In the U.S. alone, more than 4,000 items are purchased on Amazon per minute. To add to this craziness of a statistic, I’m sharing my favorite Amazon finds that I’ve stumbled upon the last few years. These items cover all your needs – everything from wellness and fitness to lifestyle and cooking. If it’s on this list, you need to have it since I truly can’t live without it.
Rubber Birkenstock Knock-Offs
Okay I’ll admit, I was skeptical about these ones. I LOVE my traditional Birkenstocks and I’ve been eyeing their rubber ones for a while now. If you’ve ever had a pair of their sandals, you know they aren’t the best for taking to the beach because they get covered in sand and if they get wet, it takes forever for them to dry off.
Well these rubber options get the job done comfortably. I’ve been wearing them on the boat and to the beach and I don’t have to worry about them getting icky. I can dunk them back in the lake or hose them off and they’re brand new.
I got the “new pink B” color, but now I’m considering getting a pair of black ones so I have some variety.
Waterproof Nipple Pasties/Covers
I’ve been in the market for nipple covers for YEARS but I’ve never found ones I liked. They were either really expensive, made my boobs looks weird or weren’t sticky enough. I initially got this recommendation from Jess Keys and I’m so happy she shared them! I’ve been wearing them with tanks, dresses and anything that’s open in the back. Team no bra 😂
Nathan Hand-Free Running Water Bottle
To be honest, I was a little worried about getting a water bottle like this to run with because I thought it would be so annoying to hold. But this summer has been a hot one and I can’t run for that long without being super fricken thirsty. This does the trick for short to mid length runs, but I wouldn’t recommend it for a 10+ miler if you’re used to stopping to drink a decent amount of water.
It was actually really easy and comfortable to run with, you don’t even have to grip it! You can put keys, chapstick, bobby pins, whatever you want in the front pouch, except your phone. I had a hard time finding one that fit a phone in the front pocket, but after using it, I think a phone would weight it down too much. I usually prefer to stick my phone in my leggings pocket (I’ve been loving these ones lately).
Bananagrams
I recently visited one of my friends from college and one night we stayed in to drank wine and play Banagrams. I’ve never played the game before then but now it’s one of my favorites, which is surprising since I’m not a fan of Scrabble. Even if you only have 2 people, it’s super fun. I mean, it’s fun to shout peel, split and bananas while you play the game, too 😂
Memory Foam Seat Cushion
We’ve all been sitting on our asses a little more lately in quarantine and this cushion helps me transform any chair into a comfy desk chair. I initially bought it to make my kitchen table chairs comfortable to sit on all day and it’s done the job. My dad even loved it so much and bought one for himself. As I type this now, my butt is planted in my cushion 😂
Ember Mug
If you’re like me and constantly have to warm up your coffee or tea in the microwave, this mug will be your saving grace. I know it’s a little on the pricey side, but I believe it’s worth it. This would also be a great gift for a coffee lover or something to put on your wish list for Christmas or an upcoming birthday.
The mug hooks up to an app on your smartphone to control the temperature. You can create a pre-set so it automatically goes to that temperature when it’s on, plus the app shares recipes and temperature suggestions based on different drinks. I like my coffee and tea around 130 degrees.
Heated Blanket
Every house NEEDS a heated blanket for the winter time. It’s nice to put between your sheet and comforter in bed or use on the couch. I like to turn my blanket on a little bit before I head to bed so the bed is nice and warm before I crawl in. I got my boyfriend and roommate heated blankets last winter because I truly felt like it’s a necessity that they didn’t have. And my roommate always tried to steal mine 😂
Red Carpet Gel Nail Kit
When I first bought this kit, I was in high school and I gave it to my mom for a Christmas present. But like 5+ years later, my mom gave it to me when she retired since she stopped using it. Even before she gave it to me, she used to paint my nails with it all the time. So this truly is the gift that keeps on giving.
Every time I paint my nails with this kit, it lasts around 2 weeks and I get so many compliments on it. Coworkers and friends never can tell that I did them myself rather than dropping $50 at the salon. And the more you do it, the better you will get.
My biggest tips for painting your nails with the gel is:
- Make sure you get the polish to the very edges of your nails, especially the clear base and top coats
- Paint thinner layers, do NOT lay it on thick or it will bubble and ripple after going in the dryer
- Go close to your cuticles but try hard not to get it on your skin. If you do, wipe it off with a wooden cuticle press (or something similar) before it goes under the UV light. If you use a Q-tip, beware that the fuzzies may get stuck to the polish and it will be impossible to get it off.
I usually buy more colors, bases and top coats from Ulta.
Seche Vite Gel Effect Top Coat
If you’re not ready to invest in a gel nail kit, this $8 bottle of top coat needs to be in your Amazon cart. It’s such a game changer for making your normal nail polish look thick, shiny and professionally done. If your nails have imperfections on it when you are painting the color, this top coat will smooth everything out and make it look perfect. This same brand has a normal top coat if you’d prefer that, but I’ve used both and I favor this one. When you paint this coat, be sure to apply a thicker coat to really give it that gel effect.
Kindle
If you’re a big reader, I highly recommend treating yourself to an Amazon Kindle. I bought mine about a year ago and I’ve loved it ever since. I take it with me when I commute on the train and it takes up basically zero room in my bag, plus you’ll save money on buying books.
Instead of buying books, I’d recommend you check out your local library since many of them do ebook rentals. They make it really easy to connect your Amazon account so it automatically downloads right onto your Kindle.
Microfiber Hair Towels
Whether your hair is thick or thin, long or short, you need to get your hands on one of these. When I get out of the shower, I throw my hair in one of these and can go about my morning without having to worry about my towel falling off my head. And while it’s on, it absorbs more of the water than a normal towel would. I’ve purchased mine from Amazon, Target and TJ Maxx, but they’re all the same.
Instant Pot
If you follow me on Instagram, you know how much I love my Instant Pot. You only need the one pot to create a delicious meal, cutting down on the time you spend cleaning dishes and the cooking time for the food. This is one appliance I think is essential to every household in 2020.
And if you do have an Instant Pot, I recommend buying these cheat sheet magnets that go right on the side of your pot or you can put them on your refrigerator. This is so convenient that you don’t have to Google cook time every time you cook something basic. My favorite basic ingredient to make in here is quinoa because I swear it comes out fluffier and more delicious than baking it on the stovetop.
Air Fryer
I asked for an air fryer for my birthday and it was one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. For the same birthday, I also got the Instant Pot and I couldn’t have been happier 😂. Anything you would normally fry or put in the oven can be made in the air fryer with less oil. Think about how much oil you put on sweet potatoes to roast them in the oven… you can make them in the air fryer with a little spray oil and cut the calories and fat. Some of my favorite things to throw in the air fryer are potatoes, salmon (crispy on the outside and moist on the inside), chicken bites and asparagus. It’s also amazing at reheating food like leftover fries, pizza and veggies.
French Press Coffee Maker
For all of us that have a Keurig versus a real coffee maker, a french press is a necessity. If you are making more than one cup, it’s much easier and tastier to make a pot of french press rather than numerous Keurigs. Plus ground coffee is way cheaper than the K-Cups, so it’s a win-win. The flavor is stronger and more delicious when it’s made with the french press. I actually have this french press but I wanted to share a cheaper alternative.
I usually lean towards making a french press of coffee in the mornings when I’m really dragging to fill my travel mug all the way to the top. If you’re feeling extra fancy, put some cinnamon in with the grounds to give it some more flavor.
It’s really easy to make: Scoop coffee grounds into the bottom of the french press and pour boiling water on top. Stir grounds and let sit for 5 minutes. Then you can put the lid on and put the grounds to the bottom. Pour in your mug and enjoy!
Milk Frother
If you’re a coffee or matcha lover, you’ll need a milk frother to make the ultimate at-home latte. I like to warm up almond milk in the microwave and froth it before adding in the strong coffee or matcha mixture. The milk should almost double in size when you froth it so 1/4 or 1/2 cup of almond milk is plenty, unless you prefer a larger latte. If you end up buying an Ember mug (mentioned above), pour the latte in here to keep it warm till the last drop.
Avocado Keeper
Since a single avocado contains 320+ calories, I rarely eat one in a sitting. And for the times I don’t, I put the other half or quarters in this container to keep them fresh. Even with this container, I recommend eating the remainder of the avocado in a day or two. Sometimes the very outside will brown a bit but it has not gone bad. If you want to, you can scrape that off with a knife and then it will appear green.
Avocado Tool
And when you aren’t storing your avocados, you have to be sure to cut them carefully for toast, salads or sauces. I originally bought my avocado tool from Crate & Barrel but it’s much cheaper on Amazon. Whether you want to cut it in half, remove the pit or slice it, you can do it safely with this. I’ve heard so many horror stories about people whacking a knife into the pit to remove it and accidentally slicing their hand. No accidents in the kitchen with this tool!
Foam Roller Set for Deep Tissue Massage
Whenever I have sore muscles or feel a little stiff, I get out the foam roller and release all the tension. It feels amazing to roll out your hamstrings, quads and butt after a leg day, and your upper and lower back if you’ve been sitting a lot. If you are really active, I highly recommend having one of these around your home.
Blackhead Remover Vacuum
If you’re constantly frustrated with blackheads, hit order now. I realize that the gunk in our face is likely from dirt in the air, oil, makeup, etc. and it will come back but it feels good to get this crud off of our faces.
The first time I did this, I got more out of my pores and now very little. But at the very least, it takes some dead skin off and reveals a cleaner layer of skin. I really only use this tool on my nose because I use the next item on this list for the rest of my face.
Personal Microderm Abrasion Machine
I originally bought this device from Ulta when I wanted something to remove the gunk from my pores, but I was surprised that this was better for reducing fine lines and making my skin feel fresh and clean. I use the microderm abrasion tool about once a week on my face, then put on thicker face lotion. Every time I use it, I get compliments on my skin. My roommate always asks if I just used my microderm because my skin looks that good afterward.
Aromatherapy Diffuser
My mom got me really into essential oils since she now has an oil diffuser in numerous rooms throughout the house, including the kitchen. I like putting a fresh scent in mine, like lemon, grapefruit, eucalyptus or tea tree oil, and it really freshens up the place. If you have a headache or are having a hard time sleeping, there are essential oils for that. I have a mini one in our kitchen that I keep lemon in and my big one is in my bedroom.
CeraVe: Vitamin C Serum, SPF Lotion & Moisturizer
I recently upgraded my skincare routine but that doesn’t mean I had to spend a fortune. After listening to this episode of Betches’ Diet Starts Tomorrow podcast with Dr. Shari Marchbein, who laid out everything you need to know about skincare, I felt it was time to invest in new products. She spoke really highly of CeraVe and I have really enjoyed it. I use the vitamin C serum with the SPF moisturizer in the morning before applying my makeup and the other lotion at night.
The Ordinary Retinol
As part of my nighttime skincare routine, I use The Ordinary Retinol every other night. It’s a really nice product and only costs $5.80 (cheaper on Ulta.com than Amazon). Most retinol and retinoids are really harsh on your skin, but this one does not dry out my skin. Since using it, I feel like my skin appears younger and my pore sizes have reduced. It also feels amazing on my face after I apply it. I’m not sure if this is normal, but you need to store this retinol in the refrigerator so I have to actively remember to use it since I don’t see it in my bathroom cabinet when I get ready for bed.
Tula Probiotic Eye Balm
This was a pricier item that I was hesitant to buy at first but after trying it out for a few months, I know it was worth the money. The instant you apply it under your eyes, it reduces the appearance of black under-eyes and feels cooling. It’s nice to apply during the day when your eyes start to feel tired, too. I usually apply it after my serum and moisturizer but before my makeup. It seems like a lot of people love Tula products, but this is the only one I’ve tried and I highly recommend it.
Adult Coloring Book
Every once in a while I love to put my phone away and cuddle up on the couch with a coloring book. There’s something about coloring that is so soothing and stress-relieving. Especially right now while we are all trapped at home during COVID-19 lockdown, having something fun like this on hand is always a good idea.
For an office event, I helped plan a “color and sip” where we colored in the conference room and sipped herbal tea and it was a really nice way to end the day. We ordered a variety of coloring books, including this one that gave us a good laugh. You won’t regret buying this and reading through the provocative sayings 😂
Blue Light Blocking Glasses
After my last pair of blue light blocking glasses broke, I purchased this cute set of two from Amazon. My company is really flexible with working from home so it’s nice I’m able to leave one pair at home and leave one in my cubicle. I love the way these look on my face and they really do help with reducing the strain on my eyes. I also suffer from migraines and staring at the computer for too long triggers them – I’ve found these make a big difference in the number of migraines and headaches I have.
Resistance Bands
There are so many kinds of resistance bands online and it’s really hard to choose which ones are best. The ones I have from Amazon sold out, but I’ve picked this one as a replacement since, like the ones I have, it comes in 3 options for different resistance strengths. My biggest pet peeve with bands is they roll up your legs when you do certain exercises and not offering enough resistance. These fabric options shouldn’t roll up at all! These bands aren’t like those flimsy ones every gym and boutique studio seems to have (sorry they suck) and they actually work my legs while I do exercises with them. I will admit I have a lot of strength in my legs so other people may like the ones they have at gyms, but if you want a challenge definitely get these.
Ideal Lean Protein Powder
It’s no surprise that I’m an avid protein powder user. I think it’s the best way to increase the taste and protein in your smoothies and plain greek yogurt. My favorite kind is Ideal Lean because it’s low calorie (90-100 calories) for 20 grams of protein and the taste is amazing. I’ve tried so many of their flavors and I’ve never had one I didn’t like. Some of my favorites: cake batter (always out of stock ugh), vanilla, chocolate fudge, cookies and cream and chocolate peanut butter.
What I especially like about this protein is it doesn’t bloat me like other whey proteins seem to do. I’ve never tried their vegan protein blend, but I’m sure it’s amazing. If you want to try directly from Ideal Lean’s website, use my referral link to purchase for 20% and we both get a discount (or use code KATIE-R1L2)
BCAA’s
Whether you are a weight lifter or a runner, I think it’s a smart decision to have BCAA’s, or some kind of electrolyte drink, on hand. I really do feel a difference when I use BCAAs during or after a workout. They’re used to boost muscle growth and enhance performance while claiming to aid in weight loss and muscle fatigue. I definitely feel a difference in muscle soreness when I do and do not use this.
With that being said, I don’t use BCAA’s every time I workout. I’ll use it when I know I’m going to have a strength heavy workout that will likely leave me feeling sore, especially my leg days. When I was training for my half marathon, I used BCAA’s (with electrolytes) after my long runs to help with fatigue.
I think that covers all of my must-have Amazon items. If you buy any of these, please let me know how you like them with a DM to my Instagram @breathesweateat!