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.

My Costa clever cup. Perfect size, stays hot for hours. Absolutely love it

https://amzn.eu/d/6TT7bWT

Worth its weight in gold in cold winter nights!

Those sleeping headphones are on Temu for a quarter of that price. I have the amazon ones and the Temu one, no differ, just price.

I have very bad hayfever and bought an air purifier from Ikea (Starkvind) on impulse for my room and it made a huge difference. I sleep better and don't wake up with a dry mouth because my nose is blocked. I still have symptoms in the daytime but it's less tiring when I'm not already wiped out from a bad night's sleep.

I think I have bought 20 of these and give as housewarming and part of a wedding present

I would replace mine instantly if it broke

I saw hair removal mitts in Superdrug for a £1. Thought why not give it a gamble.

Not expecting it to work but it did!!! No shaving bumps. Exfoliated legs too.

Honestly what the fuck have I been spending all this £££ on waxes for all these years.

Have done further research and found a permanent stone that apparently lasts 6 months. Very excited.

I ADORE this eye mask for sleep - I have long lashes and even with mascara on they don’t tough the top. Also pitch black and so comfy. Sometimes on a hot day I put them
in the fridge or freezer so they feel cool too

A permanent stone?

Can you link the oil diffuser please !? Id love a nice smelling bathroom

Oh I didn’t know you could still get those. Like a sort of fine black sandpaper mitt? I used to use them when I was a teenager (in my sixties now). They definitely used to work. I haven’t got much body hair left now. One of the very few advantages of getting old.

I have a self heating blanket. I think it’s a silentnight genie. It is massive and I put it on the bed, on cold nights & I use it for sofa snuggling and all sorts. It was around £37 IIRC and saved me far more than that in heating costs.
A friend recommended it and she is exceedingly frugal. If she recommends something, it’s generally worth the cost.

Etsy 😊

If you're anywhere near Edinburgh I have a barely used one (unwanted present) that is about to go to the charity shop.

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChsSEwj9yv_W0cuOAxXNklAGHf4HIgoYACICCAEQHRoCZGc&co=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI_cr_1tHLjgMVzZJQBh3-ByIKEAQYByABEgIXh_D_BwE&sph=&sig=AOD64_1-enBgzWTH3IgVhUt5SJQ8obfs6w&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwjGnfvW0cuOAxWwXUEAHY6eMnQQwg8oAHoECAgQNg&adurl=
I can’t remember where they were from as they’re over 10years old, but they’re similar to these.

@Chicheguevara do you mean an electric blanket? If self heating, what does it mean /how does it work? Just a blanket?

An ice blanket. It is the most hideous hospital baby blue. But it’s huge and actually works in the hideous hot weather, if like me you like to be covered in bed. And if you want it a little less cool, it’s Terry towelling on the reverse.

They mean that the water is in a separate tank rather than in the part that you hold in your hand.

I think she means this:

https://www.google.com/search?q=self+heating+blanket.+I+think+it%E2%80%99s+a+silentnight+genie&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8#oshopproduct=pid:14935518685667438880,oid:14935518685667438880,iid:15776728058771379743,rds:UENfMTM0OTE4NDI4Nzc0NjI2NDYzMHxQUk9EX1BDXzEzNDkxODQyODc3NDYyNjQ2MzA%3D,pvt:hg,pvo:3&oshop=apv&pvs=0

These sound good if it also exfoliates !
But Does it hurt ?

A metal version of a socktopus/clippy thing you hang socks and pants on to dry.

The plastic ones are useful but the clips break or the struts snap, and they are fairly bulky to store. The metal one just... works, and if you stand it on its side it almost disappears to nothing to store.

A USB plug on a keyring with several short cables and different chargers (usb c, lightning etc) on. It was about £1 in the clearance bit a Flying Tiger.

A small serrated knife that I bought in a French market for a few euros which could cut through tungsten. It made slicing and chopping effortless.
Alas it’s lost and I can’t remember exactly where I bought it and attempts to find one online have come to nought. I have bought a couple from Amazon which looked similar but aren’t at all sharp.
I fear the parrot chucked it in the bin which is next to the draining board - we lost a number of teaspoons that way and we only discovered when we were in the garden and saw her doing it through the window.

oo link please?

I don't think these work for everyone. I bought one and all it did was remove all the skin on my legs and left the hair behind, so I had red raw legs that were still hairy!

Like this?
www.amazon.co.uk/Charging-Charger-Multiple-Connectors-Adapter/dp/B0D1CC42LP