These posts are just easy and helpful, my friends, right? Our little Amazon roundups of things we’ve actually purchased are always some of my favorites — to write and to read.
This time around, I’ve included a few household gems, a few beauty finds, something for the hubs, and a few goodies/much-needed items for the kiddo (mine’s 9-going-on-16). Thanks to Linzi for hipping us to that awesome Hum toothbrush, btw. (Sienna loves the app challenge!) And don’t miss this eco-friendly, sensitive-skin-friendly laundry detergent. It’s my new go-to.
Treat Yo-Self: 15 Much-Needed Amazon Gems I Have + Love
Whether you’re shopping for your home, your pals or yourself (hey, it’s my birthday month, so I say treat yo-self, friends), there’s a little bit of something for everyone in this somewhat random roundup.
For myself: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10
For the kiddo: 11 | 12 | 13 | 14
For the husband: 15
1. ‘The Five Minute Journal’
I’ve always wanted to be a person who journals every day. I think having a record of your life and your little moments each day is such a special thought…in theory. I’ve never done it. Granted, my pal Posy pointed out that we document with photos, but I’d like to create a more solid habit of writing. ‘The Five Minute Journal‘ has really helped me make a conscious effort.
I like that it guides you but isn’t super-specific in what you should write about. I’ll use it to create the habit, then just go to a fully open journal after I’m used to the daily addition to my routine.
2. Cute Cat Pens
Simply a favorite in our household. These cat-shaped pens have a nice fine tip, and while they’re not the highest-quality pens ever, they’re DANG CUTE. And honestly they work pretty well. This set comes with extra refills, so you can continue to use the cute cat outer without wasting them.
3. Vital Proteins Collagen Creamer in Mocha
I typically don’t love most coffee creamers, flavors, etc. Give me straight up half-and-half only, please. But I do love getting protein into my morning routine. I used to use the regular collagen peptides, but for some reason — maybe because I don’t sweeten my coffee? — I can now taste them, especially with my heated Ember mug. And nobody wants slightly bone-broth-tasting coffee.
SO…I recently tried this mocha version of Vital Proteins creamer, and I love it. It’s a great mocha flavor but not sweet (only 1 gram of sugar per two-scoop serving) and has 10 grams of protein per serving. I now mix one scoop of this with one scoop of the original collagen peptides, and that helps totally mask the flavor and gives me 14 grams of protein in my cup of coffee. LOVE. It’s also non-dairy and gluten-free.
4. The Gym Keg Sports Bottle
Ordered this water bottle for myself…the 9-year-old stole it. The outer sleeve is really nice and makes it feel super-luxe. My kiddo loves the side-carry handle and little strap. Because it doesn’t have a straw, I think I’ll let her keep it (I prefer a straw, she doesn’t), but if you’re the same you might love this! I’ll be honest, I ordered it because it looks super-cute.
5. Soap Dispensers
This is a great two-pack of classy, simple refillable soap dispensers. These aren’t glass, but they’re totally reasonable, and as much as things get dropped in our house, I thought that was safest.
Skip the cheesy labels that come with or make your own if necessary. I kept one at the sink and one in my shower for the shower gel (here’s my fave shower gel.)
6. Ohora Semi-Cured Gel Nail Strips
This is my favorite at-home gel-manicure product. They’re easy to use and cure with a UV light, and they’re not messy. More details on how I apply them can be found in my recent article about at-home manicures. This shade is my latest favorite!
7. Biodegradable Packing Tape
I’ve wanted to switch to an eco-friendly packing tape for a while. This one works great so far! It feels like masking tape but sticks better than that would on cardboard, and I can even use it easily with the tape gun I already have.
9. Post-it Super-Sticky Note Variety Pack
I’d completely run out of Post-it notes, and while I don’t use quite as many as I used to, I need them sometimes for writing quick lists and labeling things to donate or return to friends. They’re also helpful for leaving subtle hints for your “roommates” to get their chores done. Heh.
9. Donut Valentine Cards
If you know me at all, you know one of my favorite treats is a doughnut (old-fashioned all the way, pls). Loved these little Valentine cards that I shared with my kiddo but also plan to give to friends of my own. They come with the cutest little stamps that are a nice alternative for our friends/kiddos with allergies, or Sienna’s buddy at school who was recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
10. Dirty Labs Laundry Detergent
Wow. I just used this Dirty Labs laundry detergent on a load of hubs’ stuff that tends to hang on to odors, and the smells are GONE. It smells so fresh, but he has sensitive skin, so I could never use scented anything before. This detergent just has subtle notes of bergamot and cedar, and the clothes smell fresh again! I’m SOLD on this. It’s free of all EU-listed allergens, so it’s safe for those sensitive types! I just ordered the bigger bottle. Dirty Labs also has a laundry booster, which I just got and will report back on!
11. Nutcase Youth Helmet
These Nutcase helmets are our favorite helmets for kiddos and adults alike. Not only are they quality and comfortable, but they also have the cutest designs!
12. Star + Round Acne Patches
Oof, kiddo is hitting the early hormones stages already, and I’m not ready. But at least we can make skincare cute with these round- and star-shaped acne patches! My assistant last year, now a freshman in college, loves these things. I’m sure various brands are better than others, but I went with cute as Sienna’s intro. Then, we’ll test these out and perhaps try the pricier kinds later.
13. Gecko & Bearded Dragon Accessories
Never thought I’d be blogging about gecko fashion, but here we are. How hilarious is this little cowboy set? Sienna and pal Posy’s kiddo both have leopard geckos, so obviously this is what they got for Valentine’s Day this year. Apparently, they look smashing on bearded dragons, as well.
14. Hum By Colgate Electric Toothbrush
Sienna loves the smaller toothbrush design and the softer setting for her braces — AND, of course, the fact that she can borrow my phone and compete against her past self to see how she’s brushing. I love that the Hum electric toothbrush a bit smaller overall than our Oral B electric toothbrushes, making it easier for her to hold. So far, it’s a great upgrade!
15. L’Occitane Eau Des Baux
L’Occitane Eau Des Baux is BEST scent for lovers of earthy colognes…still fresh and not too pine-heavy. Hands-down my favorite for Pinky, and he’s worn it for years. This is his Valentine’s Day gift! We don’t always do big gifts — usually we just go to dinner, which we’re also doing — but I couldn’t resist getting him the full line of products this year.
As always, hope this was helpful for household or gifting needs! Let us know of any fab Amazon finds you’ve run across lately! Until next time…
xo,
L
Want to keep up with everything else I’m into? Pop over to my Instagram @laurajansenstyle where I love talking about food, sharing OOTDs, posting travel pics and chatting everyday mom-life stuff from Portland, Oregon. Oh, and lots of funny memes and pet videos because what is social media without plenty of those? xoxo
This one is for the Pinners…
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I am totally here for The Reptile Edit!
Hahaha. YESSS.
Love the no-food Valentine idea for allergies, but as the mom of a Type 1 diabetic, those mini packs of Skittles are literal life savers for low blood sugar. I stock up every holiday!
Oh good to know, Alyson. TY!
Laura, does the Vital Proteins Creamer dissolve well in your coffee, and by that I mean, does it clump up into a blob with the heat, as the regular Vital Proteins does when I put it in hot milk….?? Thanks!
I use one of those little battery powered whisks (like you can froth milk with) to dissolve mine in my coffee!