19 Products I Swear By
Like the rich mom from Parasite, I prefer to have recommendations from people I know because it’s more trustworthy, especially since there are soooo many reviews online, often times contradicting one another. I’ve always wanted to make a list of products I’ve actually used and recommend. With the holiday shopping season now in motion, I figured now’s the best time to do so. From cleaning products, to board games, and travel bags, these are 19 products I live and swear by, and I think you’ll find at least one thing useful for yourself and/or your loved ones.
Away Suitcase: The Bigger Carry-On
$245 - $265
Away is a product my circle of friends and I all . have. The company is most known for their suitcases that have portable chargers. The four main suitcase products are The Carry-On (starting at $225), The Bigger Carry-On (starting at $245), The Medium (starting at $295), and The Large (starting at $325). The first two, as their name states, are the only ones that can fit in the airline overhead bins. They’re also the only ones out of the four to have the portable chargers (for an additional $20).
I never thought I’d ever buy an expensive suitcase but I was more inclined after watching countless YouTube video reviews. What sealed the deal was their lifetime warranty, which made the expense worth it to me. I chose the Bigger Carry-On instead of the standard Carry-On, and I’m glad I did because it holds just enough of my stuff on long trips. I can’t imagine this being the case had I had the smaller Carry-On. I like that it has an easily-ejectable charger and a TSA-approved lock. It comes with a black leather luggage tag, 360 degrees spinner wheels to ensure smooth rides, and a hidden laundry bag to keep your dirty clothes separate.
I bought the suitcase in white, which I knew would be bad because any scruffs or dirt marks would be noticeable. I had to check in my suitcase a few times and there are definitely noticeable scratches on it. But I don’t really mind as it still functions like normal.
Away also sells other types of suitcases (you have to pay attention because not all of them have chargers), as well as duffel bags, backpacks, totes, messenger bags, crossbody bags, sling bags, beanies, scarves, jewelry boxes, wallets, toiletry bags, packing cubes, garment sleeves, shoe cubes, travel pouches, luggage tags, socks, books, laptop bag, and this super cute miniature version of their classic suitcases.
Get $20 off your first suitcase or bag by using my referral link here.
Standard Baggu Set of 3
$36
Baggu is known for its line of stylish yet environmentally conscious bags. Founded by Emily Sugihara and her mother, Joan, their mission is to make bags “that fill many needs, are well-designed, are as affordable as possible and are produced in a way that’s mindful of the environment.” You can read more about their sustainability efforts on their website, which includes minimal waste design, designing for longevity, and using as few materials as possible, resulting in their bags being assembled from one continuous piece of recycled nylon material.
I purchased the Standard Baggu Set of 3 for $36, which comes with three standard bags that come with a reusable drawstring pouch. I chose the “Thank You” set because of the nostalgic designs that specifically call back to ones found at Asian grocery stores (look at the pink rose design!). Each bag carries 2-3 plastic grocery bags worth of stuff, up to 50 lbs, are made of recycled ripstop nylon, are machine washable, and can be folded and stored into their own individual pouches. You can buy individual bags for $16.
In addition to these reusable bags, Baggu also sells A LOT of other products, including: lunch bags, totes, fanny packs, cross body bags, backpacks, travel bags, packing cubes, 3D zip bags, pouches, laptop sleeves, glasses sleeves, earbuds cases, tablet sleeves, hats, scrunchies, face masks, keychains, lanyards, wallets, phone slings, wallets, reusable cloths, hand and bath towels, pillow cases, and more. They also have collaborations, such as The Met, Peanuts, the Simpsons, Where’s Waldo, and more.
Sustainable products are not always the cheapest, but I think the Baggu prices are fair and you can also split payments across multiple installments with AfterPay. Baggu also has stores in Brooklyn and San Francisco.
Bedshelfie
$39.99 - $59.99
The Bedshelfie is a great space-saving alternative to nightstands. It’s a minimalistic but useful product from former Disney Imagineer Chris Eng, inspired by Marie Kondo’s “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up.” Due to the placement of my bed and the type of room I have, I don’t have space to keep a nightstand next to my bed, which is important because I prefer to have a place next to where I sleep to keep my phone, charger, glasses, and other things.
I have the original BedShelfie in black. It’s super easy and fast to install and requires no assembly (I literally just had to place it next to my bed and tighten the clamps). It’s not particularly large (it’s 13.75” x 9.5”), but it’s enough to fit my 13” laptop if I wanted to. And it can hold up to 15 lbs of bedside items!
The product is also offered in larger sizes and different styles, like for beds that don’t have bed frames. And I just saw they’re now offering versions with cupholders!
The model that I got (original, black) is currently $46.99 (down from $49.99), so it’s relatively affordable. But the original in “natural” or “white” is cheaper at $39.99. The large size runs $54.99 to $59.99, the slides (for platform beds) run between $49.99 and $54.99, and the cupholder model is $39.99.
Blueland Hand Soap Duo
$30
Blueland was founded by Sarah Paiji Yoo to cut down on the use of plastic (Americans dispose of an average of 200 pounds of plastic per person per year). She was inspired after researching the safeness of tap water vs. bottled water for infants, horrified upon finding out bottle water contained microplastics. Blueland specialties in dissolvable cleaning tablets that replace common household products. It’s so simple—and ingenious!
I purchased the Hand Soap Duo, which comes with 2 glass reusable “Forever Bottles” and six plastic-free refill tablets (in 3 different scents: Iris Agave, Perrine Lemon, and Lavender Eucalyptus). This makes a total of six hand soap bottles before needing to order refill tablets (which are $2 each and sold three at a time).
Making the hand soaps is extremely easy to do. You just fill your bottle to a specified line with warm or hot water, drop in a tablet, and wait about 30 minutes for it to dissolve before finally using it. I thought hot water would work best but found that warm water is better at dissolving the tablet.
I also subscribe for refills every three months (you can choose between every month to up to every four months). Under this subscription I pay $9.90 to receive six soap tablets (two Agave, two Perrine Lemon, and two Lavender Eucalyptus). With only two hand soap stations in my apartment (the sink and the bathroom), I found my refill rate was too fast (as of this writing I still have 17 unused tablets). So now I’ve changed it to every four months.
I really don’t have any complaints about Blueland! The fact that the bottles are made of glass does make me paranoid that I’ll accidentally knock it over and break it, but it’s been almost a year and I haven’t had anything close to that happening. It’s simple and easy, and it’s nice not having to remember to buy new soap all the time. I just receive new tablets in the mail and I’m always well-stocked. I plan on purchasing their laundry cleaning kit soon.
In addition, they offer other products, including: multi-surface cleaners, bathroom cleaners, glass and mirror cleaners, dish soap and shaker, dishwasher tablets, dryer balls, cloths, and sponges. Right now they’re offering special holiday soap tablets (with Gingerbread, Evergreen, and Peppermint scents) and a limited edition Mickey & Friends collaboration. Blueland offers free shipping for orders over $35 and, as of this writing, you can get 20% off sitewide using their seasonal code HOLIDAY20.
Brooklinen Waffle Bath Sheets
$85
When the pandemic forced me to work from home it also made me do something I never did before—invest in making my home feel like home. That meant buying artwork, decorations, home office essentials, a comforter and duvet cover, as well as the super comfortable waffle bath sheets from Brooklinen. I’ve always bought cheap towels from places like Target and they do the job. But then I learned about “waffle towels,” which supposedly absorb moisture better, dry faster, and take up less storage space.
Brooklinen has a Waffle Towels collection, ranging from $15 washcloths, $35 hand towels, to $85 bath sheets. You can also purchase bundles between $125 and $189 that includes pairs of towels/bath sheets, hand towels, washcloths, and bath mats. I ended up getting the $85 bath sheets (it come with two) instead of the $65 bath towels because bath sheets are larger. I was worried about spending so much money on towels but, honestly, the waffle bath sheets I got are amazing. They’re so soft, lightweight, and really do dry quickly. I prefer using this as opposed to my standard towels. If you’re willing to spend a little more to make your home more comfortable, I definitely recommend these waffle bath sheets. They’re 350 GSM and run 40” x 65”. As of this writing Brooklinen is having a 20% sitewide sale for Black Friday.
Catan Starfarers
$99
This is the only product on this list that I don’t actually own, but my friend Daniel does, and I’ve played it a couple times with him! Anyone who knows me knows I love Settlers of Catan, which is possibly my favorite board game of all time. Having now played Catan Starfarers I think this might be the best version of Catan… ever. Yes, I said it!
This isn’t a game I would advise you play with people who aren’t already familiar with the mechanics of the original Catan. It’s best played with experienced Catan players. Starfarers still has the same basic elements (trading and buying resources, building “settlements” on different “lands,” etc.) but it makes it even more fun and exciting by introducing so many new elements, which justifies the nearly $100 price tag. Each player is given a physical spaceship that you’ll use to influence the game. You can buy upgrades for your spaceship that will influence how fast you move across the board, how strong your spaceship is against opponents, and more. Each spaceship also contains different colored balls which equate to different speed levels, and when you shake your spaceship, it’ll show two balls, i.e. your speed for that turn. Also new are “events,” in which you’ll interact with space pirates, traders, or more, and the game is impacted based on your response to each event (for example, how much of your resources you’re willing to offer a character).
If you are a fan of the original Catan then I think you’ll love Catan Starfarers.
Conair Compact Luggage Scale
$22.50
I’m a Southwest Airlines loyalist, and those who fly Southwest know the company lets you check in two bags FOR FREE as long as they’re no more than 50 lbs each. This portable luggage scale from Conair has been with me years and I always use it/bring it with me on trips. It’s surprisingly accurate. I just tested it now on my backpack and it read 4.3 lbs, and then I weighed myself on my body scale while wearing the backpack and the bag was apparently 4.8 lbs, so it’s not off by much. The luggage scale does have a max weight limit of 80 lbs, though. Definitely be careful using this product with super heavy suitcases, though, because one time I was weighing my friend Mitchell’s suitcase and I was struggling really hard to lift the suitcase, and I guess I was doing it at a weird angle because it unhooked from the suitcase and I smacked myself really hard in the face. It was not fun.
DAGNE DOVER
There are few companies I have brand loyalty for, and Dagne Dover is one of them. Dagne Dover has become a popular brand among some of my closest friends too. They all have their own Landon Carryalls or Dakota Backpacks! The company, founded by three women (two of them Asian American), is known for their high-quality neoprene products and pockets—lots and lots of pockets! One of the main reasons Deepa Gandhi, Melissa Mash, and Jessy Dover founded the company was because they’d been hearing complaints from many women about the lack of pockets and organization afforded to them by most bags.
While their products aren’t cheap, I do believe you’re paying for the quality and usefulness of the product, and they’re not priced as highly as luxury brands. The neoprene makes a difference in preventing wear and tear, and the many pockets and features make this an organizing dream come true. For those on a budget, there are a couple ways to lower the cost of the products. You can use my referral code to get $20 off on your first order of $100+. They also have a dedicated website where you can buy used products at heavily discounted prices, which helps them stay eco-friendly. You can also choose the AfterPay option at checkout to pay in 4 installments instead of all at once. The company offers free shipping on orders $75+, which you can easily meet, as well as free returns.
When making your online purchase, you can choose a charity for them to donate to, including Black Lives Matter, NAACP LDF, Fair Fight, BEAM, CDC Foundation, Feeding America, Save the Children, and Stop AAPI Hate.
If you prefer to shop in person they also have a brick-and-mortar store in NYC.
In addition to the three products I write about below, Dagne Dover also offers many other products and styles (i.e. non-neoprene). This includes crossbody bags, phone slings, toiletry bags, tech organizers, lunch boxes, diaper backpacks, diaper totes, changing kits, leather totes, turnlock totes, leather satchels, travel wallets, card cases, clutch wallets, slim wallets, cotton tote bags, pouches, coolers, dry bags, sling bags, and toiletry organizers.
Also note that all of their neoprene products are now made of their “reformed neoprene,” which is made of new recycled lining. This is different from the products I have since mine are a bit older.
Dagne Dover Landon Carryall Bag
$110 - $230
I bought my first Dagne Dover product after reading a convincing review for their duffel bag, the Landon Carryall, from I think The Verge. That was three years ago and I don’t have any regrets.
It’s important to pay attention to the dimensions of each size on the website because the Dagne Dover bags are actually smaller than what you’d think, especially for the high price. I bought the large heather gray Landon Carryall bag, and while it works for me, it’s probably more like a medium when compared to other, cheaper duffel bags. Like the description suggests, I usually use this bag when I have weekend getaways and just need to pack a couple outfits, my laptop, and a pair of shoes. I’ve also brought the bag on flights before and it fits perfectly in the overhead bin or underneath the seats.
The bag comes with a really nice, high-quality zipper (which doesn’t sound interesting but it’s so underrated). The zippers also have buttons at the end of each side of the bag that can clamp onto the sides of the bag if your bag isn’t full and you need to reduce its size. All four sides of its interior have pockets—two air mesh velcro pockets (to hold water bottles and such), one laptop sleeve and elastic closure, and one large zipper pocket (I put chargers and other electronics in here). There’s a detachable key leash and air mesh zip top pouch that I use to hold my keys, wallet, and other trinkets. The elastic leash is nice because you can quickly pull out the pouch while it’s still attached to the bag for easy access. Another underrated feature is their exterior pocket that’s perfect to slide your phone or ID into. It’s loose enough to easily and quickly pull it out at a moment’s notice, yet tight enough for it to not accidentally fall out. I use this all the time when I’m at the airport and need to keep my phone or passport inside the pocket. They also include a shoe bag that has fit every pair of shoes I have so far, including “big ones” like Chelsea Boots or Fila Disruptors. A dust bag is also included for you to cover the entire bag to apparently protect it from dust when not in use. Since the bag is neoprene, it’s water resistant, but if need be you can use the dust bag to protect the bag if you ever need to trek through a storm. Also, Dagne Dover updated their bags to include luggage handle sleeves that can easily slide onto luggages, which makes your life so much easier, especially when walking through airports. Since I have an older model of the bag I don’t have this feature :(
As of this writing the bag comes in five standard colors and two limited edition seasonal colors, as well as five different sizes. Their website offers insight into which occasions each size is best used for:
XS ($110): This is more like a cross-body bag, best for just the essentials, a night out, and local wandering.
S ($140): A go-to for small gym necessities, post-work activities, weekend wandering, and daily commutes.
M ($170): Versatile everyday duffle, essential for office-to-gym, change of clothes and shoes, laptop carrier (fits most 13” laptops), neoprene luggage-handle sleeve, and includes a shoe bag and dust bag.
L ($200): The ultimate travel buddy, perfect for weekend getaways, carry-on luggage, laptop sleeve fits most 16” laptops, neoprene luggage-handle sleeve, and shoe bag and dust bag.
XL ($230): The extra long weekender, best for packing more (lots more), carry-on luggage, laptop sleeve fits most 16” laptops, neoprene luggage-handle sleeve, and shoe bag and dust bag.
Dagne Dover Dakota Neoprene Backpack
$145 - $200
The Dakota Backpack is my go-to bag when I commute to and from work (before the pandemic happened). I have the large one in the discontinued Ash Blue color and, like the Landon Carryall, the bags run small. The large is like the size of a regular backpack. But, again, you’re paying for the quality of the bags. I’ve had to walk through several storms just to get to work and my Dakota Backpack is still in good shape despite having been soaking wet plenty of times (and even after a friend threw up on the bag lol).
Like everything Dagne Dover, there are so many pockets in this thing! I literally just found out while writing this sentence that there are three interior zipper pockets on the front panel of the backpack—I thought there were only two this entire time! These front panel pockets are convenient to hold any small trinkets, electronics, or chargers and earbuds. Like the Landon Carryall, it has the exterior pocket at the top of the bag that can easily fit my phone, wallet, or ID. I use this pocket a lot when I’m commuting on a bus or train and have the bag sitting on my lap and take my phone in and out of the pocket when needed (I hate having things in my pants pockets). It also has the same elastic key leash zip top pouch, perfect for your keys, wallet, and trinkets. I also bought my bag before the company updated their entire line to include luggage sleeves, which I’m so envious of! The backpack has two interior side pockets and two exterior side pockets. Unfortunately, the outside pockets are too tight to hold water bottles, but the interior pockets can. There are two additional exterior zipper pockets that can fit anything the size of your palm, so your phone, wallet, etc. There’s a big zipper pocket on the back side of the backpack that can be used for pretty much anything (maybe you can use it for folders, paperwork, or any other thin or flat object). The front zipper pocket can hold more things, like your phone chargers, portable hard drives, and has three loops to hold things like chapsticks or pens/pencils. My large backpack also came with a shoe bag that, again, has fit every pair of my shoes I’ve tried.
The Dakota Backpack currently comes in five colors, one seasonal color, and three sizes:
S ($145): great for everyday necessities, post-work activities, weekend wandering, daily commutes, and includes a dust bag.
M ($185): great for work/life balance, office-to-gym, change of clothes and shoes, laptop sleeve fits most 13” laptops, neoprene luggage-handle sleeve, and includes a shoe bag and dust bag.
L ($200): best for weekend getaways, packing more (extra shoes, gym clothes, outfits), laptop sleeve fits most 16” laptops, neoprene luggage-handle sleeve, and includes a shoe bag and dust bag.
Dagne Dover Ace Fanny Pack
$90
The Ace Fanny Pack currently comes in five colors and three seasonal colors. This is the only Dagne Dover product I have that I didn’t buy, it was gifted to me. While smaller than cheaper fanny packs on the market, I still find it useful enough to use literally any time I leave my apartment. Similar to the exterior phone/ID pocket that the Landon Carryall and Dakota Backpack have, the fanny pack has a smaller version of that concept that can hold your IDs or credit cards (it’s not large enough to hold your phone, though). It has a front zipper pocket, which I use to hold my AirPods charging case and/or wired earbuds, or change. The interior pocket is large enough to hold a wallet and even your awkwardly-sized Covid-19 vaccine card. It has a convenient elastic key clip. And the inside of the fanny pack is large enough to fit my phone (like I said, I hate keeping things in my pants pockets), charging cables, and portable chargers, with room to spare. The fanny pack comes with an adjustable strap and dust bag.
Dyson AM09 Hot + Cool Bladeless Fan/Heater with Jet Focus
$299.99
I’ve wanted a bladeless fan ever since I saw one on Terrace House (one of my favorite shows ever), but I googled it and they’re fucking expensive. I finally jumped the gun after seeing a decent deal from HSN selling a product that seemed perfect for my situation. My apartment has a heater and AC, but the problem is the building decides when I can switch between the two features. The heater function is only available for one half of the year (during colder months) and the AC feature is only available the other half of the year (warmer months). The problem is the weather is unpredictable, especially with global warming, and there have been many times when it was super hot outside yet I was only able to use the heater, or it was cold and the only option was AC. This specific Dyson product is both a fan and a heater all in one, which is exactly what I needed.
The fan feature has 10 different speeds to choose from, while the heating feature can range from 33 degrees Fahrenheit to 99 degrees Fahrenheit. It has a Jet Focus function if you prefer to have warm or cool air blown stronger in a specific direction (likely you), or you can use the Diffuse Mode to release air in a wider stream. The product is fairly short in height (it’s 23.4” tall), but it has an easy tilt feature. I keep my Dyson on a piece of furniture I use as a pedestal, so it can reach the height of my bed as I sleep. Also, it can rotate side to side if you prefer that. You can also set a sleep timer to pre-set it to turn off after a specified amount of time, from 15 minutes to 9 hours (I always use this when I go to bed). It comes with a small remote (with a replaceable battery) which you absolutely must not lose as the product won’t work without it. But thankfully the remote can magnetically attach to the product itself, which is super convenient. The product is easy to clean (you just need to wipe it with a cloth). It’s also super quiet! No, it’s no completely silent, and you can hear the fan/heater if you’re looking for it, but it’s pretty damn quiet and never distracting. My favorite feature is, when it’s on heater mode, it’ll automatically stop heating once the room has reached the temperature you’ve set. And when the room temperature gets cooler, it’ll turn back on to reheat the room.
I don’t think this product will be useful in really large or open rooms (like a living room). My bedroom is approximately 10 ft x 10 ft and it works really well. When in heater mode it’ll heat up the entire room. But when it’s hot outside and you want your room to cool down, this isn’t necessarily the product for that. It’s a fan, not an AC, so it’ll only blow air at whatever temperature your room is at, though it does help cool small rooms down slightly if you keep the doors closed. There was a time when the heater broke in our apartment during the summer and I was sweating just walking from one room to the next. This product didn’t cool down my room, but it was a lot more comfortable having it blow strong air (in Jet Focus mode) at me than without. If it’s cold outside and you want your room to be colder, you can definitely do that with in fan mode.
The Dyson AM09 Hot + Cool Bladeless Fan/Heater with Jet Focus is currently $299.99 on HSN (down from $399.99) but if you’re on a budget you can use HSN’s FlexPay feature to pay in installments (like I did) for as low as $60/month.
Keychron K2 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard (Version 2)
$69 - $89
I had been interested in getting a mechanical keyboard for a while because they’re so much more comfortable to type on. There’s just something so satisfying to click mounted keycaps vs. the flat butterfly keyboard on my MacBook. My friend has the KeyChron K2 and recommended it to me, which made things easier since I prefer to go by word of mouth from folks I know rather than countless online reviews that make it harder to differentiate between the best keyboards. However, things got a lot harder.
I didn’t know there were different types of mechanical switches, aka gaterons, to choose from when purchasing a mechanical keyboard. The three types Keychron offered for its K2 wireless mechanical keyboard were Red, Blue, and Brown. The red switches are smoother and quieter, preferred by gamers since it’s quicker to type due to lack of pressure. The blue switches have a tactile feel, with clicking sounds (imagine the sound of a typewriter), which is nice for typists. And brown switches are a mix of red and blue, with tactile feedback, but it’s not as loud as blue. I debated hard between blue and brown because I love the clicking noise from the blue, but I wasn’t sure how loud it’d be in person and if it’d be annoying.
With this keyboard being so expensive, I didn’t want to risk getting one I would end up hating. So I purchased a switch tester for $12 on Amazon, which lets you test and feel the different types of mechanical switches. It didn’t help me all that much because I’m such a gemini, so I’m indecisive as fuck! I ended up getting the brown switch version. You also have the option to choose the White Backlight version or RGB Backlight version (the types of lights on your keyboard), with the keyboard frame made of plastic. Or you can get the slightly more expensive aluminum frame version (which only comes in RGB Backlight). I got the latter because I figured if I’m going to spend this much money on a keyboard, I might as well spend $20 more for a sturdier, weightier and better feeling, and longer-lasting kind.
I’ve been using this keyboard for almost a year now and I don’t have any complaints. It’s exactly as advertised. It feels great to type on. My work laptop is a Windows computer while my personal laptop is a MacBook, so I like that the keyboard can easily switch between the two types with a click of a button. The keyboard can be used wirelessly or wired (it comes with a USB-A to USB Type-C Cable). When used wirelessly (which I always do), it lasts pretty long before needing a charge. It’s hard to say how much I use my keyboard every day, but I do use it for several hours a day, and I typically only need to recharge it about once a week.
Omni Bev Vietnamese Cold Brew Coffee
$26.94 (6-pack)
$53.88 (12-pack)
Founded by Tammy Huynh, Omni Bev supposedly sells the world’s first “ready-to-drink Vietnamese cold brew brand.” Their beans are sourced from Huynh’s family farms in Da Lat, Vietnam. According to their website, “Rather than outsourcing through a large farm operation, Omni Bev supports the economic sustainability of the region. The beans are also sun-dried for long periods of time, a zero-waste method that allows them to fully mature and achieve unmatched flavor before brewing.”
I was curious to try it because I love Vietnamese iced coffee and I like to stock up on iced coffee so I don’t have to go out and buy it now that I’m working from home during the pandemic. The company sells four different flavors: Coconut (Plant-Based), Coconut Matcha (Plant-Based), Black, and Good Morning Saigon (basically regular Vietnamese Iced Coffee). I’ve tried the Coconut, Coconut Matcha, and Good Morning Saigon. I didn’t really care for the Coconut or Coconut Matcha, but the Good Morning Saigon tastes exactly like Vietnamese Iced Coffee! It’s strong, though I like my coffee extra sweet so I would’ve liked it to be sweeter. But it was still really good. The bottles are sold in packs of 6 ($26.94) or 12 ($53.88), which equates to $4.49 per 10 FL OZ bottle, which is a slight money saver from the average price of Vietnamese Iced Coffee. My only complaint is that no matter how hard I shake the bottles, there’s still specks of what looks like milk powder that float at the top. But it didn’t impact my overall love for the coffee.
OrangeHome Vertical Laptop Stand
$19.99
I was inspired to get a vertical laptop stand after reading this installment in The Verge’s “What’s On Your Desk?” series, in which they interview their own staff members about their desk set up. Their staff member Sam had a Brydge MacBook Vertical Dock, which looked really cool and is a great space saving option for your desk. With me working from home due to the pandemic, I have two laptops to store (one for work, one personal), which can take up a lot of space. But the Brydge product is $170! I wasn’t willing to spend that much on a dock, so I did what anyone would do: I went to Amazon and got a cheaper version that did the bare minimum. Unlike Brydge, the vertical laptop stand I got is literally just a stand. It doesn’t charge. But the nice thing is it’s adjustable, meaning you can expand or contract the width of the clamp to fit the size of your laptop. Also, if you enlarge the width, you can make it hold multiple products at a time.
PopSockets Popgrip for MagSafe
$30
I love PopSockets. They’re a cheap and convenient tool that makes it easier to hold your phone with one hand. However, I also love silicone cases as opposed to plastic ones, and these types of cases don’t do well with PopSocket adhesives. I got to a point where I literally super glued my PopSocket onto my silicone phone case because it kept falling off. When I saw PopSocket was finally releasing a MagSafe compatible product I got super excited! I have the iPhone 12 Mini, which has a magnetic back meant to charge using Apple’s MagSafe iPhone charger. I don’t have that charger because it’s expensive but the MagSafe feature ended up still being useful to me because this new PopSocket product doesn’t require any sticky adhesives! It uses magnets to easily latch onto your phone and also easily detach. They recommend using it with a MagSafe-compatible phone case rather than sticking the PopSocket directly onto your naked iPhone. After reading this article from The Verge in which they tested the PopSocket with and without a MagSafe case, I was convinced to use this properly and purchase a MagSafe case (I got the official Apple silicone case for $35 from Walmart but it’s now $50!). I really love this product! It has a strong connection to the phone, enough to swing it around without it falling off, yet doesn’t require much effort to take it off whenever you need to. And it’s really not bulky at all. They offer a bunch of other MagSafe-compatible products too.
Reebok DMX Series 1000 Sneaker
$41.99+
Urban Outfitters had a major sale in the fall of 2019 and I was able to snag these sneakers for $49 (down from $75). They’re literally my favorite pair of shoes I’ve ever worn because they’re so freaking comfortable. If you’ve seen my in public any time over the last two years you’ve seen me with these shoes. I love the colorful design of the shoes, giving off a 90s vibe. Someone even told me they thought I was wearing Balenciagas lol. Unfortunately, Rebook is only selling the shoe in white on their website, but if you google the shoe you’ll be able to find other sellers (from as low as $41.99 to nearly $200.
Trtl Travel Pillow
$29.99
I first heard of Trtl after seeing my frequent flyer friend Amy post about it during one of her flights. After looking it up I instantly bought one for myself. It’s a unique alternative to those standard travel pillows. It’s an adjustable thing (I don’t know what to call it) that acts as a “neck” for you to sleep on during trips. It’s comfortable, and I do like that it’s adjustable unlike regular neck pillows. It’s really light (under a pound) and machine washable. It’s advertised as a “pillow” but I wouldn’t call it that. It’s not as thick as a pillow, which isn’t a problem because the plastic “shoulder” is still comfortable. But they do offer more “pillow-like” products on their site, though it costs twice as much.
Touchland Power Mist
$9
I first learned about the Touchland hand sanitizers, officially marketed as”Power Mists,” while watching a review for a Dagne Dover bag lol. Founded by Andrea Lisbona in 2010, the product looks like a prettier, more aesthetically-pleasing, and minimalistic take on typical hand sanitizers (which is all the rage during this pandemic). It’s currently offered in 13 different scents (Aloe, Citrus, Mint, Vanilla, Peach, Lemon Lime, Apple, Lavender, Rainwater, Watermelon, Sandalwood, Berry, and Unscented). The brand became so popular at the onset of the pandemic that it reached a 34,000-person waitlist! It’s cruelty-free, gluten-free, uses vegan formula, and doesn’t smell like alcohol. It contains more than 500 sprays in each bottle (they claim that’s 10 times more than gel pocket size hand sanitizers). Touchland is popular because its Power Mists use 70% Ethyl Alcohol (the CDC recommends 60-95% alcohol). Their website claims its active ingredients help your skin: their Aloe Vera supposedly moisturizes without giving off a greasy feel, the Radish Root Ferment supposedly provides broad spectrum antimicrobial protection, and the Lemon Essential Oil supposedly nourishes and purifies skin. This all seems a bit much for a hand sanitizer, and perhaps too good to be true, but it seems legit (NBC reports Dendy Engelman, MD a board-certified dermatologist and Mohs surgeon backs up these claims.
I like the Power Mist. I mean, it’s a simple hand sanitizer, so not amazing or anything. I was able to get a 3-pack bundle for $30 (instead of $36 if purchased individually), but their website only offers bundles in 5 or 10-packs now. Or you can buy individual Power Mists for $9. I’m also extra and bought a case for my power mists (yes, a case… I know), which is convenient when I want to clip the key ring into my fanny pack or backpack. They’re currently selling a limited edition collaboration with Disney with some pretty cool designs that comes in bundles of four (I would get it but I can’t convince myself to buy four more hand sanitizers).
The only thing that would make it better was if the bottles were refillable. It feels wasteful having to buy a new spray after I’m done with one, but according to their website it’s not refillable because “there’s a high risk of cross contamination to both bottle. and formula” when refilling. They also claim to be a plastic neutral company, meaning their products “do not generate additional plastic footprint to the environment when producing them.” According to their website, they “work with Plastic Credit Exchange to redirect plastic waste from landfills and oceans in the most environmentally safe way to offset [their] plastic footprint.” They claim their Power Mist bottles last “10 times longer than traditional pocket size hand sanitizers” and that, once empty, they “can be recycled under plastic category #7 of most curbside recycling programs once the metal spring inside the pump has been removed.”
VersaDesk Sit-to-Stand Desk Risers
$299 - $589
The VersaDesk desk riser is the newest product I’ve received. I feel like standing desks became exponentially popular during the pandemic (several of my friends got standing desks this past year), especially with so many of us working from home now. The desk risers interested me because they’re a little more portable than a regular standing desk; they can basically turn any desk into a standing desk.
I bought mine second-hand at a super discounted rate, and, unfortunately, the company doesn’t sell my model anymore. Mine is probably a few years old because it just has one basic function: rise to use while standing, or lower to use while sitting. The current models offered on the site are all more advanced, with things like USB charging, app controls, memory setting, and more.
This product is pretty self-explanatory. If you like standing desks then you’ll like this. It might be better, not just because of it’s “more portable” style, but because it has a two-tier design, which helps keep your keyboard lower than your monitor (apparently we’re supposed to keep our computer screens at face level so we don’t tilt our heads up or down). Again, I want to emphasize you should only invest in one of these if you’re comfortable with standing for long periods of time. If not, this won’t be useful for you!
