Sponsored content by tulo. On my nightstand, I have a sleep mask gathering dust, a light therapy lamp that I’ve never once plugged in, and a diffuser filled with lavender essential oil and probably mold. Basically, I’m a sleep optimist. I know about sleep hygiene. I crave a relaxing nighttime routine and consistent sleep and wake-up schedule. But in reality, I just sort of tumble into bed sometime between midnight and 3 a.m., sleepwalk my way through the morning after hitting snooze a dozen times, wonder why I’m tired all day, and do it all over again. I’m in good company—research from the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention shows that a third of us are sleep-slackers, getting less than seven hours of shuteye a night, the minimum recommended for health and wellbeing. But that doesn’t make me any less delirious. So when the makers of tulo, a new mattress designed to support your specific sleep style, offered to let me try out one of their dreamy memory foam mattresses if I promised to get a solid eight hours of sleep every night for a week, I was into it. (Heads up: If you get overheated in the wee hours like me and are nervous about memory foam mattresses, both a cooling layer and an airflow layer in each tulo keep you nice and chill.) Here’s what happened during my week of blissful rest. Spoiler: Sleep is very nice and good! Diana Davis
My 3 p.m. hangries were MIA.
Just one night of skimping on sleepmesses with the hormones that regulate how hungry you feel and how quickly you register fullness when you’re eating the next day. Translation: You wake up with pizza on your mind and in your heart, and you absolutely, desperately need chocolate and salty chips in the afternoon. While no amount of sleep will turn me into one of those people who “forgot to eat,” I did feel infinitely more satisfied with my healthy-ish lunch and didn’t feel the need to go snack grazing after a night on the tulo. Diana Davis
I was on top of my game at work.
Those aforementioned 3 p.m. munchies? They usually come with a side of very heavy eyelids. And for a freelance writer like me, that grogginess can end up meaning a “work” day that is mostly just naps, imposter syndrome-induced mood spirals, and a little light crying in between episodes of Frasier. (So I’ve been told. Not that I’ve ever had a day like that.) Research backs me up—studies have shown that a rotten night of sleep can wreak havoc on attention, focus, and performance. So this week, when the freelance heavens opened up and assignments rained down, I was grateful I had the mental energy to take them all on and hit my deadlines. Diana Davis
I went to the gym. Twice! In the morning!
Please, hold your applause. Was I disappointed that, after weeks of no-showing at my local sports club, I wasn’t welcomed back with a marching band weaving through the ellipticals? Of course. But my self-satisfaction at making it there at all (twice!) was enough. Turns out that a quality eight hours of sleep leaves you well-rested enough that you can actually get out of bed the first time your alarm goes off, and starting the day with the time and willpower to work out feels better than hitting snooze so many times that your cat thinks you’re dead and starts trying to boop you awake. Bonus: My back didn’t feel 200 years old when I woke up. I usually change positions (aka thrash around violently) while I sleep. This quiz from tulo steered me to their medium firmness mattress—a perfect balance of supportive and cushiony for my middle-of-the-night American Ninja Warrior moves. Diana Davis
I wore eyeshadow.
Sure, some people wake up early enough to catch the sunrise, meditate, pop the wholesome ingredients for a Paleo dinner into their slow cooker, pack bento-box lunches for their herd, go for a run, and take their kids to school all before starting their days. But have they ever tried to make both of their eyes the exact same degree of smokey? Ok, I’m starting small, but having a chunk of extra time and energy for skincare and grooming felt pretty great, especially when I’m used to completely skimping on self-care and/or kind of sleepily trudging through the process of trying to make myself look presentable. Next challenge: liquid eyeliner. Diana Davis
I cracked a smile before 10 a.m.
Sleepresearch shows we feel more irritable, angry, and hostile and less friendly and empathic when we’re sleep deprived. This low mood is fairly impenetrable–we’re less likely to even derive an emotional boost from a positive experience or achievement when we’re tired. Now, did a week sleeping in tulo’s welcoming embrace spur me to look like the “after” sequence of a commercial for allergy medication? No, I didn’t become ecstatic about gardening or stroll through a wheat field hand in hand with anyone. But I did have noticeably more pep first thing in the morning and found myself being more chatty with strangers and friends and agreeable with coworkers throughout the day. I’d call that a success!
Unless you’re living in the world of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, chances are you are not what you eat. And yet, if you’ve been suffering from anxiety—either the kind diagnosed by a doctor or just that general on-edge feeling that hasn’t caused you enough concern to visit your GP—you might want to take a peek in your pantry to see what’s going on. The most common mental illness in the United States, according to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, anxiety affects about 40 million of us—a whopping 18 percent of the American population. And women are nearly twice as likely as men to suffer from anxiety. iStock.com/demaerre So what does that have to do with your food? A lot, according to doctors. An increasing number of studies have begun to formulate a possible link between antioxidants—or the lacktherof—and mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Low antioxidant levels, some studies have found, seem to have a link to people who are diagnosed with one of these disorders. Other studies have posited that there’s a link between your “gut microbiome”—or the bacteria, microbes, and similar organisms in the gut—and development of anxiety. And there’s long been an understanding in the medical community that there’s a link between poor mental health and nutritional deficiencies. If your body isn’t getting all the nutrition it needs, after all, how can you have good mental health? iStock.com/petrunjela So does this mean you should upend your entire diet? Maybe not—major eating changes should never be made without a talk with your doctor or nutritionist—but making a few simple menu changes could have an effect on how you’re feeling.
Foods to Avoid
Surprise, surprise: Most of the foods doctors suggest avoiding if you have anxiety tend to land on the lists of foods doctors suggest limiting for general health!
Refined Sugars
Has your doctor told you to skip the dessert table a little more often? Suggested you steer clear of that midnight ice cream run? That could help more than your waistline, says Staci Gulbin of Light Track Nutrition. A registered dietitian, Gulbin says limiting foods high in added sugar, such as processed foods, sugary drinks, and baked goods can help reduce anxiety triggers. “Anxiety can be worsened by certain foods due to their impact on biochemical markers in the body and mind,” Gulbin explains. “For example, levels of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor have been found to be reduced in rats fed a high sugar diet.”
https://twitter.com/jjustinenicolee/status/1001483992833626112 Not sure how to tell if you’re eating foods loaded with refined sugars? Check the labels, Gulbin advises. “It is convenient now that the nutrition label tells you the difference between total sugars and added sugar in food,” she says. “So you can see that some of the sugar in foods may be due to natural sources like fruit or dairy, which are okay in moderation.”
Caffeine
We are a caffeinated nation. It’s fairly common for most of us to start drinking coffee almost immediately after we get up, and some folks don’t stop until they’re getting ready for bed. And yet some 66 percent of Americans are concerned with limiting their intake of java, according to a 2017 survey of national coffee drinking trends from the National Coffee Association. iStock.com/AleksandarNakic One possible reason? There’s a bona fide link between caffeine and our mental health. Too much caffeine intake, in particular, has been linked to an increase in self-reported stress, depression, and anxiety. It’s exactly what makes caffeine a great wake-up call every morning that can make it so hard on the body…and our anxiety.
Why do I never learn that the more coffee I drink the worse my anxiety gets?
“Caffeine is a natural stimulant to the nervous system,” explains Natalya Fazylova, a doctor of nursing practice and an associate professor at the City University of New York. Because of this, Fazylova says drinking caffeine “could trigger symptoms of anxiety such as heart palpitations, agitation, insomnia, and jitteriness…to name a few.”
Food Additives and Artificial Sweeteners
Junk food is delicious. It also tends to be loaded with the sorts of chemicals that cause various disruptions in body functions and worsen symptoms on anxiety, Fazylova warns. She suggests checking nutrition labels for additives and artificial sweeteners such as aspartame, MSG (short for monosodium glutamate), and high fructose corn syrup.
Well…Time to lay off the high fructose corn syrup. It really does seem to incite panic and anxiety in me. Goodbye soft drinks!
In addition to anxiety, additives and processed foods can also have an effect on digestion, which in turn can fuel anxiety. “There is a direct connection between the nerves of the stomach and the brain,” registered dietitian Sarah Mirkin, owner of the Kitchen Coach nutrition coaching service in Beverly Hills, California, says. “If someone is having digestive distress, it will typically trigger anxiety. Those with IBS [irritable bowel syndrome] and uncontrolled SIBO [small intestinal bacterial overgrowth] usually have problems with anxiety.”
So avoid all that. Seek these foods out instead.
As challenging as it may sound to cut some of your favorites—donuts! coffee!—out of your daily intake, it’s not all bad news. Some of the best advice for keeping your anxiety in check may simply be eating balanced meals throughout the day rather than skipping breakfast or loading up at lunch. iStock.com/valentinrussanov “It is more important to pay attention to the quality of the food eaten, and not quantity,” Fazylova says. “For instance, one regular sized donut has 320 calories, and one bowl of oatmeal with fruits and nuts might also have approximately 320 calories.” “Doughnuts have only empty calories packed with refined sugars and fats,” she continues, “while oatmeal is full of fiber and other healthy nutrients and vitamins.” iStock.com/GMVozd What else can you eat?
Lots and Lots of Vegetables
You may not be ready to go full-on vegetarian, but by infusing more into your diet, you could see your anxiety take a dip, Gulbin says. “A plant-based diet not only contains antioxidants that can combat oxidative stress, but other nutrients found in such foods such as potassium, B vitamins, vitamin C, iron, and selenium, to name a few, can help improve mental health outcomes, according to recent research,” Gulbin notes. iStock.com/DGLimages Brazil nuts, beans, spinach, and similar vegetarian favorites are a good source of selenium, for example, while spinach, broccoli, and lentils will help you load up on iron. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, bananas, and citrus fruits are great sources of potassium, and both vitamins B and C can be found in a variety of fruits and vegetables.
Calming Eats
If you’ve ever brewed a nice cup of warm tea before bed to chill out and ready your body for sleep, you’re on the right track, says GinaMarie Guarino, a licensed mental health counselor from New York City and founder of PsychPoint. iStock.com/YelenaYemchuk “Foods that are easy to digest and good for the stomach are great for relieving anxiety,” she notes. “Calming foods like chamomile tea, herbal teas, and foods that are high in antioxidants help relieve and minimize the effects of anxiety.”
Foods Rich in Omega-3s
Omega-3s are fatty acids loaded with health benefits. The National Institutes of Health touts their effectiveness at helping to relieve everything from high cholesterol to arthritis symptoms. And you can add anxiety to that list too, Mirkin says. “Studies suggest fatty fish, such as salmon, is a natural mood lifter and helps to reduce anxiety,” she notes. “Sardines, walnuts, chia and flax seeds are also an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and a natural mood booster.” iStock.com/gbh007 If you’re not already loading up on omega-3s, it’s worth noting that the Federal Government’s Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015–2020 includes recommendations that adults eat at least 8 ounces of seafood per week. Not a fan of seafood? There are fish oil supplements and other omega-3 supplements that can be picked up at your health food store. Some are even vegetarian-friendly.
Magnesium-Rich Eats
Magnesium-rich foods have long been touted as a fix for PMS mood swings, and it turns out they can have an effect on anxiety, too. You can pop a supplement; studies have found they’re helpful with mild-to-moderate depression. Or you can turn to meal time. iStock.com/samael334 Fazylova suggests loading up on eggs, green leafy vegetables like spinach, legumes, nuts, seeds, and avocados for your magnesium fix.
Probiotics
Probiotics tend to make a lot of headlines. Why? Well, live bacteria and yeasts that are actually good for you! “Probiotics are good for restoring gut microbiome,” Fazylova explains, “which helps us to produce our neurotransmitters, including dopamine, serotonin, and GABA [gamma-Aminobutyric acid].” iStock.com/Rimma_Bondarenko Those neurotransmitters play a crucial role in how the brain works, and they’re directly tied to mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety. Yogurt, sauerkraut, tempeh, and even some types of cheese have probiotics that’ll boost your gut microbiome. iStock.com/marekuliasz While these benefits are packed into these fermented favorites, you can also try probiotic supplements if these don’t seem appealing.
Eating Right
No matter what you eat, Mirkin says, it’s important to remember to eat enough to maintain health without overeating—a tendency that can be tied to anxiety for many people. iStock.com/victorass88 “They should be eating until they are satisfied, not stuffed or uncomfortable,” Mirkin advises. “People should start eating when they are hungry, not ‘starved.’ The amount varies for everyone, but if you stick with high protein and veggies and moderate carbs, you should be able to eat intuitively.”
According to CNBC, more than 75 percent of Americans shop on Amazon, and chances are you are one of them. Amazon is a convenient way to buy the products you need without ever having to leave the comfort of your couch. Not to mention, the retailer is full of just about every product under the sun. It can be easy to load up your Prime shopping cart with endless products you never knew you needed. The downside is that these products can sometimes total up to hundreds of dollars or more, which likely doesn’t bode well for your bank account. Fortunately, there are plenty of useful and innovative items you can buy on Amazon without breaking the bank. Many of these products can be bought for pennies on the dollar. Instead of cringing when you hit the checkout button, you—and your wallet—can feel good about your purchases. Here are our top 31 favorite Amazon finds for $1 or less. *All prices are subject to change. All products listed were $1 or less at the time of publication.
1. Get those pesky plastic bags organized.
Although many opt to not use plastic bags at all, and reusable ones are indeed way better for the environment, reusing the plastic bags you do have can bring down your carbon footprint, too. If you want to reuse your plastic bags, you’ll need to find an organized way to store them. While it’s easy to shove the plastic bags in a drawer or under the sink, this can get out of hand after a while. That’s why this plastic bag holder and dispenser is a great way to get your bags in order. Amazon Plastic bags can be used to hold wet swimsuits and clothes after a trip to the pool or beach, as garbage bags for bathroom trash cans, or as a makeshift lunchbox to take to work. There are endless possibilities when it comes to reusing plastic bags. Now you’ll be able to store them neatly, all in one spot, without busting your budget. Bag Holder Dispenser, $0.99 from Amazon
2. Light the way.
Most of us have a built-in flashlight on our mobile devices, but it never hurts to have another product to light the way during a dark situation. This portable mini light dimmer plugs into any USB port such as a computer or back-up phone battery pack. It utilizes LED lights and fingerprint technology to control the brightness. This allows you to adjust the luminosity as little or as much as you want. Amazon The portable mini light dimmer is also small enough to fit in your pocket or wallet, so you can take it anywhere with you. This is an efficient way to always have access to a light source—even when your phone is dead. Mini Pocket Lamp, $0.99 from Amazon
3. All that glitters doesn’t have to be expensive.
Diamonds are forever‚ and they are expensive. That’s why this faux diamond ring is the perfect gift for your sweetheart. The sparkly ring is made of alloy and features one-of-a-kind vine leaf designs. It’s a unique piece of jewelry that comes in three different stone colors: Aquamarine, dark blue, and pink. Amazon This ring may look like it costs several thousand dollars, but you won’t spend anywhere close to that depending on the style and size combination you purchase. Whether it be a birthday, Valentine’s Day, or just-because gift, the diamond flower vine leaf ring is an ideal gift for anyone special in your life. Diamond Flower Vine Leaf Rings, $0.99 from Amazon
4. This Persian rug will give your space a makeover.
When decorating your home, deciding on the right rug for your space can be a challenging—and expensive—task. If you are on the market to spruce up your space, look no further than this Persian area rug for less than $1. It features an elusive neutral pattern and is encompassed by a bold black outline to really set off the room. Amazon When making your purchase, be sure to select the black color. The runner, which is made in Turkey, measures 2 by 7 feet and would look great in an entryway, hallway, or alongside the bed. Aside from the great price, this rug is also a real winner because it is stain-resistant. This makes it an ideal choice for homes with pets and kids. Persian Area Rug, 2′ x 7′, Black, $0.99 from Amazon
5. Finally, there’s a way to keep all of that loose change together.
According to CBS News, Americans toss out $62 million in coins annually. If you’re guilty of disregarding those pesky pennies, nickels, quarters, and dimes, this small coin purse is going to be a total game changer. There are five coin purses, all made of durable canvas material, to choose from. Each one features a different owl design, making it a timeless and stylish accessory you can carry on the go. Amazon It’s not just for coins, either. The small clutch is also large enough to hold a driver’s license and credit cards, as well as cash, coins, lip balm, and other small items. These range in price from $0.59 to $0.69 depending on the style you select. Toraway Vintage Small Owl Purse, $0.79 from Amazon
6. Prep your pet for the cooler weather.
Humans aren’t the only ones impacted by the cold temperatures—dogs are, too. If you have a four-legged friend at home, it’s time to get them a coat of their own for the colder months. This cotton dog jacket with a hood will keep your pooch warm without dipping too far into your winter weather budget. Plus, your pets will look unbelievably cute. Amazon The slip-on coat ranges in price from $0.49 to $0.99 and comes in sizes extra extra small, extra small, and medium. Not only will your furry friend stay warm, but they will look stylish when they are all bundled up. The bright blue jacket has purple spots and scales and features a face with brown horns on the hood. This one is totally Insta-worthy. Your dog will be the talk of the town. Unisex Pet Winter Coat, $0.48 to $1.49 from Amazon
7. Get your daily serving of water with this bottle.
You can never have too many water bottles. Whether you use them for the gym, work, or running errands around town, stocking up on affordable water bottles is never a bad idea. There are varying opinions out there about just how much water you should consume on a daily basis, but guzzling down h20 from this 25-ounce plastic bottle a with lid is a good place to start. It can also be used to quickly make protein shakes. Amazon The red drinking bottle is dishwasher safe, so it’s easy to clean. You won’t need an extra scrubby brush to get this bottle spick and span. The bottle features a flip-top spout and a small hole at the top so you can hook a carabiner or other device to secure the bottle to your backpack. 25 Oz. Shake Bottle With Flip Top Spout, $0.99 from Amazon
8. This organizer is a game changer for your messy purse.
If the inside of your purse looks like a hot mess, this handbag organizer will help you put things where they belong. The merlot-colored organizer is great for holding lipstick and other small cosmetic items, as well as your mobile device, car keys, pens, paper, and other loose items. It can also be used to help get your diaper bag in check. Amazon The pouches can easily hold several diapers, pacifiers, wipes, toys, bibs, and other things your baby needs while on-the-go. The organizer has one large pocket, four small pockets, two zipper pockets, and five mesh pockets. Since it is a standalone insert, you can easily move the organizer from bag to bag. It’s also ideal for traveling because of its portability. For $0.98, you can’t go wrong with this purchase. Handbag Organiser (Wine Red), $0.98 from Amazon
9. Keep texting and stay warm with these stylish mittens.
When the temperature drops, mittens are a must. Be the style icon you are with this pair of faux fur mittens for $0.99. The gloves are made from wool and come in eight different colors including some in yellow, black, brown, and red. The mittens are fingerless, so you can continue texting away (or shopping on Amazon) while you keep your hands nice and toasty. Amazon Faux fur additions and cable knit patterns are right on trend this for the cold weather seasons, and these mittens feature a button on each wrist for an extra chic touch. You can feel good about these gloves, too, since no animals were harmed in the process of making the mittens. Beautyvan Warm Winter Faux Rabbit Fur Mittens, $0.99 from Amazon
10. Give the gift of a squishy watermelon.
This little guy makes an excellent gift for both the special kids and the stressed-out adults in your life. It can be used to squeeze as a stress ball to ease tension, or it can be given as a children’s toy for them to throw, squish, and bounce around. Amazon The only problem with this is that the little watermelon’s face is so cute, you might feel bad squishing it! Jumbo Watermelon Squishy Toy, $0.01 from Amazon
11. Blackheads, begone!
Your nose is one of the dirtiest parts of your face. You may notice that, because of its prominence as compared to the other parts of your face, your nose sticks out. This makes it more prone to taking on dirt and debris in the air. For this reason, your nose may have more blackheads than any other part of your face. But you’re in luck! There’s a product that can help you eliminate those bothersome blackheads. Amazon This handheld pore clear brush is perfect for cleansing your face in areas that are difficult to wash. The brush, which is made of silica gel, has tiny bumps all over it that work in conjunction with facewash to penetrate your pores and remove dirt. All for $0.65. Nose Cleaning Skin Care Tool, $0.65 from Amazon
12. This towel will dry your hair in no time.
When you step out of the shower, one of the first things you likely do is dry off your hair. This helps to keep water from running down the rest of your body as you proceed to towel off. But why not get a towel specifically for your hair? Especially at this insanely good price. This microfiber bath hair towel is made of microfiber, so it’s extra absorbent and gentle on your locks. Amazon This towel is specifically made to fit all head sizes and measures about 2 feet by 10 inches. For $0.35, you can get this drying towel in nine different colors. Think of it like a shower cap that will dry your hair for you. Simply slip it on when you step out of the shower, and let the towel do the rest. BeautyVan Fashion Microfiber Bath Towel, $0.35 from Amazon
13. Never use your nails to peel citrus again.
If you’ve got a fresh manicure, peeling a piece of citrus probably isn’t high on your list of things to do. Before you dig your nails into the protective and tough skin of an orange or tangerine, take a look at this citrus fruit peeler. You can’t choose what color you get, but it does come in green, pink, or orange. Amazon This small kitchen tool can easily be kept in your purse to help your kids peel their fruit on the go. Or you can leave it in your kitchen utensil drawer to use at home. It’s also kid-friendly, and because of its small size, this handy tool can be stored in any lunchbox. The blade is made of plastic and works well to remove the skin without penetrating the fruit. Citrus Fruit Skin Remover, $1 from Amazon
14. This item is a smart way to pack your travel toiletries.
When you pack your shampoo and conditioner bottles for an upcoming trip, you’re probably storing them in your makeup bag or in large plastic zipper bags. Save yourself a plastic bag—and space in your makeup bag—by purchasing a storage toiletry bag to bring with you on your next adventure. It’s large enough to hold your shampoo and conditioner bottles. Amazon The storage organizer has a drawstring, so you can tighten the top and avoid any leaks. The best part is, the organizer is made from PVC and has a padded, waterproof fabric. You probably didn’t know you needed this useful tool, but it sure will come in handy the next time you pack your bags. Storage Toiletry Bag, $0.99 from Amazon
15. This beauty tool is a celebrity’s best-kept secret.
Makeup sponges are one of the hottest ways to apply foundation these days. You will feel like a real-deal makeup artist when you use this teardrop-shaped sponge to put your face on. The small, lilac-colored sponge is 2 inches tall when dry and is the perfect accessory to add to your beauty routine. Amazon The sponge’s soft texture works best for blending and applying liquid foundation to give you a flawless, red-carpet look. It can also be used to apply eyeshadow and smudge your eyeliner for a fresh-off-the-runway look. If you’re looking for a new way to put on your cosmetics, a makeup blending sponge is a great way to step up your game. CAETLE Beauty Flawless Wedding Water Drop Comestic Sponge, $0.99 from Amazon
16. Get your clean on with this durable duster.
Small spaces aren’t always easy to clean, but with the right tool, they can be. This mini duster is perfect for cleaning those hard-to-reach spots like car air vents and blinds. It’s also great for dusting off your keyboard, computer screen, car radio buttons, and other areas. Amazon On one end, the duster features soft bristles that can remove dust, debris, and dirt from hard-to-clean crevices. On the other end of the brush are three cloth extenders that are perfect for running between blind slats or air vents. It’s also a useful tool to clean the dust and pet dander from your air conditioning vents. It may not be the most fun product you can buy for under $1, but your house and car will be cleaner because of it. That’s reason enough to plunk down $0.99 for this mini duster. Mini Duster for Car Air Vent, $0.99 from Amazon
17. Never cry over spilled milk again with this handy kitchen device.
Funnels are one of those kitchen tools that you rarely use but should always have on hand. Get yourself a mini silicone funnel to keep around for when the occasion calls for it. The funnels come in seven colors, but you won’t be able to choose which one you receive. Each funnel is made of silicone and can be collapsed down flat. Amazon This space-saving device also comes with a hole for hanging, so you’ll always be able to find it when you need it. The product is also heat resistant and stain resistant, so you won’t have to worry about ruining it with whatever liquid you pour through it. Mini Collapsible Funnel, $0.99 from Amazon
18. School supply organization made simple.
If your kids are going back to school, help them keep their writing utensils organized with this stylish pencil bag. The zipped pouch comes in four trendy designs and easily fits in any purse, backpack, or tote bag. Amazon The bag is composed of canvas material. The pencil pouch features two compartments—one on the outside and the main pouch with a zipper to keep items secure. If you don’t have children, this can still be a great way to store tubes of mascara, eyeliner, makeup brushes, packs of gum, and other doodads you have hanging out at the bottom of your purse. Multi-Functional Double Zipper Pencil Case Pen Bag, $0.35 from Amazon
19. Say goodbye to gunk and grime in your microwave.
Cleaning the microwave is a task that doesn’t make an appearance on the chore list as often as it probably should. The inside of a microwave can be a dirty—and scary—place. Inevitably, the spaghetti sauce will splatter or your microwave dinner will explode. It happens to the best of us. That’s why this microwave cleaner is an effortless way to make your appliance look brand new again. Amazon The Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner is just $0.21 plus shipping. It’s an eco-friendly product, so you can feel safe knowing that you are avoiding harsh chemicals to remove the gunk from the interior of your microwave. Angry Mama Microwave Cleaner, $0.21 from Amazon
20. This is a wallet-friendly deal you shouldn’t pass up.
This small, practical wallet makes for a great gift. The leather wallet comes in eight different colors and is made from durable materials. The bi-fold wallet measures 11.2 centimeters by 9.5 centimeters with plenty of room to store all of your important documents. It’s also the perfect size to fit in the front or back pocket of a pair of pants. Amazon For just $0.19, you can place cash, credit cards, a driver’s license, and more in this durable leather wallet. The wallet also features a hidden zipper pouch for coins and other small trinkets. It’s small enough to make the perfect stocking stuffer! Business Leather Wallet, $0.19 from Amazon
21. Protect your pipes.
Properly cover your shower drain with this adorable drain cover. The doily-inspired protector is made of silicone and is the perfect way to keep hair and other debris from clogging up your pipes. You can place the catcher in your tub, kitchen sink, or shower drain. The flower-shaped drain cover comes in blue, white, green, and pink. Each color ranges in price from $0.29 to $0.49. Amazon The drain protector has a dome shape so it can lay flat or pop up depending on the type of drain you have. Because it’s made of silicone, it will stick to just about any surface without sliding around—or damaging your sink or shower floor. Drain Cover for Showers or Bathtubs, $0.49 from Amazon
22. Throw shade with these spectacles.
Even babies need sunglasses. Your little one can show up to the pool or beach in style wearing these vintage baby sunglasses. The sunglasses range in price from $0.01 to $0.79. The cost will vary depending on which style and color you select, and there are more than 10 pairs to choose from including aviator lenses or vintage frames. Amazon Each style offers protection against the sun’s ultraviolet rays and can help reduce eye fatigue. The anti-glare lenses are lightweight and durable. Your child can look stylish and get the eye protection they need without emptying your bank account. Infant Retro Classic Anti-UV Color Film Eyeglass, $0.01 from Amazon
23. Wash your delicate clothing items with care.
To get the most out of your undergarments, it’s best to wash them in a protective bag. Instead of throwing them in the washer with the rest of your laundry, try out this mesh storage bag specifically for laundering your most delicate items. The pink mesh bag is just $0.09 plus shipping and is perfect for bras, underwear, stockings, and other fragile clothing items. Amazon The mesh bag is made of polyester materials and is 15 centimeters tall by 13 centimeters wide. This allows for you to store several delicate items in the mesh bag at once. Now there’s no need to worry about your washer snagging your favorite lace delicate item or risk it getting stuck to velcro. This washable garment bag will keep your dainty items safe in the washer and dryer. Protect Mesh Round Bag, $0.09 from Amazon
24. Up your lunch game with this bag.
You can save lots of money by bringing your lunch to work. You can save even more money by purchasing this canvas lunchbox for $0.49. The insulated bag features a trendy black and white pattern, so you can eat your lunch in style. The lunch box also comes in four other colors that are also $0.49 each. Amazon The inside of the lunch bag has a tin foil liner that keeps cold food items cold and hot food items hot. It can also double as a toiletry or travel bag. This product is great because it can be used by all ages. When you’re ready to put it away, simply fold it in half and store it in a drawer or on top of the fridge. Thermal Lunch Bags, $0.49 from Amazon
25. Make a statement with this tank top.
This tank is not only cute in its simplicity, but it pushes the feminist agenda, too. So if that’s your thing, you can’t go wrong with this top at just $.0.79. Pair it with high-waisted jeans for a day on the town or with athletic leggings or shorts for a yoga sesh. Amazon This would also make a great gift for the rad feminist ladies in your life. Statement Tank Crop Top, $0.79 from Amazon
26. This piece of jewelry will be a lifesaver at your next party.
If you are attending an upcoming party, be sure not to show up without this handy silver bottle opener ring—which you can purchase for just $0.86 plus shipping. The product is worn as a ring and can be a lifesaver when you don’t have another way to open your drink. Amazon The bottle opener ring is made of steel and comes in size 8, 10, and 12. The useful ring is relatively small and about the size of a nickel. It’s not gaudy, so it won’t distract from your other party attire. Your friends will thank you for being well-prepared. Bottle Opener Ring in Silver, $0.98 from Amazon
27. Get comfortable.
Re-decorate your home with these attractive throw pillow covers. There are seven different styles to choose from. Some pillowcases feature inspirational quotes, while others feature unique designs that will add an element of flair to your sofa. The pillowcases range in price from $0.49 to $0.98 depending on which one strikes your fancy. Amazon They do not come with an insert, though, so you will have to buy your own. The size of the pillow is 18 by 18-inches and features a hidden zipper. Throw Pillow Case, $0.49 from Amazon
28. This light fixture is a conversation starter.
If you are searching for a unique way to brighten up your space, check out this LED mushroom lamp. The lamp, which can be purchased for $0.01, is ideal for a baby’s room, bedroom, patio, living room, office, and more. It fits in best with earthy decor, but can easily fit right in with any style. The lights turn on automatically when it’s dark. Amazon The light comes outfitted with several different light settings including warm and glitter. The lamp is made of plastic and silicone. Because it utilizes LED lights, this lamp is environmentally friendly, has low energy consumption, and will last for years to come. Mushroom Lamp LED Sensor, $0.01 from Amazon
29. Take a look at the night sky.
There’s nothing like glow-in-the-dark stars to make you feel like a kid all over again. For $0.10, you can get this 103-piece glow-in-the-dark star kit. The package features stars, a moon, and shooting stars to bring the outdoors inside. Amazon The sticking stars are odorless, non-toxic, and safe for even the smallest members of your family. You can create your own starry sky on the ceiling of your bedroom or create constellations on your wall. The fluorescent stickers need to be exposed to sunlight or artificial light in order to work properly once it gets dark. 103 Piece Luminous Wall Stickers, $0.10 from Amazon
30. Protect your makeup brushes.
The bristles of a makeup brush can become frayed over time. Without proper protection, that process can happen much quicker. If you travel frequently, or just want to store your makeup brushes with care, these makeup brush guard nets are here to help. Amazon For just one penny plus shipping, you can get 60 mesh net protective covers for your makeup brushes. The nets are flexible and best used to keep your brushes clean and in mint condition. The mesh covers the top part of the bristles and covers the majority of the handle. It keeps the brushes from becoming dented, bent, or frayed. The covers are best suited for medium to large size brushes. Makeup Brush Guard Mesh Net, $0.01 from Amazon
31. Your go-to weekend tote.
Finally, a bag big enough for your farmers market haul. This netted fabric bag is ideal for carrying around fresh fruits and vegetables during your weekend trip to the farmers market. It’s lightweight and breathable, so it is perfect for storing food and other items. This bag can be purchased for $0.01 plus shipping. Amazon If you spill something on your bag, don’t worry. It can be tossed in the washer but should be hung up to dry. It also makes a great beach bag—because of its holes, you won’t feel like you’re bringing home a sandbox after a trip to the shore. The item comes directly from China, so make sure to allow time for shipping. Mesh Net Bag, $0.01 from Amazon
Do you remember that feeling you got when you and your partner first started dating? You probably had butterflies swarming around in your tummy as you laughed and enjoyed every second with your new boo.
Unfortunately, over time, that tingly, head-over-heels feeling goes away as you get more familiar with your partner and you start having to worry about adult things like bills or working overtime or maybe even kids. It suddenly gets harder and harder to get out of your routine and bring back that warm and fuzzy feeling you once had just by being the presence of your significant other.
Rest assured, losing that “spark” doesn’t mean your relationship is over. Many couples are going through exactly what you are and it’s totally normal. But, as you already know, bringing that excitement back is a lot easier said than done. And, it takes quite a bit of work and commitment to reignite the fire. Below, we’ve gathered a few of Amazon’s best-kept secrets that will help you rekindle your relationship so that you can reconnect with your better half.
Fall in love all over again with a creative, stay-at-home date night.
Although an extravagant night out might be your go-to date to impress your S/O and connect on a deeper level, a stay-at-home date is a much more intimate and creative way to get back that in-love feeling.
But, we also understand that creativity isn’t everyone’s strong suit. So, what do you do? Luckily, the DateBox Mini has your back. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—a date in a box. With several different options to choose from, this clever little box includes fun games, snacks, and exercises to help you get closer than ever before with your partner. Not to mention, this box is pretty PG, so if you have kiddos at home, no need to worry. Amazon
“Having been married for 24 years I was a bit skeptical of the date night box,” says one reviewer. “My idea of date night is pizza and beer with my honey while watching the Warriors. Hmm, maybe that is why my wife recommended it. I was actually pleasantly surprised. It was a lot of fun and I would do it again (don’t tell my wife that she was right, please).”
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Date-Night-Box-Creative-Remember/dp/B01IUA3B4S/”]Get it on Amazon for $29.99[/link-button]
No more arguing about who left the toilet seat up with this ridiculously innovative gadget.
The Flipper is a super cool, super easy-to-install, hands-free toilet seat lifter that can help ensure that you’ll never have to fight about the toilet seat ever again. No, we aren’t joking, and we completely get that it’s kinda hard to remember to put the toilet seat down every. single. time. Amazon
So wait…fewer arguments and no more of that awful feeling you get from falling into the toilet because the seat was left up? Where do we sign up?
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/New-FLIPPER-reliable-inexpensive-toilet/dp/B07CNHZZ1V/ “]Get it on Amazon for $29.99[/link-button]
Get outdoors and cozy up in a hammock.
Nothing says romance like snuggling up with bae alongside a few drinks and a lot of laughter. That’s why hammocking makes for the perfect date. If the weather’s nice, find a beautiful spot at a nearby park where you can watch the sunset, enjoy the breeze, and of course, spoon away with your lover in a cozy hammock.
If you don’t already have a hammock for two, Unigear offers a lightweight, durable, double hammock with tree straps designed to make setting up a breeze. And, with 442 reviews and a 4.8-star rating, everyone seems to be ranting and raving about this product. Amazon
One reviewer says, “My wife and I love this. We got it a while back when we were still dating (didn’t make her want to marry me though) and it holds up perfectly still. Combined we probably weigh around 300 (maybe a little more) and it’s still sturdy. I’d buy it again.”
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Unigear-Hammocks-Nylon-Garden-10/dp/B07C74WXK5/”]Get it on Amazon for $22.99[/link-button]
Bring back the pun in your relationship with matching t-shirts.
Nothing will make you and your honey laugh like a punny t-shirt with a romantic twist. Although you can choose from a variety of matching t-shirts, we think this Bacon and Eggs one is just simply adorable, and it’s sure to get you singing. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Cute-Matching-Couple-Shirts-Couldnt/dp/B00MU2E3Z4/”]Get it on Amazon for $29.99 and Up[/link-button]
End the war on snooze times with this inventive alarm clock.
There seems to be two types of people in this world. The people that wake up right when their alarm clock goes off, or the people who have 15 different alarms set on their phone just to somehow roll out of bed in the morning. Whether you hate that your partner keeps hitting the snooze button or you’re just on different sleeping schedules, the iLuv Smartshaker 2 alarm clock can help solve all of your problems. Amazon
Its innovative technology not only allows you to wake up more comfortably through vibrations, it also helps prevent you from disturbing your loved one who is sleeping oh so peacefully right next to you.
This alarm clock offers three different vibration level settings, goes right underneath your pillow, and can be controlled by your phone! It’s the perfect solution for those who don’t quite agree on alarm times.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/iLuv-Smartshaker-Portable-Vibrating-Sleepers/dp/B01EHEIGOG/”]Get it on Amazon for $29.99[/link-button]
Get all hot and fizzy in the tub with a few luxurious bath bombs.
Looking for ways to strengthen the bond you have with your partner? Grab a few of these La Bomba bath bombs and indulge in a bathtub session with your S/O. Need we say more? Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Bath-Bombs-Gift-Set-Fizzies/dp/B01DAP9U02/”]Get it on Amazon for $14.22[/link-button]
Don’t let winter keep you from holding hands.
Holding hands is a great way to show your better half that you want to be close to them and love having them in your presence. Unfortunately, cold winter days make holding hands a little difficult.
But, have no fear! The Love Glove allows you to hold your partner’s hand even on those super-cold winter days. Plus, its heart shape design adds a bit more romance to the hand-holding game. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Lovers-Couples-Shaped-Gloves-Valentines/dp/B07681PGBH/”]Get it on Amazon for $9.90[/link-button]
Grab your soymate and get to rollin’ with this easy-to-use sushi making kit.
Believe it or not, cooking is an amazing way to not only make for one romantic night with your significant other, but to strengthen your relationship in the long term. Through cooking, you can have quality time with your honey bear that also teaches you how to communicate and work together.
So, instead of going out to a fancy fine dining restaurant only to stare at each other and wait for food, bring the luxury home and whip up some sushi and drinks with your lover. If you don’t know how to roll sushi, Cook&Life offers an excellent sushi making kit that will make even beginners seem almost like master sushi chefs. Amazon One reviewer says, “My husband got this for me for Christmas. I, unfortunately, figured it would be another cheesy kitchen gadget that I would toss after one use, but I was wrong. This sushi roller is SO EASY to use and makes the perfect sushi roll. We make sushi at least 2x a week now and this gadget just pops the rolls right out. I have already recommended this to 2 of my close friends that eat sushi as much as we do. LOVE LOVE LOVE.”
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Sushi-Set-Bazooka-Kitchen-Appliance/dp/B01N6GSPPS/”]Get it on Amazon for $13.86[/link-button]
Help your partner relax with calming massage oil.
Who doesn’t love a good massage? Combine that with relaxing aromatherapy massage oil and your S/O will be over the moon. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Relaxing-Massage-Oil-Aromatherapy-Antioxidant/dp/B01DR93EOY/”]Get it on Amazon for $9.95[/link-button]
Snuggle up in a cloud of foam.
The next time you and your lover want to Netflix and chill, step up your game with a cloud-like, oversized bean bag, and get closer than ever to your partner. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Big-Joe-Filled-Chair-Union/dp/B01LW2L4P6/”]Get it on Amazon for $189[/link-button]
Speaking of snuggling up…
When it comes to snuggling, pillows can make all the difference. Spice it up with a little fun by getting matching pillowcases that tell your partner just how much you love them. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000Z8RECO”]Get it on Amazon for $29.99[/link-button]
Game on.
Bring back the excitement, laughter, and maybe even a little competition by playing some fun games together. If you’re at a point in your relationship where you feel like you know every little thing there is to know about your partner, you may enjoy games that were made to build the bond between you and your lover. Amazon
Table Topics is a great conversation starter game that will help you get to know your better half on a deeper level. With 300 reviews and a 4.3-star rating, one reviewer says, “My husband & I spent hours laughing while playing this game. Each topic led to a conversation and brought back memories from our 28 years together. It even reminded us of some things we had forgotten. We really enjoyed it. Much better than spending our evenings watching TV.”
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/TABLETOPICS-Couples-Questions-Start-Conversations/dp/B000FN69PC/”]Get it on Amazon for $25[/link-button]
Uncommon Questions is another great game that can help you bring up unforgettable memories and learn new things about your S/O. This game offers hours of fun and lets you get so much closer to that special someone you already know so well. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Conversations-QUESTIONS-Reconnect-Relationship-Strengthener/dp/B078J7WJY7/”]Get it on Amazon for $20[/link-button]
If conversation starters just really aren’t your thing, try playing an old classic game to get those sparks flying again. One of the best games to relive with your partner is Twister. If you ever played this game as a kid, you know that it’s sure to get you giggling. Not to mention, you can add your own little twist to the game to make it even more fun, if you catch our drift. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Winning-Moves-Games-Classic-Twister/dp/B00HVTH2MC/”]Get it on Amazon for $20[/link-button]
Another fun game to add to the collection is Bop It. We know it might sound silly, but a little competition can bring back a lot of fun (and maybe even some nostalgia) for you and your significant other. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Hasbro-B7428-Bop-It-Game/dp/B01ALHAJ20/”]Get it on Amazon for $14.99[/link-button]
Last, but certainly not least, Scrabble is a wonderful game to play with your lover. It involves competition and critical thinking and allows enough time for conversation and drinks with your partner while you’re enjoying the game. And, if you’re tired of the classic Scrabble board, check out this Giant Scrabble board that will add even more fun to this well-loved game. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Scrabble-Giant-Deluxe-Rotating-Wooden/dp/B004SRWXOW/”]Get it on Amazon for $195.81 and Up[/link-button]
Surprise that special someone with personalized love notes.
Although it may sound cheesy, don’t underestimate the power of love notes. Express your deep feelings with a personalized, sweet message and watch as your partner’s day brightens up just because you took some time to write down how you feel.
If you are having trouble with coming up with sweet nothings to say to your one and only, Sticky Quotes offers love letter–themed sticky notes that not only have love quotes on each one but also allow for personalization that’ll make it extra special for your S/O. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Cute-Letter-Themed-Sticky-Notes/dp/B07C665672/”]Get it on Amazon for $12.49[/link-button]
Enjoy a cup of your favorite hot drink with your lover.
Do you love to drink coffee in the morning? Or maybe you enjoy just having a cup of hot tea from time to time? All of the above? Invite your partner to sip on your favorite hot beverage with you and indulge in conversation to reconnect and spend some quality time with your honey. Amazon
To make the event even more special, Blu Devil offers a Kissing Mug set to step up the romance whenever you are drinking your go-to steamy beverage, whether it’s coffee, tea, or hot cocoa!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Exquisitely-Anniversary-Engagement-Blu-Devil/dp/B01MSWMUG8/”]Get it on Amazon for $24.90[/link-button]
Always be ready for an adventure.
Sometimes, the hustle and bustle of adult life can keep you from being that spontaneous couple that goes on random trips to your favorite must-see places. However, keep these items around your house to remind you to take the time to travel with your lover and go on as many unforgettable adventures as your hearts desire. Amazon
First things first, you’ll need to keep luggage around. Sure, you can settle for plain, black luggage, but why not get unique, fun, matching luggage totes that will keep you two smiling the entire trip, like this cute Alpaca Luggage Tote from InterestPrint?
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Alpaca-Couple-Travel-Luggage-Weekend/dp/B07F3YCWP7/”]Get it on Amazon for $35.99[/link-button]
Another item to keep around would be a cute pinboard map of all the places you’ve been—and all the places you’re wanting to go! Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/World-Travel-Map-Pin-Board/dp/B01DI2XZEY/”]Get it on Amazon for $99[/link-button]
And of course, you’ll want to log all of the fun adventures you went on to remember them for years to come. What’s sweeter than a replication of Our Adventure Book from the Pixar movie, Up!? Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Adventure-Scrapbook-Anniversary-Wonderful-Christmas/dp/B074VT33HB/”]Get it on Amazon for $21.95[/link-button]
Stimulate your senses with chocolate.
They say that chocolate is one of many foods that acts like a love spell. So, grab some of your favorite fruits and have a chocolate fondue night at home with your partner. You can even have a little extra fun by feeding each other some strawberries dipped in chocolate and see where it takes you! Amazon
To ensure the night goes smoothly, invest in the Boska Tea Light Fondue Kit. This kit includes a ceramic fondue pot, a mahogany wood board, 4 metal forks for dipping, and a tea light to keep your chocolate fondue the perfect temperature the whole night.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/BOSKA-Fondue-Cheese-Chocolate-Collection/dp/B004Y9SO9C/”]Get it on Amazon for $35.95[/link-button]
If you aren’t a fan of fondue, invest in a s’more making kit instead. You can bring this beloved campfire tradition inside with Nostalgia’s electric S’more Maker. Not only does this neat device allow you to make s’mores safely in your kitchen, it also turns those marshmallows that perfect golden color for the most delicious S’mores possible. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Nostalgia-SMM200-Electric-Smores-Maker/dp/B00PY05VMS/”]Get it on Amazon for $25.76 and Up[/link-button]
Get back into rhythm with a tandem bicycle date.
Riding a tandem bike is more than just enjoying a nice cruise in the park or down the street. It involves teamwork and trust. And, it keeps you in-sync with your lover, allowing you to be aware of and work with each and every move your partner makes. Amazon
If you are searching for the perfect tandem bike, Kent offers a high-quality, comfortable tandem bike that can turn those bicycling dates you only see in the movies into a reality.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Kent-Drive-Tandem-Comfort-26-Inch/dp/B011XUPJ0G/”]Get it on Amazon for $390.39[/link-button]
Put a ring on it…
Whether you’re dating, ready to get engaged, or are already married, couples rings can be the perfect gift no matter what stage of the relationship you’re in. It doesn’t have to be a commitment to marriage, but you can show your better half how much you love them by inscribing a cute little message on matching rings.
Global Jewelry offers affordable, everlasting Queen and King couples rings that could be the perfect gift to give your S/O. Amazon One reviewer who couldn’t wait to give this ring to his girlfriend says, “I love this ring so much, me and my girlfriend have been together for a while and I know she my person and she knows I am her person. I love being able to have something with me at all times to remind me of that. Tbh, it’s so sweet how it says her king and his queen on the insides. Ahhhh im giving it to her tomorrow and i already know she is gonna love it as much as i do.”
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Amazing-Titanium-Stainless-Anniversary-Engagement/dp/B072SHKW7S/”]Get it on Amazon for $9.49[/link-button]
…or put a watch on it.
A matching couple’s watch from M.E is another great piece of jewelry to give to your honey bunny. Every time your partner looks at this watch to check the time, they’ll be reminded of how much you love them. How sweet is that? Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Couple-Waterproof-Classic-Watches-Leather/dp/B078X5WBM3/”]Get it on Amazon for $29.99[/link-button]
Enjoy a movie night for two.
Who doesn’t love snuggling up on the couch with that special someone and enjoying a movie together? For the perfect home theatre experience, invest in Meyoung’s mini projector. Amazon
You can connect your smartphone, laptop, and even your PS4 to this device. And, since it’s portable, you have the freedom to use it in the comfort of your living room or take it outdoors and set up a nice romantic backyard movie date.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Meyoung-Projector-Theater-Projectors-Smartphone/dp/B01N8WU4VI/”]Get it on Amazon for $109.99[/link-button]
If you need some help picking out a few movies to watch, you can always purchase a romantic movie marathon collection. This way, you can be sure that there will be something you both will enjoy. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Movie-Marathon-Collection-Favorites-Intolerable/dp/B00319ECB0/”]Get it on Amazon for $8.15[/link-button]
What’s a movie date without popcorn? Make the night extra special with a popcorn maker from Nostalgia. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Nostalgia-CCP610-Collection-Commercial-Concession/dp/B00472MMZ8/”]Get it on Amazon for $240[/link-button]
Bond with a fillable book.
Couples workbooks might sound like a chore, but they’re full of fun games, prompts, puzzles, and more to help you and your partner have some fun while getting to know each other better! Amazon
The Me, You, Us book is enjoyable, collaborative, and allows you and your partner to write down all the silly thoughts and beloved memories you have together. What people love about it is that it’s an open-ended workbook that leaves a lot of room for creativity!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Me-You-Us-Book-Together/dp/0399167943/”]Get it on Amazon for $12.31[/link-button]
However, if you’re looking for a book with a little more direction, The Big Activity Book for Couples not only has exciting questions to ask your better half, but it also has games and puzzles to add a little more fun to filling out a book together. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Big-Activity-Book-Couples/dp/1936806118/”]Get it on Amazon for $11.21[/link-button]
Have a yummy breakfast surprise.
Everyone dreams of being brought a romantic breakfast in bed on an early Sunday morning. But, how many people actually get to indulge in this luxurious experience? Not many. Surprise your lover with an extravagant breakfast in bed and make all their dreams come true with a Bed Tray from Bambuloo. Amazon
This bath caddy and bed tray combo promises to offer a one-of-a-kind experience whether you are wanting a glass of your favorite beverage and a candle to go with your relaxing bath or if you’re planning to enjoy a delicious breakfast in bed.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Bathtub-Caddy-Bed-Tray-Combo/dp/B07BH2HFJH/”]Get it on Amazon for $32.99[/link-button]
Go on the perfect daycation with your better half.
Sometimes, all it takes is a spontaneous daycation with your lover to get those sparks shooting through the roof again. So, what makes for the perfect daytime getaway? How about an intimate picnic at your favorite outdoor spot, whether it’s a popular park nearby or somewhere more secluded, away from the busyness of everyday life? Amazon
Stay prepared for these random daycations with a two-person picnic basket kit from VonShef. Complete with a blanket, knives, forks, spoons, dinner plates, glasses, napkins and more, you will have everything you need to devour a scrumptious meal in the beautiful outdoors.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/VonShef-Traditional-Cutlery-Glasses-Tableware/dp/B01BGW7R8I/”]Get it on Amazon for $32.99[/link-button]
Dance the night away.
Fuel your passion for each other with great music and intimate dancing. To add a little extra romance to the evening, purchase a beautiful Turntable from Audio-Technica and put on your favorite vinyl records. Amazon
There’s just something nostalgic about those crackling sounds you hear when enjoying a vinyl record that perfectly accompanies jazz and longing-looks from your partner. It can liven up any night.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Technica-AT-LP60BK-Automatic-Belt-Drive-Turntable/dp/B008872SIO/”]Get it on Amazon for $89[/link-button]
Make a wish.
You know…sometimes wishes do come true. Like the day you met your better half. Get to know your partner more by coming up with wishes together and sending them off into the night sky with a breathtaking lantern from Wishlantern. Amazon
These white wish lanterns have a gorgeous, soft glow that’s astonishing when you launch them into the sky and make your first wish together. Although it’s fueled by heat, it was designed with fireproof material to ensure safety and is made of biodegradable rice paper, string, and bamboo to eliminate any negative impact on the environment!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00473Z7MC/”]Get it on Amazon for $29.99[/link-button]
Add a little glow to your date night.
If you’re the type of couple that enjoys passion and excitement, there’s no better way to end your date night than with a fun body paint session. Not only can you get closer to your partner by taking the time to detail their physique, you can also enjoy the sensation and creativity that your partner brings to you with their body-painting skills.
Add a spin on the body painting sesh with glow-in-the-dark paint from Neon-Beauty. Just imagine all the fun you’ll have!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/UV-Glow-Blacklight-Paint-0-34oz/dp/B00BUPN6UA/”]Get it on Amazon for $10.95[/link-button]
Document your memories.
Now that you have made all these new, amazing memories with your favorite person in the world, don’t forget to take a few photos together. Keep a Polaroid camera around and take candid photos of you and your lover to look back on for years to come. Amazon
Fujifilm offers an affordable, high-quality Polaroid camera that is perfect for all your picture-taking needs.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Fujifilm-Instax-Mini-Instant-Camera/dp/B078C8BBP2/”]Get it on Amazon for $79.99[/link-button]
And, don’t forget to display your memories around the house so that you can be reminded of all the great times together. Amazon
Although there are many picture framing options out there, a string light picture display from HAYATA is an eye-catching, crafty way to showcase your unforgettable memories.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/HAYATA-Remote-Wooden-Picture-Display/dp/B01MU7IM9G/”]Get it on Amazon for $16.99[/link-button]
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. Telestic Design/Amazon
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. Ectogasm/Amazon
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. Thebestdiy/Amazon
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. 3H Linen/Amazon
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. saracleather/Amazon
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. Leather Native/Amazon
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. Vanaguelite/Amazon
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. The Native Bride/Amazon
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/Amazon
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. Monte Vitro Candles/Amazon
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. IncredibleDecals/Amazon
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. The Geekerie/Amazon
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. Marbled Pottery/Amazon
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. Brian Giniewski/Amazon
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. 3HLinen/Amazon
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. Promi Design/Amazon
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. JaysClay/Amazon
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. RooPottery/Amazon
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. Sunrise Arts Wind Spinners/Amazon
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. Sun Crafts/Amazon
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. LifeAround2Angels/Amazon
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.” New York’s Bathhouse/Amazon
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. NaturallyMe/Amazon
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.
Amazon/Beesworks
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. Pip & Lola’s Everything Homemade/Amazon
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. Bleubird Knits/Amazon
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. Simplicity Cosmetics/Amazon
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. FandTees/Amazon
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. Nail Hoot/Amazon
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. Noelle’s Naturals/Amazon
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. Creative Crafthouse/Amazon
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. WoodStoreGifts/Amazon
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. Playful Nature/Amazon
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 Daughter Who Sews/Amazon
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. Bleubird Knits/Amazon
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. Slime Kitty/Amazon
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 music boxes/Amazon
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. TTTattoodotcom/Amazon
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]
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). iStock.com/Vertigo3d 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. iStock.com/dragana991 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. iStock.com/apichon_tee 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. iStock.com/tommaso79 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. iStock.com/eggeeggjiew 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.
https://twitter.com/BrookeDryden00/status/1039273267486441476 “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.” iStock.com/nensuria 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. iStock.com/Pollyana Ventura 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.
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. iStock.com/PeskyMonkey 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.” iStock.com/Nevena1987 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. iStock.com/Wavebreakmedia 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.
https://twitter.com/emily_line/status/1036927188749246466 “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. iStock.com/asiseeit 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.
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. Kyaw Tun 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. Chris Palomar 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, saysAmy McManus, a licensed therapist in Los Angeles who focuses on helping millennials with anxiety and relationship issues. Eddie Kopp “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 interestingstudy 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. rawpixel “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. rawpixel 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). Luke Ellis-Craven 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. Travis Jones 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. Manki Kim Also, keep in mind the importance of giving your partner eye contact and waiting to respond, saysMary 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.” rawpixel 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). Nik MacMillan 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. Alex Holyoake 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, asstudies have shown that these telltale signs can predict divorce with over 90 percent accuracy. Renowned psychologist John Gottman, who founded theGottman Institute, identified both contempt and stonewalling as significant contributors to marital malaise. Zoriana Stakhniv 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.” Harli Marten 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.” David Iskander 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.” Kevin Laminto 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. Janko Ferlič 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. Alvin Mahmudov 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.”
Every bride wants it all on her wedding day: the fancy dress, the gorgeous destination venue, an epic cake that really tastes as good as it looks. The problem? Those dream weddings can cost more than you and your partner make in a year.
Luckily, your wedding can be KimYe-level fancy without spending KimYe cash. And you know what? Saving money doesn’t mean skimping on your wedding dreams. Here are 16 cost-effective wedding hacks so stylish, your guests will be raving about your wedding for years to come.
1. This ain’t your mama’s fine china.
There are so many decisions to make when it comes to reception planning. Peonies or roses for the centerpieces? DJ or live band? Chicken or fish? Instead of agonizing over place settings, take one thing off your plate by using disposable chargers to add an elegant touch to your reception tables. Now, “disposable” and “elegant” don’t usually go together in the same sentence, but let us make the case for disposable chargers. Amazon
Renting chargers from your venue or a party supply company can be expensive, at around $2.00 or more per charger. But these Occasions Disposable Plastic Chargers, which are available in gold, silver, and ivory options, come in at less than a dollar per charger in a pack of 120, and because they’re made of ultra-heavyweight plastic, your guests will never know they’re disposable.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B071VVSTVS”]Get them on Amazon for $96.90[/link-button]
2. The future is plastics.
You’ve worked with a florist to design the most gorgeous custom centerpieces, but did you know that most florists also charge for the glass vases in which those beauties will be placed? Plus, those glass vases have to be returned to the florist post-wedding when you’re already on honeymoon time. Annoying much?
But here’s a little secret: literally no one, and I mean no one, will notice if your centerpiece vases are plastic or glass. If you’re on a budget, a great way to save money on both flowers and vases is to place a single statement flower, like a calla lily, in a bud vase, like this set of Libbey Cylinder Bud Vases. Amazon
Accent your bud vases with DIY table numbers (how cute are these?) and inexpensive tea lights for a classic, romantic table setting.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001MX2HO6″]Get a set of 12 vases on Amazon for $29.79[/link-button]
3. Rethink rentals.
If you’ve chosen two of the most glorious shades of pink, one much deeper than the other, naturally, you might be shocked to realize how much linen rentals in your wedding colors can be. In fact, table linens alone can run anywhere from $10–$20 per linen. Yikes. If that’s way outside your budget, don’t despair.
Your reception venue most likely includes standard white table linens free of charge, and you can still create a stunning tablescape in your signature color by purchasing less expensive table runners to dress up white table linens. For a super romantic look, we love this DIY gauze table runner idea, using this Camelot Revisited 100 percent Cotton Cheesecloth as a base material.
If you love the DIY look but just don’t have time to spend a Saturday morning elbow deep in a tub of Rit dye, order these handmade gauze table runners in almost any color instead. Etsy
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Weight-Cheesecloth-Bundle-100-Cotton/dp/B001G8JBXW”]Get undyed cheesecloth on Amazon for $16[/link-button]
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4. Learn to hand letter like Meghan Markle.
Did you know that the new Duchess of Sussex loves calligraphy, and even hand-lettered the invitations for celebrity events? There’s no need to handwrite all of your wedding invitations, but you can follow Markle’s style and do the invitation envelopes and seating cards to save big on printing costs. iStock.com/suteishi
Gail Godfrey-Nicholls’ Mastering Calligraphy: The Complete Guide to Handlettering is an excellent comprehensive guide to calligraphy; You’ll learn more than you ever wanted to know about the history of the art, including a wide range of lettering styles, with easy-to-follow instruction. It may take a couple of practice rounds, but you’ll be surprised at how fancy your table cards will look, and you’ll save a ton of cash by cutting out the printer.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1452101124/”]Get the guide on Amazon for $32.76[/link-button]
5. Shake it like a polaroid picture.
Once a novelty, photo booths have become a mainstay on the wedding scene. These wedding staples are not without a premium price tag though, often costing around $150 per hour for a photo booth rental.
Create a fresh spin on the photo booth at a fraction of the rental cost by making your own backdrop and purchasing a couple of throwback instant cameras like the Fujifilm Instax 9, along with chic DIY photo booth accessories like this gorgeous streamer backdrop, customized in your wedding colors, natch. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WW64YM6″]Get Fujifilm Instax 9 Mini Camera on Amazon for $59.99[/link-button]
6. Create a luxe lounge for guests.
Guests dread wedding cocktail hour because it means standing around in an awkward circle trying to snag the best hors ‘d’oeuvres before they get gobbled up. Totally brutal. You’re spending a ton of money on that open bar anyway, so why not reinvent the cocktail hour by asking your venue to set up a couple of lounge areas using existing furniture? It doesn’t cost a dime, and lounge-style seating encourages guests to get comfortable and mingle in a more intimate setting. iStock.com/vitranc
Cozy up lounge spaces with thrifted lanterns and tea lights, and encourage guests that may not know each other to chat by staging fun parlor games like these free printable Mad Libs from Something Turquoise.
[link-button href=”https://somethingturquoise.com/2014/01/21/free-wedding-madlibs/”]Get the full tutorial for free here[/link-button]
7. If a princess can do her own wedding makeup, so can you.
Those bridal beauty busses that set up a glam station right at the wedding venue to give your bride squad the glam treatment are super trendy. But on-trend traveling salons come with a price tag that can quickly exceed your total hair and makeup budget.
One solution? Do your own makeup! Princess Kate did her own makeup for her 2011 wedding to Prince William, and she looked, well, like a total princess. For a natural day-of look, we love this jane iredale Pure & Simple Makeup Kit, which includes the basics for a fresh-faced bridal look: pressed foundation, blush, eyeshadow, and lip stain. Still need a little help? Use this Jane Iredale makeup tutorial to create your bridal look. Encourage your bridesmaids to do their own makeup as well by providing a glam station with travel-size face masks, moisturizers, lip balms, and other day-of makeup goodies that won’t break the bank.
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8. Be the buffet of the ball.
Any wedding caterer worth their kitchen salt will tell you that the best way to save money on reception costs is to offer guests a buffet rather than a plated dinner. A thoughtfully orchestrated buffet can be just as decadent as a more formal meal but won’t cost sit-down meal prices. Amazon
If you’re catering your own wedding, you can cut serving costs by using inexpensive platters and candlestick holders to create serving stations for your buffet. This tutorial uses items that can all be found at your local dollar store, but this adorable Sugar & Cloth Peach Melamine Serving Set (slightly pricier but still less expensive than a caterer!) pairs perfectly with Dollar Tree Glass Taper Candleholders for a romantic wedding look. Accent your DIY buffet serveware with small, hand-lettered chalkboard signs to let guests know what each item is.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Sugar-Cloth-Scallop-Melamine-Serving/dp/B074GWYH3V/”]Get Sugar & Cloth Peach Melamine Serving Set on Amazon for $21.79[/link-button]
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9. The one wedding favor guests will actually love.
We say this as kindly as possible: Literally none of your friends and family want to take home a packet of seeds or a scented candle with your wedding date stamped on the front. Skip the favors altogether, but if you absolutely must offer guests take-home treats, opt for something easy and edible, like an inexpensive individual s’mores kit. Because who doesn’t love the melty, throwback goodness that is a s’more?
S’mores kits are tasty, can be made in a hotel microwave, and all of the ingredients can be ordered straight to your door through Amazon Pantry. Plus, you can use these cute tags from Orange Umbrella Co to give simple s’mores take-home bags a more polished look. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HC4KPGK”]Get Orange Umbrella Co S’more Love Tags (Set of 24) on Amazon for $11.25[/link-button]
10. Don’t forget to cut the cake.
A couple of things can quickly make the cost of your wedding cake get out of hand, like intricately decorating each layer with fondant artwork and purchasing custom cake toppers. Have your cake and eat it too, but save cash by having your cake maker ice your cake in white buttercream. An inexpensive, carefully chosen cake topper, like the AntoArts Heart Wreath Wedding Cake Topper will elevate your cake into an elegant (and delicious) centerpiece of your wedding that’s anything but plain. Amazon
Another wedding cake hack? Order a smaller cake to display and cut at the reception for photos but have staff serve guests from sheet cakes out of sight in the kitchen. No one will know the difference, because your cake will be just as delicious wherever its served.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01MSVYSHJ”]Get AntoArts Heart Wreath Wedding Cake Topper on Amazon for $25[/link-button]
11. Alexa, order wedding dress.
Go to the fancy bridal shop, drink champagne with your besties, and try on gorgeous gowns to get a feel for what you like. But save the actual dress shopping for Amazon. We know, it sounds crazy to order a wedding dress from Amazon, but real brides actually have found their dream dress online, and you’d never know they spent under $100 for a bridal gown. iStock.com / spyderskidoo
Amazon brides recommend really examining reviews of dresses you’re interested in purchasing to get a feel for the right fit and size before ordering. While every bride has her own unique style, we love the timeless feel of this highly reviewed Beautyprom Lace Mermaid Bridal Gown, which features a classic sweetheart neckline and beaded waist detail.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BN8KC4B”]Get Beautyprom Lace Mermaid Bridal Gown on Amazon for $59.99[/link-button]
12. Save the boutonnieres for prom.
Let’s be honest, boutonnieres are right up there with mother-of-the-bride corsages as far as outdated wedding traditions go. While boutonnieres are quite a bit less expensive than other floral wedding expenses at around $20 a pop, that can really add up if you have a large bridal party. iStock.com / JasonDoiy
Give your soon-to-be hubby’s groomsmen pocket squares to wear instead. Pocket squares, like these IvyFlair Satin 8-inch Squares come in a variety of colors and add an instant classic, polished look to suits. Combine pocket squares with a coordinating tie and socks and they can also double as groomsmen gifts.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N766LDB”]Get IvyFlair 3-Pack Men’s Small Solid Color 8” Pocket Squares on Amazon for $7.95[/link-button]
13. Get creative with bouquets.
We love weddings with lots of flowers, we really do. But floral arrangements can often be one of the priciest expenses in a wedding budget, with bridesmaid bouquets eating up a large chunk of that at around $75 per bouquet. But it’s 2018, and brides are rethinking the traditional bouquet in favor of accessories that are waaaay more fun (like this bride who had her ‘maids carry real life puppers down the aisle!). Amazon
Just like pocket squares, a thoughtfully chosen bouquet alternative, like these NUOMI Lace Folding Fans or this Jane Austen book collection (each bridesmaid carries a tome) can double as a bridesmaid gift that lasts long after the bouquets have wilted.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B076Y3BN23″]Get NUOMI Lace Folding Fan on Amazon for $8.99[/link-button]
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1785995103″]Get Jane Austen Collection: Slip-Case Edition on Amazon for $45.81[/link-button]
14. Sometimes smaller really is better.
Some brides go overboard with welcome bags that are extravagantly filled with extras like scented candles or even sand toys at a destination beach wedding. While the bride and groom scored points for creativity, it’s slightly (read: totally) annoying to try and fit all that in an already overstuffed carry-on bag. iStock.com/tanialerro
Wow your out-of-town guest with thoughtful welcome bags that don’t cost a fortune by visiting the local visitor’s center for free maps and coupons to local stores and restaurants. Instead of buying pre-printed gift bags, dress up standard brown-paper lunch bags with ribbon and printable gift tags to deliver helpful goodies like Shout Wipes, Starlight Mints, and DIY Do-Not-Disturb signs your guests will be sure to love.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XPYDT14″]Get BagDream Brown Paper Lunch Bags (50pc) on Amazon for $13.59[/link-button]
15. Bring the sweet beats for free.
DJ’s can cost between $500 and $1000, and live bands can be even more expensive. But why hire a DJ to play the same tired version of the Cha Cha Slide (seriously, if we have to slide to the left at one more wedding …) when you can curate and play your own playlist for minimal cost? Most venues have some sort of sound system you can plug into for free, and you can have guests request songs they’d like to hear when they RSVP. B&H Photo Video
If your venue doesn’t provide sound equipment, we’ve got you covered. Just plug your device into this Technical Pro Rechargeable LED Active Loudspeaker Kit, which also comes with a microphone, so your reception beats can be heard all night long.
[link-button href=”https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1419215-REG/technical_pro_rechargeable_12_led_active.html”]Get Technical Pro Rechargeable LED Active Loudspeaker Kit with Microphone, Mic Stand, and Speaker Stand from B&H Photo for $99.99[/link-button]
16. Save trees and your wallet at the same time.
Your mother and grandmother will probably save copies of your wedding day program and menu card, but all your other guests? Those expensive paper products will end up stuffed in a hotel desk drawer, thrown into the backseat of a car without a second thought. Instead of splurging on programs and menu cards for each guest, save money by printing one large poster-size program for guests to see as they enter your wedding venue and the same size menu as guests enter the reception area. Display your signage in this gorgeous Frametory 16×20 Aluminum Photo Frames with Ivory Matte and reuse the frames post-wedding to display your wedding photos. Amazon
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We all have our go-to remedies that we reach for when we need them, but did you know that certain home treatments could be hurting more than helping? iStock
Obviously we can’t run to the doctor’s office for each and every little thing that happens to us, and it’s usually these small afflictions that have us searching for a quick and effective home remedy. But don’t assume that natural always means best—or that it works, either. We may not be doctors (and you should consult yours for personal medical advice), but there’s good reason to believe that these home remedies might be making your ailments worse.
Breast Milk
Let’s make one thing clear—we’re in no way saying that breast milk isn’t the magical, milky powerhouse for your kids that everyone says it is. What we are saying, however, is that it’s not a great idea to use it for everything else that could be going on, such as putting breast milk on your child’s pink eye, skin rash, or open cut. iStock
According to Sarah Yamaguchi, MD, an OB-GYN at Los Angeles’ Good Samaritan Hospital, breast milk could take things from bad to worse in the right situations. “Breast milk can transmit infectious diseases such as HIV, and pumped breast milk, if not stored properly, can be contaminated and can actually introduce bacteria into an already infected area,” Yamaguchi says. Instead, make sure you keep any infected areas clean and dry, and just save the breast milk for babies’ stomachs. According to WebMD, if you or your kid gets a cut or scrape, you can prevent infection by taking these steps: Wash your hands, apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth or sterile gauze until bleeding stops, rinse the wound with water to remove dirt or debris, clean around (not in) the wound with a soft washcloth and mild soap, use an antibiotic cream or ointment, and, if needed, bandage it. When it comes to which ointment to use, Anne Marie McNeill, MD, PhD, writes that Polysporin is preferable to Neosporin, because it is less likely to create an allergy in the patient later in life since it does not contain neomycin. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Polysporin-Antibiotic-Ointment-Without-Neomycin/dp/B000GCNDE2″]Polysporin First Aid Antibiotic Ointment, $8.47 from Amazon[/link-button] McNeill also recommended Aquaphor or mupirocin to keep wounds “soft,” pointing out that it’s a myth that wounds need to “dry out” in order to heal. Amazon Aquaphor is not an antibiotic, but a formula made of 41 percent petrolatum that allows oxygen to flow and helps protects the skin from moisture loss, making an ideal healing environment for a wound. It is free of fragrances, preservatives, and dyes and can be used on rashes, minor cuts and scrapes, friction and minor burns, cracked skin, and chapped lips.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Aquaphor-Advanced-Therapy-Ointment-Protectant/dp/B0107QPFBU”]Aquaphor Advanced Therapy Healing Ointment, $9.46 from Amazon[/link-button]
Activated Charcoal
Most health enthusiasts have probably heard about the benefits of using activated charcoal as part of a health routine, and maybe some of you have even tried it yourself. People are taking it in pill form as part of detox regimens, adding it to mud masks, and even using it in its powder form to naturally whiten their teeth. eBay
Although any of these things may not be harmful every now and then, too much charcoal isn’t good for you. Some of its most common side effects after ingestion include constipation, nausea or vomiting, and black discoloration of the stool—that last one may not be dangerous in its own right, but it would definitely be alarming, to say the least.
“It is plain dangerous because it can cause life-threatening intestinal obstructions and severe dehydration,” says Svetlana Kogan, MD, a physician and author. For a similar detoxing effect, just drink plain ol’ water and try to eat a more nutritious diet. Don’t like tap water? Fine. Get something to filter it through, like this Brita Filtered Water Dispenser, which is large enough to hold 18 cups of water so you won’t be running out anytime soon. The BPA-free filter is supposed to reduce chlorine taste and odor, copper, mercury, and cadmium impurities in tap water. This one comes with a spigot for easy pouring. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Brita-Filtered-Dispenser-Standard-Filter/dp/B01LY5FX4E”]Brita Extra Large Filtered Water Dispenser, $33.99 from Amazon[/link-button] If you’re looking for some non-charcoal tooth whitening, check out Crest 3D White Glamorous White Whitestrips, which use hydrogen peroxide to make your chompers shine. It’s the only at-home tooth bleaching product to receive the American Dental Association’s Seal of Acceptance, so you don’t have to feel guilty at your next dentist appointment. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Crest-Glamorous-Whitestrips-Whitening-Treatments/dp/B001OOLLVS”]Crest 3D White Glamorous White Whitestrips, $34.69 from Amazon[/link-button]
Vitamins
Most people take some sort of daily vitamin, and doing so isn’t inherently harmful. But vitamin supplements are definitely not an ideal solution for giving your body everything it needs. You should be doing that with your diet. iStock
Assuming that you eat a pretty balanced diet with plenty of protein, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains, you’re already getting in everything that you should. Taking a daily multivitamin can become dangerous when you’re giving your body too much of any one particular supplement because you’ve already gotten enough of it naturally.
Yes, too many vitamins really can be a bad thing—for example, consume too much vitamin D and you could be causing issues with your heart and liver, whereas an excess of vitamin B6 can cause nerve toxicity. Believe it or not, too much vitamin A could actually cause an overdose that could kill you. iStock
If you think you might be lacking in any particular vitamin or mineral, consult your doctor before you supplement on your own. One thing you don’t have to consult your doctor about? Eating more fruits and vegetables. This is among the best health insurance we have, and it need not be drudgery. If you’re short on ideas for how to enjoy foods that fall out of the standard American diet (SAD, appropriately), check out this beautiful, creative Minimalist Baker’s Everyday Cooking cookbook featuring tasty vegan entrees like Smoky BBQ Veggie Burgers or Thai Quinoa “Meatballs.” Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Minimalist-Bakers-Everyday-Cooking-Plant-based/dp/0735210969″]Minimalist Baker’s Everyday Cooking, $23.79 from Amazon[/link-button] Can’t get into veganism? Fine. That’s no reason for not enjoying the full spectrum of produce options. If you’re at a loss for how to enjoy veggie-centric cooking, Bon Appetit editors recommended Deborah Madison’s The Greens Cookbook, which apparently “created a revolution in cooking when it first appeared in 1987.” Amazon Recipes include Mexican Vegetable Soup with Lime and Avocado, Artichoke and Fennel Stew, Wild Mushroom Ragout, Charcoal-Grilled Leeks, Red and Yellow Pepper Tart, Goat-Cheese Pizza with Red Onions and Green Olives, Blueberry Cream-Cheese Tart, and Brazilian Chocolate Cake. Now our mouths are watering. Vitamins who?
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/The-Greens-Cookbook-Deborah-Madison/dp/1906502587″]The Greens Cookbook, $24.47 from Amazon[/link-button]
Licking Wounds
It’s just a natural reaction—you get a quick paper cut, and your finger goes straight in your mouth as if it were pulled by a magnet. Mothers might even use their own spit to wipe something off their child’s face or clean off a scrape, because what’s the problem? You gave birth to them! iStock
Well, the problem comes down to bacteria, which can be introduced into an open wound through saliva, and it can take a simple cut and turn it into something much worse.
“Our breath and saliva have tons of bacteria which can contaminate the wound and lead to an infection,” says Kogan. iStock
So, what are you supposed to do in a pinch? The best option for anyone who doesn’t have access to a medical kit is to just find some fresh water. Whether you’re in an office building or in the park, there’s bound to be a water fountain or bathroom nearby that you can use to rinse out a cut in a hurry. It’s also never too late to become That Person Who Carries A Water Bottle Everywhere. You’ll likely be healthier and more hydrated if you invest in something like this BPA-free water bottle from Embrava—and, of course, you’ll have some emergency wound-splashing liquid on hand at all times. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Best-Sports-Water-Bottle-Friendly/dp/B00RTLWCCM”]Embrava Premium Water Bottle, $19.95 from Amazon[/link-button]
Burn Remedies
Whether you’ve burned yourself on a hot pot or accidentally touched your ear with a flat iron, getting burned is never fun, and the healing is usually painful. We’ve all been there—the burn seems like it’s only going to hurt initially, and then the searing pain starts to sink in.
There’s not much you can do to treat it other than putting the area under running water, so many people turn to things they have on hand, particularly what’s in their kitchen. This goes for a lot of other small ailments, too.
Sure, avocados can be good for softening hair and, yes, manuka honey can be used for a variety of different things, but food items shouldn’t be used to treat bodily injuries. iStock
One common burn treatment that Kogan often has to dismiss is using raw egg whites to treat burns—even when organic, raw eggs contain tons of bacteria that should never be introduced to damaged skin. Instead, stick to water and over-the-counter pain relievers. To treat a minor burn at home, first run it under cool (not cold) water for 10 to 15 minutes, until it’s no longer as painful. Wash it gently with soap and water. Then, cover it with a thin layer of ointment, like Vaseline petroleum jelly. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Vaseline-Petroleum-Jelly-Original-Ounce/dp/B004AI8VG8″]Vaseline Petroleum Jelly, $9.50 from Amazon[/link-button] Follow that up by lightly taping or wrapping the burn with a sterile, nonstick gauze, like these non-adherent pads from Dynarex, to protect the wound from chafing. (Don’t use a material with fibers that can get stuck in the burn.) Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Non-Adhering-Gauze-Pads-100-Pack-Sterile/dp/B003U44842″]Dynarex Non-Adherent Pads, $8.98 from Amazon[/link-button]
Mouthwash Gargling
Although it’s come to light that mouthwash might not be as great as many of us believe it to be, plenty of people still use it in their daily oral hygiene routine. Some people even step up their usage when they’re sick and gargle with it in the hopes that it’ll help speed their recovery along. iStock
We get the logic: Mouthwash often contains alcohol, and alcohol kills bacteria and viruses, so it’ll kill your cold, right? Wrong. If your throat is already inflamed from a cold or flu virus, adding mouthwash to the mix is the last thing you should do.
“Gargling inflamed tonsils with mouthwash is actually very irritating to the area and does not have any effect on potential strep throat,” says Kogan. iStock
The simplest and most effective solution is to drink plenty of warm liquids to soothe inflammation in the throat and try to get as much rest as possible. Your best bet is to do what your mother always told you to do: Gargle with warm salt water. According to Penn Medicine, this can be a good way of loosening the gunk in your throat, alleviating pain, and killing bacteria. The great part about this is you don’t need a prescription or a fancy, colorful, exotic salt. Just pick up a big container of regular table salt like this option from Morton, and you’ll be keeping sore throats at bay and your meals more flavorful. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/MORTON-Iodized-Supplies-Cooking-Essential/dp/B015FDIPSU”]Morton Iodized Salt, $0.89 from Amazon[/link-button] If you need something stronger for the pain, go for an option that will numb out the area, like this Chloraseptic Max Strength Sore Throat Spray. (It tastes like wild berries! Not that you will care as you’re grimacing through every swallow.) Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Chloraseptic-Strength-Protection-Pharmacist-Recommended/dp/B011TTTRCW”]Chloraseptic Max Strength Sore Throat Spray, $5.68 from Amazon[/link-button]
Kava
Kava is a root that’s usually found on various South Pacific islands. Often the root is powdered and taken as a tea, but it can also be found as an extract that can be added to other things. It has been recommended that kava can be taken to soothe anxiety, and some even compare the effects of the herb to those of popular prescription anxiety medications. iStock
One study even showed that taking the herb could, in fact, moderately decrease anxiety levels. Still, though, the study advised that taking kava should be a short-term solution, as it’s one that could cause side effects that aren’t worth only moderate anxiety improvement.
One of the biggest risks of long-term kava use is liver damage, although it’s not known whether kava itself causes liver damage or if it’s the use of kava in conjunction with other medications. iStock
Still, it’s worth noting that 30 cases of kava-related liver damage have been reported in Europe, and consumer advisory for the supplement was issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2002 because it poses a risk for potential liver failure. If you’re looking for some relief from your nerves without the possible liver damage, you might try picking up a daily chamomile habit, which some research has suggested can act as an anti-anxiety treatment (although, the study referenced involved capsules of chamomile extract rather than tea). Still, the ritual of tea-drinking as a nightcap might be the opportunity for extra relaxation and mindfulness you need to sleep through the night. People seem to love this Twinings of London Pure Camomile tea (at least, 80 percent of nearly 7,000 reviewers gave it five stars). Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Twinings-London-Camomile-Herbal-Count/dp/B00XA8VDD2″]Twinings of London Pure Camomile Tea, $3.50 from Amazon[/link-button] Hate tea? Fine. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America recommends incorporating exercise as a way to manage your stress and decrease anxiety, and you don’t need anything but your body for that. If you’re interested in learning more about the hows and whys of your anxiety, check out My Age of Anxiety by Scott Stossel, who explores the history of anxiety and its treatments while reflecting on its effects in his own life. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/My-Age-Anxiety-Dread-Search/dp/0307390608″]My Age of Anxiety, $8.14 from Amazon[/link-button]
Castor Oil
Castor oil has many uses; it’s most commonly used as a natural laxative. Not only that, but many pregnant women use it as a way to speed up the birthing process when they’re desperate to bring their babies into the world. iStock
While doctors are fine with using castor oil for constipation, just say no when it comes to delivering a baby. “Castor oil may help if you are constipated and need to pass a bowel movement, but it’s not going to help you go into labor and tastes awful,” says Yamaguchi.
So, are there any safe ways to start the labor at home? Sure, there are plenty of things people swear have worked for them—being intimate, eating fast food, walking around a lot—but the truth is that there isn’t one thing that’s guaranteed to work for everyone. iStock
Oh, and for constipation? Castor oil is fine, but you can also try drinking prune juice or just increasing your overall fiber intake. The reviewers of Amazon seem to have had good results with Smooth Move Tea, a caffeine-free herbal blend whose name has probably tipped you off to its laxative effects. Amazon
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Traditional-Medicinals-Organic-Smooth-Move/dp/B0009F3PJE”]Traditional Medicinals Organic Smooth Move Tea, $22.17 from Amazon[/link-button] If you want to take the fiber route, a great addition to your diet would be Bran Buds, the benefits of which OB-GYN Jen Gunter, MD, has evangelized about in a blog post directed at women looking to keep their vajays A-okay. Amazon
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Are you getting enough sleep? Wait. Scratch that. Are you getting the kind of sleep you really need to wake up ready to kick some hind end every morning? We’re going to go out on a limb and guess the answer is a big fat no. That’s why you’re reading this, right? Your eyelids are probably drooping, and you’ve most likely been guzzling caffeine since you woke up. Hernan Sanchez In one survey by the American Sleep Association, as much as 37.9 percent of respondents confessed they had unintentionally fallen asleep during the day at least once in the preceding month! Some 30 percent of us struggle with insomnia at least occasionally, and 10 percent of Americans say it’s a chronic condition. We’re a nation of zombies, walking around with a giant cup of coffee in our hands to fight off the urge to take a midday nap. Caleb George Raising your hand with a guilty expression? Time for a sleep routine overhaul! Quick! Before your boss catches you catnapping at your desk, here are some ideas to improve your sleep hygiene and help you catch some serious ZZZZs.
Top off your comfort.
Up to 92 percent of Americans consider a comfortable mattress a must for getting a good night’s sleep. It’s no surprise, then, that an uncomfy sleeping space is going to keep you up at night and leave you drowsy by the time the alarm starts sounding in the morning. Amazon If you’re tossing and turning at night on a mattress that’s lumpy or just doesn’t feel like it’s made for your body, you don’t have to head out and buy a whole new one. A memory foam mattress topper can help better distribute a person’s weight, conforming to their body to take pressure off the pressure points.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MYN9K5B”]Linenspa Gel Infused Memory Foam Mattress Topper, $56.99 at Amazon[/link-button]
Treat your tootsies.
No one is falling asleep with feet that feel like they’ve been hanging out in the freezer section of your local Trader Joe’s, and for good reason. Amazon Scientists have found that warming your feet when you’re ready for bed triggers your brain to think it’s time to sleep. This is because of something called vasodilation, basically dilation of the blood vessels. Back in the old days, folks made this happen by slipping a hot water bottle under the covers at the foot of the bed. But you can do it even more easily. Stock up on these cozy animal socks to keep your toes warm so they don’t keep you awake. iStock.com/Spiderstock P.S. Forget what they say about socks in bed harshing the mood. You can always take them off if things get interesting!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Women-Animals-Slipper-Slipping-Winter/dp/B07FXR9VVF”]Animal Fuzzy Socks, $16.99 at Amazon[/link-button]
Diffuse your mood.
Essential oils smell amazing, and a whole lot of people swear by them as a fast path to sleep. There’s even some solid science to back up the relaxation benefits. If you’re thinking about kicking off an oil routine to help you sleep, a diffuser can help get you there. A diffuser mixes essential oils with water and uses steam to disperse them in the air, so you can lie in bed and breathe them in. Amazon With this nature-inspired wood grain diffuser, you can keep your favorite oil scents pumping out into the air while you sleep or turn it off when you feel like you’re ready to drift off. Not sure you want it going all night long? Thanks to the remote, you don’t even have to get out of bed to hit the off switch!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07D48YL8R”]Essential Oil Diffuser With Remote, $20.99 at Amazon[/link-button]
Layer the lavender.
Lavender is a favorite with essential oil fans because of its soothing properties (and it is even considered to be a mild sedative), but lavender isn’t limited to oil form. Amazon Dried versions of the flower can be brewed in a pre-bedtime tea, sprinkled in a warm bath to help you chill out, or even tucked in small sachets to be stored with your extra set of sheets for a boost of lavender scent when you’re ready to make the bed.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B016BHH0OE”]Organic Dried Culinary Lavender, $12.91 at Amazon[/link-button]
Spray your way to sleep.
There is absolutely nothing like the thought of sinking your head into a divine-smelling pillow to make you want to go to bed. You could wash your pillow and shams every single day to keep a laundry-fresh scent omnipresent in your bedroom. Amazon Or you could take the easier route and stock up on a divinely scented pillow spray. This one boasts lavender and other essential oils for deep calming, and it’s free of all those questionable ingredients you might worry about, including parabens, phthalates, GMOs, sulfates, synthetic dyes and fragrances, propylene glycol, mineral oil, and petrolatum. So you can stop worrying and start sleeping!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/ThisWorks-Deep-Pillow-Spray-75ml/dp/B006VT8G1O”]This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, $29.00 at Amazon [/link-button]
Cool off your head.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends your bedroom be no warmer than 67 degrees if you want to get a good night’s sleep, but even turning down the thermostat doesn’t help keep our bed linens cool. Flannel and cotton especially tend to warm up when they come in contact with body heat. Amazon A silk pillowcase can help keep your head cool, and they come with an added benefit: Many hairdressers recommend silk pillowcases to keep hair from tangling while you sleep!
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Put some weight on (top of you).
Don’t worry, your body is perfect just the way it is. The only weight in this blanket is sewn right into the fabric. Why? Weighted blankets are believed to help us calm down and relax thanks to deep pressure touch stimulation—essentially, we’re soothed by the feeling of something lying on us. Amazon A blanket is not a cure for a mental health condition, nor should it take place of a visit to the doctor if you feel that depression or anxiety is keeping you awake. But pressure has long been studied as a means to reduce anxiety, even for people who don’t have a diagnosed condition. At the very least, it could just help you feel a little bit warmer at bedtime!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Weighted-individuals-Sivio-Autism%EF%BC%8CSensory-Processing/dp/B0794MKBFK/”]Weighted Blanket, $57.99 at Amazon[/link-button]
Light smarter.
There are a whole lot of studies out there that warn us against bright lights when we’re trying to sleep. But if you’re someone who absolutely needs to read in bed in order to calm down, you need at least some light in your bedroom to see the pages. Amazon This beside lamp lets you change just about everything about the light, from the angle it hits you to the color and intensity of the beam, so you can go from having a bright light in the afternoon when you need that boost while you put away your laundry to something dim and soothing when it’s time to settle in with a good novel.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VUTAFR8″]TaoTronics LED Desk Lamp, $29.99 at Amazon[/link-button]
Block it out.
The light on your bedside table isn’t the only one that could be keeping you awake. Ambient light—from streetlights to sunlight—can also play a big role in keeping us awake too late or waking us up too early. Amazon A set of pretty, printed blackout curtains can help curtail the call of the sun in the early morning and banish the bright lights from your across-the-alley neighbor’s place. This thermal set also adds a layer of insulation between the window and the bedroom, helping keep the room warmer or cooler, depending on the season.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/HLC-ME-Printed-Blackout-Darkening-Thermal/dp/B074N39PY1″] Arrow Printed Blackout Curtains, $34.99 at Amazon [/link-button]
Throw on a mask.
Even when you’re away from home, you need to avoid light leaks at bedtime. You may not be able to take your curtains with you on vacation, but you can slip a sleep mask into your carry-on bag. Amazon Adjustable straps help you fit this sleep mask to your head so it won’t slip as you sleep and cost you some of your beauty rest, while the soft cotton padding keeps the mask from weighing too heavily on your face.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Lewis-N-Clark-Comfort-Adjustable/dp/B000LY3X7W”]Lewis N. Clark Comfort Eye Mask, $14.95 at Amazon[/link-button]
Be selective about your sounds.
Whether it’s the neighborhood cats putting up a fight or the neighbors crashing and banging when they come home late at night, all that extra noise is not conducive to a good night’s sleep. White noise machine to the rescue! Designed to create soothing sounds such as ocean waves or falling rain (you choose what you want to hear each night) to lull you off to dreamland, the machine will also help block out all those ambient noises. Amazon A 15-, 30-, and 60-minute auto-off timer helps save your energy bill and the planet too.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Premium-Sleep-Therapy-Sound-Machine/dp/B01LX27BQI”]Wave Premium Sleep Therapy Sound Machine, $29.99 at Amazon [/link-button]
Activate your alarm long distance.
In case you needed another reason to disconnect from your smartphone once in a while, it turns out they’re harming our sleeping habits. Victoria Heath The biggest culprit is the blue light, that slightly eerie beam emitted from the screen that casts a blue aura over our faces when we read our phones with the lights off. Blue light can actually prevent us from falling asleep, as it affects the circadian rhythms of our brains, tricking us into thinking we’re still supposed to be awake. But wait, you can’t kick your smartphone out of the bedroom…it’s your morning alarm, right? Amazon Not if you opt for a Bluetooth speaker that can be set up by your bed! Dock your phone in the living room, sync it with the speaker in your bedroom, and you’re all set.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Amazon-Echo-Dot-Portable-Bluetooth-Speaker-with-Alexa-Black/dp/B01DFKC2SO”]Echo Dot, $39.99 at Amazon[/link-button]
Kick out the clutter…
You may think you’re going off to bed without even noticing that pile of clothes on your dresser, the laundry basket overflowing with folded laundry, or your growing collection of half-used lotions, but it turns out all that clutter could be keeping you awake. Scientists have even found a link between messy bedrooms and a poor night’s rest. Under-bed storage bins can be slipped beneath the bed to hide those sweaters until winter returns. Amazon These organizers can also be stacked in a corner, where they’ll remain neat and out of the way.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Sorbus-Foldable-Organizers-Blankets-Bedrooms/dp/B071V5DQ56″]Sorbus Foldable Storage Bag Organizers, $24.99 at Amazon [/link-button]
…and stash your other stuff.
Of course, you still have things you absolutely need to keep on hand. Amazon These honeycomb drawer organizers make everything easier to store and easier to find. Goodbye, bras hanging off the curtain rods!
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Set the mood.
When movie makers want to indicate the star’s going to bliss out in some serious relaxation in their bed or bathroom, they always light a few (dozen) candles. There’s just something about a darkened room and flickering candlelight that screams “soothing.” Make this part of your nightly routine with a set of flameless candles that can be turned on and left “burning” while you drift off to dreamland. Because there’s no actual fire, you eliminate the safety hazard that comes with the real thing, and you can also avoid the risk of any carcinogens that may come from burning a live candle. Amazon The small light they emit also doubles as a nightlight if you wake up for a quick bathroom run at some point during the night.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Flameless-Candles-Comenzar-Batteries-included/dp/B074FV433D”]Flameless Candles With Remote Timer, $30.99 at Amazon [/link-button]
Cut the noise.
Snoring partners. Purring pets. The bedroom can be a surprisingly loud place once you’re lying down and trying to drift away. Sometimes you just need something to cut the noise so you can get to sleep. These ear plugs are made from memory foam, so they mold to your ear canals, and reviewers tend to call them out for the quality of the foam. Amazon Once they start to get too loose and let the sound in, just pop in a new pair!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EPQ86A”]Hearos Ear Plugs, $11.11 at Amazon [/link-button]
Wrap yourself up.
Don’t be put off by the name: You don’t need to be pregnant to take advantage of the bliss that is wrapping a pregnancy pillow around your body. If you struggle to find just the right sleeping position, a body pillow can help provide extra support as you roll around in bed. Plus, everybody who remembers snuggling a stuffed animal in bed when they were small knows there’s comfort to be found in wrapping your arms around something cuddly at bedtime. Amazon This C-shaped pillow wraps around the body, offering something to cuddle any way you turn!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/PharMeDoc-Pregnancy-Pillow-Jersey-Shaped/dp/B0798DDVN7″]PharMeDoc Pregnancy Pillow, $39.90 at Amazon [/link-button]
Bring the outdoors in.
The less stress we have, typically the easier it is to sleep, and there’s a lot to be said for getting some natural stress relief by getting outside in nature. But you don’t have to give up that feeling of spending time in nature when you head to bed at night. Amazon Decorate your room with some greenery to bring the outdoors in. Bonus of these little succulents? Although they look pretty darn real, they’re fake, so they’re nearly maintenance free!
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Decorative-Modern-Artificial-Succulent-Display/dp/B010UVQGA6″]Decorative Artificial Succulent Plants, $24.99 at Amazon[/link-button]
Sleep like a panda.
The shape and height of your pillow matter more than you might think. iStock/VanWyckExpress Not only can a poor pillow force you to wake up with neck pain, it can also keep you awake or limit your restful sleep. Bamboo pillows—yes, bamboo like the pandas eat—are designed to contour to your head and neck, providing you the support you need without putting a strain on your upper half. Amazon For some people, a bamboo pillow can help reduce muscle strain and alleviate those aching pressure points.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/Original-Bamboo-Standard-Shredded-Adjustable/dp/B078H7FTV9″]Original Bamboo Pillow, $34.99 from Amazon [/link-button]
Meditate on this.
Ahhhhhh. Is there anything more relaxing than some mindfulness-focused meditation in bed? iStock/Mladen Zivkovic A meditation app such as Headspaceor Calm is a science-backed path to better sleep, lowering your heart rate and helping direct your breathing, so your body can ready itself to go into relaxed mode. But if you’ve ever rolled over only to lose one of your earbuds and been shocked back into reality, you’ve discovered the number one drawback to using a set of standard earbuds. A set of over-ear headphones can be difficult to sleep with because of the bulk, which makes it impossible to move around, especially if you’re prone to side-sleeping. Amazon Try sleep headphones instead. Designed to wrap around the head like an athletic band, they stay right where they should be, so you can keep your mind on being more mindful.
[link-button href=”https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01AY8G2JA”]CozyPhones Sleep Headphones, $17.97 at Amazon[/link-button]
