As a professional shopping editor, I love May. Nearly everything is on sale; between end-of-season closeouts, Mother’s Day promos, and annual Memorial Day deals, it’s truly a fabulous month for buying stuff.
Turns out, May’s sales are so good, even our own editors couldn’t resist adding a lil’ treat or two to their checkouts. Just take a quick scroll through all the fun stuff we bought last month while indulging in a healthy dose of retail therapy of our own. From big-ticket items, like fancy espresso machines and luxurious mattresses, to smaller, more affordable delights (metal straws, a dreamy cream blush), our staffers were hard at work… stocking their shopping carts in May.
So without further ado, here’s everything we bought last month that made us *so* happy. Take our word for it—these products are worth adding to your own cart, long after May ends.
Francesca Krempa, Commerce Editor
Lawless Pinch My Cheeks Soft-Blur Cream Blush — $29.00
I rarely wear makeup in the summer because… who does. That said, I wanted something to give me that sunkissed look ahead of *actually* being sunkissed, and this blush does just that. I’ve tested a lot of beauty products as Commerce Editor here at W+G, and can say this is one of the lightest, most buildable blushes I’ve ever put on my cheekies. The formula is like buttah and blends perfectly into skin without weighing it down (perfect for the inevitable temps months around the corner.) Guess I might be a summer-makeup girlie this season after all.
Cotopaxi Tolima Overall Dress — $100.00
Much like makeup, I don’t wear pants and shorts once the temps start climbing. Enter, this fun overall frock from Cotopaxi, which I will be living in now through October. Hands down, this is my new favorite dress just from how simple it is to throw over anything and go out the door. (And seems to be everyone else’s favorite too, because it’s almost sold out on the website.)
KitchenAid KF8 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine — $2,000.00
I finally upgraded my hand-me-down drip coffee maker to an espresso machine worthy of its own cafe and I have zero regrets. KitchenAid’s KF8 Espresso Machine is like having a personal barista in your kitchen at all times to whip up coffee shop-worthy drinks in seconds… all with the press of a button. There are 40+ different drink options to explore and you can save your favorites—complete with personalized brew strength, size, and temperature—to your profile, making it extra easy to get your morning jolt of caffeine when you’re half awake. And maintenance (which is the reason I avoided getting a fancy schmancy machine for so long) is super simple, too. Both the bean hopper and water tank can be popped out for washing, and the milk frother is dishwasher-safe, making clean-up a breeze. Alexa, play Sabrina Carpenter…
Kaitlin Ahern, Editorial Director, Health
Blueland Hand Soap Starter Kit — $18.00
“I’ve been using Blueland’s refillable cleaning products for years, but I ordered a new round of refills this month, so that counts, right? I love Blueland’s products because they reduce the number of single-use plastic products in my house (my climate anxiety is real, and plastics are a major trigger). Plus, they work well, smell great, and I’m confident the ingredients are safe for my kiddos.”
VEHHE Metal Straws — $8.00
“I may be the only 30-something woman left on this planet who doesn’t own a Stanley cup, but I do drink a lotta water (and iced coffee), and I love using these colorful, reusable metal straws to slurp it all down. They come in a convenient lil’ baggie, so I can easily throw them in the car when I go on a coffee run, and they come with their own scrub brush, so they’re easy to clean, too”
Rachel Kraus, Senior Health + Fitness Writer
Beyond Yoga PowerBeyond Strive Midi Legging — $78.00
“Beyond Yoga’s new PowerBeyond line carries over the brand’s signature butteriness to performance fabric (think: compressive four-way stretch) for a new athletic set that makes me feel both cute and comfortable. The set is supportive without feeling tight or heavy, the holy grail of sports fabric that generally is a little heftier than other athletic sets. I particularly loved the Strive Cropped Tank. With a flattering racerback, the bottom of the tank hits me at my waist, but the built-in sports bra only comes to my ribcage, so the tank portion doesn’t cut in or ride up like some other tank sports bra hybrids that only have one layer of fabric.”
Osea Glow and Go Facial Set — $90.00
“I was so excited when I saw that one of my favorite eco-friendly beauty brands, Osea, came out with facial and body gift sets just in time for Mother’s Day! I have a terrible time remembering to get gifts for special occasions, but two of my best friends just became new moms this year, and I really wanted to celebrate them. Osea’s luxurious and planet-friendly cleansers, oils, and lotions seemed like the perfect way to treat these hard-working mamas.”
Maki Yazawa, Food Writer
Funky Mello Whipped Dips Bundle — $20.00
“On a trip to Austin, Texas, last year, I met the founders of Funky Mello and toured its facility. The brand is best known for its 100 percent plant-based marshmallow creme (made with aquafaba!) that comes in a variety of fun flavors like vanilla chai, hazelnut, and cookie. One bite and you’ll instantly be transported to your childhood. The best part? They’re now available in over 100 Whole Foods Market locations across the country, which is where I got mine. Fluffernutter sandwiches, anyone?”
Jenna Gibson, VP, Creative
Jessica Willison Reyes, Business Manager, Commerce
Plant to Eat Subscription – $6/mo
“This app is a meal planner, recipe archive, and grocery list consolidator all in one. I love cooking, but after becoming a mom and going back to work, I’ve learned that some of my go-to meals just cannot happen between the end of the workday and the start of my bedtime routine. With this app, I can do all my planning prep in batches. I upload recipes to the app when I come across something that looks good. Then, when it’s time to plan meals for the week, I add recipes to the day I want to eat it. (You can even plan for leftovers!). On grocery days, I select the days I want to shop for and my grocery list is done. It’s saved me so much time, and I’m also eating the food I buy since I only buy what I have scheduled to make. It’s saved on grocery costs and food waste and my time planning meals. The app is easy to use and I’ve yet to come up with a missing feature. I love it!”
Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 8% AHA Gel Exfoliant — $38.00
“My skin was looking dull and my pores were… poring. But since I am breastfeeding I wanted to avoid retinol. I remembered I had some of this Paula’s Choice AHA gel exfoliant. I tried it one night, and saw immediate changes to my skin’s texture and glow within only one application.”
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