To All the Amazon Purchases I've Loved Before
Arriving home and spying a package for me in the mail room is one of my favorite feelings. I’m not proud of it, but nevertheless it’s true. Packages mean I don’t have to go to the store. Packages mean an item on the list checked off. Packages might just mean a new favorite thing.
Usually my packages are filled with basic things like cat food or laundry detergent, but every so often there’s something fun inside. Of all the packages I’ve received, these are the ones — from Amazon, at least — that I’ve loved the most.
Home Stuff
I’ve discovered many of my favorite items for around the home on Amazon, from knickknacks to whole pieces of furniture. These odds and ends have improved my days spent around our apartment, and I hope you’ll enjoy them, too!
One Fur All Pet House Candles ($22) — these candles are specifically designed to mask any pet smells in the home, and with two dogs and a cat we can use all the help we can get! My favorite scents are the lilac and lavender options.
Marble and Brass Desk Lamp ($60) — we have these on each side of our bed, and they’re perfect for reading in the evenings. The marble base is heavy and solid, making the whole lamp feel extra sturdy and high quality.
Velvet Statement Chair ($120) — I discovered this chair via Olivia Muenter and fell in love! The only one in our home who loves it more than me is Jiji, our cat, who immediately staked her claim and sleeps in it every chance she gets. Good news: cat hair wipes off the velvet fabric easily.
Rose Gold Wick Trimmer ($11) — if you didn’t already know that a wick trimmer can save your life, allow me to educate you! Keeping the wicks of your candles trimmed low helps prevent sparking and excess smoke, reducing the risk of your candles causing an unplanned fire while you burn them. This rose gold option is cheap, but gets the job done!
4-Piece Flatware Set ($21 for fork, knife, spoon, and teaspoon) — I get asked about this flatware every time I post it on Instagram, and here’s where I found it! I actually discovered these beauties when Bri from Design Love Fest posted them on her own socials, and they’ve served us well (literally) since we received them. My favorites are the tiny teaspoons, which I use for ice cream.
Style & Beauty Stuff
I’m not typically an advocate of purchasing wearables on the cheap — fast fashion isn’t exactly great, and it’s hard to ensure good quality skincare when purchased through an unverified third party site. That being said, I experience (frequent) moments of weakness during Amazon shopping trips, and these are the finds that have been worth it so far.
Off-Shoulder Ruffled 2-Piece Swimsuit ($22) — buying swimwear online is always risky, especially with cheap bikinis from Amazon. But this little number turned out to be a fantastic pre-vacation purchase, as it’s relatively modest in all the right places, but flattering to my figure where it counts!
Acrylic Statement Earrings ($8) and Tortoiseshell Octagon Hoop Earrings ($9) — I’ve ordered several pairs of acrylic earrings from Amazon, which have all proven perfect for somebody who loves the look of massive statement earrings but has sensitive lobes! Because they’re so lightweight, I can wear these all day long without every feeling sore or fatigued.
Belei Hydrating Hyaluronic Acid Serum ($40) — as soon as I heard that Amazon would be releasing their own skincare line, I was intrigued… and once The Strategist declared this hyaluronic acid serum “even better than Drunk Elephant’s,” I was sold! Because most HA serums come in tiny, inconvenient bottles, this relatively affordable two ounce size is great for anyone who uses HA in their daily routine. (For what it’s worth, I alternate between this and The Ordinary’s $7 HA serum.)
Short-Sleeve Pleated Midi Dress With Pockets ($25) — I don’t own many white clothes because, let’s face it, I’m a sloppy mess. But because my job requires me to don bright whites during our brand events, I’ve discovered a favorite: this comfortable midi dress with convenient pockets! I’ve worn it to Sephoria and to Tatcha’s The Dewy Skin Cream launch event and gotten intense compliments both times, but what really hooked me is that the fabric feels like a t-shirt. It’s soft, stretchy, and thick enough that I’m not worried about my underthings showing through; I plan to order it in just about every color.
Velvet Clothes Hangers ($20 for 50) — when I, along with the rest of the world, fell under Marie Kondo’s spell and decided to “Konmari” my closet, these hangers were the first order of business. Let me tell you: they bring me SO MUCH JOY! Having lived my whole life with mismatched plastic and metal hangers, it made a world of difference to transition to a fully uniform set like these. The price is unbeatable and my closet actually looks like a grown-up’s.
Miscellaneous Lifestyle Stuff
These are perhaps my favorite Amazon finds to share with friends: the random stuff that totally changes the game for me. From favorite pens and convenient tech accessories to eco-friendly substitutes for the things I use daily, I’m 100% obsessed with all of these things. Buckle up.
Clipa2 Instant Bag Hanger ($16) — I’ve never received more questions about anything in my life! I keep this gold ring attached to my purse all the time, and it allows me to easily clip my bag to tables, the handrail on BART, or anywhere else I might need. It’s durable and strong, and has helped me avoid getting all kinds of nasty mess on my bag.
Pilot The Better Retractable Ballpoint Pen ($10 per dozen) — I. Love. These. Pens. I have at least one on me at all times, and I hate using anything else! They’re thin, light, and my perfect idea of a go-to writing utensil.
Fujifilm Instax Wide Camera ($99) — I love instant cameras, but find the regular Instax a bit too small. Before our honeymoon, I bought this wide version on an impulse and instantly (heh) knew it was perfect! The photos are substantially larger, so I don’t feel the need to squint when looking at our memories on film.
Multicolor Stainless Steel Straws ($7 for a set of 8) — though I love that we’re collectively ditching plastic straws, I despise using the paper versions that turn soggy and limp after only a few minutes. These stainless versions make it easy to keep an eco-friendly alternative in my purse at all times and avoid the frustration of a papery mess in my drinks.
10-Foot Braided iPhone Charger ($17) — I never knew how much I needed an XL iPhone charger until I had one. I no longer have to go numb on one side when I’m scrolling Reddit in bed, and trying to find a seat near an outlet at the airport is a nightmare of the past.
Rubbermaid FreshWorks Produce Saver Food Storage Containers ($27 for a three piece set) — these storage bins help keep my groceries good for weeks. WEEKS. Kale, cucumbers, tomatoes, you name it… pop the produce in one of these tubs and whatever’s inside will stay fresh way longer.
Trtl Neck Support Travel Pillow ($30) — I know it looks horrifyingly dorky, but hear me out. This neck pillow is the only way I can sleep on flights, especially if stuck with a middle seat. I might look like a hospital patient, but at least I can nap! (It’s machine washable, too.)
Stasher Reusable Silicone Food Bag ($12) — Ziploc bags are hard to quit, but Stasher bags are an incredible way to wean yourself off of plastic use. These dishwasher-safe sealable bags are perfect for sandwiches, snacks, and even salads.
Pentel Tradio Pulaman Pen ($6 each) — if I’m writing something fancier than a grocery list or notes in a work meeting, this pen is my alternative to the Pilot option above. I use this lovely calligraphy-style pen for addressing letters, love notes, and all of the finer things in life.
