This is Starter Pack where real people share the real things they bought to tackle real life. Want to share yours? Contact us!
I’m Vicki, a book review microblogging mom of 3 kids and 2.5 dogs, so productivity is my game! I love photography, the outdoors, and reading undisturbed. Catch me if you can!
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These Food Huggers Show Leftovers Love
How do I corral my charcuterie board aftermath? I give my cheeses a nice hug with these adorable food huggers to avoid dried-out dairy in the fridge. I use them time and again to save the Swiss and preserve the Parmesan.
Clever Alternative: Cheese-to-go is the latest parting gift for my friends with this chic marble cheese slicer .
A Shoe Organizer Becomes a You Organizer
This hanging shoe organizer separates the heels from the flats. Or maybe the gloves from the scarves. It’s the you organizer I never knew I needed.
Clever Alternative: Keep those gloves right at hand (see what I did there) with these mitten clips by simply leaving them attached to the sleeves of your coat.
THE Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds for Hands-Free Dance Seshes
Snarled wires are not my friends. With these wireless bluetooth earbuds, I get to spend more time dancing than detangling.
Clever Alternative: Sharing the dance music with friends over this Anker bluetooth speaker is even more of a party than dancing alone.
These Rechargeable Batteries Save My Sanity
These rechargeable batteries give me power-up convenience without disappointment. If I can’t find a live one, I just need to revive one!
Clever Alternative: Naturally the Errbbic waterproof solar battery pack has my back when the power’s out.
Brilliant Bottle Brushes
Scrubbing out my family’s zillion water bottles is a breeze with these all-natural bottle brushes. Plastic-free and package-free means I’m still earth conscious while I get the job done.
Clever Alternative: When the brush just won’t cut it, these Bottle Bright all natural bottle cleaning tablets tackle the resistant stains and odors without any nasty chemicals.
Beverage Break Bliss With My Snap Ball Tea Strainer
Relaxing with a cup of tea rejuvenates me when I hit a proverbial wall. This snap ball strainer is so easy to use with any of my favorite bulk teas. Brew, drink, repeat!
Clever Alternative: Make it a tea party with this Takeya iced tea maker for loose leaf or bagged tea.
The Packable Rain Jacket That Actually Fits in My Purse
Weather apps are only helpful when I remember to check them. And if meteorologists were always right, couldn’t they make millions predicting the stock market? This packable rain jacket is my insurance against memory lapses and the whims of mother nature.
Clever Alternative: This one-size-fits-all purse or pack size compact umbrella keeps the rain away and the sun rays at bay.
Fast and Frizz-Free Hair Dryer
This hair dryer is as quiet as it is effective. It’s nice to be able to hear after styling my tresses with this lightweight wonder. A beauty tool that’s beauty-full.
Clever Alternative: Wrap up your hair routine with the Turbie Twist for a naturally gentle alternative to the blow dry.
A Webcam for Zooming Into Meetings
Now I have a webcam that gives me that star-quality look for meetings and YouTubing while I’m secretly still wearing my pajama bottoms. Business on top, lounging under my desk.
Clever Alternative: Putting on this Jeecoo headset with mic is sometimes easier than putting on a real shirt.
This Magnetic Dry Erase Whiteboard Is a Chore Champ
My family always knows what is expected of them with this handy dry erase board on the side of my fridge. Even when procrastination gets the best of them, this board cleans up completely no matter how long it takes my kids to check those tasks off the list.
Clever Alternative: When the fridge isn’t the best place for those pesky reminders, these reuseable dry erase sticky notes can go on the bathroom mirror or the bedroom door for strategically placed hints.
Sleeping Teenagers Arise Cheerfully With This Sunrise Alarm Clock
Okay, cheerfully may be an oversell, but my teenage daughter is a sight more pleasant in the morning since she was gifted this sunrise alarm clock. It mimics a sunrise with gradually increased lighting and chirping birds to ease my adolescent into the shock of a new day.
Clever Alternative: When even the gentlest of sounds ruin your morning, the SmartShaker alarm can vibrate you to a blissfully silent awakening.
Sisal Soap Saver Bags Are the Sliver Solution
No more wondering what to do about those inevitable soap slivers my bar becomes. This all-natural soap bag rounds up the tiny bits so no sliver is left behind.
Clever Alternative: Stop chasing the slivers and lather up with Puracy natural cleanser refill for a gentle sulfate-free clean with 90% less packaging waste.
Finally Women’s Leggings with Pockets for My Phone
Exercising is a necessary evil that is more fun with some tunes or a chat with a friend. I’m thrilled that I found these comfy leggings with pockets roomy enough to stash my phone and keys while I get my glisten on.
Clever Alternative: Stash your stuff in this Waterfly water resistant fanny pack and you’re prepared for any adventure.
Pour Over Coffee Maker Makes My Mornings Magical
Coffee’s made simple with this streamlined pour-over set. My morning cuppa is ready in no time and I don’t even need a paper filter. Drink, wash, repeat.
Clever Alternative: These Twin Peaks single serve pour over filter packs eliminate extra dishes and go with you anywhere you need a java fix.
Outdoor Towel Rack for Poolside Order
Patio furniture is for sitting, so I love this outdoor towel rack for keeping my outdoor dining set free of soggy swim gear. Bonus that the dogs can’t reach it to rip my towels to shreds.
Clever Alternative: This freestanding outdoor towel tree fits the bill if you’re fresh out of wallspace for mounting.
Let Fido Roam With This Retractable Dog Leash
My dog likes to chase squirrels, and this leash gives her some freedom to do so while keeping her under control. It’s easy to store and tangle-free for an easy grab at walk time.
Clever Alternative: For those days when a walk isn’t in the cards, this squeaky squirrel dog toy keeps the pooches entertained.
I Can’t Have Enough Utility Hooks
My laundry room got a makeover with a set of these space-saving utility hooks. No more backpacks and swim bags on the floor now that every member of the household has a dedicated one of these babies to collect their belongings.
Clever Alternative: This 5 cube shelf can round up your gear when wall space is at a premium.
This Bathtub Strainer is a Drain Saver
I admit it, I’m a shedder. This handy strainer keeps my strands from turning into a monster clog that could challenge the bravest of plumbers.
Clever Alternative: A pound of cure can come in handy with Green Gobbler drain clog remover when your ounce of prevention isn’t enough.
Protectors for Pristine Pots and Pans
Nesting my pans is a necessity, and now I can do so without scratching up my pricey non-stick cookware. Just set one of these pads between the pans and they can snuggle up without leaving their marks.
Clever Alternative: This rack protects my pans and keeps me from having to play musical chairs when I grab one from the bottom of the stack.
The Mascara That Lasts Through Les Mis
I feel like I can tackle anything as long as I’ve got on a couple of swipes of mascara. I can appear alert on sketchy amounts of sleep and not even rain or tears can stop me with this waterproof wonder on my lashes.
Clever Alternative: When mascara isn’t enough, fake it till you make it with these magnetic false lashes.
My Closet Makeover Came True With These Velvet Hangers
Keeping my clothes on the hanger has never been easier than with these velvet non-slip gems. Not only are they saving my clothes from the floor, they’re upgrading my closet game to celebrity level.
Clever Alternative: This hanging organizer is a satifactory solution for your non-hanger-friendly wardrobe staples.
Save the Trees With Foldable Reusable Shopping Bags
My memory could use some upgrades, so I love these compact shopping bags. I slip a couple into my purse so I don’t get to the register with my reusable bags lurking in my trunk. I feel so put-together when I pull out these cute grocery shoppers on the fly to tote my new purchases out the door.
Clever Alternative: When the compact bags won’t do, call in these heavy hitting shopping box bags for your more ambitious hauls.
This Sports Rack Organizer is a Slam Dunk
I no longer feel like I’m drowning in sports paraphernalia with this wall mount equipment rack in my garage. Gone are the days of tripping over soccer balls and knocking over lacrosse sticks. Bonus for having a central place for all things sports.
Clever Alternative: Wheel this sports ball storage cart where the action is for easy access and pickup.
Programmable Slow Cooker Almost Does it All
Few things make me feel more accomplished than getting dinner together before noon. This programmable crock-pot is my meal prep sidekick to my cooking superhero persona. Smelling something delicious all day long is the icing on the cake.
Clever Alternative: Breakfast for dinner saves the day when you cook it up last minute on this roomy electric griddle.
Tackle Mount Washmore with this Triple Rolling Laundry Sorter
Sorted laundry makes the monumental task of keeping the fam in clean socks doable. I can roll this three-sectioned cart around the house to collect the dirties and dump them in the washer without another thought.
Clever Alternative: Skip the sorting with these dye trapping laundry sheets and fearlessly toss those white socks in with that red t-shirt.
I Can Reach it All With this Folding Step Stool
Short people problems. I have folding step stools in most rooms of the house to reach in the tops of closets and the uppermost cabinets. Now I can get things all by my vertically challenged self!
Clever Alternative: For that almost have it item, this extra reach grabber tool brings it home.
Hydration Help with a Nalgene Water Bottle
Keeping track of how much water I drink is a challenge. This take-everywhere 32-ounce water bottle makes it easy to monitor my hydration needs without constant refilling.
Clever Alternative: Elevate your water with Nuun electrolyte tabs to aid in exercise recovery.
This Hanging Dryer Defies the Damp
What better place to dry all the odds and ends that accumulate in my laundry room. From rags to soccer socks, using this hanging dryer means the damp is done.
Clever Alternative: For only a wet thing or two, keep these laundry hook clips handy in the utility room or shower.
This Pegboard Kit Puts Tools at My Fingertips
I love being able to actually find my tools when I need them. This pegboard tool kit puts them in full view. Pruners aren’t gonna prune in the back of a dark cabinet.
Clever Alternative: Tote all you need for those multi-tool projects with this sturdy metal toolbox .
This Countertop Utensil Holder Swivels My Way
This caddy beats digging in a drawer for my most used kitchen utensils. I just give it a whirl and my pancake-turner magically appears.
Clever Alternative: When counter space is at a premium, this kitchen drawer organizer is a must-have to keep that utensil drawer from turning into a black hole.
This Under Cabinet Lighting Lights Up My Life
In my kitchen, it was food prep in the dark before my hubs and son installed these under cabinet lights . Now I can admire my spotless counters after dinner and keep all my fingers when the chef’s knife comes out.
Clever Alternative: In a pinch, this fashionable headlamp can show you the light in the kitchen or the wilderness.
This Gift Wrap Storage Rounds Up My Supplies
I always seem to be in hurry wrapping gifts, so it’s great to have all the odds and ends in one place in this organizer .Once I’ve created my concealed birthday masterpiece, it’s easy to slide my wrapping supplies under the bed or on the closet shelf until the next gifting occasion arises.
Clever Alternative: Grab this all occasion gift bag assortment to streamline your wrap session when time’s not on your side.
Make a Clean Sweep with this Broom and Dustpan Set
Dust bunnies don’t have a chance with this nesting set of cleaning tools . Sweeping up those little piles is so easy with no bending or searching for the dustpan.
Clever Alternative: Grab this Dustbuster cordless vac for those hard to reach corners and crevices where the cobwebs hide from your broom.
These Wool Dryer Balls Make for Wrinkle-Free Laundry
Crisp clothes make me feel like a million bucks. These no waste, no fuss wool dryer balls are my go-to for wrinkle prevention. I toss them in and forgeddaboutit.
Clever Alternative: For days when you don’t get to the dryer in time, this handheld clothes steamer can undo the damage.
This CC Cream Shines for SPF Glam
I’m not always in the mood for full-on makeup. Pacifica’s CC cream covers the bases with sunscreen and a bit of color to make me look like I got up more than 5 minutes before heading out the door. No one will ever know.
Clever Alternative: When you get up with your natural glow on, all you need is some Burt’s Bees day lotion with SPF 15 to keep those wrinkles away.
