We love to test out all of the options and find the best of the best…whatever the category. We are sharing our findings with you here. There are some affiliate links (that allow us to get a little money back from retailers at no extra cost to you and help support the content of the channel), and some are just convenience links. We will always be transparent about which is which and you can decide what to use. Please know, our opinions are our own and we aren’t for sale…to anyone. We believe that honesty, visibility and openness is the cornerstone to the community we are building. If you have favorites that you want us to try, or to test against a current favorite, drop us a line!
Disclosure: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program. Some of these links are affiliate links. If you click a link and buy something, I may receive a commission for the sale. It does not cost you anything extra and you are free to use the link or not. Product purchases for review are made with my own money and my opinions are my own. If product is ever provided or the article is sponsored, it will be clearly noted at the top of the page.
Hiking Related
Day Wolf Electric Glove Liners – I suffer from Reynaud’s Syndrome which means my finger tips get freezing cold and painful even in moderate temperatures. These were a holiday gift from George and they have three heat settings that allow me to comfortably spend time outdoors. The batteries are rechargeable and last several hours even on the highest setting!
Workout Related
Perfect Peach Athletics Booty Bands – Pretty, functional, versatile – these are hands down my favorite for a range of upper and lower body workouts.
Perfect Peach Athletics Hip Band – This fabric band is my favorite, no roll band for glutes, squats, side steps, etc. It provides more tension than the silicone bands and has helped me intensify my lower body workouts!
Tribe Resistance Bands Set – I love resistance tubing for a great workout. I can use them when I’m not injured and in great shape. They can be challenging in the best of ways, but watch your form!
TheraBand Resistance Bands Set – I used to use the therabands a lot, but I personally prefer the loop. This is probably due more to my own hand strength. These can be a great option with a lot of versatility.
Power Systems Weighted Cardio Bar – I like to use this for stretching and strengthening. There are three different weights to accommodate your specific needs. I got the 9lb and I like to use it for overhead reaches.
INTEY Pull up Assist Band Exercise Resistance Bands for Workout Body Stretch Powerlifting Band – Any well constructed version of this style is great for training your body in a new way without missing a beat. If you are a workout warrior, these might be great for you.
Retrospec 12″ Plyo Box – I needed something in my home gym for step ups, elevated glute bridges, etc. This sturdy but little plyometric box fit the bill. It’s perfect and just like the ones I used to use in the gym.
Ankle Cuff Straps – I bought these to use with my resistance bands for leg work. However, they are great for the gym too if you hate sharing those sweaty, nasty, gross ankle bands with everyone (or worse can’t find any) when you’re working with a cable machine. These are the most comfortable ones I’ve tried so far!
Anchor Gym Wall Mounts – These are amazing. Low profile, sleek and super versatile. They turned my sad little workout room into a legit home gym. Mount them into a stud and you can do all sorts of TRX and resistance band work. Basically they turn your wall into a cable machine.
Anchor Gym Door Mini – If you only need something for over your door, or if you want something to travel with (hello airbnb staycations!) then I strongly recommend you add this into your arsenal. You can get a full workout with this over the door hook and resistance bands if you don’t have access to a gym or don’t want to share personal space. Lifesaver!! Workout saver!
Body Solid Olympic Bar Storage – I like a neat space. I hate worrying about tripping over the weigh lifting bars or my body blade. This stand is solid enough to keep them from tipping over but it makes them take up a lot less space. That’s key in a small home gym!
Interlocking Rubber Gym Flooring – In order to protect my floor I got these and I’ve never been happier with an investment. Easy to keep clean while still protecting my hardwood floors underneath. You can customize them to any size room. TIP: Let them air out a few days before you install them!
Ultimate Ears (UE) Fits Earbuds – What’s special about these? They custom mold to your ear. They come with a pliable ear mold that hardens with blue light to make sure they fit you perfectly and don’t fall out! The sound quality is amazing and I can run with these in. I had over the ear wireless headphones but between masks, sunglasses, etc – there was too much behind my ears. Love these. Comfortable to wear for long periods of time and sound quality on calls is great for both the listener AND the speaker. Pricey but worth it!
Coastal Rose Zip Front Sports Bra – My new favorite sports bra – easy to get in and out of. The back is adorable and it provides the perfect amount of support and coverage for running or working out. Cute colors too!
Work From Home
Book Arc – Upgrading my at home work situation includes anything and everything to make it more elegant and luxurious. I need my personal space (now workspace) to be aesthetically pleasing.
Azio Retro Classic Keyboard – I love the mechanical feeling of old typewriters. I have Artisan for home and Posh for the office. Am I showing my age? Plus it’s a gorgeous bespoke steampunk vibe. What’s not to love?
Azio Retro Classic Mouse – Can’t have the keyboard without the matching mouse, can we? Actually in the office I use the standard issue mouse but the trackpad on my laptop at home keeps picking up my sleeve and moving my cursor all around. Artisan matching mouse to the rescue!
Dell UltraSharp 27 USB-C Monitor – U2721DE – Dual monitors really help productivity at home. These came recommended because they are a power device which means fewer plugs on the desk and only one into my laptop.
NexiGo 1080 Webcam with Microphone – This little webcam has been a great addition to my Zoom and Team calls. I had been using my built in laptop camera which I could never get to a good angle. Then I tried my phone with limited success. This beauty has awesome resolution and is widescreen so it shows more of the space around me (if I want) which can be helpful if I don’t want only my face huge in the middle of the camera. The microphone is a nice addition for one device convenience.
Panda Planner Classic – Apart from the fact that I love Pandas, this is one of the best planners I’ve come across. It’s flexible (easy to fill in day, date, month so you don’t waste money). It’s got every view you could want (Month AND week AND day)! There are larger and more customized versions but I’ve linked my personal favorite. It helps keep me organized but with a little more structure than the bullet journal.
Travel
humangear GoTubb – These are lifesavers for travel so you can carry small amounts of lotions and medication. I can’t live without them – well, you know what I mean. 😉
NutriBullet Pro – 13-Piece High-Speed Blender/Mixer System (900 Watts) – I am late to the party on this, but on the side chance you are too, here you are. I cannot live without this for morning smoothies. You can preassemble the contents and just a quick whirr gives you a fresh smoothie for your commute. I should not endorse multi-tasking – but we are keeping it real!
Handheld Rechargeable Electric Whisk – In my mind, this is a must if you are going to embrace the collagen powder craze. Is there benefit to it? The jury is still out for me, but if you’re going to give it a go, definitely get this to mix it in. Clumps of collagen are NOT fun!
Travel Whisk (battery operated) – I like a protein shake in the morning, even when I travel, but the shaker cups can be bulky to pack. This handy little frother will help mix in your collagen powder, your protein powder, or BONUS – froth your milk to amp up your hotel coffee!
Reusable Extra Long 8mm diameter Silicone Straws with Cleaning Brushes (6 Straight + 6 Bent) – If you’re like me, you are kind of addicted to straws. I love them in my morning smoothie. With silicone, you can reuse them, wash them, and feel good about being part of eliminating single-use plastic!
Glacier Point Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Water Bottle (25 oz) – A favorite on a short list of BEST water bottle. It has a silicone seal in the lid to prevent leakage. The insulated construction keeps your beverages hot or cold, depending on what you put in. I travel with it, carry it to work. It fits perfectly in a car cup holder. BONUS: It comes in a variety of fun colors, so you can tell your water bottle apart from your friend’s!
Rove 32oz Double Wall Stainless Steel Vacuum Seal Bottle – My biggest issue with drinking water is the preparation. I can’t do it glass by glass or it never gets done. Up until I found this massive 32 oz one, you would never find me without my glacier point water bottle. However, I have to say that this one has replaced it for the most part. The only draw back is that I have small hands and it can be a little big to hold. So for sleek, I use the Glacier Point but for volume, I use the Rove. Doesn’t sweat, doesn’t leak. Keeps hot things hot and cold things cold. Perfection!
Personal Products
Dr. Dennis Gross Pro Facial Steamer – Another addition to my at home treatment, self-care, spa day ritual.
Massage Gun with 10 Massage Heads and 30 Speeds – There are bunch of massage guns available from a lot of places. This one comes with a carrying case, more interchangeable heads and more speed selections than any other ones I’ve seen.
Spring Thing – This is awesome for pinpoint massage and will save your (or your partner’s) thumb while you’re at it!
R.E.M Spring Facial Hair Remover – My favorite, most-effective, yes-it-hurts-but-it’s-worth-it hair removal tool. Inexpensive but it will last you a lifetime.
Braun IPL Hair Removal for Women Silk Expert Pro 5 – If you don’t want manual hair removal, then this is a splurge worth making. I’ve almost stopped shaving once I started using this. I went from daily shaving to less than once a week. Totally worth the investment in my book!
NuFace Trinity Facial Toning Kit – This device uses microcurrents to stimulate collagen and tighten skin. Must be used regularly to see results but I swear by it for helping with my hooded eyelids. The kit I’ve linked here has an lip and eye attachment that helps with keeping your eyelids open.
Remington Smooth & Silky Precision Groomer & Shaver – The BKT4000 is the closest I can find to the one I use. I’ve had mine for almost 20 years and it’s still going strong. The thing I like best about mine is it’s small, easy to use, has adjustable length to suit my mood and is portable.
Tweezerman Slanted Tweezers – Available in a variety of colors, these are my favorite tweezers. They come with a lifetime guarantee. Send the back to Tweezerman and they will sharpen the up for you. What an investment!
Anastasia Beverly Hills Eyebrow Scissors – Hands down my favorite eyebrow scissors for a quick trim and shape. You can have well groomed eyebrows that are much easier to manage with these little beauties!
Sweaty Bands Head Band – My must have no slip workout headbands! You can use the code neveridlelife15 for 15% off your first purchase!
Oral-B 7500 Power Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush with Replacement Brush Heads and Travel Case – My can’t-live-without electric toothbrush. I like that you can store different brush heads for different family members to maximize the investment.
Philips Sonicare ProtectiveClean 5100 Rechargeable Electric Toothbrush – This is a great alternative from another brand. I was torn between the two and I got sold on the color of the Oral-B. Silly I know. This has all of the same features as the Oral-B. Either would make a great gift for someone!
Berkey Water Filter – This small filtration system will purify daily use water for a small household. The water tastes much better after purification!
Glacier Point Vacuum Insulated 25 oz. (750 ml) Stainless Steel Water Bottle – This bottle doesn’t leak, keeps things at temperature for a long time, and has survived the dents and scrapes I’ve unintentionally subjected it to.
Rove 32oz Double Wall Stainless Steel Vacuum Seal Bottle – My biggest issue with drinking water is the preparation. I can’t do it glass by glass or it never gets done. Up until I found this massive 32 oz one, you would never find me without my glacier point water bottle. However, I have to say that this one has replaced it for the most part. The only draw back is that I have small hands and it can be a little big to hold. So for sleek, I use the Glacier Point but for volume, I use the Rove. Doesn’t sweat, doesn’t leak. Keeps hot things hot and cold things cold. Perfection!
OCOOPA Rechargeable Hand Warmer – I have chronically cold hands and they can get down right painful. This little gadget gets me the extra bit of heat I need to keep my hands toasty – on a hike, in the car, sitting in the house. And it’s sleek to hold too!
Alpha Skin Care Body Renewal Lotion – A tried and true solution for wrinkly knees and crepe-y skin. The Glycolic acid helps improve skin turnover and helps your body look as young as your attitude!
Hand Chemistry Heel Hydration Complex – This magic lotion will keep your feet soft and smooth. Another tried and true solution for dry, cracked heels. Trust me, it’s worth a try!
Donell AHA 20 Face and Body Care Exfoliating Body Moisturizer Body Tingle – Another great body exfoliator if your skin is hardy and can handle a slightly higher concentration of natural exfoliants. I alternate between this and the Alpha moisturizer above. Both are great! Helps turn over skin so your texture, crepe-y skin, and wrinkles are greatly diminished. Make your body look as young as your attitude.
Stainless Steel 1/4 Teaspoon Measuring Spoon – Shhh…I’ll let you in on a secret…I am volume challenged. I think I know volume but so often I’m wrong. The correct amount of sunscreen to use for your face and neck is 1/4 tsp. Rather than steal my kitchen one, I keep this with my sunscreen to periodically ensure I’m using the right amount. Seems like there should be an easier way…but until then, this will do the trick!
Silicone Hair Scalp Massager – If you have fingernails that snag in your hair when you’re washing it, or if you just love a good head massage (who doesn’t love a head massage?!) then try this tool. It’s a little spa treatment AND it saves your manicure!
The Hidden Messages of Water by Masura Emoto – This beautiful book shows the crystalline structure of water and the impact the environment has on it. Most fascinating is the work he does showing the impact of WORDS on the structure of water. We are mostly water, so think about the impact that words have on our bodies. Stunning to consider. Ever since I read this book, I’ve been writing on my water bottles to impact the vitality of the water I consume. Perhaps it has no effect, but maybe, just maybe it does…
ChicoBag Original Reusable Grocery Bags – I love these so much for convenience. They are sturdy, compact, and washable. I am buying these as gifts for people whenever the occasion allows!
Gimbal’s Scottie Dogs All Natural Black Licorice – Did you think I was only about serious stuff? Black licorice isn’t for everyone – but this one is special – GLUTEN FREE – which means I can enjoy a favorite flavor as a holiday treat. Santa always makes sure these end up in my stocking. Do YOU still make yourself a stocking? If not…you should!
Homech Electric Heated Blanket – This generously sized blanket is 50″ x 60″ and has been a godsend to me this winter. It has 10 heating levels, 3 hours auto-off, and is machine washable! I never knew I needed this – until I had it. Now I’m practically Linus – dragging it around with me to stay cozy in the winter. Better to heat me than the whole house!
Household Products
BPA Free Leak Proof Reusable Storage Bags – These are a great replacement for plastic ziplock bags. They seal tightly and don’t impart any odor to the food. Great for fridge and freezer!
OXO BREW Twisting Tea Ball Infuser – I’ve tried a lot of infusers but I keep coming back to this one for loose tea. It’s convenient, doubles as a spoon for stirring and is easy to add your leaves to a kitchen compost bin!
Amagabell Metal Garden Fence – I needed something decorative AND functional to keep the neighborhood dogs out of my little urban garden. These were beautiful. Easy to install, elevated the look of my home and no more doggie waste in my yard! Win win!
Weed Torch – Have you heard of weed torching? Rather than fight them manually (which is time consuming) or covering them with herbicides that negatively impact our environment and our health, you can torch them! This wand attaches to a small propane canister (think camp stove) and you burn the weeds. This kills their ability to use sunshine to grow because they have no more green to photosynthesize. And it’s not expensive at all! A great father’s day present!
Urban Farming
Sandusky Lee Industrial Welded Wire Shelving (WS481274-C) – Wire racks for indoor growing. The best way to ensure you are eating healthy – grow your own organic food source!
4 Foot LED Shop Light Tube Fixture – You need light to make things grow!
Bootstrap Farmer Seed Trays – Extra strength seed trays with holes for drainage are just what you need for your microgreens
Vittle Vault – Storage for bulk grains, seed, pet food. Pest and water tight!
Gadgets
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Spectraliteâ„¢ Eyecare Pro – I firmly believe in this product. I used it for over a year and definitely saw my light crow’s lines start to fade. It’s easy to use and you look like an alien while you use it. What’s not to love about that? You can find it elsewhere on sale from time to time. If I find sales on it, I will update this post with some cheaper alternatives.
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx Spectraliteâ„¢ Faceware Pro Led Light Therapy Device – When I was happy with the smaller eye LED, I figured “More is more”. Though this tech is pricey – I just figure it saves me a lot in in-office procedures – so in the long run – it SAVES me money. Fiscally responsible, really…
Braun IPL Hair Removal for Women Silk Expert Pro 5 – If you don’t want manual hair removal, then this is a splurge worth making. I’ve almost stopped shaving once I started using this. I went from daily shaving to less than once a week. Totally worth the investment in my book!
UV Light Sanitizer Box – I figure you can never be too careful. This gadget uses UVC light to rapidly disinfect cell phones, car keys, masks and anything else that fits in it. Bonus: the top is a wireless charger for your phone! I did my research and this one came up on the list as actually working after lab reviews. Just a little extra peace of mind in these uncertain times. Worth it!
Discount Codes
(aka Things To Save You Money)
Rakuten (formerly Ebates) – Have you heard of this? It allows you to get cash back from online sites (and in store!) for businesses you already frequent. It doesn’t cost you anything to use. All you have to is sign up and they’ll send you a nice fat rebate check periodically. I always check this first before I shop. Save those greenbacks!! (In full disclosure, I do get credits if you use this link, but any credits I receive will go into a giveaway fund so you can get even more back!)