Real reviews · Real life
From kitchen gadgets to cat accessories, skincare to cocktail tools — I test it, live with it, and tell you the truth. No fluff. No filler.
Kitchen
Years behind the bar taught me what separates a great shot from a mediocre one. Here's what I actually use at home.
Read More →Cat Mom Life
My cat is not a pet — he's family. These are the products he's approved (by not ignoring them for five seconds).
Read More →Drinks & Bar
You don't need $500 of glassware. You need the right tools. I'll show you exactly what to buy first.
Read More →Honest Reviews
Tried, tested, and told straight. Click any post to explore.
Kitchen
I've pulled thousands of shots. Here's what actually matters when you're buying a home machine.
Read Post →Cat Mom Life
From self-cleaning litter boxes to interactive toys — everything my spoiled guy has vetted for yours.
Read Post →Drinks & Bar
What you need, what's a gimmick, and which shakers are actually worth spending money on.
Read Post →Beauty & Skincare
Honest reviews of the serums, tools, and routines that have actually moved the needle for me.
Read Post →Home & Organization
Not every Amazon "viral find" is worth it. I bought them so you don't have to — here's what passed.
Read Post →Wellness
Tools and products that have genuinely helped me build a morning I don't dread — including some surprises.
Read Post →Cat Mom Life
After many rejected bowls and judgy stares, I've found the ones he actually finishes. You're welcome.
Read Post →Kitchen
Minimalism meets function. I've worked in professional kitchens and I'm here to declutter your countertop.
Read Post →Welcome to She Tried It First — the blog where I buy the things, use the things, and tell you the actual truth about the things. No PR packages. No paid-to-say-it reviews. Just a woman in her 30s doing her best and sharing what works.
I'm a thirty-something woman living my best (and messiest) life, navigating the endless sea of "must-have" products that flood our feeds daily. I know what it's like to order something that looked amazing on TikTok and arrive to find it's made of the saddest thin plastic you've ever seen. That's what I'm here to save you from.
My interests are eclectic — skincare, home organization, kitchen essentials, wellness tools, and absolutely anything that will make my cat's life more luxurious. (Yes, my cat has opinions. Yes, I respect them.) I'm a woman who's exploring what works for a body and a life that are firmly, gloriously in their 30s — and I want other women like me to have a resource they can actually trust.
Before I became a full-time recommender of things, I spent years behind the bar and the espresso machine as a professional barista and mixologist. That means when I talk about coffee gear, cocktail tools, or kitchen gadgets — I'm not guessing. I've used commercial equipment. I know the difference between a gimmick and a game-changer. My kitchen recommendations come with credentials, and I will absolutely die on the hill that a quality grinder matters more than an expensive espresso machine.
"If I say a kitchen tool is worth it, it's because I've used the cheap version, the professional version, and everything in between."
Let me introduce you to the most important relationship in my life: my cat. He is spoiled, opinionated, and the most effective product tester on this blog. If I recommend a cat product, it's because he has given it his personal approval — which, if you own a cat, you know is not easily earned. He's reviewed litter boxes, toys, beds, food toppers, and climbing structures with the energy of a very discerning critic who will simply walk away and sit with his back to you if he disagrees.
This blog is for women who are tired of sifting through influencer fluff to find something real. I test everything I feature and I share my honest take — the good, the disappointing, and the "why didn't I find this sooner." Some links here are affiliate links (see my full disclosure), which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them — at no extra cost to you. It helps keep this blog going so I can keep buying things and telling you the truth about them.
Thanks for being here. Now let's find you something good.
This blog participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. Some links on this site may earn a commission — this never affects my honest opinions.
She Tried It First is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
This means that when you click on certain product links on this website and make a purchase, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. These commissions help support the running of this blog and allow me to continue creating content, purchasing products to review, and sharing honest recommendations.
My affiliate relationship with Amazon (and any other programs I may join) does not influence my product recommendations. I only recommend products I have personally used, genuinely believe in, or have thoroughly researched. My opinions are my own, always.
In accordance with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) guidelines concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising (16 CFR Part 255), I disclose any material connection between myself and products or services mentioned on this site.
Any time I receive a product for free, at a discount, or earn a commission from a sale, I will disclose this relationship. My commitment to transparency means you can always trust that my recommendations come from genuine experience and honest opinion — not from financial incentives alone.
In addition to Amazon, I may from time to time participate in other affiliate or referral programs. Any such relationships will be disclosed in accordance with FTC guidelines, either within individual posts or through this disclosure page.
If you have any questions about this disclosure, my review process, or how I choose what to recommend, please don't hesitate to reach out. Transparency is important to me, and I'm happy to clarify anything.
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