Category / Amazon Prime

by Kelly Mattei

Amazon Deals for the Kitchen

Amazon Deals for the kitchen.

My husband loves to purchase small kitchen appliances. I don’t know why, but he does. I suppose I should be grateful, because I never have to do it. And he knows the good small appliances! Here are some good ones that are offered at discounted prices at Amazon right now:

  • KitchenAid Mixer. (see photo below) Everybody knows KitchenAid makes a great mixer, right? Get one for a discounted price at Amazon here. It’s regularly $329. Get it now for about $292.
  • KitchenAid Food Chopper. It’s not a necessity, but it’s an inexpensive luxury. Get the silver one right now from Amazon for $44.99, while other colors are about $55. See it here.
  • Single cup Keurig Coffeemaker. Priced right now at just under $60, this single cup coffeemaker is 25% off! Great for dorms or home. Get it here.
  • Glass Purse Vase. Want to brighten your kitchen with a conversation piece? Fill a lovely purse-shaped vase with colorful flowers for your countertop or tabletop. It’s offered in several colors, and it’s less than $30! Purchase here. ***It is a vase, not a handbag. Picture below is simply for illustration.
  • Cuisinart Toaster Convection Oven. I love Cuisinart toaster ovens, but there are lots of different models. The best thing about them? You don’t have to wait for an oven to heat. The most basic model I see on Amazon is a classic toaster oven for about $99 here. Then, there’s a slightly dressed up model that includes convection (like an air fryer) for $119 here. Need a more “deluxe” model? You can have one that offers all that plus precision temperature setting here. But if you want the big daddy of toaster ovens, the Cuisinart Air Fryer + Convection Toaster Oven, 8-1 Oven with Bake, Grill, Broil & Warm Options for $197, discounted from $229.95 here.
  • Ninja Air Fryer. Great for home, camping, or even dorm…if its allowed. This air fryer gets great reviews, and I have used it myself! Get it for 23% off at $99.99 here.
  • Lifestraw Water Filter Dispenser. I love the Lifestraw brand! I think they make quality products, so you’ll see that I mention them often. This water filter dispenser holds 18 cups of water and cleans it all. It’s the only water filter dispenser that filters out bacteria and parasites in additions to lead, mercury, and microplastics. Get it for home, office, dorm, or camping! Priced at $47.28, it’s a deal! Its normally about $65. Don’t hesitate on this deal! Get it here.
  • White Metal Canister Set. Pebble and Stem makes a great set of four canisters for your countertop in your kitchen…and they’re right on trend! Check them out for 30% off at $34.96 here.

  • Pantry Storage Organizer Bins. I admire people who have organized pantries. Therefore, I am resolving to get mine organized with these clear plastic pantry storage organizer bins. Right now, in a limited time deal, Amazon is offering them at 40% off for $21.24 for SIX bins! Its a great deal. Check it out here.

That’s what I have found recently in kitchen deals. Take advantage of them while you can! I will post more as I see them!

by Kelly Mattei

It’s Almost Football Season!

It’s almost football season!

Its the most wonderful time of the year…football season! Seriously, we count down every year at our house. We love all kinds of football…high school, college, NFL. We have our favorite teams, but we will watch almost any game. I can’t watch really bad football. If both teams in any game are playing miserably, I have to remove myself from the viewing area of the television. However, I love a good, close game, and I love the spirit of competition!

I have lots of good memories tied up in football. No, I never played. I’m 5’2″ on a tall day. Plus, I’m tough, but I’m not that tough. However, I have lots of great memories from throughout my life that are related to football. One of the greatest games I have ever attended was the Alabama-Miami Sugar Bowl for the National Championship at the end of the 1992 season. To me, it was one for the ages. My team, the Alabama Crimson Tide, was the definite underdog to the powerhouse University of Miami Hurricanes. I went to the game in the New Orleans Superdome expecting to lose, but I was pleasantly surprised that, not only did we win, we pulled off a huge upset, winning 34-13.

As football season approaches every year, we start stocking up on apparel. My daughter is in college at Alabama now, so she needs cute gameday dresses and outfits. I like to find my own gameday outfits, but they’re not as important as hers! In addition, our local NFL team, the Carolina Panthers, just recruited a quarterback from Alabama, so she and I both ordered our very own Bryce Young #9 jerseys. It has been a long time since we were really excited about a Panthers team, but we are looking forward to the season this year. We’ll be the ones at games in the Bryce Young jerseys. Ha!

If you’re looking for your own game day apparel, I have ideas for everyone in the family! Check these out:

  • College girls. In the south, our college girls go one of two routes. They either dress up for the games, or they wear football jerseys representing their school. I should mention it’s really hot during most of football season in the south, so comfort is key. Therefore, short dresses without a whole lot of extra sleeve fabric…those are popular. Breezy rompers are popular, as well. There are some great options on Amazon in lots of different colors/patterns. One romper that comes in lots of colors and will be cool on a hot game day can be found here. Need a dress for a hot game? See one here. Another romper that will work great for college girls on a hot day can be seen here…it’s offered in 19 colors! If your team is green (Tulane? Baylor?), see a cute green option for a hot day here. And see a cute white dress in 100% cotton here. Once it’s cooler, you might opt for this great dress here. To see lots of game day inspiration on Amazon, click here.
  • College apparel/fan gear. Need NCAA apparel or fan gear? You can get that at Amazon too by going to the Campus Colors page here. You can find almost anything you need by searching for your favorite team under “shop by college.” If you’re a Bama fan, you can bypass that step and click here. Auburn fans click here. Arkansas Razorbacks? Click here. For more SEC teams, click on the name of the school: Florida, Georgia, LSU,, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Vandy, Missouri, Tennessee, Texas A&M, or Kentucky. For some reason, Mississippi State isn’t featured, so forgive me, my Bulldog friends. Or check out Amazon’s FAN ZONE here to see goods and apparel from lots of different teams and leagues…college and professional. You can even find those obnoxious car flags there!
  • Plastic flask. If you want to take your own alcohol to a tailgate, I have the perfect flask for you. I know none of my readers would sneak their own alcohol into a game to avoid standing in line at a bar or overpaying for alcohol in a stadium, but if you know someone who would (wink, wink), a plastic flask is great, because it won’t set off a metal detector. My personal favorite can be seen here. At only $10, it’s a steal. I also put a LeakLock Toiletry skin over it to ensure it won’t leak. You can get those here.

It’s still hots as blazes in the southeast right now, but football season will be here soon! Be prepared! I can smell the tailgates and bourbon in the air already!

by Kelly Mattei

Buy Personal Items on Prime Day

Buy personal items on Prime Day!

Lots of people don’t think about purchasing personal items on Amazon, but I do, and there are some great deals to be had. Here are some ideas:

  • Deodorant/anti-perspirant. Just go look. I’m not kidding…lots of deals to be had! You know you’re going to be using deodorant every day of your life! Get it while the prices are hot! Lots of different brands are offered! Check them out here. My personal favorite is 30% off here.
  • Sunscreen. If you’re like me, you’ll be using sunscreen every day, but you hate paying for it, so stock up while the prices are better! Amazon has some great Prime Day deals on sunscreens…even Sun Bum and Neutrogena. See them here.
  • Toothpaste. There are some great deals on toothpaste, something you are always going to use. See them here.
  • Blood pressure monitors. Stay on top of your heart health by having a blood pressure monitor at home. I have one and use it every day. Lots are on sale here.
  • Flonase Nasal Spray. Y’all know how expensive this is. When I was stocking my daughter’s medicine box for college last year, I rang up quite a bill! Get this while it’s priced about 20% off! Today only! Get it here. Or if you’re OK with the Amazon brand, it’s a little less here.
  • Ibuprofen. 500-count Ibuprofen tablets for under $9?!?! Yes, please! Get them here.
  • Acetaminophen. 500-count Acetaminophen tablets for under $12? You don’t have to tell me twice! Get them here.
  • L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara. My daughter made me try this. I don’t usually like drugstore brand mascaras, but I love this one! It doesn’t smear, and it dries…doesn’t feel sticky. I just ordered four of them. Regularly about $13, they’re under $8 today only! Get it here.
  • It Cosmetics. I love their Your Skin But Better foundation, and I love their makeup brushes too! In fact, I love lots of their products. They are all discounted on Prime Day today only! Get them here.
  • Ugg Fluffette Slippers. My daughter wears hers all the time. She’s getting a new pair to take to college but doesn’t know it…shhh! I just paid under $80 for them, and they’re normally about $110. See them here.

***I’ll publish more deals later!***

by Kelly Mattei

More Great Prime Day Deals!

More great Prime Day deals! Get them now…today!

  • Ring doorbell. There are some insanely good deals on Ring Doorbells at Prime today! Wow! If you don’t have one, now is the time to get it! One model that’s normally $100 is now $55…that’s 45% off! See it here. Another one, that’s wired with ring chime, is normally $79, but is going for $49.99…that’s 38% off! See it here. And the All-New Ring Battery Doorbell Plus, regularly priced at $ 179.99 is now $129.99, a savings of 28%. See it here. Or see all the Ring doorbell offerings here. The ones marked with red “Prime Day Deal” are the ones on sale.
  • Apple Airpods (2nd gen). Normally $129, these are now $89.99 on Amazon Prime…today only, since it’s a Prime Day Deal! Go get them here.
  • Black and Decker Dustbuster. Save 33% on the Black and Decker Dustbuster today only…marked down from $60 to $40! Have a student going to college? They need this! Or maybe you just need one around the house. Take advantage of this deal here.
  • Ruggable. Y’all have heard of Ruggable rugs…washable rugs with great designs! All their rugs are discounted on Prime Day! Get one or more today for dorm rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, hallways…get them now for discounted prices! Get this deal here.
  • Nordictrack Treadmill. In the market for a quality treadmill at a discounted price? Get a Nordictrack one at Prime Days…that means TODAY! Normally $800, it’s now $600…that’s 25% off. Get it now here.
  • Saucony Sneakers. Need new sneakers or running shoes? Lots of Saucony styles are on sale…some are regularly $130 and are being sold for less that $40!!! This is your chance to get some quality sneaks for a great price! See them here.
  • Luggage. Need new luggage? There are all kinds of crazy deals for Prime Day here. Save money by getting it now and use it on that last trip of the summer! My friend bought some yesterday for a trip next week!

*See my posts from yesterday for more great deals here and here and here.

***Keep checking back! I’ll post more deals as I see them!***

by Kelly Mattei

More Prime Day Deals

More Prime Day deals…

  • Lifestraw Deals. I’ve written about how awesome Lifestraw is before. The original straws filter water of microorganisms. I’ve seen someone drink out of a muddy river with a Lifestraw…and had clean water. They also make great cups and even pitchers now. See the great Lifestraw Prime Day deals here. They are great for camping, international travel, hikes, etc.
  • Oral B Charcoal Toothbrushes. I love these toothbrushes! Normally close to $15 for four, they are under $12 for a pack of four on Prime Days. See them here. I’m stocking up.
  • Dawn Dish Soap and sponge bundle…30% off! You’ll always use dish soap. Stock up now! See it here.
  • Febreze Air Freshener. Get the deal on a three-pack by clicking here. Since it’s under $12, get three or four of them!
  • Laundry supplies. You just have to see these for yourself. Amazon has lots of Prime Day deals on laundry supplies. Maybe get some for your college student and yourself! See the deals here.
  • Kitchen deals. There are tons of kitchen deals to be had. If you need to outfit a kitchen for a college student’s apartment or suite, this is the time to do it. See the deals here.
  • Crocs. Crocs are great for the pool, the beach, and they make great shower shoes for college students. Get up to 40% off some Crocs styles and 30% off others. See the deals here.
  • Massage Gun. I found a massage gun that is regularly about $200…priced for about $45 on Prime Days! If you’re in the market for a massage gun (this could help my sciatica!), get it here.

****More later! I’m posting them as I find them!****

by Kelly Mattei

Get Dorm Stuff on Prime Days

Get dorm stuff on Prime Days, July 11 and 12…deals available to Amazon Prime members! ****Keep checking back, as I will be adding items to this list today and tomorrow!****

You can see dorm essential deals on Amazon Prime Days here. Simply scroll through the pages at the link and pick up what you need at Prime Day discount prices…today and tomorrow only! See below for some of the deals, but click the above link for all the dorm essentials. Here are some great deals:

  • Garbage can. Your dorm room might not provide it. We had to provide it for our daughter’s room in Tutwiler Hall at a Alabama this past year. For a deal, click here.
  • Vacuum cleaners and air purifiers. You student might need a vacuum cleaner and/or air purifier in a dorm or an apartment. Our daughter had a Dyson vacuum cleaner; see the Dyson vacuum and air purifier deals…up to 51% off…deals here. See the Bissell…up to 36% off… deals here. There are also deals from Shark here.
  • Yeti Coolers and Drinkware. Get some great Prime deals on Yeti products here!
  • Bose headphones and speakers. Amazon Prime has some great Prime Day deals on Fantastic Bose products…up to 40% off! This is a big deal! See them here.
  • Vitamix Blenders. I never see these on sale, but for Prime Days, you can get up to 40% off the legendary Vitamix Blenders here.
  • Amazon Fire TV. It’s a great time to purchase an Amazon Fire TV! Some are 38% off! See them here. And their smart TVs at up to 41% off here.
  • Keurig coffeemakers. You have to love seeing these on sale! One cup or multi-cup…get them on Prime Day here.
  • Ergonomic Chair by Sihoo. I have one of these, and I think they’d be great in a dorm room. They promote good posture and take some pressure off your lower back. At prices up to 49% off, they’re a Prime deal. See them here.
  • Sleepyhead Mattress Topper. These rarely go on sale, and Sleepyhead is the gold standard in mattress toppers. See the deals (20% off!) on gel toppers here and copper toppers also 20% off here.
  • Towels. There are lots of Prime Day deals on various towels, which your student will definitely need in the dorm. See them here.
  • First Aid Kit. Your students needs a handy first aid kit in the dorm room. See options in Prime Deals here.
  • Rugs. There are some great deals on rugs here.
  • Desk lamps. Check Prime Day deals on desk lamps here. There are lots of deals to be had!
  • Folding chair/convertible chaise lounge/cot. It’s great to have one of these in dorm rooms. My daughter had lots of friends visit from other schools. Get one here.
  • Shower curtain. Don’t forget they might need a shower curtain, if they have a private shower! Amazon Prime deals here.
  • Swiffer duster. Just get it. College dorms are full of dust bunnies. Encourage your child to dust his/her room at least once a week. It’s easy with Swiffer. Get it here.
  • Upright Steamer. If your daughter is going to college in the south, she will definitely use a steamer. Participating in recruitment? She will use it throughout the process. She’ll also use it regularly on dresses/pants/tops for game days and parties. I recommend a great upright steamer for several reasons: ease of use, usually higher wattage, freestanding, and it’s too easy for someone to take a handheld steamer out of your room. The Rowenta I recommend is a great steamer, and it’s a great deal on Prime Days! See it here. Or see other Prime Day deals on steamers here.
  • Martha Stewart Cookware. Is your child moving into an apartment? They’ll need basic pots and pans. This Martha Stewart brand set is a bargain on Prime Days! Click here!
  • Seasonal Affective Disorder Lamps. If your student suffers from Seasonal Affective Disorder, get prepared with Happy Lights from Verilux. Lots of deals on Prime Days here.

Get busy shopping for those Prime Day deals…available to Amazon Prime members!

by Kelly Mattei

40 Years of Risky Business

40 years of Risky Business.

I find it difficult to believe that Risky Business was released 40 years ago…August 5, 1983. Wow.

I was 16 years old when the movie was released and thought I was all grown up! It’s funny to think about now, but at 16, I truly thought I knew a lot about the world. Oh, what life experience will teach us! I’m 56 now and know, without a doubt, that I know very little about the world, and at 16, I knew far less.

When the movie was released, I wasn’t old enough to get in. In most states back then, to see an R-rated movie, you had to be 17. In Alabama, though, you had to be 18…not that it mattered; I was 16 and looked 13. I had to wait until it was being shown at the cheap, second-run movie theatre…or what we called “the 99 cent movie,” because that was the price of admission. At “the 99 cent movie,” they didn’t check IDs for people wanting to see an R movie. I had to wait to see Purple Rain there too, but that’s a story for another day.

There is something about Risky Business that makes me feel nostalgic more than a lot of other movies of the time. Maybe it’s seeing a very young Tom Cruise dancing in his scivvies? Maybe it’s the “risky” plot? Maybe it’s the sheer fun of watching this soon-to-be Ivy Leaguer going through what he’s going through? Maybe it’s just remembering how much we talked about it with our friends in the 1980s?

I don’t even care much one way or the other about Tom Cruise these days, but I did in 1983! I had seen him in Taps and The Outsiders and thought he was easy on the eyes. He was also in a cheesy movie I watched over and over on HBO called Losin’ It. I’m sure it is a terrible movie, simply because the plot is terrible, but it also stars Shelly Long. I might rewatch it, if I can stomach it. If you remember the Porky’s movies of the 80s, Losin’ It has a similar flavor. Cruise also had a major role in the Pennsylvania high school football movie, All the Right Moves, and a very minor role in Endless Love with Brooke Shields. I think his character is named Billy, and he’s in one scene in the park…wearing cut-off jean shorts, or what we refer to now as “jorts.”

When Risky Business was released, Cruise became loved by many. He was on the covers of magazines. He was on talk shows…like when he was interviewed by Rona Barrett. You can see a very unaffected Cruise in the clip here. His love life was interesting to all of us. After some of his later movies and divorce from Nicole Kidman, I thought he was a little odd. After the divorce from Katie Holmes, well, let’s just say I’m #TeamKatie, but Cruise doesn’t care. He’s laughing all the way to the bank after the release of the Top Gun sequel last year.

I plan to watch Risky Business with my daughter this weekend. I feel like it’s a great glimpse into the 80s. She’ll laugh at the clothes and hairstyles, I’m sure (I will too!), but she will get a feel for the 80s. She’ll just have to sacrifice two hours to watch it with me. I haven’t seen it in years…years! However, I remember the effect it had on pop culture. The Ray-bans! The dance scene! The train scene! And the egg! Omg…the egg. I also remember how it launched Tom Cruise into stardom!

If you haven’t seen Risky Business in years but would like to, you can rent it or purchase it on Amazon here. And while you’re there, you should just go ahead and purchase the Ray-ban Wayfarers! See them here.

by Kelly Mattei

We Love Our Patio

We love our patio.

Most of our backyard is patio and pool. There is some grass, and I have a garden area, but most of the yard is patio and pool. Because most of the year has pretty mild temperatures in Charlotte, North Carolina, we get to enjoy it a lot.

During the spring of the pandemic (ugh, I hate even typing that word!), we were fortunate to have good weather. Starting the middle of March, our little family spent time on the patio almost every day. We had some great times with our friends and neighbors, but of course, at some point, we would always remember the “pandemic” that had interrupted all our lives. I wanted to jazz up the patio, just to give it a more fun feel, so I purchased some Solar Floating Pool Lights from Amazon (you can see them here), in hopes that I could throw them into the pool. They could absorb sunshine during the day and give us a color-changing light show(ish) at night!

They arrived, and I inflated them. I put them into the pool to absorb sunshine, so they would shine at night. We must not have had any breeze that day, because the floating pool lights didn’t seem to go rogue. But that night, when the wind picked up, all the floating lights skimmed across the water and “gathered” in one area of the pool. It just looked weird…not fun. So I got an idea…instead of using them in the pool, string them up and create a party light effect from the front of the poolhouse! Tacky? Yes! Fun? Yes, too! It just gave the patio a bit of color.

Those floating lights have been restrung on the front of the pool house a few times, but they’re still there! One of them split, and we had to replace it, but generally speaking, we keep six of them strung across the front of the pool house at all times. We used plain old fishing line and some hanging hooks…works like a charm! They add some colorful light without the hassle of electricity, reminding me every day that we found ways to have good times during the pandemic.

by Kelly Mattei

Shopping for College Dorm Items?

Shopping for college dorm items?

Last year, at this time in summer, my daughter and I were spending a lot of time trying to figure out what she needed and wanted for her dorm room. We were fortunate her roommate’s mother is a designer, so for the decor, I just needed to write a check…no decisions to be made on my part. However, there were lots of other things to consider. FYI: Amazon Prime Days are July 11-12 this year, so keep that in mind. You can save loads of money on Prime Days. If you don’t have an Amazon Prime account, now is definitely the time to get one. Your student can get a prime account for half price…a little-known fact…and get a 6-month free trial! It’s worth it, for sure! Check out the student account here. There are lots of great dorm deals to be had on Amazon Prime Days.

Before I get any deeper into this, let me remind you to LABEL EVERYTHING THAT GOES INTO A DORM ROOM WITH YOUR STUDENT’S NAME. It’s no joke. Sure, things will still go missing, but if something is located, at least there will be no question about the ownership. You don’t need special labels. All you need is a Sharpie marker. I keep them at my house in bulk. You can order a box of them here. Or get just three here. I wrote my daughter’s name in the corners of her bath towels, hand towels, washcloths, and even in the tags of some of her clothes! I even write our names and phone numbers on luggage, just as a safeguard in case the tags are removed or fall off at the airport. I’m a crazy lady with a Sharpie, no doubt, but it came in handy, when there was a question about which towels were hers at move-out.

And did you know there are “invite-only deals” on Amazon? Yes! It’s a thing! Just click on the link here and scroll down to “invite-only deals.” Request an invitation, and on Prime Days, you’ll receive an email with the info to purchase the discounted item! It’s insanity!

Don’t forget there are daily deals on Amazon every single day for Prime members! To see today’s “off to college” deals, click here. At time of writing, I see deals on Amazon Fire TV, velvet hangers (you need these to save space in small dorm-room closets!), sheets, surge protectors, cordless vacuums, fans, storage bins, and more…up to 79% off some items! Get busy shopping now!

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by Kelly Mattei

Organize Your Retail Returns

Organize your retail returns.

I do a lot of online shopping. When I order, I don’t plan to return anything, but there are going to be times that things don’t work out. I’m not going to keep something that doesn’t fit well. I’m not going to keep something I don’t like. Therefore, I do have returns to make pretty regularly.

Anyone who does a lot of online shopping can tell you the returns can stack up quickly, and if you don’t stay organized, it can get confusing.

My solution is the Hulken bag…a lightweight, roomy bag with handles and wheels. I keep two next to the door in my room…one for Amazon returns and one for other returns (Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Anthropologie, etc). and when I have realize I have a return, I place it in the corresponding Hulken bag. Both of mine a medium bags. When I’m ready to make returns, I simply take the Hulken bag to my car. I make my Amazon returns at Whole Foods, so when I get there, I just pull my Hulken bag into the store, and voila! My returns are done! For other returns (Nordstrom, Anthropologie, Neiman Marcus), I take the other Hulken bag. If I decide to purchase something else while I’m there, I don’t have to get a bag from the retailer! I just put the new items in my Hulken bag!

Interestingly, Hulken is making their bags with zippered closure/covers now! They cost a little more (about $5 more) than the original, but they’re worth it.

Easy Peasy!

To get your Hulken bag, click here. I highly recommend the medium-size bag for everyday. For times you need something bigger (dorm move-in or move-out), I recommend the large-size bag. Keep in mind, there is a slight backlog on orders. Large bags will ship faster. Right now, it appears the ship date for medium bags is mid-July.

Happy Shopping!