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Original poster

Off to the States... what shall i buy

156 replies

cherrypied · 23/07/2023 18:21

I'm thinking cheap must haves

Melatonin and white strips on the list. Im sure DH will beeline for neon shade of fanta!

Anything else?

OP posts:
magnolia1997 · 24/07/2023 22:40

My dd says Bath and Bodyworks.

AllTheAll · 24/07/2023 23:28

Cocoalover · 24/07/2023 21:52

Genuine question : Why is everyone saying melatonin? Is it not available in the UK?

I think it's the quantity and variety? It's not regulated in the US, so you don't know what you'll get, but my American coworker swears by the giant Costco melatonin and that it works for her. The best plan for melatonin then is to get a recommendation, and/or buy from a major chain. So if you go to their CVS or Walgreens or Target, the major brands will carry lots of vitamins and gummies (probiotics, "sleep" gummies, etc., and for reputational reasons will probably not be sugar pills. but who knows.

Hopelesscynic · 25/07/2023 00:21

AllTheAll · 24/07/2023 12:00

These are great and this is the target brand.
@Hopelesscynic , my SIL gets the cheese sauce in the macaroni and cheese aisle. It's the shelf stable cheese pouches 😬without the pasta. She's brought that because everyone needs a plastic cheesy fix.

Precisely. Weird how these plastic cheese sauces are so comforting 😄

ArcticBells · 25/07/2023 06:07

forgotmyusername1 · 24/07/2023 09:23

peanut butter m&m's

Those sound divine! Didn't know they existed!

Scrumbleton · 25/07/2023 06:37

plus white 5 Minute teeth whitening gel. You can buy it in CVS pharmacy. it's brilliant and cheap. use it once a week to keep your teeth white.

forgotmyusername1 · 25/07/2023 09:59

ArcticBells · 25/07/2023 06:07

Those sound divine! Didn't know they existed!

Show quote history

red packet - they are v v nice

userxx · 25/07/2023 13:16

Scrumbleton · 25/07/2023 06:37

plus white 5 Minute teeth whitening gel. You can buy it in CVS pharmacy. it's brilliant and cheap. use it once a week to keep your teeth white.

Intresting, is this better than crest whitestrips ?

EmmaStone · 25/07/2023 14:07

It's been 4 years since we went, but we used to go once a year and without fail I'd be bringing home the following:

Almond M&Ms (and maybe peanut butter or other flavours)

Secret Gel ScentSations deodorant

Massive bottles of ibuprofen and paracetamol (we're still using what we last bought 4 years ago)

Jeans - usually from an outlet, Paige are my favourite

Then ad hoc things that we'd bought while there - I often stocked up on good cotton T shirts from J Crew, maybe some PJs from Old Navy or Gap, Victorias Secret underwear, crazy flavours of Pop Tarts, trainers etc. exchange rate not what it used to be though, so don't know if there are bargains still to be had.

Nanaof1 · 27/07/2023 06:54

ArcticBells · 25/07/2023 06:07

Those sound divine! Didn't know they existed!

Show quote history

Oh, they are so, so good! The peanut butter is so smooth and creamy. I either suck on them until the candy shell is gone or try and bite off the candy shell, leaving just the inside chocolate and peanut butter (Or whatever filling I am eating).

Original poster
cherrypied · 27/07/2023 19:57

Thanks everyone one for the amazing ideas and the wishes. Its amazing so far and on two sea days to Ketchiken!

Melatonin is amazing for jet lag! I haven't been this far in years due to horrendous jet lag on Previous trips.

Ventured into Walgreens in a very spicy part of downtown SF where the airline hotel was and bought the cheap 10mg own brand- couldn't see the 3mg. Didn't take it the first night and woke every two hours for and hour took it last night and woke once at 2am for a minute. Could be a placebo but I'm sold.

Also got Along with some caramel m and ms and Cheetos!

For those saying its expensive you are not joking $18 dollars for one Burger King meal and an extra drink. CVS gel sounds good too.

Ill have a look for j crew t shirts too. Westfield is shutting the downtown mall soon- well handing back to lenders whatever that means. Old Navy shut though not sure why. Very sad for SF

OP posts:
AllTheAll · 29/07/2023 18:14

@cherrypied , so glad the melatonin is working out. Own brand at a major chain like that is always a good choice. Didn't know about caramel m&ms. SF is a very expensive city. Hopefully you are finding other meals less $$ and better than BK.

AnnaNims · 29/07/2023 18:18

I’m in the USA and thought of this thread when I was in Walgreens. I bought Secret deodorant and am going to go back and buy a year’s worth. Marvellous stuff.

HundredMilesAnHour · 29/07/2023 18:35

DreamTheMoors · 24/07/2023 01:42

@katscamel

Do you mean the brand Dermatalogica? You can get it at Sephora.
Little white bottle w/ a grey top?
That stuff is fabulous.
Expensive, but fabulous.

Show quote history

@katscamel It's already in the UK:

https://www.sephora.co.uk/p/SEPHORA-COLLECTION-Super-Glow-Cleansing-Powder-25g

HundredMilesAnHour · 29/07/2023 18:36

AnnaNims · 29/07/2023 18:18

I’m in the USA and thought of this thread when I was in Walgreens. I bought Secret deodorant and am going to go back and buy a year’s worth. Marvellous stuff.

Secret deodorant is great (it's all I use) but you can buy it on Amazon UK and iHerb UK. No price difference (and no having to carry it home).

HundredMilesAnHour · 29/07/2023 18:40

AllTheAll · 24/07/2023 23:28

I think it's the quantity and variety? It's not regulated in the US, so you don't know what you'll get, but my American coworker swears by the giant Costco melatonin and that it works for her. The best plan for melatonin then is to get a recommendation, and/or buy from a major chain. So if you go to their CVS or Walgreens or Target, the major brands will carry lots of vitamins and gummies (probiotics, "sleep" gummies, etc., and for reputational reasons will probably not be sugar pills. but who knows.

Show quote history

Melatonin is only available in the UK on prescription whereas in the US it's classed as a dietary supplement so it on the shelves with the vitamins. It IS regulated in the US (by the FDA) but the regulations are less strict as a dietary supplement compared to OTC or prescription meds.

IDugAnotherHole · 29/07/2023 20:08

Does anyone know if you can get melatonin in a US airport (specifically LAX Tom Bradley or Houston IAH)? I go this weekend to NZ via LAX returning via IAH but won't be leaving the airport, so hoping I can pick some up. Also, Naproxen.

CheeseMuffin · 29/07/2023 20:28

Be warned that a lot of the special deals such as $8 for two packs of M&Ms in flavours that you can't get in the U.K or 2 for 1s on melatonin or ibuprofen etc are only for those with a Walgreens or CVS membership card.

KillingMeDeftly · 29/07/2023 20:29

IDugAnotherHole · 29/07/2023 20:08

Does anyone know if you can get melatonin in a US airport (specifically LAX Tom Bradley or Houston IAH)? I go this weekend to NZ via LAX returning via IAH but won't be leaving the airport, so hoping I can pick some up. Also, Naproxen.

I was at JFK terminal 4 in May and didn't spot a single pharmacy there. It may be different in other airports.

HundredMilesAnHour · 29/07/2023 20:50

KillingMeDeftly · 29/07/2023 20:29

I was at JFK terminal 4 in May and didn't spot a single pharmacy there. It may be different in other airports.

Show quote history

I've never seen a pharmacy in TBIT or IAH either, although I haven't specifically been looking. They usually have a Hudson News or equivalent that sells travel size Advil etc but I think that's about it.

IDugAnotherHole · 29/07/2023 21:46

Bum! Thanks @KillingMeDeftly and @HundredMilesAnHour

HermioneWeasley · 29/07/2023 22:03

@cherrypied assuming you’re doing an alaska inside passage cruise, the ports are wonderful but not places where you can stock up. If your cruise returns to SF leave time to do your shopping there.

when we did that cruise we booked our excursions through viator - much cheaper than through the cruise

OhcantthInkofaname · 29/07/2023 22:40

CheeseMuffin · 29/07/2023 20:28

Be warned that a lot of the special deals such as $8 for two packs of M&Ms in flavours that you can't get in the U.K or 2 for 1s on melatonin or ibuprofen etc are only for those with a Walgreens or CVS membership card.

Don't let this membership card scare you- they give them to everyone. Its not like Sams Club or Costco.

Original poster
cherrypied · 01/08/2023 02:40

@HermioneWeasley yes have time in SF after. In the meantime in filling my boots at the bar and buffet!

Alaska is amazing - did white pass rail road today which was incredible.

OP posts:
Nowisthesummerofourdiscontent · 02/08/2023 00:30

Great suggestions, thanks! I’m up in the hills of New England and can’t wait to get back to a Target…

HRTQueen · 02/08/2023 01:15

Mexican ice lollies for me please

preferred flavours are coconut, lime and strawberry

they are so nice a little bit creamy in texture but not too sweet

Other that that Benadryl it’s great for jet lag (and makes me feel really relaxed). The cream is really good for bites too

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