We are Living in a Material World
and I am a material girl!!
I love items. Stuff. Things.
My brother once looked at me in a panic and said “I’m really worried about when you move out because you’ll come to visit and have all these new gadgets and we won’t know about any of them. I’ll need you to send out a monthly newsletter.” Is there a job that allows me to buy things for other people that I know they’ll like and use? How do I get that job?
But! I am also a highly conscious consumer!! First and foremost, I am a researcher. If I’m buying something it’s because I’ve thought about it for weeks, saw the problem it might solve in my life, and then debated if it was worth spending my hard earned money on it.
Which leads us to here: I’ve rounded up my favorite Amazon purchases for the month of May and asked the rest of the girls to tell me what they are loving as well. There is a strong travel theme among my favorites because I am currently living 15 year old me’s dream and going on vacation after vacation. For context: I went to Madrid and Barcelona in March, Napa in April, Charleston this weekend, and will be going to Florida in July. International travel is its own beast and requires its own set of gadgetry, so that will need to be a separate round up. For now, here’s everything that made my life a little easier this month.
In the spirit of transparency, all items linked here are affiliate links, and if you purchase anything through these links, we at VTY will receive a commission. Do with that information what you will!
Julianne’s Favorites
Waterboy Strawberry Lemonade Hydration Packets
When I tell you I went to 5 wineries in one day and woke up ready to run a marathon, I am not kidding. I have been a long time liquid IV fan but bought these on a whim before my trip to Napa. Now I will never consume alcohol without having one of these on deck. I’ve only tried the strawberry lemonade flavor but I really like how it’s not super sweet. Waterboy is significantly saltier than other electrolyte packets I’ve tried, but honestly not offensively so. While I’m not sure about their claims to ease hangxiety and nausea induced by overindulgence, I will continue to sing Waterboy’s praises to anyone who will listen. Expensive? Yes. Worth every penny? Also yes.
Travel Steamer
Look, I know most hotels have an iron. I don’t have the patience. My dad has to reteach me how to iron every 3 years because I just don’t practice it in the day to day. But I do steam all of my clothes pretty much every day. I’d been on the hunt for a compact travel steamer for years that wouldn’t break the bank and would serve the purpose I wanted. I had been entranced by the Nori travel steam iron but never pulled the trigger. And now I’m glad I didn’t! The tank is on the small side but holds enough water to steam one outfit before needing to be refilled. It’s a little on the heavier side, so if you have room in your carry on, pack it there. Otherwise, it’s small, sleek, and works great!
Travel Power Strip
This might be a self created problem, but I always feel as though I have too many gadgets to charge and not enough plugs to charge them in. Or I have too many hair utensils in the bathroom to plug in. Enter this travel power strip. Could you pack an extra powerstrip you have lying around? Of course. But if you don’t want to disturb your at home setup (I am personally very particular), this is a lightweight solution with usb and usb c ports as well as traditional plugs. The wall cord wraps around the plastic case for neat storage. Is it a must? No. Will I continue to bring it everywhere? Of course!
Travel Water Flosser
A travel water flosser is so unnecessary I have to laugh at myself. But as a devoted oral care fanatic and a frequent sufferer of t*ns*l st*n*s, this has positively impacted my travel experiences. My countertop waterpik is not travel friendly, so I bit the bullet and picked this up before my trip to Spain. It’s compact, rechargeable, and offers 3(?) different pressure levels along with a variety of tips. It fits nicely into my cosmetic bag and helps me maintain my high maintenance night time routine, even on the run!
Travel Poo Pourri
Four people, one bathroom. Enough said.
Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 3 Speaker
I picked this up at my dad’s suggestion. He keeps this clipped to his sailboat and is able to blast his yacht rock for the whole lake to hear. Most of the time, it sits between me and my work bestie’s desk and we alternate aux. However it is a great little travel speaker, very loud (up to 27 dB for all sound nerds!), is waterproof & dustproof for beach days, and is always on sale on amazon. Plus it has a cute little loop you can hook a carabiner to and secure it to just about anything. If you’re in the market for a good, cheapish speaker, 10/10 recommend this over any of the JBLs or other varieties at similar price points.
Mesh Zipper Pouches
When you love things as much as I do, you need a storage solution to collect all your little things or you will quickly turn into a hoarder. These mesh zipper pouches come in a wide variety of sizes and colors. I use them for everything from storing all my needlepoint projects to holding all my electronics when I travel. They also make great bags to take stuff to the beach that you don’t want getting wet (phone, kindle, wallet, etc.,) or to contain stuff you don’t want to explode all over your beach bag (spf).
If you’re of the crafty persuasion, you can also use these to DIY your own customized little pouches. I used my Cricut joy and some permanent vinyl to make these little party favor pouches for the crowd I’m going to Charleston with. While some folks will try to sell you this for up to $50 (!!), do not be deceived. It is not worth that. I will make it for you and it will cost like $8.
Kindle Page Turner & Kindle/Tablet Bed Stand
I am ready to admit I was easily influenced by this one. I have returned to the speed demon reading marathon of my youth. I blame Sarah J Maas. But the booktok girlies were right about this setup. The clamp took some maneuvering to get it secured to my day bed, but I now can turn on my cozy fireplace ambiance, set up my kindle, pop on my red light face mask, snuggle under my covers, and read hands free. This is the future.
I also brought the page turner setup to the gym and walked for 3 miles while reading, basically hands free! If you like reading on a kindle/nook/tablet, go ahead and invest. Thank me later.
Grace’s Favorites
My dear friend Grace has graciously offered up her favorites for the month as well. To those who don’t know, she recently moved into a new home and is working on turning it into a gorgeous stunning place to live.
Pillows Galore! Pillows the house! Anyone who knows Grace knows her bright and eclectic style bleeds into every part of her life. Here are her pillow picks to jazz up the space.
Floral Inspired Pillow Cover
Retro inspired but with modern construction, this floral pillow cover adds a different touch to the existing couchscape.
Green Pillow Covers
Grace likes these for their vibrant yet relaxing hue. Solids like these are effective for adding color to a space without being overwhelming.
Black Euro Pillow Shams
Euro Pillow Inserts (bigger than shams)
(you should always have inserts bigger than the covers themselves, this helps create a fuller, fluffier effect. Who knew we had an interior designer in our midst?)
I can attest that this addition to the bed is helping create a very luxurious, rich vibe.
Green Blue Light Glasses
Very chic and retro! I love the green moment. I actually saw something recently that said if you want people to think you’re smarter and take you more seriously, wear glasses. It doesn’t matter if you don’t actually need them. But I think we probably all need blue light glasses to protect our baby retinas.
Mackenzie’s Favorites
La Roche Posay Anthelios Sunscreen
In Kenzie’s words: fighting cancer and more importantly: ageing.
Everybody get on the sunscreen grind please — I am in a constant state of distress we can’t buy actual European sunscreen so this is a good domestic option.
Nipple Covers
“I despise bras and don't need the support (a silver lining) but I like being smooth and discrete”
I wish I could join you in the anti-bra agenda Kenzie! When I do, I prefer something like this over Kim K’s new nipple bra.
Avery’s Favorites
Stylish Mace
“Self explanatory I feel but LOOK KEYCHAIN FORM!”
If you buy nothing else on this list, invest in some pepper spray.
Door Security Bars
Hers and hers security bars for Avery and Claire. Avery’s paranoia about break-ins in the Big Apple got the better of her.
Avery, it seems like you’re really on a safety grind this month!
Mad Hippie Vitamin C Serum
“Good dupe for Youth To The People and feel so nice after a fresh wash- glowy and firming” — Avery
So jealous of you lucky morons who can use vitamin c on your skin. You always look so luminous.
Caffeine Under Eye Roller
Avery says this makes her feel rich but is cheap. Isn’t that what we’re all after anyways???
Thank you for joining us for this month’s Material World roundup! Again, if you purchase anything from these links, we will receive a small commission. Drop a comment below if you’ve got any other great gadgets we need to explore.
