These Prime Day Buys Make Me Feel All Grown Up

A major key to adulting: invest in better stuff.

Published July 11, 2023
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That "all grown up" feeling seems to elude a lot of us these days. Real talk: #Adulting is hard! But it is an inescapable fact of life, and believe it or not, I've found that there can even be a bit of satisfaction in it. The trick is setting yourself up for success.

What makes me feel like an adult? Well made furniture, for one. Also, home decor that's both functional and beautiful, electronics that improve my quality of life, high tech gadgets that increase my productivity, and kitchen equipment that's built to last. Luckily, that's all within reach thanks to Amazon Prime Day's amazing deals. From the very best bedding to car care staples to a pair of really nice headphones, here are some investment-worthy buys that make me feel all grown up.

Some of Amazon's absolute best Prime Day deals are in home decor, so it's an ideal opportunity to do a little decorating refresh. The Francis area rug by Chris Loves Julia x Loloi is a stunning piece inspired by traditional parquet flooring and diamond tilework. I am, frankly, completely obsessed. Hand-tufted in India in medium pile 100% wool, this rug is GoodWeave certified, reflecting ethical production practices and support of weavers' communities. The excellent craftsmanship and quality construction make this rug suitable for even high-traffic areas of the home and the classic pattern would look just as beautiful in a kitchen or dining room as it would in a living room.

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Whether your ideal decor aesthetic is Japandi Minimalist, MidMod Maximalism, or Modern Farmhouse, Walker Edison's versatile Mila dresser will fit right in, no matter what. "Quality" and "flat pack" are phrases not typically used together, but this is a solid piece of furniture that just happens to require a bit of can-do DIY spirit. The four drawers open and close smoothly on telescoping glides and can support up to 30 lbs. a piece of clothing, linens, or homewares. With its dark walnut finish and clean lines, this is a stylish and functional storage solution that adds a modern touch to any room.

If you're still tossing and turning on the same mattress you've been schlepping around since college, it's time to graduate to something better. Upgrade your sleep experience this Prime Day with the PrimaSleep 12-inch hybrid mattress. Designed with a combination of memory foam and innerspring coils, this mattress offers the perfect balance of comfort and support. Its Euro box top gives an added layer of luxury and plushness, making you feel like you're sleeping on a cloud. Plus the durable nonwoven fabric ensures that your investment will last for years to come!

While we're on the topic of a more grown up bedding situation, chances are you could use a new set of sheets, too. California Design Den makes my absolute favorite sheets and - lucky you - they're all on sale! Made from OEKO-TEX certified 100% long staple cotton in a luxurious 500 thread count, these sateen sheets will give you a sumptuous, cool, and comfortable night's sleep. The fitted sheet features extra deep, elastic pockets that fit snugly and securely on even the most high-profile mattress, plus the smartest detail I've ever seen on a bed linen: a tag that tells you which end is the head and/or foot. Genius!

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Round out your bedroom update with a genuine goose down comforter from Apsmile. Down alternative may be less costly, but it also tends to overheat and, in my opinion, that's something I simply cannot abide in the summertime. This medium weight comforter is ideal for all seasons. Crafted with premium, unbleached 100% organic cotton and filled with goose feathers and down, this comforter offers unparalleled softness, warmth, and breathability.

To me, nothing is more "grown up" than a tidy sock drawer. These collapsible cubes are practical and versatile. Organize socks, belts, undies, handkerchiefs, ties, hair accessories, and more! Made from durable pp-board and breathable nonwoven fabric, this is a Prime Day deal that'll have you #adulting without breaking the bank.

Experience superior cleaning performance with a brand new stick vac from Shark. This baby tackles dirt, debris, and pet hair with ease. Featuring Duoclean Powerfins and a self-cleaning brush roll, it picks up more grit in one pass than any Shark vacuum before and has virtually eliminated the dreaded "hair wrap" problem. The package includes a crevice tool, pet multi-tool, and anti-allergen dusting brush for versatile cleaning. With a battery life of up to 60 minutes, you can clean your entire home without interruption and the IQ display gives at-a-glance readouts of efficiency, runtime, and more!

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How adorable is this little bar cart? It's the perfect display for your adult bevs, and much a more sophisticated solution than a collection of bottles on the kitchen countertop. The mirrored shelves can support up to 25 lbs. each and the lock-in-place casters make it easy to move around when necessary. With a frame made from heavy-duty tubular iron finished in sunny yellow, this is a piece of furniture that will add a touch of playfulness to your decor and for years to come.

Get ready to level up your binge-watching with LG's 50-inch QNED Smart TV. This flat-screen TV is a true powerhouse, bringing all your favorite shows, movies, and games to life in ultra-high definition. The Magic Remote is the easiest way yet to find what you're looking for and Alexa is built right in, so you can control your TV with just your voice if you want to. The QNED technology and Mini LED backlighting take your viewing experience to the next level, with jaw-dropping colors and deep, liquidy blacks. The coolest feature, though, just might be the a7 AI Processor Gen6, which detects what you're watching and automatically improves the picture and sound quality. The future is now!

These days there are so many small, affordable upgrades a person can make to their house to make it Smart. One of my favorites is switching to bluetooth-connected light bulbs. These ones from Sengled pair instantly with your Alexa device and can be controlled within the app or with simple voice commands! Each of the bulbs in this four-pack gives off up to 1500 lumens of warm, white light when at full brightness but can be dimmed for a more intimate ambiance. They're guaranteed to last 25,000 hours and protected by a three-year warranty!

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The Google Nest doorbell is a smart and simple way to improve your home's security, whether you live in a studio apartment, a country estate, or anywhere in between. Featuring HD video and night vision, it provides clear and detailed footage in both bright and low light alike. The intelligent motion detection sends alerts to your smartphone, while the two-way audio allows you to communicate with visitors remotely. It's lightweight and battery-operated so installation could not be easier and it will work even in the event of a power outage. Use alone or pair with a network of other wifi-connected cameras and rest easy.

Here in the 21st century, one of the under-reported signifiers of a person who Has It Together is a strong home wifi connection. This wifi extender from TP-Link has over 6000 five-star ratings from people who swear by it. It's so easy to install: just plug it into an outlet in an area where the connection is weak, follow the simple startup guide, and in no time at all you'll be enjoying lightning-fast Internet. It even has an Ethernet port to make the signal even stronger! The three high-performance adjustable external antennas pick up your wifi signal and redirect it anywhere you could use a boost. It works up to 2800 square feet on its own or pair it with up to a whopping 35 other devices to blanket your entire property in high speed Internet.

As silly as it sounds, the day I bought myself an outdoor extension cord is the day I truly felt I became an adult. The UltraPro 25-foot extension cable is perfect for all your outdoor needs, from running an electric wood chipper to hanging Christmas lights to powering a movie projector. It's double-insulated to safely keep out moisture and protect against tears and the plug is molded in a single piece to ensure a snug fit. This extension cord is available in five colors, but I like how well the dark green blends in.

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The KitchenAid Stand Mixer is an iconic appliance, and this Prime Day it's over $100 off! It is a dream come true for any baking enthusiast, delivering all the power and capabilities of its full-sized counterpart in a smaller, lighter, more space-efficient package. The KitchenAid Artisan Mini comes with a stainless steel mixing bowl, flex edge beater, coated dough hook, and wire whip, ready to tackle any sized project from breads to cakes to cookies by the dozen. If you've been hemming and hawing over whether or not to buy one, this is your sign. (Our very own Commerce Editor, Mary, loves hers.)

What did we we before the advent of the air fryer? Used way way more oil, for one. Cosori's Air Fryer Pro LE uses 360-degree rapid heat circulation to give your food the same crisp texture as deep frying, all while using 85% less cooking oil. Yowza! This five-quart capacity fryer is big enough to prepare a meal for up to four people, but won't take up too much space on your counter. The tempered glass display face features nine single-touch cooking functions that make cooking a breeze. In need of some recipe inspiration? consult the included cookbook or download the app! Easy-peasy.

One sale item I'm personally looking forward to on Prime Day is this set of All-Clad cookware. This stuff is top of the line, trusted by the world's best chefs for even heat distribution and quality construction that lasts for decades. These pots and pans feature a three-ply construction of 18/8 stainless steel on the outsides with a quick-heating aluminum core. They're suitable for use on all surfaces, including induction cooktops and they're oven/broiler safe up to 600 degrees. I've been using the same flaking nonstick pans for an embarrassingly long time and am really looking forward to investing in this All-Clad set.

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Shun Cutlery's 6-inch Kanso utility knife is destined to become your next go-to blade in the kitchen. Narrow and straight like a paring knife yet long and slightly bowed like a Western-style chef's knife, it makes short work of precision tasks like trimming vegetables but is also perfect for slicing meats and cheeses or chopping onions. Made from AUS10A high-carbon stainless steel refined with Vanadium, it's extremely durable, corrosion-resistant, and stays sharper longer. The handle is carved from tagayasan, or "iron sword wood," and is as dense as it is beautiful. If cared for properly, this instrument will last a lifetime.

Elevate your morning routine with your very own espresso machine from Gevi. It boasts 1350 watts of power and a 20-Bar electromagnetic pressure water pump that ensures a rich, creamy espresso with maximum flavor extraction and perfect crema. Not only that, but it's as fast as a pod machine! Thanks to the rapid heating system you can enjoy your perfect cup in just 45 seconds. With easy-to-use buttons and precise temperature control, you'll create barista-quality coffee every time. Plus with the built in steam wand, you can make lattes, macchiatos, cortados, and all your other favorite espresso drinks at home, minus the outrageous price tag.

A professional-grade blender that's lightweight, inexpensive, and looks good enough to keep out? Say less! Iris USA's thoughtfully-designed appliance has just three settings, taking the guesswork out of making smoothies and other blended drinks (be honest, are you really using your blender for more than that anyway?). The titanium-coated stainless steel blades whack through hard vegetables, frozen fruit, and ice with ease and each component (minus the motor base) is dishwasher safe!

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When Pandy-era WFH started and I decided to rig up a standing desk situation, I had no idea the toll my feet and knees would take from being urpright all day. It was murder! However, instead of denying the fact that my body was aging, I decided to be mature and order an anti-fatigue mat, and I'm so glad I did. This one from ComfiLife will be on sale on Prime Day and I couldn't recommend it enough. Even if you don't have a standing desk, it can be used in the kitchen while you cook or do dishes, or anywhere else you're on your feet for a prolonged period of time. It's made from a generous 3/4-inch high density memory foam that won't break down over time and features a non slip bottom. Nearly 33,000 people have rated this mat 4 stars or higher!

Whether you're a Rise-and-Shine shower taker or a Before Bed bather, you don't have to put up with weak water pressure in your shower. Hopopro's handheld shower head is an easy bathroom upgrade that pressurizes even wimpy streams into a powerful spray. Made from lightweight chrome-plated ABS, this handheld shower is durable, rust-resistant, and nontoxic. It features 39 self-cleaning silicone jet nozzles and six adjustable spray patterns for a custom shower experience. Installation is so quick and easy - you don't even need any tools!

Treat yourself to a new set of towels this Prime Day. Amazon's Aware brand of bath towels are made of OEKO-TEX certified 100% organic cotton in luxuriously plush, super absorbent 700-gram weight. They're as durable as they are soft, with ring spun yarns and double-stitched edges that will hold up wash after wash. The six-piece set includes two bath towels, two hand towels, and two washcloths and is available in six tranquil colors to suit your decor.

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Since you're refreshing your bath linens, how about giving them a new place to live? These hook-style racks made me completely rethink the way I was storing my towels and once I installed these, my lack of cabinet space suddenly didn't seem to be such a problem. This set of two rust-resistant chrome racks go up in no time at all and can be used in a variety of configurations to suit your space!

The viral Tushy spa is 30% off this Prime Day! The Tushy 3.0 Warm Water Spa bidet attachment is the cushiest Tushy available during Amazon's big sale. This attachment fits almost any toilet, with no special tools necessary to install. All you need is the included six-foot hose and access to your bathroom's warm water valve to turn your toilet into a throne. Features include a pressure and temperature control dial for a customized experience, and the new self-cleaning SmartSpray nozzle, which rinses itself off before and after each use. It's smart, hygienic, and reduces paper waste!

Bose QuietComfort are the most sophisticated noise-cancelling headphones on the market. They use a series of tiny microphones to detect and measure external noise, then cancels it by sending opposite signals. As music-listening headphones, Bose is in a league of its own, offering depth, fullness, and clarity from the TriPort acoustic architecture and a custom experience with adjustable EQ through the Bose Music app. Enjoy up to 22 hours of wireless play time and Bluetooth 5.1 connection that stays strong within 9 meters of your device. Perfect for long flights or a less-than-private work environment, they're the original and still the best.

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A laptop docking station is a portable hub that expands the connectivity and functionality of a laptop, essentially turning your little computer into a Home Office command center. This one from Otaitek has just about anything you might need to increase productivity. Connect up to two additional monitors through the HDMI ports. Add USB-connected accessories like a keyboard and mouse. Charge your devices with the USB-C port. There's an audio/microphone jack, an SD card reader, and even an ethernet port to ensure a strong Internet connection. It's a handy little device that can create an overall more organized workspace.

No home office is complete without a locking file cabinet to store all of your important documents. Yes, we live in a digital age but there are still plenty of (mostly government) institutions that require paper originals and communicate via fax. So you'd be wise to start organizing things like tax returns, birth certificates, and the like in a physical location. Yitahome's 3-drawer storage cabinet is slim and low-profile, fitting under most standard-height desks. The metal construction is sturdy and durable, and the whole thing comes fully assembled and ready to use. With four 360-degree swivel casters and an anti-tipping central caster, this cabinet is easy to move even when packed to the gills.

A big part of being a grown up is treating your car like a grown up, and that means putting your trash in a can rather than tossing it in the back seat or stuffing it in the door compartments. This car trash can from Beicarin clips around the car seat headrest or onto the center console for convenient disposal. It features a waterproof, leak proof lining, clips that keep your trash bag in place, and a lid that helps contain odors and mess. Plus there are mesh pockets along the outside for extra storage and the whole thing is collapsible. So clever!

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The Chemical Guys have all sorts of things on sale on Prime Day, but my top pick from them is this 16-piece car wash arsenal. This kit has everything you need to keep your home on wheels looking its best, including Snow Foam auto wash, wheel and rim cleaner, glass cleaner, wet wax, brushes, microfiber towels, a detailing bucket, and more! And if you're one of those gearheads with a power washer, use the Tork Max Foam 8 Foam cannon attachment for extra foamy bubbles. It's an amazing value made even better with Amazon's Prime Day discount.

Being stranded with a dead battery stinks, but what if there are also no cars around to give you a jump? A nightmare! Give yourself a little peace of mind by investing in the Dewalt portable power station and jump starter. It provides 1400 peak amps of starting power to instantly jump cars and trucks up to 8 cylinders. The included cables are reverse polarity protected and spark proof to ensure your safety and the built in LED work lights illuminate the whole operation even if you break down in the dead of night. Also built in is a 120 PSI air compressor with an auto stop function. The Dewalt Power Station recharges through a standard AC extension cord, so there's no need to buy any additional cables. This is an all-in-one jump starter that just might get you out of a real jam.

These Prime Day Buys Make Me Feel All Grown Up