Latest news with #DeepRelief
Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Health
- Scottish Sun
Hunched over a laptop all day or sleeping funny? The 5 best exercises to ease stiff joints, banish pain and sleep better
Plus the most common causes - and when you must seek medical help SORE POINT Hunched over a laptop all day or sleeping funny? The 5 best exercises to ease stiff joints, banish pain and sleep better SITTING hunched over a laptop or sleeping funny leaving you feeling stiff? If getting out of bed or picking something up from the floor is making you say 'ooh' and 'ahhh', you'll likely benefit from some simple exercises you can do at home, at work, or in the gym. Advertisement 7 Staying agile will lessen joint pain, improve sleep and boost longevity Credit: Getty And mobilising your joints won't just make movement more comfortable; a study in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports says that being mobile is one of the secrets to longevity. Research by Deep Relief found that 62 per cent of Brits have faced sleepless nights because of muscle and joint pain. Housework, walking and even getting out of bed are parts of life that are affected by the affliction. The knees, back and shoulders are the most impacted areas, followed by fingers, ankles and feet. Advertisement Alasdair Nicoll, personal trainer and expert tutor at The Fitness Group, says the main cause of stiffness is lifestyle and occupation. He tells Sun Health: 'Those that lead a particularly sedentary lifestyle and work in an office setting can often be tighter through their hamstrings, which can lead to hip and upper back stiffness.' He adds that it's "incredibly important" for these individuals to warm up and stretch on a daily basis. This could be in the morning upon waking, or before bed. Advertisement If you work from home, you might prefer to break up your work day with some joint mobility. 'Stretching minimises the risk of dysfunctional movement patterns which can limit your range of motion and lead to more severe injuries,' says Alasdair. Back pain relief stretches Another reason for stiff joints is skipping the warm up before exercise - which loosens them up - and the cool down afterwards. Stretching after exercise prevents muscles from seizing up, which in turn stops joints from feeling stiff. Advertisement Here, Alasdair has pulled together five different exercises to help you loosen up stiff joints, so you can move with ease. They will also make sleep more comfortably and reduce pain, and you never know, they may even help you live to 100! Follow the repetition guidance below. And if you feel comfortable, or have more time, then feel free to hold the stretches for longer. Tight hips: Hip internal and external rotation 10 to 15 reps on each side. Advertisement Sit on the floor with your right leg out straight, slightly to the side, and the other leg bent so that your foot is flat on the floor. Place your hands on the floor behind you and lean back. Lower your bent knee down to the floor as though you are trying to touch your knee to your other knee (rotating the hip). Lower it as far as you can before raising it back up. You should feel a bit of a stretch on the inside of the leg and outside of your butt. Advertisement Aim to move slowly so that you really benefit from this stretch. Swap sides. 7 Start position for hip rotations Credit: Supplied 7 Lower the knee of the left leg down to the right, rotating the hip Credit: Supplied Tight shoulders: Shoulder flexion and extension 10 to 15 reps on each arm. Advertisement Stand upright with both arms down by your sides. Keep your arms straight and lift your left arm straight up above your head and as far back as you can. Swing the arm down until it goes behind you, while simultaneously lifting your right arm up. Keep repeating this until you've completed the allotted reps. Advertisement To deepen the stretch, gently pulse your high arm back slightly. 7 Swing your arms for a shoulder stretch Credit: Supplied Tight hips: Pigeon stretch 10 to 15 seconds on each side. A great stretch for tight hips, this can be done with equipment such as a bench or sofa, or it can be done on the floor. Advertisement Take your right leg and either place it - at a 90-degree angle - on the edge of a bench or on the ground. Your left leg should remain straight behind you. Keep a tall torso as you sink down into your hips. Gently lean forward slightly to deepen the stretch. 7 Use a bench or the floor for a pigeon stretch Credit: Supplied Advertisement Tight ankles and knees: Ankle flexion Hold for 10 to 15 seconds on each side. Aim for 3 reps on each side. Tight ankles can come about from running or other sports, as well as wearing heels for long periods of time. This movement is also good for knees. You'll need a stable bench or chair for this stretch. Place half of your right foot on your bench and press it into the bench. Advertisement Place your hands either side of your foot on the bench, making sure your left leg is straight behind you. Now, aim to push your right, front knee over your toe, keeping your torso upright as you do so. Alasdair says this is great for helping increase flexion in the ankle; if possible, aim to deepen the stretch as it becomes more comfortable. 7 For ankle flexion, lean your knee over your toe Credit: Supplied Advertisement Full body: World's greatest stretch 10 reps on each side. Alisdair says that this is called the 'world's greatest stretch' as it helps to stretch multiple joints at one time, including the hips, spine and shoulders. Get into a low lunge position with your back knee on the floor. Place your hands on the ground alongside your front foot. Advertisement Next, take the hand that's furthest from your foot out to the side, and lift it up to the ceiling, opening up your chest and following your hand with your gaze. Then lower it back down. Keep repeating this until you've completed the allotted reps on each side. 7 The 'world's greatest stretch' targets the whole body Credit: Supplied
The Sun
18 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Hunched over a laptop all day or sleeping funny? The 5 best exercises to ease stiff joints, banish pain and sleep better
SITTING hunched over a laptop or sleeping funny leaving you feeling stiff? If getting out of bed or picking something up from the floor is making you say 'ooh' and 'ahhh', you'll likely benefit from some simple exercises you can do at home, at work, or in the gym. 7 And mobilising your joints won't just make movement more comfortable; a study in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports says that being mobile is one of the secrets to longevity. Research by Deep Relief found that 62 per cent of Brits have faced sleepless nights because of muscle and joint pain. Housework, walking and even getting out of bed are parts of life that are affected by the affliction. The knees, back and shoulders are the most impacted areas, followed by fingers, ankles and feet. Alasdair Nicoll, personal trainer and expert tutor at The Fitness Group, says the main cause of stiffness is lifestyle and occupation. He tells Sun Health: 'Those that lead a particularly sedentary lifestyle and work in an office setting can often be tighter through their hamstrings, which can lead to hip and upper back stiffness.' He adds that it's "incredibly important" for these individuals to warm up and stretch on a daily basis. This could be in the morning upon waking, or before bed. If you work from home, you might prefer to break up your work day with some joint mobility. 'Stretching minimises the risk of dysfunctional movement patterns which can limit your range of motion and lead to more severe injuries,' says Alasdair. Back pain relief stretches Another reason for stiff joints is skipping the warm up before exercise - which loosens them up - and the cool down afterwards. Stretching after exercise prevents muscles from seizing up, which in turn stops joints from feeling stiff. Here, Alasdair has pulled together five different exercises to help you loosen up stiff joints, so you can move with ease. They will also make sleep more comfortably and reduce pain, and you never know, they may even help you live to 100! Follow the repetition guidance below. And if you feel comfortable, or have more time, then feel free to hold the stretches for longer. Tight hips: Hip internal and external rotation 10 to 15 reps on each side. Sit on the floor with your right leg out straight, slightly to the side, and the other leg bent so that your foot is flat on the floor. Place your hands on the floor behind you and lean back. Lower your bent knee down to the floor as though you are trying to touch your knee to your other knee (rotating the hip). Lower it as far as you can before raising it back up. You should feel a bit of a stretch on the inside of the leg and outside of your butt. Aim to move slowly so that you really benefit from this stretch. Swap sides. 7 7 Tight shoulders: Shoulder flexion and extension 10 to 15 reps on each arm. Stand upright with both arms down by your sides. Keep your arms straight and lift your left arm straight up above your head and as far back as you can. Swing the arm down until it goes behind you, while simultaneously lifting your right arm up. Keep repeating this until you've completed the allotted reps. To deepen the stretch, gently pulse your high arm back slightly. 7 Tight hips: Pigeon stretch 10 to 15 seconds on each side. A great stretch for tight hips, this can be done with equipment such as a bench or sofa, or it can be done on the floor. Take your right leg and either place it - at a 90-degree angle - on the edge of a bench or on the ground. Your left leg should remain straight behind you. Keep a tall torso as you sink down into your hips. Gently lean forward slightly to deepen the stretch. 7 Tight ankles and knees: Ankle flexion Hold for 10 to 15 seconds on each side. Aim for 3 reps on each side. Tight ankles can come about from running or other sports, as well as wearing heels for long periods of time. This movement is also good for knees. You'll need a stable bench or chair for this stretch. Place half of your right foot on your bench and press it into the bench. Place your hands either side of your foot on the bench, making sure your left leg is straight behind you. Now, aim to push your right, front knee over your toe, keeping your torso upright as you do so. Alasdair says this is great for helping increase flexion in the ankle; if possible, aim to deepen the stretch as it becomes more comfortable. 7 Full body: World's greatest stretch 10 reps on each side. Alisdair says that this is called the 'world's greatest stretch' as it helps to stretch multiple joints at one time, including the hips, spine and shoulders. Get into a low lunge position with your back knee on the floor. Place your hands on the ground alongside your front foot. Next, take the hand that's furthest from your foot out to the side, and lift it up to the ceiling, opening up your chest and following your hand with your gaze. Then lower it back down. Keep repeating this until you've completed the allotted reps on each side. 7 What is causing your joint pain? How to spot the symptoms of the leading causes of joint pain... OSTEOARTHRITIS Look out for: Muscle weakness, pain, stiffness, usually in knees, hands or hips. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition characterised by the breakdown of cartilage. This is the most common type of joint pain, affecting six million women and four million men in the UK. Risk factors include ageing, obesity, joint injuries, genetics, and repetitive stress on joints. Symptoms typically worsen over time, and severe cases may significantly impact daily activities. Treatment focuses on pain management, physical therapy, lifestyle changes, medications, and in advanced cases, joint replacement surgery. BURSITIS Look out for: Heat and redness, tenderness and swelling, usually in the shoulder, elbow, hip or knee. Bursitis is the inflammation of a bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that cushions and reduces friction between bones, tendons, and muscles near joints. It commonly occurs in the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and heels. Repetitive movements, prolonged pressure, injury, or underlying conditions like arthritis or gout are common causes. If you have bursitis, rest, ice application, pain relief medications and avoiding aggravating activities are necessary. Severe or persistent cases may require corticosteroid injections or surgery. RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS Look out for: Usually slow-onset swelling, pain, redness and stiffness, typically in small hand and feet joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune condition. It happens when the immune system mistakenly attacks the lining of joints, causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. Over time, it can lead to joint deformity, loss of function, and damage to surrounding tissues, including cartilage and bone. Commonly affected areas include the hands, wrists, and feet, though it can also impact other organs. Treatment focuses on reducing inflammation, flare-ups, and slowing progression. SPRAIN OR STRAIN Look out for: Pain when resting or moving, swelling and weakness around injury. It's possible you don't have a health condition and rather, it's a sprain or injury to a ligament. Causes include overstretching or tearing due to sudden twists or impacts. This may be more common in the ankles, wrists, and knees. A strain, on the other hand, involves injury to a muscle or tendon, often resulting from overstretching or overuse. It commonly occurs in the lower back, hamstrings, or shoulders. Both injuries are treated with rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE) and sometimes physio.
Buzz Feed
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
Literally Just 27 Of The Coolest Products I've Seen Recently
1. Nyx Shine Loud liquid lipstick, aka the all-day liquid lippie you've been searching for for years. Just swipe on a layer of the deeply pigmented color, let it dry, and coat with the high-shine gloss on the other end of the tube. Once it's dry, it really and truly doesn't transfer when eating, drinking, or kissing — a miracle. This stuff is my new holy grail (check out me rocking the Rebel In Red shade, which has become my signature on the left; I also love the pinkish-nude Trophy Life for more casual looks). It never ceases to amaze me. Just last week, I swiped some on for dinner, and there were still traces of it on my lips the next evening, even after eating several meals, kissing my BF, swimming, etc. This is the only lippie I have where my boyfriend trusts me to smooch him without transferring any, and he always asks why all lipsticks aren't like this. 😅 Fair question! The rich, even color and the doe-foot applicator are also pluses for me. While it dries, it is a bit prone to getting on your teeth, but afterward, you're SO good to go. Promising review: "My friend introduced me to this, and OMG, I swear by it. I literally put it on at 7 a.m. before work, ate lunch, and drank my water all day, and it's still on, and it's 8 p.m. Looks like I reapplied it, but I only put it on at 7 a.m. This is so good!! A must-have!" — Love! Get it from Amazon for $9.79+ (available in 10 colors) or Ulta for $12 (available in 30 colors). 2. A conical cheese grater with a handle because doesn't this make so much more sense than the unwieldy flat-sided ones that are impossible to hold without feeling like you're going to shave off the tip of your finger?? I guess you could say this option is greater. Amazon Promising review: "The best grater! The shape is ingenious, making it so easy to grate cheese or zest citrus. The wooden handle is just the right size and very comfortable to hold. Due to the conical shape, it takes much less effort to grate hard cheese than with traditional box-shaped graters. The rubber rim at the bottom ensures there is no slipping. The 'large' size is perfect for home cooking. I love this grater!" — Jo-Anne Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in four sizes). 3. Murad's Deep Relief salicylic acid acne treatment, a worth-the-splurge spot treatment meant for those painful, deep zits. In addition to the traditional salicylic acid, it's also got ginger root extract to soothe and calm redness. Amazon This has become my new go-to spot treatment for pimples that haven't come to a head! Yes, the bottle is pricey, but a little goes a long way and it should last a looooooongggg time if you're like me and just treating the occasional giant hormonal zit (so fun). I also just ordered the brand's other spot treatment that they recommend for more surface pimples and I'm excited to try! Promising reviews: "Amazing product! Love this stuff, helps get rid of deep pimples without drying them out!" — Meaghan Fournier "Better than Mario Badescu. Fast results, not irritating. Asian skin, easy to get hyperpigmentation that lingers for months. Combination skin. Typically use salicylic acid– or sulfur–based treatments. Have tried the hydrocolloid zit stickers with microneedles for deep zits with only minor results. Decided to try this and had noticeable results on two early–stage deep zits just as they were starting to become a bit firm and sore and rosy. Went down a lot overnight and gone by day three. One was just below my bottom lip line and it did not dry out my skin or make it chapped." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $45. 4. Sweet, delicate pit bull charm hoop earrings with colorful stones by rescue-dog-supporting brand Cloud Haven. Proceeds from the purchase go to saving the lives of shelter dogs — something you should def mention each and every one of the many times someone compliments these cuties. This is one of my favorite new brands! The woman-founded company donated 100% of their sales in 2024 to saving shelter dogs. My favorite part? They're particularly focused on ending the stigma around pitties and other bully breeds, both in where they donate and the stylish clothing and jewelry designs they create featuring these cute pups. 🥹 Get them from Cloud Haven for $65 (also available in blue here). 5. A pretty Rifle Paper Co. measuring tape encased in faux leather that'll be the star of your sewing kit or your junk drawer (which now deserves a better name). This would be a great gift for the fashionista, decorator, or crafter in your life, too! Amazon Promising review: "Small and adorable, perfect to keep in your purse. (I'm a regular antique/flea market/thrifter, so it's great to have on hand for measurements of cool finds.) Love this!" — J. F. Trashe Get it from Amazon for $18. 6. The CUTEST (and softest) Jellycat plush purse that'll hold the essentials and be the perfect finishing touch to your little one's (or tbh, your) adorable 'fit. Promising reviews: "Stupid cute. My toddler loved this adorable sun purse. Gave it to her before a trip so she could carry a few of her own quick-access carry-on toys on the plane. She loved it and got sooo many compliments from other travelers. I would not leave a little kid with it unattended as it could be a choking hazard. I tied the purse strap shorter to make it fit. I think we will get years and years of use out of it." — Britney "I recently bought a Jellycat plush crossbody bag, and I'm completely in love with it! It's not only adorable and distinctive, but it also brings a playful, whimsical vibe to any outfit. Plus, it's spacious enough to hold my phone and a few makeup essentials. The adjustable strap makes it versatile, so I can wear it as either a crossbody or a shoulder bag, which is super convenient when I'm out for shopping or playing with my friends." — Xiangyu Mao Get it from Amazon for $34+ (available in 17 styles). 7. Or a more grown-up but equally whimsical New York hot dog corgi purse (yes, you read that right). I honestly don't know where to fuzz? the toppings?? The I ❤️ NY tag??? The convenient crossbody strap??? The TONGUE?!?!? Vendula London It's from a London-based brand that makes vegan purses in tons of truly unique and squee-worthy designs. I want EVERYTHING. Get it from Vendula London for $223. 8. A head massager thingy that is so cheap, so feels sooooooo good. Just trust me, you need this in your life. My boyfriend got a two-pack of head massagers like this and gave me one. We now use them on each other constantly and I am eternally grateful. I'm struggling to keep my description of how good it feels family-friendly, so that should give you an idea. It's awesome when you have a headache or just need to relax. There was a day on my recent vacation where I had a tension headache and I was actually longing for this $5 thing that I knew was sitting on my coffee table at home 😂. The only downside is it WILL mess up your hair (especially if you have curls or textured hair, reviewers note) and may get caught if your hair is tangled, so use it gently. It's worth it! Get a set of two from Amazon for $5.99. 9. Deco Beauty nail art stickers, which actually stay the heck on and come in soooooo many ridiculously cute designs, it'll be nearly impossible to pick just one set. Luckily, no one's saying you have to. I have officially ordered TOO MANY of these cute designs over the past few months, but they've seriously changed my nail game. They're much longer lasting, better looking, and more short-nail friendly than many stickers out there, and they come in all sorts of designs from sweet to edgy, animals to food to smiley faces. Some of them are really delicate and are hard to get off the sheet without ripping, but once you get them on they are awesome. Tweezers help with placement, and to make them last, the brand recommends coating them with top coat (here's my fave) until you can't feel the edges of the sticker anymore (a GREAT tip). You can use these for your full mani, as accents, or even to freshen up a pedicure — I've done all of the above! Promising review: "What a wonderful company! Ran into an issue with my package and was amazed by how quickly they were to help me. They responded super fast to the initial email and communicated with me throughout the whole process. They are very kind and friendly. The stickers are absolutely stunning and high quality. They aren't flimsy like other stickers I've tried. You do need to make sure you place them right where you want them otherwise they are not moving, they are so sticky! I accidentally placed one a little off center, thinking 'no big deal, I'll just move it.' Boy was I wrong! It was not budging. I didn't even press the sticker in place yet! They are very long lasting. I've had mine on for a week now and there are no signs of them coming off or getting dull over time. I clean a lot and they look like I just did my nails. Such great value for the money. I will definitely be ordering more!" — Penny Get a sheet from Amazon for $10+ (available in 28 designs). 10. Briotech hypochlorous acid spray, a simple yet magical concoction reviewers swear by for everything from piercing irritation to rosacea to acne. Plus, it's super similar to the famous Tower 28 spray but HALF the price. Promising review: "It changed my life. I got four new ear piercings that kept getting infected. Alcohol wasn't cutting it so I decided to buy this. Any time my piercings look irritated, I spray this and it helps. Within hours I can feel and see a difference. What's wild is I have rosacea and after having my third it flared up and was the worst it had ever been. I worked at Sephora and I'm pretty knowledgeable when it comes to skincare. Nothing was helping; I had given up. I figured I'd try this but was certain it'd do nothing. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the difference it made. My flared-up rosacea was actually going down!!!!!!! My skin hasn't looked this good in years! No need to spend hundreds on skincare, this is all I need." — Joseph Gonzalez Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in five sizes). 11. An effortlessly chic, comfy sweater tee which has become a staple in my wardrobe and probably will be in yours, too. It adds a perfectly cozy texture to a look that plain T-shirts don't, without being bulky like a full-on sweater. Amazon I bought this in white somewhat impulsively during a late-night Amazon search, and it ended up being perfect! I was looking for something with a cozy texture to wear with some brown velvet leopard pants that could also be layered under jackets. This fit the bill and hangs perfectly, so it looks cute and chic even without a jacket on top! I'm always hot and this isn't too heavy; it could totally be a four-season piece. Promising reviews: "I bought black and mustard ones and I just love their fit and their look! I feel like I'm stylin' for a 74-year-old. They look great with high-waisted, wide-legged jeans! They're soft and comfortable. Good quality!" — Alex P "Love this top!! I wear it all the time. It's super lightweight and so comfortable. I sized up because I didn't want it too cropped. It has a nice boxy fit but not too baggy and oversized." — Tania N. Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in women's sizes S–XL and in 19 colors). 12. A sweet teddy bear mug to add some whimsy to every morning (and evening) and match your cutesy, demure aesthetic. Amazon, Get it from Amazon for $14.99. 13. A Bridgerton -esque puff-sleeve embroidered gown, aka what your romantic fantasies are made of. Turns out your soulmate might actually be this dress. Promising reviews:"Felt like a queen. Got this dress custom fitted and it was like a glove! Super comfy and the tulle is actually really soft." — Steph "Absolutely gorgeous dress! I got so many compliments wearing this! My goal was to be fairy-like and I crushed the vision with this dress. The corset back is great, even my husband was able to help me do it. The sleeves were a bit loose, even after I tried to shorten the strap part but honestly loved the look either on my shoulders or off them!" — Becca L Get it from Amazon for $59.99+ (available in women's sizes 2–26 and 45 styles). 14. A hilarious pasta-box-shaped candle with a fitting "Italian Villa" scent (which includes notes of fig leaves, bergamot, jasmine, moss, and cedarwood) because I guess a tomato basil scented candle might not be the vibe. Get it from Urban Outfitters for $26. 15. Cart-dividing grocery bags that not only divvy up your haul so checkout and unloading when you get home are effortless, but they can each hold up to 60 pounds and have straps long enough to be toted on your shoulder! Plus, each set comes with an insulated bag to keep groceries hot or cold and one bag with special pockets for fragile goodies like eggs and wine. Basically all your grocery bag struggles = solved. Promising review:"This is exactly what I've been looking for. It fits all the shopping carts and you can detach them and take only one to tow all of the bags if you are shopping for smaller quantities. I've been using these for a few days now and I love it. I used to have a bunch of different bags in my trunk and it was very messy. With Lotus Bags, I can finally get rid of all the other bags and have these sitting nice and pretty in the trunk. The cooler bag is especially awesome to keep the items cool while shopping to transporting them home. The bags look very well made and sturdy." — JJ Get them from Amazon for $44.99. 16. Heartbreak Is The National Anthem, a new book by the brilliant Rolling Stone music critic Rob Sheffield, that gives Taylor Swift the analysis and reverence she deserves. Serious Swifties will be swooning over this deep dive written by a fellow fan. Rob Sheffield has long been a favorite music writer of mine because he does what so many critics don't — he takes pop music aimed towards young women (Taylor, One Direction, Selena Gomez, etc.) seriously. He closely reads Taylor's work like the true fan he is, with a witty, well-informed, and truly unique voice. I was so excited to get my hands on this book, and the main reason I haven't started reading it yet is because I'm afraid I'll spend the whole time wishing I could have written it myself. 😅 Promising review: "Wonderful book, brilliantly done. Read it one night, forcing myself to wait until the next night to read it again. Would really like to reread it right now, but promised myself to wait until tomorrow. Stretching out the pleasure. Very intense and serious examination of Taylor and her music, interwoven with marvelous detail from Rob Sheffield about his experiences with it. Humorous at times, profound at others, always marvelously enjoyable. An honest-to-goodness page-turner and a true joy. My expectations were high — and they were exceeded! I thank our lucky stars we have Taylor in our lives." — D. Hendrickson Get it from Amazon for $12.99+. 17. A fun cat tree available in tons of sizes to fit your home and kitty's needs, and that will make your fur baby feel like they rule the Mushroom Kingdom. It's a meow, Mario. Promising reviews: "It's huge. I love it. I saw the dimensions but I still was not expecting my full-grown cat to look kitten-sized in it! Super easy to put together. The shape is a *little* awkward, so you'll need quite a bit of space for it than you would think, BUT it is still a good tree. And cute!" — Pixel and Friends (Kait) "I am not the biggest fan of how cat trees look and my home decor is 'interesting' so say the least. This fits in perfectly. I get compliments all the time. Well put together, easily maintained, and my two cats love it." — Jamie G. Get it from Amazon for $32.99+ (available in five sizes). 18. A luxe-looking set of velvet and rhinestone hair clips from Scünci's Wicked collab that aren't just for theater-going — they'll be in your night-out rotation for good. Amazon I impulse-bought these in green right before the movie came out, and they remain my favorite hair clips! The color is rich and versatile, and the clips are great quality. I'm amazed they still look fresh without any of the jewels falling off, even after being worn several times and packed on several trips! They also stay put in my medium-fine hair easily and make me feel Oz-itively gorgeous! Promising review: "Look just like the pictures. Sturdy, good quality clips, pretty and sparkly like all the pictures. Glindafied." — MommyLovesYoga Get a set of two from Amazon for $7.74+ (available in black, green, and pink). 19. A fold out rom-com checklist to pin to your wall and give yourself a swoon-worthy project for the year. This little work of art groups the flick picks by subgenre and also includes bonus facts and activities! Free Period Press It's from a queer- and woman-owned business that makes adorable stickers and paper goods! I got this delight in my stocking and was shocked to find there are so many rom-coms I have yet to see. The list ranges from my faves to movies I've never heard of, and the artwork is adorable. It was definitely a conversation starter with my family! Get it from Free Period Press for $8, and find more movie and book checklists here. 20. An on-trend sweater vest available in everything from bright patterns to staple hues. It's a serious sartorial serotonin boost. Try saying that three times better yet, add three different versions of this to your cart, fast. My mom recently got one of these in navy and she's excited about it, and that's coming from a woman who also owns a similar style from $$ brand Maje. I'm very tempted to scoop up a color/pattern or two of my own. (Also psst to Rick Riordan fans... this version would be so great for an Alex Fierro cosplay!) Promising reviews: "Perfect. This company has gained a new customer. The fabric is so soft, the fit is perfect and true to size, and they included a cute bracelet for their appreciation. I will be buying more products from this company. Two thumbs up." — Dorothy Harris "Colors are so vivid! Fits true to size. Received so many compliments." — Beth Bowley Get it from Amazon for $23.39+ (available in women's sizes XS–XL and in 31 styles). 21. A funky apron by It British brand Damson Madder so you can bring a bit of high fashion to your kitchen. If you've been coveting one of the label's dresses but want something a bit more affordable and that you'll get more use out of, this is a swoon-worthy solution! Anthropologie a matching oven mitt here! Get it from Anthropologie for $65 (available in three prints). 22. A pack of Squish-a-long figures, aka the perfect solution for anyone who's obsessed with the cuteness of Squishmallows (same) but doesn't realistically have space in their home for all the v tempting plushies (also same). These slightly squishy plastic figurines allow you to display several Squish friends in a — *Genie's voice* — iiiiitty bitty living space. Use them as decor, share 'em with the kiddos in your life, or divvy them up amongst your friends! Each set comes with eight figures (one is a surprise) plus two accessories you can put on 'em and an adjustable, kid-size ring that any of the figurines can be attached to. These look adorable scattered around my shelves; my one complaint is that the accessories don't fit all of the figures very well. Also, if you have pets or really little kids who'd be tempted to put these in their mouths, these probably aren't the best choice! Promising review: "Purchased these as a Christmas gift and ended up opening them early. They're super soft and fun to play with. They're great quality and, as you can see, very adorable." — Alison Larson Get a set of eight from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in four combinations). 23. And! Squee-worthy Tonymoly x Squishmallows pimple patches so your breakout can turn into a brea- cowt (sorry). These cuties are infused with anti-inflammatory niacinamide that can help tame oil, redness, and discoloration. Amazon I have one of these on my chin as I type this! While these don't have the same goo-sucking magic as some more traditional patches (I like these), they're more fun to wear and still help prevent picking and seem to help reduce the swelling and size of zits. They were a hit when I shared a selfie on Instagram, too! Get a pack of 24 from Amazon for $9.50. 24. A customized portrait of your pet in an F1 uniform — OMG. Just specify your favorite team and driver, send the seller a great pic of your pet, and the digital download will be ready within 24–48 hours so you can show it to everyone you know ASAP! It's from a small business based in Scranton, Pennsylvania that also offers custom pet portraits for other sports. Last fall, I gave two of these as a host gift to some friends after staying at their house, and they freaked out in the best way! The seller was super quick to send me drafts for my approval, and the process was incredibly easy. I ended up ordering more from this shop for holiday gifts, including stickers and a physical print, and the process and results were just as great! Promising review: "I ordered two items, and both are perfect. Very quick turnaround, exactly what I asked for, and the seller was in constant communication, making sure I was happy with my order from start to finish. Very good customer service and an excellent product. Would recommend and would order again as they are the perfect gift!" — Dani 25. Mood-boosting floral sequined platform sneakers sure to ~kick~ your spring style up a notch. Cuff your jeans or toss on a mini dress to really show 'em off. Betsey Johnson Promising review: "I love the embellished flowers on both sides of the sneakers! They're very comfortable and great for me to wear around work as I work with 2–3 year olds and I'm always on my feet!" — Mia F. Get them from Betsey Johnson for $79 (available in women's sizes 6–12) or Amazon for $58.55+ (available in women's sizes 5–11). 26. An absolutely OMG-worth Rapunzel Bitty Baby doll featuring Tangled -tastic accessories (screaming over the Pascal bottle and Maximus bib). Millennials, if you're getting weirdly emotional about the chance to gift this collab between two of your childhood faves to your kiddo, I don't blame you. The sweet set includes the doll in a Rapunzel-inspired romper with matching slippers and headband, a Pascal blanket and bottle, a sun toy, a Maximus bib, and a wipe case. Get it from American Girl for $109 (also available in Ariel and Moana), and check out more from their Disney collab here! 27. And for more Disney magic, the most wonderfully whimsical Ratatouille cardigan that'll make you want to curl up, grab a plate of charcuterie, and stream the movie for the zillionth time. If you do venture outside, prepare for more compliments than there are members of Remy's family. 😅 Hot Topic
