like this often lack.
This Jewelry Box
I’ve had a wall-mounted jewelry organizer for years (see: wanting to see everything I own), but it takes up so much space. Now that I’m more familiar with each piece of jewelry, I feel comfortable going back to a jewelry box. I like that this “box” has a more modern look and two sections. The concave lid is an especially nice touch for daily drivers like wedding rings.
This Colorful Stool
Modway and Lexmod are a couple of my go-to brands for affordable, modern furniture. This textured stool from Modway can also be used as a side table or storage ottoman. Whether it’s green, orange, white, or red, this stool adds a cool factor while also being a great, multipurpose piece for small spaces.
This Library-Themed Pouch
I’ve generally been gifted makeup pouches and I just couldn’t resist this one. Fashioned after a library book’s check-out card, the zippered pouch would easily hold my brushes and pencils. There are over a dozen book-themed pouches to choose from and each purchase supplies a book to an underserved community.
This Photography Book
Growing up, I picked up film photography as an occasional hobby, but I drifted away from it in adulthood. Over the past few months, I’ve started flexing those muscles again and thought I could use some help thinking outside the box to get fully back in the groove. This playbook includes 307 assignments and ideas as well as inspiring anecdotes from prominent photographers.
This Travel Razor
I actually discovered this helpful gadget creating similar lists to this one. This little wheel solves my constant problem of that thin line of hair on the back of my leg post-shower shave. Two sides have a spray bottle and lathering stick while the other two hold small razor blades. Not shaving your legs is a personally embraced feminist statement, but patchily shaving your legs is just a rushed morning mistake.
This Map You Can Crumple
Edinburgh has sat on my travel wish list for far too long and I am a huge fan of physical maps. Their main issue is that if you don’t fold them exactly right, they never look quite how they’re supposed to. I like that this map was made to be crumpled into your pocket, bag, or canister in came in. The weatherproof material stands up to rain or snow while also maintaining the integrity of the map through several folds.
This Cute Otter Pin
Pins can add pizzazz to jackets and bags, but this one is just plain cute. A partner identifies strongly with otters for various reasons and they enjoy pins as much as I do. As soon as I saw this pin, I knew I had to get it for our upcoming anniversary!
This Cookie Jar
Beyond the occasional box of Oreos that disappears within a week, I actually don’t tend to keep cookies around. This cookie jar caught my eye as a potential safe haven for extra fortune cookies or tea biscuits (I’m painfully British). The ceramic jar is modeled after classic Chinese takeout boxes and a rubber seal will keep any perishables fresh.
These Wine Chillers
If you’re lacking a wine cellar or even the more attainable wine cooler fridge, these can speed up your wine cooling time. In case you couldn’t guess, I’m not a Rockefeller, so I like that there’s an inexpensive way to get my wine to the right temperature. Red wine chills in 90 seconds while white wine will take up to eight minutes with this drops that rest easily in everything from a Burgundy to a champagne glass. I rarely have to deal with warm whites, so I’m mostly excited about bringing down the temperature of my favorite Malbecs and Syrahs.
This Bar Spoon
This is the kind of utensil I want purely because I know better than to continue using regular spoons for mixing drinks. This stainless steel spoon won’t rust and can be thrown in the dishwasher. The twisted handle makes twirling this bar spoon easier and the angled bowl moves around ice and glass edges much more smoothly. And you just look cooler using it.
This Tape Dispenser
As far as office supplies go, tape is pretty boring and many of the holders for it don’t do much to improve the situation. I paused on this minimalistic dispenser mostly because it looks like it’s made out of rose gold paper clips. As a paper clip enthusiast, I could hardly let this inexpensive desk accessory pass me by and my tape has never been happier.
This USB Desk Fan
Living in a post-modernist world means you get old fashioned products that can be powered via USB. I would like to think I’m occasionally living in a neo-noir, so the classic metal frame of this fan caught my eye. I particularly appreciate the rubber guards on the bottom of this 4-inch fan to keep it from sliding around and scratching my desk. You can also get it in black and both colors in a 6-inch size for larger desks.
This Rustic Planter
I’ve managed to keep a ZZ plant alive for nearly a year, but I think it desperately wants to grow. Now that I’m thinking about repotting it, I’ve been paralyzed by choice in the planter market. This top contender has valuable drainage holes in the bottom and has an insulating effect to avoid temperature extremes.
This Watering Can
I also think it’s about time I upgraded to a real watering can instead of my bevy of mugs. I only have a couple of plants that are both tailored to go without a ton of water, so the recommended 24-ounce capacity feels like more than enough. This stainless steel can will last for years and my needs might even outgrow it, but hopefully, by then I’ll have some new baby plants for it.
This Cool Water Bottle
Two things I’m obsessed with: weirdly shaped water bottles and glass water bottles. For the latter, however, I know I’m far too clumsy to actually own one. This bottle hits all the major notes and is even klutz-proof thanks to its Tritan plastic, a top-tier glass dupe. Textured silicone lines the bottle for a better grip and less sliding on tables, and each color has a slightly different pattern.
These Gold Wine Glasses
A recent trip to the Renaissance Faire made me realize I don’t own any ornate goblets. Until I have enough money for a hand-forged glass made out of actual gold, I can settle on these stainless steel glasses. White wine lovers will especially enjoy these glasses because they keep your drink insulated for longer.
This Water Set
Sometimes you keep a glass of water by your bed. And then, perhaps one time, you awoke to a drowned, terrifyingly magnified spider in that glass. And maybe you’re still getting over it, but are still dehydrated. Instead of obscuring decor with a bottle, try this carafe that uses a 6-ounce glass as its lid. It’s an elegant solution to at least one of your thirst problems.
This Funky Toothbrush Set
Though I enjoy my fair share of technology, I’ve always preferred manual toothbrushes. I appreciate this new take on a mundane object. Flexible rubber made from recycled materials helps you get better access to those hard to reach places. There’s an ergonomic place for your thumb and, yes, there’s one for lefties.
This Headphone Hook
Over- and on-ear headphones can be particularly comforting in an office environment as well as a huge accessory to leave on your desk. This hook sticks to the bottom of your desktop so you can hang your headphones out of the way. You could even hang two headphones up if you’re sharing a desk or a serious audiophile.
This Clever Nightlight
Another entry in the cute, mood lighting arena, I can’t get enough of this light switch nightlight. It uses a gravity sensor to turn on or off. A switch on the bottom lets you choose between bright and soft light settings. The light is also rechargeable so you can place it wherever you see fit without dealing with any wires.
This S’more Maker
Did you know that they don’t have graham crackers in Australia? This broke my teenage heart on a trip. As an adult, I definitely want more s’mores in my life, but I don’t want to get one of those plastic, single-use appliances. I like that these interlocking baskets can just slide into the oven (definitely with some foil underneath) for some quick treats. As long as it’s cleaned well, I could definitely see this getting some use as a six-portion crisper rack.
This Marble Ashtray
I’m still not sure if I want to store rings in this tray or actually use it for its intended purpose. I’m newly interested in cigars and looking for a way to turn down the dated masculine aesthetic of enjoying one. This handmade tray and its gold accents seem like they’re up to the challenge!
These Stunning Earrings
I like having a good mix of real and fashion jewelry, so these ornate stud earrings caught my eye. It will look incredible with my growing collection of witchy, lace chokers, but there are other colors for the less macabre among you. As a bonus, these fashion earrings were made with a hypoallergenic backing so they won’t harm sensitive ears.
These Storage Canisters
I’ve always had fun with bottles that have a clamp top; there’s something more satisfying about closing them. My dry goods currently have plastic homes, but I’d happily relocate them for this quad of canisters. They can hold 18 to 54 ounces and use thick glass for more durability.
This Glass Bulb Mug
I first encountered one of these glasses at a boba place and the lid was piled high with cotton candy. You already know about my attraction to glass water bottles and weirdly shaped ones at that. This cool bulb mug can technically hold hot drinks, but I’d stick to cold and definitely use the included sleeve when it feels too frosty. It fits more easily in the hand than you think and it’s an amusing drinking experience.
This Butter Crock
Butter is better. There, I said it. No matter how hard times have gotten in the past, I always splurge on good butter. Unfortunately, it’s generally too hard if left in the fridge. I like that butter crocks provide a less branded experience while keeping butter fresher than in a dish. It actually stays fresh for about a month without going rancid. My appliances and pots are red, but you can choose from a dozen color varieties to match your kitchen.