What (small) things have you bought/received that changed your life?

[MarvellousDay]

I have just read a thread about items that make life nicer, and would like to extend this a bit further. What have you bought or received that has made a significant impact on your life and your enjoyment. By small thing I wanted to say not buying a house or similar, but smaller achievable things. I will start first with three things:

Phillips Lumea - I have very dark hair all over, and after years of not doing things (wearing dresses, swimming, shorts, dreading having to shave before holidays) I started using the Lumea 3 years ago and it has completely changed my life. I only need to use it every few months now.

M&S Anti chafing shorts: I can now wear dresses at any point, without worries of chafing (I am obese - still working on that). It is such a sense of freedom, and I am loving my dresses.

Swimming lessons - In my late 30s, when booking swimming lessons for my 5 year old I decided to ask about adult lessons. I had a 1 year old at the time, and it was amazing - getting 1 hour to myself on a Sunday. 3 years later I now regularly go swimming lengths or go to masters classes, and it gave me something I truly enjoy

Would love to hear from others, and look at ideas for myself as well.

Beurer insect bite zapper. It is a small thing, but if you are susceptible to insect bites, it stops the reaction immediately.

Slightly more expensive acquisition is my digital sewing machine. I love it and it has made me up my game. I've learnt so many new techniques since getting it and is such a pleasure to use.

I love my sunrise clock in the winter!!

Dehumidifier for sure!

One of these. Only a few pounds, but couldn’t be without it now. ETA, I use it on the carpet before hoovering. It makes a world of difference and makes me realise how rubbish Shark vacuums are.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MOTONG-Remover-Scraper-Clothes-Reusable/dp/B096B2N5Z1/ref=mpsa13?adgrpid=116997841872&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.-F61IPbyqy98dhG-li0fKAMpnyvKL8aJHHFGgJxDkryQnx4phDDxZMXe1G0lGKdaWVzOCTYXglAUzfxlDJasDAE2huob2zcO-a5iV5xSNoFchhXav7tPH70WHGNauGQECL5ZX-aeI-rgnMuwuygpLrGpCGHPJ8VOg7cDX1c1CuT99DDZX8TTt2evuqtWK0We88xD4mTIQ60BwnyNF9A.PF8yVeDcRU-XiCRem-yRv34Tn0g9vOlBi82tG5NyBY0&dibtag=se&hvadid=492387180893&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9045114&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=13828790643184147602&hvtargid=kwd-602400658463&hydadcr=25631795202&keywords=carpet+scrapper&qid=1726212469&sr=8-3

A robot vacuum. Absolute game changer when you have a dog who hates the regular vacuum cleaner and barks his head off when you get it out the cupboard. The robot one can bumble around the house cleaning and he completely ignores it. And I don’t have to vacuum!

Loving these. Thanks for sharing. Will definitely try the Beurer insect bite zapper @unsync especially as mosquitoes love my DS and me.

1. I love my Ikea drawer dividers.
2. I love this Wardrobe Rail and Fittings... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0B23Q1CVW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share Wardrobe rail. I hang DD’s uniform on it and it is halfway up the wardrobe so she can reach it herself.
3. This Ikea bath mat. I swear when DH leaves the bathroom he leaves such a mess. He is a big guy. These are cheap, last years and dry quick.
4. My mylee gel lamp, so I always look like I have a pedicure. Going strong 5 years later.
5. Waterproof tablecloths (not pvc but just don’t stain as much).
6. This over the kitchen cupboard rail. For tea towels but easy to reach for kids too when washing their hands.

A really obscenely long phone charger cable, so I can lie on the sofa and charge my phone. I need never get up again 😳

A 1980s Kenwood Chef from a charity shop! I have always fancied baking, and I find it very therapeutic.

Kent handmade combs. My scalp always feels tender (due to hypothyroidism). Kent combs are so much more gentle, and are only a couple of pounds each.

My ice cream maker (mine is an attachment for my Chef, but the stand alone ones are just as good). Freshly made ice cream with no additives and top quality ingredients is AMAZING. It's not much trouble to make, and you'd never want shop ice cream again.

Quality kitchen knives, kept razor sharp.

I got a proper sellotape dispenser on a mumsnet reccomendation and everytime I have to wrap something I think what a good buy it was!

Apple corer ! Life changing !!!!

Tweezers with a little light on them. For years I thought they were gimmick and would be rubbish but saw them reduced and thought why not? They're brilliant! Although it was a bit of a wake up call as to what I'd been missing before even with a light up magnifying mirror.

I bought some for a friend who has since gone back and bought them for her sister.

My mum had a Kenwood and it never went wrong. We bought one a couple of years ago and it's just fallen apart again and again. They don't make them like they used to!

Can I put two? A little round gadget with a blade inside, that cuts the foil of wine bottle tops. A grip thing for opening twist-off lids of any size. Oh, and while I'm opening containers, my electric can opener!

A period cup,.changed my life. After having a baby it didn't work so well and then I found wuka period underwear. Both game changers

A small plastic window squeegee for the shower doors (to be used by everyone after showering).

A small white plastic cleaning caddy (the ones with a handle) in which is deposited everything I need in the morning to get ready: deodorant, hair mousse, hair gel, cosmetic purse, towelling hair band, tweezers, hair brush, crocodile hair clip. Not very glamorous but no time wasted finding things. Have one for morning. And one for night. One for bathroom. One for bedroom. That’s four in all and they live in cupboards and drawers.

I second extra long charger and spare extra long chargers!

Orthotic inner soles from Boots. They put an end to my recurring plantar fasciitis.

Bumo

Sorry... bump!

My AirPods - love them so, so much - and an electric blanket with two controls so I can have it up hot and DP have his side off, or vice versa. On a much smaller scale, a fancy lint roller by a scandi brand called Steamery. We have a very fluffy orange cat, and it’s so much better than the usual paper roll type ones.

A foam roller! Whenever my back gets sore or stiff I use it and it makes the world of difference. It’s got me out of a lot of pain. I use it on my legs too after a workout and it’s like a massage I bloody love it

Fake Oodie (I'm broke). I was freezing cold before and resigned myself to shivering for 6 months a year. Not anymore 😎

My walking pad.
i bought it about six weeks ago ( early Christmas present to myself )
I have used it most days ( 45 minutes - hour) and my legs and stomach have toned up considerably

My snuggle hoodie . I bought it from Amazon for £14 . It keeps me nice and warm and means that I don’t have to have the heat on all day