21 Items I’m Loving for #momlife
Confession: I’m a total sucker for those articles all about life-hacks or products that save you time and make life a little easier - are you?? Especially when it comes to motherhood, I think we all could use a little help in the area of making things a little simpler and quicker, so that we can spend more time focusing on what matters most. Here are just a few of the random items making life easier for me as a mom, so I thought I’d share in case you might find them helpful as well. Click the link in the titles below to check them out:
These SUPER comfy yoga pants - I’m not lying when I say that I live in these pants. I own a few pairs, and they are hands-down the most comfortable pants I’ve ever worn. They are SO soft, stretchy, and affordable!! (I refuse to spend more than $20 on a pair of leggings). They are well made; as in - I’ve been wearing them non-stop for the past couple years and never once had a problem or any holes in them. They wash well, and they come in a variety of styles - including regular, fleece-lined, and capri styles. The best part? They have large, stretchy pockets on both sides - perfect for my phone, keys, chapstick, etc. Have I convinced you yet??
Half-gallon water bottle - I won’t get into all the reasons why we should all be drinking more water right here ;), but I love that this bottle makes it so convenient to make sure I’m getting in my daily H2O requirement. I only have to fill it once per day, and the handle along with the encouraging intake markers make it a great option for those looking to up their hydration game. It also comes in a bunch of fun colors.
Pop-wallet - I get asked about this one often whenever I’m at the store checkout. Having to carry a wallet and a phone whenever you go somewhere can become cumbersome. Enter…the Pop-wallet! This handy little device can be attached right on your phone case, with the ability to be removed as needed. It can hold up to four cards, and has a pop-socket as well for carrying. I love that I never have to worry about accidentally leaving my wallet at home, and it’s not a bulky addition to the phone. I rarely carry a purse anymore! (see #1, above) You gotta check this one out!
Slip-on tennis shoes - Because who has time to tie and re-tie laces all the time?! I use these as my go-to everyday walking shoes for outside. They’re comfortable, quick to slip on, have good traction, and are simple to clean. They are definitely becoming a more popular option lately, so there’s plenty to choose from online. This is just one that I’ve been using and that works well for me.
Ponycap - I didn’t even know these existed until recently, and now I use it most days! If you live in an area with intense sunlight like I do, it’s a good idea to protect your eyes and face from UV rays if you spend a lot of time outdoors. It works well with my messy top-knot while still being able to wear a hat. A win-win in my book.
Maventhread headbands - I’ve tried many brands of headbands over the years, and most of them gave me a headache after a little while. They’re either too tight, too loose, or slip off immediately. I finally found a brand that works! Maventhread headbands are great because they are stretchy, but actually stay on. Perfect to keep those pesky postpartum strands out of your face. They don’t give me a headache, and they have a large variety of super cute bands! Check them out!
Face and body wipes - since getting the chance to take a shower in the ‘little’ years can often feel like a luxury, I’m relieved to find these. On the days I’m not able to shower right after my workout in the morning, I reach for these body wipes. They’re non-toxic, unscented, and work well to hold me over until I can (hopefully) squeeze in a shower during nap-time!
Instant Pot - While I could probably write an entire post on the Instant Pot, I will keep it short and sweet here. This device is a life-saver at meal times!! I use this at least 4-5 times a week. I use it to make hard-boiled eggs, oatmeal, apple crisp, chicken (frozen or fresh), spaghetti, soup, and more. The possibilities are almost endless. You do not have to be intimidated by it! If I can use it, anyone can. I put the ingredients in, push a couple buttons, and it does the work for me - that’s it! Almost all of the meals I make with it are done in under 30 minutes. It is one of the best purchases we’ve made for our family and we get so much use out of it! (We have the 8 qt one, but I honestly think the 6 qt would be a better size for our family of four.)
Grape slicer - I know this one might seem like a silly purchase, but trust me. If something seems like a lot of extra work on busy days when I’m in a rush, I’m far less likely to do it. This handy little tool can cut up grapes, cherry tomatoes, olives, and more in a quarter of the time it takes to chop by hand. Best part is, it’s dishwasher safe!
Avocado tool - If you eat a lot of avocados like we do, you need this all-in-one tool! It splits it open, removes the pit, and slices the avocado so quickly and easily. A must-have for avocado lovers, and yes - it’s dishwasher safe!
11. Oil sprayer - With how easy it is to use, I use this on so many things! You can put several different types of oil in it, but we usually just put regular olive oil in it. This helps me to quickly add a healthy fat to things like salad, pasta, or a snack. It evenly disperses the oil so much better than other methods. I also use this as my cooking spray, as a healthier alternative to store-bought sprays that contain lots of fillers. Allowing for unlimited refills, it’s better for the environment as well.
12. Hot Pop popcorn maker - My daughter and I LOVE popcorn…it’s our favorite snack. And buying microwave popcorn all the time isn’t the best option for multiple reasons. But when I came across this popper, I was excited to try it out. All you need are popcorn kernels, a little oil, and a topping if you prefer (I love this butter alternative that is delicious on popcorn). It’s much cheaper, healthier, and more sustainable than buying bags of microwave popcorn all the time. It’s also collapsable for easy storage - takes up far less space than a popping machine! Try it out for yourself!
13. Silicone baking mats - These mats are versatile in use, but my favorite way to use them is for roasting veggies in the oven. They make clean-up a breeze, and really give that desirable crisp, texture and taste. (*Be sure to follow all instructions for use and oven temp.)
14. Folex carpet stain remover - Based on the tens of thousands of reviews, I think it’s safe to say this stuff actually works. Naturally skeptical, when I tried it for myself on a very old stain I discovered in our carpet - I couldn’t believe my eyes. The stain was gone immediately. Poof. Magic. I have no idea how…but IT. JUST. WORKS!!!
15. Seventh Generation all-purpose cleaner - We all know that a household with little kids generally stays pretty clean….said no mom…ever. I bought the large pack of these bottles, to keep in various rooms of the house. I love how well this cleaner works, and best of all - that it’s non-toxic and does not have a strong chemical smell after use. Score!
16. Stroller organizer - There are many variations of this product, but they essentially all do the same thing. It easily attaches to the stroller to allow space for keys, phone, snacks, sanitizer, water bottles, etc - all things I can easily access on our daily walks to the park, playground, or wherever. It doesn’t get in the way when the stroller is folded either. Super handy to have!
17. Unbuckle me - A ‘Shark Tank’ product - this thing is quite handy for use with older kids. I can easily pass this device behind me to my 5-year old, and she can unbuckle herself, hand it back to me, and get out of the van on her own. Such a time saver when you have multiple kiddos! (*I make sure she can only access it when we are parked, and at home in our own garage.)
18. Lap desk - With the rearrangement of our rooms and furniture to allow for a work-from-home setup for my husband’s job during the pandemic, I no longer have a space or desk of my own. However, I found this lap-desk that works great for this purpose. It’s also easily portable, for wherever I get a chance to get some work done.
19. Storage bins - Definitely not a groundbreaking concept by any means, but I love the versatility of these storage bins. I use them in several different rooms - from in the kitchen to organize the kids’ snacks in the pantry, to toy storage in the living room, to clothes storage in the kids’ rooms.
20. Cordless Vacuum - This one is definitely the more spendy option on this list, but I think it’s such a worthwhile investment! People all tend to have their favorite brands that they swear by - but just the idea in general of having a handheld, cordless vacuum is SUCH a time-saver with little kids. I use ours daily; from cleaning the kitchen floors, to getting all the crumbs found in the crevices of the minivan, to removing the hard-to-reach lint stuck in the dryer vent - it does so many things! The one we have has a few different attachments for a variety of uses. You can shop around to find a good deal - often found during holiday sales/ Black Friday events. (This link shows similar options. Our exact model is an older version that has since been discontinued - we waited for a good deal and used extra discounts on top of that!)
21. Target pick-up - Okay, so not exactly an item, but more so a sanity-saver. :) Most Targets/grocery stores offer curbside pickup options nowadays. Check with your local store to see what they offer. As much as I enjoy a “vacation” (a.k.a. strolling the aisles of Target alone)…this is often not doable. Second best option is ordering groceries or items I need from the store from their app, and then picking it up a couple hours later! Most places do not charge an extra fee for this. The kids and I get to stay in the car, and they bring out the order and place it directly in the trunk - no contact required. It saves so much time, and let’s face it - it’s probably better for the bank account as well. So it’s a win for all!
Well, there you have it. A few products that are making motherhood just a taaad bit easier, so I can focus on more important things. What life-hacks or sanity-saving products do you use and recommend?? Tell me below - I always love hearing about more!
