Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Sign up for free
Discover
Login
Karen Akins
Writer, creator, designer, reader, and mom. Always looking for tips and tools to make life easier and more sustainable for me and my neurodivergent kiddos. I have an eclectic list of things I'm interested in: travel, books, movies & TV shows, c...
Karen Akins' Lists
Pets
Share
Delete
Bookish Things
Share
Delete
Travel
Share
Delete
Hobbies
Share
Delete
Holidays
Share
Delete
Health & Home
Share
Delete
The Marvelous Mind
Share
Delete
Pets
4
Keeping Cool in the Dog-gone Days of Summer
25 items
I don't know about where you are, but it's getting hot out there in my neck of the woods. My dogs and I love to be outside, but it takes some planning and gear to do so safely. (Note: List contains cashback and affiliate links)
22
Happy Paw-lidays!
74 items
I love my dogs, Gracie and Blue, and I love the holidays! (I'm also a devoted cat aunt.) Get ready for the most pun-tastic list of all my favorite pet-centric holiday stuff. So whether you're feline festive or can-ine get enough of the holidays (sorry…that one was a stretch), let's dive in to this pawsitively meow-vilous list. [Note: this list contains affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase through the link, I'll receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.]
24
4
Bougie Mutt Must-Haves
60 items
We adopted our dog Gracie from the shelter, but you would have thought she came straight from the spa, the way she loves to be spoiled. Her pedigree was listed as “hound mix” but we like to call her a beagador to make her feel bougie. Our little pocket beagle Blue was rescued from a puppy mill where she was used as a breeder. She's just beginning to learn what it means to live in the lap of luxury. (Note: this list contains cashback/affiliate links.)
23
Cat Ladies Unite!
64 items
Okay, maybe it's a cliche title, but I'm surrounded by self-proclaimed crazy cat ladies (namely my sister and my mother-in-law). I love cats, too, but my immediate family is allergic to them, so I'm a happy cat auntie instead who loves to spoil my kitty nephews and niece. (Note: this list contains cashback and affiliate links.)
17
2
Bookish Things
3
Writer Resources
48 items
Whenever people find out that I'm an author who's had books published both by traditional publishing houses and indie routes, they usually have questions. Lots of them. So I decided to make a list of helpful resources that I've used along the way. Enjoy! (This list includes affiliate links to items that I love. If you purchase something from my link, I receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.)
28
2
Favorite Picture Books - Old & New Classics
36 items
I'm a huge fan of picture books, both to read and as an art form. Included in this list are classics that I remember from my own childhood and ones that I read to my children over the years. (This list contains affiliate links for my favorite books that you'll find on my bookshelf. If you purchase through one of my links, I'll receive a small commission at no additional cost to you.)
22
Best Books for People Who Love History
80 items
I've often said that if I could go back and re-do college, I'd be a history major. I love learning about people and events from the past and how they connect to our experience today (and what they can teach us to avoid in the future). “Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” George Santayana, American philosopher (1863-1952) Note Some of the links in this list are affiliate links. If you purchase something after clicking them, I earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only recommend things that I genuinely love.
27
Travel
3
Things to Do in Northwest Arkansas
85 items
The northwest corner of Arkansas is a beautiful, thriving section of the state. Growing rapidly in population and with more and more visitors coming to check it out every year, it's a neat place to explore if you love the outdoors, art, biking, or just relaxing. Whether you're headed to Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale, Fayetteville, or a little town in between, this list has something for you and your family.
29
My Favorite Beaches (And A Few I Haven't Made It To Yet)
99 items
I'm a beach girl. I love to collect sand from beaches around the world. There's something about the ocean that heals my soul and keeps calling me back even though I'm totally landlocked 99% of the time. Here are some of my favorite beaches (and islands) & a few I haven't visited yet but are definitely on my travel list…. (Note: Some of the links in this list are affiliate links, which means that if you click through and purchase something, I would receive a commission at no additional cost to you. I only post links to things that I actually love and recommend.)
50
8
My Travel Bucket List
59 items
I'm coming for you, world. It's a big, big planet, and I want to explore and experience every square inch of it that I can. (Note: This list contains cash back and affiliate links)
16
Hobbies
3
Stitch Your Heart Out
84 items
Cross-stitching is one of my favorite hobbies. Counted cross stitch is a fun and easy craft to learn, and finished cross-stitch pieces make thoughtful gifts to friends and family. Cross stitching is kind of embroidery's simpler needlepoint cousin (although both crafts have their fans). I love that I can pick up my hoop and needle and make progress on a piece with even the smallest amount of down time. (Note: Some of the links in this list are affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through my link, I'll receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. I only recommend things that I actually love.)
8
Puzzle Me This
36 items
I love jigsaw puzzles! Puzzling is such a relaxing and fun past-time. There are so many fun, cute puzzles on the market now, whether you like an easy one to just chill out or a huge, hard one to challenge your mind. Here are a few of my favorites! (Note: This list contains cash back and affiliate links.)
2
Snarky Cross Stitch
42 items
Cross-stitching is usually associated with traditional handiwork and cozy sentiments, but there's a growing movement within the stitching community towards subversive designs and messages. It's a fun juxtaposition, and it's one of my favorite and most relaxing hobbies. I love that my finished pieces make great gifts, and almost anyone is happy to receive a funny, handmade gift of a cross stitch design. Note: this list contains cash back and affiliate links.
7
Holidays
3
Merry and Bright
35 items
I love Christmas and the holiday season! The lights and warm wishes, the focus on giving and sharing, time spent with family as you celebrate. Joy to the world! (This list contains affiliate links to items that I love and enjoy. If you purchase something through one of these links, I'll receive a small commission at no expense to you.)
5
Things Are About To Get Reeeeeeal Cozy
67 items
I love fall. The cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice, falling leaves, mugs of warm cocoa or spiced tea, and snuggly blankets. Here's a collection of some of my favorite items to maximize the autumn coziness hygge factor. [This list contains affiliate links for items that I love and enjoy. If you purchase one of these items, I'll receive a commision at no extra expense to you.]
5
Building a Comfy, Cozy Winter Wardrobe
26 items
I'm in no way a fashionista. I have three priorities when dressing myself in the fall and winter: Keep it comfy. Keep it warm. (I have Reynaud's). Keep it simple. Enter the following pieces. While not quite a capsule wardrobe, I do like to build my closet around a few key pieces that fit the above priorities. [Note: This list contains affiliate links. If your purchase through one of my links, I'll receive a small commission at no extra expense to you…and in some cases, a discount for you.]
30
Health & Home
3
Moving Toward a Lower Waste Lifestyle
23 items
I have so much respect for people who have managed to reduce their waste down to a mason jar of trash each year. Alas, that is not me. But I've embraced “Progress, Not Perfection.” Every little bit helps when it comes to reducing waste and single-use items.
10
Cleaning Products & Hacks for People Who Have ADHD or Just Hate To Clean
20 items
Looking for hacks, tips, tricks, and tools to help make cleaning a whole lot easier and more pleasurable? I’ve got you covered.
6
Moving to Bentonville/Rogers, Arkansas Area?
62 items
The Bentonville and Rogers, Arkansas area has a lot of transplants from around the world, being the headquarters for Walmart as well as large field offices for quite a few vendors and other businesses. It's daunting to move to a new place. I've got you covered with recommendations.
12
The Marvelous Mind
3
Stocking Your Neurodivergent Tool Chest
61 items
The neurodiversity runs deep in my immediate and extended family. From ADHD to autism and sensory processing disorder, I've learned to navigate the sometimes wild world of living with my own and parenting other brains that experience the world differently from neurotypical folks. Neurodivergency can come with some amazing positives--creativity and the ability to focus super deeply on interests and passions to name a couple things. But being neurodiverse can also have a set of challenges. Here are some of my favorite tools that I've discovered and used along the way to help me on my journey. (Note: this list contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase an item from my link, I'll receive a small commission at no extra expense to you.)
12
My Favorite Fidgets
23 items
If you're neurodiverse (or have a neurodivergent kiddo), you know the power of the fidget toy. In somewhat of a paradox, having something to mindlessly or meditatively fidget with can help calm and focus someone who's autistic or has ADHD. Here are a few of my favs. (Note: This list contains cash back and affiliate links.)
8
Make The Classroom More Neurodivergent and Sensory Friendly
27 items
Whether you're a teacher setting up a class space or a parent advocating for your child, being mindful about the classroom sensory experience can help everyone learn more effectively and create a positive learning environment for all, including those with sensory processing issues or who are neurodivergent. (Note: This list contains affiliate and cash back links.)
6