The Checkout: How do you get rid of mosquitoes?

Plus, a cute maxi skirt and a genius $20 hostess gift.

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May 29, 2026 1:06pm EDT

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Friday, May 29, 2026 • 3 min read

A weekly shopping guide

by Julia Webb

The sun is out, which means it's time to fire up the grill, open up the pool and scoop some ice cream. In short, life is good. Now let's shop!

When you buy from links in The Checkout, Yahoo may receive compensation. Pricing and availability are subject to change.

Reader faves

Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: HEYDUDE via Amazon, Minetom via Amazon, Thermacell via Amazon

Our smart readers have been shopping up a storm lately. Here are three items they can't stop buying from Amazon:

Mosquito repeller: Days spent in the backyard and on the patio are finally here — don't let pesky mosquitoes ruin the fun. This rechargeable repeller boasts nine hours of battery life and is pet-friendly too.
A crisp white tee: Ditch your dingy white T-shirts with pit stains and upgrade your rotation with this classic V-neck. While this $15 style comes in over 20 colors, everyone's closet could use a reliable white tee.
Comfy slip-ons: These slip-on loafers from Hey Dude have a ton of fans, and it's easy to see why. They're lightweight, have a memory foam sole and come in a ton of colors. If you're bored with your casual flip-flops, swap them for these comfy shoes.

Under $25 finds I'm buying

Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: Verdusa via Amazon, Bambüsi via Amazon, eos via Amazon

Who doesn't love a little treat? These are the affordable items I'm gifting to myself this week:

Non-greasy body lotion: Now that the weather's warm enough for shorts and tank tops, I'm hydrating my arms and legs with EOS Shea Better Body Lotion. It's just $10 and smells like vanilla, plus more than 80,000 bottles have been snapped up in the last month, making it a no-brainer buy.
A perfect hostess gift: My calendar is packed with get-togethers over the next few weeks, so I plan on giving all my party hosts this $20 charcuterie board gift set. It comes with a bamboo cheese board and round serving tray, plus side bowls, cheese knives and serving forks.
A flowy maxi skirt: After I realized that every cool girl in NYC was wearing a white maxi skirt, I added this $20 style to my closet. I really love the breezy tiers and the drawstring waist. I plan on styling it with colorful tees and tank tops.

Stylish discounts I'm shopping

Photo illustration: Yahoo News; photos: via Coach, via DSW, via J.Crew

While Memorial Day has come and gone, there are still plenty of deals to shop this week. Here are the top three fashion deals I'm scooping up ahead of the weekend:

J.Crew swimsuit: Right now, there are a ton of hidden gems in J.Crew's sale section and I'm most excited about this classic black and white one-piece. It has removable straps, so you can avoid awkward tan lines, and it has light compression to keep everything looking smooth.
Coach purse: I've been on the hunt for an everyday shoulder bag to replace my old one that has seen better days. Coach's popular Emily style is over 40% off and is just the size I've been looking for. Plus, it has an adjustable strap so I can wear it multiple ways.
Steve Madden slides: Steve Madden has been having a moment lately, so I'm pumped to bring home the brand's Hadyn Sandals. These leather cuties are $70, but they look like an iconic designer pair that's hundreds of bucks more.

What I'm reading

Before you go…

I'm pretty tall, so I always have trouble finding summer shorts that aren't too, well, short. Last weekend, I came across Quince's Cotton Patch Pocket Shorts and immediately snagged a pair. I instantly loved the front patch pockets with decorative stitching and the fact that they didn't look too tight. They're in stock in black, blue and olive green, and the best part is that they're super wallet-friendly at $35.

The Checkout team

The Checkout is written by Julia Webb. Today's issue was edited by Saundra Latham.