The Nod Shop30 Aug 20243 MIN

Instagram made me buy it

String Tings, giant bows, and other silly things you don’t need but will most definitely want

Emma Chamberlain holding a red Target shopping cart

Instagram.com/emmachamberlain

You’re on Instagram, getting your recommended daily allowance of brainrot, and you stop at a picture of a Jellycat plushie on Djerf Avenue bedsheets. You double tap on the post, and because the universe (algorithm) is always conspiring in your favour, you get five more. Your Explore feed is soon a moodboard for plushies, bows, and bag charms; every second IG story is selling you phone covers with perforated backs; and you think to yourself, Well, if everyone has one, why not me?

We’ve all been prey to Instagram’s game, and while these trendy products are fleeting on social media, they could become staples in your life (or at least boost your serotonin for the day). Below, our pick of products that seem a bit useless, but only until we get them.

Your phone needs accessories, too

It’s time to take your mirror selfies to the next level, because people aren’t just looking at the cute outfit you have on, but also at the accessories your phone has on. A cute phone case is a must, and having a beaded wristlet makes it more fun. An Octobuddy silicone mount adds a playful texture to the back of your phone and serves as a handy tool for when you want to take selfies and make videos hands-free.

The fashion meets tech upgrade

A plain Apple watch may count your steps, but it isn’t the style statement of the year. Swapping it for a statement bracelet like the Hermès Double Tour band is the perfect fashion-forward upgrade. Digital point-and-shoot cameras from the 2000s may be all the rage on TikTok, but this Fujifilm Instax cam is ideal for clicking, printing, and transferring images to your phone on the go. And if you want to take bed rotting to a whole new level, try this Kindle remote for when tapping the screen to turn a page is just too much work.

The items in between

If you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve already succumbed to the Stanley cup. The internet has now collectively decided to give the oversized tumblers a makeover with attachments like a snack tray or a cute silicon straw cover for when you’re not actively hydrating. For other moments of downtime, look to the many influencers lounging in pyjamas by Swedish brand Djerf Avenue. Complete your look with a floppy bow clip in your hair. Could this be the 2024 version of the Hill House nap dress?

Your morning routine perfected

From Florence Pugh to the Bieber family, everyone is rocking star-shaped pimple patches. While an overnight spot treatment might help get rid of zits equally effectively, they don’t look half as cute as these stickers. And these Bala bangles are a great excuse to not hit the gym. Walk around the house with weights strapped to your arms and ankles for a low-impact workout. Too tired to brush your teeth at the end of the day? A cute electric toothbrush will make it fun.