BuzzFeed and our publishing partners may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Read More

Legend has it this squishy axolotl and disco ball tissue holder just appeared through the ether one day and nobody has been able to explain it since.

As a Senior Shopping Writer at BuzzFeed, I specialize in a broad range of topics, including beauty, cleaning, fashion, personal care, home, fitness, and my beloved “TikTok made me buy it.” My work has been featured across lifestyle and writing publications during my ten years in the digital media space, including Bustle, HuffPost, HelloGiggles, and The Washington Post.

Check out a TikTok of the butter squishy in action. 

Promising review: "I bought this soft toy to use on the desk, and I really like it. The material is soft, pleasant to the touch, and slowly recovers its shape after being tightened, which makes it very entertaining. The butter-like design is original and draws attention. It is comfortable to use, has no strong smell, and feels good quality. I use it to relax while I work or when I need to distract myself for a moment." —Camilo Hernández Almenares

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in a two-pack and in gold). 

Promising review: "CUTEST candles that were perfect for a dirty martini lover!!!!" —Gthair

Get a set of six from Amazon for $9.99. 

Promising review: "BEST SQUISHY EVER!! It's super cute, very squishy, and very survivable lol. Had it for multiple days, and it hasn't shown any wear aside from the little antennas having the usual rub off you'd expect from its material. Once squished, it will slowly rise back like memory foam, and I personally recommend squishing it and then setting it down to watch its rise. IDK, but it's just so cute to watch lol." —Madison Gillespie

Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in five colors). 

Promising review: "These are so stinkin' cute, and I really enjoy wearing them. Sometimes I'll do my makeup while wearing a couple of them during heavier breakout days. They work very well, and I like that they are a little larger than the classic stars. They stick fairly well. I find using them before applying any of my skincare is more effective." —Ciera Dawn

Get it from Amazon for $12.98 (available in three styles). 

Promising review: "I love this! It’s well painted, and the solar light works great. It is the cutest thing on my patio table." —solowithpits 

Get it from Amazon for $19.76 (available in two other styles).

Patchology is a small business that specializes in beauty products like patches, masks, and skincare.

Promising review: "This is my FAVORITE brand! It hydrates my skin and reduces puffiness, and I don’t fear breakouts or reactions like I do with other brands. The birthday packaging is so cute, and I loved the smell. I want 100 more of these!" —Kaylie Endres

Promising review: "These little guys sit on my desk like tiny, judgment-free therapists. Had a bad meeting? Grab a Pop-Tart. Long day? Pop-Tart. Questioning all life choices by 2:47 p.m.? Definitely Pop-Tart. They don’t solve my problems, but they do make me feel seen, supported, and slightly happier — which honestly is enough. Highly recommend for coworkers, offices, or anyone surviving adult responsibilities one day at a time." —Sherry

Get a set of six from Amazon for $10.99 (available in 18 other styles of emotional support snacks and figures). 

The kit comes with three different numbered canvas designs, seven paint pots, a mini brush, and an easel.

Promising review: "I have to admit I was skeptical because of the price and size. However, I got these for my husband for his birthday (he loves Bob Ross), and what a find!! We had so much fun mixing colors and painting. Would definitely recommend. The fact that they are small makes them even more special. I wish there were more to paint!" —slb m

Psst — you can snag a Bob Ross color-by-number coloring book on Amazon, too! 

Promising review: "I get so many compliments when people see this on my desk! What a fun addition. It shines brilliantly on the walls when sunlight hits it! So fun. I am gonna get the smaller version for my coworker for Christmas." —Gunsaw

Get it from Amazon for $7.59+ (available in two styles and two sizes). 

The inflatable tube guy requires a 9V battery, which is not included. 

Promising review: "OMG! I love this guy! These things, large and small, will ALWAYS make me laugh. My husband bought the desk version for me, and I can always count on it to make me laugh. My co-workers love it, too. People just stop by to turn him on for a quick pick-me-up. I would recommend getting the AC plug since batteries can run down fast. I think we should create a community of fellow air-dancer-havers and post clips of our little guys dancing to our favorite songs. Anyone in?" —Mark

Promising review: "This is such an amazing creation. You can tell the illustrator put in SO MUCH WORK into researching the Tay universe and capturing absolutely every detail possible of her entire career. I gasped at the, 'No, it's Becky' reference! A job very well done. I am so happy I purchased this!!" —Alexia Pitman

Promising review: "I ordered this lamp because of its appearance. I didn't NEED a depressed duck lamp ... but it has totally filled a void in my life I didn't know existed. Everyone who sees it pokes it. The lamp is actually very functional. It's got a really nice set of brightness options and the glow is yellowish, which is much nicer than white in a dim/dark room. One thing that isn't mentioned in the description is that its legs are utterly floppy. It's terrific." —Literated

Here's what BuzzFeeder Rebecca O'Connell says about it: "My husband got me this light as a gift, and I can confirm it's very cute. If you firmly tap or squeeze it, you can toggle between three brightness settings. It's not bright enough to read by, but it works quite nicely as a night-light or for mood lighting. The legs are wiggly, which is definitely a selling point for me." 

Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in two styles).

Promising review: "Worked fantastically. My wife had doubts about how egregiously dirty and caked-on the gunk in our 15-year-old microwave was (she thought we'd need serious chemicals!), but with only one pass of using this, it got 80% of all the gunk built up. A second pass a few days later got most of the rest!" —Some Hyena

Promising review: "Any Dolly lover would love this bottle brush. It is made well. It's slightly bigger than I expected when I received the item." —Lauren

And check out more Dolly Parton kitchen items at her Amazon storefront! 

Demi's Colouring Corner is a UK-based business run by Demi, a mother of two who loves all things horror and coloring. 

Another psst — you can pick up a cult-fave colored pencil set on Amazon! 

Promising review: "This book is a must-have for horror lovers. So many adorable renditions of classic and newer horror movies that are a blast to color. I like the simple style because it allows me to add my own flair and techniques like a lot of the popular 'cozy' coloring books nowadays. I so hope this artist does a second version because I plan to finish every single picture in this book!" —AyemmeJay 

FYI, depending on your situation, water may be enough to rehydrate you! Read more about electrolyte-enhanced drinks and hydration at Cleveland Clinic. 

BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly tried the sugar-free Ring Pop flavor and says, "It truly does taste so much like my childhood candy aisle fave that it's a little spooky (in a good way)." 

Promising review (for Firecracker Popsicle): "Liquid I.V. does an amazing job hydrating. I purchase their product for 40+ employees who work in a construction-related industry. Hydration is so important while working in the hot Georgia Sun, and this product aids in this 100%. Now, let’s talk about the firecracker flavor! When we produced these for our crew, ages 23–60, all of their eyes lit up, and they were super excited. Many of them did not know this flavor existed. Quite honestly, I didn’t either until I came across them on Amazon. They all loved the flavor. In particular, the ones who were older kept telling me it tasted like their childhood. Seriously, who hasn’t stood outside an ice cream truck ordering the Firecracker Popsicle?" —Disney Diva

Get them from Amazon: $23.28 for 16 packets of Firecracker Popsicle and $21 for Ring Pop. 

Check out a TikTok of the magic mushroom funnel in action. 

Promising review: "I am obsessed with this funnel!!! I juice a lot of citrus and juices for cocktails, and this little guy is the perfect size for bottling. It’s beyond cute and really great quality. I’m always hesitant about buying silicone items, as I don’t want them to be too thin. This is perfect! Sturdy and cute! Can’t get better than that! The perfect addition to any cottagecore kitchen!" —Abbey Klem

Get it from Amazon for $12.98+ (available in two sizes). 

Promising review: "This was so cute! My daughter loves it! It's great to take with you for a little encouragement when needed!" —Wendy W 

Handy Cute Art is a Florida-based Etsy shop that specializes in quirky home products. 

Promising review: "These are the cutest ever! My daughter ate these guys [a lot] growing up. Great reminder gift of her fave snack food!" —Teresa A Houtz

Get a set of six from Handy Cute Art on Etsy for $14.

Check out a TikTok of the cactus dryer ball. 

Promising review: "This is my first time using these, and I'm already in love! I saw someone say these can catch hair but I didn't know if these would really catch hair until I used them. They even captured cat hair, which is life-changing for me! 😄😻" —E & D

Get a set of four from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four styles). 

Promising review: "Honestly, I saw this tarot deck and thought I needed this for ha ha’s. But man. This deck’s images are hilarious. It’s so much fun, and I felt so drawn to it as soon as it was in my hands. I am smitten over these kittens. 😍 10000% worth the purchase!" —Kathryn Prouty

Promising review: "I love this little guy. I found him on a BuzzFeed list and had to have it as soon as I saw it! I’ve minced as many as five cloves in it in seconds. It’s a little tricky getting all of the garlic out once minced (I use a silicone basting brush to get most of it, but I always use more than the recipe calls for anyway, so it’s not a deal breaker). Cleanup is a breeze because he goes right in the dishwasher!" —Barbie

Promising review: "I love him. He is so cute and so well-made. He is the perfect size and shape. I named him Banana Peel Son since his wool comes off like a banana peel. Adorable. Would recommend to everyone." —Aerebys Stare

See Work Design is a Massachusetts-based Etsy shop established in 2025 that specializes in creative 3D-printed home products. 

Promising review: "Amazing! Honestly, pics don’t even do this cutie justice. Did you know there are snowflakes on the handle? The package was wrapped well and arrived on time. Seller was so helpful and communicative, too." —anna

Get it from See Work Design on Etsy for $18.81 (available in ten different colors — plus check out the shop for a bunch of *other* ice cream-holding pals!) 

Promising review: "I have had this spatula since 2022. I reach for this one consistently above all of my other spatulas, and also use this instead of a butter knife for spreading. I absolutely love this tool. I have arthritis in one hand from a surgery, and the shape of the platypus also helps with that. It cleans off very easily, and still looks brand-new." —Thomas Norton

Promising review: "Super cute and great quality. Holding up well so far." —Amazon Customer

Get a pack of four from Amazon for $13.61 (available in four other designs).  

Novelty888 is a small business that specializes in delightfully and oddly specific talking buttons. 

Promising review: "Got this for my wife to keep on her desk. She said it’s been a big hit in the office! If she or her coworkers are having a tough time, this lightens the mood with just the press of a button." —Daniel

Promising review: "These are so good, I have tried nearly everything pickle there is. Including the pickle slush from Sonic. This is my favorite pickle-flavored item. It is actually pickle tasting, and the texture is amazing. The thing about pickle-flavored things I have the biggest problem with is the salt levels. The salt is so overwhelming usually that it almost isn't pickle flavor, or it's just dill flavor, and I personally hate dill, but love dill pickles!" —Brenna H. 

Check out a TikTok of the pill dispenser in action. 

Promising review: "So I am horrible about remembering if I took my pills. And I HATE digging into the old pill boxes or doing the tip over. I don't know what it is, but I have always disliked it. I hung this on my wall right by the kitchen, so I pass it like 5,000 times a day, and I can't not see it. It is so fun pushing the little orange button to watch the meds fall out. I mean it kind of feels like a really weird game of Wheel of Fortune, but I like it." —Grofica

Get it from Amazon for $29.98 (available in four colors). 

Promising review: "It's so cute!!! I've ended up using it so much since getting it, there are plenty of times I've avoided using my regular grater but didn't because box graters are so hard to clean. This one makes it so much simpler, and it goes perfectly with our DND-ish themed home!" —Natalie

Promising review: "So SO CUUUTE! 10/10!! Good product and keeps my straw from getting bugs or germs on it! Plus, it’s really cute." —JennA

Get a set of four from Amazon for $5.99.  

Ban.do is a US-based small business that specializes in quirky accessories, home products, and stationery. 

This vase is so quirky and ADORABLE — every time I see it in my living room, it makes my heart happy. I am on a mission to make my living room space as un-boring as possible, and this may be a small piece, but it's got a BIG personality. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a fun piece of decor! 

Promising review: "Bought this for a serotonin boost because it’s ridiculously cute. Little did I know how utterly functional it is. No more cracking eggs while dropping them into the pot, no more fishing them out, no more putting them back into the damp cardboard carton where they inevitably are forgotten right next to the equally neglected bag of spring mix. Just in the pot, out the pot, into the fridge where they cutely greet me every time I open the door. Gives me five seconds of joy every time. Highly recommend." —Kitty M. 

Get it from Amazon for $19.90 (also available in a bear version). 

Check out a TikTok of the snail teabag holder in action.

Promising review: "Love these fun little quirky tea slugs. They work on all shapes and sizes of mugs and have brought a smile to all who either used them or were the lucky recipients of their own batch of tea slugs from me. They clean up well with just a quick rinse under the sink and are even fun to use on wine or cocktail glasses to help guests track their drink." —NC

Promising review: "We are in love with these, being huge fans of Shaun the Sheep! We are so happy with this. Built very well, and they look amazing! Super fun! A great price and value!" —Flip Masters

BuzzFeed Shopping is service journalism first: our writers and editors spend all day shopping so you don’t have to, vetting products, fact-checking brand claims, and surfacing what actually helps in real life. We center readers over revenue, recommend products with authenticity (using real experiences, not ad-speak), and reflect our diverse audience, inclusive of a variety of price points, people, and needs. We cut through fake deals, favor useful info over glossy fluff, and recommend both budget and splurge options with context so you can decide what’s right for you — and still have a little fun along the way.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.