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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:
evilharpy · 22/01/2020 22:41

Turkish towels. Amazing things. Far more absorbent than regular towels, hang them up and they dry in no time at all, fold up tiny so brilliant for the beach or swimming lessons, good to use as a picnic blanket, blanket for the bed in summer when a duvet is too warm, makeshift blind in summer to block the light a bit but let the air in unlike curtains, emergency sarong type thing. They have so many uses. Last for years and the more they get washed, the softer and nicer they get.

Iphone chargers in kitchen, bedroom, one in each car, one at work, plus a battery pack in my bag.

Many pairs of sunglasses, again in both cars, at work and around the house so I can always find a pair (may not be necessary for everyone but I can't see without the bloody things).

Klean Kanteens in various sizes, insulated and regular, I love them.

My mum lives in Ireland and I keep a set of all my toiletries there so I can jump on a plane and bring hand luggage only and not have to bother about liquids/baggage allowance.

Also a spare Aeropress at my mum's so I can have proper coffee without having to waste time and money in coffee shops every morning.

This massive serving spoon which is the best serving spoon ever. No idea why I love it so much but I just really really do. It's nicer to use than anything else I've ever used to heap food into a pasta bowl.

A trolley token keyring so I always have one to hand (unlike pound coins).

Lots and lots of plastic bag clips for re-sealing everything from a loaf of bread to a bag of frozen peas. We have millions of them.

SpecLosers · 22/01/2020 22:47

The iron on hem thinggys. Fab, no sewing needles required and they survive many a wash too. I'm all in favour of an easy life.

And having an OH who is a cleaner is brilliant too. We have a pact, he does the cleaning and changing of beds, and bathroom stuff. I do all the other things that women do. Guess?

SandAndSea · 23/01/2020 01:24

A car battery charger.

TheClitterati · 23/01/2020 12:27

I love my Turkish towls too evilharpy - I use them every day at the gym, when we go swimming or on holiday - so light and pack up small.
I agree they are very versitile - I don't use them at home so much as we have other towels but will get more if I ever need new towels for home.

TeaAndStrumpets · 23/01/2020 13:29

Yes to Turkish towels and bag clips...in fact I bought some spares of just the really large ones, so I never run out.

One thing I realised in the car today, I always keep a spare spectacle cloth in the glovebox. No more risking scratches by using a tissue to wipe them.

abitoflight · 23/01/2020 14:41

Xiao I've had bag blips before but were quite brittle and didn't grip well, not ikea though. I'll have a look

burntpinky · 23/01/2020 17:04

Quite boring but if you make your own sarnies for lunch and use cheese, grate a bunch of cheese into a Tupperware at weekend to save time in the weekday mornings

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/01/2020 17:28

Guys, GUYS. Too practical! Grin

NICE things to improve my life - things I'll actually enjoy buying and using.

Re iPhone chargers though - do people only buy the Apple ones, or cheaper ones, and if cheaper, can anybody recommend some?

OP posts:
mammmamia · 23/01/2020 19:27

Two huge fleecy blankets and a massive sofa which folds out into a sofa bed. All four of us can stretch out on it and watch a film together.
Is that the kind of thing you mean @RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie? Grin

Shannith · 23/01/2020 19:50

Definitely multiple pairs of nice socks - all the same colour.

Wow I'm boring.

Fluffycloudland77 · 23/01/2020 19:53

An electric heated throw. Best Xmas present ever.

7Days · 23/01/2020 19:56

Where is a good place to get Turkish towels?

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/01/2020 20:00

Liking the huge sofa and cuddly blankets idea!

OP posts:
PepeLePew · 23/01/2020 20:49

Then I would add Aesop resurrection handcream which smells incredible, and a lovely pen (I like Cross Edge rollerballs very much). Also pretty notecards with my address on from Papier and an electric oil diffuser. Good quality bamboo yoga gear is flattering and very comfortable.

PepeLePew · 23/01/2020 20:52

Also, although possibly not small according to your definition but if you're contemplating sofas it is certainly cheaper than that, would be a Sonos speaker or three. Absolute game changer around the house.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 23/01/2020 20:57

I'm not contemplating sofas!

Aesop stuff sounds good.

OP posts:
TreeLinedMotorway · 23/01/2020 21:38

@MarieFromStTropez I bring those pop up laundry baskets on holiday too - they’re great.

PuttingouttheFirewithGasoline · 23/01/2020 21:46

Skubb drawer dividers have been an incredible leap forward in my dc room.

Stunning. Even dh can use them. It's been a amazing. So cheap about 5 pounds from ikea?

PuttingouttheFirewithGasoline · 23/01/2020 21:48

Shannith dh is size 11.5 I a size 4.

We wear the same black value socks from the asda, about 4 quid for 6 pairs..

mammmamia · 23/01/2020 21:57

Like the idea of a nice pen just for me but the DC would nick it. I would like to get some note cards.

I do the pop up laundry basket thing on holiday too! It’s great - I hate putting dirty laundry in a bag or suitcase for some reason. I read that tip on here years ago!

BlackeyedSusan · 23/01/2020 22:08

I keep a trolley pound and token in my back pocket, never spend the pound so it is always there.

Have a hospital grab bag in car. Teddy, pants, toothbrushes, puzzle books, drinks, biscuits, headphones, hand cream, handgel, deodorant etc.

Keep a weekend bag under the stairs. Has underwear

PuttingouttheFirewithGasoline · 23/01/2020 22:18

Great thread.

Also Googling travel cubes, do ikea do them?
Will they squash into any suitcase?

Turkish towels.

jeremypaxo · 23/01/2020 22:18

I bought a wireless phone charger to go beside my bed and it's wonderful. No fiddling around with cables at ankle height. I just put my phone down on the pad and it charges.

WellTidy · 23/01/2020 22:26

Mini hand cream next to every sink in the house and in the car

Picnic rug for the boot of the car

Contigo travel mugs are the bees knees. We had one, and then DH and I have each other another one each for Christmas (neither of us knew what the other was doing)

Pack away bag for my handbag and the inside door of the car

Little bowl of aquaphor (for lips), hand cream and foot cream by the side of the bed

Six foot tall freezer

WellTidy · 23/01/2020 22:29

Triple laundry sorter has changed my life. One bag for whites, one for light colours, one for darks (delicates and reds go elsewhere). Only wash a bag when it is full. The bags lift off so I can carry them to the machine.

Three ironing baskets, that stack when empty. I have one for our ironing, one for children’s ironing and one with clothes that don’t need ironing that are ready to be taken upstairs.