5 Smart Devices That Will Upgrade Your Home

How to refresh your wool dryer balls, a better eyeliner option for those with aging skin, and more. September 15, 2021 [View Online]( TOGETHER WITH [LMNT]( Good morning! While part of me wonders whether everything needs to be connected to the internet (looking at you, [smart fork]( it is pretty convenient to be able to control certain devices from your phone. Check out 5 smart devices that can make your life easier in Today’s Good Thing. And in a new Wash It Wednesday, you’ll find out why dryer balls can seem to lose their “oomph” once you’ve been using them for a while, and you'll learn a simple fix you can use to set them straight again. Jillee TODAY'S GOOD THING 5 Smart Devices That Will Upgrade Your Home [Photos of various smart devices.]( These smart devices can be controlled remotely or automated to save time and simplify your life. 1. Speakers. Smart speakers can do more than just play your favorite songs, podcasts, and audiobooks—they also give you easy access to digital assistants like Alexa or Google Assistant. I have an [Echo Show]( in my own kitchen that I use all the time—[learn more about Echo speakers here](. 2. Lights. Smart light bulbs are easy to install in your existing light fixtures, and once you get them up and running, you can control them from your phone and even program them to turn on at certain times. One popular option is the [Philips Hue Starter Kit]( that includes 3 smart bulbs, a control hub, and a smart button. 3. Thermostat. A smart thermostat can help you conserve energy, because you can program it to maintain a comfortable temperature only when you’re usually home. If you already have a digital thermostat, upgrading to a smart model like the [ecobee4]( should be easy, but if not, it may require professional installation. 4. Doorbell. Most smart doorbells have live video and motion detection so you can see who’s at your door on your phone. Many allow you to speak through the doorbell’s speaker from your phone so you can talk to visitors too. The [Ring video doorbell]( is a popular option and includes everything you need for installation. 5. Door Lock. With a smart lock on your door, you’ll never need a spare key. And if you need to let someone in, you can send them an electronic key that will allow them to open it for a specific period of time. The [August smart lock]( works with most single-cylinder deadbolts, but you’ll also need their WiFi bridge to connect it to the internet. [4 More Smart Devices For Your Home]( [4 More Smart Devices For Your Home]( Related • [9 Ways That Alexa Is The Kitchen Helper Of Your Dreams]( • [The 5 Best Cleaning Apps That Will Make Your Life Easier]( ⚡️QUICK CLICKS⚡️ • Feeding a crowd at breakfast? Instead of flipping pancakes for an hour, make one pancake that can feed everyone. [Read more ➜]( • Love the smell of lavender flowers? Make a few of these simple lavender dryer bags to infuse the scent into your laundry. [Read more ➜]( • In order to keep your nonstick pans in good condition, make sure you’re not doing these 11 things that can ruin them. [Read more ➜]( WASH IT WEDNESDAY Refresh And Revive Wool Dryer Balls [Photos of wool dryer balls.]( Dryer balls not absorbing moisture or cutting static like they used to? Here’s a simple fix. I love that my [dryer balls]( make such an economical and eco-friendly alternative to dryer sheets. If you use dryer balls in your dryer too, and especially if you've used them for a while, you may have wondered whether they're becoming less effective over time. They likely are, but don't worry—they're not worn out or defective! They just need to be refreshed. After many trips through the dryer, wool dryer balls can get so dry that the wool struggles to absorb moisture and help speed up the drying process. An easy way to solve this problem is to "refresh" them by washing them in a gentle cycle using hot water, then drying them on high heat. Use this process to refresh your dryer balls once or twice a year, or whenever you notice them becoming less effective than normal. TOGETHER WITH LMNT Sugar-Free And Cost-Free: The Best Way To Rehydrate Summertime may be on its way out, but it’s still plenty HOT outside. Whether you’re exercising, working in your garden, or just staying busy running errands, it’s important to keep your body hydrated, and there’s no better way to do it than with [LMNT]( Featuring a special blend of sodium, potassium, magnesium, and delicious fruity flavor with no sugar, gluten, or artificial ingredients, LMNT electrolyte mix contains everything you need to keep your body hydrated. For a limited time only, OGT readers can [try all 8 flavors for FREE]( cover shipping. Ready to experience how energized, happy, and well-rested you’ll feel when you’re properly hydrated? [Claim Your Free LMNT Sample Pack ➜]( [Claim Your Free LMNT Sample Pack ➜]( Did you know? Supporting our sponsors makes it possible for me to continue sharing the tips and tricks that make your life easier! Check out [LMNT]( for electrolyte drink mixes with everything you need and nothing you don't. BEAUTY Smudge Your Eyeliner For Younger Looking Eyes [A photo of Jillee using a cotton swab to smudge her eyeliner.]( Drawing a perfect line with eyeliner gets harder as we age, so try this approach instead. Nailing a flawless line when applying eyeliner is something of a miracle at the best of times. But as we get older, the texture and character of our eyelids change and make that flawless line even more impossible to achieve. So are we cursed to wander the earth forever with dotted, incomplete, irregular eyeliner? Thankfully, the answer is no, because there's an easy way to soften those lines for a more flattering look. It's artfully smudging your eyeliner, and not only is it easier to do than draw a perfect, razor-sharp line, but it's also a flattering look on just about everyone. To do it, start by applying your eyeliner as usual. When you're done, use a smudge brush or cotton swab to blend the edges of your liner, which will help blur any imperfections and still create the definition you're looking for. JILLEE'S PICK This Toilet Brush Is Light Years Ahead [Photos of Jillee with a bristled toilet brush, then the silicone toilet brush.]( It was clear to me from the moment I saw the [Joseph Joseph Flex Toilet Brush]( that it was more thoughtfully designed than any toilet brush I’d ever owned. For instance, the upper edge is designed to fit perfectly up underneath the rim, an area that most standard bristle brushes can’t even reach very functionally. The storage caddy has thoughtful features too, because it doesn’t just have a slot for the brush—it has a compartment for toilet bowl cleaner too. So in those moments when I think to myself, "Hmm, the toilet bowl could use a quick scrub," I already have everything I need to do it right then and there. But the thing I like most about this toilet brush is how much less grimy it is. There’s literally nowhere for germs to hide on this thing, unlike standard toilet brushes with their forest of germ-ridden bristles. If you’re interested in a cleaner, better designed, and more convenient toilet brush, this one is hard to beat. [See The Toilet Brush on Amazon ➜]( [See The Toilet Brush on Amazon ➜]( POLL OF THE WEEK Skincare Routine Q: How would you describe your current skincare routine? (Click one of the options below to submit your response.) 1. [What skincare routine?]( 2. [I wash my face and that’s about it.]( 3. [I use a few simple products daily.]( 4. [I have morning and night routines involving several products.]( 5. [My routine is extensive and I do professional skincare treatments too.]( Results from last week's poll: Over three-quarters of you are concerned about dark spots, sagging, or wrinkles, which is reassuring as someone who's concerned about all three. Over 1,900 of you weighed in on the question “What is your primary concern when it comes to your skin's appearance?” Here's how you responded: • 28.5% said “Dark spots / hyperpigmentation” • 25.8% said “Sagging” • 24.7% said “Fine lines / wrinkles” • 11.9% said “Dryness” • 9.1% said “Acne / breakouts” A FEW MORE THINGS... Hispanic Heritage: Today marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, a chance to celebrate the cultures and contributions of Americans whose ancestors hailed from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. I'm picking one of these [20 books by Latino authors]( to read this month in honor of the occasion. Yom Kippur: Considered the holiest day in Judaism, Yom Kippur begins this evening. The focus is on atonement and repentance, which are observed through fasting, prayer, and abstention from bathing and other activities. G’mar chatima tova to all of you who will be observing the holiday! What did you think of today's email? [Not good]( | [Just okay]( | [Loved it!]( 🏠[Visit the By Jillee Shop]( 🤗 [Join OGT Free]( Let's connect! [facebook]( [instagram]( [pinterest]( [youtube]( If you have thoughts, comments, questions or a tip or trick you'd like to share, I'd love to hear from you! My inbox is always open, so just hit "reply" and let me know what's on your mind. See you tomorrow! This email was sent to {EMAIL} [why did I get this?]( [unsubscribe from this list]( [update subscription preferences]( One Good Thing by Jillee · 841 S. Main St. · Heber City, UT 84032 · USA