Just 10 Things To Try In May

Because we tried them for you in April.

This post features a mix of items that we purchased with our own money and those that were provided to us at no cost for the sake of review. (But! We’re under no obligation to write a review of those things, let alone a positive review.)

1. A five-pack of nonmedical face masks from Reformation, which 1. ship free 2. tie for a custom fit and 3. are a stylish way to keep your face covered when in public.

Reformation, BuzzFeed / Emma Lord

"By now you've probably seen the CDC's new guidelines recommending people wear nonmedical face coverings in public. As a result, lots of retailers have started offering nonmedical face mask options — including Reformation, which is offering free shipping on sets of five non-medical face masks for $25 each. Not only is shipping free, but it's pretty darn fast — I ordered my set April 17, and they arrived on April 24, which was a relief considering a lot of major retailers who have pivoted to making masks are experiencing back orders up to mid-June.

A fun lil' twist is when you order, you're getting a ~surprise~ fabric — you might end up with all five masks in the same print (like I did), or end up with a whole bunch of mismatched prints. At least some of the fabrics used are from their actual line; being a flawless internet sleuth (read: Googling the words 'navy floral Reformation'), I have unmasked that my masks were made with the same material as Reformation's Rosehip Dress (currently retailing for $248). This is the fanciest my face has ever felt.

You've probably seen a lot of masks made with elastic that goes around your ears, but these masks are made with tie strings. TBH, I dig it — you have more of a secure, personalized fit, so you don't have to adjust it while you're walking. (I personally have had issues with masks "drooping" a bit, if anyone can relate.) It's also nice and cool on your face — double-layered for protection, but not so thick that it isn't breathable. Notably, though, these are machine washable (just make sure to tumble dry low), so you can reuse them. Hence why it's nice to get five in a pack — a little easier to rotate them if you don't have a dryer and are waiting for them to air out. The only caveat is that these aren't made with a pocket for a filter, the way some masks are; that said, you could easily pair it on top of a filter for extra coverage.

But in terms of getting your money's worth, you couldn't ~mask~ for a better deal (sorry). I have been all over the internet looking at mask options the past few weeks, and for a basic, non-medical face covering that gets the job done, this $5 price point — on top of the free shipping — gets you the most bang for your buck." —Emma Lord

Get a set of five masks from Reformation for $25, with a limit of two sets of masks per customer.

2. A Hello Fresh subscription if you're having a hard time finding groceries, planning meals, learning how to cook, or are just in a "what's for dinner?" rut.

BuzzFeed / Maitland Quitmeyer

For me there are three great reasons to try a meal kit like Hello Fresh right now: 1. to reduce trips to the grocery store without having to forgo fresh produce, 2. to get out of the same-dinner ruts, especially when we're cooking at home more than ever, and 3. to learn new cooking skills in a basically foolproof setting.

Here's how it works: You can select from the four preferences: meat and veggie, veggies, low-calorie, and family-friendly. Recipes come portioned to two or four people (but I find the portions to be generous), and you can get either three or four recipes per week (for the two-person plan) or two or three recipes a week (for the four-person plan). And of course you can skip weeks, upgrade to ~premium~ recipes (think surf and turf) for an additional fee, or change the number of meals at any time. When your box arrives, you get everything you need to make the recipe, chilled to perfection, and portioned accordingly (you just need to provide pantry staples like butter, oil, salt and pepper).

And the instructions? Totally foolproof. My fave recipe so far exemplifies how helpful Hello Fresh is for trying out new recipes and techniques — say hello to my little friend, tempura shrimp. I have thought about making at-home tempura for like.....years, but it seemed like a lot of work, and I'd burn myself on the hot hot oil.

But this recipe took all the scariness out of it — turns out I *didn't* need a whole pot of oil to fry these bbs up, a shallow fry worked PERFECTLY. And when I feel done with Hello Fresh, when we're no longer social distancing from the grocery store and I feel like I've learned enough, I will 10000000000% make this again on my own. And I've been thinking about the sauce (an easy mix of mayo, Sriracha, and apricot jam) ever since, and will put it on just every single thing from here on out — including just a spoon. And the portions are IMO, very generous — I could not eat what they'd consider one portion in a single night, and the leftovers always reheated just as deliciously as they were the first night. And the best part = you can access their database of over 2,500 recipes even when you're not a subscriber, so you can just use it as a cookbook when you're done subscribing." —Maitland Quitmeyer

Meals start at $7.49/serving.

3. A Kodak instant camera that prints full-size photos whenever you'd like — plus, unlike other instant cameras, you can store and save the photos you take for future use (hello Instagram).

BuzzFeed / Jasmin Suknanan

"When I opened the package, I charged the camera for a bit until it was ready to go and followed the instructions for installing the printing paper. I've used instant cameras and the like before, but I thought the installation instructions were pretty clear and easy to follow even if someone had never used a similar camera. The booklet says you can download the Kodak 2-in-1 app on your phone so you can print photos that are already on your camera roll, so I downloaded the app and paired the camera to my phone using bluetooth to test out with some photos I took on my Labor Day trip to Rhode Island. Pairing the two was super easy with the instructions from the app. The app also lets you edit and customize the photos before printing. So no one photo, I added some text before printing, and the other I left blank.

They printed out beautifully!!!!! I also love that the photo paper is actually adhesive — you can just peel off the back and stick it anywhere. That's perfect for me since I actually keep a travel journal with photos and things from my trips — no glue or tape required to keep those pics in place. I can definitely see this being a bonus for anyone who loves journaling or scrapbooking and wants an easy way to hold onto their memories. Overall, I really thought it was fun to use. The photo quality is great, too. I've had instant cameras where the colors and brightness are diminished and it felt like a waste, but this is pretty vibrant." —Jasmin Suknanan

Get it from Amazon for $149.95 (also available in bundles with photo paper).

4. A pair of Zella leggings you'll want to *live* in, no matter what you're up to. They're super stretchy, moisture-wicking, no-slip in the waist, and just all-around amazing.

BuzzFeed / Elena Garcia

"The most important thing most of us can do right now is to stay at home. So, since this is the new normal. I thought maybe it would be a great time to tell you all about the leggings I've recently moved into for the foreseeable future — Zella's Live In High-Waisted Leggings. They're made of a super stretchy moisture-wicking fabric that never gets you too hot (which I imagine is important for all those people who will use them for working out, I am not one of those people). They also have a fitted no-slip waistband that does not roll down for anything! I've never had to do the tug and pull dance with these bad boys.

I literally can't get enough of them! They're just SO comfy! I wear them to do everything — take selfies in the mirror, feed my neighbor's goats, lay on the sofa for 18 hours...everything. I keep it classic with the full-length cut but they come in shorts and 7/8 length (which have pockets). There is also some variety with styles available in plus, and maternity sizes — and there's a really comfy looking wide leg pair!

The price point does make them a bit of an investment ($59) but they really do stand the test of time — I'm not joking when I say I literally wear these EVERY. DAY. They haven't stretched out at all and during the one day a week I take them off, they wash well and don't fade or pill." —Elena Garcia

Get them from Nordstrom for $59 (available in sizes XXS-L and 1X-3X).

5. A five-stage, folding tricycle for 10- 36-month-olds that, in normal times, is small enough to fit in a trunk or airplane overhead bin, but for these current times is a total lifesaver for entertaining a toddler around the home.

BuzzFeed

"Entering week-seven of working from home with a child who's about to start walking, I'm counting myself very lucky to be able to witness this milestone moment. But I'm also running out of ways to entertain (and tire out) the little guy and I don't want to resort to more screen time. Since our living room is now a full-time play area, I figured it's time to get this kid his first ride.

After some research, I set my sights on the Doona Liki Trike S3, aka "smallest folding trike on the market." This three-wheeler will grow with your toddler, from a parent-push-operated vehicle to an independent, pedal tricycle. In that regard, it's a solid two-year investment.

While the Liki is ideal for travel (in the future), thanks to the easy and compact way it folds up, it's also handy for apartment living where storage space is at a premium. The not-too-soft, not-too-hard wheels are perfectly fine on hardwood floors and carpeted hallways. Also, the cup holder and storage bag (that attaches to the adjustable parent handle) are so clutch. Super thoughtful design all around and a super happy little tike riding his trike all around the building." —John Milhaly

Get it from Amazon for $249 (available in three colors).

6. A bottle of Truff truffle-infused hot sauce you'll want to drizzle on just about every meal you make to jazz it wayyyyy up. They even have a white truffle version.

BuzzFeed / Hannah Loewentheil

"I'm Hannah, and like you, I've been doing much more cooking lately. Between restaurants closing their doors and trying to practice social distancing, cooking has become one of my favorite ways to spend my time. But let me fill you in on a secret. There's one ingredient that makes even my most average home cooking taste amazing, and it's this TRUFF truffle-infused hot sauce. I first heard about TRUFF on a list of Oprah's favorite things, and I knew she would never lead me astray. So I quickly realized I needed TRUFF in my own kitchen.

There are three kids of TRUFF hot sauces: the classic black truffle sauce, a 'hotter' sauce, and the crown jewel, the creme de la creme, a white truffle hot sauce. Look, the white truffle infused hot sauce quite literally tastes like heaven, but IMO, the classic black truffle hot sauce is the most versatile and a staple in my kitchen. And while at first $20+ seemed like an absurd price to pay for hot sauce, this stuff is worth the price tag. I mean...truffles. And here's the thing: I've tried plenty of truffle-infused hot sauces, olive oils, and what-nots in the past, but they often taste overpowering or low-quality. TRUFF hot sauces are the perfect balance of decadent truffle, heat, spice, and a tiny bit of sweetness. Now I'm completely and most likely irrevocably hooked to this liquid gold. I slather it on pretty much everything savory from eggs and tacos to sandwiches and fried rice. Even if my cooking tastes mediocre at best, a drizzle of TRUFF hot sauce makes it taste almost restaurant quality and so full of flavor. If you're looking for a way to add flavor to your home cooking or turn basic meals into pure extravagance, you should probably invest in a bottle of TRUFF." —Hannah Loewentheil

Get Truff from Amazon: the black truffle hot sauce for $17.98, the "hotter" sauce for $17.98, and the white truffle hot sauce for $34.99.

7. A supersoft Anthropologie bralette for the perfect blend of comfort and support, whether you're lounging on the couch all day or out for a walk.

Anthropologie

"Hey boob-havers! I have a short, sweet message for you. This T-back bralette from Anthropologie? You should get one. It's soft, comfortable, comes in a ton of adorable colors, and is perfect for just lounging around the house like we all are these days. I have two of these and wear them *all* the time. Yes, they rock as loungewear, but they're also perfect for layering under tees and sweaters. They're mega comfortable but are also supportive enough to wear out of the house, when the time comes.

That's right, this bralette achieves the impossible and is actually pretty supportive. I have a bigger chest and thought my bralette days were far behind me. This one showed me *wipes away a single tear* they were only just beginning. I'm a 34DD and the M/L fits perfectly. Obviously it's not gonna jack up your boobs like an underwire bra — it has its limits! But for a bralette, I find its stretch really supportive and far superior to others I've tried! Because it's so soft and stretchy, I was worried about these washing weird, but they handle laundry like a champ. I just machine wash and air dry. So what are you waiting for? Your boobs will thank you. I know mine did." —Rachel Dunkel

Get one from Anthropologie for $24 *or* get two for $40 (available in sizes XS/S and M/L and five colors).

8. A "Best of the Week" crossword puzzle book filled with NYT puzzles based from a certain day (and therefore a certain level of difficulty) to keep your brain buzzin' on the couch.

BuzzFeed / Maitland Quitmeyer

"I love crosswords. Growing up, my brother and I (and sometimes my dad when we could talk him into it) used to make copies of the New York Magazine crossword of the week and race our way through it. Yes, I'm a little competitive, why do you ask? I've put my fair share of crossword puzzles in shopping roundups, so when I saw this stay-at-home time coming around the bend, I ordered a couple of these NYT day-of-the-week crossword books.

They become more difficult throughout the week — the easiest on Monday, and the most difficult on Saturday. The famous Sunday puzzle? It's about a midweek-level. PLUS, these compilations are spiral-bound to make filling them out (and keeping your place) super easy. As a lefty, I am PLAGUED by hard-to-write-in non–spiral bound volumes. If you're bored-in-the-house-and-I'm-in-the-house-bored, or just need a little break from hours of TikTok (me me, very much me), I would definitely recommend these!" —Maitland Quitmeyer

Get them from Amazon for $8.99+: Monday here, Tuesday here, Wednesday here, Thursday here, Friday here, Saturday here, and Sunday here. Select New York Times crossword books are also available on Bookshop (to support local bookstores).

9. A Mr. Coffee drip coffee machine, because java fads come and go (hi, whipped coffee) but this bb will stand the test of time. Ease and reliability are important, folks.

BuzzFeed / Rachel Dunkel

"I'll admit, I can be prone to coffee snobbery now and again. I have just about every appliance, tool, and gadget to make coffee this way and that, but there's one I always come back to — the Mr. Coffee. My dad has used a Mr. Coffee basically every morning since the beginning of time, so when I got my first apartment — finally free of the "no cooking appliances" rule ubiquitous to college dorm life — of COURSE I bought the cheapest 12-Cup Mr. Coffee drip pot I could find. That same pot has been with me ever since (for over six years!), quickly brewing up cup after steaming cup of coffee for my roommates, friends, and me, never failing to make my morning and little better. It has also survived many, many moves while packed in pretty precarious boxes. TL;DR: it's also durable.

If you've somehow never made drip coffee before, listen, it's really easy. Just pop in a filter, fill it with coffee, fill the machine with water, and flip the switch. Boom! You've got java. Most mornings, flipping literally one switch is all I feel capable of, and Mr. Coffee thinks that's just fine! Is it an artisanal cup of coffee? No. But is it delicious and plentiful and quick and easy? Heck yes. I fully support making a lil' pour-over as a treat, but for an everyday pot for yourself and every coffee drinker in the house? Unbeatable." —Rachel Dunkel

Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (also available in white).

10. A Soda Stream Fizzi if you're looking to reduce your plastic and can consumption but just really love some sparkling water, because same.

BuzzFeed / Abby Kass

"I'm a huge fan of sparkling water. I've been drinking it for years. At one point, my roommate and I were each buying a six-pack every week so we'd never run out in our apartment. But then, I was introduced to the SodaStream Fizzi, and my life was forever changed. I like this version because it's manual, which means it doesn't require electricity, so it doesn't have to be plugged into the wall. It comes with the water maker, a 60L CO2 Cylinder, and a 1L slim carbonating bottle. Each C02 canister makes around 60 bottles. We replace ours about every six weeks. And according to the SodaStream website, 1 CO2 bottle equals 2,070 disposable bottles.

There is a bit of a learning curve to it though, and many reviewers talk about how it can make a mess. And that has happened to me a couple of times, but once you get the hang of it, it's really easy. After you fill the bottle up with water to the line on the outside, you put it on the machine. Then you press slowly down for two seconds over and over again, until you hear a releasing sound. When you put the bottle into the machine, It should lock-in and be suspended in the air a bit. Make sure that the white nozzle is touching the water. The average number of releases for carbonated water is three, but you can do more or less based on your preference. (I usually do three or four.) This whole process took about 30 seconds. Yep, it's that simple. Plus, when you're done, you can add fruit or soda flavoring to make any kind of drink you want. When the CO2 bottle runs out, you can exchange it and get a new one for half-price. Not only do I feel great about the less waste I'm creating, but I do feel like I'm actually saving money." —Abby Kass

Get it from Amazon for $74.99+ (available in black, white, and rose gold).

Looking for more reviews? Check out our March, February, January, December, November, and October editions for more products we love.

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