10 Things You Didn’t Know You Needed Until Quarantining

Staying at home is the one thing we can all do to keep one another safe and flatten the curve.  It’s so important to oblige.  While we stay at home for days on end though, I think we are all finding that we may need things that we didn’t consider before.  Whether you are working from home or not, here are 10 things you didn’t know you needed until quarantining during the corona virus!

  1. Noise canceling wireless earphones.  Spending 24/7 with others means that there will inevitably be times when you want to shut them out.  It’s especially true in big cities like Manhattan where space is a premium and an entire family may be shuttered in a claustrophobic apartment with no patio, no balcony, and nowhere to hide and simply get some silence.  Whether you’re working and need concentrate or whether you just want to tune out your kids, these noise canceling wireless headphones are just as good as the more expensive Bose ones and will also double as your child’s zoom class earphones!  Win Win!  We have these and love traveling with them too.
    ipad, best amazon buysHighly recommend! Super comfortable even for a kid to wear, 40 Hours of play time, and 90% noise reduction while you listen to what you need to focus on.  With over 3000 reviews and still a 4.5 star Amazon rating, you know you can’t go wrong.  For the entire zoom set up that my daughter is modeling here, click the below Amazon pics for her super-sized ipad, and indestructible ipad cover.<
  2. Laptop desk.  Work from home?  Some of you may not have an official office, and some of you may just prefer to type from bed.  You’ll need a laptop desk to reduce neck strain, prevent your laptop from overheating and type in an ergonomic fashion.  Plus you can use them for breakfast in bed!  You just have to get someone to cook you breakfast in bed.  BONUS – your kids will love them for homework use and coloring from their beds.  Here are some options that I recommend.
  3. Airpods.  Having hanging wires dangling from your ears is so 2019.  With all the work you’re doing from home, and with all the podcasts, and audio books that I know you’re listening to while locked at home, it’s time to treat yourself to an upgrade.  They’re on sale now for $139.  Click the pic here.
  4. Google nest wifi.  Slowwww internet bringing you down?  Don’t waste another minute.  The last thing you need is to waste time on something so simple yet annoyingly frustrating.  Make everyone’s life easier at home with Google nest wifi which provides top speeds, range and doubles as a google assistant!!  Don’t we all need an assistant right now?</li>
  5. Wireless printer scanner all in one.  Everything from work documents and contracts to school assignments and coloring sheets are needing printing at home not to mention all the things needing to be scanned and emailed back.  Your old printer isn’t cutting it anymore.  Don’t stress, now there are amazing wireless options that have everything you need plus a copier too.  Mom tip, copy your kid’s favorite coloring pages before starting them!
  6. Wine of the month.  It’s wine o’clock somewhere and under these quarantine conditions, it’s officially OK for you to drink at ANY hour.  There I said it.  Now go for it and sign up for this wine of the month club cuz it’s an amazing deal and such a fun way to try out new wines!  Mother’s day is coming up. Forget the flowers.  Send this instead.  You can bet she needs it more.  Try this one.  You’ll save 62% and it was voted the best wine subscription club by wineclubservices.comwine club
  7. Blue light glasses.  I have 20/20 vision so have never had to wear glasses but I’m looking smarter these days because I just invested in a pair – blue light glasses that is.
    blue light glassesLet’s face it, under lockdown, we’ve all increased our screen time whether it be on our smartphones, ipads or computers.  You wouldn’t believe how many hours I’ve logged in on TikTok…er I mean on work emails.  My eyes started to hurt at the end of the day and I was experiencing mild headaches!  I didn’t know why until I started reading up on the effects of all this screen time.  This set that we have is just around $20 for 2 pairs.  Share it with someone you love or simply enjoy having a couple styles to switch out between.  And then go back to logging in unlimited hours in front of your phone cuz well, it’s a lockdown.. F the rules.  Click pics below for the ladies, kids, and men’s Amazon options.  I know your whole family is in front of the screens.
  8. hair clippers & scissors. Before we all start looking like cousin It, we better order some hair cutting tools because we are all going to have to learn to cut that hair.  I’ve learned from cutting my daughter’s hair all her life that the right scissors make all the difference.  Don’t even attempt to do it with your average paper-cutting pair.  You will just waste time, and be unable to get a crisp cut.  Click the pic below to check out these best selling scissors with almost 5,600 4.5 star reviews.  I’m also investing in this highly rated hair cordless clipper set for men and can’t wait to try out crazy hairstyles on my unwitting, desperate husband.  If he keeps annoying me during this lockdown, I may get him back by giving him a surprise mohawk or mullet…
  9. Coffee machine and milk frother.  We all need to limit our trips outdoors.  So even if your local Starbucks is serving up mobile orders or drive – throughs, it’s time to invest in a coffee maker, milk frother and the works or upgrade what you already have! Coffee WILL fuel you through this quarantine and it’s the morning routine you know you can’t live without. So think about adding on to your current coffee situation and DIY your favorite concoction at home.  I’ve listed below our white Keurig which perfectly matches our modern decor and milk frother you need to elevate your caffeine as well as another more affordable, best-seller with 2 serving options!
  10. Workout buys.  If you don’t want to gain the covid 19 (pounds), you’ll need to exercise at home.  Sad but true.  If you haven’t already, invest in your health and motivate yourself with a cute new workout outfit that can double as at-home athleisure.  Fashion always motivates me.  You’ll be looking cute, comfy and fit in no time. Ok maybe not necessarily fit (I know you’re all snacking) but you’ll definitely look cute and comfy. And that’s something!!  Below is Amazon’s editorial team’s top pick for best home gym, best bang for your buck, and Lulu Lemon dupe leggings so good that CNN wrote an article about them! Click on pics for the Amazon buys.

There you go!  Now treat yourself.  Life has been hard.  And you deserve this.  Add to cart and thank me later.

 

Click here for my top tips on staying sane during the corona virus pandemic.

Click here to read how I started the rainbow trend during quarantine through Instagram.

Times Square With Kids 13 of the Best Things To Do This Holiday Season

 

times square with kids, times square, what to do in times square with kids, what to do in nyc with kids, manhattan kidsHappy Friday the 13th!!  I thought I’d share the top 13 activities to do with kids in Times Square timed with this occasion.  Now that the temps are dipping, parents are looking for indoor spots to entertain their kids.  And with the influx of tourists coming into the city for the Rockefeller tree and all the NY holiday lights and windows, I thought this handy list would be extra helpful.  Unlike years past when Times Square was a shady, unsafe, spot, nowadays it is so family-friendly some have even called the transformation the Disneyfication of Times Square.  And it’s time you check it out with your family!  Read on to see how you can win tickets to one of our favorite shows!!

  1. After you take your requisite Times Square pics (TKTS stadium style seating, towering, lit up buildings, pics with famous characters like Mickey and Elmo), you’ll want to be a part of the famous New Year’s ball celebration by adding your personal wish for the new year to the NYE Wishing Wall this month! nye confetti, times square nye, times square new year's eve, new year's wish Dec 3-29th (TSq Plaza 45-46  Bdwy btwn 45th-46th Sts)  It’ll only take a few minutes and it’ll be so fun to know that your wish will turn into confetti on New Year’s Eve and rain down on the hundreds of Times Square revelers! Afterwards, choose from this kid-centric list of shopping, treats, and entertainment!
  2. Slava’s Snow Show  (124 West 43rd St.)  Wow! This show is full of surprises!  From clowns who go from making you giggle while on stage to walking all over the audience seats and spraying unsuspecting audience members with water, to a snow blizzard gone wild and a bouncy ball party you’ll never forget, this show was fun for all ages.  I also enjoyed the quieter moments with beautiful music.  It’s rare when something can make me forget I’m in the chaos of Times Square and give me a meditative moment! broadway shows for kids, times square for kids, what to do with kids in nyc, what to do with kids in times squareOne lucky reader who comments below (and follows me @stylishlystella on Instagram) will win 4 tickets this Tuesday!! So easy to enter!
  3. Pip’s Island (400 W. 42nd St.) Let your little explorers don safari vests and travel through a theatrical adventure that they will surely love!  This production is Disney quality and so impressive even to adults.  If you don’t think your child will sit through a Broadway show, bring them here instead and they’ll be able to explore, find hidden objects, and become a real-life hero through it all. times square with kids, what to do in times square with kids, family friendly times square, times square
  4. Gulliver’s Travels (216 West 44th Street)Take your mini-me on a trip around the world and feel like a giant in this miniaturized exhibit!  Featuring all the major landmarks and 300 scenes worldwide, you won’t believe all the amazing detail. This is perfect for the travel enthusiast or anyone interested in miniature figurines.times square with kids, things to do in nyc with kids, things to do in times square with kids, times square with kids, gulliver's gate, miniature figurines
  5. Madame Tussauds (234 W 42nd St.) If anyone in your family is a celebrity buff or a superfan of one of the celebs featured here, this is a must-see and a quirky stop along the way through your Times Square adventure.
  6. National Geographic Encounter: Ocean Odyssey ( 226 West 44th St.)  Head underwater into a 60,000-square-foot digital tank!  Your kids will love virtually interacting with sharks while learning all about undersea life in this incredibly modern, unforgettable exhibit.  Read my full review here! times square with kids, national geographic, times square, things to do in times square with kids
  7. Ripley’s Believe It Or Not (234 W 42nd St.) My daughter loves learning about and looking at the bizarre (just like me)! And I can’t wait to take her to this place because it is chock-full of the most extreme cases.  She will love learning all the facts, standing next to the world’s tallest man, seeing videos of people doing impossible feats and will be in utter amazement, I know because I went once and was completely fascinated by all the little details I learned!
  8. Bowlmor (222 W. 44th St.) Bowlmor is the most family friendly of all the nearby bowling alleys in the area and I also recommend it for its fun decor.  Its beyond your average bowling alley!!
  9. Game out at Dave & Buster’s – (234 W 42nd St.)  Have a gamer in the family?  Take them back in time and teach them the joys of 80s arcade games like Pac Man and Frogger! Then test your skeeball skills and try out all the latest in gaming technology!  Things have come a long way! Check their website to make sure they don’t have a private event though as holidays are often booked out.
  10. Stop into the Sugar Factory (700 8th between 44th and 45th st.) If your sugar craving is strong and or you want that Instagram-able dessert, stop here  And you’ll see and taste what all the celebrities have been talking about.  Note – seating is limited but you can always sit indoors at the attached hotel lobby to finish off that double-decker dessert! ice cream sundae, best desserts in nyc, instagramable desserts, sugar factory ice cream
  11. Grab a treat at M&M’s World, (48th Street and Broadway)  Ever been to a candy store that opens til midnight?  For those that are jet lagged with kids and wondering what to do at strange hours…here’s an option that will delight the chocoholic and kid of any age.  Stop in for a quick pic with the green M&M statue of liberty and create customized M&Ms with your face, name or message.  Now isn’t THAT a fun souvenir?!
  12. Shop Line Friends (1515 Broadway) is the cutest lineup of characters from Asia and you and the kids will fall in love with this store.  Similar to Sanrio’s brand, everything is made to be extremely CUTE.  Browse around and enjoy the many photo opps…you’ll leave a fan, trust me!kawaii, teddy bear, times sq, line friends nycuare, times square with kids, what to do in times square with kids, best family activities in ny, where to shop in nyc for kids
  13. Stop at the Disney store (1540 Broadway at 45th st.) Who doesn’t love Disney?  Check out all the interactive elements like the magic mirrors and catch a free screening while there.  Disney Store

What’s your favorite idea?  I’d love to hear you share your thoughts on any of these shopping, dessert or entertainment options in Times Square! Leave a comment below and enter to win a family 4-pack of tickets to see the Slava Snow Show -make sure to follow @stylishlystella on Instagram to qualify!

And for my review on TopView bus tour, (which has a Times Square route, click here!)

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Would you like for me to do a similar list for Rockefeller Center area next??

© 2024 Stylishly Stella