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.

They are from all online shops - google mosiquito heat pens or pads - they are not zappers. They heat the bite and takes the itch away.

Loving this thread🥰loads of ideas. Thanks for the pics @Barbadossunset adorable!

I agree with the sleep headphones , they are great for listening to podcast in bed.
The battery life is very good to , i use mine every night for 6/8 hrs but only charge about once every 2 weeks.

The mosquito thing is by Beurer. Amazon have them: Beurer insect bite healer

This is the Lakeland cling film holder?
No they don't take supermarket rolls, they are too short so only the ones from Lakeland like you said. I have to remember to buy them when I see a Lakeland shop as there is no longer one where I live and the postage is £4 if I forget. (although they do last a long time)

I need more info NOW.

I have just bought this, about 20 seconds after I read your post 🤣
I've been looking for something like this for ages, thank you so much!

You can get a tiny little 'clicker' device from Boots which you hold over the mozzie bite and click and it creates a little electric spark which does the same thing. It's really, really effective. Better than any cream I've tried and they are very cheap. They last for years.

African Grey? A family member had one, he was awesome.

I need a mew socktpuss and was considering a ikea one but the plastic puts me off , can you link yours please.

@Barbadossunset

I give you this, similar? 🙂

Thank you.

@Cuwins these maybe

amzn.eu/d/1TQNanc

African Grey? A family member had one, he was awesome.

Yes she is. Like all African Greys she’s a brilliant mimic so there’s a strict no swearing rule in this house.

I’ve got one of those garlic crushers. I bought 2 - one for my daughter - years ago from The Ideal Home Show. Both still going strong.

I think mine has to be my Oodie. It's not an official branded Oodie but a similar much cheaper version. It was given to me for Chistmas about three years ago. I don't think I ever would have bought it for myself, they always looked too bulky and impractical with no opening down the front. But honestly, I have LIVED in that thing. It's not bulky at all, the fleece is really lightweight. Even when I'm fully dressed, if I am sitting at my desk working and it's a bit chilly I'll stick that on over my clothes rather than put the heating on and I'm toasty in no time. It's soft and snuggly and baggy enough that I can tuck my knees up into it when I'm watching TV. I no longer wear my regular dressing gowns, which always ended up gaping open at the front, or the tie belt coming undone and dangling on the floor. It's really easy to wash and dries really quickly on an airer. In the cooler months as soon as I am in the door for the rest of the day it's bra off, Oodie on.

Shameless placemark!

yup these are the bees knees.

Ooh yes. My kids bought me an actual branded one for Christmas a few years ago too (it must have been the Christmas of Oodies...) and I live in it all winter. To the extent that I rarely need to turn the heating on!

Towel robe. I remember my aunty having one when I was younger. I prefer this over a bath towel anyday.
Silent night weighted eye mask.
Smart ring instead off smart watch.
Woozoo fan

Have you tried hiking boots on icy pavements? I have no balance to speak of and I was amazed by how well my hiking boots gripped on ice, much better in fact than on mud.

A seam ripper/unpicker with a bobble on the short end. Makes unpicking seams 10 times faster and stops tears. My previous ones didn’t have the bobble and I had to unpick seams stitch by stitch. My new hobby is dressmaking, that I am totally useless at and requires me to sew and unpick every item I make at least three times.

@Cuwins

google search suggests these

I bought myself one for my birthday and I was so disappointed! The fine Mircoplane grater does a better job and less sticks to it than to the garlic plate.

My favourite cheap buy is Tide Pens - little detergent "pens" you keep in a pocket or handbag for stain removing from fabric when out and about.

The number of times I've accidentally sloshed a bit of coffee on my top when it was important to look like I wasn't an incompetent slob are beyond measure. I'm a klutz. I have a Tide Pen in every handbag, DH's laptop bag, useful and when the kids leave home they have one in the "Real Life" box we put together.

I'd love one of these but dh thinks they are expensive to install and up the bills?