Yahoo Movies My mornings were hell until I discovered these 10 time (and sanity) savers
As a working mom of two amazing yet exhausting children, mornings aren’t my favorite time of day. In addition to getting myself caffeinated, dressed, and looking somewhat presentable, I do what many people do: make lunches, feed the kids and the cat, pack backpacks, bark orders, look for things that shouldn’t be lost, the list goes on. I knew there had to be a better way to streamline the routine, and I’ve discovered some products that really do help. I’m not going to say that now every morning is rainbows and unicorns (though I do have a lot of those in the house), but the transition from sleep-life to real-life isn’t as daunting as it once was. And these inventions are a big part of that. From planning outfits for the week with colorful hanger markers to cutting fruit in one fell swoop, the products below save precious morning minutes that add up to a calmer, more productive day.
HyperChiller V2 Iced Coffee Maker
Brewing coffee and then waiting for it to cool in order to make iced coffee is torture. When you want an iced coffee, you want. it. now. Especially now that warmer weather is creeping in. This brilliant invention chills coffee in less than 60 seconds without diluting it. The gadget, with a stainless steel interior that delivers the chill, lives in your freezer. Just take it out, pour in hot coffee, and enjoy. Also great for quickly chilling wine, whisky, and tea.
Shop it: HyperChiller V2 Iced Coffee Maker, $30 (free shipping), walmart.com
InStyler STRAIGHT UP Ceramic Straightening Brush — ON SALE
Who has time in the morning to blow dry their hair and then use a straight iron to get those perfectly polished results? This all-in-one time-saver heats up each individual bristle for quick, super-shiny, frizz-free results. If you want more volume, brush your hair from underneath to slightly curl the ends.
Shop it: InStyler STRAIGHT UP Ceramic Straightening Brush, $44 (was $60), amazon.com
Take the guesswork out of what to wear while in a morning fog. These day-of-the-week markers slide onto your hangers, so you can figure out your wardrobe over the weekend and have smooth sailing from there. Great for kids too.
Shop it: Deluxe Weekly Hanger Markers, $10, amazon.com
Dave’s Gourmet Mixed Berry Overnight Oats — ON SALE
This blend of oats, chia, almonds and fruit is gluten-free, organic, nutritious, filling—and easy! Just pour in milk at night, and in the morning the oats are soft and ready to eat—no cooking necessary. Woot.
Shop it: Dave’s Gourmet Mixed Berry Overnight Oats, $30 for eight 2.1-ounce cups (was $34), free shipping, walmart.com
This handy slicer can handle many different fruits: apples, pears, mangos, tomatoes, guava, oranges and pitayas. The stainless steel serrated blade quickly cuts fruit all the way to the bottom without losing precious juice. And it’s just so much easier than a knife. I mean, have you ever tried to cut a mango? It’s really annoying. Not anymore.
Shop it: Giptime 4-in-1 fruit slicer, $15, amazon.com
For those days you can’t even muster the strength to lift a hairbrush, just throw on one of these criss-cross boho-style stretchy head wraps. You’ll look trendy and fresh-faced in two seconds flat.
Shop it: TTzone Headbands, $10 for four, amazon.com
60 Minute Kitchen Timer — ON SALE
If you have children and they’re anything like mine, getting them out the door for school is like herding sheep every. single. day. Using a cute timer with kid appeal has helped. It gives children specific time slots for tasks like getting dressed, brushing teeth, and eating breakfast. It turns the morning routine into a game, and it gets us to school (relatively) on time. No battery needed—just twist.
Shop it: 60 Minute Kitchen Timer $7 (was $9), free shipping, walmart.com
Joy Mangano My Little Steamer Go Mini — ON SALE
Realizing your go-to shirt is wrinkled when you’re in a rush is the worst. Ironing takes forever, plus who wants to lug out that board? This little steamer with a retractable cord uses plain tap water and 900 watts of power to swiftly smooth wrinkles—even on garments with sequins, ruffles and buttons. And at this price, you can leave one at the office.
Shop it: Joy Mangano My Little Steamer Go Mini, $14 (was $20), amazon.com
Make and flip seven pancakes at once with this nonstick silicone gizmo that fits pans 10 inches and larger. Also great for eggs and hash browns! Dishwasher safe.
Shop it: Flippin’ Fantastic, $7 (free shipping), walmart.com
Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo — ON SALE
Some mornings, showers just aren’t in the cards. And those days call for dry shampoo. Just spray it on to soak up excess oil and grease, and no one will be the wiser. This version is unscented, and perfect for sensitive scalps.
Shop it: Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo, $10 for two 7-ounce bottles (was $16), amazon.com
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
• No more clogged drains: Why over 16,000 Amazon reviewers swear by this $13 hair catcher
• 11 cheap kitchen gadgets that people say improved their lives
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