Holy Good Store Must Haves!

A Starter Kit, From Yours Truly | By Malikai Smith

You'd be hard-pressed to find any fluff at Good Store. That's just what happens when really cool people team up behind great products and great causes. With so many amazing things to choose from, I wanted to offer my recommendations for my ideal Good Store starter kit—my picks for products that are guaranteed to instantly give your life a boost.

Read on for my recommendations. Spoiler alert: coffee incoming.

1. Keats & Co. Calypso Coffee

Keats & Co. makes a mean cup of joe. (Mean brew, nice everything else.)

I wouldn't be staying true to myself if coffee wasn't my first recommendation, so Calypso is at the top of my list. A peppy light roast packed full of flavor (and caffeine), this morning-maker comes in a beautiful, sustainable package and looks great sitting next to your coffee pot.

My coffee maker is the kind that has the bean grinder built-in, so I go for the whole bean option.

Related life hack: there is no better alarm in the world than a scheduled coffee grinder jumping to action when it's time to wake up. It's loud and just as effective as an alarm. But unlike an alarm (abrasive, detestable, universally hated), being woken up by your coffee grinder is just a reminder that you're about to have a tasty, fresh cup of Calypso.

It's like Pavlov's dog for humans, and the reward is a great cup of coffee. An easy #1.

2. Awesome Socks Club

Next up: the always cozy, ever stylish, and uncompromisingly comfy socks from Awesome Socks Club. Good Store teams up with independent artists to design each month's socks, and that's just where the fun starts. I love checking out the new designs each month and seeing what the creative partners have cooked up.

July's artist, Meg Hunt, outdid themselves on this month’s aquatic design, and they pair just as well on your feet as a cup of Calypso does in your hand. Slide your dogs into a pair of these buttery-smooth socks, get showered in compliments, and thank yourself for treating your feet to the comfort they deserve.

3. Sun Basin Soap: Trailblazer

Speaking of feet, you know what is just as important as keeping them comfortable? Keeping them clean.

Luckily, Sun Basin Soap is here to do just that. Luxurious, environmentally friendly, and packed with natural ingredients that are gentle on your skin and leave you as clean as a whistle, you really can't go wrong with any bar you choose.

When it comes to soap, I'm a citrus guy. There's something about the smell of lemons, oranges, and grapefruits that just says clean. Rejuvenating, invigorating, and fresh. That's exactly what you get from my favorite bar of Sun Basin Soap: Trailblazer.

And those fresh citrus notes after your morning cup of coffee? Come on. Talk about starting your day on the right foot.

Find Your Own Good Store Favorites

Honestly, you could close your eyes, click on any Good Store product on the site, and still end up with something great that supports an even better cause.

I offer these as my humble recommendations for a well-deserved gift to yourself, but you don't need me to find the perfect haul on Good Store. With so many great products (and more incredible projects always in the works) there's a little something good for everyone.