Month: September 2018

38 Handmade Items You Can Get On Amazon

Post author By Mary Sauer
Post date September 17, 2018

Typically, I turn to Amazon to get books, diapers, or household essentials shipped to my house. I place an order when I need a quick solution or when I simply don’t feel up for taking my three kids out for a Target run. I guess what I’m trying to say is that I have a certain idea about what I’ll be able to find on my favorite website with two-day shipping.
As it turns out, I’ve been missing out on some of the stuff that Amazon has to offer. There’s an entire section of the website devoted to handmade goods—and some of those products even have free shipping via Amazon Prime. I never really imagined I’d be able to buy from small entrepreneurs through Amazon, but I love that this is a possibility. With that in mind, here’s a look at 38 handmade items you can order right now.

Accessories and Clothing

For some reason, I’ve always felt hesitant about shopping for clothes through Amazon (maybe it’s because I’m not a big fan of fast fashion). These handmade accessories and clothes just might change my mind.

1. Happy Little Artist Pack

Brooches and pins can add a touch of fun to an otherwise unremarkable piece. Brighten up your jacket or bag with some happy trees, along with a few other hand-painted pins inspired by Bob Ross.

This set is made here in the U.S., and each pin is painted to order. Included in the set is a Bob Ross pin, palette, a happy tree, and a happy cloud. They’re seriously cute, and they make a perfect gift for that hard-to-please friend of yours.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Little-Artist-Pack-Teachers/dp/B07GFVXC29″]Happy Little Artist Pack, $14.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

2. The Future is Female Brooch

Make a statement with this handmade brooch. “The Future is Female” is painted in black on a white banner-shaped pin. Add it to the lapel of your favorite jacket, pin it on your laptop bag, or stick it to the strap of your purse.

Even though this is a handmade item, it comes with Amazon fulfillment and ships via Amazon Prime. That means that if you need a unique gift in a hurry, this would be a good choice for any of your feminist friends.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06VVBX1C4″]The Future is Female Brooch, $11.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

3. Real Dandelion Wish Necklace

Make a wish on this handmade necklace everytime you wear it around your neck. This Real Dandelion Wish Necklace is made from a small globe, which contains pieces of real dandelion. A second charm bearing the word “wish” decorates the chain.

Because this necklace is made to order, you can customize your order to set the length and color of the chain. It arrives in a gift box, so it’s great for shipping straight to the recipient.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F341NSK”]Real Dandelion Wish Necklace, $5.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

4. Soft Pink Natural Linen Dress

This beautiful made-to-order dress is crafted from soft, pink linen and ties at the waist. Made by hand by 3H Linen in Kyin in Ukraine, it’s available in sizes XXS to XXL. Perfect for a summer wedding or brunch out with your friends.

You’ll feel good knowing that this dress is made with high-quality fabric and sold through a storefront with 73 five-star reviews.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077QNLCQ6″]Soft Pink Natural Linen Dress, $59 from Amazon[/link-button]

5. Engraved Leather Apple Watch Bands

Crafted by a leather designer in Istanbul, these Engraved Leather Apple Watch Bands would make a wonderful gift for a parent, significant other, or soon-to-be graduate. Each band is handmade from 100 percent genuine leather and can fit all current Apple Watch series.

When you place your order, you can select from two different widths for the band. You also have the option of five different buckles, including rose gold, silver, space gray, black, and gold. If you’d like to have the band engraved, you can select that option for a moderate additional fee.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Leather-iWatch-Engraved-Personalized/dp/B0743LYNJF”]Engraved Leather Apple Watch Bands, $44.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

6. Leather Crossbody Bag

It’s hard to believe that this handmade leather bag is so affordable; it’s priced similarly to most of the purses you’d find in a chain department store. Made by Leather Native in New York, it’s crafted with a dark cherry-colored leather.

Since it’s a fairly small bag, it’s a good option for carrying the essentials—your cell phone, keys, and a small wallet will fit neatly in the structured pockets. It also features a long leather strap for comfortable wear, along with a large decorative buckle on the front.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MU1YC3L”]Leather Crossbody Bag, $44.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

7. Rainbow Handmade Baby Headbands

If you’ve ever shopped online for handmade baby hair accessories, you know that they’re not exactly inexpensive. Since I have daughters I’ve my own, I’ve been amazed by how much I can spend on a relatively small order.

This set of Rainbow Handmade Baby Headbands are refreshingly affordable. Each order includes 12 different-colored headbands at a cost less than $2 per item. They’re essentially just small felt bows on tan elastic bands, but while they’re simple, they’re absolutely adorable.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073Z6PDF4″]Rainbow Handmade Baby Headbands, $19.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

8. Custom “Mrs.” Floppy Sun Hat

Catch some shade and make a statement at the same time. Whether you’re planning your honeymoon or simply getting away for some sun and sand, this Custom “Mrs.” Floppy Sun Hat is a fun accessory to bring along for the trip.

It’s available in five different colors and made to order based on the text you’d like printed along the rim. It packs easily for any trip and pops back into shape with a little encouragement from a clothes iron.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F3GLV94″]Custom “Mrs.” Floppy Sun Hat, $29 from Amazon[/link-button]

9. Extra Wide Calf Boot Cuff Toppers

I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Most of the handknit socks you see peeking out of the tops of boots on your social media feed are actually just cuffs. Take part in this stylish fall trend with these Extra Wide Calf Boot Cuff Toppers.

Darlene’s Gift Shop in Georgia knits these cuffs by hand from a cream-colored Highland wool, which is a sturdy, soft, and high-quality material. This specific listing is for an extra-wide cuff, but the listing recommends measuring the circumference of the top of your boot to determine the best fit for your leg.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G3L3Z9L”]Extra Wide Calf Boot Cuff Toppers, $24.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

Home and Garden

Find practical and pretty handmade items for your living space. These Amazon items are ideal for the home and garden, and they come from individual sellers at all corners of the world.

10. Candle in Concrete Base

Talk about a statement item! This candle is handmade in Mexico by a small business called Monte Vitro Candles. The concrete base is a hexacylinder, and the combination of the geometric shapes and rustic concrete creates a complex and interesting design.

The candle itself is unscented and is made from soy wax. The wick is wooden, which means you’ll hear that lovely crackling sound when it burns.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/concrete-hexacylinder-handmade-Monte-Vitro/dp/B07FW9WD9J”]Candle in Concrete Base, $24.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

11. Mandala Wall Decal

If you’re renting, removable wall decor allows you make your space your own without breaking the terms of your lease. This Mandala Wall Decal is one of my favorite wall decals on Amazon Handmade, and it’s perfect for adorning the walls of any apartment or dorm.

This decal is made from vinyl, and you can choose from 25 colors. Choose from three different sizes; the largest option is a formidable 38 inches by 38 inches. Decals like this work best if they’re placed on smooth walls. A textured wall will make it difficult to stick the decal in place—make sure it’s a good fit for your walls before you buy!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Mandala-Sticker-Ornament-Moroccan-Bohemian/dp/B07D15PBWF”]Mandala Wall Decal, $28.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

12. Geek Art Solar System

Sometimes when you’re buying from chain stores, it’s hard to find home decor that doesn’t look like what everyone else has in their home. Buying handmade home decor allows you to seek out completely unique items and establish your own personal style in your space.

This Geek Art Solar System is a great example. Designed by The Geekerie, it features the solar system in a modern design that would fit well with a minimalist home decor.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/System-Minimalist-Planetary-Infographic-Planets/dp/B07D8DDWWC”]Geek Art Solar System, $24 from Amazon[/link-button]

13. Marbled Thrown Earthenware Bowl

Handmade by Kathy, the owner of Marbled Pottery, this thrown earthenware bowl is perfectly sized for soup or cereal. While the majority of this bowl is a soft cream color, the wide rim is a beautiful multi-colored marbled design. All of the marbling is done by hand and finished with a glaze.

In addition to cereal bowls, Marbled Pottery also sells mugs and spouted bowls with a similar marbled look. Grab one bowl as an accent piece or invest in an entire set for a unique kitchen collection.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Marbled-Thrown-Earthenware-Cereal-Soup/dp/B07FTNXF6G”]Marbled Thrown Earthenware Bowl, $40 from Amazon[/link-button]

14. Drippy Ceramic Cup

Your morning cup of joe deserves a little accent. Cheer up your early mornings with this quirky ceramic coffee mug designed by Brian Giniewski, owner of Happy Ceramics in Pennsylvania.

This Drippy Ceramic Cup is relatively small, as it stands at three inches tall; if you’re looking for a cup for your espresso, it’s ideal. The base of the cup is has a gray concrete appearance, while the top is white, shaped to look like overflowing cream.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Brian-Giniewski-Drippy-Ceramic-Cup/dp/B079RMTVZ5″]Drippy Ceramic Cup, $27.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

15. Linen Pillow Shams

Since discovering Amazon Handmade, I’m seriously considering redecorating my entire home with the help of my Prime membership. I’ll be starting with these pillow shams. They’re made from 100 percent linen, and each has two ties to keep your pillows in place.

Choose from six different sizes and a variety of colors including white, off-white, oatmeal, silver grey, and dark grey. I’m partial to the oatmeal shams, myself.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/pillow-standard-natural-oatmeal-off-white/dp/B06Y1K9YCP”]Linen Pillow Shams, $19 from Amazon[/link-button]

16. Wooden Rectangular Wall Clock

This Scandinavia-inspired clock is beautiful, with a stylized face on a darkly stained natural wood rectangle. Pewter-hued numbers appear in different sizes, arranged in an almost random fashion, giving it a fun, quirky feel. (Of course, the numbers remain in the right order.) The maker of this unique clock is a small business called Promi Design, located in Lithuania.

Even though this clock comes from a small maker, it is fulfilled by Amazon. This means you can order it using your Prime account for free, two-day shipping.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Wall-Clock-Rectangular-Scandinavian/dp/B0731M6XP4″]Wooden Rectangular Wall Clock, $27.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

17. Pottery Shaving Bowl for Men

If you have to keep small collections of personal care items on your bathroom counter, you might as well have a pretty bowl to place them in between uses. This Pottery Shaving Bowl is hand-thrown, with a small swirl in the bottom of the dish and a natural white glaze.

While many handmade items require special care, this bowl is both microwave- and dishwasher-safe, so you can wash it easily. Use it for its intended purpose—holding a puck of shaving soap—or just fill it with all your small trinkets, like rings and watches.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Handmade-Pottery-Shaving-Natural-Color/dp/B0189S5CL6″]Pottery Shaving Bowl for Men, $26.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

18. Mushroom Ceramic Fairy Garden Stakes

These tiny ceramic mushrooms are one of my favorite things I’ve found on Amazon Handmade so far. RooPottery in Utah makes these Mushroom Ceramic Fairy Garden Stakes for use in fairy gardens, planters, and terrariums.

So far, I’ve found that many of the more unique handmade items on Amazon don’t have a lot of reviews, but these cute garden decorations, which mimic toadstools, have five stars and 26 total reviews, virtually all of which are glowing.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Mushroom-Ceramic-Fairy-Garden-Stakes/dp/B01N5G1UNS”]Mushroom Ceramic Fairy Garden Stakes, $25 from Amazon[/link-button]

19. Redwood Wind Spinner

Here’s another great decoration for your outdoor space. A company called Sunrise Art makes these wind spinners by hand using all-natural redwood. This material is a great choice for outdoor decorations because it is resistant to damage from wind and weather.

Because each spinner is made by hand, they’re all different. When you order this item, it will arrive assembled, so all you have to do is hang it in your garden or on your front porch.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Sunrise-Arts-Wind-Spinners-REDWOOD/dp/B017X3I5HQ”]Redwood Wind Spinner, $29.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

20. Wooden Embossing Rolling Pin

As if baking cookies weren’t fun enough, your next bake-a-thon is about to get a whole lot cuter. This handmade wooden rolling pin features Scandinavian cut-outs on the body, so the design transfers effortlessly onto your dough.

Use this pin to give sugar cookies a little extra flair. Roll out your dough normally, then give it a pass with this decorative rolling pin to emboss your cookies with a floral design. Then, use cookie cutters to cut out individuals cookies before baking. Thanks to the gorgeous carvings, this pin looks great hanging on the kitchen wall between uses, as well.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DS68KYK”]Wooden Embossing Rolling Pin, $28.80 from Amazon[/link-button]

Cosmetics and Self-Care

If you’re looking for handmade cosmetics and self-care items, you have countless options on Amazon. Check out these moisturizers, eyeshadows, and bathtime goodies that you can have delivered right to your front door.

21. Bath Bombs Gift Set

Bath bombs have become a popular way to make your bath-time routine feel a little extra special. Drop them in the water in solid form and then watch them dissolve, adding minerals, scents, and more to your bathwater.

The LifeAround2Angels Bath Bomb Gift Set is a popular seller in Amazon’s Indie Beauty department, with 1,890 reviews and five stars. Included in the set are 12 different bombs with enticing aromas like Black Raspberry Vanilla, Shea & Coconut, and Mango Papaya. Each bath bomb has its own unique set of benefits; some are great for relaxation, for instance, while others are designed to perk you up.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/LifeAround2Angels-Moisturize-Handmade-Birthday-girlfriend/dp/B01MFGN8S5″]LifeAround2Angels Bath Bomb Gift Set. $24.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

22. Birthday Cake Cupcake Bath Bomb

I couldn’t resist this bath bomb, which I knew my daughters would love! It looks just like a birthday cupcake, although we don’t recommend taking a bite. The Birthday Cupcake Bath Bomb is made by New York’s Bathhouse, a self-proclaimed “non-edible bakery.”

To use the bath bomb, begina by placing the frosting under running water—it’s the bubbling ingredient, and it dissolves when wet. Next, toss the remaining bomb into the water before climbing into your bath for a celebratory birthday soak.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Birthday-Cake-Cupcake-Bath-Bomb/dp/B075H2YNB4/”]Birthday Cupcake Bath Bomb, $10 from Amazon[/link-button]

23. All Over Butter

Every bath and shower should be followed up with a moisturizing lotion that will nourish your skin and keep it soft. All Over Butter was created with dry and sensitive skin types in mind; it is recommended for twice-daily use on irritable skin.

The maker of this handmade body butter runs a small business called NaturallyMe in North Carolina. She uses all-natural ingredients including hemp seed oil, grapeseed oil, shea butter, and avocado butter to make her personal-care products.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WWNRS9C”]All Over Butter, $17.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

24. BeesWorks Alpine Peppermint Lip Therapy

Winter is just around the corner, which means I’ll soon be fighting chapped lips on myself and my three kids. When I look for self-care products for my kids, I try to prioritize clean ingredients, and this handmade beeswax lip balm passes the Mom Test.

The BeesWorks Alpine Peppermint Lip Therapy is made in California using beeswax harvested from the local BeesWorks hives. The company leaders believe it’s important to use organic ingredients in their lipcare products. In addition to the peppermint scent, you can choose lavender or unscented lip balm.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077T3GCVV”]Bees Works Alpine Peppermint Lip Therapy, $5.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

25. Monkey Farts Scented Soap

Pip & Lola’s consists of makers and self-proclaimed “soap goddesses” from Pennsylvania, and they’ve managed to make something as typically boring as a bar of soap really unique and fun. This Monkey Farts Scented Soap was formulated to avoid stripping natural oils from your skin, which can be a problem with conventionally made soaps, according to the manufacturer.

What makes this bar of soap so unusual is its appearance. It’s a swirl of yellow, red, blue, and green. Don’t let the name scare you off; they’re not being literal. We hope.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DGVGYBQ”]Monkey Farts Scented Soap, $7.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

26. Eco-Friendly Cotton Pads

Personal care products can be a huge source of waste. Even small items take a toll on the environment with repeated daily use. If you’re looking for a way to cut back on what you’re throwing away, considering swapping out disposable items for reusable handmade items.

Making the switch to reusable products can be overwhelming, so start small with these Eco-Friendly Cotton Pads. They’re knitted by hand from 100 percent cotton. Use them for makeup removal, washing skin, or any other task that typically requires you to rely on disposable cotton pads.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Bleubird-Knits-Friendly-Cotton-Pads/dp/B07FFBVCSC”]Eco-Friendly Cotton Pads, $3.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

27. Nectar Vegan Mineral Eyeshadow

Simplicity Cosmetics is a maker located in Texas. The woman behind this company started making mineral cosmetics for herself. Eventually, she turned her hobby into a work-from-home business that she operates while caring for her two young kids. According to her product listing, her makeup offerings are made from natural ingredients including minerals, oxides, and micas. She combines each order by hand or using a blender.

The Nectar Vegan Mineral Eyeshadow is a loose powder. The peach coloring makes for a great neutral shade with a light shimmer. In addition to eyeshadows, Simplicity Cosmetics makes lip balms, cheek tints, and powdered foundations.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Nectar-Shimmer-Mineral-Eyeshadow-Natural/dp/B079XVBJH1″]Nectar Vegan Mineral Eyeshadow, $8 from Amazon[/link-button]th

28. Activated Charcoal Face Soap

If you’re accustomed to using expensive bottled facial cleansers, this handmade, low-waste option is going to be a breath of fresh air. FandTees is a Florida-based maker of personal care items, including soaps, body oils, and lotions.

This Activated Charcoal Face Soap comes in bar form and includes activated charcoal as the main ingredient. According to the product listing, this soap helps draw out dirt and bacteria from the skin, keeping your oil production under control and helping manage breakouts.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BK9X7GF”]Activated Charcoal Face Soap, $8 from Amazon[/link-button]

29. Peridot August Birthstone Nail Polish

When I browsed self-care items in the handmade department of Amazon, nail polish was the last product I expected to find! I’m amazed by the creativity behind small businesses like Nail Hoot, a company that produces polish in small batches in Missouri.

Peridot August Birthstone Nail Polish is a bright, shimmery green, just like the semiprecious stone that inspired the product. The owner of Nail Hoot makes all of her nail polishes to be free from five of the more controversial chemicals found in conventional nail polish—formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin, toluene, camphor, and DBP.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Peridot-August-Birthstone-Polish-Handmade/dp/B01MR8042J”]Peridot August Birthstone Nail Polish, $11.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

30. Burly Beard Balm

Noelle’s Naturals makes personal care products that are organic, non-toxic, and free from artificial ingredients. Burly Beard Balm is a wax for taming facial hair. Ingredients include organic shea butter, macadamia nut oil, and jojoba oil. Cedarwood essential oils are used to scent the balm, and the seller promises a “manly” aroma.

In addition to smoothing the beard, this hydrating formula is good for the skin underneath, according to the product description. Give it a try if you’re the beard-growing type.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075QPXTLP”]Burly Beard Balm, $10.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

Fun and Games

Amazon Handmade isn’t reserved for the practical and the pretty. There are tons of options for buying made-by-hand toys, puzzles, and games. Add these products to your playroom, game closet, or outdoor space for kid-friendly fun. The children will love these items, and you get to feel good about supporting small businesses when you buy them.

31. Martin’s Menace Puzzle

At first glance, this best-selling handmade puzzle looks really simple. It only contains four pieces! However, the reviews make it clear that this puzzle is something special. One reviewer claims it stumped many of his coworkers, while another claims it takes hours to solve. The listing says the puzzle is named after a fellow who spent a week trying to successfully place all four pieces.

Martin’s Menace Puzzle is a small, hand-cut wooden puzzle. The base itself is only slightly bigger than a 3-inch-by-5-inch index card, and the puzzle pieces are a quarter of an inch thick. According to the listing, this is the only handmade puzzle made by Creative Crafthouse that doesn’t include a solution with purchase. Good luck!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MT6Q5B7″]Martin’s Menace Puzzle, $14.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

32. Multi-Colored Apples Wooden Lacing Toy

I’m a sucker for handmade toys, especially when they are beautiful and well-made. This Montessori-inspired toy is one I can easily picture myself adding to our collection. A blunted wooden needle laces yarn in and out of seven brightly colored apples.

According to the product description, these apples are just the right size. They’re small enough for little hands, but too big for choking or swallowing. This Multi-Colored Apples Wooden Lacing Toy ships from Russia, where it is made by hand by maker WoodStoreGifts.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Multicolored-Educational-Learning-Toddler-birthday/dp/B07DK9SDKG”]Multicolored Apples Wooden Lacing Toy, $9.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

33. Willa Walker

Made in California by the artisans of Playful Nature, this toddler walker is completely different from any I’ve seen before. While most walkers roll along the ground while a shaky toddler pushes them, this one is held overhead by a caregiver, who helps hold the toddler up, provides balance, and controls speed.

Not only is this item handmade, but Playful Nature toys are also only made from three materials—hardwood, cotton, and coconut oil—and they’re all responsibly sourced. It’s a toy you’ll feel great about buying.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Willa-Walker-Turquoise-helping-toddlers/dp/B01FGKIM9O”]Willa Walker, $39.85 from Amazon[/link-button]

34. Made to Move Barbie Doll Stockings

If you’ve got a child who enjoys dressing up Barbie dolls, they’ll love having a few accessories you can’t find on Target shelves. These Barbie stockings are made by The Daughter Who Sews, a company that’s based in Texas and specializes in garments for dolls.

The Made to Move Barbie Dolly Stockings are made from a floral, stretchy fabric. They’ll fit any conventionally sized Barbies.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Made-Move-Barbie-Doll-Stockings/dp/B06XY9BGFX”]Made to Move Barbie Doll Stockings, $5.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

35. Eco-Friendly Reusable Water Balloons

I know you what you’re thinking—how are reusable water balloons even possible? A North Carolina company called Bleubird Knits in North Carolina figured out the secret. They make a sustainable version of this popular summer activity, and they do it by hand, using only polyester yarn.

This isn’t your typical pack of water balloons. They don’t fill and pop like the rubber version, so they don’t require a lot of painfully tedious cleanup. Instead, you soak the entire ball in water. The yarn soaks up liquid like a sponge. Quickly lob it across your yard and watch it splash when it hits your target. Retrieve the “balloon” and resoak for another use. When the game is over, dry them out, store them, and pull them out again next summer!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DSL14XG”]Eco-Friendly Reusable Water Balloons, $8 from Amazon[/link-button]

36. Rainbow Cloud Slime

Slime is in its prime right now. Strange as it is, you can find endless social media videos featuring slime being pulled, stretched, and mixed by hand. The same people who make these videos often make unique slime combinations and sell them online.

Rainbow Cloud Slime is made by Kitty Slime. It’s a white, soft substance filled with confetti, sparkles, and a clay rainbow. The slime is also scented with a piña colada–inspired fragrance. Buy it as a stress relief activity, or stock up for last-minute gifts.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Rainbow-Slime-Handmade-Scented-Glitter/dp/B07FCQVJ54″]Rainbow Cloud Slime, $14.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

37. Hand-Cranked Harry Potter Music Box

I may have saved the best for last. Second-to-last, at least. Penultimate. Anyway, this tiny, handmade product is a music box operated with a hand crank. It doesn’t just feature the Harry Potter logo on the front, it also plays the tune “Harry’s Wondrous World” from the Harry Potter movies.

Esdemusicashop is a maker in Madrid who specializes in music boxes just like these. She also carries boxes that play music from Game of Thrones, Star Wars, and other fictional worlds. If you’re curious about how these handmade music boxes sound, you can watch and listen on her YouTube channel.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B072J91851/62000″]Hand-Cranked Harry Potter Music Box, $8.75 from Amazon[/link-button]

38. Stranger Things Eleven Temporary Tattoo

While I love tattoos on other people, the lifelong commitment has kept me from making the leap so far. When I imagine temporary tattoos, I picture something childish and silly. These temporary tattoos by The Temporary Tattoo Store have changed my mind. They are designed so expertly, I think I’ll give them a try.

This Stranger Things Eleven Temporary Tattoo set comes with two different tattoos—one that reads “011” and one that reads “Friends Don’t Lie” inside a wreath of Christmas lights. According to the seller, these tattoos will last between two and five days.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Stranger-Things-Eleven-Temporary-Tattoo/dp/B07FCQBCFP”]Stranger Things Eleven Temporary Tattoo, $3.26 from Amazon[/link-button]

Tags Commerce, social

Health x Body Wellbeing

A Lifelong Headache: The Signs And Symptoms Of Chronic Migraines

Post author By Jeanne Sager
Post date September 14, 2018

Migraines are miserable.
Maybe that’s a bit of an understatement for the 12 percent of the American population who suffers from them. They’re agony, anguish, and for chronic migraine sufferers, they’re very literally a constant headache.
According to one survey of Americans, women in the workforce who regularly battle migraines lose a collective 18.8 million work days every year because of them. Stay-at-home peers are far from immune either: Stats from the same survey estimated women at home suffer debilitating migraine symptoms some 38.5 million days in one year (again, these are all those women collectively).

Migraines are more than miserable. They’re life-altering.
And that’s especially true for the sector of people who have what are called chronic migraines: the types of debilitating headaches that just won’t go away. When it comes to medical terms, chronic means “persisting for a long time.” It’s a term doctors use to address a condition that may even be lifelong.

But when it comes to chronic migraines, the term is even more specific. Just 1 percent of the population is estimated to suffer from chronic migraines, according to the American Migraine Foundation. Could you be one of them?
Let’s consider the symptoms.

1. Migraines for More Than Half the Month

Some people will have one migraine in their lifetime and never have another. Some folks get them once or twice a year. Some may even have a few a month.
Then there are chronic migraine sufferers. To fall in this group, Tania Elliott, MD, the chief medical officer at EHE, says you need to be experiencing at least five days worth of migraine headaches each month for a three-month period. More typical in women than men, chronic migraines are separated out from other migraines by doctors because of the severity and frequency of symptoms.
https://twitter.com/ChronicPayne67/status/1039142523262914560
Before a practitioner can diagnose anyone with chronic migraines, a headache journal is a first step. If you’re facing the problem, your doctor will ask you to start writing everything headache-related down, noting when your symptoms start, any triggers that you can identify, and anything that seemed to help alleviate your symptoms. This will help your doctor determine if you’re truly experiencing chronic migraines, allowing them to rule out or diagnose other possible conditions before embarking on a treatment plan.

All that said, aside from the frequency characteristic that sets chronic migraine symptoms apart from other migraines, Elliott says all other signs and symptoms are the same.
So what else might you be dealing with that could signal you’ve got chronic migraines?

2. Pain

This should be a given, right? After all, migraines are headaches—there must be pain somewhere. But what sets migraines, chronic or not, apart from headaches caused by allergies, viruses, and other conditions is where the pain shows up and what it feels like, says Geoffrey Eubank, MD, system medical chief of general neurology at OhioHealth Neuroscience in Columbus, Ohio.

Typically, migraine pain is on one side of the head, but it can be on both sides, and it can be in the front of the head or even the face, Eubank says. That can make it confusing for sufferers, who often confuse migraines with sinus headaches.
“[Migraine pain] can also occur or extend into the back of the head and into the neck region,” Eubank notes.

But what truly sets migraines apart from other headaches is the severity of the pain, and how it interferes with one’s ability to function. While sinus or tension headaches may be uncomfortable, migraine headaches are categorized as debilitating by doctors. This is especially true for chronic migraine sufferers because of the frequency with which their lives and interrupted by severe headaches.

Nausea and Vomiting

Part of the interference with daily life that crops up is a tendency for migraine sufferers to vomit or at least suffer nausea before and/or during a migraine. Often a premonitory symptom, nausea can hit before the pain in the head shows up, signaling that a migraine is on its way. Though the contents of your stomach might come up, the problem has nothing to do with the stomach itself—this is yet another issue caused by the brain.
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“Migraines originate, it is thought, in the brainstem, and a place in the brainstem called the area postrema gets involved,” Eubanks explains. “This area is tied to nausea and vomiting.”

The area postrema is tied up in why we vomit even when we’re not suffering a migraine. But when the two are combined, it can be one of the most troubling symptoms of migraines for doctors and sufferers both in that it makes it harder to administer oral medications, one of the first lines of defense for chronic migraine sufferers.

3. Aura

For an estimated 25 percent of migraine sufferers, a neurological disturbance known as an aura may show up in what’s known as the prodrome phase of a migraine. This is a period of time that can be anywhere from hours or days before the actual pain hits in the head but signals that a migraine is incoming.

The word aura may conjure up images of angels, funky colors, and halos hovering over your friends, but Jin Li, MD, chief of neuromuscular medicine at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York, and an associate professor of neurology at New York Medical College, says there’s a lot more science to this medical term.
“The most common aura is visual aura—when the patient sees a dark spot on the periphery and a flashing light on the outer … rim of the dark spot,” Li says.

#MigraineAwarenessWeek 36/50: If you are lucky enough never to have experienced migraine aura and want to know what it looks like, check out the extraordinary work of @fran_emk pic.twitter.com/LulPZjkuw4

— Mark Weatherall (@weatherallmw) September 7, 2018

The aura itself is what Li calls a “manifestation of neuron hyperactivity.” Basically, there’s a chemical wave moving through your brain. Although it’s typically visual, it may be auditory too, meaning your ears may be processing something at a heightened state. Your vision can also become blurry for as much as an hour or more—something doctors call a “visual aura.”
Experts believe the auras from migraines—particularly auras accompanied by temporary numbness—are linked to genes. If your mom, dad, or maybe grandma or grandpa experienced migraine auras, you’re probably at higher risk of spotting them yourself.

4. Speech Issues or Issues With Coordination

Stumbling, slurring, dizziness: These issues can all crop up during the aura phase of a migraine. You may find yourself unable to remember specific words that you use on a regular basis or simply struggle to pronounce those words.

You may also suffer from vertigo, a sensation that you or the room around you are spinning. This can make it difficult to walk or do other physical activity.
These feelings can return later during what is known as the postdrome phase, Eubank says. “It’s the period that occurs after the migraine headache part is gone,” he notes. “Often times people are tired or listless but can have other symptoms such as dizziness and weakness.”

While unsettling for someone who is dealing with them, the speech issues and coordination problems typically only last about an hour and are fully reversible. So long as it’s truly a migraine causing the issues, they do not carry over into days when you are not suffering from a migraine.

5. Light and/or Sound Sensitivity

You don’t need to have an actual aura experience to be sensitive to your environment. Lights, sounds, and even smells can intensify the pain of a migraine.
“The cascade of pain responses includes the hypersensitivity or visual and hearing transmission,” Li explains. In other words, the senses that are typical ways we connect with the world can be overwhelming.

Lying down in a dark room, with room-darkening curtains and even noise-canceling headphones can lessen exposure to these triggers. You may also find yourself triggered by certain smells, Eubank says, so limiting exposure to them can help.

6. Finding Help

Some people are able to find their migraine triggers—certain foods or allergens can bring on a migraine in some folks, for example—and simply avoid those things in order to avoid the pain of a headache. That’s not typically true for chronic migraine sufferers who find their bodies wracked by symptoms so often it’s impossible to pin down any one trigger.
Nor is there any specific cause that can typically be found for migraines, Eubank says.
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“There definitely appears to be genetic influences the predispose some people to migraines, and there are many environmental triggers,” he notes. “Ultimately, it appears there may be an imbalance of serotonin in people with migraines and drops in serotonin levels seem to occur before migraine happens. This causes the release of other neurochemicals within the brainstem that ultimately triggers the headache and many of the other symptoms that occur during migraine.”
Not knowing why the brain acts the way it is can be frustrating, but it doesn’t mean there aren’t options out there for people who suffer from chronic migraines.

For chronic migraine sufferers, treatment often comes down to opting for pharmaceutical help. Preventative medications are typically used, Li says, along with “abortive” medication, a term that describes medicines that can help stop a migraine in its tracks. Nonpharmacological treatments, such as biofeedback and cognitive behavioral therapy, are also sometimes helpful for chronic migraine patients.

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Healthy Relationships Wellbeing

Learn How To Decode Your Partner's Mood

Post author By Cindy Lamothe
Post date September 14, 2018

Here’s a confession: I am a mind reader. That’s right, I can glance at my partner and delve deep into his feelings with just one look. I am also able to accurately interpret and detect an array of emotions based on body cues, perceived thoughts, and the phases of the moon.

Okay, so I’m not actually a bonafide mind reader (in spite of how much I try!). The fact is, none of us are—and piecing together the clues can be even harder when it comes to our significant other.

While our familiarity with each other can offer insight into their changing moods—we shouldn’t try to gauge how our partner’s feeling based on assumptions alone. According to psychologists, taking the time to understand and communicate effectively is the best way to increase our empathy and sense of closeness. However, the first, and most important thing to keep in mind, according to experts, is this:

It’s not all about you.

If your partner is withdrawing, in a funk, or refusing to interact with you, the reason is probably more complicated than it seems, says Amy McManus, a licensed therapist in Los Angeles who focuses on helping millennials with anxiety and relationship issues.

“Often we assume our partner is mad at us, and we immediately get defensive,” she says. This can make you start arguing about something that might not be the real issue at all, which consequently makes it impossible to solve the actual problem.
An interesting study published earlier this year dug into this exact dilemma. Researchers found that while couples do well at picking up on when their partner is happy, they might be missing out on other more subtle emotional clues.

“We found that when it comes to the normal ebb and flow of daily emotions, couples aren’t picking up on those occasional changes in ‘soft negative’ emotions like sadness or feeling down,” said family psychologist Chrystyna D. Kouros, the lead author on the study. She also noted that regularly failing to pick up on these negative feelings can cause a cumulative effect, ultimately leading to problems within the relationship over time.

Assumptions can be relationship killers.

While many of us are proud of our honed mind-reading abilities, this is a big no-no according to Kouros, who emphasized that couples should stop assuming they know what their partner is feeling and alternatively pay more attention to each other and communicate more.

Crystal I. Lee, PsyD, a Los Angeles licensed psychologist, echoes this. She explains that while one partner may incorrectly assume the other is feeling a certain way, this can lead the other to react in an unhelpful manner. For example, if you assume that your partner is upset about something you feel they shouldn’t be (and they’re not), “it might cause you to get angry or frustrated with them—which in turn, actually makes them upset, and then it develops into a fight” (pretty sure we’ve all been here before).

But aside from deterring this unhelpful habit, Erik Pedersen, PsyD, a psychologist from Morgan Hill, California, urges us to take a closer look at our interior motivations. “More often, we are trying to intuit or make assumptions about what the other is feeling because the relationship is unstable and insecure,” he says. Whereas, in the opposite sense—when a relationship is stable and secure—we don’t have to assume what the other is feeling.

Stop and listen to your partner.

“One of the biggest things I tell my clients,” says Lee, “is that you should be listening to understand, not to respond.” Don’t listen with the goal of figuring out what you want to say or how to tear apart their opinion or how to catch them in a lie, she says. Also refrain from jumping in with rebuttals, opinions, and judgments until you really understand your partner’s point of view.

Similarly, McManus affirms that if you are the listener, your role is simple: “Seek to understand. Stay curious. Listen.”
You can always ask questions to clarify, just be careful that you don’t try to defend yourself. Always remember that listening doesn’t mean you are agreeing with your partner’s conclusions; you are simply acknowledging that their feelings are valid and worthy of being heard.

Also, keep in mind the importance of giving your partner eye contact and waiting to respond, says Mary Silver, MSW, a certified life coach from Denver, Colorado. If you wait for around two to three seconds after they are done speaking, your response will be more tailored to them and not a knee-jerk reaction.

Pay attention to voice and tone.

If someone is happy and receptive, they will have a playfulness in their voice, explains Silver. “You will also notice it in their body language.”

In regards to tone of voice, it can be very subtle; there may be a little bit of sarcasm in someone’s voice if they are feeling a little irritated or “off.” Check in with your partner in a non-confrontational way to get a sense of their needs.
If their voice or tone is a little quieter, Silver says, they are likely in a reflective state; meaning they need to check in with themselves about how they are feeling or thinking about a situation (so it’s probably not a good idea to mention another topic like paying the bills).

If your partner seems distracted and avoids eye contact, this does not mean they are not interested in you, Silver says. “A good tip to someone in this case is to ask your partner if they have a moment to talk with no interruptions.” You may notice that after asking this question, both you and your partner can cultivate a sense of respect for each other and the topic at hand if you put in the extra effort.

Practice direct communication.

Consider that we are always communicating. Even when we’re not talking, we’re still communicating in a variety of ways. Sometimes we even communicate contradictory messages, explains Pedersen. “The more time devoted specifically to ‘direct communication,’ the less ambiguity, and the more clarity,” he says.

What happens when you stop communicating and put the relationship on the shelf? The big four: resentment, contempt, stonewalling, and defensiveness. “If you have all four of these, Pedersen adds, “it’s usually time to call it done.” Research backs up his assertion, as studies have shown that these telltale signs can predict divorce with over 90 percent accuracy.
Renowned psychologist John Gottman, who founded the Gottman Institute, identified both contempt and stonewalling as significant contributors to marital malaise.

If you and your partner find yourselves on this thorny path, take heart—it’s not too late to backtrack. Experts have identified the following skills that can help couples communicate more directly:

Listen actively.

Simply put, during the “active listening” process, one partner talks and one partner listens.
If you are the “talking partner,” you use “I” statements without blaming or criticizing, says McManus. You say things like, “I feel frustrated that I have to clean up a big mess in the kitchen again,” or “I feel worried that your friends are more important to you than I am.”

These statements show solid ownership of your own emotions and do not place blame on the other person.
McManus cautions against saying things like “I think you are being passive-aggressive when you say you will do something and you don’t do it.” Similarly, avoid anything that starts with “I think that you… .”
A variation of this is “I feel ____ when you do ____.” This is valid; you aren’t blaming them directly, but it will be hard for the other person to remain neutral and not try to defend themselves. It’s better to say something like, “I feel worried when I don’t know what time you are coming home from hanging out with your friends.”

Don’t be afraid to ask!

If you are unclear as to how your partner is feeling, the best approach is to ask them. This would be in the form of being curious and supportive, not blaming or being defensive, says Silver. “It’s important to know what state of mind you are going into the conversation with.”

If you are feeling sad, low, or a little wounded, it’s very likely you will bring this to a discussion. “Using ‘I’ statements and being open, transparent, and vulnerable will help your partner know what you are feeling and needing out of the interaction,” she explains. “It may be that you just need a hug.”
Silver recommends allowing your partner to know what you need. If you don’t know what you need, explain that as well.

Learn each other’s emotional histories.

Life is both joyful and painful, and we are all conditioned by painful experiences. Pedersen insists: “It is always best to know of what painful experiences your partner’s ‘emotional truth’ is constructed.”

He recommends couples take long hours sharing their history with each other. “Really open up about mom and dad, trauma, doubts, and insecurities,” he says. “Try to become as transparent as possible.”
“If you don’t learn about your partner’s history of conditioned pain, then you will have to learn about it through conflict—which sucks,” Pedersen asserts. Knowing about their pain informs your response. If you find yourself in the midst of an argument, he suggests asking your partner where they have had this feeling in their life before.

Part of this involves cultivating our own sense of understanding and compassion. “Knowing that your partner spent four hours waiting for their parent to call and wondering if they ever would when they were just 7 years old,” Pedersen points out, “may easily explain why they became so hurt and angry when you neglected to text this evening.” This creates a map that is useful in times of conflict, as understanding their history makes it easier not to feel personally attacked and validates why they would be upset.

Ultimately, decoding our partner’s moods requires we take an active, empathetic interest in the inner world of our significant other. As Pedersen puts it, “It’s useful for couples to look at their partner and ask themselves, ‘Who is this being?’ After all, a relationship takes place in the here and now, never in the past or future.”

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Happy Home Lifestyle

5 Mistakes Homeowners Are Bound To Make

Post author By Jeanne Sager
Post date September 13, 2018

There’s a great big myth that comes with buying a house. Your mortgage, that giant bill that floats over your head for 20 to 30 years before you finally pay off the bank, is the most expensive part of owning a house. Right?
Wrong!
When it comes down to it, that princely sum you put down on your dream digs is just the start of it. According to the folks at Bankrate, the average homeowner spends at least $2,000 a year on maintenance services alone. And in the most expensive areas of the country, Angie’s List estimates it actually costs $2,000 or more a month to own a house, once you add in mortgage, utility costs, real estate taxes, property insurance, maintenance, and repairs. Even when you work your way down their list to cheaper spots around the country, homeowners are still facing figures in the triple digits to keep up with all it takes to own a home.

Okay, now hold on a second. Don’t start freaking out.
There are still plenty of science-backed benefits that come with buying your own place, especially from a social perspective. Owning your own space can make you feel good, and that’s always a good thing.
What you need is to be prepared for some of the OMG, I didn’t even think about it issues that tend to come up for homeowners…that end up costing them serious cash.
We asked HealthyWay readers to fess up to some of their worst mistakes as homeowners. They shared, so you can avoid their fate!

1. Roof Regrets

“This is embarrassing, but I really didn’t think about our roof at all until the night we woke up to water pouring into our bedroom. We have a two-story house, and I just … didn’t have a reason to really look up, but when the contractor showed up, he showed us all the gross shingles we should have noticed as a sign that the roof needed to be replaced!”
—Maria B.

A leaky roof can come out of nowhere, and it’s typically not something you’ll notice, at least not until you spot that strange-colored ring on the ceiling—if you’re lucky enough to spot it before the water actually leaks through!
The average roof repair can cost anywhere from $334 to $1,238, according to the estimates from HomeAdvisor, so sooner rather than later is key to saving cash.

“Roofs are sometimes one of the most neglected—and expensive—components of a house,” says Roger Kautz, owner of Hearthstone Home Inspections in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin.
“Ideally, one should look at his or her roof—by walking on it if possible—annually, or at least every three years,” Kautz advises. “Obviously, a water stain on your ceiling is a Do not ignore sign of a problem, but other issues to be looking for include curled, cracked, damaged, or out-of-place shingles, metal or rubber flashing—the material used to bridge gaps—that is damaged or not providing a secure seal between components, damaged or clogged gutters, and cracks or deterioration in chimneys.”

If you’ve got a drone, Kautz suggests putting it to work to do a view of what’s going on on top of your home, without ever having to leave the ground.
“People who have drones now have one of the best tools for inspecting roofs, and if they do it often enough, they are more likely to notice any irregularities,” he says.
It’s also wise to clean your gutters twice a year, says J.B. Sassano, president of Mr. Handyman. It will help prevent roof issues and protect other parts of the home as well.
“Failing to clean gutters can lead to serious and expensive repairs including roof damage, wood rot on decks, windows, and doors, et cetera,” he explains.

2. Filter Follow-Through

“We forget to change the water filter, resulting in no water to the second floor shower … which lead to changing the water filter at 1 a.m.—after getting home from an event where we were sweaty, dirty and gross—in our skivvies so we could shower!”
—Sandra H.

Filters do big jobs all around the house—from the devices filtering rust out of our water to the air conditioning filters snatching dust out of the air. But the more they clean our air, water, and more, the more clogged they get.
The fix is two-fold, Kautz says.

First, and most importantly, buy good filters! “One should stay away from the really cheap, see-through filters, as they trap only big stuff,” he advises. “The rule of thumb is to replace basic filters every month, during both the heating and cooling season. Better filters can last for up to three months, and the thick 4- or 5-inch filters are typically changed once a year
“Every house and family is different, however, so I recommend one begin by checking the filter monthly, and if it is not obviously dirty, it may be fine for another month,” Kautz notes.

If you’ve got an oil-burning furnace, it’s also recommended that you get an annual tune-up and cleaning from a professional in addition to making the filter switches as needed. If you’ve got a gas furnace or boiler, you can likely get by with check-ups every two or three years instead.
“But homeowners should also refer to their warranty and not void it by skipping tune-ups,” Kautz warns.

3. Water, Water, Everywhere

“We were trying to save money, so I would set the temperature in the house down while we were out during the day, then turn it back up when we go home. I completely forgot that the pipes needed the heat, too, and I got home from work to find one pipe had burst and we had water everywhere.”
—Tina T.

Water can do big-time damage in no time, so it’s no surprise that burst pipes are not just one of the most common plumbing problems, but one of those home repairs that can cost you big money. HomeAdvisor estimates repairing water damage costs over $2,500, and that doesn’t include the cost of installing new pipes!
“When pipes freeze, they restrict running water, which prevents completing normal tasks such as taking a shower or cooking,” Sassano says. But that’s the least of the problems for many homeowners. When water freezes, it also expands, and if there’s not enough room for that expanding ice, a pipe could burst, sending water everywhere.

If you’re planning to turn down the heat, it’s important to drain the pipes and turn off the water line. That’s the easiest way to prevent the water from freezing inside. If for some reason you can’t do that, it’s important to check the pipes.
“The most susceptible pipes to freezing are outdoor hose bibs, water sprinkler lines, plumbing in unheated interior spaces lacking insulation such as basement, garages, crawl spaces, et cetera,” Sassano warns.

He suggests watching for frost on exposed piping; that will indicate it may be frozen. If you fear that your pipes are frozen, turn off the main water line, then open the faucet that is supplied by the frozen pipe to release pressure.
You can then apply heat by turning up the thermostat or using a hairdryer or electric heating pad, Sassano suggests.

4. A Moldy Matter

“My bedroom closet is in a dark corner of the room, and it doesn’t have a light in it. It started to smell a little musty, but I didn’t think anything of it. Come to find out, my closet ceiling and walls were full of toxic mold. Apparently the sink in our upstairs bathroom was leaking into my closet for months, and it cost us almost 10 grand to fix it all!”
—Lyn R.

Mold isn’t just unsightly. It can be downright dangerous, causing a range of respiratory problems. It can also be a huge headache for a homeowner, with estimates for mold remediation sitting at more than $2,000 on average.
The good news, Sassano says, is that most mold growth can be prevented before your home turns into a health hazard. That’s because mold is a bacteria that flourishes in moisture. Warding off that moisture, or cleaning up any water immediately, can keep mold from taking hold.

Every spring, Sassano suggests checking your attic for mold, as it’s one of the most susceptible spots. Attics should be well ventilated and properly insulated to ward off mold growth. Any leaks—from the roof or anywhere else in the house—should be dried up immediately.

5. Dryer Fire

“We had a fire a few years ago because the vent from our dryer to outside backed up. The fire department came really fast, and we were really lucky, but it was so scary! I never knew you needed to have the vent cleaned.”
—Christa O.

Nearly 3,000 dryer fires are reported every year, costing some $35 million in property losses and an estimated five losses of life, according to the U.S Fire Administration (USFA), a division of FEMA.
Startling as those statistics might be, there is good news: These fires can easily be prevented with regular dryer cleanings.

The USFA urges people to clean the areas where lint is readily apparent—the lint filter and the back of the dryer—as well as the dryer vent, the oft-ignored catchall for the lint being expelled as the machine sucks the moisture out of your favorite pair of jeans.
“If your clothes aren’t fully dried after a dryer cycle or an odd smell appears or your exterior vents aren’t expelling air,” Sassano says, the culprit is likely your dryer vent. The issue should be addressed immediately.

Many homeowners forget about the dryer vent that connects their machine with the rest of the world—usually a vent to the outside of the home. That should be cleaned at least once a year, Sassano says, preferably by an expert who can cart away the build-up that tends to spark a fire. The USFA is more cautious, recommending the vent pipe be cleaned every three months.

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Trending

Delivery Room Workers Explain What Happens When The Baby Clearly Isn't The Father's

Post author By HealthyWay Staff Writer
Post date September 13, 2018

By some estimates, as many as 9 percent of children have misattributed paternity. That means that their biological father isn’t the man who raised them—and the children are never made aware of that (quite crucial) information.

Of course, paternity statistics are difficult to accurately assess, since you can’t easily perform a genuinely random sample. If a mother knows that her baby’s daddy isn’t, ahem, the baby’s daddy, she might reasonably refuse to take part in a survey, skewing the results.

Still, we know that it happens—and sometimes, the would-be father discovers the deception in the delivery room. Over several different threads, Reddit users shared their stories of parentage gone awry. For the most part, the stories come from doctors, nurses, and other medical professionals who saw families react when they realized that their new baby obviously wasn’t the father’s biological child.

Needless to say, some of these stories are fairly…uncomfortable. We sorted out a few of the best, then edited them for grammar and readability. Strap in, because these get pretty rough.

1. Sometimes, you’ve got to make the best out of a bad situation.

Hey, infidelity happens; when you realize that you’ve only got a 50 percent chance of being a father, you might as well see it through before making any irrational decisions.

Reddit user Racheltower’s father is an obstetrician. She tells how a woman recently visited his office with her husband…and her boyfriend.

“They don’t know who the father is, and they can’t find out until the baby is born,” she explained, “so both men want to be there during doctor appointments and the birth.”

That seems like an incredibly awkward situation, but to their credit, both of the potential fathers stepped up to the plate.

“The two men were surprisingly cordial with each other,” she said, “but I’m betting they’ll run a paternity test before the umbilical cord is even cut.”

For what it’s worth, obstetricians can actually determine paternity prior to birth, but the current method involves a sampling procedure that could potentially endanger the fetus.

2. In this story, the parentage isn’t really up for debate.

User Idkjill is a nurse, and she shared one of the more baffling experiences she’s encountered on the job.

“Once, we had a couple come in—just them,” she wrote. “The father was black, and the mother was white. The father was so involved and so ecstatic about becoming a father for the second time with this women.”

“Nothing really seemed off until she started pushing. The baby girl came out completely white, with blonde hair and blue eyes. Usually, black babies come out a little pale, but this was just straight-out white.”

“We had to escort the father out for fear of him becoming violent, but he just sat outside the room, on the ground with his face in his hands. That was one of the saddest moments I think I’ve ever seen.”

The bad news: It gets much, much worse.

“Odd thing afterwards, though, the mom didn’t want the baby and wanted nothing to do with the ‘father,’ probably out of guilt,” she wrote, “so she left the responsibility of this baby and their other 2-year-old boy to this man—who didn’t even question taking on this child.”

While that’s heartbreaking, it’s good to know that those kids have at least one great parent. We hope he was able to move on quickly without her.

3. This story doesn’t reflect well on anyone involved.

Sometimes, these stories are so off-the-wall that we doubt they’re real—but for some reason, that doesn’t make them any less entertaining.

“My cousin was an obstetrics nurse in a central European country,” wrote Reddit user Thunder_bird.

Two pregnant women entered the nurse’s maternity ward, but unfortunately, one of the mothers lost her child during delivery. Naturally, she was grief-stricken; she told the nurse that she’d been trying for a baby for many years.

“She and her husband were overjoyed to carry a baby to term,” Thunder_bird wrote. “The husband was not present in the ward that day, but the lady said he would be devastated.”

The other lady delivered a healthy baby, but she was also upset; she already had four children and was unable to financially support a fifth.

“She did not want to look after yet another baby,” they wrote. “Her husband was very upset she was pregnant again—not that he was blameless, but that’s a different story. He was at work and was not at the hospital that day.”

“My cousin talked to the other nurses. No paperwork had been completed, so the staff put both women in the same room with the one healthy baby and suggested they may want to talk.”

“Forty minutes later, the lady without a child was holding the healthy baby. Both women looked happy and relieved. Few words were spoken, but the paperwork was written up by the staff to reverse the records of the two births … They were of the same ethnic background and had similar features, so the swap probably went undetected.”

Obviously, that story has huge ethical issues, and we doubt it’d be possible in American hospitals. Still, it sort of has a happy ending…right?

4. Sometimes, the baby’s appearance isn’t what indicates their parentage.

Reddit user Fuzzus628’s mother worked at a medical laboratory “many decades ago.”

“One day, another woman who worked in the building was visiting the lab,” he wrote. “During the conversation, she mentioned that she was blood type X, her husband was type Y, and their child was type Z. I don’t remember the specific types.”

Well, it’s good that those aren’t the actual blood types, since we’re pretty sure that type Z makes you a zombie.

“One of the younger lab techs blurted out, ‘That’s impossible,’ and the doctor in the lab just stared daggers at him. Luckily, the visitor either didn’t notice or didn’t care, and moved along shortly after. My mom still remembers it as one of the most awkward moments she’d ever been privy to.”

That person probably should have realized the issue while doing Punnett squares in high school biology class.

5. Then again, sometimes appearance is a dead giveaway.

“My brother was doing his OBGYN rotation,” wrote user inkseep1. “In the first birth he assisted, the woman had her husband leave the room. That seems odd these days, but nevertheless, my brother had the husband step out for the comfort of the patient.

If you’re paying attention at all, you know where this was going. The color of the baby’s skin “wasn’t even close” to the skin tone of the father.

“There were lily-white parents and a very black baby,” inkseep1 wrote. “She wanted my brother to stay to talk to her husband, who is about to come back, and he bails on the whole situation. She was playing the odds all the way to the end.”

User CompanionQuandary has a similar story, but she actually stayed in the room to walk the parents through the uncomfortable moment.

“I am a nurse working in labor and delivery,” she wrote. “Most of the time, if the mom thinks the baby may not belong to her boyfriend or husband, she will just have their friend/sister/mom with them there for the delivery, then have the dad come to the hospital room after seeing the baby.”

“There are no guarantees because babies can change a lot over a couple weeks. Many African American babies have very light skin when they are born, which gets darker over time.”

“I have had a patient’s husband get upset about the baby being too light—they were both black—until his mom smacked him and told him that’s what he looked like when he was born.”

“Recently, I had something interesting happen. A girl comes in, in labor, with her boyfriend, sister, and a friend. The boyfriend doesn’t seem too engaged during the process, but that’s not uncommon. The baby is born and is fine, and the sister sends Dad to get some stuff.”

It’s important to note that all of the people involved only speak Spanish, and while CompanionQuandary speaks some medical Spanish to assist with procedures like deliveries, she’s certainly not fluent.

“As soon as the dad leaves, the sister is like, ‘I have a question for you,’ and then proceeds to say something I can’t understand at all. I try to clarify, but I’m just not getting it, so I offer to go get the translator.”

“She’s like, ‘No, I don’t want it to be official.’ She whips out her phone, and through Google translate asks, ‘How can we get a paternity test in the hospital?’”

“I then have to explain that we really don’t do that, but she can get one at CVS. They tell me that the baby doesn’t look like the mom’s other child with this guy, and it might be someone else’s, but they want to check before telling him. So I just apologize and tell them how they can get a DNA test at CVS, and that they cost about $50.”

“This isn’t the first time I’ve been asked about paternity testing, but I just had no idea how you say it in Spanish.”

Some commenters felt that this mother was being unethical here, but CompanionQuandary warns against rushing to judgment.

“You don’t know anyone else’s life circumstances, so it is best to reserve judgment about the choices they have made or you think they may have made,” she explains. “Not every situation is cut-and-dry. Plenty of biological fathers leave and do not support their children, and women are not all lying villains. Life is very gray’ just treat people with respect and compassion.”

That’s good advice to keep in mind during these next few stories.

6. This one will make your blood boil.

“I’m a nurse in a level 4 neonatal ICU,” wrote user RavenousButterfly. “We service the sickest of the sick from our state and the surrounding states, so we see it all.”

A baby came into the ICU with life-threatening sepsis caused by herpes. In most cases, RavenousButterfly wrote, doctors try to treat herpes while the mother is pregnant, which greatly reduces the risk of serious complications.

“In this case, the mom didn’t even know she was a carrier,” they wrote. “So where did it come from? This is the awkward and sickening moment when everyone in the room realized where the herpes came from. Turns out, the father had an affair and contracted the virus from his lover.”

“So, yeah, while this woman’s baby is on the verge of death, she finds out her husband has been cheating on her and his cheating a** is the reason their baby is sick.”

That’s not quite a case of misplaced parentage, but it’s infuriating enough to make the list.

7. Sometimes, biology isn’t the most important part of the story.

“My fiance’s father is almost certainly not his biological dad,” wrote user Bagzilla. “His mom was just a genuinely terrible human being who didn’t even try to hide the fact she was cheating.”

“But his dad loved him from the second he was born, and when the mom decided four years later that she just didn’t want the kid anymore, she just gave him to his dad and rode off.”

We don’t know their situation, but it sounds like the kid was better off without his mother in the picture.

“His dad ended up getting married, and he tried for kids before finding out his sperm count was too low to ever father children,” Bagzilla continues. “They ended up adopting many years later.”

“He sat my fiance down when my fiance was 13 and told him the truth, and said that if my friend wanted to test, they would, but it was up to him. My friend cried, and told his father that he just wanted him to be his dad, and that was the end of that.”

Ultimately, the blood test wouldn’t have proved anything; regardless of biological parentage, the kid certainly grew up with his “real” father.

8. Blood typing is complicated…except when it isn’t.

“I’m a NICU nurse that was floating to the nursery,” user Mimimullen wrote. “A baby was born with a genetic abnormality, but was otherwise doing fine. The pediatrician was in the parents’ room discussing the follow-up type stuff for the baby—appointments with a geneticist, an orthopedic surgeon, etc.”

“At some point in the conversation, the mother asked what the baby’s blood type was, to which the pediatrician responded ‘A+.’ The father of the baby insisted that was impossible, as he and his wife were both O-. This was their third baby.”

“The pediatrician got totally flustered and came back to the nursery to verify the lab results. The baby really was A+. We even went so far as to redraw the baby’s blood and retest it. Nope, A+.”

“There is absolutely no chance that the baby belonged to that man. The husband left the hospital soon afterwards and didn’t show up again until it was time to pick up the mom and baby to bring them home. The mom spent the rest of the hospital stay lying alone, in the dark, mostly hiding under the covers.”

We should note that genetic mutations can actually cause these types of issues; two O- parents could potentially have a child with a different blood type. Those types of genetic mutations are extremely rare, but hopefully, this was one of those cases.

9. If you’re feeling disappointed in the human race, this last story should provide some relief.

“My aunt is a nurse in the maternity ward,” wrote Beachy5313. “She had a couple come in; they were both very black. The lady has the baby, and it is [extremely] white, like, totally pale, with no trace of any pigment.”

You probably think that you know where this one is going, but think again.

“They put the baby on her mom and the mom starts yelling about how this isn’t her baby, and how they stole her baby,” Beachy5313 continued. “In all fairness, you can be very confused during and after delivery, so it wasn’t stupidity. [She was] just sobbing and freaking out, and the father is just sitting there and looks very confused because he’s realizing that even if she did cheat, there is no way the baby would be that white. The doctor and nurses are trying to assure her that this is her baby, and that the skin usually darkens later.”

“Come to find out, when the father called his mom, she pointed out that they have a second cousin who is albino, and maybe baby got that gene. Turns out, that’s what happened; the baby was albino.”

That’s pretty much the best-case scenario for that unusual situation. Albinism, by the way, affects people of all races, and while it’s rare, one out of every 17,000 people has some form of albinism. While it’s a lifelong condition with several health implications, it usually doesn’t affect lifespan.

It can, however, make for some awkward conversations in a delivery room.

Tags social

Favorite Finds Motherhood

38 Screen-Free Amazon Products For Dinner Out With Kids

Post author By Mary Sauer
Post date September 13, 2018

The first time we took our oldest out to eat she was 6 months old.
It was awful.
She cried a lot during the meal, which meant my husband and I took turns taking her out for a walk around the parking lot of the restaurant so we could finish our food before taking her home and putting her to bed. It’s been six years since that dinner out, and we honestly haven’t done a lot of restaurant dining as a family since.

I think we were slightly traumatized by that experience. It felt a lot easier to order takeout, go to Chick-fil-A, or simply cook at home. When my husband and I decided we really needed a break from the same old, same old, we opted to hire a babysitter instead of taking our kids along.
The children are getting older now. Our youngest just turned 2. Sitting through a restaurant meal has become a more realistic goal, and it’s something we’re ready to do more of as a family. That being said, having slightly older kids still hasn’t made restaurant dining a walk in the park. It’s hard to wait for your food when you’re young, hungry, and full of energy. Plus, when the food finally does arrive, it seems like our kids always finish their plates in record time—while we’re left trying to keep them entertained so we can finish our meals.

What do we want? A more enjoyable dining experience. How’re we going to get it? With these 38 screen-free products from Amazon that are perfect for distracting young kids.

1. Water Wow! Reveal Activity Pads

According to a friend of mine, these activity pads from Melissa & Doug are the end-all, be-all of road trip activities. I suspect they’d be great for family meals, too. Using a pen with refillable water storage, little diners can reveal the colors of each picture on the pad.

Water Wow! Reveal Activity Pads are a low-mess painting option, and they’re reusable, so they’re basically every parent’s dream. When wet, the outlines of the pictures fill with color. When the water dries, the paper returns to white with black outlines.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Reusable-Water-Reveal-Activity/dp/B017OW251I/”]Water Wow! Reveal Activity Pads, $9.99 for 2 from Amazon[/link-button]

2. Silly Faces Magnetic Tin

If your kids are over the age of 3, this on-the-go activity is a great way to keep them entertained while you finish your meal in peace (or at least without screaming). With blank faces as their canvases, your kiddos can create works of art by placing ears, eyes, and accessories wherever their hearts desire.

The Silly Faces Magnetic Tin comes in a set of two and includes 49 magnets, giving your kids plenty of different ways to fill their time once they’ve pushed away their chicken strips and moved on to making “free lemonade.” Amazon reviewers love this toy, and more than one recommends it as an easy way to keep kids busy while on the go.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Silly-Faces-Magnetic-Fun%C2%A8-Tin/dp/B003DNINB4/”]Silly Faces Magnetic Tin, $8.92 from Amazon[/link-button]

3. Magica Clutching Toy

I’m honestly not sure if it’s harder to keep a busy toddler seated at the table or an infant happy during the course of the meal. Younger kids might be easier to contain, but they’re also more prone to emotional outbursts when they get too bored or tired.

The Magica Clutching Toy is a beautiful, wooden collection of large, rainbow-colored beads attached to each other on an elastic string. It’s perfect for an older infant who can sit and grasp on their own. Your baby can shake it, shape it, and gum on it while you and your co-parent enjoy your food.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/HABA-Magica-Clutching-Made-Germany/dp/B0033M22LM/”]Magica Clutching Toy, $15.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

4. Little Chef Activity Book

One of the difficulties of bringing toys to the restaurant is keeping track of the many pieces that can be dropped, thrown, or lost during the meal. What’s so great about a toy like the Melissa & Doug Little Chef Activity Book is that it includes all kinds of fun, interactive activities with parts that all remain attached to the book.

Made from soft fabric, this busy book is perfect for older babies and toddlers. Chef-themed counting activities fill the pages. Your baby can decorate a slice of cake, count the scoops on an ice-cream cone, or even build a sandwich with felt and fabric pieces attached with a string.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Soft-Activity-Baby/dp/B00JBJ0C54/”]Little Chef Soft Activity Book, $12.42 from Amazon[/link-button]

5. Learn to Dress Kitty

My little ones love to zip, button, tie, and more, and I love that activities like these encourage the development of their fine motor skills. Learn to Dress Kitty by ALEX includes 11 different activities for dressing this soft toy kitty, like tying her shoes and buttoning her buttons.

At 21 inches long, this is a larger toy, so it probably needs a spot in a chair or the diaper bag once your food arrives. That being said, it isn’t so big that you’d feel uncomfortable bringing it into a restaurant to distract an antsy child.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0039AQS90/”]Learn to Dress Kitty, $29.77 from Amazon[/link-button]

6. WikkiStix Travel Playset Craft Kit

Our family is new to the world of WikkiStix, and we’re kind of in love. These bendy, twisty, brightly colored sticks can be molded and shaped into flat and three-dimensional objects without leaving a trace of mess behind. Basically, they’ve got all the characteristics of PlayDoh that kids love without the untidiness that moms hate.

The WikkiStix Travel Playset comes in a hard carrying case and includes 144 sticks total in 16 different shades. A booklet full of activities and two connect-the-dot activity sheets are also included in this take-along kit.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/WikkiStix-Traveler-Playset-Molding-Sculpting/dp/B00TF805DK/”]The WikkiStix Travel Playset, $10.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

7. Colorforms Fun Pack

Since stickers are endlessly popular with kids, playing with them makes a great activity while you’re waiting for food to arrive. Stickers are also a great distraction to pull out when the kids decide they’re ready to go, even though you’re still not through with your entree. Colorforms Fun Packs aren’t just any old stickers, either. They’re restickable. Included in the each package is a folding backdrop for placing, peeling, and moving the stickers to create new scenes.

No matter what your kids are into, you can probably find a Colorform they’ll love. Choose from PJ Masks, Barbie, Peppa Pig, and more. At $3.53 each, this restaurant activity can’t be beat!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0743N7NP4/”]Colorforms Fun Pack, $3.53 from Amazon[/link-button]

8. Toy Story Tin Pinball Game

You might remember handheld tin pinball games from your own childhood. This collection features updated themes, including modern Disney favorites like Toy Story, Finding Dory, and Cars. Kids ages 4 and older can pull back the lever, then tilt and tip to collect points.

This game is completely contained. It’s 10 inches tall, so don’t confuse it with those cheap, small knockoffs you can buy at the dollar store. Still, the toy is small enough to throw in a purse or diaper bag, take along on a car rides, or carry into restaurants for a fun few minutes of quiet play.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Disney-Pixar-Story-Classic-Pinball/dp/B06Y167PRC/”]Toy Story Tin Pinball Game, $12.27[/link-button]

9. Toysmith U-Fidget Toy

If you’ve got a kid with the fidgets, take a toy like the Toysmith U-Fidget with you on your next trip out to eat. This toy looks like a ton of fun, with 21 pastel triangles attached by tiny hinges.

To play with this fidget toy, your kiddo only needs to flip the triangles. There are endless shapes they can create by changing the direction of each triangle.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Toysmith-TSM2125-U-Fidget-Toy/dp/B012B9YE0E/”]Toysmith U-Fidget Toy, $5.30 from Amazon[/link-button]

10. Plan Toys Memo Game

We’ve been playing memory games with our oldest since she was around 3 years old. Most of the games we have are big and bulky, requiring a lot of table space and leaving behind a considerable mess. What I love about the Plan Toys Memo Game is that it is so petite. Kids roll a small wooden die with a different color on each side and then choose from 12 little pegs to find the number they rolled.

For our family, small games have been a good way to turn family dinners out into more interactive experiences. Instead of simply keeping kids entertained, they build meaningful interactions among the entire crew.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/PlanToys-4128-Memo-Game/dp/B06VW3H7CT/”]Plan Toy Memo Game, $7.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

11. Toysmith Peg Game

If, like me, you spent many family meals in a popular home cooking chain called Cracker Barrel, playing the Tricky Triangle or Peg Game probably stirs up a little nostalgia. I spent plenty of time passing this game between myself and my siblings during my childhood, and I love the idea of introducing my kids to the same mealtime challenge.

If you’re not familiar with the game, the goal is to get rid of all but one peg from the small triangular board by jumping pegs. It’s surprisingly difficult and requires a ton of concentration, so it’s perfect for a quiet dinner out!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Toysmith-TSM1954-Peg-Game/dp/B004AFVKLE/”]Toysmith Peg Game, $6.13 from Amazon[/link-button]

12. Dover Little Activity Books

For a few years now, we’ve stocked up on these Dover Little Activity Books and hid them away for times when we were desperate to keep our kids entertained. These tiny, pocket-sized books each contain a different interactive activity, usually involving stickers. Build your own cupcake, decorate a butterfly, or spot the differences between two images.

One trick we’ve employed with the Dover Books is to keep a handful tucked away for as long as possible during the meal. They’re our Hail Mary, allowing us to introduce a brand new activity just as the chaos reaches a fever pitch.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Cream-Sundae-Stickers-Little-Activity/dp/048644192X/”]Dover Little Activity Books, $1.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

13. Play Smart Vehicle Picture Puzzles

This book is pretty involved, full of picture puzzle for kids over the age of 3. According to the seller, this book was created from a teaching style used in Japan for many years. It’s all about using fun to learn new things.

These puzzles encourage problem-solving while following a vehicle theme. Your kids will count the boats, guide a rowboat through a maze, and build a road from panels that must be placed just so. Bring along a pair of safety scissors if you take this one to your next dinner out; many of the puzzles involve cutting of some kind.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/4056300259/”]Play Smart Vehicle Picture Puzzles, $6.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

14. Table Topics

Sometimes it’s nice to create a dinner environment that allows parents to talk while kids quietly color and play—but it’s often more desirable to find a low-energy activity that encourages interaction between all members of the family. It’s fun to find something that can turn a normal dinner out into a time of family bonding.

Table Topics aren’t new. They’ve long been a popular way to stir up conversation, and this set created for kids is perfect for the restaurant table. Draw a card from the stack and ask kids to answer in turn. Questions like “What was your favorite Halloween costume?” and “What makes you feel better when you’re sick?” are sure to make for enjoyable and meaningful conversation.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/TableTopics-TG-0210-A-To-Go-Kids/dp/B07F8DRTV3/”]Table Topics To Go for Kids, $8.50 from Amazon[/link-button]

15. Rainbow Scratch Mini Notes

This past week, we picked up a package of scratch art sheets after a few rainy days stuck indoors. We’ve been using them at home, but I can see how bringing them along to shake up your typical kids’ menu coloring sheet would change the dynamic of a family meal out.

I love this set of Scratch Art Mini Notes from Melissa & Doug. The small size makes it simple to throw into a purse or diaper bag and dig out when you need to keep a rowdy set of kids entertained.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Scratch-Rainbow-Wooden/dp/B005K0B8WO/”]Rainbow Scratch Mini Notes, $7.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

16. Silly Putty

Dinner-time peace and quiet doesn’t have to be complicated. Silly Putty is a classic, and for good reason! Kids can mold shapes from this mess-free, pliable putty. They can smash it into their kids’ menu and watch the text transfer. They can press it onto flatware or other small objects to make molds.

One word of warning from someone who learned this lesson the hard way: Set a ground rule early that throwing or bouncing silly putty needs to be reserved for outdoors. It’s never allowed at the dining table!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Crayola-08-0313-Original-Silly-Putty/dp/B00C8T0TJI/”]Crayola Original Silly Putty, $4.12 from Amazon[/link-button]

17. Left Right Center

Left Right Center is a dice game for anyone over the age of 5. The goal of this game is to be the last player with chips, but hanging onto your chips is a game of chance. Rolling the dice decides if you will pass your chips left or right, or push them into the center pot.

This game is wildly popular on Amazon, with over 1,590 reviews and an aggregate score of five stars. Reviewers suggest the fun idea of swapping out the chips for other objects, like M&Ms, but we’d recommend saving that option for dessert!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000F9YDKY/”]Left Right Center $6.10 from Amazon[/link-button]

18. Spot It!

My first two kids are just now reaching an age that they’re old enough to be interested in card games, and that’s a whole lot of fun! Available in both a Junior and 7+ version, Spot It! is going to be the next take-along game we add to our family’s stash.

This is a visual perception game. Images are scattered across round playing cards. The goal is to find the one image that two cards have in common as quickly as possible. The cards come in a tin case for easy transportation and quick clean-up when your dinner arrives. I honestly can’t believe we’ve only just learned about this game, since it has five stars and over 6,650 reviews on Amazon.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0075XNGGK/”]Spot It!, $7.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

19. Tegu Travel Kits

We don’t own these magnetic wooden blocks, but a friend recently convinced me to place an order. I plan to pull them out when my kids need a little distraction. This Tegu Travel Kit includes eight wooden blocks, all magnetic, that can be stacked and shaped in a variety of combinations.

Since this set comes with a felt pouch, it’s great for taking along to a restaurant, where it’ll provides simple entertainment for kids of all ages. Choose from eight different color themes, including mahogany, tints, and blues.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Tegu-Piece-Pocket-Magnetic-Wooden/dp/B004WMCZGY/”]Tegu Travel Kit, $30.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

20. Unifix Cubes

If you’re looking for a stacking and building activity for the dinner table, but would rather spend a little less cash, this Unifix Cubes 100 Piece Set might be the better option for you. This set includes blocks of 10 different colors, and each block can be stacked on another.

Included in this kit is an activity book for guided play. In addition to building, Unifix Cubes work great for counting and math games.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Didax-DD-225-Unifix-Cubes-count/dp/B0007PC9CK/”]Didax Unifix Cubes, $14.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

21. Crayola Color Wonder Kit

Color Wonder has become super-popular among parents because it’s entirely mess-free. The magic markers included in this kit only color on the provided coloring sheets, so you won’t have to scrub marks off of tiny fingers, the tablecloth, or restaurant dishes.

Crayola Wonder Kits come in a ton of different themes, like the animal-themed version linked below. All 30 pieces of this art kit are contained in a hard carrying case, so it’s ideal for restaurant entertainment.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071G4G3LT/”]Crayola Color Wonder Art Kit, $24.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

22. AquaDoodle

Let’s be honest: Keeping track of 30-piece kits might not always be what you’re hoping for in restaurant entertainment. If you’d like an art project with fewer pieces, the AquaDoodle Travel Doodle might be more in line with what you’d like to buy.

This doodle pad includes two pieces, a folding portfolio, and a refillable water pen. The pen changes the color of the surface of the portfolio, allowing for mess-free doodling that disappears when the doodle pad dries.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/AquaDoodle-Accessories-Travel-Doodle-Neon/dp/B00FXWBARM/”]Aquadoodle Travel Doodle, $12.88 from Amazon[/link-button]

23. Jaq Jaq Mess-Free Chalkboard

My kids love drawing with chalk, but chalk comes with a lot of mess. When we discovered this mess-free, portable option from Jaq Jaq a few years back, we were sold. Available in a variety of prints, these Doodle It Books are compact and ideal for taking along on trips to the restaurant, medical waiting rooms, or airplanes.

Included with the chalkboard sketchbook are four ButterStix, which are the dust-free chalk pieces from Jaq Jaq.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Jaq-Bird-Childrens-Doodle-Drawing/dp/B010CQKMWC/”]Jaq Jaq Bird Doodle it Book, $20.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

24. Spiral-Bound Sketchbook

Keep it basic. Bring a sketchbook along! Children have amazing imaginations and don’t always need a lot of hand-holding to keep themselves entertained. This spiral-bound sketchbook is only 7 inches by 10 inches, which means it should fit easily in a diaper bag or small purse.

Don’t be afraid to offer a few prompts if your child is having trouble getting started. Bring along some colored pencils or crayons, of course!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FF1Z9WQ/”]Spiral-Bound Sketch & Drawing Book, $9.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

25. Twistable Crayons

These twistable crayons pair perfectly with the spiral-bound sketchbook above. Instead of worrying about sharpening dull pencils or replacing crayons snapped between clumsy fingers, these twistable crayons sharpen themselves.

This pack includes eight different colors of Crayola crayons. Because of their plastic casing, they’re break-resistant. When your child runs out of crayon, simply twist to reveal more colorful potential.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Crayola-52-7408-Twistables-Crayons/dp/B00178Q28S/”]Twistable Crayons, $5.55 from Amazon[/link-button]

26. Take-Along Shape Sorter

Without a doubt, my youngest child is the hardest to keep content during a dinner out. Toddlers just hate to hold still, and a meal at a restaurant can go on for much longer than the at-home equivalent. Because of this, it’s really important to bring along age-appropriate activities when you want to have an enjoyable meal.

This Take-Along Shape Sorter is a portable version of an old classic. Older infants and toddlers are challenged to shove shapes through their matching holes. A handle and zippable soft case sets this option apart from others.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Take-Along-Activity-Textured/dp/B00EYTM9IY/”]Take-Along Shape Sorter, $16.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

27. Travel Legos

All three of my kids spend hours each week with their Legos, but the idea of taking them out of the house, into the van, and then into a restaurant makes my head spin. Knowing this set of Travel Legos comes in a hard carrying case makes me feel a little better about the idea of bringing Legos along for our next family dinner.

This set of Legos contains 213 blocks, which is just enough for a few really great builds without totally trashing the table before you even start eating.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075QRWRYP/”]LEGO Classic Creative Suitcase, $15.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

28. Melissa & Doug Reusable Tape

Reusable stickers meet washi tape in this Melissa & Doug Tape Activity Book. This kit includes a spiral-bound notebook and four rolls of reusable washi tape. Activities include a fun variety of scenes, like creating the spokes of a bicycle, decorating a lollipop, or creating laces for shoes.

According to the sellers of this product, it isn’t just good for entertainment. It also helps young kids develop fine motor skills and improve their hand-eye coordination. Hand it over for independent play, or turn it into a parent-child activity by quizzing them on colors and shapes.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00EX5JAAO/”]Melissa & Doug Reusable Tape, $4.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

29. Wooden Lacing Cheese Toy

The only thing better than a cheese-shaped toy is cheese itself, but this fun lacing toy just might keep your toddlers happy enough to prevent them from getting hangry. This wooden toy looks just like a wedge of cheddar. Holes cover the surface, and your child can use a lacing stick attached to a string to work their way through the maze to the other side.

The reason a toy like this is so dang perfect as a take-along is that all the parts are attached to each other, so you don’t have to worry about chasing pieces across the restaurant floor.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073P3WD18/”]Montessori Wooden Lacing Cheese Toy, $9.54 from Amazon[/link-button]

30. Kids Mad Libs

Mad Libs is a game my kids and I all enjoy, so we love to bring these books along when we go out to eat. Typical Mad Libs are a little too complex for young kids, but this version was created with little brains in mind.

Even younger kids who can’t spell or write will get a kick out of chiming in with their answers while you transcribe their responses. Beware! Breaking out this game may introduce fart jokes to the dinner table.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Kid-Libs-Mad-Roger-Price/dp/0843128275/”]Kids Mad Libs, $4.49 from Amazon[/link-button]

31. Kids Mazes Book

This book is literally everything, or at least everything mazes. Bring a copy along for your puzzle- and maze-obsessed kids for a quiet activity while they wait for their meal (or wait for you to wrap yours up).

In this book, you will find 144 colored pages of mazes of varying difficulties. Based on the reviews, some of the mazes are simple enough for kids age 6 and older, while others are challenging enough for teens and adults.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/The-Everything-Kids-Mazes-Book/dp/1580625584/”]The Everything Kids’ Mazes Book, $6.68 from Amazon[/link-button]

32. Comotomo Silicone Baby Teether

Pro-parenting tip: Never leave home without an extra change of clothes and a teether. You never know when a diaper change is going to go badly, or when a perfectly happy baby will start experiencing teething pain.

This Comotomo Baby Teether is a great option for baby to gum on during a meal since it has an easy-to-grasp handle. It’s made from silicone, which means when (not if!) your baby drops it on the floor, you can hide it away and then boil it when you get home.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Comotomo-Silicone-Baby-Teether-Orange/dp/B00913DY1O/”]Comotomo Silicone Baby Teether, $6.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

33. Baby Animals Black and White

Books illustrated with pictures in high contrast color schemes, like black and white, are easily seen by the developing eyes of a young baby. Baby Animals Black and White features eight different baby animals on each of its pages.

It’s a board book, so it’s easy for smaller hands to hang on to. It’s also a lot of fun to read together, at home or out at your favorite restaurant.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Animals-Black-Phyllis-Limbacher-Tildes/dp/0881063134/”]Baby Animals Black and White, $4.76 from Amazon[/link-button]

34. Bubbles Plush Buckle Toy

I’m always amazed by what will hold a toddler’s attention and what won’t. I can try my hardest to keep them entertained with talking, silly faces, and funny noises with no luck, but if I pull out something that snaps, zips, or buckles, they’ll stay endlessly happy.

This Plush Buckle Toy, which is apparently named Bubbles, is a baby-blue figure with rainbow-colored buckles hanging from each side. The bright colors will keep kids’ attention and the challenge of getting the buckles to snap will keep them focused while everyone else chows down.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/BUCKLE-TOY-Bubbles-Learning-Childrens/dp/B01D3XGNBA/”]Bubbles Plush Buckle Toy, $21.99[/link-button]

35. Velvet Animal Finger Puppets

Puppets are my last resort. I hate being responsible for acting out scenes and making weird noises, but they almost always work when I need to cheer up a crabby kid. Thankfully, my husband is a much better sport when it comes to acting the fool to get a smile out of our kids.

These Velvet Finger Puppets are small enough to keep in the bottom of your bag so you can fish them out when things take a turn for the worse. Ten different animals are included in this set, including a hippo, a cow, and a frog. Since they fit on your fingers, they’re definitely a restaurant-friendly toy.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Velvet-Puppets-Children-Playtime-Schools/dp/B00VU5R8JA/”]Velvet Animal Finger Puppets, $7.99[/link-button]

36. Animal Figurines

It didn’t take long after my second was born to realize that the toys that kept my older daughter’s attention weren’t going to work with this one. While my oldest was into puzzles and challenges, my youngest loves pretend play.

Sometimes, making dinner out easier is all about trying different things until you find what works for each child. Once I realized my younger daughter preferred little people and animals for acting out scenes at the dinner table, we were able to eat happily as a family. This set of Animals Figures is identical to the set we pull out any time she gets bored.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Yeonha-Toys-Realistic-Toddler-Learning/dp/B01N30YNCA/”]Animal Figures, $13.98 from Amazon[/link-button]

37. Flappy the Elephant Plush Toy

Sometimes my babies just need to bring a friend along to make their meal a little more fun. Each of my kids have a take-along stuffie—we have a Lalaloopsy, an Olaf, and a Bitty Baby that all accompany us on outings on a regular basis.

If your baby doesn’t have a stuffie they love, consider picking one toy to bring along every time you head out to a family meal. This battery-operated plush figure is adorable and perfect for getting some giggles and smiles out of a cranky baby. The floppy ears on this stuffed elephant flip and flop, covering his eyes for an impromptu game of peekaboo.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Gund-Animated-Flappy-Elephant-Plush/dp/B01AC7SF7K/”]Flappy the Elephant Plush Toy, $32.00 from Amazon[/link-button]

38. Melissa & Doug Felt Friends On-The-Go

Melissa & Doug is a company that’s really corned the portable toy market for young kids. The Felt Friends On-The-Go series comes with 142 felt stickers in different shapes and colors for building 12 different felt animals.

If the phrase “142 felt stickers” makes you twitch a little, there is something you should know—the creators of Melissa & Doug designed this kit to be incredibly portable and easy to pack up. A resealable compartment keeps all loose parts dependably contained.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-Friends-Activity-Stickers/dp/B00US8BYYU/”]Melissa & Doug Felt Friends On-The-Go, $6.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

Tags Commerce, social

Lifestyle

41 Nifty Products That Solve Problems You Never Knew You Had

Post author By Sian Ferguson
Post date September 11, 2018

Necessity is the mother of all invention, they say. Get ready to meet some of those inventions.
You know all those little annoyances that trip you up on a daily basis? In the kitchen, for example, you might struggle to cut up a pineapple. Next, you might realize that your dish sponge needs replacing. Later on, you might take a shower and notice that the soap bar has disintegrated into a slimy mess in your shower caddy.
These small problems can cause major issues. Say you have a great idea for a work project during that shower; that soap scum might drive it right out of your head for good. Small inconveniences like this add up, and they can become particularly paralyzing if you’re sick, injured, or tired.
Whether you want to buy a gift for a loved one or just make your own life a little easier, take a look at these small-time lifesavers. They aim to fix the small stuff before it turns into bigger stuff.

1. Wear your favorite stilettos without sinking into grass or getting stuck in cracks.

If you’ve ever worn heels to a garden party or an outdoor wedding, you’ll know that it’s tough to keep your shoes from sinking deep into the turf. These nifty inventions solve that problem by adding a wide base to the heel.

They’re made from clear rubber, so they’re totally invisible, and they fit on most stiletto heels. They protect your heels, too, preventing them from chipping on uneven sidewalks or cobblestones. Also, because these products increase the base of the heel, your shoes will become more stable—and thus much easier to walk in.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01KGFOTMS”]GoGoHeel Stoppers Heel Protectors, $9.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

2. Replace your regular dish sponge with the power of pure silicone.

This silicone alternative to a standard dish sponge is textured so you can scrub cookware without scratching it. These “sponges” last longer than regular dish sponges, they won’t scratch non-stick cookware, and they can be cleaned easily.

Because silicone sponges don’t retain moisture, they don’t get smelly like their regular counterparts, and they’re also way more hygienic. Simply clean them every so often, then let them dry off.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076P3QZBD/”]KKTICK Silicone Sponges, $9.99 for 4 from Amazon[/link-button]

3. An adjustable rolling pin makes sure your dough will never be too thick or too thin again.

If you make pizzas or pastries with any frequency, you know it isn’t easy to accurately estimate the thickness of your dough. Many times, we’ve tried to measure cookie dough with a ruler only to discover that the dough was inconsistently thick or thin in some places.

This adjustable rolling pin has removable thickness rings, which means you can roll dough that is just thick enough and perfectly consistent. This set also comes with a pastry mat. Happy rolling!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B079N462JL/”]Adjustable Rolling Pin With Thickness Rings, $15.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

4. Hold a book open with only one hand.

Cozying up with a book and a hot cup of tea sounds great—until you try to hold a big, heavy hardback open with a single hand. This handmade, wooden “personal book assistant” solves this problem once and for all.

It’s a great gift for book lovers. The PagePal allows you to hold a book wide open with only one hand. Slip it on your thumb and grasp the book at the spine. It’s a nifty tool if one hand is injured, or if you need to keep a hand free for that all-important hot chocolate.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B014JTFHIW/”]PagePal Page Holder, $26.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

5. Never forget to pack essentials for a weekend away again.

This notepad has a checklist of everything you’d typically need to pack when you travel. It’s much easier than writing out your own list, and it can even be fun (if you’re the type of person who enjoys checking items off lists).

If you’re a forgetful person, relying on your own memory can be risky. This notepad has your back. It contains 60 pages per pad, and it makes a great gift for your jet-setting loved ones.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/1601061560/”]Knock Knock Pack This! Pad, $7.00 from Amazon[/link-button]

6. Save money by getting every last drop from that bottle of your favorite moisturizer.

We all try to get our money’s worth out of our favorite foundation and day cream by harvesting every last drop—but the bottles tend to have small necks, and most makeup brushes can’t reach the bottom.

That’s why this genius product is a must-have for all beauty products. It’s a little spatula that’s designed to get into your makeup bottles and scrape all of the contents out. It has a flexible handle, which allows you to use it on all sorts of small bottles.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0069VYSFM/”]Every Drop Beauty Spatula, $5.82 from Amazon[/link-button]

7. Remove stubborn odors from your hands with this stainless steel “soap.”

This sounds like a total gimmick, but for some reason, stainless steel “soap” is excellent at removing food odors from your hands. Rub it on your hands with or without warm water to get rid of stubborn smells.

This product is particularly good at removing the smell of garlic or onion from your hands, so it’s an excellent gift for the garlic-lover in your life. The magic has something to do with the chemical interaction between sulfur molecules and stainless steel, but if you ask us, it’s just a miracle!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01H1AGCT4/”]Newness Stainless Steel Hand Odor Eliminator, $7.98 from Amazon[/link-button]

8. Sort through your bag easily, day or night.

Searching for the lip balm or your keys at the bottom of a large bag is an everyday struggle for some of us. You could always use the flashlight function on your phone to help you find the pen, change, or library card that you’re looking for, but that takes a surprising toll on your phone battery.

The solution? An attachable bag light. This one attaches to your bag strap and can be turned on and thrown in whenever you need it. Never get stuck rooting around in your purse again.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UBOPBO0/”]Kikkerland FL38 Silicone Purse Light, $2.94 from Amazon[/link-button]

9. Clean your makeup brushes thoroughly in half the time.

If you want healthy, clear skin, you’ve got to clean your makeup brushes properly. Unfortunately, though, it’s a time-consuming process. This hand-held electric makeup brush cleaner makes the job a breeze.

It attaches to your makeup brush and spins it around in a bowl of water, which means your brushes will be thoroughly clean in a few seconds. Even better, the same spinning action dries brushes quickly. No more waiting around for hours for your brushes to dry? We’ll take it.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Cleaner-Wloomm-Electric-Seconds-Cleaning/dp/B075GK4249/”]Electric Makeup Brush Cleaner, $13.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

10. Replace your cling wrap with a reusable alternative.

Cling wrap can be frustrating; it’s easy to tear, and it sticks to itself more often than it sticks to your leftovers dish. Even worse, the constant use of plastic to cover food isn’t great for the environment. Fortunately, a reusable, less-clingy alternative is available.

The wraps are made from cotton and covered with a mixture of beeswax and jojoba oil, which are natural antibacterial agents. They soften with the heat of your hands, so they’re easy to press into a nice seal over your jars and dishes. These reusable wraps are long-lasting and biodegradable, so they’re handy and environmentally-friendly.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07CML8JKQ/”]Honeybee Organic Beeswax Wrap, $16.47 from Amazon[/link-button]

11. Keep your bag from rolling off the backseat with these headrest hooks.

If you don’t want your handbag or groceries to roll all over the back seat while you’re busy driving, invest in these hooks. These sturdy little devices attach to the headrest of a car and hold your bag up, making grocery runs a little easier.

This is a nifty gadget for road trips, too. It’s good for more than just groceries; try hanging snacks from them to keep the kids happy during long drives.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XRSWW9V/”]Car Headrest Hooks, $7.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

12. Save space in your bag with a collapsible water bottle.

An ever-present water bottle makes a great reminder to stay hydrated, but when the bottle is empty, it simply takes up space in your bag.

Simply fold up these cleverly designed water bottles to save space. BPA-free and leak-proof, they’re perfect for avid hikers, students with overfull backpacks, or anyone who wants to increase their water intake.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Portable-Collapsible-Bottle-Sports-Outdoor/dp/B07CTFTYZX/”]Portable Collapsible Water Bottle, $6.89 from Amazon[/link-button]

13. Soothe your feet with this mini foot hammock.

If your feet tend to swell or if you’re nursing an injury, this product is a must-have for your office. It’s a miniature foot hammock that you attach to the bottom of your desk.

Because this hammock is adjustable, you can ensure that it’s just the right height for your feet. That’s perfect for those of us who are too short to reach most footrests. Buy one, put your feet up, and get some work done in style!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Geekfactory-Office-Stand-Hammock-Orange/dp/B00UAFH6HU/”]Geekfactory Mini Office Foot Rest, $8.96 from Amazon[/link-button]

14. Prevent your glasses from sliding down your nose.

As many glasses-wearers can attest, re-adjusting your glasses every two minutes is annoying AF. Here comes Nerdwax, a chapstick-like product that stops your glasses from slipping off your nose.

Clean your frames thoroughly, add wax to the nose rests, and stop messing with your spectacles for good. It’s a lifesaver if you have oily skin, if you live in a hot climate, or if you spend a lot of time outdoors.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Nerdwax-Stop-Slipping-Glasses-Shark/dp/B00O0CK2UM/”]Nerdwax: The Original Glasses Wax, $10.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

15. Use this citrus spray gadget to make your own lemon or lime mist.

Lemon is a fantastic cleaning agent and a versatile addition to many meals, making this citrus sprayer a super useful tool. Instead of squeezing the citrus, harvesting the juice, and then adding it to a spray bottle, simply push this device into a lemon, squeeze the fruit a little, and get spraying!

You can use lemon spray to clean surfaces, add flavor to chicken, and give salads a refreshing kick. The sprayers can also be attached to oranges, limes, and grapefruit.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/sprayer-Extractor-Vegetables-Fashionable-BLUETOP/dp/B00QT758AK/”]2-Piece Lemon Sprayer Gadget Set, $5.89 from Amazon[/link-button]

16. Cut your pineapple perfectly with this nifty gadget.

Pineapples are a delicious snack, but cutting them is super labor-intensive. This kitchen gadget peels and cores the pineapple for you.

Just cut off the top of the pineapple, stick the slicer in the middle, and twist the end. This device is also rust-proof and easy to clean. No need to buy overpriced pre-cut pineapples for your next fruit salad!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Yesker-Silver-Stainless-Pineapple-Remover/dp/B00NU7YB1E/”]Yesker Silver Stainless Steel Pineapple Corer Peeler, $7.90 from Amazon[/link-button]

17. Never forget another one of your brilliant shower ideas.

The shower can be a great place to come up with new ideas, possibly because it’s such a relaxing, invigorating space. However, once you’ve toweled off and gotten dressed, you might find that you’ve totally forgotten your brilliant idea.

This waterproof notepad is specifically made to stick in your shower so that you can scribble away while you scrub up.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Aqua-Notes-Water-Proof-Note/dp/B01AS5I0ZS/”]Aqua Notes Water Proof Note Pad, $8.80 from Amazon[/link-button]

18. Use notched kitchen tools that drip into the pot, not on the countertop.

If you’re cooking a big meal, mess is inevitable—but with these silicone utensils, you can avoid creating extra spillage.

These “lazy tools” can rest against the side of the pot without falling in. This is a great gift for those of us who hate the thought of dirtying yet another side plate.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Rachael-Ray-Piece-Silicone-Tools/dp/B01H3ERL7K/”]Rachael Ray 3 Piece Silicone Lazy Tools Set, $23.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

19. Drain chickpeas easily with this mini-colander.

When recipes call for you to rinse and drain canned goods, whip this cool invention out. It’s a tiny colander that fits over a can so that you can drain and rinse your ingredients without spilling anything—or dirtying more dishes.

Pro tip: The liquid in chickpea cans, known as aquafaba, is a versatile vegan ingredient, so don’t throw it away!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00448JNH0/”]Prepworks by Progressive Can Colander, $3.49 from Amazon[/link-button]

20. Use this space-saving clip-on colander for bigger dishes.

This silicone strainer is a must-have for people with limited shelf space. Since it’s made of silicone, it’s flexible enough to attach to large and small pots alike.

The strainer even works with pots that have a lip. It’s totally dishwasher safe, and it’s made from super-durable materials.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018W9JII0/”]Kitchen Gizmo Snap ‘N Strain Strainer, $8.10 from Amazon[/link-button]

21. Wake up with the sun thanks to a sunrise-simulating alarm clock.

Being woken up by a shrill alarm can get your day off to a bad start. This nifty alternative uses lighting and ambient noise to help you wake up on the right side of the bed.

The alarm clock simulates the sunrise, triggering your body’s built-in clock to help you feel awake. It can also wake you up with various ambient noises and natural sounds, and you can use it as a mood light with a whole range of colors. Never before has the thought of using an alarm clock been so exciting!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Sunrise-Alarm-Clock-Bedrooms-Simulation/dp/B07G2YH8MJ/”]Sunrise Alarm Clock, $38.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

22. Keep your toilet fresh with this ingenious spray.

Sharing a bathroom isn’t fun. Neither is using a public toilet. Many people rave about this spray’s abilities to mask smells before they even happen.

As the name suggests, you simply use the toilet spray before you, er, go, and relax knowing that no one else will even suspect you were in there.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Poo-Pourri-Before-You-Go-Toilet-Tropical-Hibiscus/dp/B01BVWUQ7W/ref=asc_df_B01BVWUQ7W/”]Poo-Pourri Before-You-Go Toilet Spray, $11.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

23. Create extra space in your room with these bed risers.

If you’re looking to maximize the space in your bedroom, storing items underneath the bed is the way to go. If your bed is too low to fit anything under it, though, you’ve got a problem. These bed risers are the solution.

These nifty little things lift your bed up enough for you to fit boxes, suitcases, and any unsightly clutter underneath it. They’re made out of durable plastic, so you don’t have to worry about your bed collapsing in the middle of the night.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073T79CBC/”]DuraCasa Bed Risers, $29.97 for a set of 8 from Amazon[/link-button]

24. Give yourself a glorious scalp massage with this nifty brush.

The best part of going to the hair salon is having someone massage your scalp while they shampoo your hair. This cleverly designed brush lets you give yourself a soothing massage from the comfort of your own shower.

The device fits comfortably in your own hand and gently vibrates as you massage your scalp. It’s designed so that it doesn’t tangle and break your hair. Pure bliss.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O5VOOHU/”]Vitagoods Scalp Massaging Shampoo Brush, $15.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

25. Never spill nail polish again.

Painting your nails without using a flat surface is an extreme sport. This smart nail polish bottle holder fits like a ring over your fingers and keeps the nail polish bottle upright, freeing up your hands for painting.

This container fits any average-sized nail polish bottle. This means you can easily paint your nails while sitting on the couch or even sitting passenger in a car, if you’re extra-brave.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/tweexy-Original-Wearable-Polish-Bottle/dp/B0779K4PTH/”]Tweexy Wearable Nail Polish Bottle Holder, $14.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

26. Clean your blinds with this fantastic gadget.

Any tool that makes spring cleaning easier is worth it in our not-so-humble opinion! This duster is designed to clean Venetian blinds. It’s also great for getting into those hard-to-reach air conditioner slats.

Included microfiber sleeves can be removed for cleaning. It also comes with four extra sleeves for when you want to replace them.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Hiware-Window-Cleaner-Microfiber-Sleeves/dp/B076SLXGNF/”]Hiware Window Blind Cleaner Duster Brush, $7.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

27. Use a gadget to gently remove bugs from your home without hurting them.

With the possible exception of mosquitos, many of us want to avoid hurting bugs as much as possible. That said, we’re not exactly keen on scooping them into our own hands to take them outside.

This is a clever alternative. It’s an insect catcher that gently picks up little critters while letting you maintain a safe distance from them. It holds the bugs and lets you release them outside, so they won’t be hurt and you won’t be terrified. Win-win!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/My-Critter-Catcher-Spider-Insect/dp/B0192MB5RS/”]My Critter Catcher Spider & Insect Catcher, $19.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

28. Fold your clothes neatly with a handy-dandy folding board.

Folding your shirts properly is a great way to save space in your closet and increase the longevity of your clothes. Use this simple shirt-folding board to help you fold garments quickly and neatly.

This device could be particularly useful for helping messy kids and teenagers sort out their closets. No more rummaging through untidy shelves and drawers!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075ZR46D2/”]BoxLegend V3 Shirt Folding Board, $25.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

29. Make meal prep easier by using a sandwich bag rack.

Have you ever tried to hold a Ziploc bag open and pour liquid from a heavy pot at the same time? If so, you know what a mess that can make.

These bag racks cleverly hold sandwich bags open and upright, freeing up your hands so you can pour soup or sauce without spilling any liquid. This gadget also makes it easier to transfer shredded cheese, legumes, or small snacks into sandwich bags.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B073BN31G5/”]Sandwich Bag Racks, $4.99 for 6 from Amazon[/link-button]

30. Prevent soap from getting all soggy with this soap saver.

Most soap holders turn into a soggy scum bath after a few uses. Yuck.

Increase the longevity of your soap by using this soap holder, which is cleverly designed so that excess water will run out and into the sink. This can also be used for solid shampoos and conditioners.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Idea-Works-Waterfall-Soap-Saver/dp/B004MYF7XU/”]Idea Works Waterfall Soap Saver, $6.00 from Amazon[/link-button]

31. Clean your microwave without scrubbing it.

The inside of your microwave can accumulate gunk unbelievably quickly, and cleaning it can be, in a word, nasty. This microwave cleaner uses the power of steam to loosen up food splatters.

Simply add water and vinegar to this little gadget, pop it in your microwave for about seven minutes, and wipe the inside of the microwave. That’s effortless cleaning!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Angry-Mama-Microwave-Minutes%E2%80%A2Kitchen-Tool%E2%80%A2Vinegar/dp/B01MZ9GLVL/”]Angry Mama Steam Microwave Cleaner, $9.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

32. Protect your skin from dry winter air.

The cold winter air can dry out your skin, hair, and sinuses. When the weather starts to turn, invest in an air humidifier to counteract the drying effects of cold air and heaters alike.

This air humidifier is small enough to take it to the office or on holiday, and it’s ideal for humidifying small spaces. It attaches to the top of any water bottle, making it super convenient to use. It’s a total lifesaver if you have hayfever or if you tend to have sinus problems in the winter.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/DZT1968%C2%AE-Portable-Humidifier-Essential-Aromatherapy/dp/B0171J0JQ2/”]DZT1968® Cowboy Cap USB Mini Portable Humidifier, $6.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

33. Extend the life of your veggies by using a refrigerator liner.

Food waste is bad for the environment and your budget, but it’s not always easy to plan meals around the shelf life of your vegetables. This liner fits neatly into your veggie drawer or on a shelf in the fridge, giving your greens a bit of extra time.

This device allows air to circulate around the veggie drawer and prevents moisture from pooling in your refrigerator. This keeps your fruits and vegetables fresher for longer. Never deal with the disappointment of a soggy, smelly carrot again!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076T3RLJ6/”]Dualplex Fruit & Veggie Life Extender Liner, $8.99 for 6 from Amazon[/link-button]

34. Fall asleep with these comfortable headphones.

If you like falling asleep while listening to music or ASMR videos, you probably know sleep and conventional earphones are a bad combination. Your earphones might fall out, and the cord might tickle you awake.

These headphones are designed to be comfortable enough to fall asleep with them in. It’s basically a headband and ear cozy with built-in speakers. They can also be used during exercise or meditation.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01HYJ8Z9M/”]CozyPhones Sleep Headphones, $17.97 from Amazon[/link-button]

35. Remove all your makeup with just one wipe.

If you have sensitive skin, you probably know that makeup removal can leave you all red and blotchy. Of course, removing your makeup is essential for keeping your skin healthy and blemish-free. You have to do it.

This makeup-removing cloth has become quite popular with makeup artists, beauty vloggers, and cosmetic enthusiasts alike—and for good reason. It removes makeup effectively and quickly without harming your skin. You only need to add water—no cleansers—so it’s ideal for sensitive skin. The texture of the cloth is also super soft, so it won’t irritate your face.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Makeup-Eraser-602003976353-Pink/dp/B012TVK2RI/”]The MakeUp Eraser, $33.20 from Amazon[/link-button]

36. Keep soda fresher for longer.

If you seldom finish a can of soda in one sitting, these can lids are fantastic. When you leave an open can in the fridge, your soda will go flat or absorb smells from other foods, which is gross.

These lids can be fitted onto open soda cans to prevent contents from losing fizz. They’re also useful for picnics, as they prevent bugs from getting inside the soda cans.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Soda-Can-Lids-Assorted/dp/B01CUNJ3U2/”]Premium Soda Can Lids, $10.95 for 8 from Amazon[/link-button]

37. Indulge in avocado toast without hurting yourself.

Avocado hand is a legitimate injury that’s all too common among us avocado fanatics. You’re trying to remove the pit, and you miss, cutting yourself in the process. Instead of digging around for the stone with a knife, play it safe and invest in this handy tool.

This nifty avocado slicer allows you to remove the stone and slice the flesh perfectly—and safely. After all, guacamole is best served with a squeeze of lemon, not a spritz of blood.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/OXO-Grips-Avocado-Slicer-Green/dp/B0088LR592/”]OXO Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer, $9.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

38. Keep your phone germ- and smudge-free.

We know our phones are full of germs: We put them on all sorts of dirty surfaces, constantly touch them, and keep them in our dirty handbags. Even so, we still put them on our faces when we make calls. Gross.

This liquid-free cleaner offers a solution. It removes dirt, oil, and other substances (gross) from your phone’s surface without damaging your screen. It’s reusable, easy to clean, and simple to use.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/iROLLER-Touchscreen-Smartphones-Immediately-Incredibly/dp/B00BX1AOVA/”]iRoller Reusable Liquid Free Touchscreen Cleaner, $19.70 from Amazon[/link-button]

39. Use non-slip velvet hangers to keep your wardrobe tidy.

What’s the point of adding velvet to your clothes hangers? Well, ask yourself this: Have you ever reached for your favorite shirt only to realize that it’s resting somewhere at the bottom of your closet?

Velvet grips your clothing to keep it in place, and because these hangers are relatively thin, you can easily fit more clothing into a small amount of space. Nobody needs a floordrobe; pick up a pack of these, and you’re well on your way to a more organized closet.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Velvet-Suit-Hangers-50-Pack/dp/B00FXNABPI/”]AmazonBasics Velvet Suit Hangers (30-Pack), $14.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

40. Up your taco game with these useful taco stands.

These taco stands by California Home Goods hold your shells for easy, quick filling. You’ll be making tacos like a pro—whatever that means—and since the stands hold your food upright, you’ll keep your hands clean in the process. These stainless steel stands are dishwasher friendly and oven safe; each piece holds three tacos.

They’re ideal for the grill, and if you make your own homemade tortillas, they’re pretty much essential. These will serve you well next Taco Tuesday (and Wednesday, and Thursday, and Friday).
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Stylish-Stainless-Dishwasher-California/dp/B072PT5LP7/”]Stylish Stainless Steel Taco Holder Stand, $23.95[/link-button]

41. Keep your coffee or tea warmer for longer.

There’s nothing quite as satisfying as a hot mug of your favorite coffee (or tea, or hot chocolate, or whatever else you prefer to savor when the seasons start to change). Unfortunately, hot drinks tend to cool down rather quickly, particularly when your boss calls a surprise meeting right after you’ve returned from the break room.

Fortunately for us, some genius invented a mug warmer, which keeps your beverage moderately toasty until you’re ready to drink it again. Granted, it’s not perfect—eventually, your cup will still cool off—but it should give you a few extra minutes of satisfying warmth on those chilly autumn mornings.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Bellemain-Desktop-Mug-Warmer-Scented/dp/B06X6BZH1Q/”]Bellemain Desktop Mug Warmer, $10.00 from Amazon[/link-button]

Tags Commerce, social

Favorite Finds Sweat

38 Of The Top Fitness-Tech And Sweat-Resistant Products You Can Get From Amazon

Post author By Sara Lindberg
Post date September 11, 2018

Are you looking for the latest and greatest in fitness-tech and sweat-resistant products for your workouts? This comprehensive list runs the gamut from moisture-wicking performance socks and sports bras to high-tech headphones that deliver music through your cheekbones.
And the best part? All of these products can be ordered from the comfort of your home and delivered to your doorstep in just a few days. So if you’re ready to dress up your workout wardrobe and get fit with help from some of the best fitness gadgets, we’ve got you covered.

Sweat Tech

1. These compression pants will hug you in all the right places.

When compression pants hit the running scene several years ago, no one knew how quickly they would catch on. While these pants are most popular among runners, anyone can benefit from the technology of these tights. Whether you’re battling iliotibial band syndrome or just looking for some extra support, the 2XU MCS Run Compression Tights are worth slipping on.

MCS, or Muscle Containment-Stamping, applies targeted compression to your quads and calves, which helps reduce muscle fatigue and gives you greater stability. These pants are perfect for runners, cyclists, aerobic sports, hiking, or everyday wear. Since they fit snugly, get ready to tug a bit when you first put them on. This is normal. Once they’re on, you won’t ever want to take them off.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/2XU-Womens-Compression-Tights-Black/dp/B01IFMD3NK”]2XU MCS Run Compression Tights, $118.72 from Amazon[/link-button]

2. The Most Important Piece of Fitness Clothing

Comfort is key when sweating it out on a run. But when your underwear is constantly sneaking into places that aren’t too comfortable, it can be difficult to concentrate on your workout. Choosing the right pair of underwear may take a bit of trial and error, but one product to start with is Under Armour’s Pure Stretch line.

If coverage is important, try the Pure Stretch Hipster. These provide maximum coverage but still give you the freedom to work out. If minimalism is the goal, opt for the Pure Sheer Bikini or the Pure Stretch Thong. All three styles are made with the active female in mind, so they are breathable and seamless—two details that make a major difference when working out.
Under Armour Women’s Power in Pink Pure Stretch Hipster, $12 from Amazon
Under Armour Women’s Pure Stretch Bikini, $12 from Amazon
Under Armour Women’s Power in Pink Pure Stretch Thong, $12 from Amazon

3. Fun and fashionable headbands that stay in place.

Long hair, short hair, medium hair, it doesn’t matter. When you’re working out, you want those wispy bangs out of your face. But so many headbands don’t fit right or they slip off as soon as you make a move. That’s where Sweaty Bands come in. These fashionable fitness bands hold your hair back, stay in place, wick sweat, and they look amazing.

They come in all sorts of colors and patterns, and the company is known for making special edition headbands for charitable causes such as breast cancer and Alzheimer’s awareness. Plus you can customize them for a group or team. These non-slip bands also come in different sizes (⅜, ⅝, 1, 1 ½, and 2 inches) to accommodate varying hair thickness.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Sweaty-Bands-Womens-Girls-Headband/dp/B01FSSEBIU”]Sweaty Bands Non-Slip Velvet-Lined Hairband, $15.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

4. Comfort for the girls at a reasonable price.

Good luck finding an exercise you can do that doesn’t put your breasts in a compromising position. Whether they’re bouncing while running or spilling out during a downward dog, keeping these assets harnessed is a goal for many women. Not to mention securing them in place is a whole lot more comfortable. And let’s face it, the right sports bra is important regardless of your cup size. While there are a lot of awesome sports bras on the market, many of them cost more than your monthly gym membership. Fortunately, FITTIN racerback sports bras do the job at a very inexpensive price.

These seamless, moisture-wicking bras come with just the right amount of padding (that you can remove), and they feature Climacool, which provides heat and moisture management. What more can you ask for!?
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/FITTIN-Racerback-Sports-Bras-Removable/dp/B01M5GC2Q1″]FITTIN Racerback Sports Bras (4-pack), $26.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

5. Your phone will always have a home with these workout pants.

These multifunctional workout pants are ideal for the gym, yoga, and short runs. They wick away sweat and have a deep pocket on each leg. Plus, they come with tummy control, which gives you just the right amount of support exactly where you need it.

The ODODOS come in two different lengths: capri and ankle-length. If it’s color you want, the ODODOS deliver. Both lengths come in a variety of colors including black, spacedye white, fuchsia, deep purple, and charcoal. With a blend of four-way stretch fabric and sizes ranging from small to XX-large, you can’t go wrong with these moisture-wicking workout pants. And if for some reason you’re not satisfied with the quality of the pants, you can return them within 30 days, no questions asked.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/ODODOS-Control-Workout-Running-Leggings/dp/B07BPQKFRT”]ODODOS High Waist Out Pocket Yoga Pants, $18.98 from Amazon[/link-button]

6. Wick the sweat away with these affordable fashion tanks.

Sports bras and leggings might make up the majority of your workout wardrobe, but a quality tank top is still a much-needed fitness essential. Finding one that fits right and doesn’t feel like it just came out of the washing machine when you sweat is the key to comfort. The icyzone activewear racerback tank top is moisture-wicking, lightweight, and stretchy.

You can wear these tanks for any exercise, and since the cut provides great shape , they also work well as everyday tops. The racerback style allows you to wear this tank with just about any type of sports bra, and the length hits right below the waist, so they go with any style of waistband. Sizes range from X-small to XX-large, and the tanks come in black, granite, royal blue, charcoal, peach, blue, lavender, and orange.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/icyzone-Activewear-Running-Workouts-Racerback/dp/B073PYKWZW”]icyzone Activewear Yoga Racerback Tank Tops, $9.35 from Amazon[/link-button]

7. Run in comfort in these moisture-wicking comfy socks.

You might not put a lot of thought into the socks you wear while exercising, but the right footies can make all the difference in your workouts. Regardless of the type of exercise, wearing a moisture-wicking comfort (and maybe even padded) sock will help keep your feet comfy and free from blisters. BERING performance athletic running socks are made with a blend of polyester, spandex, and nylon.

They have a heel tab that protects that tender area from rubbing on your shoes and creating a blister. In addition to moisture control and blister protection, a quality workout sock also has the right amount of cushioning. The BERIG socks have a cushioned sole, reinforced heel and toe, plus a band of elastic around the arch that helps with support and performance.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/BERING-Womens-Performance-Athletic-Running/dp/B071Z74RMF”]Women’s Performance Athletic Socks (6 Pair Pack), $18.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

8. Hide morning hair with this cool hat.

Hats are all the rage lately, and workout hats are no exception. It makes sense, right? Who doesn’t love the option of grabbing a fashionable lid, securing it on your head, and running out the door? The only problem is some hats are not made for fitness, or they’re not designed with a woman in mind. That’s why the super-cute GADIEMKENSD quick-dry hat is such a great find.

It has everything a girl wants in a hat: comfort, color (pink, blue, white, and more) and fit. Plus, it’s moisture wicking, so you don’t have to worry about sweat building up inside. They do come in one-size-fits-all, but you can adjust to fit most head circumferences.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01GDPPZLO”]GADIEMKENSD Quick Dry Sports Hat, $9.97 from Amazon[/link-button]

9. Hug your body and stay cool with compression tanks.

If it’s compression you want, these tanks are for you. The Neleus compression dry fit tanks hug you in all the right places, while still giving you the room you need to get the work done.

Made mostly of polyester with just a smidgen of spandex, these moisture-wicking tanks will stretch with you while you crunch, box, or run your way to better health. Since these tanks are considered compression wear, you want them to fit snug. Because of that, you may want to avoid ordering a larger size. This tank is not meant to be loose-fitting.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Neleus-Womens-Pack-Compression-Layer/dp/B07BYK5SNL”]Neleus Compression Dry Fit Tank (3 Pack), $20.25 from Amazon[/link-button]

10. Moisture-Wicking T-Shirts for Everybody

A workout shirt that doubles as casual wear is a necessity, especially when you head right from the gym to the store. The Opna women’s short sleeve v-neck shirts are cool and light enough to get you through a grueling boot camp or cycling class, but sleek and slim enough to wear just about anywhere.

And since the fabric is moisture-wicking, that sweat you produced an hour ago stays away. Plus, the Opna shirts are available in sizes ranging from X-small to XXXX-large and they come in 15 different colors including hot coral, lime shock, and pink raspberry.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015TC7I1C”]Opna Short Sleeve Moisture Wicking Shirts, $17.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

11. These towels leave your face clean and soft.

Forget the gross gym towels that thousands of people have wiped their faces on. With these quick-drying, antibacterial sweat towels, you will always stay dry and clean. The Dwelling Place Premium Gym Towels are small enough to tuck in your pocket but big enough to wipe away all of your sweat.

In addition to cleaning up your sweaty mess, these microfiber towels also resist the nasty bacteria and germs that lurk on the treadmill. They hold up in the washing machine and come out without turning into a pile of fuzz.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Microfiber-Gym-Towel-Pack/dp/B073ZKKVQZ”]Dwelling Place Premium Gym Towels, $14.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

12. The Sweat-Wicking Waistband That Does It All

When you head out on a long run, you need a place to put all of your stuff, right? Pockets work, but only for your phone, bank card, or keys. What about water bottles, gels, or chews? The Sport2People Waist Bag solves this problem. Consider it the “everything but the kitchen sink” belt for running or pretty much any fitness activity you want to do.

The belt is waterproof and comes with two expandable pockets. You can expand the length from 27.5” to 40.5” and you can use it at night since the Sport2People comes with three reflective darts. If you try it and don’t like it, the company stands by their product and will refund you your money.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B019BQNTL0/”]Sport2People Waist Bag, $16.97 from Amazon[/link-button]

13. No pockets, no problem with this wrist wallet.

If you’re not a fan of waist belts or armbands, you need to check out this product. The Sprigs Banjees Wrist Wallet is popular in traveling circles, but it also works great when you need a place to put your phone while working out. It comes with two storage pockets: One folds and one has a zipper.

The company uses a custom fabric blend of PolySpandex, so the material stretches and moves with you while your arm is in motion. Speaking of fabric, there are lots of designs and colors you can choose from, including batik blue, yellow paisley, and purple blitz. Your phone will always have a home with this wrist wallet.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Sprigs-Banjees-Pocket-Wrist-Wallet/dp/B015LOOY38″]Sprigs Banjees Wrist Wallet, $19.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

14. The Classic Armband That Keeps on Running

Dependable, inexpensive, functional, and easy to use are the best ways to describe the classic armband holder. All you do is slide your phone in, wrap it around your arm, and close it with the velcro strap and you’re off and running. The ease of use is what makes the Tribe Water Resistant Cell Phone Armband so popular.

With your hands free, you can focus on sprinting up that hill you’ve been wanting to conquer or breaking your personal squat record. The Tribe Water features a touchscreen and weatherproof technology that keeps your phone safe from moisture. Like many other products on this list, the company stands by their promise that the armband will deliver; if you’re not happy, they will refund your money, no questions asked.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00SXRXUFE”]Tribe Water Resistant Cell Phone Armband, $9.98 from Amazon[/link-button]

15. Keep warm, but not too warm, with this long-sleeve athletic shirt.

Sweating it out in class or on the treadmill typically means short sleeves or a tank top. But there are plenty of times when long-sleeves are in order, especially on colder mornings. A lightweight jacket works, but if you want to keep your arms covered until you warm-up, the material is often too bulky. That’s when a moisture-wicking, long-sleeve shirt works.

Joe’s Dri-Equip moisture-wicking athletic shirts come in 22 different colors and they are available in an X-small to an XXXX-large. This shirt is roomy enough for layering, but it’s also perfect for wearing out and about with a pair of leggings.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/DRI-EQUIP-Ladies-Moisture-Wicking-Athletic/dp/B01EIYBHK0″]Dri-Equip Long Sleeve Moisture Wicking Shirt, $19.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

16. Fashionable No-Show Socks That Wick Moisture

Sometimes you want a pair of socks that serves a functional purpose but doesn’t disrupt your outfit with its flash of color. The Champion Women’s No Show Socks are ideal for working out without climbing up your leg.

But if you do want to show off your socks in yoga class, no problem. This pack comes with four different colors including pink, purple, blue, and charcoal. Based on the reviews, these socks are adored by fitness buffs looking for moisture wicking and comfort all wrapped up in one comfy sock. The fabric is soft and on the thinner side so they’re perfect for indoor workouts or moderate weather runs.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Champion-Womens-Moisture-Support-Assorted/dp/B074CPKWZD”]Champion Women’s No Show Socks (8 Pair Pack), $18.00 from Amazon[/link-button]

17. Try the shorts that actually cover your booty and stay in place.

Leggings may be the most popular workout attire for your lower body, but having a cute and comfortable pair of shorts tucked away is always helpful. The only problem is, so many shorts are either too long or barely cover your booty. If you’re looking for a pair that hits you just in the right spot but doesn’t hike up, you might want to consider the Baleaf active fitness short.

These fitted shorts have a wide supportive waistband, are long enough that you’ll feel covered, and they have a hidden pocket in the back that is just big enough for your keys or bank card. Since they are lightweight and moisture-wicking, you can sport these shorts to the gym, yoga, walking, biking, or running.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Baleaf-Womens-Active-Fitness-Running/dp/B01ELBMJKW”]Baleaf Women’s Active Running Shorts, $17.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

Innovative Tech Fitness Products

18. Earbuds for the Sweatiest of Exercisers

When you work out, the last thing you want is for your earbuds to stop working because you sweat so much. Unfortunately, this happens way too often. That’s why TaoTronics Bluetooth Sports Headphones made their wireless product splash- and sweat-proof.

But it’s not just their ability to withstand a tough workout that makes these buds so popular; they also have superior sound quality that is paired with magnetic earbuds, which fit snugly in your ear. Additionally, the TaoTronics Bluetooth Sports Headphones have eight hours of talk time or 175 hours on standby and a noise-canceling mic for outstanding call quality.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06Y686X78″]TaoTronics Bluetooth Sports Headphones, $35.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

19. A Shoe That Combines Cushioning and Power

Technology is part of everything we do, and now it’s made its way into the shoes we exercise in. The Under Armour Women’s HOVR Phantom Connected Running shoe allows you to be digitally connected to your phone via Under Armour’s Record Sensor technology. Basically, the shoes have a sensor in them that tracks how you run. This information is then sent to your phone so you can use it to improve your running.

Part of the technology also includes what Under Armour refers to as “zero gravity feel,” which helps to maintain energy return and lighten the impact on your body. The HOVR Phantom Connected shoes are made with a compression-like fit, so expect them to feel snug.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Under-Armour-Phantom-Connected-Overcast/dp/B071HN2F6D”]Under Armour Phantom Connected Running Shoe, $150 from Amazon[/link-button]

20. A Scale That Does More Than Just Measure Your Weight

The bathroom scale is a dreaded accessory in most homes. After all, don’t most of us have a love-hate relationship with this silly device? When you’re working out and eating right, the last thing you want to do is step on the scale and see that the number has gone up. But it’s not just the scale number that matters. You also need to take into consideration your body fat percentage, and that’s where Yunmai Bluetooth 4.0 Smart Scale and Body Fat Monitor can help.

This high-tech scale allows you to track 10 body measurements including BMI, hydration, body fat, and more. It’s also set up for multiple users, so everyone in your home can step up to the scale and see how they’re doing. And if you want to monitor your progress with your phone, the Yunmai app works with Apple Health, Fitbit, and Google Fit.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Yunmai-Bluetooth-Smart-Scale-Monitor/dp/B01B8LEELA”]Yunmai Bluetooth 4.0 Smart Scale, $49.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

21. Stay hydrated all day with this smart cup.

We all know how important it is to stay hydrated. But with work, school, family, social obligations, and everything else, it’s easy to forget about drinking water throughout the day. Fortunately, there’s a cup that helps you stay on top of your water consumption. Here’s how it works: At regularly timed intervals, the Ozmo Active Smart Cup will vibrate, indicating you need to take a water break.

The LED lights show you how you’re doing with your overall consumption for the day. And of course, it comes with the option of syncing with your smartphone. The appearance of the cup is nothing fancy, just your standard water bottle, but the design is ideal for working out. Plus, it’s made from Triton BPA-free plastic, so you know the cup is safe.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/ozmo-Watertight-Rechargeable-Bluetooth-Indicator/dp/B01MSMOTCW”]Ozmo Watertight Bluetooth Smart Cup, $69.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

22. These wireless headphones let you hear what’s going on around you.

Are you tired of earbuds digging into your ear? The AfterShokz Trekz Titanium Open Ear Wireless Headphones deliver music through your cheekbones. Yes, you read that right. These bluetooth wireless headphones look almost identical to all the other sports headphones on the market, except that the “ear” piece lays flat against the side of your face.

It’s actually quite clever since this allows you to listen to your favorite jam as you run and still hear what’s going on around you. The AfterShokz repel sweat and moisture, which makes them ideal for working out. And the battery life is not so shabby: six hours of continuous music and calls.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B018XNGQOE”]AfterShokz Wireless Headphones, $99.50 from Amazon[/link-button]

23. A Fitness Watch for Music Lovers

If you’re ready to take your fitness watch wearing to the next level, Garmin’s new wearable might be just what you’re looking for. Targeted at hardcore runners, this next-level technology allows you to download up to 500 songs, but it comes with a hefty price tag. Like most other Garmins, the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music monitors your heart rate, mileage, steps, and much more. It also has a built-in activity profile option that lets you choose your method of exercise such as running, cycling, strength training, and more.

You can also receive and respond to text messages and view other information right on the watch (once you pair it with your phone). The list of features goes on and on, but one other thing to note is the battery life. This watch comes with up to seven days of battery life when it’s in smartwatch mode. That drops significantly if you’re using it in GPS mode, which only gives you five hours of battery time.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Garmin-Forerunner-contactless-Wrist-Based-010-01863-20/dp/B078H244WN”]Garmin Forerunner 645 Music, $431.98 from Amazon[/link-button]

24. Keep yourself safe with this handy alarm.

According to the company that makes it, the Katana Safety Arc offers the first ever multi-level security system that fits on the back of your smartphone. Perfect for nighttime joggers or solo runners, the new device keeps you connected to friends, family, and emergency services every time you hit the pavement.

The device is lightweight with a built-in audible alarm that can be sounded to ward off an attacker or alert a bystander. It also comes with a mobile app with a GPS-enabled locator that will share a visual map of your location with seven emergency contacts when faced with danger. Plus, the subscription-based 24/7 response center contacts local authorities, family, and friends in case of an emergency.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Katana-Arc/dp/B07D86QJZ9″]Katana Safety Arc, $99.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

25. Brighten up your Fitbit with these colorful bands.

You have your Fitbit and love it, but you’re getting tired of wearing the same old boring black band it came with. If you want to brighten up your fitness tracker, why not swap out the band?

The POY Replacement Bands work with the Fitbit Charge 2 and come in a ton of colors including cerulean, red, pink, cyan, plum, orange, teal, and many more. They are easy to install, and you don’t need a tool to get the job done.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/POY-Replacement-Compatible-Adjustable-Wristbands/dp/B07GVG9TQJ”]POY Replacement Bands, $9.81 from Amazon[/link-button]

26. Swap out your Fitbit Alta and Alta HR band with these fun colors.

The Fitbit Alta and Alta HR are the models that got Fitbit noticed in the wearable market. When they first came out, the band colors were limited, and you had to settle for basic. But now, several companies are dressing up the bands and making colorful replacements. The brand that really seems to stand out is the iGK Replacement Bands.

These bands come in 22 different colors including white, sky blue, lavender, pink, coral, and brown. According to the specs, these bands fit best with the Fitbit Alta 2016 Fitness tracker and the Fitbit Alta HR 2017.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/iGK-Replacement-Compatible-Adjustable-Smartwatch/dp/B07GVJBKS6″]iGK Replacement Bands, $6.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

27. A Smart Scale That Syncs With Your Phone

Top-of-the-line scales can run you hundreds of dollars, but that doesn’t mean you have to shell out that kind of money to get a quality product. The RENPHO Bluetooth Body Fat Scale has everything you need in a scale, and it comes at a very reasonable price.

The scale measures weight, body fat, BMI, bone mass, body age, skeletal muscle, protein, muscle mass, fat-free body weight, basal metabolism, and water. It also syncs with several popular fitness apps so you can keep track of your progress on your phone.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N1UX8RW”]RENPHO Bluetooth Body Fat Scale, $23.79 from Amazon[/link-button]

28. The Premier Fitness Tracker That Looks Good Too

Love ’em or hate ’em, you can’t have a fitness tech round-up without mentioning the Apple Watch. And the Apple Watch Series 3, the latest model, does not disappoint. From a fitness standpoint, the Apple Watch tracks everything you would want it to, including steps, heart rate, distance, calories, and time.

Since it’s water-resistant, you don’t have to worry about sweat or rain damaging it. The touchscreen is convenient and easy to use while you’re exercising. And the band fits snug but flexes while you’re active. You can monitor all of your activity on the watch itself or on your phone. One feature that’s convenient for anyone is the ability to answer phone calls. With just a touch of a button, you can be chatting it up with your BFF while doing hill repeats!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Apple-Watch-Gold-Aluminum-Sport/dp/B075TDXYCS”]Apple Watch Series 3, $359 from Amazon[/link-button]

29. This fitness watch does it all—without a hefty price tag.

We can all agree that the fitness wearable market is saturated with watches. All you have to do is Google the words “fitness watch,” and pages of products pop up. One company that’s stood the test of time is Fitbit. Their watches have evolved from just counting steps to monitoring heart rate, miles, calories, and more. Currently, their lineup features the Fitbit Versa Smartwatch. If you don’t want to shell out the money for an Apple Watch or the fancy Garmin, the Versa might be a good fit for you.

It has the ability to track your day-to-day and fitness activities continuously. Plus, it comes with 15+ exercise modes to choose from, including swim, run, cycling, rowing, and more. The Versa comes in five colors: black, charcoal, grey, lavender, and peach.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Fitbit-Versa-Smartwatch-Aluminium-Included/dp/B07B48SQGT”]Fitbit Versa Smartwatch, $199 from Amazon[/link-button]

30. A Top-of-the-Line Tracker for a Reasonable Price

If the Fitbit Versa is still too much money for you to spend on a fitness tracker, you can consider the Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband instead. This model looks more like an activity tracker and less like a watch. But if all you want is a simple tracker that will monitor your heart rate, steps, and activity, this might be the watch for you.

Like the other Fitbit models, the Charge 2 has a touchscreen, which allows you to see call, text, and calendar notifications. The Charge 2 comes in black, blue, plum, gunmetal, lavender, and teal.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Fitbit-Charge-Fitness-Wristband-Version/dp/B01K9S260E”]Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband, $129.50 from Amazon [/link-button]

31. A Fitness Wearable Made With Affordability in Mind

If the thought of shelling out for (or using) a high-tech fitness tracker makes you want to bail on the entire idea, you might want to check out the basic trackers on the market. The LETSCOM Fitness Tracker HR is a basic yet effective tracker that monitors your heart rate, steps, sleep, calories burned, and active minutes.

If you want the tracker to measure distance, just connect the GPS on your phone and monitor your progress from there. The LETSCOM comes in a variety of colors including black, blue, green, pink, purple, and red.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/LETSCOM-Fitness-Activity-Waterproof-Pedometer/dp/B07GCM9N72″]LETSCOM Fitness Tracker HR, $29.98 from Amazon[/link-button]

32. Keep track of your ZZZs with these sleep pads.

If you’re putting in the time at the gym but not getting quality sleep, your fitness goals may suffer. Enter Nokia Sleep Tracking Pads. These sleek sleep pads slip under your mattress to help track and analyze your sleep quality, which is considered in light of your deep, light, and REM sleep cycles. The pad also keeps track of your heart rate while you sleep. The information (including a sleep score) is sent to your phone or tablet via the Nokia Health Mate app.

You can then log into your profile to find out what might be impacting your sleep quality and get tips to help you get deeper sleep at night. And get this: They also monitor your snoring, so no more pretending like you don’t sound like a grizzly bear at night!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Nokia-Sleep-Tracking-Temperature-Compatible/dp/B078Z1B34S”]Nokia Sleep, $99.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

33. The Running Coach That You Wear Around Your Waist

Becoming a runner takes a little bit more than just lacing up your shoes and heading out the door. There is a lot of time and training that goes into the overall development of a runner, and most of us lack the knowledge to get going on the right path. But with the help of the Lumo Run Coach, you will have a running coach with you 24/7.

The Lumo Run sensor clips right onto the back of your waist and tracks and monitors everything from your form to your performance. The information is sent to an app on your phone that gives you feedback and coaching on your running form.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Lumo-Run-Running-Runner-iPhone/dp/B01K22SOYE”]Lumo Run, $84.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

34. Light up a dark run with these clip-on lamp lights.

Between work, school, family, and friends, it can be difficult to fit in your training run before the sun goes down. Since many runners loathe the treadmill, hitting the pavement when it’s dark is the only option. Reflective clothing can only do so much, which is why more runners are turning to lights they can attach to their clothing or shoes. The Night Runner Shoe Lights clip right onto the top of your shoes, and they’re built to run through all types of weather.

The lights produce 360 degrees of visibility, which includes a forward light beam of up to 30 feet, plus two back-facing safety lights.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Night-Runner-270-Shoe-Lights/dp/B018EK6RUY”]Night Runner Shoe Lights, $49.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

35. No more slouching with this posture corrector.

How many times during the day do you find yourself hunched over your desk? If you’re like most people, your posture can use a major boost in the improvement department. But if you’re so used to learning to one direction, rounding your shoulders, or slouching over, it can be difficult to know when you’re doing these things. That’s where the Upright GO Posture Trainer and Corrector comes to the rescue.

This small device sits on your upper back, and as soon as you slouch, the Upright GO vibrates, reminding you to sit up. The information is also sent to an app on your phone for you to view at any time. It’s a bit Pavlovian, but if it works, who cares?
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Upright-Corrector-Strapless-Discrete-Confidence/dp/B0747YHYZF”]Upright GO Posture Trainer and Corrector, $79.95 from Amazon[/link-button]

36. Trust the old-school step tracker.

Before Fitbit, Garmin, and Apple, all we had was a trusty pedometer to track steps. While the new technology of fitness wearables is pretty amazing, sometimes you want to just keep things basic. If you want to take a step back from the high-tech world, but still track your steps, distance, exercise time, and calories burned, you might want to test out the Realalt 3D TriSport Walking Pedometer.

Plus, it is so easy to set up. Take it out of the box, turn it on, and follow the directions. No need to pair it with a smartphone or download an app. When you’re ready to get moving, all you have to do is clip the pedometer to your waist, put it in your pocket, or wear it around your neck depending on what’ll be most comfortable given the activity ahead.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Realalt-3DTriSport-Pedometer-Accurate-Distance/dp/B00MWHUOSM”] Realalt 3D TriSport Walking Pedometer, $22.99 from Amazon[/link-button]

37. Track your fat loss with this easy-to-use digital monitor.

Tired of stepping on the scale only to see the number fluctuate every day? If you want something more than just pounds to measure your progress by, you might want to give body fat testing a try. This handheld device allows you to quickly measure your body fat without taking your clothes off or having someone grab and pinch you.

The technology that makes this possible is called bioelectrical impedance, which works by sending a signal through your body to measure total body water. Once you input your personal data (height, weight, age, athlete or non-athlete, etc.) the process takes about seven seconds, and you have your body fat percentage, give or take the normal variance that’s inherent to with body fat monitoring devices.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Omron-HBF-306C-Handheld-Body-Monitor/dp/B000FYZMYK”]Omron HBF-306C Handheld Body Fat Loss Monitor, $35.31 from Amazon[/link-button]

Tags Commerce, social

Lifestyle Uncategorized

41 Nifty Products That Solve Problems You Never Knew You Had

Post author By Sian Ferguson
Post date September 11, 2018

1. Wear your favorite stilettos without sinking into grass or getting stuck in cracks.

2. Replace your regular dish sponge with the power of pure silicone.

3. An adjustable rolling pin makes sure your dough will never be too thick or too thin again.

4. Hold a book open with only one hand.

5. Never forget to pack essentials for a weekend away again.

6. Save money by getting every last drop from that bottle of your favorite moisturizer.

7. Remove stubborn odors from your hands with this stainless steel “soap.”

8. Sort through your bag easily, day or night.

9. Clean your makeup brushes thoroughly in half the time.

10. Replace your cling wrap with a reusable alternative.

11. Keep your bag from rolling off the backseat with these headrest hooks.

12. Save space in your bag with a collapsible water bottle.

An ever-present water bottle makes a great reminder to stay hydrated, but when the bottle is empty, it simply takes up space in your bag.

13. Soothe your feet with this mini foot hammock.

If your feet tend to swell or if you’re nursing an injury, this product is a must-have for your office. It’s a miniature foot hammock that you attach to the bottom of your desk.

14. Prevent your glasses from sliding down your nose.

As many glasses-wearers can attest, re-adjusting your glasses every two minutes is annoying AF. Here comes Nerdwax, a chapstick-like product that stops your glasses from slipping off your nose.

15. Use this citrus spray gadget to make your own lemon or lime mist.

16. Cut your pineapple perfectly with this nifty gadget.

Pineapples are a delicious snack, but cutting them is super labor-intensive. This kitchen gadget peels and cores the pineapple for you.

17. Never forget another one of your brilliant shower ideas.

18. Use notched kitchen tools that drip into the pot, not on the countertop.

If you’re cooking a big meal, mess is inevitable—but with these silicone utensils, you can avoid creating extra spillage.

19. Drain chickpeas easily with this mini-colander.

20. Use this space-saving clip-on colander for bigger dishes.

This silicone strainer is a must-have for people with limited shelf space. Since it’s made of silicone, it’s flexible enough to attach to large and small pots alike.

21. Wake up with the sun thanks to a sunrise-simulating alarm clock.

Being woken up by a shrill alarm can get your day off to a bad start. This nifty alternative uses lighting and ambient noise to help you wake up on the right side of the bed.

22. Keep your toilet fresh with this ingenious spray.

Sharing a bathroom isn’t fun. Neither is using a public toilet. Many people rave about this spray’s abilities to mask smells before they even happen.

23. Create extra space in your room with these bed risers.

24. Give yourself a glorious scalp massage with this nifty brush.

25. Never spill nail polish again.

26. Clean your blinds with this fantastic gadget.

27. Use a gadget to gently remove bugs from your home without hurting them.

With the possible exception of mosquitos, many of us want to avoid hurting bugs as much as possible. That said, we’re not exactly keen on scooping them into our own hands to take them outside.

28. Fold your clothes neatly with a handy-dandy folding board.

Folding your shirts properly is a great way to save space in your closet and increase the longevity of your clothes. Use this simple shirt-folding board to help you fold garments quickly and neatly.

29. Make meal prep easier by using a sandwich bag rack.

Have you ever tried to hold a Ziploc bag open and pour liquid from a heavy pot at the same time? If so, you know what a mess that can make.

30. Prevent soap from getting all soggy with this soap saver.

Most soap holders turn into a soggy scum bath after a few uses. Yuck.

31. Clean your microwave without scrubbing it.

The inside of your microwave can accumulate gunk unbelievably quickly, and cleaning it can be, in a word, nasty. This microwave cleaner uses the power of steam to loosen up food splatters.

32. Protect your skin from dry winter air.

The cold winter air can dry out your skin, hair, and sinuses. When the weather starts to turn, invest in an air humidifier to counteract the drying effects of cold air and heaters alike.

33. Extend the life of your veggies by using a refrigerator liner.

34. Fall asleep with these comfortable headphones.

35. Remove all your makeup with just one wipe.

36. Keep soda fresher for longer.

If you seldom finish a can of soda in one sitting, these can lids are fantastic. When you leave an open can in the fridge, your soda will go flat or absorb smells from other foods, which is gross.

37. Indulge in avocado toast without hurting yourself.

38. Keep your phone germ- and smudge-free.

39. Use non-slip velvet hangers to keep your wardrobe tidy.

40. Up your taco game with these useful taco stands.

41. Keep your coffee or tea warmer for longer.

Tags Commerce, social

Conscious Beauty Lifestyle

The Ultimate Haircare Product Guide: 41 Products For Literally Every Type Of Hair

Post author By Katie Martin
Post date September 10, 2018

How many half-empty haircare products are currently collecting dust under your bathroom sink because they didn’t deliver on their promise to tame your frizz or plump up your lifeless locks?
With this comprehensive haircare product guide for all hair types (even yours), you’ll never waste an expensive bottle of shampoo again. Whether your hair is curly or straight, thin or thick, short or long, or somewhere in between, here are 41 products for every type of hair that live up to the hype.

Best Products For Curly/Natural Hair

1. Meet the curl maker.

A lot of products designed for curly/natural hair promise to make your curls shiny, soft, and bouncy, but end up leaving your hair crunchier than a bag of half-eaten Cheetos. Say goodbye to crunchy curls with Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker.

This styling jelly contains a ton of nourishing ingredients, like marshmallow and agave extracts, vitamins E and B12, and aloe vera to give your curly hair ultimate softness and shine.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Camille-Rose-Naturals-Maker-Ounce/dp/B0081K2R2U”]Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker, $21.70 on Amazon[/link-button]

2. Milk makes your hair strong and healthy too.

Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker really works best if you use it with their Curl Love Moisture Milk, a super hydrating leave-in conditioner containing rice milk, organic avocado, and slippery elm bark to help detangle curly tresses as it moisturizes.

Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk is the perfect product for curly hair in winter months, when cold temps can cause dry, brittle hair. Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk can be used on wet hair or even dry locks if they’re feeling brittle.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Camille-Rose-Naturals-Moisture-Ounce/dp/B006FJPKT6″]Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk, $13.59 on Amazon[/link-button]

3. Beat the heat and humidity with this amazing gel.

Madam CJ Walker Beauty Culture Coconut and Moringa Oils Humidity Block Curl Gel is definitely a splurge item, but it’s so worth the cost for a product that actually does combat humidity to tame frizzy, dry curls.

This gel does double duty to protect your curls; it provides a protective barrier from moisture in the air to prevent frizz from forming while locking in your hair’s natural moisture to keep curls soft and manageable at the same time.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01KTYA0WO”]Madame CJ Walker Humidity Block Curl Gel, $59 on Amazon[/link-button]

4. Perfect curls, every time.

An affordable alternative to luxe hydrating curl gels, Foxy Curls by TIGI Bed Head Screw It Curl Hydrating Gel promises soft, defined curls with every use. A three-ounce tube will last a long time, even on the thickest head of curly hair.

You only need a tiny amount (think pea-sized) to work through hair. Pro tip: Apply starting at mid-length and work your way down to the tip to avoid weighing hair down at the root.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071792VHS”]Foxy Curls Hydrating Gel, $11.86 on Amazon[/link-button]

Best Products For Dry/Damaged Hair

5. Channel Cleopatra’s iconic look with this gel.

Perfect for hair that is prone to split ends and breaking, The Mane Choice Ancient Egyptian 24 Karat Gold Twisting Gel works best for twist outs and braided hairstyles but is an ideal choice for anyone looking to hydrate and repair damaged locks.

While this product won’t make your hair grow faster, it is enriched with biotin and vitamin D, so the gold twisting gel helps prevent split ends, promoting natural hair growth and retention.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075JQC2ZT”]Ancient Egyptian 24 Karat Gold Twisting Gel, $14.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

6. Treat your hair to an at-home spa day.

We love an at-home DIY spa day, but when was the last time you treated your hair to some TLC? Order a set of Ouai Treatment Masques, designed by celebrity stylist Jen Atkin, to restore damaged hair’s softness after just one use.

These masques contain artichoke leaf extract, which helps seal each strand’s cuticle, resulting in less breakage and fewer split ends. Simply work through damp hair, leave on for 10 minutes, and rinse away for best results. Best enjoyed with a hot bath and cucumber face mask.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Ouai-Treatment-Masque-0-3-treatments/dp/B01L03RGGG”]Ouai Treatment Masques, 8 3-Ounce Treatments, $49.90 on Amazon[/link-button]

7. A few drops of this product help repair damaged hair.

Stylists and salon-goers alike rave about Moroccanoil’s Moroccan Oil Treatment for damaged hair. It’s infused with ultra-hydrating Argan oil and can be used right out of the shower, during styling, or even to smooth flyaways.

And even though it’s an oil, because of its lightweight formula, it’s great for all hair types, even very thin hair, because it won’t weight tresses down.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Moroccan-Oil-Treatment-0-85-Oz/dp/B003JKFEL8″]Moroccan Oil Treatment Infused With Argan Oil, $13.60 on Amazon[/link-button]

8. Prevent dry, damaged hair in the shower.

It really takes a multi-step approach to tackle damaged hair. While the shampoo you got on clearance at the drugstore may be perfectly fine for the average user, if your hair is prone to split ends and breakage, we love this Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner Duo.

Not only will this leave your hair shiny and soft, but it smells great too, which makes sense considering it’s infused with certified organic bergamot, lavender, and ginger lily extracts.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Aveda-Remedy-Moisturizing-Shampoo-Conditioner/dp/B00RJ3Y1N8″]Aveda Dry Remedy Shampoo and Conditioner Duo Set, $74 on Amazon[/link-button]

For Straight Hair/Blowout Styles

9. Cross the line.

The invisible oil line, that is, with Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil, which features an enriching blend of six oils, including coconut oil, grapeseed oil extract, and sweet almond oil that won’t weigh hair down.

Ideal for any type of hair, Invisible Oil is best used before styling to tame frizz, protect hair from styling tools, and prevent damage. You can also simply work a small amount through dry hair after a blowout for a sleek, polished look.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00XI4INBI”]Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil, $38.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

10. Protect your mane with this budget-friendly spray.

Good haircare doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. That’s why we love L’Oreal Paris Sleek It Hair Spray as an alternative to pricier heat protectants. As an added bonus, Sleek It is available in most drug stores.

It’s perfect for straight styles that require frequent blowouts to protect hair from high heat, seal in moisture, and prevent frizz from forming. And, at less than four bucks per bottle, it’s a must-have styling product that won’t break the bank.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01BGFLYMA”]L’Oreal Paris Advanced Hairstyles Sleek It Hair Spray, $3.97 on Amazon[/link-button]

11. Shine on.

How do celebs and hair models in commercials get such impossibly shiny, frizz-free locks? While they probably have a small army of stylists ready to combat the smallest flyaway, you just need one product for hair to shine: Saints & Sinners Illuminati Divine Shine Holographic Serum.

The serum works for all hair types but is perfect for giving straight hair high shine thanks to its blend of protective botanical oils. This Saints & Sinners serum is also phthalate-, paraben-, and palm oil–free, so you can feel good about what you’re putting on your hair.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B077MKS2HQ”]Saints & Sinners Illuminati Holographic Serum, $18.45 on Amazon[/link-button]

Best Products For Fine/Thin Hair

12. Bounce back with this shower set.

It’s so hard to know what to do with thin hair. Products containing oils can easily weigh hair down, causing it to appear lifeless and flat. Volumizing products can plump strands up but leave frizz behind. So what’s a girl with fine hair to do? Try Herbal Essences Bio-Renew White Grapefruit and Mosa Mint Shampoo and Conditioner for your go-to shower routine.

Like most Herbal Essences products, this shampoo and conditioner set smells divine and lives up to the promise to gently restore volume to thin hair without drying it out.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Herbal-Essences-Bio-Grapefruit-Conditioner/dp/B079TH68RF”]Bio-Renew Shampoo and Conditioner, $14.14 on Amazon[/link-button]

13. Big hair, don’t care.

It’s easy to pump up hair’s volume with Big Sexy Hair Powder Play, a texturizing spray powder that magically lifts and locks in style for any type of fine hair.

Simply spray on hair at the root (and remember that a little bit goes a long way with this product), work through hair, and style as you normally would for lift that lasts all day.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Big-Sexy-Hair-Powder-Play/dp/B009BCLJMQ”]Big Sexy Hair Powder Play + Mini Powder Play, $22.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

14. Fake thick hair fast.

Living Proof Thickening Cream is a lifesaver for any woman with thin, fine hair. This silicone-free cream actually deposits thickening “dots” to plump each strand up to five times longer than other similar products.

The end result? Hair that looks so voluminous and thick, it could be mistaken for one of Dolly Parton’s wigs. Okay, so maybe not that voluminous, but you get the idea.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Living-Proof-Thickening-Cream-Ounce/dp/B0032B3RTK”]Living Proof Thickening Cream, from $11.01 on Amazon[/link-button]

15. Take care of your scalp to prevent thinning hair.

Preventing thin hair begins with taking care of your scalp. Use Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo to cleanse your scalp and stimulate hair growth.

Featuring a blend of clover, ginseng, and other stimulating botanicals, this color-safe shampoo is perfect for daily use on curly or straight hair that’s not as thick as you’d like it to be.
[link-button href=”https://fave.co/2wZgkIP”]Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Scalp Care Anti-Thinning Shampoo, $39 from Ulta[/link-button]

Best Products to Fight Frizz

16. Sleek, shiny hair all day, every day.

It’s been such a muggy, humid summer, we’ve just stopped trying to combat frizzy flyaways. That is, until we found OGX Anti-Frizz Hydrating Kukui Oil. This Hawaiian oil is perfect for helping hair maintain moisture and shine, while providing a protective barrier against humid temps that can cause your hair to frizz out.

Best of all, this oil is light enough for any type of hair; just spritz through before styling, or rub a small amount through dry hair for luminous, sleek shine.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00HVKAYC6″]OGX Anti-Frizz Hydrating Kukui Oil, $9.31 on Amazon[/link-button]

17. The best way to combat frizz isn’t an oil or a serum.

Getting rid of frizz starts before you even begin to style your hair—as soon as you step out of the shower. Use a microfiber hair towel, like this 2-Pack Anti-Frizz Turban For Sleeping and Showering to quickly absorb water without having to rub your hair in a cotton towel, which can cause major frizz.

These microfiber towels dry quickly and feature an elastic band, so they stay put until you’re ready to brush and style your hair.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DLBML8T”]2-Pack Microfiber Hair Towel, $15.87 on Amazon[/link-button]

18. Sleep on satin for luxe locks.

Keep frizz at bay between washes by sleeping on a satin or silk pillowcase, like this Shop Bedding Blissford Satin Pillowcase, instead of cotton. Cotton soaks up moisture and oils (think about how quickly cotton balls soak up oils and residue on your skin and nails) which can leave hair dry and brittle the next day.

But silk and satin allow hair to retain moisture, allowing your blowout to last days longer. Plus, it just feels extra glam to sleep on satin, you know?
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Shop-Bedding-Sweet-Dreams-Pillowcase/dp/B01MS3PXM7″]Blissford Luxury Satin Pillowcase, $8.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

Best Products For Thick/Coarse Hair

19. Finally, a hair tie that holds ALL your hair!

Scunci, the makers of those ubiquitous black hair ties that somehow end up wherever lost socks and extra bobby pins hide, finally has a product for all the ladies with #thickhairproblems: Scunci Thick Hair Black Elastics.

This hair tie two-pack contains 48 hair ties, so you won’t be desperately searching for hair ties on your way to the gym or work. They’re also metal-free for an all-day, no-damage hold. And with this double pack, you’ll never have to hunt for a hair tie again.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00YW8IHSI”]Scunci Thick Hair Black Elastics, 48 count, $10.33 on Amazon[/link-button]

20. Quench coarse hair in under five minutes.

A deep-conditioning treatment for thick or coarse hair that provides real results in under five minutes really is a miracle, and so is Aussie’s beloved 3-Minute Miracle Moist Conditioning Treatment.

This deep-conditioning cream is perfect to lather on when you first hop in the shower so you can rinse it away a few minutes later. It’s gentle enough to use several times a week, or anytime you feel like your hair needs a triple-shot of moisture.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Aussie-Minute-Miracle-Conditioning-Treatment/dp/B01NABKH3Y”]Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Moist Conditioning Treatment, $4.97 on Amazon[/link-button]

21. Untangle even the thickest hair with this brush.

How many times have you simply had to throw your impossibly thick hair up into a messy bun because you just didn’t have time to brush it out and style it before work? May we suggest giving the Wet Brush Custom Care for Thick Hair a try?

This brush is designed specifically to navigate thick hair, combing out even the knottiest tangles with strong, sparse bristles that gently massage the scalp.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MTA1ENN”]Wet Brush Custom Care, Thick Hair, $10.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

Best Products For Color-Treated Hair

22. Restore color-treated hair to its former glory.

You love your new rich fall-hued color, which pairs perfectly with pumpkin spice season, but adding color to your hair can leave locks brittle if they‘re not cared for properly. Enter Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 Repairing Treatment, a restorative treatment free from phthalates, parabens, and sulfates with a cult-like following.

Apply a generous amount through damp hair, leave on for ten minutes, and watch your color-treated hair come back to life.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Olaplex-Perfector-Repairing-Treatment-Packaging/dp/B00SNM5US4″]Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 Repairing Treatment, $28 on Amazon[/link-button]

23. Phase out the fade out.

Do you spend a small fortune to keep up your signature shade, only to have the color fade to a tarnished hue after a few washes? Well, no more, thanks to Matrix Biolage Colorlast Shampoo and Conditioner.

This shampoo and conditioner set has a low pH, meaning it won’t wash color out over time, meaning you can keep your new hue from fading for up to nine weeks. More good news, this shampoo-and-conditioner duo is gentle enough for daily use.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Matrix-Biolage-ColorLast-Shampoo-Conditioner/dp/B00Y3VC0LO”]Matrix Biolage Colorlast Shampoo and Conditioner, $27 on Amazon[/link-button]

24. Go ahead, skip wash day.

Washing hair too often can fade color fast, which is why we thank the hair goddesses every day for this ultra-affordable Suave Professionals Color Care Dry Shampoo.

Like most dry shampoos, Suave Color Care absorbs oil away from the scalp, keeping your mane looking fresh between washes. It also protects color from becoming dull thanks to its keratin-infused technology.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Suave-Professionals-Shampoo-Keratin-Infusion/dp/B00R0UJV1W”]Suave Professionals Color Care Dry Shampoo, from $10.97 on Amazon[/link-button]

Best Products For Blonde Hair

25. Do blondes really have more fun?

Well, we can’t actually answer that question, but we can recommend Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo to keep your bleach-blonde tresses looking their best.

We know it’s pretty pricey for shampoo, but this sulfate-free violet shampoo is beloved by stylists who know it can help correct brassy tones and illuminate natural highlights, making it worth every penny.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/ORIBE-Bright-Blonde-Shampoo-8-5/dp/B00UZFYSTY”]Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo, $46 on Amazon[/link-button]

26. Blonde haircare that doesn’t cost a fortune.

For a more affordable daily blonde shampoo, turn to the OG John Frieda Sheer Blonde Colour Renew Tone-Correcting Shampoo and Conditioner Duo.

This shampoo promises to counter brassy tones and bring back your bright blonde ’do in just three washes. It’s appropriate for every shade of blonde, from ash to platinum, and can be used as part of your daily shower routine.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/John-Frieda-Tone-Correcting-Shampoo-Conditioner/dp/B00TGCZT40″]Sheer Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner Duo, $16.53 on Amazon[/link-button]

Best Products For Postpartum Hair

27. Hide thin spots fast with this postpartum miracle.

Okay, so Nioxin Thickening Spray isn’t a product made specifically for postpartum hair loss. Unfortunately, nothing can really stop your hair from falling out after having a baby (thanks, hormones), but this spray can minimize the appearance of extremely thin or patchy spots.

It works for every hair type and adds instant, lasting volume thanks to its ProThick technology.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Nioxin-Thickening-Spray-5-1-oz/dp/B015NKDPXA”]Nioxin Thickening Spray, $15.30 on Amazon[/link-button]

28. Gently detangle hair to hang on to every strand.

It’s the most disheartening thing to watch your postpartum hair fall out by the handful every time you run a brush through it. A good detangling cream, like Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner, can help save strands as you comb hair out post-shower.

The weightless formula ensures that thinning hair doesn’t get weighed down by product, which leaves you with bouncy, voluminous hair.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Carols-Daughter-Vanilla-Conditioner-Packaging/dp/B001AWXPAY”]Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner, $8.57 on Amazon[/link-button]

29. Give your hair a strength-training session.

Just like you practiced kegel exercises all through your pregnancy, your postpartum hair needs strengthening too, which is why we love this Shea Moisture Strengthen, Grow & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner Set.

The main ingredient, Jamaican black castor oil, helps hair grow stronger, prevents breakage, and gently cleanses the scalp to promote new growth over time.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Shea-Moisture-Strengthen-Conditioner-Combination/dp/B0157K2GZO/”]Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Leave-In Conditioner, $8.57 on Amazon[/link-button]

30. Trick everyone into thinking new mommyhood is just a day at the beach.

Yeah, right! But the right texturizing spray, like Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, can really help add volume to thinning or patchy hair. Similar to a dry shampoo, texturizing spray plumps up hair by absorbing oils that weigh hair down and adds dimension as you work the product through dry hair to give it a tousled look.

No one will ever know you haven’t showered or slept in three days with Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/ORIBE-Dry-Texturizing-Spray-8-5/dp/B003NXM9HS”]Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray, $46 on Amazon[/link-button]

31. If all else fails, just cover it up.

Sometimes, despite your best efforts, it is almost impossible to disguise postpartum hair loss. If that’s the case, don’t despair! Treat yourself to these adorable Boho Criss Cross Hair Wraps for a polished look when you just can’t deal with your hair.

And remember, even though it may not seem like it, postpartum hair loss does not last forever. One day, your luscious locks will return, we promise.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Women-Headband-Floal-Style-Criss/dp/B01FBWRT5U”]4-Pack Boho Criss Cross Hair Wraps, $9.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

Best Products For Gray Hair

32. Treat your silver locks right with this shampoo.

Silver-haired goddesses, rejoice. Women in their twenties, thirties, and beyond are rocking the silver look with good reason: It looks amazing on everyone! Whether you’re going gray naturally or you’ve chosen silver-hued hair, take care of your tresses with Clairol Shimmer Lights Original Shampoo for blonde and silver hair.

Gray and silver hair can start to look dull over time, but this blue shampoo helps remove residue and yellow undertones to reveal shimmering strands.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Clairol-Shimmer-Lights-Original-Shampoo/dp/B000TC0LFS”]Clairol Shimmer Lights Original Shampoo, $8.26 on Amazon[/link-button]

33. Hydrate your hair for soft, silver strands.

As our hair grays, it loses moisture and becomes much coarser over time. That’s why keeping silver hair hydrated is ultra important. Keep moisture locked in with Redken Diamond Oil Shatterproof Shine Intense Oil Treatment.

With its patented hybrid oil technology, Redken Diamond Oil delivers high shine and locks in moisture for thirsty hair. Unfortunately, this amazing product has been discontinued by Redken (say it ain’t so!), but you can still get it from verified third-party sellers on Amazon.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Redken-Diamond-Shatterproof-Intense-Treatment/dp/B00CGR26B6″]Diamond Oil Intense Oil Treatment, from $35.86 on Amazon[/link-button]

34. Cover silver hair up, if you must.

We think rocking silver and gray hair is totally awesome, but we understand that not every woman may feel that way. If you do choose to cover your gray with a permanent all-over color, make sure you visit a professional to get the perfect style and color.

But, if you’re looking for a temporary solution to gray hair, how about trying L’Oreal Colorista 1-Day Spray in 10 different unique shades, including rose gold. This one-day color is totally temporary and washes out immediately in the shower, so unlike permanent hair color, there’s no commitment (and no risk of a botched at-home dye job!).
[link-button href=”https://fave.co/2NU2HAY”]L’Oreal Colorista 1-Day Spray, $9.99 from Ulta[/link-button]

Best Products For Short/Shaved Hair

35. Exfoliate, exfoliate, exfoliate!

Just because you’ve shaved your head doesn’t mean you get to skimp on taking care of your scalp and hair. Exfoliate your scalp to keep flakes away with Kiehl’s Deep Micro-Exfoliating Scalp Treatment.

Gently massage it all over your scalp, leave it on for about five minutes, and rinse the treatment off before shampooing your hair like normal for a scalp that’s clean and dandruff-free.
[link-button href=”https://fave.co/2MSBguU”]Kiehl’s Deep Micro-Exfoliating Scalp Treatment, $20 from Kiehl’s[/link-button]

36. Super Goo to the rescue.

Kevin Murphy Super.Goo sounds like a kids’ bath product, but it’s actually the perfect pomade for super-short hairstyles.

This water-soluble, firm-hold gel promises to mold hair without leaving annoying flakes as your style dries. It’s formulated with nettle, bamboo, and green tea extracts that’ll nourish hair all day long.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Murphy-Super-Goo-Ounce/dp/B00CPHXCQA”]Kevin Murphy Super.Goo, $18.50 on Amazon[/link-button]

37. Get that James Dean look.

Just because you have short hair doesn’t mean you’re not at risk for breakage and split ends. Take care of your hair from root to tip with Kristin Ess Depth Defining Water Based/Soft Matte Pomade.

Unlike a lot of pomades, this water-based matte pomade won’t leave a sticky residue in your hair that’s hard to shampoo out. Instead, hair is left with a soft, smooth texture while holding your style all day long.
[link-button href=”https://fave.co/2MW8lpV”]Kristin Ess Depth Defining Pomade, $10 from Target[/link-button]

Best Products For Long Hair

38. Nip split ends in the bud.

Okay, so we’re never ones to advocate for cutting your own hair, but when you have extremely long hair, split ends can cause irreparable damage to hardwon hair growth. If you can’t make it to the salon for frequent trims, keep this set of Professional Hair Cutting Barber Scissors with Comb and Case nearby for the occasional nip off the ends.

Just don’t go overboard and decide to give yourself a bob. Leave the major cuts to the professionals—trust us!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Professional-Cutting-Barber-Scissors-Shears/dp/B017UJ7ZE2/”]Professional Hair Cutting Scissors, $15.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

39. The best product you’re not using on long hair.

You probably use dry shampoo a few times a week to extend the life of your ‘do, but are you using dry conditioner regularly? If not, we strongly suggest you order Eva NYC Forget Me Knot Dry Conditioner right now. It’s essential for long locks.

Keep them hydrated and soft between washes. This lightweight dry conditioner won’t weigh long hair down and is perfect for throwing in your gym or work tote to refresh hair during the day.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/NYC-Forget-Knot-Conditioner-Ounce/dp/B00YJJZ75G”]Eva NYC Forget Me Knot Dry Conditioner, $11.40 on Amazon[/link-button]

40. Say bye-bye to hair ties.

It’s ultra annoying to have your long hair whipping around in your face when you’re working out, but hair ties can spell major damage and split ends for long tresses.

Instead of using a billion bobby pins to hold back your hair, give these spiral hair pins a whirl. They provide a strong hold, without doing damage to your locks.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Pack-Spiral-Hair-Pins-Bobby/dp/B07F3RYGZV”]16-Pack Spiral Hair Pins, $7.99 on Amazon[/link-button]

41. Viva la resistance!

Choosing a shampoo that will prevent breakage is key when you’re trying to maintain long hair.

That’s why we love Kerastase Resistance Bain Force Architecte Reconstructing Shampoo, which conditions and strengthens hair for optimal growth without breakage.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Kerastase-Resistance-Architecte-Reconstructing-Shampoo/dp/B006MGR644″]Kerastase Resistance Reconstructing Shampoo, $23.79 on Amazon[/link-button]

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