We're All About Practical Purchases Right Now—These Items Make Our Lives Easier

"I'm all about easy, low-maintenance looks these days and have been styling my hair with one of these hair claws almost every day. They're such a brainless option when I'm not feeling in the mood to fully style my hair and I love the cool '90s effect they have. Trendy and useful. What could be better?"

"As someone with a large jewelry collection and minimal storage space, this stackable organizer has really come in clutch. It's barely bigger than the size of a tube of lipstick so it doesn't take up much surface area from my vanity but it really does hold so much."

"I have so many random hair accessories that end up in every corner of my apartment. I found these cute vanity organizers which are perfect for storing everything from nail trimmers to lipsticks and those darn bobby pins that you can never seem to find! They have a clear lid so you can see what's inside in an instant and they come in charming pink, light gray, and cream colors to suit all aesthetics."

"I’m all about waterproof, easy-to-pull-on Chelsea boots right now with flat, comfy soles. They’re equally practical for running around the city as they are for weekend trips to the mountains or farm with my little toddler (who loves to splash in puddles!). I’m loving this cool gray-beige hue from Hunter." 

"I'm a big tea drinker, and ever since having a baby, I never get to drink my tea hot! (Perhaps other moms can relate?!) This Ember mug has been life-changing. After it's charged, it maintains the temperature of your tea or coffee for up to 1.5 hours so your drink stays nice and warm. You can also set it to an exact drinking temperature of your liking. It's genius."

"It's starting to feel like a good 30% of my purchases these days are either masks or accessories that make wearing a mask easier, but that's 2020 for you. One thing I won't leave the house without these days is this mask chain. It looks like a pretty necklace and it solves the whole situation of what to do with your mask when you take it off. (Also, if you haven't tried Night face masks, they're some of my favorites.)"

"One practical purchase I've made is investing in a few fun cardigans that I can wear while working from home. Not only do they keep me warm during the transition into fall, but they're also cozy enough to work in all day and polished enough for Zoom conferences."

"I've also found myself investing more in glassware and dishes, as I've been eating at home more. The best way to make any home-cooked meal better is by serving it on some chic dishware."

"Instead of spending my money on makeup, as of recently, I've been dedicating a good portion of my purchases to skincare because the maskne is real. Not only do these patches keep my newfound acne at bay, but they also come in an invisible version that I can wear when I'm out, and nobody can tell!"

"There are a few things that I love right now more than my humidifier. My allergies have been acting up, so turning this on at night helps keep any sinus issues under control. I leave it on sometimes when I sleep or even for a short period when I'm working. Also, it leaves my skin moisturized, and who doesn't want that?"

"Who knew a sweater-vest was so practical? I've been wearing this one over everything—button-ups for meetings, knitted tops for WFH attire, and over a dress if I plan on doing a weekend outing. Not only is it useful for so many outfits, but it's insanely comfortable too."

"I can't believe I'm geeking out over food storage, but here I am. I bought a couple of these Stasher silicone bags during quarantine, and I get a little thrill every time I use them. It's so easy to store food inside them, like half an avocado, some chopped veggies, and even baked goods. They keep everything fresh. But the best thing about these bags is that they're reusable, so I can reduce waste and feel better about not overdoing it on the disposable zipper plastic bags."

"Like a lot of people, I've been trying to set up an optimal work-from-home desk. My smartest purchase yet? These cushiony armrest pads that make my office chair so much more comfortable. Trust me—your elbows will thank you. I honestly don't know how I sat in my chair for so many hours without these."

I switched to the slim, non-slip hangers a few years ago to maximize space in my bedroom closet and to keep everything looking organized. I just moved and bought another pack to organize my front closet of coats. They save so much space.

One of the most practical clothing purchases in my offering right now would have to be my Hanes joggers. I basically live in sweats while working from home, and this specific style is especially comfortable. Given the more affordable price, I actually bought a few pairs so I'm not doing laundry all the time.