Tuesday, October 6, 2026

14 Finds - Useful Gadgets You Never Knew You Needed

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

We love a gadget that solves a problem in our house, and today, I’m rounding up 14 gadgets that you may not even know exist… some of these we own and love, and some I’d never seen before!  These are all brilliant, and my hope is that you find a few ideas that you can use for holiday gifts or that you find items that you can add to your own wish list! 

Many of these items are on sale for Prime Day, too, so this post is right on time!



Desktop Vacuum

I bought this desktop vacuum 2.5 years ago and I use it nearly every day to pick up crumbs around my keyboard since I eat at my desk so often.  It also picks up dust, hair, paper scraps, and other everyday junk that tends to collect on surfaces.  It’s easy to operate, it’s quiet, and it runs on batteries, so you don’t have to worry about charging it.  And the battery life lasts forever… I haven’t had to change mine yet!  I would buy this all over again as it’s one of my most-used items from Amazon!  Oh, and there is an option with a charger if you prefer not to use batteries.

 


Safety Cutter

We’ve had one of these safety cutters for years and I don’t think I’ve ever shared it here because Brian was the one who purchased it.  This safety cutter is tiny and it’s perfect for opening boxes and other packages.  The blade is minimally exposed, keeping your fingers and the contents inside your packages safe.  It’s so much easier than using scissors or box cutters and it takes up no space at all in your drawer.


 

The Clean Ball

This tiny little ball with an inner sticky ball rolls around in your purse, backpack, gym bag, or any other bag to collect dirt, dust, crumbs, lint, hair, etc.  All you have to do is toss it in your bag and it cleans on the go!  Every so often, pop out the sticky ball, wash it under water, and put it back in your bag to catch all the dust and crumbs again!  You can reuse it over and over making it the perfect companion for all your bags.  It comes in lots of different colors, and it would make a great gift or stocking stuffer for the person who has it all!  It’s truly so clever.


 

Lazy Susan Revolution

Okay, this Lazy Susan Revolution would be the perfect purchase right now with all the holidays coming up!  This turntable allows each dish to have its own spot, and it turns in either direction, so everyone can access any dish from any part of the table at any time without having to bother anyone else at the other end of the table.  In just one touch, food rotates so you don’t have to get out of your seat or reach across the table.  It has a heat-resistant silicone surface that allows you to serve straight out of the oven with even the hottest dishes, and it’s expandable so you can add as many serving spots that you need.  Seriously the most brilliant thing ever!


 

Sleek Socket Flat Outlet Concealer

This Sleek Socket flat outlet concealer is ultra-thin, so it hugs the wall while completely hiding the entire outlet.  In addition to that, it also increases your outlet use because it has three sockets!  Simply plug it in to the wall, route the cord whichever direction you want it to go, and plug all devices in to the other end, keeping them concealed and out of the way.  This is perfect for wrangling unsightly cords and it’s also perfect for tight spaces where plugs don’t fit. 


 

Scrub Daddy Dish Washing Liquid Dispenser

The Scrub Daddy Dish Washing Liquid Dispenser allows you to squeeze the sides to direct soap into pots and pans OR push down to infuse soap onto your hand or sponge.  Since it has the push down action, you can easily dispense soap into your sponge one-handed, which is great when you have your hands full. 

 


Spatty Daddy

These skinny but long spatulas allow you to scrape out every last drop of any product – ketchup, jam, foundation, lotion, sunscreen, serums, etc.  They’re reusable, flexible, and dishwasher safe, and they pay for themselves since they allow you to get the most of every product in your house.  Brian and I saw these on Shark Tank years ago, and Brian bought some right away.  We’ve used them ever since and they are truly every bit as good as they say they are! 

 


Teeth Brushing & Hand-Washing Timer

Attention parents, this little tool is PERFECT for little ones who have no concept of time, especially when washing hands and brushing teeth!  This cute little timer has a suction cup that sticks to your child’s bathroom mirror, and it allows kids to select which task they’re doing – brushing teeth or washing hands.  Once they select their option, an automatic timer starts to count down as they do their task.  The timer runs for 20 seconds for hand washing and it runs for two minutes for teeth brushing.  When they press a button to start either timer, the light turns green, and when it turns red, they know they can stop.  I wish we’d had one of these for our kids when they were little!

 


Flameless Rechargeable Lighter

This flameless rechargeable lighter uses electricity so you can light candles and other items without fuel or gas or flames.  It lights quicker than a regular lighter and there is no risk of burning yourself like there is with a butane lighter or a match.  Just charge it and use it!  We have one of these as well.

 


Keyboard Cover

Okay, this keyboard cover is PERFECT for all you ladies with acrylic or gel nails.  Made of acrylic, this cover lays over any keyboard, providing a comfortable surface for smooth and accurate typing without scratching or damaging your nails.  It also reduces typing noise and protects your keys from daily wear and tear.  It’s waterproof, dustproof and easy to clean!  Just remove, rinse, and reuse!  Just brilliant!  It comes in lots of colors, too.

 


Cordless Electric Scissors

Where oh where have these been all my life?!  I cannot tell you how many times we’ve needed to cut a box or foam board into pieces for various school / house projects, and these would have made that task so much easier and so much less messy!  These will cut through cardboard boxes, leather, plastic, canvas, carpet, wallpaper, and so many more materials up to 1/4 inch thick with ease.  It comes with the main unit, extra blades, and a charger, so it has everything you need.  SO handy to have in any home!

 


Tablecloth Weights

These tablecloth weights attach to the corners and / or edges of any tablecloth to hold them down, so tablecloths don’t blow around in windy conditions.  No more tablecloths blowing in the food when you’re dining outdoors!

 


4-In-1 Retractable USB C Wall Charger

I don’t know about you, but I am soooo tired of having cords for all the things all over creation.  It seems that everything has a charger these days, and we have chargers and cords sticking out of every corner.  This 4-in-1 wall charger has retractable charging cords, so you only have to have the cord out while you’re charging.  When not in use, cables roll right up into the charger for easy, mess-free storage.  This one can charge four devices at a time and it’s highly rated.


 

Magnetic Cord Organizer

And speaking of cords, if you do have cords that you absolutely have to have out and on hand at all times, this cord organizer is magnetic, so all the outlets magically stick to the holder.  The holder is small and stylish, so it looks great on a nightstand!  Brian has this exact one on his side of the bed, and he loves it.  It’s big enough to hold chargers for his personal phone, his work phone, and his Apple Watch with some room leftover.


 

And that’s it!  I hope you found some of these items useful.  Let me know if you decide to add any of them to your wish list!

Happy Wednesday, y’all!!      

And if you want to see previous 14 Finds posts, they are below.

Products That Solve Everyday Problems in the Kitchen

Genius Home Organization and Storage Products That Are Functional and Beautiful

Emergency Items That Everyone Should Have in Their Home

Cozy Must-Haves for the Home

Trendy Pieces for Fall 2026

Classy Halloween Decor for the Person Who Hates Halloween Decor

Products That Solve Everyday Pain Point in the Bathroom

The Prettiest Sweaters for Fall and Winter






Monday, October 5, 2026

What I Ordered from Amazon in September 2026

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Hey, y’all!  It’s time for another edition of Amazon purchases, and just in time for Amazon Prime Day!  Here are the items I bought in the month of September…



 

Curling Iron

The heating element in my curling iron stopped working last weekend, so I had to overnight a curling iron from Amazon.  I ended up purchasing the exact same one that I already had because I love it so much.  It has a 1.5-inch barrel (but it comes in other sizes), and it creates soft curls in just seconds.  It has 30 heat settings so you can get the right one for your hair type, it has a swivel cord for tangle-free use, and it has auto shutoff for peace of mind.  I’ve owned numerous curling irons in my lifetime, and this one is, by far, my favorite.  It’s also very well priced, which is important to me, because I won’t spend a lot of money on a curling iron.


 

Oversized Sweater

I had to purchase this sweater when I came across it while writing my 14 Finds post last week, and I’m so glad I did because it is SO GOOD.  The quality is unbelievable, especially for the price.  It’s so soft and warm, it’s going to be so comfortable this winter, and the stitching is even prettier in person than it is in the photo.  I highly recommend it… it has such WOW factor with that big stitching!  And it comes in so many different colors!  As I was linking it, I just saw that the price has skyrocketed, though, so maybe wait a bit and see if it goes back down.  Mine was under $25.

 


The Best Tank Tops

I’ve always loved the Amazon Basic tank tops, and you can’t find a tank top of this quality for a better price!  I was in need of an off-white tank top, so I grabbed this two-pack.  Both colors are so pretty, the tanks are the softest ones I’ve ever owned, and they wash and dry well.  I have Amazon tanks that I’ve been wearing for years (I’ve worn them dozens and dozens of times), and they still look brand new.  These are a closet staple, and I have one in every color of the rainbow + in various patterns.

 


Pet Food Bowls Mat

I purchased this mat to go under Belle’s food bowls, but I ended up returning it.  While the quality was good (and I do love the scalloped edges!), I was worried it would stain easily and also not wash well.


 

Pet Food Bowls Mat, Take 2

After I returned the other mat, I purchased this one and it was an excellent choice because it’s so much sturdier than the other.  This one is made of silicone, so it’s 100% washable – you can even put it in the dishwasher – and it has a lip around the edge to catch any spills from running onto the floor.  It comes in different sizes and colors, and it’s made by a small business which makes me love it even more!

 


Under Eye Patches

My friend, Jeannine, and I put together a basket for our friend who just had surgery recently, and we included these fun Grace & Stella eye patches.  They have thousands of rave reviews and a high overall rating.  They’re cute and shimmery and they’re effective at reducing dark circles, fine lines, and puffiness, and we thought they’d be a nice little treat for our friend to pamper herself while she was recovering.  She already used some of them and she gave them two thumbs up!

 


EOS Organic Lip Balm

This was another item that we put in our friend’s recovery basket.  You can never have too much lip balm, and I’ve always loved this brand.  It’s another highly rated item with thousands of great reviews.  It’s paraben, phthalate, gluten, and cruelty-free, it’s hypoallergenic, and it provides all-day moisture.  I love these flavors, too!

 


Uterus Workbook

The friend who we made the basket for had a hysterectomy and she was very happy about it, so we thought it would be funny to give her this workbook.  She thought it was hysterical, and she said she’s been working on it when she needs a break from reading.  I flipped through it before we gave it to her, and it’s actually quite cute and entertaining!  Haha.  It has word searches, crossword puzzles, Sudoku, mazes, word scrambles, and coloring pages.  We love an adult coloring book!


 

Colored Pencils

Crayola colored pencils were a must for the basket, so she’d have something to use in her activity book.

 


Hysterectomy Card

And a funny card was also a must.  I still can’t believe there’s stuff out there like this.  Haha.  It was a hit!

 


Cloud Slime

This was a purchase for a birthday party, and Olivia was so excited when she saw it that she wanted one, too.  The quality is excellent as far as squishies go, and it would make a great stocking stuffer!

 


Bedazzling Kit

We also purchased this bedazzling kit for the birthday gift because Olivia loves hers so much.  She has been bedazzling everything in sight, and we’re hoping that Buckley loves his and wants to bedazzle everything in sight at his house, too.  <3  It's also currently priced cheaper than I've ever seen it.

 


Convertible Tights

These are Olivia’s favorite tights, and she needed some new ones, so we bought this two-pack.  These are super soft, stretchy, and most importantly, DURABLE.  Our girl dances at least three nights per week, and she needs something that will hold up so we don’t spend a gazillion dollars replacing ripped tights.  She has to wear them over her feet for some of her classes and then pull them up for some of her classes, so she loves these convertible tights since they allow her to do both.

 


Amazon Basics Batteries

We get all our batteries from Amazon because they’re less expensive than any other battery on the market that we’ve seen.  The quality is excellent, they’re long-lasting, and we love buying them in bulk so we can always keep them on hand.

 


Dentastix

Aw, we love these!  We used to buy them for Maui all the time, so we thought it was time to give Belle a turn with them!  She loves to chew, so these keep her busy and curb her appetite when she is feeling extra bite-ish.  Haha.

 


Science Diet Dog Food

This was the brand we used for Maui, and now Bellie loves it, too!  She’s officially made her way through her first bag of dog food, so it was time for a refill, and Amazon always has the best price!


 

Dream Bone

I bought these for Belle for chewing as well, so we can alternate between these and Dentastix.  She LOVES these and they keep her busy for at least an hour, sometimes longer.

 


Amazon Gift Card

This was a purchase for a birthday gift.  I always love Amazon gift card options because they have some truly unique ones out there!

 


Magnesium

I’ve been taking this magnesium for years now, and I love it for muscle relaxation and tension.  I take two every morning and it does help a bit with my neck tension (though it doesn’t get rid of it completely).  It was time for a refill, and of course, Amazon always has the best price!  Many of the reviews mention that they’re excellent for sleep if you take them before bed.

 


Women’s Multi Vitamin

It was also time for a refill on my multi vitamins, and I’ve always been a Smarty Pants girl!  These are tasty and they have everything I’m looking for in a multi vitamin.

 


Happy Monday, y’all!

And if you want to see everything that I ordered in previous months, just check out the posts below!


      

Friday, October 2, 2026

Five on Friday - October Goals

Happy Friday, y’all!  Today I’m recapping my September goals and listing my goals for October.  As always, I’m using a Y for YES and N for NO to indicate whether or not I accomplished my goals. 


 

September Goals

Personal Health / Wellness / Fitness / Beauty

Y  Be intentional about creating joy every day.

Y  Vibration plate, meditation, neck pillow every single day.

Y  Go to my orthodontist appointment.

Y  Go to my upper cervical chiropractor appointment.

Y  Go to my annual dermatologist skin check appointment.

Y  Start isometric exercises for my neck (if my UCC approves).

Y  Walk 20 miles.

 

Commitments / Appointments / Meetings / Volunteering

Y  Olivia start crochet club at school.

Y  Jacob attend his Teen Advisors retreat.

Y  Attend the Home & School Advisory Board meeting at school.

Y  Take Belle to her second vet checkup.

Y  Kids go to their orthodontist checkups.

Y  Olivia start extra dance rehearsals for the Christmas recital.

Y  Chair Grandparent’s Day at the kids’ school.

Y  Volunteer at our church’s Outreach center.

 

Home / Organization / Planning

Y  Decorate the house for fall.

Y  Start planning for Halloween.

N  Update kids’ chore chart.

N  Sew bows on Olivia’s jeans.

N  Clean out primary bathroom.

Y  Work on reorganizing List Master app.

Y  Finish updating all album artwork in iTunes.

 

Blog / Social Media

N  Work on end of year blog post.

Y  Finalize editorial calendar for the last quarter.

 

Fun Stuff

Y  Start watching college football!

Y  Celebrate HOCO week!

Y  Attend the HOCO bonfire.

Y  Attend the alumni social for HOCO.

Y  Attend the HOCO football game.

Y  Go to the Paul Thorn concert.

Y  Go to dinner with my girls.

N  Go to poker night with friends.

Y  Go on a date with B.

Y  Go to the UGA vs. Oklahoma football game!

Y  Get a pumpkin spice latte!

N  Try a new recipe for dinner.

N  Find and make a good fall muffins recipe.

Y  Jacob practice driving.

Y  Complete 22 days in my bible study.

Y  Read 1 book. – I read 2!

 

Summary

 

33 tasks accomplished

7 tasks not accomplished

 

Monthly Stats


Books Read: 2

    Love You More by Emily Giffin

    Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke  

Meditation Days: 30

Rings Closed on Apple Watch:

    Move Ring: 17

    Exercise Ring: 19

    Stand Ring: 30

Workouts Completed: 21

    Barre: 0

    Core Training: 0

    Dance: 0

    High Intensity Interval Training: 0

    Hiking: 0

    Mixed Cardio: 0

    Outdoor Run: 0 (0.00 miles)

    Outdoor Walk: 13 (24.05 miles)

    Pilates: 0

    Pool Swim: 0 (0 yards)

    Stair Stepper: 7

    Strength Training: 1

    Yoga: 0

    Tai Chi: 0

Time Spent Working Out: 9:49:28 (hours:minutes:seconds)

Calories Burned During Workouts: 2,210

Total Steps This Month: 231,330 (Average: 7,711 / day)

 

Pictures of My Successes

Apple Watch rings

 

Meditation
Working at Outreach with Momma and Daddy

Decorating for fall

Jacob went on his retreat

HOCO bonfire

HOCO football game

Jacob driving

Date night

Seeing Paul Thorn in concert

Chairing Grandparents Day x 2

Watching aaaallll the college football

UGA vs. Oklahoma

UGA vs. Oklahoma


Now for the October goals… 

October Goals

Personal Health / Wellness / Fitness / Beauty

Be intentional about creating joy every day.

Vibration plate, meditation, neck pillow every single day.

Get labs done for annual well visit.

Go to my annual well visit.

Get my flu shot.

Go to my semi-annual dental cleaning.

Visit with my therapist.

Go to my upper cervical chiropractor appointment and get a massage.

Do isometric exercises daily.

Do vestibular exercises daily.

Do functional strength training 3 times per week.

Walk 20 miles.

 

Commitments / Appointments / Meetings / Volunteering

Kids go to their semi-annual dental cleaning.

Attend the Home & School Advisory Board meeting at school.

Kids go to their annual well visit.

Kids get flu shots.

Volunteer at our church’s Outreach center.

 

Home / Organization / Planning

Decorate the house for Halloween.

Finish planning for Halloween.

Update kids’ chore chart.

Sew bows on Olivia’s jeans.

Clean out primary bathroom.

Work on reorganizing List Master app.

 

Blog / Social Media

Work on end of year blog post.

Start working on holiday gift guides.

Complete one future post.

Start working on content planning for 2027.

 

Fun Stuff

Attend the schoolwide tailgate (if weather permits).

Enjoy fall break at home!

Go to dinner with my girls.

Go to the Georgia vs. Auburn football game.

Go to Spirit Halloween.

Go to Pumpkins at Callaway.

Carve pumpkins.

Trunk or Treat at the kids’ school.

Have our traditional Halloween dinner.

Trick-or-treat!

Watch It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown.

Watch a ton of college football.

Go on a date with B.

Try a new recipe for dinner, take two.

Find and make a good fall muffins recipe.

Jacob practice driving.

Complete 22 days in my bible study.

Read 1 book.

 

Friday Funnies & Feels






On the Blog This Week

 14 Finds - The Prettiest Sweaters for Fall and Winter

Our Week – The One with a Virtual School Day, a College Tour Session, a Birthday Party, and the UGA vs. Oklahoma Football Game

 Fall Home Tour 2026


Previous Monthly Goals Posts


Happy Friday, y’all!

*Linking up with A Little Bit of Everything for Friday Favorites.