Unexpectedly brilliant purchases

[Parata]

Last year there was a thread where people were recommending purchases they made or gifts they got that were unexpectedly brilliant. I got sleep headphones based off that thread for my birthday, and they have honestly been amazing - have helped me sleep better as I no longer turn to my phone and doom scroll when I wake up, but just put on a podcast or a meditation session and drift off to sleep. (Also got an acupressure mat that has been much less useful).

As my birthday and that of my kids, and as well Christmas approaches, I was hoping it is time to make a new similar thread maybe we could all find the next thing that changes our lives.

Right I’m off to find some!!

I bought one of these on holiday this year and think it’s absolutely rubbish!! Is there a knack to it that I’m missing?

You don't have to take them off to go to the loo! You just lift them up, like a dress! And they have elasticated sleeves, so you just shove the sleeves up to your elbows to wash up, so it's easier than washing up wearing a dressing gown. I know what you mean about sweeping things off shelves and tables though.

Oh, and don't get an owl anyone. They aren't pets. They eat meat and regurgitate the bones and fur in little pellets, so they are neater than parrots but - not pets.

I just got some of these and they are the best PJ's I've ever had. We don't have Muji where I live so I have to wait till next year to get some more. :-(

Can I ask more about the ‘Real Life’ boxes please?

Never heard of Tide pens! I'm going to look them up.

My rabbit chewed through three telephone cables (connected the landline to the wall). We used to cover the wires with cushions but he took it as a challenge...

A manual food chopper. It chops veggies etc. The more times you pull the string, the finer the chop.

I use it to make cauliflower rice. I was grating raw cauliflower before and this does it in about 3 pulls of the string :)

I definitely need a Tide Pen … and would love to hear more about what you put in your kids ‘Real Life’ box - sounds like a fun, useful and special way to mark them embracing adulthood.

Pince-nez

Here's the remote page turner and the gooseneck holder.

https://amzn.eu/d/hG3eJAW

This works on the bed frame, bedside table etc.
https://amzn.eu/d/1FtvENl

This sounds great, where can I get the goosearm and remote page turner?

Hi, check the post right above yours. I just linked them for a PP

Me too, I thought what if this hits my eyeball! But just be careful and it wont. I love my water flosser now. The lowest setting seemed too intense at first but now it's fine. You'll get used to it.

I too have a water flosser gathering dust after the near flooding incident when I first tried to use it 😆 Maybe I'll dig it out and try again.

Use warm water in your flosser....

And use it in the shower until you get control!

Same for me! It's make a huge difference.

Will try that! Thx.

I’ve got a microplane grater because my zester (see below) used to zest my thumb as well as the orange or lemon.
However I find the microplane zests too finely - is there a zester out there which zests strips of peel but doesn’t cause injury?

how does it zest your thumb? how are you using in anywhere near either thumb?

I'd love a mossy lawn!

@PestoHoliday yes please what do you put in your real life box?
We’ve got a set of plates etc, coaster, spoons and cutlery set, duvet and sheets etc set but that’s it so far

I’m very excited to learn about tide pens and kindle page turners and have ordered both, thank you!

My offering is this, for freezing individual portions of chilli, bolognese, home made baked beans etc., means we can quickly microwave a nice home made meal for however many people are around when we don’t want to cook. They are really easy to use and the frozen blocks in ziplock bags take up much less space in the freezer than lots of random boxes. It’s made food planning much easier.

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08R77MSVV?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_6&th=1

What is a ‘real life box!?!’