Audrey Shopping & Finances

Amazoning in the New Year

Hello all. I love shopping small & local, but the convenience of Amazon wins out pretty often in my life. And I’ve finally stopped being lazy and registered for an affiliated link (woo!), so I will earn a penny or two for M’s piggy bank*.

*her piggy bank is actually a fox

Most of these items are Christmas gifts, but some after post-holiday purchases and some are things I ordered for myself. As I mentioned, I make a tiny profit from sales through these links 🖤

New Books for M

Olya shared a bunch of marked down books on her IG last week. So naturally I stocked up for trips, holidays, birthdays, and just-becauses.

How the Grinch Stole Christmas | Home for the Holidays | Decorate A Christmas Tree | The Monster at the End of This Book | The Nutcracker

Gifts for the Critters

We like to spoil our pets and other people’s pets during the holidays. The vegetable squeaky toys were a big hit with our neighbors’ 6 month old puppy!

Automatic feeder | Doorbuddy | Buddy Biscuits | Chew Toys

Stuff for M

Both M’s big birthday gift and big Christmas gift came from Amazon. She got these awesome stepping stones for her b-day and this kitchen for Christmas. Both have provided hours of entertainment!

Stepping Stones | Step2 Kitchen | Sesame Street buddies

Stuff for Me

I decided to stop scrolling in bed and the easiest way to do that was to charge my phone across the room at night. But my phone was my alarm clock… so I needed a new one. I opted for this sunrise-simulating one. Way less $$ than a Hatch, but it’s actually been really nice.

The blue light glasses & cheetah flats were practical and beneficial purchases. The bag was purchased as a snack/toy travel bag for M. I actually keep it in my car right now, but it’s a great bag! Big, sturdy, tons of pockets!

Alarm clock | blue light glasses | cheetah flats | travel bag

We still have one more Christmas to go to, so I didn’t want to share ALL the things I’ve purchased. I’m linking up with Tanya for Prime Purchases.

What did you buy this month from Amazon? (Or Etsy! Or your local store!)

-Aud

Audrey Shopping & Finances

Amazoning

Like so many, I’ve been trying to shop small and shop local, but sometimes I need it fast and cheap… and there’s Amazon for that.

Before I share all these unaffiliated Amazon links, let me share a few small businesses on Etsy that I’ve been loving lately:

And now for some Amazon purchases…

Kirkland Signature Shampoo & Conditioner | ELEVEN Australia Sea Salt Texture Spray
When I was last at Aubrey’s house I used her shampoo, conditioner, and sea salt spray. And I loved the smell and feel of them… so I came back home and order some.

Dreambaby Pouch Pal | Simple Modern Reusable Food Pouches
Moo gets the majority of her fruit nutrition from pouches. She doesn’t like fruit but she’ll eat these… but only if I’m holding it. She will squeeze it out if I give it to her. To prevent that I got the Pouch Pal and to lessen waste with the throwaway pouches I got some reusable one. We’re still adjusting to both of these items.

Baby Girl WILD ONE Outfit
M’s First (Zoom) Birthday Party outfit. It fit so nicely, the pants are super soft and silky, and I feel like I can match the pieces with other tops and bottoms.

The Home Edit Workbook
Sometimes I make very spontaneous purchases. *face palm* Hopefully I love this, but it’s a pre-order so time will tell. Lol

These were a few Christmas gifts for others:

Cathedral | Burrito Blanket | The Great Gatsby | Cat Sweatshirt
My brother asked for Cathedral and then beat me in two games on Christmas morning. K’s uncle got Moo a burrito swaddle when she was a baby so she returned the favor at Christmas and got him an adult burrito blanket. My sister loves The Great Gatsby so I got her this graphic novel. She also loves her kitties.

I made a few other purchases but they’re not-yet-gifted gifts… so I’m keeping them under wraps.

What have you recently bought from Amazon? (Or, better yet, Etsy?)

Audrey Shopping & Finances

Amazoning

Happy Almost Weekend! We have another Saturday/Sunday of zero plans ahead of us. I’m attending a virtual baby shower on Saturday afternoon & I’m sure we’ll go grocery shopping at some point, but beyond that we’re homebound. What a time to be alive.

Since we’re home A LOT more than we used to be and I can’t mindlessly wander Target and we have a child that grows 125% every other week… we’ve been amazoning. (I promise I shop small business sites very often, too!)

Here are some of our latest things (and why):

Replacement Cord

Bristol is an asshole.
I was lent a baby swing weeks after M was born, but we hadn’t used it in a while. Since she was getting too big for it I contacted my friend & said I’d return it to her. When I went to break down the swing and load the parts into my car I found that Bristol had chewed through the cord. So $25 later I was able to return the swing, good as new.

Get a dog, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.

Changing Table & Accessories

We needed a changing table in the living room. The small one across the playpen was getting too small & I needed the playpen up in our bedroom so M can play while I get dressed in the mornings.

I didn’t realize the table came with a pad- I might return the extra one I got. The covers are so soft and match our room decor. The bamboo liners are a necessity for cloth diapering 😉

Swimsuit

We started swim lessons with M once some pandemic restrictions were lifted. Our facility is very clean & I am the only one who comes in contact with M during the entire lesson. (Kaity wrote about the swim school here!)
ANYWAY- after a week of lessons I realized I had ZERO appropriate suits for swimming with a handsy baby (I had a strapless one, a lace one, and a keyhole-boob one… lol). So I got a slightly more conservative, nip-slip-free swimsuit. HAHAHA.

Father’s Day Grilling Gifts

Along with a matching daddy-daughter apron set, we got K some dredge shakers, a griddle cook book, and his own hibachi peeing-man squirt toy. We wanted him to feel legit.

Check out that picture quality ^^ Very nice, Amazon.

My purchases are so dull. My apologies if you’ve made it this far.

I also got M some spoons & myself some cotton gloves and moisturizing treatments because the skin on my hand is nothing short of dry & disgusting. (I’m seeing a dermatologist for it this month- it’s that bad.)

And that about sums it up. Please share what you’ve been buying or doing or dreaming about so that we can switch off my incredibly boring life 😬

I’m going to link up with Kristen for What’s New With You? (obviously nothing here) and Tanya for Prime Purchases.

 

What's New With You
Audrey Shopping & Finances

Amazoning

I waited WAY too long to share an Amazon-ing post. There’s a lot of stuff here & I’m sorry & I tried to condense.

I have Christmas gifts & clothes & miscellaneous stuff here. Let’s jump in!

I like using Amazon smile when I purchase. (My purchases support Best Friends Animal Society.)  I’m a dummy who hasn’t bought into Ebates yet, but I’m going to soon. I promise. I actually think I have an account already.

Clothing

Artfish Loose Yoga Pants | I LOVE THESE PANTS… they’re very light and perfect for around the house and it’s honestly like you don’t even have pants on 😆

MYoga Capris | Runs small… I should’ve gone a size up.

icyzone Sports Bra | Not super restrictive- good for yoga and low intensity workouts.

Urban Coco Long-Sleeve Velvet Green Dress | I wore this dress on Christmas Eve and it was comfortable and gorgeous. K hates it because it’s velvet and loud. I felt like Scarlett O’Hara. (Possibly because K kept comparing it to curtains.)

THIS & THIS pair of Blue Q Socks | I bought K two different pairs for his stocking and one already has a hole in it. I’m irritated because they’re THIRTEEN DOLLAR socks. I splurged because he likes snarky socks.

Our Dwight & Angela Outfit pieces: shirt & pants (Dwight) and turtleneck, sweater, skirt (Angela) | Yes, we spent actual money on our costumes to make them just right. I try to thrift when I can.

Books

The Girl in the Tower & Wires & Nerve: Volume 1 |Purchased for blogger book exchange

The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society & Chocolat & The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | Purchased for my sister-in-laws (sisters-in-law?)

Capital Gaines | For K

Breathe, Mama, Breathe | For my bff

An Act of Villainy | For me on its release date

Gifts for Others

KISS button set | My younger cousin is into classic rock

Archer Silicone Suction Lids | My mom wanted a large lid… I got her several

Savory Spice & Hot Sauce | For my brother-in-law

Memory Foam Slippers | Another gift requested by my mom

Star Wars Leia- 3 pack journals & Star Wars Pin Pack | My cousin loves Star Wars

Caticorn Rainbow Enamel Pin | Blogger exchange gift

Mugshot Shot Glass set | For K’s brother

Corvette C6 Neon Wall Clock | For K ❤

Bonsai Tree trio kit | For my green thumb brother

Boppy Newborn Lounger | Shower gift for K’s cousin

Very Random

Oscar Gold Award Trophies (set of 12) | For our “Dundie Awards” at our company Xmas party

60th Birthday Party Decorations & Metallic Tinsel Fringe (awful) & Birthday Candles | For my mother-in-law’s surprise party

Blue Sky 2019 Wall Calendar | For work

Thayers Alcohol-Free Rose Petal Witch Hazel | For me for my face (acne & make-up removal)

6 Drawer Rolling Storage Cart | For my scrapbooking… It doesn’t fit paper but I store my stickers and embellishments in it.

WHEW. That was ridiculous. And I even left a few things off!

(TL;DR… this & this)

What have you purchased lately from Amazon?

*no affiliated links, fyi

Audrey Holidays & Celebrations!, Shopping & Finances

Amazon-ing for the Holidays

Back in November I shared a post with my recent Amazon purchases. Compared to that one, this list is a monster. Ha. Many, many Christmas gifts came from the smiling box. Nothing here is an affiliated link and I have to give props to Rebecca Jo for the post idea.

Let’s do this…

B O O K S

The Complete Anti-Inflammatory Diet for Beginners: A No-Stree Meal Plan with Easy Recipes to Heal the Immune System
Purchased for my sis-in-law because she suffers from a very limiting chronic illness.

Wicked Plants: The Weed that Killed Lincoln’s Mother and Other Botanical Atrocities
Purchased for my other sis-in-law because I thought she’d like the strange and interesting stories.

The Magic of Motherhood: The Good Stuff, the Hard Stuff, and Everything In Between
Purchased for my bff because she’s a momma who enjoys a good book.

So far the only feedback I’ve received has been from Erica who is loving The Magic of Motherhood!

The Sisters Brothers
Purchased for my husband’s grandfather because he loves westerns and I loved this book (& cover).

Q&A a Day for Kids: A Three-Year Journal
Purchased for my 10 year old cousin.

The Girls’ Doodle Book
Also purchased for my 10 year old cousin (who enjoys art)!

C L O T H I N G

Sanuk Women’s Yoga Duet Sandal
Purchased for my mom because she liked mine and these don’t go through the toes.

Eddie Bauer Men’s Cloud Layer Pro 1/4-Zip Pullover, heather grey
Purchased for my dad-in-law because I thought he’d like it and most of his clothes get ruined at work. #welderlife

yige Women’s High Waisted A-line Skirt Skater Pleated Full Midi-Skirt, green
Purchased for me because I liked it… lol.

Large Trojan – Mascot Crystal Post Earrings
Purchased for my mom because she’s a school teacher at a school district with a Trojan mascot.

E L E C T R O N I C S

Pawbo Life Wi-Fi Pet Camera
Includes 720p HD video, 2-way audio, video recording, treat dispenser, & laser game…
Purchased for K (from Lylee and Enzo).

Oh my gosh, we love this thing. We haven’t used the treat dispenser or the laser game, but the video aspect is awesome.

Homeweeks 100ML Auto Off Ultrasonic diffuser LED Colorful Night-Lighting Aroma Mist Maker
Purchased for my 16 year old cousin because she’s a teen who could use some de-stressing scents in her life.

Pure Body Naturals Pure Therapeutic Grade Top 6 Essential Oil Basic Kit
Includes lavender, tea tree, eucalyptus, lemongrass, orange, and peppermint…
I gave Allie the orange and lavender scents from this kit. I kept the other 4 🙂

G A M E S

TableTopics Couples: Questions to Start Great Conversations
My brother and sis-in-law like to talk to each other (weirdos) so I got them this.

Codenames
Purchased for our niece and nephews.

Sleeping Queens
Also purchased for our niece and nephews.

O F F I C E * S U P P L I E S

Blue Skyle 2018 Laminated Erasable Wall Calendar, Double Sided, 36×24
Purchased for me at work. Ha. Super exciting.

MyLifeUNIT Fineliner Coloe Pen Set, 10 assorted colors
I got this for Amber in our blogger swap!

Bloom Daily Planners Classic Planner Sticker Sheets
I also got this for Amber!

K I T C H E N

Masterbuilt 30″ Digital Electric Smoker
Purchased for K as his “big gift.” Hopefully this means I get a few more nights off where dinner is concerned…

Star Wars Lightsaber Salt and Pepper Shakers
Purchased for my bro-in-law who also has the R2-D2 cookie jar.

Ello Cole Vacuum-Insulated Stainless Steel Travel Mugs
Purchased one for Kayla and one for Aubrey. I freakin’ love these mugs.

Fred MY TAI Unbrella Drink Markers
Purchased for Aub. (Kayla got the wiener dog ones but I didn’t buy them on Amazon.)

S U P E R * R A N D O M * G I F T S

Knock Knock Personal Library Kit
Purchased for my 19 year old college cousin because she is anal about people borrowing her books. She makes us sign them out. #perfect

Schwinn Air Center Plus Floor Pump with Gauge
My brother wanted a bike pump so I got him a bike pump.

Wisdom Panel 3.0 Breed Identification DNA Test Kit
…obviously purchased for Ly and Enzo. Turns out A LOT of people took advantage of this sale on Amazon. I’ll share the results when we get them 😉

Funko POP! Marvel: Dancing Groot Bobble Action Figure
My dad loves Groot and he’s a child so I figured he’d love this bobble head. I was right.

Seeing all the money I spent (through Amazon alone) is quite shocking. Maybe these recaps are a bad idea… hahaha. Fortunately, everyone seemed to really love their stuff (and truthfully I really love gifting people).

What’d you get from Amazon this holiday season??