Meet the Other Phone. Flexible and made to last.

Meet the Other Phone.
Flexible and made to last.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

I'm thinking about things that might improve my life

382 replies

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 19/01/2020 08:55

I'm wondering about small purchases that might improve my life. So far I'm thinking:
A couple more phone chargers - one to keep downstairs and one for work

A small, non-pod coffee machine for the bedroom. Any recs?

A plain black cashmere scarf, so I don't need to have to match to cost and/or outfit!

What small things improve your life and might improve mine too?!

OP posts:
powkin · 26/01/2020 08:19

I absolutely love my insulated Klean Kanteen mug. Doesn’t leak AT ALL at any angle so can be chucked in your bag, had a twisty lid for drinking from it and keeps things hot for hours and hours. And comes in loads of colours. Really recommend them! Their big insulated bottles are great in summer as they can keep drinks really cold (or really hot!)

WellTidy · 26/01/2020 08:39

I echo the loungewear. I didn’t get it either until I bought a set. If I know I’m not going out, I wear it all day. So comfortable and comforting and I feel less of a slob than changing into PJs at 5:30.

And s does a pair of ballerina slippers for £5 (not the ones with animals faces on) which are ever so comfortable too. I’ve bought in bulk.

Putting hand creams everywhere encourages me to use them and my hands are in much better condition now, and that makes me feel better. Tk maxx sells a six pack of Crabtree and Evelyn ones for £15 and they’re really nice.

Stackers jewellery boxes also mean that I can see all my jewellery and then I wear what I have more. And they look great.

If you like nesti Dante soaps but think they’re too big, Cole and Co are very similar but smaller. I buy from TK Maxx or Fragrance direct (four for about a tenner).

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/01/2020 09:01

Thanks. Will look up Klean Kanteen.

Loungewear fits into this thread very well. I've got a couple of pairs of Hush joggers but haven't yet found a perfect cosy top or two, to wear with them. I want a lovely, soft hoodie.

OP posts:
Dennisreynoldsduster · 26/01/2020 09:27

Next and John Lewis have some “super soft” hoodies for loungewear op, I may stroke myself when I’m wearing them

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/01/2020 09:43

Thanks. Will have a look. I'm hoping for at least 50% cotton.

OP posts:
VaggieMight · 26/01/2020 09:47

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn by MNHQ at poster's request.

PepeLePew · 26/01/2020 09:58

Remus, if it’s soft loungewear you’re after, do consider bamboo. Much better than cotton in all ways and not crazy expensive. I have bought lovely things from here - bambooclothing.co.uk/ - and the hoodies and long sleeved tops don’t feel workout-like, just super comfortable and comforting.

evilharpy · 26/01/2020 12:37

Klean Kanteens are fantastic. I have a couple of insulated ones which are brilliant for both hot drinks for bringing on a country walk on a cold day, and keeping your water icy cold when it’s hot. And a couple of normal ones which I love for the gym. Oh and a beaker thing with a straw which I love for sitting in front of my computer all day. They are all different lovely colours.

Goawayquickly · 26/01/2020 12:47

Glad to read about the Klean Kanteen, exactly what I need plus a couple of soft hoodies for lounging.

One thing that was a great buy was a velvet necklace hanger from Wilko, it lives in the wardrobe (all my clothes hangers are velvet too) and my necklaces are untangled and easy to choose from.

everythingisginandroses · 26/01/2020 13:17

Here is the bath caddy I am tempted by:

www.aplaceforeverything.co.uk/category/shower-caddy-bath-caddy/product/bath-caddy-wooden/ean/ean-0028295188661

I have a library shortlist which I add to regularly, and every so often I will go in and reserve a load of books off there. I've read half-a-dozen novels this year so far, and I'm on to a history of ballet, it's fantastic. At New Year I also took out a subscription to a magazine I really like but felt I couldn't justify before, and I'm toying with taking out another one. Yesterday I made the effort to go to London for the day to attend an exhibition I really wanted to see - it was brilliant, must tod it more often Smile

FabiosMullet · 26/01/2020 13:54

Oh I am the queen of this. Basically spent 2019 building as much storage and usability into my tiny house as possible.

I have:

3 x reusable coffee cups in different sizes. One for my car, one for work, and the other for my handbag. Obviously, they get moved around with use.

2 x Chillys bottles. One on my work desk, one in my handbag/car.

A bottle of nice sugar free cordial/squash at my desk in work. I drink so much more water when I add a flavour.

Spare charger for my work laptop so that I didn’t have to crawl under my work desk to plug that charger out every time I needed to bring the laptop home. Also bought a wireless USB keyboard and mouse for at home so o have everything set up and just need to add the laptop!
Generally keep chargers everywhere.

The pound shop near work sells 3 cards for £1. I bulk buy so always have loads of birthday and thank you cards, plus a few new house, new baby, wedding etc. to hand.

I keep a booklet of stamps in my wallet (this was the moment I realised I was a grown-up) and another in my gift drawer.

I have a gift drawer. It has changed my life. In it I keep the cards and stamps mentioned above, but also any lovely gift items I can use during the year. For example, I got loads through various Jo Malone promotions throughout the years so I keep them as gifts for friends and family. I also add any gift bags I receive so they can be reused.

I have pretty much everything set-up with Alexa. All lights are on sequences throughout the day. Especially useful at Christmas to avoid having to crouch beneath the tree to reach the switch!

Robot vacuum with mop.
Cordless Dyson vacuum.

Automatic pet feeders. They have three chambers so I’m only filling one bowl for each pet every morning and they get a third of it at set times throughout the day.

I usually don’t do online grocery shopping but, once a month or so, I’ll do an online shop for heavy/bulky things and get it all delivered. Toilet paper, pet food and litter, washing powder etc.

Magnetic torch stuck to the side of the fridge. I will always be able to navigate my way to the fridge, even without power.

A little LED light key ring on my keys. Great for helping to find the lock on a dark night, or for poking in a deep handbag.

Bag in the boot of the car with bottled water, cereal bars, hi-viz vests, mac in a sac, big fleece blanket, spare dog bowl, spare dog collar and lead, torch, first aid kit.
Also keep flashing triangle in the boot.

I’ve bought a few items that just made my life nicer-

Expensive leather gloves. I make sure I’m not careless with them so haven’t lost them.

A Bluetooth wooly hat. Great for listening to music on cold beach walks.

A lovely round tray with a high ridge around the outside, and a flocked non-slip base. Brilliant for sitting drinks on on the couch!

A long gas lighter like the ones for lighting gas ovens- I use it for candles so I never have to remember matches.

Other than that, I invested hugely last year in just getting as much storage built as possible. It just makes life so much easier when you have room for things and to bulk buy.

FabiosMullet · 26/01/2020 13:56

Oh, forgot one.

Bought a washing machine with a delay timer.

That way I can do a load of delicates by putting them in the machine in the morning but set it to start later in the day so they finish just as I’m home and not sitting wet in the machine all day.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/01/2020 15:25

Wow Fabius. You and this thread were made for each other!

OP posts:
RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 26/01/2020 15:26

Fabios, sorry

OP posts:
Azura2019 · 26/01/2020 23:43

Cashmere socks, gloves, scarfs and hats...I'm not worried about feeling cold
anymore.

humsnet · 27/01/2020 00:11

Uniqlo Heat Tech long sleeved T-shirts and leggings (which used to be called Long Johns back in the day).

A Uniqlo ultralight down gilet or even coat, kept in your handbag as an extra emergency layer.

Sheepskin gloves, which are so much warmer than even my cashmere lined leather ones.

An electric blanket.

(I feel the cold, could you tell?)

Not a small thing, but laser hair removal. I’ve saved so much time (and so many minor injuries) in the years since.

Seasonal plants in the flowerbeds and cut flowers in the house. Used to think it was a waste of money planting annuals, but the colour in the depths of winter is a delight.

Maintaining a ‘Brexit stash’ - prompted by lurking on a brilliant MN thread, I’ve never had more than a few days’ supply of anything in the house before, but now I keep pre-planned stocks of essentials and treats in the house so we never run out of essentials. The knowledge we could manage in a disaster, whether natural or political, is very reassuring too.

mathanxiety · 27/01/2020 03:20

A properly organised tupperware/plastic container space and something to corral the lids in. What I have right now is depressing.

Anyway, onward and upward -

Two more of the lemongrass and ginger 'Better Homes' candles I bought last week at Walmart. So nice, and unbelievably cheap.

Need to transfer my little bottle of Jo Malone Bluebell perfume to my handbag. I got a bigger size for Christmas which I will keep at home. I love a little spritz of perfume about 4 in the afternoon. Also, I need to transfer some of my favourite teas (another Christmas present) to my handbag so I can make a nice flavoured tea to go with my spritz of perfume at 4.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 27/01/2020 07:15

Loving the spritz of perfume at 4 o' clock!

I've somehow managed to lose the brand new tiny M&S perfume I bought last year. I hadn't even taken it out of the box. Must buy another couple.

OP posts:
beanaseireann · 27/01/2020 07:21

mathanxiety
Jo Malone has designed a new range of perfumes for Zara, including a Bluebell scent. It comes in different sizes including a €6 rollerball bottle, really handy for your handbag/ purse.

Cuppa2sugars · 27/01/2020 08:03

I moved from a large house to a small flat and my life was instantly made easier. Hardly any cleaning and everything to hand. A really comfy sofa and bed makes a lot of difference. I agree with plenty of coat hangers and more socks and pants than you need to ease washing issues. Chargers in every room too.

Cuppa2sugars · 27/01/2020 08:15

I would also say a well equipped dressing table that has everything to hand, jewellery, perfume, makeup, hair products, a large wall mirror above and hand mirror, everything in one place that you possibly need.

Fluffycloudland77 · 27/01/2020 08:38

I’m going to look at M&S perfumes, their own label products aren’t tested on animals.

I can only find Stella McCartney perfumes that are cruelty free.

Dennisreynoldsduster · 27/01/2020 10:15

Next do some lovely perfumes too.

Another thing I’ve done is got a nice range of perfumes now instead of just one day and one evening one.

Thought of a few more:
I got a swan brand handheld steamer - not exciting but a game changer.

White high thread count waffle bed linen hotel style for all the rooms, so soft and comfy and I sleep so well on it.

Cleared out all my make up, threw away all the ratty old stuff. Donated unused stuff. Invested in a few key quality items that I use every day with an additional quality palette for fancier going outlooks. It’s made getting ready so easy and I can always find everything.

Sanctuary wet skin moisturiser - now I’ve had a baby it means I can slap it on quick and still have smoothy smooth skin so I feel like I’m still doing a few things for me. It smells amazing too.

aufaitaccompli · 27/01/2020 11:47

I have a Morphy Richards percolator...timed to come on in the morning. Best electronic purchase I've ever made.

I also keep several pairs of scissors
Keep a tool box with light bulbs, fuses, tape measure, etc

I use baskets in my cupboard for spices

Kids have dry wipe boards in their rooms to help with homework/study planning.

Dull but so helpful

aufaitaccompli · 27/01/2020 11:52

I also keep a small make up in my bag for my work keys (laptop lock, desk drawers etc)
Keep sanpro in a drawer in the bathroom, drawer in my room and in a basket in the downstairs cloakroom.
Keep condiments and sauces in the salad drawers in the fridge, with the fresh stuff on shelves. Out of sight is out of mind with me, so invariably found myself throwing out veg etc