Stuff We Like: So Many Nifty Things!

This month we all had different ideas and suggestions for Stuff We Like, so please consider this a happy collection of all sorts of nifty things.

NB: Some of the links are affiliate coded, so if you use them, we may earn a commission – and if you don’t use them, that’s totally cool, too. Thanks! 

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We have so many cool things to share with you! Among the many new items, I didn’t want to miss mentioning few old favorites that once again I am living in this summer, starting with overalls!

I’ve convinced three separate friends to give these a try. I have three different pair (do you have pairs of overalls? Are they like pants?) now. I am wearing them at this moment.

I have had to resew a button on two of them, but I used really fun colored embroidery floss so that made them even more fun and personalized:

Cotton Overalls with tulip hem, $20

Again, pocket: big enough for my phone. Length: perfect (I have The Shortest Legs). With a tank top or a short sleeve shirt, I’m very chill and comfy and feel very cute, too! (And sometimes, I Do Not Want elastic or a waistband on my tummy, and these are perfect for those days.)

I am still living in the pull-on linen cropped pants that I bought at Old Navy last year (which are sold out but some pop up on eBay) and I’ve added to my stash with this striped pair!

I mentioned this on the sinking ship formerly known as Twitter that these have pockets that are big enough to hold my phone AND an e-reader. Plus, with a white t-shirt, I kind of look like I made an effort (spoiler: I did not) that morning.

I also have three caftans now from the Etsy shop Silks and More:

The cotton gets softer and softer every time I wash it, and on days when all the bras are in the wash, I can go without one when wearing one of these. It doesn’t have built in bra support or anything, but it’s loose enough that it’s not obvious that I’m freeboobing it all day. Alas, no pockets, but I love all of my caftans so, so much.

Elyse: This was so cute and comfy that I ordered it in two more colors.

It feels like pajamas but I can totally wear it to work with the right jewelry and a cardigan.

We also just upgraded to the Shark Navigator Lift Away for Pets – this one:

That’s an entire Pudding worth of hair!

There’s also a less expensive model that also gets very good reviews:

Sarah: Oh! Speaking of life-changing purchases, I read about this online and ordered one and holy, holy crap, it totally works for bug bites:

I am so allergic to just about everything that wants to suck my blood for dinner (Carpathians aside – to my knowledge I’m not allergic to them) and if I spot (or scratch) a new bite, I use this and the bite STOPS ITCHING.

It applies heat to the spot and, if I understand correctly, disrupts the proteins that cause the itch. It lasts about 6 seconds, and for seconds 5 and 6 I think, ‘Oh, hang on, that’s kind of hot,’ and then it’s done. So it’s not entirely painless, but the burning feeling lasts 2 seconds max.

It doesn’t leave a burn or a mark, but it stops the itching. There’s also a half-setting that lasts 3 seconds, but I hadn’t tried that one because I want to stop scratching asap.

It’s probably time for me to upgrade our portable battery power banks. I try to have one per person in the house, especially for travel, but we’ve also had more frequent power outages, so having these in the closet is a relief:

I also replaced our foaming soap dispensers because the nozzles kept breaking – and I thought the ones I had would last a while. They had glass bodies and were from Target, but the pump nozzle just stopped working.

These, however, are AMAZING:

I wash my hands constantly, and these haven’t clogged, the nozzles work smoothly, and the soap is plenty foamy. I use basic hand soap and tap water in the bottle, probably a 1:2 ratio, and the water has to be HOT so the soap will incorporate. They’re terrific and I’m buying two more for the other two bathrooms.

Amanda: I mentioned this in links, but I am still reporting from deep in boob sweat central. It’s rough out here!

I definitely recommend Mega Babe’s Bust Dust.

They also make my favorite thigh anti-chafing stick for when I wear shorts.

For dresses, I love my Jockey slip shorts.

Kiki: Thigh Society “The Cooling” shorts are my favorites:

Susan: I swear by anti-chafing shorts too I’ve got some from The Big Bloomers Company that I’ve worn to the point that the elastic’s going.

I’m thinking of switching over to the Snag ones:

Sarah: I love my Jockey Skimmies – and Tomboy X also has great shorts that have a 9″ inseam! I like the Tomboy X waistband – it’s very comfortable and it does not move.

Another “NO, really, we love this” item: the USB rechargeable fan!

I bought one of these and featured it in the June edition of Stuff We Like, but I wanted to highlight it again because now the entire family each has one and we won’t travel without them.

We are all used to having a fan on at night, and this helps us sleep comfortably anywhere, and it flattens for easy packing.  I brought mine on vacation, and had it outside with me on a very hot day. It also helps to blow bugs away when I’m sitting outside. Seriously. I LOVE THIS FAN SO MUCH.

And I am still using this 1/4 cup measuring cup nearly every day – and not just for mixing drinks, I promise!

OXO Good Grips mini angled measuring cup, $7

I will not lie — it’s perfect for mixing drinks, but it’s also ridiculously helpful for recipes that have a little bit of a lot of different liquids. We keep this measuring cup by the drink shaker, but we use it constantly when cooking, too.

And one more favorite from past purchases: Loops Earplugs. (Link offer: 15% off!)

I first read about these on a Reddit forum for ADHD and Autism, but I think they were designed for music festivals and loud concerts to protect people’s hearing. Per their FAQ, “They help you avoid sensory overload by reducing annoying or loud sounds, are reusable and stylish,” and after trying a pair, I agree with all of the above.

I ordered myself the Experience Pro, which dampens sound but allows me to hear people talking. For example, one morning my husband’s laptop fan was bugging the crapola out of me, but with the Loops in, most of the whirring noise was diminished and I could relax. I now carry them to every concert, and every potentially loud environment like the Metro, athletic events, restaurants with too many hard surfaces – they’re wonderful.

And there’s a quiz! You can use their quiz to help you figure out which pair and which features you want!

When discussing this month’s Stuff We Like, I said that I “should probably mention Loops again, especially for those headed back to school.”

Shana, who is also a Loops fan: “YEP!”

Shana says, “I have the Experience ones, in silver. They’re great for toning down the edges of annoying noises, but I can still hear clearly enough that I feel safe when I’m out and about.”

Shana also adds, “I also have a pair of Quiet ones that I bought for sleep, but I’m a side sleeper and they’re not as comfortable as foam earplugs to lie on for several hours. YMMV tho!”

Every time I travel, I make sure I have my phone, a charger, my earbuds for music and audiobooks, and my Loops for every other moment it’s too loud around me. I adore them!

Elyse:  I got one of these for home and one for the cat cafe and both groups love it.

Dewey just came over to me to turn it on for him.

Claudia: Got one for Kimmie! I’ll report back – she was deathly afraid of the flapping fish many cats like but this one looks manageable.

Elyse: The cats are also intrigued by this puzzle toy.

Look at them!

Sarah: I’ve just done the dorm shopping, and will be doing the back to school office supply shopping very soon. But I’m not ready to let go of summer yet!

What’s on your shopping list? Anything you recommend?