Happy 2025.
But before we skip into the new year, I wanted to take a moment to look back at 2024.
Just between us? So many times I live with things that totally get on my nerves. Like disorganization under the sink or a disorganized closet or stains I can’t get out of my slipcovers. Most of the time I kind of forget about things until I open the closet or try and find the paper towels under the sink or move a pillow and see a small stain I forgot about.
And I literally roll my eyes at myself.
So this year I decided ENOUGH. This was the year I decided when I saw a problem I was going to solve it.
So I researched answers and along the way discovered some amazing game-changing products.
And then I’d share them with you.
In amazing news?
You loved them, too.
So just in case you haven’t heard about these products? I had to share. Here are the top 21 products we all loved this year (and they all solve a problem, too).
Kind of the perfect way to start the year off right.
Let’s GO.
// self-tanner towelettes //
1. Self-tanner towelettes
I wanted to start with these self-tanner towelettes because I brought them on the cruise.
I shared them months ago and they are still one of my (and obviously your) favorites.
These are so easy if you are going on vacation or don’t want to mess with a spray.
They come in a set of six and you just take out the towelette (that looks just like a face wipe) and wipe the self-tanner on.
The tan looks so realistic and easy to use. I use Medium for my shade.
You can see the self-tanner towelettes here.
// smart tote labels //
2. Smart tote labels
These were one of the top sellers in December—I think because they help SO MUCH with organizing.
How can you tell what’s in a tote in the attic? It’s so frustrating when you don’t know what’s in all of your storage containers.
These are smart labels that you can add to your totes and just scan them and know what’s in the tote or box. Just add what’s in the box to the app and when you scan the label you can see in an instant what’s in there.
It’s amazing.
And you can see the smart labels here.
// grout pen //
3. Grout Pen
I think my bathroom tile is over 75 years old.
And that grout? WATCH OUT. It was so yellow. My problem? I was going to have to regrout the entire bathroom.
But instead, I found the perfect solution. Here’s the grout pen that I used instead.
It’s kind of a game-changer. The downstairs bathroom grout would NOT come clean no matter how hard I scrubbed and how much I cleaned it.
And then?
I found this grout pen that works just like a paint pen. You draw a line with it on top of your current grout and it looks so white and new. And it holds up, too. I used it several months ago and it still looks white and clean.
You can see the grout pen here.
// bendable branches //
4. These bendable branches
I shared these last January and then again in July.
I love them so much.
What’s the best way to add a little life to your room after you put Christmas away?
Greenery.
You can cut branches from the yard and put them in a glass vase or you can use these faux branches. They come in a set of three and are almost 4 feet long.
The stems bend and they drape so realistically.
You can see the branches here.
// curtain rod // curtain rings //
5. This curtain rod and these curtain rings
I have ordered these for everyone that I know.
These are the curtain rods and rings that I recommend whenever someone is looking for new curtain hardware.
They are classic and timeless and affordable and go with every style.
You can see the curtain rod here.
And you can see the curtain rings here.
// Molly’s Suds //
6. Molly’s Suds
I found Molly’s Suds last year and it has changed the way I do laundry.
It’s a miracle worker.
It makes my sheets and towels and slipcovers whiter and brighter. I needed a quick solution for the stains on my slipcover and this product was the perfect solution. You can see the before and after of my slipcovers here.
And you can find Molly’s Suds here.
// nail protein //
7. Nail protein
I have trouble getting my nails to grow.
I stopped getting manicures and dip at the salon and started using this and it’s a game changer.
You paint it on like a top coat and it’s SO STRONG that it instantly strengthens your nails. My nails are the longest they have been in a while and they just look so squared away now.
You can see the nail protein here.
// the flying insect trap here //
8. Flying Insect Trap
I don’t know where all the flies in our house come from, but nothing makes me more frustrated than FLIES.
This is such an amazing solution.
You plug it in and it attracts the bugs with a blue light. You just toss the strip after a week or so and add a new one. I couldn’t even believe how many flies it catches and how well it works.
You can see the flying insect trap here.
//battery-powered lamp //
9. Battery-powered lamp
This is the lamp that sits on my desk.
When I ordered it and it came in, it was smaller than I thought it was going to be (but that ended up being a good thing). I actually love the size for where I wanted to put it. The charge holds amazingly well. I’ve had it on for over 8 hours and it was still going strong on one charge. I think the secret is to not let it get uncharged. Every couple of days or so I use a portable charger to charge it (so I don’t have a cord running around the desk). The charger sits on my desk and charges it until the light turns green. The light is surprisingly strong for such a small lamp.
It’s a warm light rather than a cool light so it’s perfect for a desk lamp.
// these faux flowers //
10. These faux flowers
Last summer I had these flowers on my porch with my Diplandenias and they looked so real no one ever knew they weren’t.
They come in a set of two packs and when you fluff them out, the two sets fill out a planter like this.
I added dirt to the planter and stuck the flowers in the dirt. I think they look so real because the leaves are two different colors.
You can see the faux flowers here.
// snap and click containers //
11. These food storage containers for the fridge
I eat so many fruits and vegetables (which are so expensive now) and I wanted to keep them fresh (and organized) in the fridge so they were ready at a moment’s notice. I want to bring them home from the grocery store, clean and wash them and put them into a container so I have them ready. Then there are no excuses not to eat them. I tried so many different containers and other products that are designed to make life easier and I figured out three things about myself:
- I really really like harder plastic for food storage containers. I think it cleans up better and holds up better over time and I like how clear and see-through it is.
- I am kind of picky about my plastic. I wanted to make sure I was using BPA-free plastic for food storage.
- I LOVE the snap-and-click with a container. You know. The whoosh when it seals and then the click when it clicks into place. It is SO satisfying.
These containers fit all that criteria and solve the problem for me.
I have two different sizes. These containers hold 3.2 cups.
These containers hold 4.7 cups.
// automatic opening trashcan //
12. This automatic opening trashcan
This is the CUTEST trashcan and it opens automatically when you wave your hand.
There’s a little button at the end of the lid, you wave your hand over it and the top pops open automatically.
Then it closes itself and looks neat and tidy.
You can see the trashcan here.
// monogrammed doormat //
13. This monogrammed doormat
This is the doormat I still have on my front porch (although Scottie is a lot bigger now).
It’s only $25 and you can personalize it with your name and initial.
You can see the doormat here.
If you want a similar style in a non-coir doormat, you can see an alternative to this mat here.
Here’s a rubber mat that’s monogrammed, too. You can see the mat here.
// this faux boxwood //
14. This faux boxwood bush
I have never seen an outdoor boxwood that looks more real.
It’s side by side with my real boxwoods on the front porch and they look SO SIMILAR.
I bought one set and loved it so much that I bought another set. The boxwoods are a little bit of a splurge, but I’ve had them for over a year outside and they’ve truly held up. The individual branches twist and turn and I think that’s what gives it such a realistic appearance.
If you want boxwoods that will last this fall and winter? This is the faux plant for you.
You can see the faux boxwood here.
// set of heel grippers //
15. These heel grippers
I have two feet that are different sizes (I actually think this is super common).
My right foot is bigger than my left foot so when I buy shoes one of the shoes is either too big or too small.
Super awkward.
And then?
I discovered these heel grippers. You peel that back off of the heel gripper and add it to the back of the shoe that’s too large and now the shoe fits perfectly.
You can see the heel grippers here.
// wood bead pedestals //
16. This set of wood bead pedestals
I already sang the praises of these wood bead pedestals this week, but I love them so much I had to add them to the list.
They come in a set of three and are SO AFFORDABLE and the perfect way to elevate your fall decor.
Literally.
(hee hee—I couldn’t resist).
You can see the set here.
// adjustable lightbulbs //
17. Adjustable lightbulbs
You know how much I am all about lightbulbs.
I recommended these dusk-to-dawn lightbulbs before and got emails from so many of you about how much you loved them.
Let’s GO.
Now?
I have a new lightbulb friend that takes all the guess out of the shade you need to buy because this lightbulb is adjustable.
Yep.
You can choose the white temperature by clicking the button on the lightbulb. You can choose 2700K Soft Whit, 3000K Bright White, 4000K Cool White, 5000K Daylight & 6500K Cool Daylight.
You can see the adjustable lightbulb here.
// furniture sliders //
18. These furniture sliders
I’ve been using these for years and they are kind of a game-changer when it comes to moving heavy furniture.
You just put them under the edge of the furniture and it just slides across the floor.
They really, really work.
You can see the furniture sliders here.
// quick dry nail polish drops //
19. These quick dry nail polish drops
I used to go and get manicures each week, but it got so expensive so I started painting my own nails.
It takes forever for the polish to dry so I found this solution.
After I paint my favorite Sally Hansen Quick Dry Top Coat, I drop a few of these drops on my painted nails to set the polish in place.
You can see the quick dry nail polish drops here.
// 8 piece serving set//
20. This 8 Piece Serving Set
I just used this set all during the holidays. Every house needs one.
I got it on sale (the entire set is under $20 and there’s an additional 10% off coupon you can stack).
I cracked myself up when I opened it and saw the knife with all the holes in it. I had NO IDEA what it was for. It’s actually a super fancy butter knife. When you scrape it across the top little curls of butter show up.
Super fancy.
The set is amazing quality and all you’ll need to host a party.
You can see the serving set here.
// drawer organizers //
21. These drawer organizers
These drawer organizers are amazing.
My challenge?
My drawers were full of junk and stuff without a way to organize it. I’ve tried several different iterations of this product and these are by far the best value for the money. One of the best products that make life easier—they come in a set of 25 and there are four different sizes of containers so you have so many combinations and ways to set them up to fit any drawer. They have these little rubber feet on the bottom that completely hold them in place and prevent them from moving around and they even fit inside each other (you can see the small chalk bin and the small thumbtack bin actually fit inside the larger square bin).
With all the individual containers and compartments in the drawer, you can use something and put it right back in its own little container so it all stays neat.
You can see them here.
I think it’s my new favorite thing.
Finding solutions to organizing challenges and then sharing them all with you.
Here are just a few more of my favorite problem-solving products:
- these coat hangers
- these drawer dividers
- this travel makeup bag
- these water bottle organizers
- these under-bed organizers
My mother always says, “A place for everything will keep everything in its place.”
And I never argue with my mother.
She’s always right.
disclosure: affiliate links are used in this post.
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