If you’re anything like me, you use the phrase “I bet that’s on Amazon!” daily. Your Amazon delivery driver probably knows an erratic twenty-something lives at your address – because he gets to visit you once a week. Sometimes multiple times a week. You want to stop feeding the Bezos, you really do… but you’re also agoraphobic from the past year and a half spent at home and everything you order comes in two days or less.
Am I off base?
It’s officially 2022 (how the heck did that even happen? Anyway…), so I thought I would share my top Amazon orders from the last year! Without further ado, go ahead and scroll.
1. The Most Flattering Leggings (with pockets!)
I recently ordered my second pair of the Kamo Fitness 25″ Inseam Kaya Leggings, and I may end up getting even more colors. They’re high-waisted with compression at the stomach, and at 25″, they’re the perfect full-length legging for me (I’m 5’2″). I’m obsessed with two other aspects of these leggings. They…have…pockets! It’s so convenient for when I’m at the gym and don’t want to set my phone on the ground, or when I’m going for a walk outside. The leggings also lack a front seam. I don’t know why legging manufacturers ever thought a seam going right up the middle of the pelvic area was a good idea – looks or comfort-wise – but I’m so thrilled that more and more activewear brands are shirking that pesky seam. The material is also very soft and brushed, and totally squat proof. I highly recommend these! I have the colors Moonless Black and Hunter Green. They’re great for working out and wearing day-to-day too. And at $32, they’re much more affordable than Lululemon or Athleta.
2. The Compact Storage Cart on Wheels
Living in an 800 square foot apartment, I am always on the prowl for ways to stay organized without overcrowding my space. I bought this SPACEKEEPER Slim Storage Cart on a whim when it was a on a Lightning Deal, and I have zero regrets. It’s super easy to assemble and comes in either three or four shelf options. I use mine in my bathroom to hold extra bath products and tissues. It’s very slim, so it doesn’t cramp up the area between the toilet and the tub, and it has wheels so you can easily move it while cleaning. It’s only $22, so I might grab another for my office to keep some of my crafting supplies and tools.
3. The Anti-Confusion Dishwasher Magnet
My fiancé and I found ourselves in a constant loop of asking “did you run the dishwasher?” “Is this dirty or clean?” The answer would usually be “I don’t know…” But no more of that time-wasting nonsense!
I was finally sick of it, so I found the BabyPop! Dishwasher Magnet Clean Dirty Sign Indicator and slapped it on the dishwasher. My fiancé was delighted by its simplicity and ease of use. All you have to do is slide the metal divider to “dirty” when you unload it, or slide it to “clean” once you start a wash cycle. My dishwasher is steel so the magnet worked perfectly, but if you have a non-metal finish on yours, the item comes with stickers to affix the sign. BabyPop! has a range of different styles as well, so if this one isn’t really your aesthetic, you can find another that does the trick. It’s currently only $9 and I think for that price, it’s more than worth it.
4. The Cute Gamer Grrrl Mouse
Okay, so firstly, I am old-fashioned in the way that I prefer wired mice. I do have a wireless Bluetooth mouse for work, but for gaming, I get too much lag and connection issues with wireless models. I’m an avid Simmer (if you want me to share more on that, let me know and I’ll prepare some fun content. Sul Sul!). I was sick of having to pause my game to troubleshoot my Bluetooth, turn off the mouse, turn it back on, et cetera, et cetera. So the simplest solution for me was to go with a nice, reliable corded mouse.
This one is my favorite – although its cord unfortunately met its end at my sweet rabbit’s chompers. I am now using one of my fiancé’s old mice, but when that one kicks the bucket (if it does), I’ll be repurchasing the seenda Wired USB Computer Mouse with RGB Backlit Optical LED. I have gotten multiple compliments on it because it’s just so cool. I got the pale purple color (of course) and immediately loved the comfortable fit. I have small hands, but I prefer bigger mice, and this one is a good size. It has a near-silent click, and the best part? The LED colors! You can toggle between four different lighting modes, and you can turn it off when it’s not being used. My favorite mode was rainbow! The cord is five feet, so a reasonable length, and it was highly accurate and did not disconnect or fail to respond at all. RIP to a real one.
*Note: my rabbit has been forgiven. It was less than $10, and he’s too precious to be mad at.*
5. The Quick & Easy Hair Waver
I got my hair cut from my lower back to my shoulders in late February or early March 2021, and I was just at a loss on how to style it. I’m used to having long mermaid locks, but after over a year of bleaching and coloring my hair, it was time to cut my losses (my damaged strands) and start fresh. My hair is naturally wavy, so I usually just let it air dry and it looks good. However, due to all the processing I had done on my hair previously, wash-and-go wasn’t really cutting it.
Amazon came to my rescue with the Aleath 32mm Jumbo 3 Barrel Hair Waver. I’ll be honest, at first it’s a little awkward to hold and use but once you get the hang of it, it’s so fast to use and the waves really stick. There’s also no crimp lines or dents from the barrels. The barrels themselves are 1.25 inches, which I think is the perfect wave size – not too tiny, not too big. It heats up much quicker than any of my other curling irons, and it has an automatic shut-off feature that turns the power off after one hour. No more rushing back home to check if you left the curling iron plugged in! My inner anxiety can be quelled! Another perk is that I’ve never had that burnt smell in my hair after using this – granted, I use heat protectant 98% of the time regardless. They often run coupons or deals on this item, so I would add it to your wishlist or just try it out to enjoy some quick, easy, and long-lasting mermaid waves.
6. The Sleek & Functional Oil Dispenser
Nothing peeves me more than when I reach to grab something out of my cupboard and it’s covered in something slimy. Inevitably, it’s usually my EVOO that has somehow managed to leak all over itself. Ugh.
I come across many of my Amazon finds while scrolling my For You page nowadays, and this item is one of my favorite TikTok discoveries. Eleton’s Planet Glass All-Purpose Cruet wandered its way into my cart and ended up on my doorstep, seemingly like most things I own. It was a teensy bit expensive at $29, but I used a gift card from Christmas so the price didn’t sting at all. I think it’s ultimately worth its price, though. It fits 30 ounces of oil, and the spout allows you to control your pour, from a straight pour to a drizzle. The fluted top prevents any oil from spilling down the sides, and also makes refilling it drip-free. I love the elegant organic shape, too. It’s definitely the new star of my kitchen counter!
7. The Skincare Routine Upgrade
This is absolutely NOT an essential, but for me, it kinda sorta has become one. I love adding little bits of luxury to my routines. I mean, why not? It makes me look forward to mundane activities like doing my skincare and to that effect, it ends up forcing me to perform those activities more often. I’ll be honest – for part of last year, I totally fell off of my skincare routine. I got hormonal breakouts, which discouraged me, but I also was just going through a bit of a plateau with my mental health the beginning of 2021. I was apathetic, often depressed, and just in a negative rut.
That’s why my newfound routines and habits have become so important to me. They’re there for me when I feel the lows slipping in, and they help me grow and improve when the highs come. I’ll get into all of this in the future, but for now, just know that romanticizing my routines and finding ways to add splendor to my daily life really boost consistency and stability in my habits. Thus, the CROWNFUL 10 Liter/12 Can Portable Mini Fridge Cooler and Warmer: a frivolity, but a necessary one. It keeps my skincare products and tools cold, which feels so soothing on my dry skin. Doubling as storage, this fridge is the perfect size for my day, night, and treatment products and it fits comfortably next to my vanity in my bedroom. It comes in a few colors as well. It has a handle on top for easy transportation and for its size, it’s very well-priced at $70. Bonus: you can use it as a warmer for towels!
8. The Non-Dairy Ice Cream Lover’s Prayer Answered
Okay, the title is a tad dramatic, but let me explain. I LOVE ice cream. My mom says maybe it’s because she drank many a milkshake when I was in utero. Regardless, the allergy gods frowned on me and said “dairy and you shall never agree.” I’m not sure if I’m lactose intolerant, casein intolerant, or what – but I’ve had to transition to a fully (or at least 90% of the time) non-dairy diet to resolve my GI issues. But what about my affinity for ice cream? I’m aware that non-dairy ice cream is readily available, but it’s often measurably more expensive than regular old ice cream. And I’m planning a wedding, so I’m looking to cut costs wherever I can.
The DASH My Pint Electric Ice Cream Maker is a compact, easy to store ice cream machine that makes a pint in less than 30 minutes. You do need to cool the container in the freezer beforehand and if you want a firmer consistency for the ice cream, it’s best to keep it in the freezer longer than normal. You can make gelato, sorbet (like I did), and any kind of non-dairy ice cream you desire! My fellow dairy intolerant folks, rejoice with me! It’s perfectly tiny to tuck away in a small freezer and simple to clean. Plus, it’s just $20! Win, win, win.
9. The Item Every Tea Collector Never Knew They Needed
I’m not the tea collector in our household – my fiancé is. He would argue with me on that, but I’m the coffee lover, and every coffee lover needs a tea lover to balance them out. He doesn’t like coffee (I know, we all have our flaws) and his momma also loves tea. We often get surplus tea from her as well. It’s good tea, so I will never complain! But remember, I don’t have much cupboard real estate in my little home. My tea cabinet began to overflow any time the door was opened, therefore, a storage solution needed to be reached.
I had seen tea organizers on TikTok (naturally) so off to Amazon I clicked. The mDesign Plastic Kitchen Countertop Organizer Storage Station was the choice I went with. I have lots of other organization products from mDesign and I highly recommend the brand. They’re versatile and of sturdy quality. This item comes with 3 drawers perfectly sized for tea bag packets, and I love that it’s a way to both store and display your tea collection. The drawers are fairly deep, and I can fit 2-3 boxes of tea bags in each drawer. It looks so much more clean and put together than a bunch of cardboard boxes stacked and shoved in a cupboard.
I hope this list of my top Amazon finds from 2021 gave you some ideas for your next order! Maybe you found a new storage solution or gadget that will enhance your everyday routine. Either way, make sure to let me know if you try any of these items and how you like them. I’ll be back with more Amazon finds soon!