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I have those go-to products that I use almost every day that I would find it hard to live without. I’m sure you do too! Some of these things you should buy that make life better, also make life easier. Read on to see if you agree.
1. Bunny Eyez Reading Glasses
I saw Bunny Eyez reading glasses advertised on Good Morning America and knew I had to have them!! They are tiltable,
The sisters came up with pretty, comfortable and functional eyeglasses that allow you to wear them the traditional way, but tilt and flip them for other uses!
When I realized they were not only selling them on their website but on Amazon too, I bought another pair! As far as best things to buy, the Bunny Eyez reading glasses are a winner at around $35!
Customer Review of Bunny Eyez Reading Glasses…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Love them! I wear both reading and distance glasses and these are fabulous! I can now tilt the lenses so that I can watch tv and read in bed. I currently have them on and can appreciate that I can flip them down to see the keyboard and read the type on the computer.”
2. Cricut Maker or Cricut Explore Air 2
*My FAVORITE item on the list of 10 best things to buy that make life better*
If you don’t know anything about Cricut machines like the ones here…just know this: They make your life a whole lot better and easier! You can pretty much make anything from these crafty die-cutting machines.
I own the Cricut Maker which is the latest machine that also cuts hundreds of materials quickly and accurately, from delicate fabric paper and fabric to matboard and balsa wood and leather.
You can make personal items for yourself, your family, friends and your home! You can even start a business making Cricut projects you can sell on Etsy, eBay, your own website, craft fairs, Facebook groups and more! My post, 5 Very Easy Cricut Vinyl Projects to Sell, will get you started if making and selling products with the Cricut is something that interests you!
If you want to channel your inner Marie Kondo, you can use the Cricut machine and this assortment of vinyl sheets to label almost anything in your house! My first project was for these two very simple Cricut ideas for beginners to brighten up my garage.
Customer Review of the Cricut Maker…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“Only had it for a few days, hooked it up, downloaded software, started using right away. I’m a first time user of any die cut tool so can’t compare to others, but this Cricut Maker is super easy! My wife, not very tech or tool savvy, loves it and has already made a few fun projects…”
3. Echo Dot Third Generation
I don’t know what I’d do without my Echo Dot! We keep it in our kitchen where I spend most of my time. I absolutely love the Echo Dot’s feature for putting lists together. I can look in the pantry and refrigerator right before I’m going shopping and just ask Alexa to add an item to my grocery list. When I open the Alexa app on my phone (which was super simple to set up), voila! My list is complete!
What Else Can The Echo Dot 3rd Generation Do?
I can ask my Echo Dot to tell me the weather in the city my daughter’s track meet will be that afternoon or give me the news or play music. Suggestion…ask Alexa to play Good Morning by Mandisa to get your day started!
Set a timer for those brownies in the oven or a reminder to take your vitamins. Want to go out to dinner and see a movie tonight? Just ask Alexa for restaurant hours and movie times. Making dinner and up to your elbows in ground meat but need to return a phone call? Your Echo Dot will allow you to call almost anyone hands-free! Even control compatible smart home devices! Want to see what else the Echo Dot can do? Check out all of the Echo Dot’s features here.
Customer Review of the Echo Dot 3rd Generation…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I had no idea I’d love Alexa so much – I wake up in the morning and she does the routine I’ve set up, and so comforting and useful and fun overall. My husband and I played Skills trivia games for hours last night. If we had kids it would be even more super useful (kids workouts, stories, games) – we even had a goodnight story read to us by Alexa and it was awesome. I’m really loving it…”
4. Shark Rocket Ultra-Light Corded Bagless Vacuum
I have a big powerful (and heavy) vacuum that I use on
At under 8lbs, it’s light enough to carry easily with one hand so I can carry it up and down the stairs with ease. I also like the bagless aspect of it so I can see the amount of dog and cat fur I’m picking up! It converts easily into a hand vac and comes with micro tools to clean tiny spaces…including your car! With swivel steering, you can get around most of your furniture too. Honestly, I don’t mind vacuuming with the Shark Rocket.
Most days, you will find my Shark Rocket vacuum sitting out in my house because I can grab it and do some quick cleaning any time I need it. I can clean my hardwood floors and with one finger switch the cleaning mode over to the
Customer Review of the Shark Rocket Vacuum…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I love this vacuum. I’ve owned 2 Dyson’s…the animal, and a handheld cordless. I thought the more expensive, the better…but so WRONG!!! The animal is huge, heavy and cumbersome. I found I would rather sweep up the mess than haul that thing out. So I purchased the cordless Dyson hand vac. But had to replace the battery twice and the charging cord once.
This time I decided to go with a Corded hybrid and found this incredible SHARK VAC! It’s insanely light, maneuverable, compact, and easy to store. The suction is way more powerful than the Dyson handheld cordless, probably because it’s plugged into power rather than using a battery. It’s as easy to empty as both the Dyson’s, but unlike the Dyson’s, it can get under the bed and furniture because of its low profile. AT HALF THE COST! WHAT!!??…”
5. The Miracle Morning Book
The Miracle Morning Book: The Not So Obvious Secret Guaranteed to Transform Your Life (Before 8:00 a.m.) was a discovery I made last summer that changed my whole morning routine. This book was so powerful in my life that it helped me reach my goal of achieving a qualifying time in the Philadelphia Marathon to run the Boston Marathon in 2020.
Just to be clear, The Miracle Morning isn’t a running book. Written by Hal Elrod, who literally died at the age of 20 when his car was hit head-on by a drunk driver. His heart stopped beating for six minutes and he had eleven broken bones. He ended up in a coma for six days. When he woke up, he was told he would probably never walk again.
Hal did walk again. He also ran a 52-mile ultra marathon and went on to achieve numerous business as well as personal successes (marriage and kids) all before the age of 30.
Then in 2016, Hal was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of leukemia that was causing his kidney, lungs and heart to start failing. After enduring the toughest year of his life, Hal is now cancer free.
If you need that extra “something” in your life to give you more energy, motivation, and purpose…please don’t pass on The Miracle Morning Book! You can transform your life by tomorrow morning by reading this book. Also right now, you can read this book for free with a Kindle Unlimited membership (try your first month for free).
Customer Review of The Miracle Morning…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐”This book changed my life in one sitting. Hal Elrod’s personal life story was so inspiring, all I could think about was how blessed I was without realizing it, and what an amazing person this author was for what he had to endure in his life. I had NO reason to complain any longer!
Not only did his story inspire me to become a better person all around, his Miracle Morning helped me create a solid plan for my every day to form habits that successful people have, which put me in the mindset for success every day.”
Related Posts on Gifts and Gift Guides:
- 8 Best Inspirational Gift Ideas For Teenage Girls
- 10 Perfect Valentine’s Day Gifts For Men Under $30
- Last Minute Gift Ideas For Anyone on Your List: This One Strategy Works Every Time!
6. The Five-Minute Journal Diary
The Five-Minute Journal goes hand-in-hand with The Miracle Morning book. One of Hal Elrod’s morning rituals includes writing or journaling. The Five-Minute Journal helps you to cultivate gratitude and start the day on a positive note. This journal diary seriously only takes you five minutes to fill out both in the morning and at night.
The Five-Minute Journal offers you 3 prompts for the morning and two at night. The morning prompts are:
- I am grateful for…
- What would make today great?
- Daily affirmations. I am…
The evening prompts are:
- 3 Amazing things that happened today…
- How could I have made today even better?
In addition to the prompts, included at the top of each page is a quote, or a weekly challenge. An example of a challenge would be, spend 20 minutes planning how you could help a friend. Share your plan with them this week.
Could you just skip buying this writing journal and use a copybook instead? Of course! However, there’s something about a nice, hardback journal diary to make you want to write. Each journal diary lasts six months and looks great in your bookcase when completed. It’s also fun to go back and read what you wrote in previous months!
For only $24.99 and over 2,000, 5-star reviews, it’s one of the best things to buy to make life better by far!
Customer Review of The Five-Minute Journal…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I am guilty of having collected dozens of journals and notebooks throughout my life, with the same result every time: excitedly writing in them for a few days (or a few weeks if I’m lucky) and then slowly forget about them – mostly due to the amount of time and energy it takes to keep one up.
If you’re like me – this is the perfect answer! It truly takes 5 minutes to fill out the section and it is difficult to find an excuse NOT to do it each day….”
7. Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender
I bought my Blendtec Total Classic Original Blender 4 or 5 years ago after using my father’s Vitamix Explorian Blender. I absolutely love these high-quality blenders that mix both dry and wet ingredients like a boss. I chose the Blendtec vs. the Vitamix mainly because the Blendtec was slightly cheaper and a little quieter (just a little quieter:)
I use my Blendtec 4 or 5 times a week to make a protein shake. The smoothie/shake setting is one of 6 pre-programmed cycles so it’s super easy to make. Plus, it includes a 10-speed manual control with the ability to achieve a variety of textures.
If you’re interested in a good protein shake recipe this is mine:
Blendtec Blender Almond Butter Chocolate Protein Shake Recipe
- 8oz. of Silk Almond Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1 scoop of Vega Sport Protein Powder in Chocolate (I love this protein powder–so tasty!)
- 1 banana
- 1 tablespoon of Justin’s Classic Almond Butter
- 1/4 cup of oats (optional)
- A handful of spinach leaves (optional)
- 5 to 6 ice cubes
My daughter also loves her fruit smoothies made in the Blendtec, especially after school. Here’s her favorite smoothie recipe:
Blendtec Blender Best Banana Strawberry Smoothie Recipe
- 4oz. of Silk Almond Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1 banana
- 4-5 strawberries
- A handful of blueberries
- Icelandic Provisions Strawberry Lingonberry Skyr (found in the yogurt section of most grocery stores)
- 4-5 ice cubes
Customer Review of Blendtec Blender…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I’ve had my eye on getting a nice blender, and I went with Blendtec over Vitamix. Everyone will have their preference, but I went with Blendtec because I’ve seen how durable they are. I worked at Starbucks for almost 12 years, and not once did I see a Blendtec go out. We abused those things so badly: throwing pitchers in the sink, slamming the blades on the rinser, seeing liquid creep into the motor housing. The pitcher style pours so easily, the base is short enough to fit under my cabinets, and everything blends so smoothly. It’s not quiet, but blenders really shouldn’t be…”
8. Collagen Peptides Powder
Last summer I started taking collagen peptides in my morning coffee after researching the benefits of collagen. I was training for a fall marathon and wanted something extra to help relieve the stress I was putting on my muscles and bones.
Collagen Peptides Benefits
Collagen makes up 30 percent of all proteins in the body and functions to hold the body together. It works to support healthy hair, nails, skin, and joints. Collagen production starts to decline around our mid 20’s and isn’t replaced. I was mainly interested in helping joint recovery after long runs; the other benefits of collagen were a bonus!
I purchased Multi Collagen Protein Powder by Ancient Nutrition as well as the stick packets of Collagen Peptides by Sports Research. Collagen stick packets were easier to pack for our trip to Iceland last summer.
Collagen For Joints
Can I say for sure that the collagen helped with my marathon training? I don’t know but my training went great! I had less soreness after long runs and trained more days than I had for past marathons. My goal was to achieve a Boston Marathon qualifying time (which I had never done before) and I succeeded! In fact, I beat my last marathon time (five years ago) by approximately 16 minutes!
Collagen for Hair
After the marathon, I drifted away from the collagen. I just forgot to reorder it one day when I ran out. A couple of months after that, I noticed more and more hair coming out in my comb after my showers. I thought back to the other benefits of collagen. This time I purchased Multi Collagen Peptides Type I, II, III, V and X by Code Age. I thought I would try this collagen because of no other reason than the additional types of collagen included (II, V, and X).
Soon after starting this collagen powder, less and less hair was coming out in my comb! That was enough for me to get back on the collagen train! However, I didn’t notice any difference with my nails. I used to have really nice nails and for the past few years, they’ve become brittle and easily break. So, I looked for another collagen to try.
Collagen for the Nails
This time I chose Physician’s Choice brand of collagen peptides which contains Type I & III collagen (I’ve learned that listing all the different Types of collagen on a container is more a marketing ploy to trip up consumers than anything else). Collagen Types I & III comprise 90% of all the collagen made in the body so if you need to replace collagen in the body, these two types should do it.
Its been about a week of giving this collagen a chance to work its magic and I’m starting to see an improvement in my nails. It may be too early to tell but I’m keeping my fingers crossed!
With all of the different collagens I’ve tried so far, I’ve also seen an improvement in the texture of my skin so I’m definitely sticking with it!
Customer Review of Physician’s Choice Collagen…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“I try new products monthly. My cupboards are full of ‘miracle cures’ that were useless to me. This product is the happy exception! From the first time I used it, I noticed a difference in my eating patterns and cravings. I’ve been taking this product for a few weeks and the effects have been transformational. It tamed my constance hunger and cravings for sugar to the point I have no interest in desert even when it’s in front of me. I feel very satisfied with small, healthy, simple meals. No more processed food. No more diet soda. No more carbs and salty snacks. Thank you for this true miracle in my life!”
9. The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants
These pants are probably my favorite out of this list of 10 things to buy to make life better! The summer before our family went to Iceland, I looked for lightweight, comfortable hiking pants that would dry quickly. The North Face Aphrodite 2.0 pants fit the bill! I liked these pants so much that I purchased a second pair in a different color.
I hiked in my North Face Aphrodite pants, lounged in them, and wore them out to casual dinners. Once back home from vacation, they became my favorite go-to pants. In these pants, I can hang out, walk the dog, run errands, work in the yard, have a casual lunch with friends and so much more! I also packed these pants for our trip to Ireland last summer and they were my go to pants once again.
In fact, I’m wearing them now as I write this post! A bonus? I think they make your booty look especially good;)
Customer Review of the North Face Aphrodite 2.0 Pants…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐I love these pants. I wore them hiking through the sweltering jungles of Sumatra and just recently Death Valley. Light, stretchy, quick drying…the perfect pant.
10. Kettlebells
I can’t say enough good things about the benefits of owning kettlebells! Yes, I can say that they are definitely one of the products that make a woman’s life better!
Why Kettlebells?
Combining strength and aerobic training, kettlebell workouts are proven to torch calories AND improve muscle tone and flexibility. It’s a highly effective workout tool.
There are so many exercises that can be done with just one Kettlebell. However, having a few that range in weight can offer unlimited exercises and levels of difficulty.
Kettlebell for Beginners
For me, kettlebells provide a total body workout on days I don’t run. I can also throw a couple of them in the car when I head to the beach on vacation. In addition, you will never get bored with the limitless kettlebell workouts available on YouTube and Instagram! If you’re a beginner, you can start with a kettlebell workout DVD like the Ultimate Kettlebell Workouts for Beginners.
Best Kettlebells
I like these vinyl coated kettlebells on Amazon for two reasons. One, vinyl coated kettlebells feel better on your hands. There are many exercises where you hold the “bell”– the vinyl coated part of the kettlebell. And two, if you have an Amazon Prime membership, these heavy kettlebells ship for free!
Customer Review of Vinyl Coated Kettlebell…
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐“This is actually a great kettlebell for the price. It’s also much smaller than other coated kettlebells I have, so great space-wise. The handle is a perfect size for two hand grabbing, not all of my kettlebells are. I was worried the handle might not be smooth, but it is powder coated and has a great feel when I swing it. I’m going to order more before they disappear.”
What products do you love? What do you think of this list of the 10 best things you should buy that make life better?
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