1. A pair of pillow slipper slides because they'll *literally* put a spring in your step thanks to the compression-resistant rebound soles and elite comfort already loved by over 35,000 reviewers (plus at least one BuzzFeed writer). "I recently purchased a pair of these and I swear it was the best purchase I've made this year — not to be dramatic or anything.
I needed some summer shoes because I've been running errands in my Uggs, and in 90-degree weather...
that's not very fun, to say the least. These babies are the softest things EVER; I'm not even exaggerating. Every step I take feels like I'm being cushioned by the spongiest cloud, and TBH, it's pretty freaking comforting.
I wear them to run errands, during casual outings, and even on my hot girl walks!" — Rachelle Yang Get them from Amazon for $23.99 (available in women's sizes 4–16, men's sizes 3–14 and in 15 colors). 2.
An energy-efficient Midea 2-in-1 air conditioner with a genius U-shaped design that uses your window to block out noise, making it nine times quieter than standard units. Plus, it's Wi-Fi compatible, so you can adjust controls from your phone with the app or via voice commands with Alexa or Google Assistant. "This is the exact AC that's running in my living room right now, folks.
(Shoutout to the construction workers who accidentally broke my old one, forcing my landlord to shell out for a new one.) I have it in the 10,000 BTU model and it's SO nice, I'd buy another one in a heartbeat if needed. It's incredibly quiet; it's sleek, and modern-looking, and, most importantly, it cools down my spacious living room like nobody's business *without* sending my energy bill through the roof.
Since the AC is Wi-Fi enabled, you can control it from anywhere using the MideaAir app (available on both iOS and Android). You can also use voice control with Alexa or Google Assistant! I usually just control it via the buttons on the AC, but I've set up and tested out the app, and it's very intuitive and easy to use." — Jenae Sitzes Get it from Amazon for $297.
99+ (available with three BTU levels). 3. Or an oscillating tower fan for anyone who thinks they don't have enough floor space to accommodate a free-standing fan — think again! This slim style is a lot more powerful than it looks with four different modes to meet all your cooling needs, day or night.
"As someone who lives in a fourth-floor apartment (remember: heat ~rises~) with a bedroom window AC that barely works, LET ME TELL YOU: It comes in clutch. Seriously, most nights I leave that poor AC turned off and use this tower fan instead, and it's all I need. It has six speeds, but I rarely even feel the need to put it on full blast.
It keeps me cool at night, it's quiet, and the night mode is super handy because it turns off the LED display quickly if you need to adjust the speed during the night. You can mute the little beeping sounds with the remote too, if needed." — Jenae Sitzes Get it from Amazon for $89.
99 (also available in three colors and a smart Wi-Fi version). 4. A cruelty-free AHA serum deodorant so you can turn daily encounters with your deo into a multitasking beauty regimen that helps to brighten dark spots and handle ingrown hairs while doing all the stink prevention you'd expect! "I am a sweaty, stinky girl (no shame!), so I was initially very skeptical of this deodorant.
But I was in the market for a new deodorant after my last one started making my skin feel like it was burning, so I thought, Why not? While this does nothing for the amount of sweating I do (it's a deodorant, not an antiperspirant, so I wasn't expecting to sweat less), it does keep things smelling fresh. And I've actually noticed my underarm skin lightening gradually over the last couple of weeks. The scent? Divine .
It does feel a lil' goopy — kinda like gel deodorant as opposed to a solid — but it dries reasonably fast and then you can get on with your day." — Melanie Aman Get it from Target for $12.99 .
5. A two-tier rotating organizer if you've got cluttered cabinets, a desktop you can barely see, or a vanity that's quickly running out of room. This versatile caddy is up to any organization task you throw at it, with removable dividers and full 360-degree rotation.
"I absolutely hate scavenging through my makeup bag when I am doing my makeup, so I was looking for something that would allow me to do my makeup more easily in the morning. I decided to test out these stackable turntable storage dividers from Copco, and they have been a game changer! They have separate compartments, so I can sort by different types of makeup. In the one on the top, I also put some small clips and bobby pins.
I love that I can spin it and clearly SEE the makeup I want instead of rummaging through my makeup bag like I used to. I am also thinking about getting some for in my cabinet for my son's after-school snacks." — Krista Torres Get it from Amazon for $23.
29 . 6. A stainless-steel Owala insulated water bottle to help you stay hydrated on the go whether you prefer a straw-top Stanley or a wide-mouth Hydro Flask.
Now, you don't have to choose, thanks to this bottle's 2-in-1 spout with a built-in straw for sipping and a wider opening for gulping. It's also designed to be easy to disassemble and clean, and the lid and straw are dishwasher-safe! Oh, and the 24-ounce bottles are designed to be universally cup holder-friendly. "I've been wanting to get an Owala for the longest time because 1) I'm a sucker for colorful things, and 2) I'm obsessed with water bottles.
With that being said, I didn't *need* another bottle, and my friends kept telling me it was a waste of money to get one. Obviously, I didn't listen to them and caved, and I'm not even kidding you; this is the one water bottle I bring with me EVERYWHERE . I've tried the Hydro Flask bottle and tumbler , HydroJug , and Stanley — I love them all, but I hate to say, the Owala just reigns supreme.
My fave feature has to be the straw because not only does sipping require less effort but it's so much easier to drink while walking or in the car (aka no more dribbles) . It's basically like having a tumbler with a lid. Seriously, whoever invented the Owala is an absolute genius.
I recently went to the Bahamas and brought it everywhere with me, and let me tell you, my water stayed cold the entiiiiire day. It's also so easy to carry around thanks to the loop, and when you want to put it in your bag, just push the loop down, and it'll lock the lid in place — GENIUS!" — Rachelle Yang Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in 4 sizes and 22 colors).
7. A delicious-smelling leave-in moisturizer and conditioning spray because you're tired of fighting with frizz, and this powerhouse combo works as a regular hair treatment *and* styling solution with all-day staying power. The Potion Studio is a Black woman-founded small business specializing in luxury haircare for textured hair, though their products work on all kinds of hair! "My son and husband both have very coarse hair that can get frizzy.
They have been on the hunt for a haircare combo that combats frizz and also doesn't make their hair stiff or look wet. The Potion Studio has a moisturizer and conditioning spray that they have been loving! Also, I should add the smell is what really puts this brand over the top. They love it, and as someone who is around them daily, it smells delightful.
They love that it makes their hair feel natural and it lasts the whole day. They use the moisturizer first and then the spray ." — Krista Torres Get the moisturizer and spray from Nordstrom for $32 each, or check them out at The Potion Studio .
8. A trendy pair of platform Converse high-tops that's an extra cool *and* extra comfy version of the classic Chuck Taylors with all the long-wearing durability you've come to know and love from the brand. "I had these bbs for three years but had to say goodbye to them because it was finally their time to go.
🥲 I first got these shoes because I have very weak ankles and needed shoes that would support them, but these did waaaay more than that . The platforms were a lot comfier than I thought they were going to be, and I wore these EVERYWHERE. From concerts to hikes to beaches, these bad boys really put in the work and held up through everything.
I never had a moment when I felt uncomfy with these on, and besides all that, they're SO SO SO cute!" — Rachelle Yang Get them from Amazon for $56.97+ (available in women's sizes 5–12 and in a wide range of styles/colors). 9.
A Paper Shoot camera for a travel-friendly photo option that packs all the nostalgia of a disposable camera into a convenient and reusable digital package. If you struggle to unplug or just love a retro point-and-shoot moment, this should be on your list. Paper Shoot is the small business behind these innovative "digital film cameras.
" "I LOVE this camera and spent months clicking on Instagram ads for it before finally opening one up on Christmas — thanks to my lovely partner. He went hard and got me the Premium Camera Bundle , so mine looks slightly different than the standard model pictured above, but functionally, it is the exact same. It's like carrying around a disposable camera — with no screen or image preview — but with an SD card and rechargeable batteries (not included), so you get all the ease and convenience of a digital camera.
If you have no impulse control when it comes to your phone (like I do), it's a great way to snap photos without letting notifications suck you into a distraction-filled black hole that takes you out of the moment. The film-like look is dreamy without much editing, and there's something pretty refreshing about the delayed gratification of not seeing how your photos turned out until later. I bring it with me on vacations and casual walks alike since it easily slips into a small bag, and I have already influenced one of my BFFs into getting her own (she loves it, too).
If you have a casual interest in photography like I do or just crave a more analog experience, I highly recommend it!" — Danielle Healy Get it from Amazon or Paper Shoot for $125+ (available in a wide range of colors/styles). 10. A shake-to-activate Orebella Window2Soul Parfum so you can smell good and feel your best — even if you have sensitive skin.
Unlike most scents, this one is alcohol-free and contains moisturizing *and* hydrating ingredients like shea-, jojoba-, and almond oil. And that's all without mentioning just how yummy it smells with a mix of rose and jasmine. Fun fact — Orbella was founded by model Bella Hadid! "I own the Window2Soul scent and trust me, it really does smell amazing!! As someone who is 100% not a fan of harsh, strongly scented perfumes (they make me cough and sneeze up a storm!), the light floral combined with lemon is *chef's kiss*, and the skin benefits are a huuuge plus.
On top of it all, the scent lasts hours. It's definitely becoming my signature scent for the summer!" — Amanda Davis Get it from Ulta for $72+ (available in two sizes and three other scents ). 11.
Some Malk organic creamers — in Vanilla Almond and Caramel Almond — if you're in the Troubled Tummies Club and are looking for a dairy-free alternative to the flavored creamers of your ~youth~. "These creamers are truly life changing! I usually love dairy-based creamers, but as a lactose-intolerant girlie, they don’t always agree with me. Malk organic almond creamers have been a game changer — I can enjoy my coffee without any worries! At first, I was surprised because they don’t lighten my coffee like typical creamers do, but then I learned it’s because they’re free from natural flavors and artificial whiteners, so I get a rich, authentic taste.
The sweetness is still perfect! My go-to is the Unsweetened Cashew Malk because I do prefer my drinks less sweet, but when I’m in the mood for a little more indulgence, the Vanilla Almond Creamer hits the spot perfectly!" — Brittney Trinh Get the Vanilla Almond and Caramel Almond creamers from Amazon for $6.79+. 12.
An Osaki massage chair to cancel your regular massage appointment for good. Ngl — it's a major splurge, but it's got all the bells and whistles you could imagine, and a bunch you'd never think of, like Bluetooth surround-sound speakers, a USB charger (so you never have to leave), a zero gravity mode, and loads, loads more! "My family bought this chair a while back and I swear (and they probably would too) it's the best investment ever. Every time my boyfriend and I go visit my fam, he makes a beeline for this chair and we usually have to fight over it.
Oh, and whenever I'm looking for my dad, I can guarantee you almost every time he's fast asleep in this cushy chair. This chair is my go-to spot in the house when it's not in use — I even use it when I'm working! This baby gets. the.
job. done. It massages everything, literally everything, from your head down to your toes.
You can choose different preset massage options (eight) like Swedish, Thai, and therapy or you can choose manual options (six) like kneading and shiatsu. Plus, it adjusts to your body shape and height automatically with one button. For reference, my boyfriend is 6'1 and he fits perfectly.
I'm 5'6 and guess what, I also fit ~per-fect-ly~. Ugh, it's literally the BEST THING EVER. Yes, it's definitely on the expensive side but I would be lying to you if I said it wasn't worth it.
" — Rachelle Yang Get it from Walmart or directly from Osaki for $5,699 (available in up to three colors). The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity..
