Now that I've had a bit more time on my hands to do ordinary things (**ahem ... clean**), I've found myself navigating a world of products that over-promise and under-deliver. But there are a select few that I absolutely love. And though I could get through my day without them, I wouldn't want to. Some save time, some save money, and some make me look free spirited (and slightly crazy) as I'm contorting my body and running in circles to get away from bees. [read on]
I've done the (not-even-remotely-scientific) research for the world, and I can't keep quiet about them anymore. Before I begin, you should know that I've received zero pennies for my thoughts on these products, so that's how you know my feelings are too legit to quit.
This will probably be the most random assortment of products... but anyway, here we go.
Everyday Products I Love
1. Grove Collaborative Wool Dryer Balls -- These suckers are straight-up MAGIC. They cost $15.95 for a set of three and last for 1,000 cycles. (A box of 240 dryer sheets runs anywhere from $5.50 to $9 per box. You do the math.) You can add a few drops of essential oil to them, but I haven't noticed much of a scent by doing this. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. Anyway, to use them, all I do is mist them with water and throw them in the dryer. PROS: Obviously, cost savings over time. Not only are they more economical than dryer sheets, these magical balls cut my drying time IN HALF. So if we're still doing math, that means I'm saving money in energy as well. Another added bonus? No chemicals. CONS: On their own, they don't really eliminate static, so that was a pain... until I got smart. I take a piece of fabric with three safety pins attached, and I throw that in as well. The safety pins do something science-y and remove the static.
My thoughts on the Grove Collaborative
Right now, the Grove Collaborative is offering a free 4-piece gift set with any $20 purchase. (Always free shipping.) Plus, you get a free 60-day trial membership. While I do love the service, shipping isn't all that fast, and I really don't have $20 to spend per year to save a few bucks. I'm not 100% certain it is worth the annual fee to me, but I have enjoyed the trial.
2. Native Deodorant -- Some people love this, some hate it (like my coworker who couldn't get rid of it fast enough). I'm on team Love It. After my sister-in-law went through her cancer battle, she started making some changes to what she uses on her body and in her home. While I haven't cut out nearly as much, I've tried to make small changes here and there. This was one of them. PROS: I will preface this by admitting that I'm not much of a sweat-er. Native deodorant is NOT antiperspirant. Though I do feel like I sweat less now, and I don't smell like BO... ever. I smell like flowers, even after a tough Boot Camp class... outdoors... in the heat. The scents are really nice. Although right now, they have a seasonal scent that is Pumpkin Spice Latte, and that's totally weird to me. Each stick lasts me a while. (Maybe 3 months?) CONS: $12. A tube. Yes, seriously. But it works, and I feel good about using it on my skin. Another con: it's only sold online, so you don't really know what they smell like until you receive it. BUT, if you don't like it, they do offer free returns. I haven't yet received a scent I don't like. Last con: I love the scents, but you know who else likes the scents? BEES. Oh my word, they will not leave me alone!
3. Mrs. Meyer's Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner -- I love spraying my counters with this stuff. My favorite kitchen scent is rosemary, but apple cider might be a close second. PROS: Relatively inexpensive and great for quick spill cleanup. CONS: Not the best at getting off residue that's been sitting awhile.
4. Caribou Coffee - Daybreak Blend -- Back in March, I did the Whole30. I wasn't allowed creamer, which prior to this was a significant part of my daily diet. So I needed to find a coffee that I could stand to drink black. I've been off the Whole30 for 5.5 months, and I now prefer my coffee black. We almost always keep this on hand. (Except for right now, because I decided to try maple bacon-flavored coffee from Aldi. In case you are now curious about said coffee, it's just meh.) PROS: It's a light roast and not bitter. CONS: Depending on where you buy it, it could cost around $10/lb. BUT, my friends, Walmart sells it for $6.50, or something crazy like that.
5. Norwex - EnviroCloth, Window Cloth, and Makeup Removal Cloth -- Okay, I have to be honest here. I have not completely jumped on the Norwex bandwagon, and I do not intend to. (Ain't nobody got [money] for that.) I'm sure it's awesome. I'm sure the research is real. But I cannot justify having a bajillion wash rags around my house that serve different purposes. (I'm really sorry if I've offended any of my readers that sells Norwex! Just gotta be honest.) That being said, I LOVE the three that I have. PROS: Just add water. No cleaners needed. The EnviroCloth can be used to wipe down EVERYTHING. Even mirrors. In fact, that's how I use mine. Wet the cloth, wipe the mirror, then use the window cloth (dry) for streak-free results. GAME CHANGER ... especially when the kids spit more toothpaste on the mirror than in the sink. (What's up with that?!) I'm new to the makeup removal cloth fan club. But let me tell you, it works. I was lucky enough to buy one for $5. And now, I may want more. Simply add water to the cloth, rub on your face, rinse cloth and hang to dry. I was shocked at how well this worked. Friends, if you are thinking about checking out Norwex, I cannot recommend these three enough. CONS: Not even remotely cost effective. Sorry, Norwex. But no. I cannot justify owning more than the three I currently own. And it's not cheaper if you total how much money you spend when you buy multiples. Another con: though you wash these by throwing them in the wash, every once in a while, you have to boil them. I've owned them for a while now, and I'm fairly confident I've never done this, partly because I'm lazy, and partly because whaaat?
And finally ... I'm throwing a feminine product into the mix. Feel free to skip ahead, gentlemen.
6. L. Feminine Products -- I tried these sometime last year, because while perusing the options at my local Target (and there are WAY TOO MANY options), I was swayed by the unique package design. That's right, people. Marketing professional here, and I was completely taken by the pretty packaging, and of course, their mission: "We believe that periods should only end sentences. Not education and opportunity. In many countries, girls miss school because of lack of access to sanitary pads. L. matches each sale of a tampon, pad or liner with a donation of an organic cotton pad to a girl in a developing country. Today, L. works with over 3,000 female entrepreneurs and has donated millions of products."Sold. PROS: The pads have a cloth-like texture that keep you dry and DON'T LEAK. Organic cotton, free of chemicals and fragrances. I can't even. Cost is right in line with better-known competitors. CONS: None.
So there you have it: my current favorite everyday products. If you've tried any of these or you just cannot contain yourself and you must tell me about a product that is part of your daily repertoire, spill it! I'm all ears. Reviews are powerful, people. And I'm always on the lookout for products that make every day a little more awesome.
I've done the (not-even-remotely-scientific) research for the world, and I can't keep quiet about them anymore. Before I begin, you should know that I've received zero pennies for my thoughts on these products, so that's how you know my feelings are too legit to quit.
This will probably be the most random assortment of products... but anyway, here we go.
Everyday Products I Love
1. Grove Collaborative Wool Dryer Balls -- These suckers are straight-up MAGIC. They cost $15.95 for a set of three and last for 1,000 cycles. (A box of 240 dryer sheets runs anywhere from $5.50 to $9 per box. You do the math.) You can add a few drops of essential oil to them, but I haven't noticed much of a scent by doing this. Maybe I'm doing it wrong. Anyway, to use them, all I do is mist them with water and throw them in the dryer. PROS: Obviously, cost savings over time. Not only are they more economical than dryer sheets, these magical balls cut my drying time IN HALF. So if we're still doing math, that means I'm saving money in energy as well. Another added bonus? No chemicals. CONS: On their own, they don't really eliminate static, so that was a pain... until I got smart. I take a piece of fabric with three safety pins attached, and I throw that in as well. The safety pins do something science-y and remove the static.
My thoughts on the Grove Collaborative
Right now, the Grove Collaborative is offering a free 4-piece gift set with any $20 purchase. (Always free shipping.) Plus, you get a free 60-day trial membership. While I do love the service, shipping isn't all that fast, and I really don't have $20 to spend per year to save a few bucks. I'm not 100% certain it is worth the annual fee to me, but I have enjoyed the trial.
2. Native Deodorant -- Some people love this, some hate it (like my coworker who couldn't get rid of it fast enough). I'm on team Love It. After my sister-in-law went through her cancer battle, she started making some changes to what she uses on her body and in her home. While I haven't cut out nearly as much, I've tried to make small changes here and there. This was one of them. PROS: I will preface this by admitting that I'm not much of a sweat-er. Native deodorant is NOT antiperspirant. Though I do feel like I sweat less now, and I don't smell like BO... ever. I smell like flowers, even after a tough Boot Camp class... outdoors... in the heat. The scents are really nice. Although right now, they have a seasonal scent that is Pumpkin Spice Latte, and that's totally weird to me. Each stick lasts me a while. (Maybe 3 months?) CONS: $12. A tube. Yes, seriously. But it works, and I feel good about using it on my skin. Another con: it's only sold online, so you don't really know what they smell like until you receive it. BUT, if you don't like it, they do offer free returns. I haven't yet received a scent I don't like. Last con: I love the scents, but you know who else likes the scents? BEES. Oh my word, they will not leave me alone!
3. Mrs. Meyer's Multi-Surface Everyday Cleaner -- I love spraying my counters with this stuff. My favorite kitchen scent is rosemary, but apple cider might be a close second. PROS: Relatively inexpensive and great for quick spill cleanup. CONS: Not the best at getting off residue that's been sitting awhile.
4. Caribou Coffee - Daybreak Blend -- Back in March, I did the Whole30. I wasn't allowed creamer, which prior to this was a significant part of my daily diet. So I needed to find a coffee that I could stand to drink black. I've been off the Whole30 for 5.5 months, and I now prefer my coffee black. We almost always keep this on hand. (Except for right now, because I decided to try maple bacon-flavored coffee from Aldi. In case you are now curious about said coffee, it's just meh.) PROS: It's a light roast and not bitter. CONS: Depending on where you buy it, it could cost around $10/lb. BUT, my friends, Walmart sells it for $6.50, or something crazy like that.
5. Norwex - EnviroCloth, Window Cloth, and Makeup Removal Cloth -- Okay, I have to be honest here. I have not completely jumped on the Norwex bandwagon, and I do not intend to. (Ain't nobody got [money] for that.) I'm sure it's awesome. I'm sure the research is real. But I cannot justify having a bajillion wash rags around my house that serve different purposes. (I'm really sorry if I've offended any of my readers that sells Norwex! Just gotta be honest.) That being said, I LOVE the three that I have. PROS: Just add water. No cleaners needed. The EnviroCloth can be used to wipe down EVERYTHING. Even mirrors. In fact, that's how I use mine. Wet the cloth, wipe the mirror, then use the window cloth (dry) for streak-free results. GAME CHANGER ... especially when the kids spit more toothpaste on the mirror than in the sink. (What's up with that?!) I'm new to the makeup removal cloth fan club. But let me tell you, it works. I was lucky enough to buy one for $5. And now, I may want more. Simply add water to the cloth, rub on your face, rinse cloth and hang to dry. I was shocked at how well this worked. Friends, if you are thinking about checking out Norwex, I cannot recommend these three enough. CONS: Not even remotely cost effective. Sorry, Norwex. But no. I cannot justify owning more than the three I currently own. And it's not cheaper if you total how much money you spend when you buy multiples. Another con: though you wash these by throwing them in the wash, every once in a while, you have to boil them. I've owned them for a while now, and I'm fairly confident I've never done this, partly because I'm lazy, and partly because whaaat?
And finally ... I'm throwing a feminine product into the mix. Feel free to skip ahead, gentlemen.
6. L. Feminine Products -- I tried these sometime last year, because while perusing the options at my local Target (and there are WAY TOO MANY options), I was swayed by the unique package design. That's right, people. Marketing professional here, and I was completely taken by the pretty packaging, and of course, their mission: "We believe that periods should only end sentences. Not education and opportunity. In many countries, girls miss school because of lack of access to sanitary pads. L. matches each sale of a tampon, pad or liner with a donation of an organic cotton pad to a girl in a developing country. Today, L. works with over 3,000 female entrepreneurs and has donated millions of products."Sold. PROS: The pads have a cloth-like texture that keep you dry and DON'T LEAK. Organic cotton, free of chemicals and fragrances. I can't even. Cost is right in line with better-known competitors. CONS: None.
So there you have it: my current favorite everyday products. If you've tried any of these or you just cannot contain yourself and you must tell me about a product that is part of your daily repertoire, spill it! I'm all ears. Reviews are powerful, people. And I'm always on the lookout for products that make every day a little more awesome.
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