10 Amazon Purchases I Can't Live Without
Truth: I am totally addicted to Amazon Prime. I think living in a big city where there was constantly traffic and the idea of driving to the store was less than appealing is what really got me hooked at the beginning, but now that I've been a Prime member for a few years now, I can say that I just love the convenience and variety of everything you can get on Amazon now.
I thought it might be fun to share the top 10 things I've purchased on Amazon that I use every single day and love dearly since I get asked about so many of them regularly anyways.
1. Matt & Nat Vegan Leather Backpack
I've had this backpack for two years now, and I don't think there is a single item in my closet I get my questions or compliments on - it's really that good! Made of vegan leather, it's the perfect size (and comes in a ton of color options), fits my laptop perfectly, and doesn't stain or scratch no matter how much you put it through. I've taken this backpack pretty much everywhere with me - dozens of flights, to and from the yoga studio, and just about anywhere in between. It's stylish enough that I don't feel weird wearing it in public and small enough that it doesn't overpower me (I'm 5'0" and so many bags look ginormous on my frame).
2. Hydroflask
My husband thinks I am insane because of how attached I am to my reusable water bottle - I take it with me everywhere. I try to get drink at least two of these daily (3 now that I'm pregnant and need way more water than normal), and the 32 oz. is the perfect size. I also bought this sippy lid for my bottle and it makes drinking water way easier. I could go on and on about the importance of using your own water bottle, but seriously - if you're still buying plastic water bottles, do yourself (and the environment) a favor and get one of these instead!
3. Anker Portable Charger
I really wish I could say that I do a great job of staying off of my phone most of the day, but that's just not the case, especially because 99% of my client work is done over the phone and I'm super addicted to the "notes" app - I write everything down in there! This portable charger/external battery saves me on the daily - it holds 3 full charges for the iPhone and charges pretty quickly, too. I usually plug it in every couple of days and then keep it in my bag with an extra USB cable for all of the instances I desperately need a charge but am nowhere near home or my car. These also make the most practical, affordable gifts!
4. Beats by Dre Headphones
I got these as a Christmas gift from my husband last year and now I have no idea how I lived without them for so long. I love to listen to music or podcasts when I'm hanging out at home, cleaning dishes, doing the laundry, etc. but blasting the volume around the entire house isn't always practical.
5. Erbaviva Organic Deodorant
I've been using this organic deodorant for 4 years now and when I ran out earlier this summer I decided to try a few other options since there are so many out there now (switch things up, katie!). The verdict? I pretty much despise every other natural option compared to this one. Seriously though, I love this deodorant more than any other beauty or skincare product I own. Not only does it smell divine (I prefer the jasmine grapefruit scent), it's also a spray which means there is no gooey residue or white film that gets in your clothes. I carry the smaller size around in my purse and yoga bag, too. If you've been on the hunt for a natural deodorant, try this one!
6. Sleepshirt
I have a very specific evening and sleep routine (you can read more about it here) and one of the things I'm weird about is what I sleep in. I hope I'm not alone in this, but sleeping in something that is both cute and comfortable tends to put me in a better mood when I wake up the next morning - I understand the love for a big oversized t-shirt, but if it's gross and has stains all over it, there is no way I'm going to wake up, look at myself in a mirror and feel cute first thing in the morning. This sleepshirt is basically a softer, cuter version of an oversized tee and I love it so much that I actually bought a second one to wear when I haven't done the laundry in time.
7. Natural Calm Magnesium
I don't feel like I need to profess my love for this product any more than I already have (check out my post on the importance of magnesium here), but I'll just say this : if you experience any form of stress in your life (physical tension, emotional stress, stress from work, life etc.) or you drink caffeine (which depletes your body's natural magnesium stores), you should be supplementing with this product! I truly can't live without it and notice my anxiety levels and sleep quality are totally affected when I skip a few days. I give this stuff to pretty much all of my family members and even carry the travel-size packets with me just in case.
8. Laptop Table
I made this purchase on a whim one afternoon when I was sitting at my desk and really wanted to move to the couch to put my feet up and be a little more comfortable but didn't want to prop my laptop up on my belly (I don't like the idea of a hot piece of technology baking on top of my growing child). I'm pretty sure my husband thought I was insane when it arrived, but I have used this laptop table every. single. day. since. It's great for those times when you want to lay on the bed or couch with your computer but need a steady surface. I love that it's also foldable (I keep it folded flat under the bed) and you can change the height/angle of the table easily.
9. Stasher Bags
A little over a year ago, Blair and I made the decision to stop using single-use plastics (plastic straws, ziploc bags, etc.) and invest in some alternative options instead. This was the first purchase we made and now I have no idea how we lived without them for so long - they work just like a ziploc bag, can be cleaned in the dishwasher, and come in every shape and size we would ever need. I use them to carry around snacks, vitamins when I'm on the go, and when we're traveling. I also love that they are a little thicker than ziploc bags because my food doesn't get squished as easily! It's the little things.
10. Alaskan Glacial Mud Mask
I am not a beauty junkie at all. In fact, I try to keep my makeup and skincare routine as minimal as possible, both for my wallet and also because I really dislike the process of getting ready/putting on makeup in general. There is one thing, though, that I have purchased over and over again and it's this mud mask. I love that it's ready to use (i.e. you don't have to mix it with water like the other clay masks out there), slightly tingles when it's on, smells amazing, and also doubles as a gentle exfoliant scrub in addition to a mask. I apply it with this brush every few days and swear it has changed the texture of my skin for the better.
So, there you have it! What are your Amazon must-haves? I'm thinking of making this a regular series every month and sharing my latest and greatest finds!