Since my Summer post about home products was such a hit, I thought I would continue this theme and share the home and health products of Autumn 2022. They are the other (mostly) useful products I have tried since. Don’t mistake me for being a shopping addict- I truly don’t enjoy shopping and do not have a big enough budget to shop frequently.
However, I’ve been in the process of organizing the parts of my life that I do have control over. Therefore, little by little, I want to tackle things that have been on my mind. I’ve done closet cleanups, organizing, and item purges. So far, I’m feeling a bit better about things. I even got rid of jeans that I’ve had for over ten years!! (Do you finally believe that I’m serious when I say I dislike shopping?)
I love waiting for sales and discount prices, and I have apps that show me the best deals and that do the price comparison/bargain hunting for me. Should I do a post on those apps too? Hmm…
Basically, I do what I can to cut costs for everything I buy and I make it a bit of a challenge for myself. If I even begin to question a purchase, or I hesitate buying something, then it gets put on a private wish list. Usually, this means that a few months later, when I go through the wish list, I am able to remove quite a few items that I don’t need to purchase. I either discovered it would have been an unnecessary purchase, or it was simply a moment of desiring an item just because. The next time you set out to do some shopping whether it’s online or in-person, try it for yourself! If you pick up an item that you would like but that you don’t need, simply write it down or take a photo with your phone and walk away from it.
So, if ever people ask me for gift ideas, I either request something that I have my eye on or something that I have been saving for. This way, any funds that would have been put towards those items, go into my untouchable savings instead. Being an adult is fun, isn’t it? I truly find joy and excitement in being mindful of expenses, cleaning items, and savings. Oh well! Without further ado, here are the home and health products of Autumn 2022.*
YALUXE Tote Bag for Women
This purchase was simply necessary. I had donated/got rid of almost every bag and purse I had due to them being over a decade old. I’m not even kidding when I say that I borrowed a purse strap from my Mom to keep a purse I had been using functional. Did the strap even match the bag? No. If this doesn’t tell you how much I try to use everything until its very last day, I don’t know what will. With this purchase, I was able to give my mom her strap back, and I can finally go out in public without the embarrassment caused by a bag.
It’s the perfect bag for my needs. Anyone who knows me knows that I can’t leave the house without a book. This bag is big enough to carry a laptop, a large book, and all of your essentials. It also comes with a smaller bag that has its own strap. For the days when you wish to leave your laptop and big items behind, you can quickly grab it and go while still having all of your wallet items.
I was nervous about the quality (as I am every time I buy anything from Amazon). There was no need to worry- the zippers are not flimsy. Neither, are the straps. It’s simply exactly was I was looking for. However, if anyone would want to use it to carry a laptop, I would definitely invest in a good laptop protector. I would not trust my laptop to be protected properly in this bag alone. Otherwise, I am extremely happy with it. It has a durable clasp to attach your keys to for easy access and safekeeping, enough pockets for my liking, and overall- I’m extremely happy with it.
Umbra UDRY Dish Drying Rack
Our apartment doesn’t have a dishwasher. And, as you may know, I love to cook. So, no dishwasher + love of cooking=? That’s right. It equals me constantly doing a LOT of dishes. You can also probably imagine how living in an apartment can (sometimes) mean that there is less room than desired available. I love the size of our apartment, and I honestly don’t want or need a lot of space. However, I am always looking for ways to make the most of our space. I am also determined to make it more than just an apartment. I want it to actually feel like a home.
Now, this may make me sound slightly neurotic, but my dish rack was driving me crazy. It felt like I was washing it as often as I was washing dishes which is just ridiculous. Does it help that I was using a white drying rack? No. However, it was a cost-effective option at the time and I really didn’t think much about the purchase. I mean, come on- it’s just a dish rack. Fast forward several years, and now it was just driving me nuts.
My first attempt at a solution…
I was tempted to get something similar to this:
Then, I thought of how big it looked without any dishes in it and how it would obstruct the view of the window while also looking messy from the outside in. All this to say, there were too many cons and not enough pros. Therefore, I took a chance on this Umbra Microfiber Drying Rack.
Quite the contrast, isn’t it?
I had looked around at several other options and I refused to purchase another plastic one that would have the same issues as my old one. In addition, I wasn’t spending $100+ for a dishrack. Give me a break.
As described on Amazon:
- DISH-DRYING RACK & MAT IN ONE: Umbra’s UDRY combines a dish drying rack and dish drying mat in one so you can neatly stack and organize your dishes, glasses, cutlery, pots, pans, and more, allowing them to air-dry while you get on with your day
- SUPER-ABSORBENT MICROFIBER MAT: The perfect blend of form and function, UDRY’s microfiber mat absorbs water from drying dishes while at the same time protecting your counter-top from scratches and water buildup
- REMOVABLE DISH RACK TRAY: Versatile and durable, the molded plastic (BPA-free) dish drainer tray can be secured to the middle or side of the microfiber mat to accommodate a wide assortment of dishes; it slides in and out of position in a flash and is dishwasher safe (top rack only) for easy cleaning
- FOLDS FOR EASY, COMPACT STORAGE: The lightweight and low-profile design looks great on your counter-top and accommodates a surprisingly large number of dishes when in use; when not in use, UDRY conveniently folds up for compact storage in a drawer or cupboard leaving your counter-top clutter-free
- DESIGNED BY DAVID GREEN FOR UMBRA: Another kitchen innovation from Umbra, UDRY is an easy-to-use, easy-to-clean, all-in-one dish-drying kitchen solution that you’re going to love (Colour: Charcoal – Size: 24 x 18 inches)
Now that I have used it for a while, would I recommend it?
It depends. I’ll be perfectly honest- I was disappointed after the first use. It does not hold my plates upright, although a quick glance at other customer reviews had warned me of this. If you have anything other than completely flat plates, I would steer clear of this product. I love my plates. They are thick and have a nice square-shaped bottom, but they do not fit in the rack. They instantly tip over. Irritating? Yes. End of the world? No.
Is it perfect if you need to pile a mound of washed dishes?
No, not unless you’re prepared to play Tetris to get everything to fit while also using ladles as support. I’m serious; I felt like an architect planning out how to place each plate and bowl.
Now, I’m not ridiculing anyone who may have a mound of dishes. Even cooking one meal can sometimes create quite a few dishes to be cleaned! Bigger stir-fry pans, soup pots, roasting pans, cutting boards, slow cookers… you very quickly find that you have a sink full of dishes to do! Believe me, I understand.
If this is reminiscent of the post-cooking state of your kitchen, I would perhaps suggest finding another product to use. Honestly, even the Dollar Store sells absorbent mats that would do a similar job. Truly- take my advice and go to your local dollar store or Walmart.
However, I will use this until wear and tear make it impossible to.
I also believe it will help me to have better dishwashing habits. For example, rather than worry about if every dish will fit on the mat, I will simply wash everything immediately after using it. Similarly, I will dry the dishes right away rather than allow them to air dry overnight.
Welcome to the Jungle A Frantic Journey Through Motherhood and Self Discovery
My love of writing definitely stemmed from a love of reading. Do I read as much as I used to? Unfortunately, no. However, when a dear friend released her book, you know I was one of the first people to pre-order it. Technically, I pre-ordered this months ago, so if you’re doing a tally of what I have spent over the past few months- there truly is no point. (I never go over my small budget and I am motivated more toward saving money than spending it).
If you haven’t been following Annie Lawton‘s journey, I encourage you to add her book, Welcome to the Jungle to your next Amazon shipment. While I may have a slightly biased opinion, I still encourage you to pick up a copy. It had me laughing and feeling all the emotions within the first chapter. Annie is one of a kind and I value her friendship immensely. You’ll feel like she’s your friend within a few pages, too.
Hot Wheels Ultimate City Garage with Moving T-Rex Dino
As you might have guessed, this Ultimate Garage set was not for me. My little boy turned 6 years old! He is continuing to love both cars and dinosaurs so this was the perfect gift for him. Luckily, I was looking for his gift at the right time and got it on sale for a very reasonable price. Honestly, I don’t know if I would have thought it was worth its original price.
It’s so hard wanting to get your kids everything while also being careful about ensuring they grow up knowing about values and what’s important. However, much can be learned by leading by example, budgeting, and saving. My Son started school this year, he’s doing well keeping up with chores, and to put it plainly, nothing would stop me from getting my Son a birthday gift he truly wanted. However, adult to adult- I’m happy I had planned for it in my gift budget. Does this count as a “home” product? I think so.
That’s all of the home and health products Autumn 2022!
The next “product post” will probably be after Christmas and/or in the New Year, once all gifts are given. I wouldn’t want to ruin anyone’s surprise, would I? Regular recipe posts (and others) will continue as normal, so please keep stopping by to see what we’re up to!
If there is a product you’ve recently tried and are in love with, please let me know by commenting below. As always, thank you for reading, and see you next time!
*All links are given through my Amazon account when possible. This simply tells them how you were referred to the product. I may or may not get a commission at no cost to you. Full transparency, I have yet to get any rewards/compensation from doing this. It was more of an experiment than anything else.
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