Being in Texas has totally changed the way that I shop. The tax rate is higher here than PA and I’m not a huge fan of the traffic, so I have been doing a lot of my shopping either A) Online from Amazon, Etsy, and other favorite brands or B) At hyper local shops that I can walk to from our apartment. I am loving the opportunity to pick up really unique, artisanal pieces from small shops and makers, but sometimes you are just trying to get a good deal on a specific item – hence the nonstop Amazon boxes and envelopes! I shop a lot of stuff across a variety of categories on Amazon, so I wanted to include my top picks under $50 in this round-up. Enjoy!

Clothes & Accessories

1. Everything Tote Bag $9 | I love this tote bag! I went back and forth on how to find the best work tote, and then I ultimately just decided that having an inexpensive, super-huge tote was the best way to go. I love this tote for errands, groceries, a day at the pool/beach, or even an overnight trip. It’s just a nice, huge shape done in really good quality canvas. This tote comes in three other colors as well!
2. Pink Workout Set $26.99 | I got this set in the pink and I love it! The top is padded, which I love for errands days where I am just getting up and throwing on an outfit – no bra necessary. The pink is a true, vibrant shade that I love. Throw on a white button down, baseball hat, and cute sneakers for an easy outfit. The quality of this set is so good, and I wear the pieces together and separately.
3. Black Bodysuit Waist Trainer $19.99 | This bodysuit is so good if: A) You want some support to go bra-less or just use sticky boobs B) You are trying to create a curvy silhouette C) You are looking for a ‘blank canvas’ to put under a sheer top. I purchased bodysuit in white and black, but I think the black is the best if you are planning to wear it as a top. It does come in nude if you want to use it as a base layer for an outfit! I love that the hooks are in the front of your pelvis area because you don’t have to worry about bulky seam lines showing through your pants/skirt. This really does suck you in – I like to wear the black version with loose jeans because it creates that gorgeous optical illusion that my pants are just ‘resting’ on my hips as if they’re too big for me because I’m so teeny tiny. This is also just fun for a no-bra day because the thick spandex provides enough lift that I can wear sticky boobs and be done with it. Are we sensing a theme??
4. Personalized Baseball Hat $16.99 | I would take a guess that none of us actually need another baseball hat, but the hats I brought to Texas are either branded or for sports teams and sometimes I just want to wear a hat without promoting something. I do like an embroidered hat, so I love this listing because you can get your name, initials, or whatever catchphrase speaks to you. That being said, I got “trophy wife” embroidered on mine because I find that funny. I will probably get one with “kono” on it and maybe even one with my company name. I like having the flexibility to choose words or phrases that I want – no matter how ridiculous they are.
5. Flower Western Boots $39.99 | I love these boots because they’re quick to throw on and go well with shorts and other casual looks. It’s nice to have something comfy to wear in this weird randomly raining weather that Houston gets. I get a ton of compliments on these boots and they’re always shocked to find out that I got them off of Amazon. I like the red/pink variation as well if you wear more of those colors than the blue colorway.

Home & Lifestyle

1. The Ultimate Ice Tray $16.99 | In our future adult life, we will be thrilled to have an ice maker in our fridge. For now, I have gone through 4+ ice trays here in our Texas apartment and FINALLY found the winner. This ice tray is easy to use because you don’t have to worry about filling each little cube spot like a traditional tray. The cubes come out in cute little spheres (a bonus!) but they also ALWAYS pop out – they never get stuck in the tray like a normal cube shaped design. Because each tray is two pieces, you can stack them in the freezer which allows you to make more ice at a time than if you had traditional trays with open tops. If you don’t have an automatic ice maker, I highlight recommend these trays because they are so much less aggravating than the other options on the market.
2. Wood Trays $9 | I am in love with these trays so much so that I bought them twice! I keep one by our bed so when we have coffee in the morning we have somewhere to rest our mugs. Another one is in our bathroom and holds a candle and a few beauty products. I like these trays because the shape and wood finish looks really expensive but the pricing for a pair is so affordable. For the amount of use I get out of these, I am thrilled.
3. Filter Shower Head $29.99 | The water quality in our apartment complex is not good by any means. In addition to using a Brita for our drinking water, why wouldn’t we protect our hair and skin from the harsh water as well? I bought this filter shower head because I can easily purchase filters for it and it does a great job of ensuring that our shower water is clean by the time it reaches us. Even though this was a quick-fix for our apartment, I would definitely purchase this shower head for our future home because it’s also just a fabulous shower head. It’s like being in a nice, hotel shower with tons of water cascading all around you. LUXURY!
4. Diatomite Tooth Brush Holder $10.99 | This might be a very niche pet peeve, but I hate tooth brush holders. Whether you have a cup or that cute little rack with gold accents from Target – inevitably you have to clean it because all of the dampness creates gross sludge. I can’t even describe further because it makes me irritable and it’s gross. This tooth brush cup is made of diatomaceous earth, so it is extremely quick-drying which prevents any gross sludge build-up – EW! We have both of our brushes in this cup and it doesn’t topple over and I don’t have to stare at it in disgust every morning. Everyone wins!
5. Pink Flower Cup $37 | When I am looking to romanticize my life, which is a daily occurrence, I like to use this mug. It’s smaller than a traditional coffee mug, so great for smaller cups of coffee, cappuccinos, or cups of tea. I leave the flower coaster cloud on my desk and put my water glass there when I’m not using the mug. Such a cute, aesthetic piece to add to your work space to brighten your day.