Things I Buy Over and Over Again
I feel as if I’m constantly on the hunt for things I love that make life easier. Yes, I realize that is consumerism at its finest and I am aware that “things” are not the key to happiness. I am not looking for happiness in things. Well, maybe sometimes I am. I’m not proud of it but I think as an average American, we are inundated thousands of times a day (yes, thousands) with that carrot that dangles in front of us. The viral Tik Tok sweater you see 15 times. The super-fast charger is sitting on the end cap during your run to CVS to pick up a prescription. I admit – sometimes throwing a pretty sweater into my cart and clicking buy now will give me that instant gratification but it’s always fleeting. The sweater arrives, I excitedly pull it out of the box, and I’m happy with it, but it’s as if that shiny quarter that initially caught my eye dulled to a lackluster penny. Impulse shopping gives us all that hit of dopamine – I think we are all aware.
However, I do spend time and effort in finding things that make life easier, enhance everyday living or make things more beautiful around me. I like to get recommendations from friends, read reviews (admittedly sometimes a little compulsively), and I’m willingly influenced by social media. When I say “things I buy over and over again” it means anything from Crest White Strips to my favorite salt with which to cook. These may not all be your cup of tea, but I hope you find something you didn’t know about that adds a little something extra to your life: the enzyme peel to make your skin glow just a tiny bit more, winter boots that keep your feet warm and toasty on those cold morning school runs, or a protein powder that is 100% clean ingredients that tastes great.
Just a few of my everyday products that you’ll see below. Always on my “but it again” lists!
Here are some of the things that I buy on repeat. Stick with me as these recos are all over the map. I tend to bounce from things like skincare to laundry detergent to olive oil. I hope you find something useful that makes your own life a bit easier or more wonderful.
Let’s start with salt, since I’ve already brought it up. Even if you’re not an avid cook, the right salt can make all the difference in the simplest of dishes. I first learned about Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt when I got Molly Baz’s cookbook, Cook this Book (which is an awesome cookbook, by the way). I was able to find it at my local grocery store, but for whatever reason, they stopped carrying it, so now I just order via Amazon. What makes it so great is it doesn’t have additives like anti-caking agents or iodine. Because the flakes are lighter and airier, there’s less salt packed into the same volume. That makes it easy to season food evenly and dissolve quickly without dominating the dish’s flavor. It helps you keep from oversalting your dishes.
Buy on Amazon: Diamond Crystal Kosher Salt
I almost always have a candle burning… in my office, our family room and if I know people are coming over, then in our foyer. Two things that I think make a house feel so cozy is a popping and crackling fire in the fireplace and flickering delicious scented candles. I actually use a candle warmer in my office because I have a tendency to knock things over on my desk and I don’t want to risk knocking an open flame onto my carpet. Tip: if your’e looking to get mileage out of your candle, use a candle warmer vs. burning it. The wax lasts so much longer. A few of my favorite brand of candles are Swan Creek, Capri Blue and Diptyque.
Buy on Amazon: Capri Blue Volcano Scented Candle
I was 100% influenced by a TikTok to try these African Net Sponges, and holy cow – where have they been my whole life?? I love them way more than your standard washcloth or those poof things. I’ve never felt so clean. It’s great for removing dead skin cells, exfoliating, and leaving your skin super soft. These are machine washable, so you can use them for quite a while. I like to replace mine about every 6 months, but you could definitely go longer.
Buy on Amazon: SubSahara African Net Sponge
Speaking of showering, this is my go-to oil and lotion after my skin is newly scrubbed and polished. I can’t say enough about OSEA products but especially their Undaria Algae Body Oil and the anti-aging body balm. I don’t know how much I care about the anti-aging factor (although maybe i should since I’m in my 40s) but it’s extremely hydrating and the scent is just so subtle and lovely. I use the oil first and then layer the body balm over the top. In the summer, I don’t need as much hydration, so I’ll go with one or the other.
Buy on Amazon: OSEA Body Oil and Body Cream
As I mentioned, I’m going to be making some weird pivots between my repeat purchases. I read somewhere that if you don’t regularly clean your dishwasher, it can contribute to a funky smell in your house that you might not even notice. So, I use garbage disposal deodorizer tablets. Now, do I know for sure that it helps kill any stale food smells? No. I think we are all nose blind to our own homes, but it makes me feel better to use them.
Buy on Amazon: Garbage Disposal Deodorizer Tablets
I wear contacts, and my eyes often get irritated and red. I also have allergies that cause my eyes to look less than clear. A friend recommended the LUMIFY eye drops to me a couple of years ago, and they are a game-changer! One drop in each and instantly any red completely disappears leaving the whites of my eyes clear and bright. Anyone that has redness due to irritation or allergies? You won’t be disappointed.
Buy on Amazon: LUMIFY Eye Drops
Liquid IV is a staple in our home. I try to drink 80oz of water a day but sometimes I just can’t there. I fill my water bottle first thing in the morning, and one thing leads to another – it’s noon, and I haven’t taken a sip. I like to use Liquid IV to help support my hydration. I don’t know how it works exactly but it’s formula helps your body absorb nutrients and water faster and easier than just drinking water alone. If you have a Costco membership, I”m sure you already know that they have great prices and flavors for Liquid IV. But if you want it in a jiffy, Amazon works too. My favorite flavors are lemon lime and blackberry peach.
My sister-in-law raved about this mascara for quite a long time and I was pretty loyal to the brand I love (Ilia) so I filed it away in my brain but never purchased it. However, at our book club’s favorite things party someone gave the mascara as their gift. Jodi – if you are reading this – I should have listened to you when you first started singing its praises. You were right, it’s amazing!!!
Buy on Amazon: Thrive Causemetics
Another food item, a good olive oil is as equally important as good salt. I’ve been using Graza olive oils since the pandemic. It was during my shut-in-cook-everything phase, and if I got anything out of that time, it was discovering this amazing, smooth, clean olive oil. I use the “sizzle” version every day, and the “drizzle” version to finish off any particular dish (even my simple bowls of cottage cheese with everything bagel seasoning).
Buy on Amazon: Graza “Sizzle” Extra Virgin Olive Oil
I am a complete nut about ink pens and journals. I’m annoying, wildly particular about the way a pen’s ink feels on the paper, and on the other side of that, I’m particular about how a journal or notebook is bound, the spacing of the lines, and the feel of the paper. As I said, I’m a nut about it. These are the smoothest pens I’ve found – although Sharpie gel pens come in as a really close second.
Buy on Amazon: Uniball Zento Gel Ink Pens
Sleep has been difficult for me over the last few years. I am sure some of it is due to my age and changing hormones, some of it is anxiety and worrying over things out of my control, and some of it is – well… I’m not sure. I just know my Apple Watch sleep scores were pretty abysmal for a while. I’ve done a number of things to help: nighttime showers, lavender pillow spray, and calming music. I also discovered magnesium cream. I put it on the bottom of my feet and my calves, and I truly do think it helps immensely in getting a good night’s sleep.
Buy on Amazon: Solia Magnesium Sleep Cream
You had to know this one was coming… Crest 3D White Strips. I’m a big coffee and Diet Coke drinker, so even though I’m a meticulous brusher, no amount of brushing will keep my teeth pearly white. Crest 3D White Strips are a no-brainer. Put them in your cart and check back often – they go on sale quite regularly, so don’t pay full price unless your in desperate need. Buy on sale and when you do – buy a couple of boxes and put them away in your linen closet.
Buy on Amazon: Crest 3D White Strips
Two of my favorite cleaning agents are ones that bring everything back to life and make it look like new: Soft Scrub and Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. Soft Scrub is my favorite for making my sink look super shiny and clean. It’s also great for stubborn, stuck-on gunk on various pots and pans. Mr. Clean Magic Erasers? My inner child LOVES these. I go to use them to clean up my son’s white sneakers, and next thing you know, I’m swiping them over baseboards, grout, and the sticky outside of the honey jar. There is nothing those magic little erasers can’t do. I do like to wear latex gloves when I use both of these products…keep that cleaning chemical exposure to your lovely skin at a minimum.
Buy on Amazon: Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
If you don’t know about nasal wash, it’s time for you to learn! By using a neti pot, which is a small teapot-like container, you put the Alkalol solution into it, tip it into one nostril, and let gravity do its thing and come out the other nostril. It cleans out any thick mucus, irritants and helps alleviate colds. This stuff is the magic sauce for lessening colds and allergies. I use this mostly in the fall/winter/spring months, but it can be routinely used year-round to help stave off airborne illness. You will thank me during cold-and-flu season.
Buy on Amazon: Alkalol Solution Nasal Wash
If there is one lip color that is universally beloved by women of all skin tones, Clinique Black Honey is it. I’ve been wearing this on and off since college. I think every single girlfriend of mine has worn or is wearing Black Honey. You really can’t go wrong. I usually like to buy my makeup from Sephora or Ulta vs. Amazon.
Buy at Sephora: Clinique Black Honey
I know food storage containers may be an odd thing to have a on list of things i buy on repeat, but I feel like i’m always losing lids or I send leftovers to work with my husband the container never finds its way home. It’s not that I have to buy them all that often, but every year or so, I seem to buy a new set. I prefer glass storage containers (although I recently bought the most adorable retro Tupperware set from Costco). Glass doesn’t stain or absorb food odors, and if I’m heating food directly in the containers, I feel better using glass so I know it’s not leeching BPA into the food. The Amazon Essentials are a low-cost storage set.
Buy on Amazon: Amazon Essentials Glass Storage Container Set
If you’re not regularly buying hand soap, then we need to have a different conversation. 😉 I like buy hand soap that is a little prettier and smells a bit more unique than your average Dial hand soap. I’m willing to pay a little bit more for nicer hand soap. It’s a little luxury that you use every day and guests in your home always appreciate. My ultimate favorite is Aesop, but that is a definite splurge! My other go-to is a brand called Panier des Sens. I particularly like the lavender and orange blossom scents.
Buy on Amazon: Panier des Sans Liquid Hand Soap
I haven’t always been great about washing my face at night, but in the last couple of years, I’ve been much better about it. I found these disposable face towels and they are great! They are soft & a great size, hold up really well with soap and water, and they have a smooth side and a textured side, depending on your preference and the sensitivity of your skin. There are 50 towels in each box so I find myself buying a couple of boxes at a time.
Buy on Amazon: Clean Skin Club Clean Face Towels
Hopefully, sunscreen is a part of your everyday skincare routine. Admittedly, I’m not totally buttoned up when it comes to putting it on, but I do try! Supergoop! Unscreen Sunscreen is by far my favorite. It is super lightweight, doesn’t have a scent and layers really well under my normal moisturizer. Some sunscreens can feel tacky but this goes on so smoothly you don’t even realize it’s on. I like the pack below as it comes with the facial sunscreen along with two bottles of body mist, which I go through like water during the warmer months.
Buy on Amazon: Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen Trio Pack
I had a whole laundry list of products that I regularly use but didn’t want to overwhelm you, dear reader, with an endless scroll. So please bookmark this and check back often as I plan to regularly update this list and swap products in to provide a fresh take on what’s good.
Other Posts You Might Be Interested In:
- Clean Beauty Products For a Happier, Healthier You
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- The Best Beach Essentials for Summer
- 10 Essential Kitchen Gadgets Every Mom Needs
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