Category / Amazon Prime

by Kelly Mattei

Sorority Rush Shoes

Sorority Rush Shoes

Yes, it’s June, and that means lots of young ladies are preparing for sorority rush. Most big southern schools do rush just before or just after the fall semester starts, and girls need to be well-prepared before they get there.

As you solicit recommendations, purchase rush dresses, fill your rush bag, and get prepared to outfit your dorm room, make sure you remember to get good shoes for rush. (Hint: the ones in the featured photo at the top of the article are NOT the shoes you need!) What does that mean? I means you need to have comfortable shoes that look good. No, I don’t mean they have to be “old lady” practical shoes. They need to be pretty shoes you can wear all day without blisters/discomfort.

Obviously, there are different rounds of recruitment and different footwear needs. For the first round or two at big schools, the girls generally wear shorts/skorts with a t-shirt provided by Panhellenic. With that, you can wear comfortable flat sandals or sneakers. Honestly, I recommend clean, fashionable sneakers for those days. You know what’s in style these days. When my daughter participated in recruitment four years ago (how can that be???), it was Alexander McQueen, Golden Goose, etc. I think most of the girls wear Hokas and On Clouds now, but do what’s right for you.

On other days, you’ll want to wear a heel. I do not recommend spiky heels. I recommend block or wedge heel on an open-toe sandal. (Make sure your toes look good!) Here are some from Amazon I recommend, in a variety of price ranges:

FIRST, COMFORTABLE SHOES TO WEAR BETWEEN PARTIES…

Archies Flip Flops. I sincerely cannot promote these enough. These are the best flip flops ever! I’m not even a big flip flop lover, because I feel like they generally are not good for your feet. However, Archies are different! They offer outstanding arch support, and I actually feel great when I wear them! I highly recommend these for wear between parties, to give your feet/legs/back a break from heels. They come in a variety of colors, and they are priced at just $40. Purchase them for everyone in your family, but especially for that daughter who is about the participate in recruitment. Get them here.

AND NOW FOR THE PARTY SHOES:

Stuart Weitzman Nudist Block Sandals. These are a little pricey, but they are the best, most-versatile heeled sandals I have ever owned. I have a pair in the Adobe color and a pair of the gold. I wear the Adobe ones with dresses and jeans. It’s the perfect heel and a clean look. Your daughter could get these shoes and wear them with any dress for recruitment. Highly recommend. Priced at $420.75, they aren’t cheap, but they will be worth every penny, if you can get them without breaking the bank. Purchase here.

Sam Edelman Classic Daniella. For a similar heel with a much better price tag, you can get the Sam Edelman Classic Daniella. To me, a soft gold shoe is a neutral. You can wear it with anything, and it could be worn with almost any dress during recruitment. Or maybe you’d like the white version? It’s perfect for summer. Both colors are priced at $140 (at time of writing), making them a bargain. I have some of the gold ones, and I wear them with dresses and jeans too. They’re comfortable, fashionable, and versatile. Purchase here.

Cole Haan Fisherman Wedge. This is a stylish wedge, but it’s also comfortable. I know, because I have them and love them. Sometimes, wedges can look clunky, but these are more sleek. And no one will know you paid less that $100 for them! Cute with dresses, but also cute with pants after recruitment is over. Cole Haan makes a great product at reasonable prices. Purchase here.

Stuart Weitzman Georgie Espadrille Wedges. It’s no secret that I love Stuart Weitzman, so there’s no surprise that I’m featuring one of their wedges. This one is comfortable and perfect for late summer! Cute with dresses for recruitment and also cute with pants when rush is over. Priced at $380, they’re expensive, but generally speaking, my Stuart Weitzman shoes last forever and are timeless. Purchase here.

Amazon Essential Two Strap Sandal. If you want to keep the price down, Amazon Essentials offers some great products. I do not have these, but they get great reviews, and with a price of $20.25 at time of writing, you can’t beat it. The heel is 2 1/8 inches, so not too high but not too low, and the color is perfect for wearing with various dresses. Purchase here.

You’ll likely notice that all these shoes can be worn with just about anything. While some people like to wear standout shoes during recruitment, a chapter is not going to want you because you wore the most stand-out shoes. In my opinion, it’s best to have a couple pairs of shoes that will work with everything.

Happy Shopping!

***As an Amazon Associate, I receive commission on items purchased through my links.***

Young woman walking barefoot on a sandy beach near the ocean
by Kelly Mattei

My New Favorite Shampoos

My new favorite shampoos…

A couple of weeks ago, I returned from the Bahamas with a special souvenir: green hair! I wrote about it in a previous post, and I also shared a link to the shampoo I used to help correct it. After trying the Swimmer’s Wellness Shampoo from Malibu C, I decided to try some of their other shampoos! (You can purchase the Swimmer’s Wellness Shampoo and Conditioner here. It’s great for frequent swimmers, as it fends off the chlorine and copper in water that will turn hair green.)

After that Bahamas trip, our next trip was to California. I love the hotel where we always stay, but I always find the water to be hard, so before we left, I checked into Malibu C’s haircare products. Lucky me…they have a shampoo formulated for hard water! I ordered it immediately and took it with us. For once, my hair was manageable in southern California. There were days I styled it, and days I just went with the natural curls. The shampoo worked great at making my hair feel healthier than it usually does there, and I have even continued to use it at home! I love it. Purchase the Malibu C Hardwater Wellness Shampoo/Conditioner here.

Next, I’m trying the Malibu C Blondes Shampoo/Conditioner. If it works as well as the others, I will be very happy and have less brassy blonde hair! Over the years, I have found it can be difficult to keep blonde hair from turning brassy in summer, so I welcome the opportunity to try the Malibu C product. I will report back, but if you’d like to try it too, you can purchase it here.

They also offer a Color Wellness Shampoo/Conditioner for all colors that you can purchase here.

Malibu C also offers a clarifying shampoo called Undo-Goo that’s especially great if you use a lot of hair products. Sometimes, we all just need to kind of “start over” with our hair, and a clarifying shampoo is a great way to clean it all up. You can purchase Malibu C Undo-Goo Shampoo here.

I’m on my way to trying all Malibu C has to offer! I love the brand! The shampoos/conditioners I have tried smell fantastic too! Even my 22-yr-old daughter gave them the stamp of approval. And did I mention they’re vegan?

***As an Amazon Associate, I receive commission on the items purchased through my links.***

Mermaid with green hair and scaled tail swimming over coral reef with various fish
by Kelly Mattei

Birthday Trip Souvenir

Birthday Trip Souvenir

I returned home yesterday from a lovely week in the Bahamas with my family. We had a great time celebrating my husband’s 60th birthday. 60! It’s hard to believe, but he is, indeed, 60 years old…or young, however you want to look at it.

I might be the only one from the trip who brought home a souvenir…green hair. Yes, you read it right…green hair.

While we were there, we swam in the Sea of Abaco. We swam in pools. We visited different islands. We rode in the boat. We ate too much. We stayed up late at night talking, drinking, and laughing. And on Thursday before we returned home on Saturday, I spent some time swimming in a pool at a resort on one of the islands. We all swam in it, but I’m the only one who came home with green hair.

Frankly, if anyone had to come home with green hair, I’m glad it was me. My 22-yr-old daughter would have been horrified. Let it be me. At 58 (I’ll be 59 Wednesday!), I didn’t really care all that much that my hair had a green tint. In fact, I was a little amused by what I called my “mermaid hair.”

However, no matter what you call it, it is not attractive. It was mostly on the ends and in one section of my hair. I say “was,” because I have already remedied the situation. I searched all over the internet for the best solution, and I read that ketchup is the way to go. My brother dates a lovely woman who is a hairdresser, so I confirmed it with her before I saturated my hair in cheap ketchup from Publix. The red color and acid in the ketchup is supposed to counteract the green color from the copper/chlorine. This afternoon, I got to work. I put on a button-up shirt I was willing to part with, and I saturated my hair in ketchup and waited 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, I washed my hair.

As soon as I realized I had green hair, I placed an order on Amazon for a special shampoo called Malibu C Swimmers Wellness Clarifying Shampoo for Chlorine and Hair Build Up, and that’s what I used to remove the ketchup from my hair. Just as I had been told, it worked. So if you ever find yourself or your child in a similar predicament, I highly recommend ketchup, followed by the Malibu C shampoo.

If you’d like to keep it on hand this summer when your kids are spending lots of time in swimming pools, you can get it from Amazon here. I purchased the large bottle, because we have a pool at home, and since I wash my hair regularly anyway, I might as well use this fantastic shampoo. It smells great and made my hair super soft.

Next time I go to the Bahamas, I hope I will return with a better souvenir.

***As an Amazon associate, I earn commissions for items purchased through my links.***

by Kelly Mattei

My Favorite Amazon Purchases of 2025 to Make Your Holiday Shopping Easier

My favorite Amazon purchases of 2025 to make your holiday shopping easier…

  • Solar Power Bank. I have purchased a lot of power banks over the years, but this one is my favorite of all time for several reasons. You can charge it with solar power (sunlight) or at an electrical outlet. It’s fast-charging, and the charge lasts a long time. It has built-in charging cords for different devices. It also has a wireless charging platform, so you can charge your phone without a cord. I also love that it’s not as heavy as lots of power banks. Added bonus? It’s inexpensive! It makes a great gift for lots of people, including teenagers and college students who might need extra power on their devices. Priced right now (at time of writing) at just $29.59 on Amazon, you can purchase it here.

  • Dyson AirWrap i.d. Multistyler. Dyson AirWrap systems have been popular for a long time, and there’s a reason…they are great products. It’s a gift lots of people would love to receive. I have seen people get more excited about this than anything else. They’re expensive, no doubt, but right now, this one is on sale at Amazon. Regular priced at $649, it’s now priced (at time of writing) at $499! That’s a $150 savings! Get them while they last here.

  • SUNNOW 12 Ounce Multicolor Crystal Wine Glass,for Home Dinning, Bar and Party,Set of 6 I got these for my college daughter, because she is always having friends over. With this multi-colored set, its easy for each person to remember which glass is theirs! And because they are inexpensive, it one gets broken, no one panics! They make a great gift, and these are a popular item on Amazon. I get “fast-selling item” alerts, and this was one of them. Purchase for $32.99 while supplies last here.

  • SHOWKOO Luggage Sets Expandable PC+ABS Durable Suitcase Double Wheels TSA Lock I purchased a set of this luggage for myself and one for our daughter. They are inexpensive but more rugged than I expected, and if you get a cool color, you can spot it easily on an airport carousel! Purchase for someone on your Christmas list here.

  • Trendy 14K Gold Plated Hoop Earrings for Women, Chunky Gold/Silver Earrings for Women Cubic Zirconia Baguette Hoop Earrings Heart Hoops Lightweight Hypoallergenic Jewelry,25mm/35mm/40mm/50mm. I have purchased these inexpensive earrings six times over the past year. They are my favorite grab-n-go earrings for running errands or meeting friends for lunch. I get compliments on them every single time I wear them. You can purchase them in multi-color, single-color, gold, or silver. When I say these earrings are one of my favorite Amazon purchases ever, I mean it. Most colors are $13.99, but some are as low as $13.59, and some colors are $14.99. They’d make a great stocking stuffer for every girl/woman on your list! Get them here.

  • Damero Pill Bottle Organizer Bag, Travel Medicine Bag Organizer, Medicine Organizer and Storage for Pills, Vitamin, Fish Oil, Medical Supplements for Women and Men. Another favorite purchase! I used to just keep my meds in a ziploc bag, but earlier this year, I decided to be more organized, and what a difference! I used this bag when I’m home and take it with me when I travel. It has slots for medicine bottles and pocket for other things like a pill-cutter or anything else. I literally use it every day. It comes in dusty rose or black. It’s great for college students too…for items like Tylenol, ibuprofen, cold medicine, allergy meds, etc. In fact, it could be a great gift for someone you know who is going to college soon…fill it with all those items and wrap it up for a Christmas gift! Purchase from Amazon here.

  • Girafit 3MP 2K Window Camera,2.4GHz&5GHz WiFi Indoor Cameras for Home Security 2 Pack with ChroMax Al Color Night Vision,Person & Motion Detection,24/7 Recording,Easy&Quick Install. I purchased these for our daughter’s college apartment. I had sent her a Ring doorbell, but because of the design of her apartment, installation was complicated. Since their front door has a window, this was super easy to install. The picture quality on it is amazing! She and her roommates thought they had an intruder one night, so the police came, and later, when she showed me the video of the officers arriving, I could read their names on the tiny nameplates on their uniforms. Highly recommend! Purchase here.

  • Protected By Home Security System Signs for Yard – 10″ x 28″ Police Dispatch Connected Warning Sign with Ground Stake, Alarm Signs for Home Security Rust Free 40 mil Reflective Aluminum Composite – UV Protected. I also purchased these for our daughter’s apartment. Her apartment is part of a house, so she put these in the front yard. Purchase here.

  • Makeup Eraser 7-Day Set. If you have never used Makeup Eraser, its time you did! It’s amazing how quickly these remove makeup with just water! My daughter have been using them for a long time and love them. they make a great stocking-stuffer or a great gift! Purchase here.

  • Nespresso Vertuo Plus Deluxe Coffee and Espresso Maker by De’Longhi, Matte Black I’m just a regular coffee drinker, but our daughter loves specialty coffees, so we got her this Nespresso Espresso Maker, and she loves it. Someone on your list will love it too! At just under $125, it’s not cheap, but she said it’s worth it! Purchase here.

  • Women’s Sandals Peep Toe Slides. I’ve told y’all about these before…my favorite dupe sandals! I have them in four colors. No, I’m not wearing them in freezing temps, but they’re great in spring and summer…and on tropical vacations! Someone on your list will love these! They’re awesome! I found them to be true-to-size. Purchase here.

  • Favorite Dupe Handbag. Since we are talking about my favorite dupes, let’s look at my fave dupe handbag I purchased from Amazon this year. In fact, I purchased it in three different colors. Is it a perfect dupe? No, but it’s cute! And it’s 1% of the real thing. I have some nicer bags, but I do not like to travel with them, so these are great for that. Purchase here.

  • OCTOBUDDY Classic – Silicone Suction Phone Case Adhesive Mount – Hands-Free, Strong Grip Holder for Selfies and Videos – iPhone and Android Compatible. My daughter loves this phone case adhesive mount. It’s not the case; its something to mount on the case so the phone will stick with suction to surfaces…window, tables, shower walls, etc. It’s available in lots of colors. Just trust me on this…it’s a great gift for teenagers and college students. At just $14.99, it’s a great stocking stuffer. Purchase here.

  • JBL Vibe Beam – True Wireless JBL Deep Bass Sound Earbuds, Bluetooth 5.2, Water & Dust Resistant, Hands-free call with VoiceAware, Up to 32 hours of battery life Y’all, I’m prone to losing things, so I don’t want to pay a lot of money for wireless earbuds. I just can’t make myself do it. I found these from JBL, and I love them. They’re more comfortable than others to me, and they produce great sound. Starting at just $29.95 right now, they are a steal! This makes a great gift! Get them here.

  • SPOTMINDERS Apple MFi Certified Wallet Tracker Y’all…this is a game-changer. I always used other tracking devices for my luggage/handbags, etc, but they didn’t track in real time. Spotminders are rechargeable and track in real time! I have purchased them for the whole fam! Just link them to your phone’s tracking app. It will make a great gift or stocking stuffer for anyone who has a wallet, handbag, passport, luggage, or anything else they don’t want to lose! HIGHLY RECOMMEND! You can charge them on a wireless charger, and the charge lasts five months! Purchase here.

  • Stitchy. Who knew this tiny gun-shaped item would be such a life-saver? I didn’t know I needed it until someone gave me one, and now I use it all the time…almost daily! I use it to stitch collars with one click, so they will stand. I use it to reinforce buttons. I use it to ruche items. In a fix, I’ve even used it to secure the hem of some pants! At our white elephant Christmas party last year, this was the single hottest item! Purchase it for everyone on your list! Purchase here.

  • Tales Conversation Cards. We have one two different sets of these, and as corny as it sounds, we use them all the time! We use them when our little family is gathered around the table or when friends come over for cocktails. Each card has a question or directive. “Who here is most likely to live off the grid?” (No one named me, for sure.) “What’s something you think everyone should experience at least once.” https://amzn.to/4pUeP6xThere’s a family version, a teen version, and more! Get them. We find them great fun! Purchase here.

  • JBL Flip Portable Speaker. Y’all, I love this little speaker with big sound! I use it by the pool in the summer, in hotel rooms, in the kitchen…or anywhere else I want good sound. With Bluetooth capabilities, it plays straight from my phone. This is a great gift for just about anyone on your list, and it comes in a variety of colors. Purchase here.

  • Matcha Set. Our daughter came home for the summer and wanted to make Matcha at home, so we got her the kit to do it. She made Matcha all summer, and she has been making it all fall in her apartment. If you have someone on your list who loves Matcha, this could be a great gift. Purchase here.

  • Arctic Air Personal Air Conditioner. Y’all, I sleep with this thing pointed at my face every night. Sometimes, I put water in it, and sometimes, I don’t. It also has a light that you can set to one of many colors. I set mine on red, because it seems to give off the least light but just enough for me to make it to the bathroom safely. HIGHLY RECOMMEND! When I say I highly recommend this, I mean it…it’s one of my favorite things ever. Purchase for under $30 here.

  • OtterBox Rugged Tracker 4 Pack for Apple AirTag I got this for our keys…just pop an AirTag in it, and anytime you can’t find your keys, this will help you find them! Purchase here. And if you need AirTags for it, get the four pack here.

  • Ladies’ Wallet with RFID protection. I love this wallet. It makes it easy to find my credit cards when I need them. My ID is in a window pocket. It’s everything I need in a wallet, and it’s cute too! It comes in several colors, so you can get a different color for each person on your list. Plus, it’s priced right at $16.99. Purchase here.

  • 12 Pack Extra Heavy Duty Large Moving Bags with Strong Zipper & Comfortable Handles I purchased these when we were moving our daughter back to college last summer, but now I’m using some of them for storage at home! I love them! And they’re super-sturdy. I’m not sure they’d be a great gift, but maybe they would for the future college student? Purchase here.

  • Little Jesus. Lots of us could use a little Jesus. These pocket Jesus figurines could be fun stocking stuffers or fun to hide around the house. I hid them in our house, and my husband laughed every time he encountered one. Now we have a few strategically placed in cabinets or drawers to remind us that Jesus loves us. Purchase here.

  • A Super Comfy, Cozy Recliner. Y’all are going to think I’m crazy. Yes, I ordered a recliner from Amazon. I had a couple of surgeries earlier this year, and when I found out I needed a second one, I knew I needed a recliner to sleep in when I got home, but I only had a couple of days. I went on Amazon and found this gem. It was delivered two days later, and my husband took it up to the guest room, where I would recover from my surgery. Easy assembly…just slide the backrest into the back of the seat. It rocks, swivels, and reclinesl, and it has storage compartments built in. This has now become my favorite place to be! I call it my “drug chair,” because it just totally relaxes me! I think everyone needs one! If you know someone who could use a super comfortable, cozy recliner, this could be the perfect holiday gift for them. It’s available in gray and cream. I got the cream colored one. Did I mention I love it?!?! One of my best purchases ever, even though it’s not perfectly suited to our decor. Purchase here.

  • Acrylic Clutch Purse for Women Evening Bag This was something my daughter needed for all the cocktail parties in college. She got it in gold, but it’s offered in lots of colors, and it has held up very well for her. Could be a great gift for the college girl or anyone who might need an evening bag. Purchase here.

  • Bedside Lamp with Wireless Speaker and Phone Charger. This lamp/speaker/charger combo is also portable! I keep it on my nightstand and use it every night to charge my phone. I love it and think everyone needs one. Purchase here.

  • Vibration Plate. I know lots of people who swear by vibration plates to stimulate muscles and improve bone density. I don’t claim to be a doctor, but I have friends who swear they feel healthier after regularly using a vibration plate. If you’d like to try it, you can get one at Amazon for $99, and if you like it, purchase a more high-end one later. You can get a bestseller at Amazon here.

Happy Shopping!

*As an Amazon Associate, I receive commission on the items purchased through my links.*

by Kelly Mattei

Great Gift: My Favorite Daily Earrings

My favorite daily earrings.

I have lots of earrings that I wear for different occasions, but for travel and for regular days around the house/town, I have some hoop earrings I love. Add in the fact that they are super inexpensive, and they’re even more fun to wear! They’re so inexpensive that I don’t worry about losing them. In fact, I have at least six pairs of them. Obviously, I really like them. They are “gold” and “jeweled” with multicolored “gems,” and they match anything I want to wear on the daily. I get compliments on them every single day. These are another HIGHLY RECOMMEND item. Get them for everyone woman on your list! Check out the pics an purchase them from Amazon here.

*As an Amazon associate, I receive commission on items purchased through my links.*

by Kelly Mattei

Great Gift: Lamp/Charger/Speaker All-in-One

EZVALO Bedside Dimmable Lamp with Wireless Charger and Bluetooth Speaker. Y’all this is a great gift for anyone on your list. I have been using one of these for months. I got one for my college-age daughter last Christmas, and I liked it so much that I got one for me too! It’s a great addition to the nightstand, because it provides just enough light when I need a little light to get to the bathroom (I’m 58, after all) in the middle of the night. It has the wireless charger for my phone, and there have been nights I have drifted off to sleep while listening to a soothing audiobook through the speaker. I love it. This is a rare HIGHLY RECOMMEND item for lots of people on your list: moms, college students, high school students, Grandma…virtually anyone. Purchase it for anyone on your list who has a smartphone. It’s offered in Wood Grain or White for under $35 on a Cyber Monday Deal with Amazon. Get it here.

*As an Amazon associate, I receive commission on items purchased through my links.*

by Kelly Mattei

Great Buys to Make Life Easier

Great buys to make life easier…

***I receive commission for items purchased through my links.***

I just got back from a quick trip to the Bahamas with my husband. We were only there for about five nights, but we welcomed the short break. We go to smaller islands when we go to the Bahamas, and they are wonderfully peaceful. Here are some things that made my life easier on the way there, while we were there, and even now that we are home:

  • Arctic Air. I know y’all have seen this advertised before and dismissed it. It’s a fan/personal air cooler. I even use it at home every night. Here’s something I really loved when I had it with me in the Bahamas. If a storm rolls through, it’s not unusual for the power to go out on the smaller islands. If the power went out, I could attach this to my portable charger (see below), and it would continue to work with that. As soon as I heard the power come back on, I plugged it back into the wall. It’s a little bulky for travel, but I just put it in my big, checked bag, between some clothes to protect it when the bag is jostled around. Purchase for under $40 here.

  • Portable Charger. Everybody needs one, whether you travel or not. If you have a power outage at home, this can keep your electronics (like your phone!) running for quite a while. This one is my favorite because it’s more lightweight than some of the other large portable chargers, and it has a flashlight and has solar-charging capabilities. I haven’t tested the solar charging, but I have used the flashlight, and I have definitely carried it in my carry-on for travel. I highly recommend this one. Purchase for under $26 here.

  • Baboon to the Moon Mini Go Bag. I know I have sung the praises of this bag several times, but I’m not kidding, y’all. This is my favorite travel carry-on. It fits under seats. Its water resistant. Its durable. It can be a backpack or a duffle. It’s cute! Even I think it’s easy to carry; I carry it as a backpack through the airport, and because it doesn’t have wheels, you don’t have to gate-check it when you enter a small aircraft. There’s a small zipper pocket under one of the side handles, so that’s where I keep passports. And it holds a lot more than you think. I get lots of compliments on this bag, and people always ask me about this bag when I’m traveling. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth the money. The Lime Breeze one is on sale right now (at time of writing) for under $130! Purchase here.

  • Passport Holder with Airtag. You think you won’t ever lose your passport, but it happens…trust me. An unnamed family member lost his in the airport in June. After that, I ordered passport holders with Airtags for everyone in the family. I also stuck a giant card inside the passport holder that says “If found, please call IMMEDIATELY” with our phone numbers. These are inexpensive and can give you peace of mind when traveling. They come in a variety of colors. I got blue for my husband, pink for our daughter, and purple for me. Airtags sold separately. Purchase the holder here. And purchase Airtags here.

  • Pill/Medication Organizer. Whether you take prescription or not, it’s a good idea to travel with some medications. Pain relievers, cold meds, digestive aids, and more can help keep your vacation running smoothly. I always have anti-nausea meds, cold meds, ear drops, eye drops, and pain relievers, so it’s easiest for me to carry them in an organizer. I used to throw everything in a clear gallon-sized bag, but travel is much easier with an organizer. I found a great one on Amazon, and I’ve shared it before. You can purchase it here.

I wanted to share those while they are fresh in my mind. Every trip is different, and I might have more to recommend after the next one! Also, the items above make great gifts for travelers, college students, or just about anyone!

by Kelly Mattei

My Favorite Advent Devotional

My favorite Advent devotional.

The holidays can be hectic, but I have found it helps to sit down and focus on the reason for the season. Bestselling author and fine artist Anne Neilson beautifully captures the angels’ essence in this devotional designed especially for Advent. Gorgeous, original art showcases Anne’s timeless angels, which are accompanied by daily devotions, that will guide you into the sacred beauty of the Christmas season.

It makes a great Advent gift for family and friends. I have ordered six of them for my own loved ones (and myself), and they will ship in September. If you’d like to bring peace and focus for the holidays to yourself and others, this is a great gift. The artwork is guaranteed to be beautiful, and the daily devotionals can be a calming moment during a busy season.

Purchase here.

***I receive commission for items purchased through my Amazon links.***

by Kelly Mattei

My Favorite Dupe Shoes

My favorite dupe shoes…

***I receive commission from Amazon on items purchased through my links.***

This summer, I found the cutest designer dupe chunky heel slides, and they are at a great price point on Amazon! I ended up ordering five colors, but they’re offered in seven colors, and I still might go back and purchase those other two colors! Y’all know that when I find something I like, I order it in every color, because it isn’t always easy to find something I like. I have worn them all summer, and I plan to continue to wear them into fall, because they look great and they’re comfortable. The work great with pants and even dresses! I have received compliments on them every time I have worn them. Get yours today. Run, don’t walk, to your computer and order through your Amazon Prime account! Right now, Prices start at $36.98. Yes! Under $40 for some great dupes! Purchase here.

by Kelly Mattei

My Favorite Wallet

My favorite wallet.

*As an Amazon Associate, I receive commission on items purchased through my links.*

For the past couple of years, I have been carrying a wallet I purchased on Amazon. I suppose it’s a “dupe” of a designer brand, but I didn’t get it because of that. I got it, because I think it’s cute, and because it has everything I need: RFID protection, folded bills space, ID window space, and plenty of credit card sleeves. I love it, and often, someone will ask me about it, so today, I decided it’s time to share the link. It comes in several colors. I have had the green one, like I said, for a couple of years, but I just ordered myself the red one. I’ve also given these as gifts. Purchase it for under $18 here.

If you’re looking for something smaller, something that simply holds credit cards, my daughter has a smaller version that’s just a credit card holder with RFID protection. Purchase it for under $18 here. (Right now, there’s also a 10% off coupon on you can use on Amazon. Just tick the box before putting the item in your cart.)

At these prices, you can buy one for yourself and buy some for gifts too! They make great gifts for recent high school or college graduates…or just for a friend who would like it!