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Original poster

What one item makes your life a bit nicer?

668 replies

SheUltra · 09/08/2024 20:10

I have just read a thread about making life easier. It's always meal planning and household appliances.

Anyway it got me thinking whilst having a shower... I love my Bluetooth shower speaker. Being able to listen to my own music in the shower is great.

I don't need it. I can obviously live without it but I really love that little thing!

I also have dogs. I think it's a given that animals and children bring joy.

You have to recommend something to make life nicer.

What are you choosing? Smile

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
LaughingElderberry · 11/08/2024 19:55

CollieDug · 11/08/2024 19:24

I think we need a new thread “things you have just bought because you just read about it on the life a bit nicer thread”

but bit would be deleted as a TAAT

but I’ve bought the Shakti mat and a woodwick candle.

I am hoping that this turns out better for me than the last MN recommended purchase I made. A dress from Hush which everyone said was amazing. To be fair I was amazed that I paid £65 for something that made me look like an american footballer who was 16 months pregnant.

wizzler · 11/08/2024 20:07

@ThePoshUns the flask was from Tkmaxx and the brand is decor

EasilyDisturbed · 11/08/2024 20:10

I have put the kindle clicker in my shopping basket but I am determined not to buy a coffee machine <wobbles>

Sparrowball · 11/08/2024 20:27

What's the difference between a woodwick candle and one with a normal wick? Is there a particular brand that you'd recommend?

Thisismynewname23 · 11/08/2024 20:28

I love my Apple Watch it keeps me motivated, I love living in the country now feels like I’m where I was always meant to be, my cocker spaniel is the love of my life and I love my kindle, I’ve never tried audible I don’t know why hearing so many people on here rave about it, I’m going to try it this week while I’m doing jobs! Love the Volvo their safety record is amazing, there has never been a fatality in the xc90!

thaegumathteth · 11/08/2024 20:33

Sparrowball · 11/08/2024 20:27

What's the difference between a woodwick candle and one with a normal wick? Is there a particular brand that you'd recommend?

The Woodwick ones crackle like a fire

Sparrowball · 11/08/2024 20:34

thaegumathteth · 11/08/2024 20:33

The Woodwick ones crackle like a fire

Show quote history

Ooh, I'll have to get one now!

MistyWitch · 11/08/2024 21:07

Essence of Harris candles and diffusers. They smell beautiful and make me happy whenever I walk past and get a waft.

Rupert Blamire cup for my tea.

All my subscription services so I can watch whatever I want whenever I want.

Living rurally. Space, fresh air and nature literally on my doorstep. Less than a mile in one direction is the beach, less than a mile in the other direction is the hills.

Hot tub. An outdoor bath that doesn't get cold and it's very relaxing to sit out there of an evening. I'm only occasionally bothered by intrusive thoughts about demented serial killers stalking our garden and drowning me in it Blush

AngryBird6122 · 11/08/2024 22:47

@MistyWitch oh good lord now I can't get that image out of my head!

beetr00 · 11/08/2024 22:53

@Treesandsheepeverywhere obviously not in the same league as yours but this is lovely

https://www.matalan.co.uk/home-accessories/orchid-in-white-ceramic-pot-60cm/14372309.html

Jillybloop393 · 12/08/2024 00:40

My waterbed. I've had one about thirty five years, and hate sleeping in a 'normal' bed. It's set to temperature, can be warmer or cooler, and is so, so very comfortable.
Also, my Range Rover. I've had her about twelve years now, and don't like being in a little, low car - it doesn't feel right.
My dogs, obvs, and chocolate. These things, plus my partner of four and a half years bring me joy.

Thelnebriati · 12/08/2024 00:42

I've never tried a waterbed, does it move when you lie down on it?

shuggles · 12/08/2024 00:51

@Thisismynewname23 Love the Volvo their safety record is amazing, there has never been a fatality in the xc90!

Have you looked at what the data says about the numbers of people killed by massive ugly SUVs?

Thisismynewname23 · 12/08/2024 08:26

shuggles · 12/08/2024 00:51

@Thisismynewname23 Love the Volvo their safety record is amazing, there has never been a fatality in the xc90!

Have you looked at what the data says about the numbers of people killed by massive ugly SUVs?

They have so much collision avoidance technology now I would say much less, but their safety record is way, way above other cars across the board, safety is a huge factor

Toohardtofindaproperusername · 12/08/2024 08:26

Powderblue1 · 09/08/2024 22:14

Have you tried the Libby app? You sign in with a library subscription and you can listen to audio books for free

Show quote history

Do u mean just library books, or any books with the libby app? Haven't found a way to try out audio books yet ....

EasilyDisturbed · 12/08/2024 08:54

Not all libraries use Libby, ours doesn't but it does use Borrowbox. You often have to wait weeks for a specific book, the list of books is pretty limited and the functionality of the app isn't as good as Audible but it's free so I do use it.

Wishitwasstraightforward · 12/08/2024 10:30

EasilyDisturbed · 12/08/2024 08:54

Not all libraries use Libby, ours doesn't but it does use Borrowbox. You often have to wait weeks for a specific book, the list of books is pretty limited and the functionality of the app isn't as good as Audible but it's free so I do use it.

That explains why Libby is no good for me. There are hardly any books on it, plenty of magazines though.

I've read that the selection available via borrow box varies according to your region, and that you can somehow register with a different region. Not sure how though!

ThePoshUns · 12/08/2024 12:11

wizzler · 11/08/2024 20:07

@ThePoshUns the flask was from Tkmaxx and the brand is decor

Fab thank you

shuggles · 12/08/2024 13:08

Thisismynewname23 · 12/08/2024 08:26

They have so much collision avoidance technology now I would say much less, but their safety record is way, way above other cars across the board, safety is a huge factor

Show quote history

That's incorrect. The data shows that the number of road fatalities involving pedestrians is disproportionately higher for SUVs than conventional cars. SUVs have an extremely poor safety record compared to conventional cars.

The reason for the increased popularity of SUVs over the past 2 decades has nothing to do with safety; it's because in the USA they are not classified as cars, which means manufacturers prefer to build them because they are exempt from many regulations that only apply to cars.

There are a number of factors which make SUVs more dangerous:

  • Larger objects collide with more force (F = MA), which is more deadly for those inside and outside of the SUV.
  • SUVs obstruct the vision of other road users, which means other people cannot see hazards.
  • Vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists cannot be seen behind SUVs.
  • Visibility from inside SUVs is poor, which is why all SUVs have cameras.
  • SUVs spew out more pollution, which has caused the general health of the UK to decline in recent years.
  • The bonnet of conventional cars are designed so that, when a pedestrian is hit, the pedestrian will roll onto the bonnet. This design consideration does not exist with SUVs. When a pedestrian is hit by an SUV, they are pushed onto the ground.

Further reading/watching:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2019/08/15/restrict-twice-as-deadly-suvs-in-u-k-cities-urge-transport-data-scientists/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CriticismofSUVs

Restrict Twice-As-Deadly SUVs In U.K. Cities, Urge Transport Data Scientists

Use of SUVs in cities should be discouraged say safety advocates as new stats crunch show larger-engined cars are twice as deadly to U.K. pedestrians and cyclists as smaller-engined cars.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2019/08/15/restrict-twice-as-deadly-suvs-in-u-k-cities-urge-transport-data-scientists

Thisismynewname23 · 12/08/2024 13:32

shuggles · 12/08/2024 13:08

That's incorrect. The data shows that the number of road fatalities involving pedestrians is disproportionately higher for SUVs than conventional cars. SUVs have an extremely poor safety record compared to conventional cars.

The reason for the increased popularity of SUVs over the past 2 decades has nothing to do with safety; it's because in the USA they are not classified as cars, which means manufacturers prefer to build them because they are exempt from many regulations that only apply to cars.

There are a number of factors which make SUVs more dangerous:

  • Larger objects collide with more force (F = MA), which is more deadly for those inside and outside of the SUV.
  • SUVs obstruct the vision of other road users, which means other people cannot see hazards.
  • Vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists cannot be seen behind SUVs.
  • Visibility from inside SUVs is poor, which is why all SUVs have cameras.
  • SUVs spew out more pollution, which has caused the general health of the UK to decline in recent years.
  • The bonnet of conventional cars are designed so that, when a pedestrian is hit, the pedestrian will roll onto the bonnet. This design consideration does not exist with SUVs. When a pedestrian is hit by an SUV, they are pushed onto the ground.

Further reading/watching:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/carltonreid/2019/08/15/restrict-twice-as-deadly-suvs-in-u-k-cities-urge-transport-data-scientists/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CriticismofSUVs

Edited
Show quote history

The cars now have so much collision warning it’s far reduced on what it has been for drivers like myself a 4x4 is essential we live rurally we have animals to transport you have to have a larger vehicle to do it, but safety wise they are so much safer than they used to be, yes a larger car is likely
to cause more injury to a pedestrian than a small car but you can’t tow a horse box with a fiat 500 and the volvo is a fantastic tow vehicle, amazing whatever the weather, it isn’t bothered slightly by ice and it’s incredibly safe for passengers and the driver so it’s a yes from me

Thisismynewname23 · 12/08/2024 13:33

Jillybloop393 · 12/08/2024 00:40

My waterbed. I've had one about thirty five years, and hate sleeping in a 'normal' bed. It's set to temperature, can be warmer or cooler, and is so, so very comfortable.
Also, my Range Rover. I've had her about twelve years now, and don't like being in a little, low car - it doesn't feel right.
My dogs, obvs, and chocolate. These things, plus my partner of four and a half years bring me joy.

I’m with you a higher car feels so much better and it’s far easier to get in and out of with arthritic hips… the waterbed I tried one years ago when we was out in America strange at first but a fantastic sleep! Do they still do them over here I wonder!

Breadcat24 · 12/08/2024 13:51

@Sparrowball
just to let you know we were gifted one of the proper ones and it was lovely- so decided to get another one - and I was a bit (gulp) at the price £20+.
Identical ones ( less scent options) are now available in home bargains for abot £5

Sparrowball · 12/08/2024 14:00

Breadcat24 · 12/08/2024 13:51

@Sparrowball
just to let you know we were gifted one of the proper ones and it was lovely- so decided to get another one - and I was a bit (gulp) at the price £20+.
Identical ones ( less scent options) are now available in home bargains for abot £5

Thank you. I'm in Ireland but have found a retailer here, €38.90 for a large hourglass jar. 😬

I'll check Amazon once I've found a fragrance I like, I love the idea of the wood crackling.

shuggles · 12/08/2024 14:48

Thisismynewname23 · 12/08/2024 13:32

The cars now have so much collision warning it’s far reduced on what it has been for drivers like myself a 4x4 is essential we live rurally we have animals to transport you have to have a larger vehicle to do it, but safety wise they are so much safer than they used to be, yes a larger car is likely
to cause more injury to a pedestrian than a small car but you can’t tow a horse box with a fiat 500 and the volvo is a fantastic tow vehicle, amazing whatever the weather, it isn’t bothered slightly by ice and it’s incredibly safe for passengers and the driver so it’s a yes from me

Show quote history

If you have to pull trailers containing horses, or trailers full of pig, sheep, and other livestock, then having to own a 4x4 to pull those trailers on off-road conditions is understandable.

However, the claims about "safety" are incorrect. The data and evidence is overwhelming that SUVs are more hazardous than conventional cars, both to passengers inside the car and people outside of the car. This evidence has already been presented.

TheNuthatch · 12/08/2024 15:30

shuggles · 12/08/2024 14:48

If you have to pull trailers containing horses, or trailers full of pig, sheep, and other livestock, then having to own a 4x4 to pull those trailers on off-road conditions is understandable.

However, the claims about "safety" are incorrect. The data and evidence is overwhelming that SUVs are more hazardous than conventional cars, both to passengers inside the car and people outside of the car. This evidence has already been presented.

Show quote history

There are also recently published studies which show that electric and hybrid cars are twice as fatal for pedestrians. I don't see you having a go at the tesla drivers though 🤔

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