What did we do in the days before Amazon Prime? I can hardly remember. Probably buy a whole lot less stuff that we had no idea we needed. Back in the day, we had to rely on television commercials to let us know what we were missing. In the early 80s, HSN and QVC launched, but who really had the patience to watch 30-minute commercials essentially for a product. Apparently, many people due to the success of QVC (which now owns HSN), but TV shopping was not for me.
When online shopping began, I was delighted at the possibility. What full-fledged shop-o-holic wouldn’t be? I worked in the internet industry, so it was an easy transition to shop online. Now, a relatively short time later, I do most of my shopping online. With Covid, that percentage has increased dramatically. Could you imagine quarantine without the internet?
Amazon is not just a giant retailer but often the only place you can find those items you really need. Early in the pandemic, I ordered weights and a Pulse Oximeter from Amazon when you couldn’t find them anywhere else. Of course, I have ordered my fair share of misses like the crepe-making set, which wasn’t as easy as it looked, and storage kitchen containers which were pictured as much larger than they actually were. But those are really operator errors now, aren’t they?
But this year, I bought some truly life-changing items, including the GE Opal Ice Machine, which makes perfect ice and microfiber cleaning cloths, which has cut our paper towel usage in half. Below are my top purchases from Amazon this year in no particular order.
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25 Best Amazon Purchases
- The Fitlife Resistance Band Set – My Peloton has been a lifesaver. About halfway into the quarantine, I decided to add their strength classes to my workout routine. I joined an amazing Facebook group focused on Peloton strength and ordered these resistance bands for the classes that require them. I am finally starting to see a little definition in my muscles and am so grateful for the group that takes the guesswork out of what classes to take. If you are interested in joining, drop a comment, and I will invite you to this private FB group.
- GE Profile Nugget Ice Machine – No joke this product has been life-changing. I don’t drink coffee, but I drink lots of iced tea. Most days, I would go out and buy iced tea. Turns out at least 50% of what makes iced tea good is the ice. So investing in a good ice machine was critical for making tea at home. Devotees have given these frozen chunks of goodness the esteemed title of Sonic Ice. If you know. You know!
- Bridawn Nylon Tote Organizer – If you follow me on Instagram, you know I love a good designer bag. This inexpensive tote organizer keeps all your stuff organized but also protects your bag from damage. I put one in each of my designer bags.
- Rainbow Tile Enamel bracelet – If you like the look of Roxanne Assoulin bracelets but not the price, these fun enamel bracelets are for you. At a fraction of the cost, you can invest in a whole arm full.
- The Alchemist: 25th Anniversary Edition Hardcover – The Alchemist is a classic book about following your dreams and finding your destiny. I solely read on Kindle these days, but a classic like The Alchemist belongs on every bookshelf. I keep hard copies of classics and my favorites.
- Joyaria Women’s Sleep Set – So similar to the super-popular Nordstrom pajama set that I bet you can’t tell the difference. So cozy and available in a ton of color combinations at a fraction of the Nordy price.
- AirPods Pro – I am late to the AirPod bandwagon, but I am finally on board. I ordered these, so I don’t disturb my kids during online school while rocking out on my Peloton. The AirPod Pro has longer battery life, better sound quality, and a more comfortable fit than their predecessor. Definitely worth the upgrade.
- Friends: The Complete Series – I love that a whole new generation is hooked on my favorite show from the 90s. My daughter has watched the complete series a few times. This makes a great gift for your Friends, loving friends, and family.
- Preston Tilt & Fold Griddle – It is both a blessing and a curse that we are cooking at home more. A curse because I really don’t like to cook, and I get bored with my own cooking fast! A blessing because I discovered the best recipe for Pancakes. Thank you, Martha Stewart. The key is buttermilk! It makes all the difference. I love making pancakes on the weekends so much I invested in a quality griddle. I love this Tilt & Fold griddle, which is so easy to store.
- Joby Gorillapod – I take all my own pictures for StyleDahlia. Over time, I have learned more about getting a good shot. This small tripod is great for traveling, or any time you want to be less conspicuous when taking a photo. The flexible arms can grip almost anything, including railings, branches, or car doors. A must-have for any budding influencer. Isn’t everyone an influencer in some respects these days?
- Bamboo Plant Stand 2-Tier – Another thing that has given me joy while staying at home is my plants. I have become quite the plant mom. I definitely don’t have a green thumb, but I am learning. This fun plant stand is perfect for showing off some of your precious babies. I have mine next to my tub.
- L’Oreal Paris Root Boost – When we first went into lockdown, I discovered this product. After several months of closed salons, my natural color was making an unwelcome appearance. After briefly considering going all-in on grey, a friend recommended this product to cover my roots. Thank god! It allowed me to hold over until I could see my stylist again.
- Simple Modern Classic Tumbler 28oz. With Straw – This may be my favorite purchase all year. The ice machine is key, but this keeps my ice tea cold all day. I have two now. One dedicated to iced tea and another for water and my Peloton. My daughter has one, and she has significantly upped her water intake, which is always a good thing.
- Shiseido Facial Razor – The Tinkle Razor is popular online, but this Shiseido Korean Razor is far superior. I’ve been using it for years. All women should be shaving their face. Seriously! A hair-free face creates the perfect canvas for your makeup. If you haven’t tried it, you definitely should!
- Microfiber Cleaning Cloth – The paper product shortage made me realize just how dependant we are on paper towels. I decided to research alternatives to paper towels and came across these microfiber cloths. They work as a great substitute for paper towels. When they are dirty, just toss them in the wash and then reuse.
- Bamboo Large Drawer Dividers – We have several big kitchen drawers that hold knives, which is very difficult to organize. These bamboo dividers are spring-loaded to fit most depths and help organize those larger kitchen items. I am a sucker for simple organization hacks. This one works great.
- Walker Edison Modern Round Side Table – Another inexpensive plant table. I like to layer the heights of my plants in their groupings, and this table is perfect for adding height. The top is faux marble and can easily be used in any space from your living room to your bathroom.
- Besmon Pet Hair Remover for Laundry – Toss these in the washer or dryer depending on your level of need. The special rubber will collect pet hair and lint as your clothes wash or dry. I usually just put in with the wash and remove it when clothes are dry.
- The Comfy Original – Last year, this robe/blanket was all the rage amongst teenagers. I figured it was a fad, but honestly, the Comfy is pretty ingenious and perfect for a cold morning, cozy movie watching, or just plain hanging around when the temperature drops. I am sure it will be popular again this winter, especially with us staying home more.
- Sticky Traps for Plants – I must confess that I overwatered my plants beforehand, worrying they would wilt in the heat when we left for Catalina. We returned home to an infestation of Fungus Gnats. Ugh! It took us about a month to get it under control. I was pulling my hair out the whole time. I keep these sticky traps in the plants which are most prone to flies. They are attracted to the color and stick to the paper. I change them out once a week or as needed.
- 2021 Planner – Aren’t we all ready to be done with 2020! I ordered my 21 planner yesterday with hopes that 2021 will be a far superior year. I have the same planner each year and like to keep them together and to look consistent.
- Pilates Ring – Sadly, I gave up my Club Pilates membership as a result of Covid. It just doesn’t feel safe for me to do group exercise: no judgment here, just my personal opinion. You do you. I miss the intense core workout that Pilates offers, and as of now, Peloton doesn’t offer Pilates though they just announced Barre, which I will try eventually. So I ordered a Pilates ring to do my 100’s and other Pilates moves I miss.
- AmazonBasics Dog Poop Bags – Ok! I know it is kinda strange to list poop bags as a top purchase, but I tried these after reading reviews on how great they are, and they were not wrong. They are great! Strong and easy to open, which is a common problem with this type of bag. Plus, I never understood why they made poop bags in bright colors and silly patterns like some luxury accessory. Black is best. Give them a try; you will not be disappointed.
- Lux Doggy Bed – My pups love to sit on the back of the couch. They are fairly small, but eventually, they will break down the pillows. So to protect my pillows, I purchased a sofa table and placed these dog beds on top. I know seriously stylish decor in my family room, but It has helped. They sleep in the beds the majority of the time. The Lux Doggy Bed is supposed to reduce anxiety, but I have no idea if that is true. My dogs like the cozy bed, and that is all that matters.
- Simpli-Magic Spinning Mop System – I was bamboozled into the Joy mop. What an overpriced piece of junk. It definitely doesn’t work well at all! So disappointed (add that to my Amazon fails). Then I picked up this Simpli-Magic mop at a fraction of the price; it works great! My whole house is wood floors, so we have A LOT of mopping to do. I need something that works well and doesn’t drown my floors. This mop is truly MAGIC!
Prime Day Details
Amazon Prime Day is coming on Oct 13-14th. If you are interested in any of these items, you can Favorite them, and Amazon will notify you if the price drops on Prime Day! What is on your shopping list?
As the year winds down, the sales always speed up. Make sure to check back regularly for all the latest sales and fashion finds. I would love it if you followed me on Instagram for my everyday outfits or on Pinterest for my fashion inspiration. StyleDahlia is a fashion and lifestyle website with a modern take on midlife. We hope to inspire you to step out of your comfort zone, try new things, and live your life in full bloom.
