Here is some of the tech I’ll be sharing about to use with an iPhone. I also use a wireless printer that I will talk about towards the end of this blog post, and some headphones.
I have found several useful accessories to use my iPhone (and iPad) like a laptop: two different wireless keyboards and mice and an adapter that enables me to access my USB flash drives, digital cameras, and MP3 players on my iPhone. Here is that adapter if you don’t want to read further:
 
I also print from my iPhone using a wireless printer, so I am able to get everything done I need to do without using a computer or laptop anymore.
Below you will find photos I’ve taken of the products while using them and also links to the products on Amazon, which is where I bought them. It is mid-2023 as I write this and I am still using an iPhone 8. All these products are supposed to work on other models as well.
All these items work great with my iPhone and iPad (and some are universal to work with Android and laptops as well), but I can make no guarantees that they will work with yours since there are so many variables with different phone models. That is why I like buying on Amazon: they have a quick and simple return policy if something doesn’t work. So, I’m only sharing from my experience: try these items if you want! I don’t make the products, I just use them.
*As an Amazon Associate, I may earn a small commission on qualifying purchases through links on my blog. Thank you for your support! 
Shown here is the power bank plugged into my phone charging it while I use it. So handy to have a small portable power bank.
This pocket sized power bank is perfect for charging my iPhone on the go. I get 2-3 charges from it. Additionally, I can still use the phone while it’s charging. I like that I can fit this power bank/charger right in my purse.
I use this power bank often to charge my phone. It’s holding up great. The little plastic cap that covers the tip is connected to the power bank with a strip of plastic. The strip disconnects sometimes from the power bank when I pop the cap off, but it’s easy to poke the plastic piece back in place. It’s only there to keep the cap from getting lost; it doesn’t affect the power bank itself.
This power bank/charger comes with a USB charging cord. Have to charge up your power bank so you can charge your phone!
This keyboard is thin, has almost flat keys, and isn’t full size. It connects easily with Bluetooth to the iPhone…it’s a universal keyboard so it should also connect to Android via Bluetooth.
The keyboard comes with a USB cord to charge its battery with. The battery lasts a long time on each charge.
Notice the compact size of this slimline keyboard compared to my laptop. If you want a full-size keyboard, see the next one I talk about further down in this blog post.
This keyboard has backlighting that you can turn on and off.
By tapping a button, you can change the colors of the backlighting. It makes typing more fun!
I also use this keyboard with my iPad. Simple to connect with Bluetooth to a variety of devices.
This keyboard and mouse connect wirelessly with the included USB receiver. With an adapter (see below), I can also use them with my iPhone.
This keyboard and mouse each use two AAA batteries. The keyboard has full size keys that are raised; just like an old desktop computer! It reminds me of typing on my old Gateway 2000, which was the first computer I ever had and the computer on which I learned typing with the Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing program. Good times! For people today who are used to flat, slimline keys, they may not enjoy these “old-fashioned” keys. I feel rather nostalgic about it and prefer typing on this style of keyboard. It’s much easier to type without looking at the keyboard, because the keys are defined and separate from each other, which makes it easier for the fingers to not slip over on the wrong keys.
Here is my setup for using my iPhone like a computer: a full size keyboard and mouse, mousepad, and the adapter to connect the wireless USB receiver to the phone. All products linked below.
This is the laptop desk I’ve been using since August 2022. At the time of this writing, it is currently not in stock on Amazon. However, I’ve linked it anyway, as Amazon shows similar ones from this link:
This trackball mouse connects via Bluetooth and is also supposed to be universal. I am using it with my iPhone.
This is the printer that I use to print wirelessly from my iPhone. It works great for printing shipping labels and documents. It also copies and scans.
TIP: When setting up the printer, HP really pushes joining their Instant Ink program. I wouldn’t recommend it, unless you leave your printer connected to WIFI all the time. They require your printer being connected to the internet literally 24/7 to stay in the program. I don’t leave my printer on all the time, so I had to leave the program. No big deal though; I just buy my ink on Amazon. 
This awesome adapter made it possible to connect my USB flash drives to the phone to access the videos, photos, and documents on them to transfer to my phone—or to transfer files from my phone to the flash drive.
Simply plug the USB flash drive into the “Camera” port on the adapter. Plug the adapter into the phone and open the “Files” app on the phone. Tap the “Browse” from the app and then you’ll see the USB drive in the list. Tap on it and you can view and transfer files.
This adapter is probably the most versatile and handy tool I’ve found for iPhone: I can put memory cards in it from my digital cameras, put the USB receiver in it like I mentioned earlier for the keyboard and mouse, access my USB flash drives with it, and transfer MP3 music to and from my MP3 player with it. The “Camera” port on it is what I use for all USB stuff. The memory card slot is what I use for my memory cards, of course. It has two ports for them: a regular size and micro size. It also has a lightning port, so if you need to charge your phone while using the adapter you can just plug in there.
I’ve transferred music to and from several models of MP3 player to my iPhone. Some will connect with the USB cord through the “Camera” slot on the adapter. Others only connect with the memory card.
Go to “Files” app after connecting the MP3 player to the iPhone with the adapter—whether you use the USB cord or the memory card, the transfer steps are the same.
Then go to “Browse” and, in this case, the MP3 player is listed as NO NAME. Tap on that.
You can just tap the item you want if you only want to transfer one at a time, but to transfer multiple at once: tap the three dots in the corner and then tap Select. You can then select multiple items.
You can then Select, Copy, and Paste songs to a folder.
Tap the Share button (box with arrow pointing up) and then you can Save the items you selected or Copy them to Paste: depending on what devices you are using.
With some digital cameras, you can just open the Photos app after connecting the camera and tap on Import, instead of the Files app method.
 
Here is the MP3 player on Amazon that is featured in the above photos. It is the MP3 player I’ve been using for awhile now. It has a built-in speaker or you can use ear buds/headphones.
 
This set of two headphone adapters is handy for connecting 3.5mm jack headphones to iPhones. I use these a lot as I have various headphones and earbuds around the house that have the 3.5mm jack. I like this set of two so that I can have an adapter in a couple difference places for quick access.
Headphones work for listening to music, watching videos, and filming videos (and doing voiceovers), but I have still not found any non-Bluetooth headphones or earbuds that work with phone calls on iPhones! I don’t like using Bluetooth for headphones or ear pieces, as oddly enough it makes me dizzy. But, as far as I know there aren’t any non-Bluetooth wired headphones/earbuds that work on phone calls with iPhone. Maybe someday!  
I use these headphones for listening to music and for recording sound on videos. I am pleased with them. I just plug them into the previously mentioned headphone adapters and then plug the adapter into the iPhone. That’s it, extremely easy!
Here I’ve got the headphone adapter connected to my headphones, ready to plug into my iPhone. Just plug in and it’s ready to use.
This is the charging cord I’ve been using lately for my iPhone. It comes in a set of two, which is handy to have an extra. It reminds me of the old spiral phone cords, except it doesn’t tangle like those did!
 
This is another adapter for iPhone (and iPad) that connects them to a TV via HDMI cord. It also has a lightning port, so that you can charge your device at the same time. I’ve connected both my iPhone and iPad to my TV with this and an HDMI cord to watch YouTube. Sometimes it takes a few moments to connect and other times right away, but for the price, it’s been a great deal.
An adapter to connect iPhone and iPad to TV via an HDMI cord, and has a port for charging the phone as well. That way you can still charge the phone while the adapter is plugged in.
 
The HDMI cord I’ve been using. A great price and it’s lasting well. I use it to connect my laptop to the TV sometimes too.
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*I belong to the Amazon Associates program and other affiliate programs, which means I may get a small commission on purchases through the links featured below. FYI, I already used these products before belonging to any affiliate programs.
Over the years, I’ve tried various skincare products and routines, trying to find something that would work for my skin and yet be affordable too. One day after being so frustrated that my skin was getting worse and I was having to add more products trying to correct the increasing problems, I decided to get rid of all the superfluous products and routines and go as simple as possible. I had been buying organic products, but found even organic and natural products had ingredients that were either unnecessary or actually not good for the skin. I had ongoing acne, clogged pores, and skin that would peel and be prone to redness. In addition to this affecting my appearance, it also affected the way I felt physically. I think it makes sense when one’s skin is inflamed and struggling, it can make you not feel good overall. The skin is, after all, an organ.
So, I finally decided: forget all these products and complicated routines. And, although, I never bought overly expensive products, it was adding up to more than I wanted to spend on skincare and makeup. Below you will find the products I discovered in my search for the most natural, basic, and affordable ideas. Everyone’s skin is so different, so these may not work for you. Also, be aware that just because a product is plant-based it can still cause reactions, allergic or otherwise. Test products first and try them at your own risk. I just hope there is something helpful here for you, if only knowing you’re not alone in the struggle for healthy skin. The companies I feature in this blog are ones I found randomly in hours of research and I currently use their products. Most, if not all, are very small businesses. I hope all the hours, and trial and error effort I put in, can save you some time and trouble. Washing Up and Moisturizing
First, let’s start with washing the skin. I tried soapnut powder which worked okay. Definitely worth trying. Also, white kaolin clay is very gentle for cleansing the skin. Pink kaolin clay stained my bathtub and skin. Amla powder stained my skin when using it as a paste to wash up with, even though I read online that it doesn’t stain skin. I use it in my homemade shampoo and it doesn’t stain my skin in that mix when it runs down from my hair, but using it straight on my skin did stain. It was minor and washed off after several soap washes, but that’s not something I want to deal with. So, I am currently using this goat milk soap. It is completely unscented; it only has the wholesome smells of the oils and oatmeal in it.
Saponified Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic Coconut Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Organic Avocado Oil, Organic Castor Oil, Distilled Water, Organic Goat Milk, Organic Gluten Free Oatmeal
This is a pure olive oil Castile soap that I rotate with. It only has two ingredients: olive oil and distilled water. It’s gentle and nourishing. It’s very soft, so it’s important to keep it on a soap dish with good drainage.
Also on Etsy, I buy this pure olive oil Castile soap. It is coconut oil free and fragrance free. Sometimes it’s out of stock, but all the soaps in this shop are great. You can click here to their Etsy store.
White kaolin clay can be used as a gentle skin cleanser or mixed with soapnut powder. Both have a pH that is friendly to our skin’s natural pH. These are the brands I use. I just mix the powders together and add enough water to make a paste. I add an essential oil sometimes.
I add marshmallow root powder sometimes too. It is very gentle on the skin. I also use it as a hair conditioner.
Here I’ve mixed some various powders and some aloe vera in a bamboo bowl. I just added water to make a paste.
I rotate between the goat milk soap and the homemade powder mix. I use the same for both face and body wash. So that’s step one of the two step skincare routine: just wash up face and body with a simple soap or homemade wash.
Step two is moisturize. And again, I use the same product for face and body. Simple!
This cream is available in three versions: the original version plus vegan and coconut oil free.
The cream comes in a 2 ounce jar. It’s in glass or you can request cardboard, which is my favorite. Either way, it’s plastic free!
You can visit their Etsy shop here to browse or purchase their products.
So that’s it for my skincare routine. No serums or extra products. No special eye cream. Just the one cream for everything. I even use it on my eyelashes for an eyelash pomade instead of mascara.
When I have time I like to do gua sha massage. I’ve found it really does make a difference. I received good instructions with pictures from this book.
Here are some essential oils that I sometimes add to the homemade face and body wash:
I have also started purchasing from a company that sells pure essential oils and carrier oils at a great price and variety of sizes. You can visit their shop here.
Minimalist and Healthy Makeup
For makeup: I have a very simple, minimalist routine now. It continues to evolve, but I currently use a clay-based face powder from the same company I buy the face cream from. It also comes in sample sizes so you can test the colors to find a match (the cream is also available in sample sizes). Additionally, the company makes beautiful blush and eyeshadow colors all made from clay and plants. As another plus, it is also a plastic-free company. The owner is amazing and has created many wonderful items. Link to her Etsy shop here.
This powder is called Gaia’s Kiss. It has a beautiful finish for the skin and a little bit of sparkle. I use it for special occasions, as it’s a more expensive product made from roses, pearls, silk, and a few other ingredients. It lasts a long time; a little goes a long way. You can click here or on the photo to see it on Etsy. The seller has other wonderful items in her shop as well.
Here is the link to my blog post about my homemade shampoo; conditioner and hair care:
www.starlightsarah.com/blog/easy-homemade-soapnut-shampoo |
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