TEN BEST...random buys that have improved my life tenfold
small investments with a big impact!
Happy Saturday! Nothing like summer temperatures to ease the (somewhat) sad transition to fall.
BUT I really do savor September and October. The perfect temperature in NYC before it gets unbearably cold and you just want to hide in your apartment!
Mango and tart fro-yo from Madison Fare, the best fro-yo in NYC.
If you missed it, last week was the first edition of TEN BEST. It’s a weekly download of the ten best recommendations in one category. I dove into my wedding weekend and shared my ten best purchases of 2025 (so far).
Tomorrow, we’re back to regular programming with my Sunday weekly r.e.p.o.r.t. c.a.r.d. (Put that series on hiatus for the summer as my brain space was occupied with so much wedding stuff!)
Back to school energy inspired this week’s TEN BEST. This post-Labor Day week is always a reset time, so these are all purchases that have helped me level up.
Without further ado!
Living in NYC, I’m always schlepping something. Dry cleaning, packages to return, groceries…the list goes on. And for years, I did so in a series of random bags. FreshDirect bags, small totes from an event I attended in college—they did the job just fine, but they threw my outfit totally off kilter.
Amidst a schlep!
Earlier this year, I decided to invest in a dedicated schlep tote. And I ended up loving it so much that I gifted to my friends at my bachelorette. It comfortably fits over the shoulder, is embroidered with my name, and fits a TON. Plus, it’s a major steal—since it’s from Etsy, it’s way less expensive than the OG “boat tote.”
mentioned this gadget on Substack a few months ago and I immediately added to cart. I love baking, and homemade whipped cream is truly the perfect finishing touch to dessert (even if it’s as simple as a bowl of summer berries).But the process to make homemade whipped cream is super cumbersome—and you have to time it just right or else the cream will flop by the time you serve it. So this dispenser is the perfect salve. Pour in heavy cream and it’s immediately transformed into whipped cream. Add sugar to your liking! Also a fantastic host / hostess gift.
I was inspired to buy these two years ago by one of those ASMR home restocking TikToks and have never looked back. Again, I love them so much that I ended up gifting them to my friends at my bachelorette!
Way more aesthetic than a Stanley!
It’s such a game-changer to have a set quantity of water filled and ready to go at all times. I find I drink way more water with these because they’re so accessible (and very easy to make my “morning potion” of creatine and electrolytes). Also great for guests. My sister and her friends devour these every time they stay at my apartment after a night out.
I’m the first one to admit that I’m not super handy around the house. You say tool…I say TaskRabbit. So I really sat on this purchase for a bit after the Nori first came out. Would I actually use it? Or rely on my “lazy” ironing method of throwing a garment in the shower and hoping it steams out the wrinkles?
In the few months that I’ve owned this gadget, I’ve used it a ton. It’s less for heavy-duty ironing and more for small touch-ups. My lazy ironing hack gets you 60% of the way there…but you still need that extra polish for your garment to be 100% perfect. It’s apartment-optimized (no ironing board needed!) and especially good for travel. I use it a ton to refresh clothes (especially collared shirts) and have avoided a ton of trips to the dry cleaner. Would make a great wedding registry addition too!
I love this cube timer to help me stay on task and stay off my phone. The iPhone timer is great, of course, but keeps me tethered to my device! If I really need to lock in and get stuff done, this thing is my go-to (and has been for years).
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’ve been waxing poetic about this shower spray for years. I’ve bought many as gifts, replaced the many sprays that have been stolen by my sister and mom, and remain a loyal customer.
This spray immediately transforms your harried shower into a full-on spa experience. Worth every penny. I've cheated on this brand before—and it wasn't worth it. This spray lasts the entirety of your shower. Yes, you can find cheaper options…but the scent will quickly dissipate. I use this every single morning and the thrill of this product has never gotten old!
I’m a sucker for a good set. I always feel super pulled-together when I throw one on (even if I don’t feel that way). But some of the prices on activewear sets are wild. $300 for a top and biker shorts? No thanks.
And I also don’t believe in spending a ton on activewear. I save my money for investment pieces (blazers! bags! boots!), not a random sports bra. So this set is perfect. Lululemon quality at a way lower price point. I scooped it up in two colors (a light blue and a darker blue) for my mini-moon and will wear them a ton throughout the fall.
I buy these lavender hand sanitizers in bulk. They smell so good and make you look forward to the ritual. I have a ton of these stashed away in multiple bags, in my car, and on my desk. A must!
This wasn’t technically a purchase, as it was part of my wedding registry. But I love games (and so does my husband). When we first started dating, we bonded over our pandemic Words with Friends obsession. So to mix it up a bit from the traditional registry additions, we added this lucite card set.
A beautiful addition to our coffee table that is also a reminder to turn off the TV and play a game! Also makes for a great host / hostess gift.
When I designed my home office nook, I knew I wanted a dry erase board as part of the decor. It allows me to capture my to-do list in one place vs. scattering it across multiple notebooks. Also, it’s a great visual reminder of what I need to get done. A notebook can be stashed away…this can’t!
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