What purchases make your life a bit better recently?

why is everyone so obsessed with cooking rice ? not a knock, more of an observation. We have rice at home once a month maybe .

There is nothing boring about HRT! I went back on it recently after an 18 month break (had been on it almost 10 years when I stopped). I got to the point where I didn't care what the increased risks of breast cancer were; I was happy to accept them not to have such awful disturbed sleep.

Dishwasher. Finally got one a few years ago and this year I got my mum one as part of her b day present (I’ve also got her fun stuff too, but she’s wanted one for a while). She’s absolutely buzzing after 50 odd years of hand washing.

Smaller things -
Pret 99p filter coffees. I wouldn’t get a full priced coffee out it seems a bit frivolous but 99p I can absolutely do.
Portable Salt and Pepper grinders (they’re small and hand bag sized).
Also got a proper good lunchbox for myself that keeps my scran nice and cold. Also got one for DH.

What's the name of the powder?
I'm a bit of a beauty fanatic! Is it the easy bake? Just because you mentioned it's new? Thanks.

Cats shouldn't be left out at night! This is why neighbours get upset, the killing of early birds, pooing in gardens, caterwauling.

Be a responsible owner.

I keep reading that the cool kids are wearing wired headphones now, I'm afraid.

www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20260310-wired-headphones-are-better-than-bluetooth

I have this, it's my baby and I would genuinely be lost without it.

I do this, it never fails but I don't rinse, I always buy long grain easycook.

I wish MN had a link option that would click in when a product is named ... something to work on MN HQ ..

Do you have a link for this one?

dewy setting spray for my make up - looking like I have glass skin all year around

Thank you MN for another great thread!

Audible subscription - I didn't think I'd use it much after the first book I was interested in listening to but I use it every day. I don't always have time to sit and read so having audio books on while I'm working or in the car is brilliant.

Snag Chub Rub shorts. My mum calls them "passion killers" but they're a game changer. I don't feel uncomfortable on super hot days anymore!

Keep Cup - I got this as a birthday present to myself and I love how it feels in my hands. I take it to work and on days out and it helps cut down on waste from takeaway cups but it just makes me happy.

I've always cooked perfect rice by just adding loads of boiling water, boiling it for the correct time, then rinsing it in a sieve with a whole kettle of boiling water. Then pop the sieve into the pan and put the lid on, so that the rice steams dry for three minutes or so.

I learned this method from my friend (sorry if you've heard it already)
First rinse the rice three times, I just swill in the pan, drain, repeat
Then add to pan 2 cups water to 1 cup rice
Bring to a boil then reduce low and put lid on
The rice steams instead of boils then (put need to keep en eye to make sure it doesn't burn off)

A Shark robot vaccum for downstairs and a Shark normal vaccum for upstairs which has a dock that it empties into meaning you only need to empty it every 3 months!

I'm pregnant and they have saved me a lot of work recently when I'm low on energy! I can chill on the sofa while the downstairs gets hoovered 😀

Thistle-proof gardening gloves. They make me so happy 😁

Snap to all these! (Similarly disabled). I also recommend a Judge potato tumbler (peeler) for white and sweet potatoes. I call it the 'Spudinator'.

Shark SteamPickUp Hard Floor Cleaner SD200UK

shop around though. I got mine with £30 off in vouchers from TikTok official shark shop. I got it as a replacement for my shark kick and flip steam mop as I’d lost the parts in a move and thought I’d get something different - it’s so much better and easier to use. I’m a big fan of shark products and have the self emptying cordless vacuum for my daily whizz around and the bigger corded lift away for a deep clean.

Same - absolutely life changing.

Could you tell me which shark steamer you have? Or is it just literally called the ‘Shark Steam Pickup’? I want one but I keep reading mixed reviews!

yes PF is agony. I had a job where I was constantly on my feet and needed a walking stick until I tried crocs. For those reading, must be real croslite crocs in the fugly clog style. I tried the lined ones but found that my toes wore the lining off really quickly. Great offers on ebay at the moment, no I am not selling them but have just stocked up on my favourite style and colour.

Lakeland carpet spot cleaner. We have trails of something wet on the landing and in the dining room. Cleaned them up with minimal effort and no scrubbing. It also made cleaning up after my daughter vomited so much easier. There are 4 different modes depending what you are doing. Hygienic works well on vomit.

Oh and an enormous stainless steel steamer, big enough to cope with Sunday dinner for 8. Bargain at £24 from Asda and it replaces using 4 hob burners, so it's eco too.

Mine too! I still wear them permanently round the house as slippers and have a pair of the fluffy lined ones for winter too. I'll never be without them, my PF was absolute hell.

Yes, but it wouldn’t be as powerful as a mains pressure washer, and would only last until the battery needs recharging. However, it’s much quicker to set up and powerful enough for my needs. I did blast away some birdy poo from my patio, which worked well. There are 2 versions on the Ryobi website - I bought the more powerful one - and you can attach it to a hose, or just a bucket of water for smaller jobs.

Cheap as chips, Karrimor lightweight Orthofit trainers £18 in Sports direct are the most comfortable things I've ever put on my feet.
Bought them just for using at my employers allotment but I'm wearing them all the time and they have cured plantar fascitis.

Imperial leather shower foam (£2.50) creamier and smells nicer than my rituals stuff.

I've recently come to the realisation that I probably have plantar fascitis and find crocs a must as well, especially first thing in the morning.
I bought crocs slippers the other day and so far so good.