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.

I have started using stainless steel lunchboxes or tiffin boxes. They are a LOT lighter then the glass ones & don't stain (stainless see!!!), don't smell & easier to close than plastic or glass. Best things ever for storage

A strainer that is more like a colander than a sieve but holes not so big that rice gets through, as rice was always sticking to the sieve!

silicone spoon set (mixed sizes) for baking, cooking, jar sweeping…so useful! And not as icky as wooden spoons for cooking and better for scraping a mixing bowl than just a spatula.

mini teapot, to take to my WFH desk for two cups instead of one. Usually herbal tea.

Tiger wormery: processes kitchen scraps so quick and makes amazing compost and fertiliser.

tangle teaser: couldn’t live without it!

battery LED lights that come on around the house at night by movement or in cupboard under the stairs.

ikea lolly moulds: kids have lollies made from blended fruit, yogurt and milk - so much healthier and easy to do.

Also second ikea’s glass rectangle “bowls” for freezer to fridge to oven/microwave! Use for everything (prep/leftovers etc) as stack so nicely in fridge and freezer.

a serated peeler from Joseph Joseph that makes carrots into tiny strips quickly for adding to salads or stir fry’s.

Oh and clear duck tape!!! So much better for repairing books/toy boxes etc than sellotape that just eventually peels off. Super strong. So handy! https://amzn.eu/d/hD7krKX

A washing up bowl (yes hilarious but we do use them in the UK!) that has a built-in/integral plug. Mine stands on 4 feet which reduces manky sinks. The plug is great for older or disabled people and the plug strains the bits so 👍

Where are your containers from?

Those lights sound really useful- where did u get them from?

https://popular.lighting/products/circly

I have one at bottom of stairs, point upwards, so if I walk down for water etc I don’t have to turn a light on, one in cupboard under stairs (stuck by magnet to electric box) and another stuck by magnet to a metal plant pot in our bedroom which turns on if the kids walk in!

I might buy more for bathrooms as I hate peeing in the dark or full glaring light!!

Bookmark

We got one last summer to go with the 2 non-folding ones and it was less than £10. Can't believe the current inflated price. Check the legality of carrying one though due to the length of the blade.

thank you. I think its legal in camping gear.

I’m trying to move away from plastic chopping boards too but don’t want wood as saw something about someone getting salmonella from a wooden chopping board used for poultry. Stainless steel sounds ideal but does it not wreck knives?

Thank you

Spring oven - makes the most amazing bread with an incredible crust.

Do you have a link to your screen door? sounds wonderful. I need to deter both flies and foxes.

An old-fashioned bell that you thump - like hotels used to have at reception.
Works a treat to summon people.

My family once had a small ship’s bell for this purpose. But my mum was too lazy to use it - she would call out “tingalingaling!”

They have plastic lids, not glass.

There was a programme ('Sliced Bread'?) about the best chopping boards and the conclusion was that wood was fine and maybe preferable to plastic. The important thing was to clean the board properly after use.

This is the one I have. Absolutely the best I've ever used.

@angelinawasrobbed
Sure, I got it from Amazon, link is below. It’s side opening which I prefer. It’s surprisingly sturdy too. My 2 year old used to grab hold of it and use it to balance himself sometimes going in and out the door, he still does it sometimes!

https://amzn.eu/d/1RKDHuN

@oncemoreuntothebeachdearfriends I have a small gong for summoning purposes. I love it.

Everyone probably already has these but I like these lemon squeezers

https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-lemon-squeezer-yellow/p3709362?s_share=jlappdroid

Thank you!

Would love a water flosser but overwhelmed by choice, please can something share a link to one theyd recommend?

Here are mine:

https://amzn.eu/d/6P2fmhD camping light including fairy lights. I've bought about 5 of these now as gifts, add perfect ambiance to any camp set up.

https://www.johnlewis.com/kenwood-multipro-go-food-processor/p6262454?s_share=jlappdroid Kenwood mini food processor. Coveted for some time, and purchased mainly to grate cheese which I hate doing. The thrill as it demolishes a block of Cathedral City is something else. Rapid.

Silk eye mask. Transformed my bedtime habits.

My best purchases include...

Glass teapot with strainer. You can use it with fresh mint for tea, but more often we use it with lemon slices or a squeezed grapefruit. Loyely fresh fruit tea! It gets used every night, well if it isn't a drinking night. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08DR4555P?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_1😆

The mini dustpan and brush for crumbs. Mentioned by a couple of people, but I couldn't live without one now. Ours is the Oxo compact and it's a neat design.

I also love my instant pot. I used to love my slow cooker but this beats even that. It's an amazing device that gets used regularly on the slow cooker setting, or to pressure cook the best mushroom risotto or quick chilli, and the yoghurt setting is so easy. It's really easy to make the thickest creamiest greek yoghurt. I make that every week and just reuse the bit that's left as a starter for the next batch.

This thread is great, but I have a long shopping list now. 😊

Ooh a link please, hate leaving behind the remnants of toddler meals