Latest news with #rose
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Business
- RNZ News
Everything's coming up roses as Rural Women marks centenary
Rural Women New Zealand has commissioned a rose for its centenary created by Matthews Nurseries of Whanganui. Photo: supplied Stocks of a pinky lilac rose to mark the centenary of the national organisation Rural Women are two thirds sold already. The Mangamahu-Fordell branch of Rural Women New Zealand commissioned a nearby nursery to breed the new variety for its 100 years. The floribunda rose displays clusters of soft hued blooms above a bushy growing plant with mid-green foliage. Committee member Clare Adkins said it was special. "We came up with this idea of creating a rose in partnership with Matthews Nurseries who are just around the road from us," she said. Adkins farms near Whanganui with her husband, Grant. As well as farming sheep and beef, the couple grow pumpkins for their seeds . These are sold through their business Summer Hill Seeds at Okoia. The rural women's organisation is thrilled with the bloom and fragrance of the new rose. "They've created a beautiful rose for us. It's very scented because that was our criteria," Adkins said. "It's a lovely tribute for rural women all over New Zealand." According to the Whanganui nursery the rose will perform at its best planted in a garden, but can also be grown in a large pot of around 60 litres, so watering and liquid feeding can be done from below to strengthen the root system. Floribundas are ideal for group planting in borders and hedges. They're also suitable for floral arrangements and picking. Photo: Supplied Rural Women New Zealand was first known as the Women's Division of the Farmer's Union and was founded to connect rural women. Adkins said the strength of the organisation was not to be underestimated. It had stood the test of time by adapting to the evolving needs of rural women and their communities. "The rural women's movement started about 100 years ago when the ladies who accompanied their husbands down to the national conference of the Farmers' Union got together to form a new group," she said. The rose commissioned to celebrate the centenary. Photo: Gianina Schwanecke / Country Life The 16 women shared their experiences of the often hard and lonely times on the farm and with each other. In its early years the organisation aimed at finding ways of improving living conditions on New Zealand farms. "They realised they needed to form a group to help support women and children living rurally and in isolation in the 1920s," Adkins said. Whanganui's Florence Polson from Mangamahu was the first Dominion president. The organisation received a boost of $250,000 in this month's Budget to expand its reach and continue its work. "Rural Women New Zealand has been a backbone of rural life for 100 years," Minister for Rural Communities Mark Patterson said. "This funding will support the important work they do every day - helping connect people to services, building strong local networks, and advocating for rural voices to be heard."
The National
22-05-2025
- Business
- The National
Damascene rose harvest in the Damascus countryside
The rose is a source of an essence from which oil is extracted and sold to Europe, especially France, to manufacture the finest perfumes, as well as rose water and cosmetics
Chicago Tribune
11-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
After bloom, give shrubs a trim
Make plans now to prune spring-flowering shrubs, such as forsythia, lilac, viburnum and flowering quince, after they finish blooming. 'We don't prune these shrubs in winter because we'd be cutting off the buds that will open into spring flowers,' said Spencer Campbell, Plant Clinic manager at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle. 'Instead, we wait until after we've enjoyed their bloom, and then we prune them if they need it.' Timing is important. Ideally, you will prune these shrubs after they have bloomed but before they start forming the buds that will become next spring's flowers. 'There's a window of six or eight weeks,' he said. Prune flowering shrubs selectively, using hand pruners to remove only those stems or branches that need to go while leaving most branches to keep the shrub's natural form. 'Don't shear flowering shrubs into smooth shapes with a hedge trimmer,' Campbell said. 'It looks unnatural, and it will tend to reduce their bloom.' Think about your reasons for pruning before you start the job. 'Look the shrub over each year and assess what needs to be done,' he said. 'You don't always need to do much.' Be careful not to remove more than one-third of the stems in a shrub in any year, so the plant will always have enough leaves to support itself. Different species will require different pruning treatments. For advice on how to prune shrubs by species, go to Some possible reasons to prune are to remove dead or diseased wood; to keep an attractive, balanced form; to control the size of a shrub; to eliminate competition or collisions between branches; and to prevent the plants from becoming overgrown. For example, a forsythia is most attractive when it has an upright shape. However, it's a vigorous plant that easily becomes an unruly tangle. To tame it, keep those stems that have the most graceful, upright and arching form. Cut the more disorderly ones within an inch or two of the ground. Lilacs, too, can easily become overgrown. To keep a lilac shrub under control, 'take out two or three of the thickest, oldest stems each year,' Campbell said. Those older stems will be replaced by newer stems that usually bloom more. In general, follow some simple steps for routine pruning. First, cut out dead wood — dried-out, brittle branches that have no leaves. Remove branches that are broken or injured. Then look for branches that are crossing or rubbing against each other. To end the conflict, choose one branch to keep and remove the other. Prune out branches that make the shrub look awkward or that cause any obstruction, such as sticking out into a sidewalk or blocking a window. To reduce a shrub's overall size, remove the longest branches at their bases and cut other branches back to where they join a main stem. Remove any unwanted suckers that have sprouted from the shrub's root system. This guidance will work not only for spring-flowering shrubs but also for those that bloom in summer, such as rose of Sharon, summersweet or panicle hydrangeas. You will have more choices about timing with most summer-blooming shrubs, since they usually form their flower buds in spring. 'You can prune them after they finish blooming or wait until winter when they're dormant,' Campbell said. It's not necessary to deadhead, or remove spent flower heads, from shrubs and flowering trees. 'The plant will discard those by itself in time,' he said. 'The only reason to prune them out would be to make the shrub look more tidy.'
Daily Mirror
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Sephora shoppers rave over 'sophisticated' Armani perfume that's now 21% off
"This smells like feminine luxury. It's such a complex fragrance. Beautifully crafted. I know fragrance is deeply personal, but this one makes me feel like I could take over the world. It balances power and femininity so well." Sephora has slashed the price of a 'stop you in your tracks perfume' with thousands of fans. Sí by Giorgio Armani would typically cost £69 for a 30ml bottle but has had 21% knocked off, bringing it down to £54.45. It opens up with cassis, which may be better recognised as the leaves of blackcurrants, before deepening to a floral heart of May rose and freesia. It's got a classic base of vanilla, patchouli, ambroxan and woody notes. It was created by the in-house perfumer of Hermès, Christine Nagel who is also credited with 46 perfumes for Jo Malone, including Wood Sage & Sea Salt, £55. Another much-loved scent on salr is Guerlain's Samsara Eau de Toilette Spray - now reduced to £82 (was £110) on The Perfume Shop. Sí has brought in an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 from across 2,419 reviews. One shopper said: "This smells like feminine luxury. It's such a complex fragrance. Beautifully crafted. I know fragrance is deeply personal, but this one makes me feel like I could take over the world. It balances power and femininity so well." A second penned: "This is a stop you in your tracks perfume! It's a fragrance that's alluring and sophisticated, pretty yet mysterious. I've been asked by strangers what perfume I'm wearing, and even asked where they could buy it…for their girlfriend! So yes… Si is for me, always." A third wrote: "This is my signature scent! It's always my go to for a subtle yet intriguing smell. I like scents that invite people in a gentle way and this is one I'll always keep on hand." A fourth added: "Classy. This scent is very sophisticated. I love wearing this in the winter in my little black dress dripping in diamonds. It is sweet & spicy at the same. I absolutely adore it. To those who say it's too mature, my 13 year old loves it." There have been mixed takes on the longevity with one shopper saying: "Sample arrived quickly and was well packaged. Unfortunately my partner didn't like the smell of it. He said it was too strong." Some swing the other way, writing: "I really like this fragrance, classy and spicy without being overpowering. But, it lasts no longer than an hour on me! I guess it's my chemistry - and I'm sad because I would have invested in this." Application of perfume can have a huge impact on the longevity of a scent. We would always recommend applying perfume directly to clean and freshly moisturised skin with at least one spritz per pulse point. It's also important to store perfume in a cool and dark place such as a cupboard or drawer.
Buzz Feed
05-04-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
31 Products You'll Want To Buy ASAP Because Reviewers Called Them 'The Real Deal'
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Shopping · In reviewers, we trust. 1. A skin-firming neck and chest Gold Bond cream because chances are you've been neglecting these specific skin areas for years — well, now it's their time to shine! This cream is packed with hydrating hyaluronic acid and has been crafted to improve skin's elasticity and texture. TL;DR: you're welcome for introducing you to this magical stuff. Promising review:" This product is the real deal. The first time I used it, I noticed a definite softening of the lines on my neck. I have been using it for about a week and it has made a noticeable difference. No, the wrinkles are not completely gone but there is a real difference. I will also point out that I am almost 70, so I wasn't expecting a miracle, but this product has come pretty darn close. I recommend it." — rose b. Get it from Amazon for $11.97. 2. Lumify Eye Drops, which are *so* beloved on TikTok they've been selling left and right on Amazon! Reviewers adore them because they reduce redness in their eyes nearly instantly — an absolute must-have if you haven't been getting much sleep thanks to your all-too-busy schedule. Learn more about different kinds of eye drops and what they can do at Cleveland Clinic. Note that eye drops can potentially mask symptoms of eye conditions, so you should talk to your eye doctor about what's right for you. And according to Mayo Clinic, you should avoid redness-reducing drops if you're looking for dry-eye relief. Promising reviews:"I have a big spot of blood vessels in the inner corner of my left eye. I use the expensive lubricant eye drops for moisture — I've used Visine, Clear Eyes, you name it. No eye drop has made my eyes look this great. Only Lumify! I was soo happy when I looked in the mirror and saw some beauty in my eyes instead of darkness and redness." — Angela Leonard "My eyes are always red. Visine didn't work. But Lumify is the real deal. I highly recommend it!" — Melody Hefner Get it from Amazon for $13.99. 3. Breathe Right nasal strips your partner will thank the heavens for, especially if you're as tired as Post Malone's tattoos say he is. These handy strips increase nasal airflow to help prevent snoring and relieve congestion. Promising reviews:"This product is a true gem. I'm eight months pregnant, and due to the baby pressing on my diaphragm, I've begun to snore terribly. My poor husband is a light sleeper, so I needed to figure something out. I started applying this at night, and he says he doesn't hear a peep out of me! If you have trouble sleeping or snoring, this is something you need." — Raevyn "I'll never buy another knockoff brand again. These are the real deal. My girlfriend loves them too." — Michael S. Di Tizio Get a box of 26 strips from Amazon for $10.79. 4. Mighty Patch hydrocolloid stickers that'll save you when a big ol' pimple pops up the night before the date you've been excited about all week (and you SHOULD be — it's with that cute guy from the coffee shop you've been daydreaming about asking out for months!). BuzzFeed editor Amanda Davis is a fan. "I've tried various (countless 😅) pimple patches in the past and Mighty Patch definitely takes the cake. I stick it on and honestly forget that it's even there. The adhesive is strong, so it stays on during my tossing and turning at night, but I often wear it during the day, too! I work from home, and it's not noticeable during my video calls, which I truly, truly appreciate. For more deets, check out my full Mighty Patch review!" Hero Cosmetics is an Asian woman-founded brand and home of The Mighty Patch. Ju Rhyu launched the brand in 2017, which has evolved with products such as cleansers, toners, nose strip Mighty Patches, and more! Promising review:"These babies are the real deal. The peel-and-stick concept is easy to use, AND they work—pimples vanish overnight! They're absolutely the perfect spot treatment and replaced my old method, which was less effective and more messy. These small but mighty babies are pretty discrete, too. I've worn them to work before. For me, these are definitely a beauty staple I can't be without!" — HBCarabo Get a pack of 36 stickers from Amazon for $11.97. 5. Good Molecules Yerba Mate Wake Up Eye Gel you'll absolutely want to add to your skincare routine after taking a quick read of what incredible ingredients lie within — we're talkin' a beautiful marriage of caffeine and hyaluronic acid that'll wake your eyes up faster than chugging a cold brew. Good Molecules is a small business that specializes in affordable skincare products. Promising reviews:"I love this product and have noticed a huge difference when using it consistently. I am on the younger side and don't have the worst under-eye bags, but on those occasional mornings when my eyes are puffy with somewhat visible dark circles, this product definitely does the trick! Honestly, I love all the Good Molecules products." — Hayden Smith "This right here is the real deal! You can see immediate results! It firms and moisturizes my eye lids! A must-have!" — Nancy A. Borkowski Get it from Amazon for $5.99. 6. Elizavecca Collagen Protein Treatment only asks for a mere five minutes of your time and transforms hair from drab to fab — yes, seriously, only 300 seconds will do the trick! Promising reviews:"I have 4c hair and was looking for a protein treatment for my thin and fragile hair. I had recently used a product in my hair that had so much alcohol in it that wreaked havoc on my hair, leaving it pretty damaged. I was very skeptical about this product because I have never seen anyone with my hair type use it. Boy was I wrong to doubt this product, it left my hair looking and feeling beautiful. I highly recommend it to anyone with natural or curly hair." — Therese-Claire "This is the real deal, y'all. I left it in for two hours -- it smells amazing! -- and rinsed and styled to the softest, bounciest, most beautiful hair I've ever had! Five stars!!" — Caroline Get it from Amazon for $7.78. And check out our full Elizavecca CER-100 collagen protein treatment review. 7. Venus Visage Teeth Whitening Pens — apply it directly to your teeth, let it sit a minute or two, hum "My Shiny Teeth and Me" from The Fairly OddParents, and enjoy your fresh-looking pearly whites. You can use each pen about 20 times and should expect your teeth to lighten 4–8 shades. Promising review:"This product is the real deal. My teeth are super white after just a few uses. I'm so happy with this product and I recommend it to anyone who wants whiter teeth. 5-stars, absolutely." — Kari Get a two-pack from Amazon for $17.95. 8. A TikTok-famous Biodance Bio-Collagen Real Deep Mask that'll work harder than Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, and Dopey mining diamonds. Apply it before you hit the hay to reap the benefits (firmer skin, more elasticity, minimized pores) while you dream. Most reviewers recommend doing this treatment once per week. Promising review: "These masks are the real deal! Such an improvement in hydration in the skin! I was skeptical of the hype on social media but definitely worth it!!! Recommend wearing for about an hour before sleep to bond it to your face, and then wear overnight." — Lauren D. Get a set of four from Amazon for $19. 9. Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later eye shadow primer to keep your carefully blended eyeshadow in place — you can *thank me later* when you get back from a night out with the girls (complete with the inevitable sweating and wear 'n' tear that goes with parading through a bunch of bars) when your makeup is still flawlessly in place. Promising review:"This eye primer is the real deal! Easy to apply — a tiny bit goes a long way! No creasing or oiliness all day long. My eyeshadow and liner lasts from 6 a.m.–10 p.m., even in heat and humidity. I have sensitive skin, which does not bother my eyelids. I have looked at other brands of eye primer but will stick with this one because it works so well!" — Delila Angulo Get it from Amazon for $14.99. 10. I Dew Care's "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo — it's benzene-free, comes in five hair colors, and will be your savior when, oops, you've overslept again before work. Sleepyhead? Certainly not you!!! The powder-based dry shampoo works just like spray formulas — apply to the area you're looking to refresh and then shake out excess powder with your fingertips or a brush. Promising review: "I use vivid semi-permanent hair color, and the only way to make it last is to wash it less. But I have naturally oily hair, and usually, after just one day of not washing it, my hair is a dirty-looking mess. I tried different dry shampoos, and they always did next to nothing for my hair. They either left it looking white/gray, or my natural hair oils came right through in a couple of hours. This stuff is the real deal! No messy aerosol spraying, no white cast. I literally tapped it in my roots generously and flipped my head upside down to finger-comb it through and fluff it. My hair is dry and looks great, no shininess or weird cast. The texture is a little stiff-like, but even after sleeping with it in my hair, it absorbed extra oils and fluffed right up after a quick brush through my hair. I'm a dry shampoo convert! Highly recommend for the oily hair people!!" — snowingstars Get it from Amazon for $18. 11. A bottle of Biotin shampoo that'll help you nourish your hair into locks worthy of a Disney Princess. (They truly do have the most gorgeous hair, don't they?) It's packed with tea tree, jojoba, and argan oils that are said to help hair grow and prevent dandruff. Read more about how biotin shampoo could help with the fullness of hair at Cleveland Clinic. Promising review:"This product is legit! It saved my hair! I was stressed and was experiencing hair loss... I changed jobs, but the damage was done. I came upon this product last March and, after reading reviews, decided to give it a shot. My hair was softer after the first wash! After I went through the first bottle and noticed increased volume, I reordered and got the conditioner as well. Game changer! I receive so many compliments on my hair. I had new baby hairs along my temples where the loss had been noticeable! This is the real deal. The shampoo is very thick, so I add water to my hands and get really sudsy, saturate the hair roots, leave on for a few minutes, give myself a little scalp massage, and rinse!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $11.95. 12. Plus a BestLand Hair Finishing Stick to help you win the war you've been waging against those stubborn baby hairs that seem to stick out every which way. Arm yourself with this helpful tool and banish them once and for all! Promising review:"I used it for both my shorter new hairs that go crazy on top of my head and for my daughter's curly flyaways around her face. We live in the humid south, and this has worked MARVELOUSLY! It's the real deal, and definitely worth the purchase!" — Real User Get it from Amazon for $5.77+ (available in four styles). 13. A waxing kit complete with everything you'll need to freshen yourself up without dropping lots of dollars at a salon — we're talkin' a hard wax warmer, pre-wax and post-wax oil, and four bags of hard wax beads for various areas. Pain might be beauty, so it shouldn't *also* have to be expensive! Just a note, when you use hard wax you don't need to use waxing strips! Promising review: "I have been using THIS BRAND of wax beads for about two years, and this stuff is THE REAL DEAL!! I typically combine Beach Legs Hard Wax Beads with the Coarse Hair removal, which makes for me the PERFECT combination! I've tried other brands and ended up tossing them. KoluaWax has done a really good job! Medium heat to melt, even spreading even on lower heat. When used correctly with the Pre Wax Cleanser Prep spray, wax doesn't stick to my skin nearly as badly. I even use their warmer to ensure it heats up exactly as it should! Thinner strips on dehydrated skin will always be harder, but I've followed their instructions and LOVE my results! I literally order one of each bag every two weeks! I'm NOT a professional waxer! I appreciate being able to save money by doing this myself at home at my own convenience!" — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in six colors). 14. Bruise cream — a must-have for my fellow clumsy souls who are forever covered in blue/green blobby bruises. How did they get there? It couldn't POSSIBLY be the bedframe you keep walking into when you get up to pee at 3 a.m.! This magical formula will help heal 'em quickly so you can move onto the next mystery. Promising review:"Took a major whack on the back of one hand and assumed I would be looking at the aftermath for months. Discovered the Miracle Plus Arnica Bruise Cream while scouting Amazon for any remedies. I applied the cream twice daily, and the bruise disappeared in one week. Couldn't believe it. Also applied on the back of the other hand that had some recent dermatologist damage, and it has restored health to that area as well. This product is the real deal and I couldn't be more pleased with the results." — enzo550m Get it from Amazon for $14.99+ (available in cream or gel and multi-packs). 15. Self-Tanner that'll transform you into a bronzed beauty when you simply don't have the time to tan yourself for hours at the beach. This delightful mousse will get the job done in only an hour! Promising reviews: 'If you use St. Tropez tan products or any fake tanner, do yourself a favor and try this. This stuff is AWESOME. Dries quickly, lasts longer, does NOT make your skin stinky, applies evenly, and you get a fair amount of product!! Other tanners I've used become VERY noticeable when they start fading. Gross hand lines, patchy white spots, etc., but not this stuff. The best one-hour tan I have ever used!' — Amazon Customer "Holy moly! This is the real deal! I was nervous because it was so cheap, but it's so natural looking and easy to apply." — SE Get it from Amazon for $9.09+ (available in 11 styles). 16. SweatBlock wipes that'll become your saving grace if you're running around so much, you're constantly dripping in sweat. These babies are prescription strength and designed to take on hyperhidrosis, nervous sweating, and hormonal sweating. These wipes did NOT come to play! Amazon, This stuff is VERY strong, so if you have sensitive skin, consider doing a spot test before going all-in. Promising review: "Wow, this actually works exactly as described. I suffer from sweaty armpits and have had to turn to tech tees, as anything cotton, and I sweat through in five minutes. Not anymore! Wipe this stuff in your pits at night; by morning, you are good to go for the week! It does feel like your armpits just got pepper sprayed after applying, but that's a small price to pay to be able to wear normal clothes again. The burning goes away after a bit. I will continue to buy this product; it's the real deal." — tony mungo Get a pack of eight from Amazon for $19.99. 17. A bottle of Angry Orange Pet Odor Eliminator to add to your shopping list even if you *don't* have a pet — it's a must-have for potty training parents with kiddos who are still having accidents left and right throughout the house. Angry Orange is a small business! Promising review:"This is the real deal! I have never seen any other product that comes close to covering the scent of urine. Most just add a fragrance to the underlying smell of urine but this one actually does so well that my guests think it is a fragrance from a spray or candle. It is very pleasing to smell and does wonders. Definitely a strong smell of citrus but it will cut anything bad smelling." — Maria Get it from Amazon for $17.96+ (available in three sizes). 18. A Dawn Platinum Powerwash dish spray that will become your right-hand man in the kitchen from here on out — it comes in various delectable scents and works wonders on caked-on food and grease. All you have to do is spritz, let it sit, then rinse it off! Reviewers are obsessed with it — it has over 89,000 5-star reviews. (WOW!!!) I use this stuff constantly and can confirm it's fantastic. I use it on my frying pans and the grill pans from my griddler (which is ALWAYS a pain to clean). It loosens all the gunk and makes cleaning burnt bits and pieces much easier. It also really does smell incredible — very fresh and delightful! I recently swapped from the "fresh" scent to the "apple" one, and wow, it smells delicious. It also works great for removing stains on clothes (I've seen it remove coffee from a white tee with my very own eyes). Promising reviews:"This makes it so easy to keep my sink clear of dishes. I use it constantly throughout the day. Every time I use a dish, I give it a quick spray, wash it, rinse it, and put it in a dish drainer. It is wonderful. I wish it was a little cheaper as I'm constantly using it; other than that, I love it." — Linda W. "Innovation in dish soap. This is the real deal." — Carl Get a pack of four Amazon for $16.88 (available in four scents). 19. Luigi's Sink and Drain Plunger — a miniature tool you'll pat yourself on the back for buying when you're elbows deep in soapy dishes and discover the water is *not* draining. Please note how hard I'm trying not to make a Super Mario Bros. plumbing joke right now. Promising reviews:"Y'all, this thing is amazing! My kitchen sink was completely clogged for four days. I've been trying to clear the drain with a different sink plunger that I already had and it didn't do diddly squat. I was about to give up and call a plumber. Then I decided to order this one and it just arrived… it completely cleared the drain in like three minutes. So then I decided to take it to the bathroom sink that had been draining extremely slow and within a minute, I had the water running so quick and smooth again. I got the small one and it's the perfect size for kitchen and bathroom sinks." — JNeen "We had been searching for a small sink plunger, and this little guy is the real deal! It's small and easy to store under your sink. The suction is pretty strong and does one heck of a job!" — perla Get it from Amazon for $14.99. 20. A Pink Miracle Shoe Cleaner Kit that'll help you revive your fave pair of kicks instead of having to break in a new pair — there's no love like the kind you have for the perfect, comfortable shoes you've been living in for the last year. It works on polyester, mesh, nubuck, leather (including patent leather), and suede! You can use it on the laces, too. The kit comes with a bottle of soap and a cleaning brush. Promising review: "This stuff is the real deal. I cleaned three pairs of shoes and one pair of work boots with ease; what a difference! A little bit goes a long way, great product for the price!" — Mr. Anderson Get it from Amazon for $19.95+ (available in three sizes). 21. Plus a shoe stretch spray I bet Cinderella's step sisters wish they had to help get those glass slippers on their too-big tootsies! OK, maybe it doesn't work on glass, but it will help stretch out leather, suede, nubuck, and canvas shoes to your perfect size. My colleague Amanda Davis swears by this spray. Here's what she has to say about it: "So, I have about three pairs of shoes that have just been sitting in my closet because while they are sooo so cute, the leather was too tight for my foot to comfortably get inside 'em. Did I return them? Nope. (We all know the hassle of online returns, right?) Instead, I bought this shoe stretch spray on a whim. I didn't expect much, but WOW! The shoes that took me a minute of struggling to get into fit *perfectly* now!! "The process was as simple as could be, too. I just sprayed my shoes (inside and out, heel to toe) like there was no tomorrow, I put on some semi-thick socks (just to ensure I had ample room later) and wore the shoes around my house for about 30–40 minutes. As I was walking around, I could literally feel them begin to loosen up. "After about 30 minutes, I took my shoes and thick socks off, and the shoes just ~slide~ on. Easy Peasy. Now I have a new favorite pair of shoes, and zero dollars have been wasted. I tried these with a pair of chunky leather loafers, but I can only imagine what they'll do for my pair of Dr. Martens — the boots known to take a while to break into. This stuff is a must!" Promising review:"This shoe stretch spray is the real deal. All my snug fits easily give way with a few spritzes of this wonder. Try it." — Lily Get it from Amazon for $10.99. 22. A Brumate Era 40-ounce water bottle featuring a *genius* design with a metal straw inside but a silicone straw on top for drinking comfort that seamlessly locks in place so you'll never find yourself drenched after tipping it a bit too far. It'll also keep your drinks cold for 24 hours, so even if it takes you ALL day to hit your water quota, it'll still be as refreshing as when you first poured it. I recently tried one of these bottles for the first time and I am SOLD. I adore my Stanley cup, but it's not the *best* option for the gym (unless you're planning to do some bicep curls with it). The locking lid really does work! I can twist it, toss it into a tote bag, and move on with my life, knowing it won't spill. I fill it with ice before bed, and when I head out to the gym in the morning, it's still cold! This bottle is also BuzzFeed editor Maitland Quitmeyer' s go-to, "It claims to keep ice for over 24 hours! The tapered base is also cupholder friendly, and the whole darn thing is dishwasher safe, too! Let me tell you, this is my new favorite water bottle. I can lock the lid with a quick twist, and throw it sideways in any tote and not even think *twice* about it leaking at all!" Promising review: "I am so obsessed with this thing. I get an arm workout from how heavy it is. I drink way more water when I use it, and the leakproof straw is the real deal. I left it in a hot car for 6 hours, and the water was still cold. I bought them for my whole family; they are the only water bottles we use now." — Pen Name Get it from Amazon for $38+ (available in 18 colors). 23. A dazzling tennis bracelet no one would guess cost you less than twenty bucks! It's 14-karat gold plated, has a reliable clasp, and will add the perfect amount of sparkle to your daily stack. You might want to warn your pals to shield their eyes — this beauty is going to be DAZZLING in the sunlight at brunch. BuzzFeed writer Emma Lord loves this brand! She owns a bunch of their pieces and wears 'em daily (like this ring). Promising reviews: "I bought this bracelet to wear with my watch! It looks like the real deal! Sparkling, feel like I'm wearing diamonds! Easy to put on and take off!" — Lauren Carroll "I ordered this to match my Swarovski necklace, and it was beautiful. Hard to open clasp at first, but the size was perfect." — Cassity Get it from Amazon for $17.95+ (available in three sizes and four colors). 24. A solid walnut cutting board that'll work overtime as a piece of decor in your kitchen and the best place to chop all of your veggies. Who knows? If it does a great job, you might want to make it Employee of the Month and promote it to charcuterie board! Virginia Boys Kitchen is a small business! Promising review:"This cutting board is the real deal. We used it to slice a 20 lbs turkey. It is a beautiful board and worth the money." — Lea Velez Get it from Amazon for $65+ (available in two styles and five sizes). 25. A car cup holder extender that's probably what inspired The Rembrandts to sing "I'll Be There For You" (sorry, Phoebe). It's super adjustable and grips flawlessly to the cup or bottle you pop into it — no spills or thrills the next time you stop short at a red light. Swigzy is a small business that specializes in drinkware and accessories. Promising review: "This is the real deal! Don't buy the cheap plastic look-alikes. This expands to lock the holder in so so no wobbling when you put your container in. Fits 36 oz thermos, very happy." — Pamela m slater Get it from Amazon for $26.99 (available in two styles). 26. Waterproof wireless earbuds you'll happily take on as your new workout buddy (no sweat-related problems, here!) and adore for how their digital display will let you know *precisely* how much battery is left. Oh, and did I mention they're PINK?! Glinda is screaming somewhere over the rainbow. Promising reviews: "I use these every day at work! Love these — easy to learn and to use. Best thing about them? Well, everything, lol. Good sound, they hold a charge for long periods, and I don't have to worry about them losing power. I can answer my phone easily and then go back to music without a problem. Definitely a great buy and worth the money! Love this color, too!" — Erin "These are my first wireless earbuds and they are grand slam! They are amazing and a real-deal product." — Anton Ulasovich Get it from Amazon for $25.95 (available in eight colors). 27. A portable steamer that'll become your most trusted travel companion — it'll provide you with 15 endless minutes of wrinkle-removing steam, which should be more than enough to spruce up the chic shirt you packed for dinner (aka threw quickly into your suitcase at the last minute). Promising review:"The real deal! Couldn't believe how well this worked. Super small and portable but powerful. I wish I had taken a picture of the dress I steamed. I was blown away by how well this steamer worked!" — Lauren D. Get it from Amazon for $21.24 (available in two colors). 28. A TheraICE Migraine Relief Cap for anyone who constantly finds themselves with a pounding headache — the gel inside can be heated or chilled and will mold to your head to 1. help you relax and 2. soothe your pain. TheraICE is a small business! Read more about how temperature therapy can help with migraine prevention at Mayo Clinic. Promising review:"Don't be fooled by other brands. This is the real deal all around. It's cold and comfortable for those nagging, uncomfortable migraines. Give it a try, you will love it." — Patricia Villarruel Get it from Amazon for $21.96+ (available in five styles). 29. Pillow-like slides you're definitely going to want afoot (literally) for all of your summer escapades — they're lighter than air, waterproof, and have a thick sole you'll find more supportive than your best friend after a bad breakup. Promising reviews: "Feels like you're walking on a cloud. I've had these for two years and they still feel the same as when I got them. The color is identical to the picture on your screen and they feel like heaven. The price can't be beat." — The Unordinary Mom "These are the real deal. Many similar-looking sandals are much less thick and comfortable when they arrive. These are as advertised. Very comfortable." — Patrick Get it from Amazon for $23.99 (available in women's sizes 4–15 and men's sizes 3–16 and 16 colors). 31. And high-waisted leggings that'll earn a spot in your wardrobe and your heart the second you put 'em on — they have over 68K 5-star reviews (wowza!) praising them for how soft, stretchy, and comfy they are. What are you waiting for? ADD TO CART! Promising review: " I didn't think I would love these as much as everyone else. And when they arrived, they felt way too soft to be a quality product. I have now worn and washed them twice; they are the real deal. SUPER comfortable and I would love to order more. Great for working out or just wearing to run errands and around the house. They are lovely, and the sizing seems right (I am 5'7" and normally wear a 4/27 in jeans, and I ordered a small). Gimme all the colors!" — LMCurrie Get them from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in one size and one plus size, two lengths, with or without pockets, and 23 styles). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
