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.

Just ordered thank you! We have a couple of bulkier power banks - one massive one that will charge 2 phones easily. Got it years ago and it’s brilliant.

But have a city break coming up and this will be very handy for the airport and carrying around!

I'm back with another one. I need to have electrolytes in the summer as otherwise I get leg cramps at night and it has to be sugar-free because I have diabetes. Most of the sugar-free ones are revolting but this summer I have found this https://zooki.com/products/hydration-skin-radiance and it tastes like something that I would choose to drink, a bit like a Vit-Hit. The pomegranate and lemon is my favourite but the peach is ok too. I haven't tried the other two flavours because I'm not keen on cherry or ginger.

too good for collars?

Have you set the doorbell low enough down? We thought our ring doorbell was rubbish at first but it improved at spotting people when we put it a good foot lower than we'd initially tried. To detect cats I would guess it would need to be very low indeed.

Can I ask … I can’t find the post now (wood for trees and all) but a mini wooden dustpan and brush were recommended earlier … could that lovely poster link again please?

Omg yes this knife!!!!!

Just used this in a holiday home and was all week just in awe of this tiny knife. Bloody amazing.

And only a tenner or so for a 3 pack.

Will absolutely be purchasing.

they are one of those things that have many many uses and will get nicked!

Which one?

I just cannot believe the price of these!

Oh bloody hell I knew I shouldn't read this thread. I know have 8 Amaz*n tabs open and warning the credit card of incoming damage.

I already have lots of the recommendations as it is (a cardboard cutter and the skinny bruishes for tap cleaning are best buys).

My contribution is Funkin Pro Passionfruit puree. Bloody gorgeous mixed with sparkling water/tonic or with vanilla Vodka for a Martini. Can be frozen in ice cube trays as it will go mouldy if kept in the fridge for too long.

I just got some more at Holland & Barrett on the buy one get one half price offer, with a 20% off code on top. They are often on offer, I don’t think I have paid full price since I first bought a small pack to try.

Thanks, we have a new H&B store here so I'll go in and take a look.

Just bought some of these as gifts, after watching this video
https://thegreatgarlicgrater.co.uk/how-it-works/

https://thegreatgarlicgrater.co.uk/how-it-works/

I think that was me:

I got a mini dustpan and brush which lives next to the bread bin / toaster. Surprisingly useful for quick cleanups of crumbs and other dry debris on counters
I don’t have this exact one but this is similar.
amzn.eu/d/b0pAuAh?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

ETA mine is more like this, but metal. I got it second hand. It’s the concept of a mini dustpan for crumbs, by the bread bin, that was unexpectedly brilliant!

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B09YHTKD79/ref=sspa_mw_detail_0?ie=UTF8&psc=1&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9kZXRhaWw&aref=2l8lEwLITDp13NParams&sp_cr=DUB

My best purchase in the last year has to be my tin opener, it is the OXO Good Grip Soft Handled Tin Opener and I brought it from Amazon at around £14. It goes round all tins so easily, by far the best tin opener I have had, would recommend.

@hatboxesthanks! Yes that’s the one. Love that.

I remember going to a ver ver posh restaurant for lunch many years ago and enjoying the incredible bread ahead of starters with butter that I reckon must have been made with unicorn tears, it was stuff of the gods. So I’m awful for leaving breadcrumbs everywhere and apparently when I popped to the loo (was pregnant so needed to buy I every 29 seconds or so) the waiter came over with just such a dustpan and brush and swiftly removed at crumb traces 😁

If this were AIBU, you would be unreasonable for including the phrase "as Christmas approaches" in your OP written in mid-July.

As you were...

@PermanentTemporary I thought everyone used squeegees. What did you use before?

Nothing!

Bought one while on holiday in Spain - you’ve just reminded me to find it and use it 🤣

Can anyone recommend a Christmas/ wrapping paper cutter. I have fibromyalgia and fond it painful to use scissors for all those presents. Thanks

I LOVE my light victorinox tomato knife, and have the folding version in a bright colour so I don’t lose it. Great for holiday homes, travel, picnics.

I am starting to make an order here. So many good things! Does anyone have a recommendations for a good chopping board?

Oh wow, this is me right now — which one did you got for? I’m desperate and was going to get a new mattress! My hips and back ache so much in the night/morning!

No particular link but I like a wood fibre chopping board. Best of both worlds between wood and plastic and dishwashable, which is important to me.