What started it all

This was the item that started it all. My laptop case broke and I logged on to my 'Zon account to buy a new one. I'd already broken my premium brand one (Kate Spade) so I wasn't looking forward to shelling $80 bucks again.

This baby popped up. It was cheap and the unstylish nonpretentiousness of its design was strangely appealing. I liked the little black-and-orange tag. It said branded but also basic. It said I won't break and if I do you can write a nasty e-mail to Jeff Bezos about it. It said I'll do what I'm supposed to with no fuss.

So I bought it, and that's how my Amazon Basics adventure began. (BTW, if you want something more sophisticated, the 'Zon also has this cute gray felt one.)

That was a year ago. When I bought they case there were very few Amazon Basics products. Now there are a ton, plus other brands and lines.

That made me curious. I liked my laptop case, but did they mean I would like the underwear? The computer cables? The dog poop bags?

This strategy seems to be taking over the world. What is that going to feel like?

I decided to find out. Welcome to the Amazon Lifestyle experience.