For me, the month of August is mostly dedicated to mentally preparing for early fall. It’s not only my last chance to get summer activities in, but it’s also a good time to think about what I want to wear when the weather cools down, which recipes I plan on making and whether or not I finally plan a trip to see fall foliage. While I did indeed spend this past month doing just that, I also spent a lot of time in August trying out new products like a new pair of over-ear headphones, hypochlorous acid sprays and plastic-free food containers.
Like me, my colleagues also spent a lot of time this past month trying out new items, many of which they now love. This month, NBC Select editors and reporters tried duffel bags for weekend travel, tumblers for coffee, Warby Parker glasses and more.
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I developed GERD in my early twenties and have been sporadically waking up with heartburn over the past five years. So, when I complained about the discomfort to my dad a couple of weeks ago, he told me I needed to sleep with my head elevated at least three inches — that’s how I came across this wedge pillow. I considered adjustable frames or position beds, but this pillow was the most economical option for me. The pillow, which leans against my headboard, has a memory foam top layer and a high-density, medical grade foam core, according to the brand. I opted for the standard-width option with 7.5 inches of elevation. It comes compressed and since it’s made of memory foam, you need to wait a day or two after opening for it to fully take its shape. Sleeping with this wedge pillow was definitely an adjustment; it took me a few days to finally feel comfortable throughout the night, but I haven’t woken up with heartburn since.
Is it embarrassing that I purchased a kid’s chore chart for myself as an almost 30-year-old? Yes. However, the sense of satisfaction I feel when checking off my daily and weekly tasks outweighs that embarrassment. I have come to terms with the fact that I can’t work against my ADD, but instead have to work with it — and as an inherently competitive person, the point system motivates me to complete my tasks. I like that this chart has separate sections for daily and weekly tasks, and the magnets are strong enough that the board stays in place when I’m writing on it (so far it hasn’t detached from my fridge). It comes with twelve markers and a towel for easy cleaning.
I love how lightweight and small my Kindle Paperwhite is because it goes everywhere I go. However, because it’s so light and thin, I’m always worried I’m going to drop it. When Strapsicle offered to send me samples for testing, I knew I couldn’t pass it up. Ever since I’ve added them to my Kindle, my fear of dropping it is basically gone. The silicone straps allow me to securely hold my e-reader in one hand without being an eyesore.
This popular hypochlorous acid spray has shown up on my social media feed quite a few times, so much so that I felt I had to try it out for myself. The brand sent me a sample to try, and I was impressed by its long list of skin benefits. It’s meant to help clear acne and calm skin irritation, but it also keeps skin hydrated, improves texture and helps maintain the skin’s natural moisture barrier, according to the brand. It just so happened that NBC Select editor Mili Godio was writing a roundup on face mists at the time, and I was able to tell her all about my experience using this spray. The mist feels so gentle, light and refreshing on my skin, and it’s great to have on hand after a shower or being outside all day. It’s helped keep my skin clear of pimples and calms razor bumps after I shave. It doesn’t have a strong smell and it’s the perfect size to keep in my cabinet or take with me while traveling.
Similar to many of my colleagues, especially tech reporter Harry Rabinowitz, I have a lot of opinions on over-ear headphones. Earlier this month, Marshall asked me if I wanted to try out a sample of the Marshall Monitor III headphones, and I of course said yes. After my first listen with the Monitor III, I was immediately impressed. The sound quality is extremely clear and the volume is balanced, so I didn’t have to turn it all the way up to hear the details of a song. The ANC function works well, so it’s definitely suitable for those who love to tune out everything around them every once in a while. Also, the earcups are really comfortable and don’t hurt my ears after wearing them for hours.
Cycling bottles are almost all plastic. It makes sense — plastic is lightweight and squishy enough to slide in and out of cycling bottle cages. But I don’t like plastic bottles. I don’t use them anywhere else in my life (I’ve long since converted to metal water bottles for basically everything).
That’s why I contacted Bivo, a brand that makes metal bottles for cycling. They sent me a few bottles to test out and after about a month of testing, I’m a total convert. The secret is the high-flow spout — just pull the nozzle, tilt the bottle and water flows, no squeezing required. The bottles are dishwasher-safe, come in multiple sizes and colors and fit into most bottle cages without issue.
They are a bit heavy, especially compared to plastic alternatives, so they are not the best fit for racers or anyone doing time trials.
I get canker sores often. Everytime I accidentally bite my mouth hard while eating, I worry I’ll get one, and a few days later, I usually do. But last month I did something I’ve never done: bought something to help treat them. This hydrogen peroxide-based mouthwash helped my canker sores heal a few days faster than they normally do, and I’ll be keeping it in my bathroom for that very reason.
I was in need of a lightweight, medium-sized bag for an upcoming end-of-summer trip. I’m not a light packer so a carry-on wouldn’t suffice, large weekender bags get too heavy to carry and I didn’t want a chunky trunk because I wasn’t going on a month-long trip. That just-bigger-than-a-carry-on size was what I was going for and July delivered. They sent me a sample of their light checked luggage to test and it has all the features I look for in a good suitcase.
It’s incredibly lightweight, so I didn’t feel weighed down before even putting my stuff in. The wheels rotate seamlessly and it has one of the best internal closing systems I’ve seen. The inside has two large mesh side panels with a buckle in the center. I used the pockets to store my laundry and because of how big the panels are and the way the buckle closes, I could close my suitcase despite me overpacking. They almost work like a waisttrainer — they kept everything tucked in and safe, and helped compress my clothes down a bit so my suitcase could close. My only complaint is that it doesn’t have an expandable zipper (so you really can’t overpack with it) and the outside does scuff a bit, but I wasn’t particularly precious with it while traveling.
I recently went on a cross-country Amtrak train ride, and I’m so glad I invested in this duffel backpack beforehand. I had one layover going each way and knew that I didn’t want to drag around a wheeled suitcase or be forced to carry a duffel on just one shoulder. Everything I needed fit into the 55L bag with a little space to spare: multiple Calpak packing cubes filled with toiletries and outfits, plus hiking gear (including very heavy and large boots). I also love that I can stuff the entire bag inside the zippered side pocket whenever I’m not using it, which means it barely takes up space in the closet.
I don’t know if I can ever use a traditional travel pillow again after using this one. I can’t tell you how many different ways I twisted and turned this thing into the most comfy shapes during my trip. Unlike neck pillows that force your head into just one (sometimes stiff) position, this one provides adequate support around your neck, your side, your back — pretty much anywhere on the body. I wish it had maybe 20% more filling but other than that, I’m obsessed.
I am barely five feet tall which means at least half of the clothes I buy require tailoring, especially pants. Such is not the case with Old Navy jeans. They hug my curves comfortably and aren’t extra long on my short frame. I don’t even have to buy “petite” sizes. The whole Wow range is one of my favorite things right now. The baggy denim is just baggy enough and there isn’t a huge gap between the top of my backside and the jeans.
I stole this from my mom’s vanity and now I’m buying a bottle of my own. I’m really picky about hair gels. I don’t want something super heavy because I typically blend it with a cream styler, but I also need something with major hold. I knew I had found a good option when my hair still looked fresh and curly after an entire day outdoors in heat wave weather.
My family is so obsessed with this dog car seat that we’ve talked about it almost every day since using it. I have an 8-month-old puppy and my parents have a 3-month-old puppy, both of whom are under 10 pounds. We brought them on our annual road trip to Maine this month, and we were looking for a safe yet comfortable car seat they could snuggle in together during the over five hour ride. Pelsbarn’s car bed is exactly what we had in mind. It has adjustable straps that hook around the top and back of the seat to keep it secure, as well as a non-slip, grippy bottom. The bed itself is incredibly soft and fluffy, and it has a sunk-in base that our puppies loved burrowing themselves into, plus raised bolsters they rested their heads and paws on.
Most importantly, the car seat comes with seatbelt leashes that we attached to the dogs’ harnesses. I never worried about them moving around while we were driving, and I knew they were strapped in if we stopped short or hit little bumps. The puppies loved the car seat so much that we took it out of the car and brought it into our hotel room so they could continue sleeping inside it. It’s also machine-washable — after our trip, I threw it in the wash and it came out as good as new.
I’ve always been great at staying hydrated during my long runs (I am a SaltStick FastChews fan for life), but terrible at refueling. I’ve never found an energy gel that I didn’t hate, so I’d occasionally use dried fruit or Smart Sweets candy instead. My new favorite energy gel alternative, however, is GoGo Squeez’s Active Fruit Blend Energy Release pouches. I’ve bought the brand’s standard apple sauce pouches for years, so I was excited when I saw the energy release version at the grocery store. They taste fruity and delicious (I buy the strawberry and guava flavor), so I’m actually committing to using them when I run 10+ miles. The pouches are compact enough to put in my running belt or in pockets on my sports bra and shorts. They also have caps I can screw on and off, which lets me work my way through one during a run. I just ordered a second box.
I bought these jean shorts on sale during Amazon Prime Day, but they didn’t come until August because they were backordered. They were totally worth the wait — they’re my ideal jean shorts in every way, and I just ordered two more pairs because they’re still on sale. I want to wear them every day. The shorts are the perfect balance of fitted and high-waisted at the top, but loose and slightly baggy on the bottom. They fit true-to-size, in my experience, and hit a little over halfway down my thigh, which is what I look for (I’m about five feet, four inches). The shorts are also pretty soft and flexible, so I never feel restricted while wearing them. I’ve washed them a couple times in cold water and tumble dried them — they haven’t shrunk or lost their color at all.
I walk to the office every day, and for years I’ve used a classic tote to carry all my essentials. But a few months ago, I added a stop to my commute: doggie daycare. I drop my puppy off on the way to work, and juggling her leash, my tote and my lunchbox was proving more difficult than I imagined. Béis offered to send me its Classic Backpack earlier this summer, which has made carrying all my stuff and walking my dog a million times easier. The backpack has a dedicated laptop compartment, as well as a roomy main compartment that fits my Calpak lunchbox and a bunch of other little items. There’s also a small front pocket with a key leash — I put my phone, AirPods, ID, lip balm and sunglasses in there for easy access. I stick my water bottle in one of the two side pockets and off I go. I’ve never really been a backpack person, but now I definitely am.
I’m a loyal fan of Glossier’s You perfume, but the scent wears off within a few hours. I was open-minded when the brand sent me this body mist because I’ve been searching for a perfume that smells as good as my go-to scent and lasts longer. This mist is now in my daily rotation because I can still get a whiff of it at the end of my work day. Plus, it’s more affordable than a lot of other brands, especially considering the large bottle size.
The summer heat in NYC is unbearable at times, so my friend immediately influenced me when she whipped out this portable mini fan. I’ve never pulled up Amazon so fast. I love the clip feature, which helps the cool air stay aimed at my face without me having to hold it up. It does make a slight buzzing noise, but that doesn’t bother me at all when it provides relief amidst the sweltering heat.
I’m easily swayed by ever-evolving cup trends, so I’ve tried water bottles from Stanley, Hydro Flask and HydroJug in the past. I’ll hop on any chance to try a new bottle because I drink an absurd amount of water each day. The brand sent me their BruMate Era 40-ounce tumbler in mocha, and it’s my new go-to. I love the large size because I don’t have to fill it up every hour, and the color is perfect for the upcoming fall season. My only note is the straw isn’t covered and doesn’t tuck in, which I don’t love, especially during my commute.
I’ve spent years searching for the perfect pair of glasses. I own over 10 pairs, many of which I regret buying online because I didn’t take my facial features into account. My everyday frames, Bram in Saddle Tortoise, are also from Warby and I love them dearly, but I was in the market for a more casual frame.
When I tried the Lupe frames on, I finally felt like I found the one. They’re lightweight yet stylish, with a curved nose bridge that fits comfortably on my low, wide nasal ridge — a detail most frames overlook. I’ve seen them on different face shapes, and they genuinely flatter everyone.
What I love most is their versatility: they strike the perfect balance between professional and youthful. I feel confident wearing them to work and just as comfortable heading out afterward. There are glasses that truly fit every part of my day.
As I enter my mid-20s, I’ve been branching out from the sweet, youthful fragrances I usually reach for (like vanilla, sugar and honey). Lately I’ve been drawn to scents with more complexity, the kind I notice on friends who wear notes I’d never even heard of before: bergamot, clove, vetiver and patchouli, to name a few.
This fragrance is exactly that — layered, evolving and full of depth. Depending on the time of day and where I am, it reveals something new; sometimes it’s bright and citrusy, other times warm and spiced, and always grounded by a natural, almost earthy quality.
If you’re curious, I recommend starting with the pocket rollerball before committing to the full size.
I found Little Rooms a few months ago after searching for unique jewelry stores online, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. The brand’s designs are so cool and eccentric, which is exactly the vibe I want for my jewelry. This signet ring was the first thing I ordered, and now I wear it every single day. The size is perfect (not too chunky, but definitely not dainty), and the design is possibly one of the most unique ones in my collection. Also, as a Halloween fanatic, it has some of the most stylish spooky-inspired accessories I’ve ever seen.
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I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I write about home and kitchen appliances and several sale events. I also write this column about what our editors bought every month.
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