To ask what your best purchases have been (not a bragathon)

[cantpooinpeace]

Inspired by the lip curl thread.....

mine has to be the log burner - reduced bills massively.

The I pad - someones always on it in our house.

Both muchly considered purchases but the best by far :)

Bell tent.

Queen sized down duvet for a double bed - nice and fluffy and bigger size means no more fighting about duvet-stealing in the middle of the night.

New Miele washer-dryer. Our old machine was a rubbish one that sounded like a tractor every time it was on spin. I keep thinking of excuses to put a load on now.

Badedas bath gelee. Only smelly bath product I can use long term without making my skin itch. And it makes me think of my mum.

A Ralph Lauren red coat from eBay. At 99p and worn again and again it has been a fantastic purchase.

My Barbour jacket. Bought 13 years ago when I went to boarding school and apart from re waxing it's still going strong. thought it's rather sad I've only grown 2 inches since I was 12

A stick blender dh gave me for our first anniversary

iPad- brilliant for late night bfing

My season ticket to the local wildlife park. It's saved my sanity to be able to take DS there anytime and wear him out.

The new windows, had to get approval from planning dept. we were allowed double glazed units, we had to hunt for firms to do decent sash and case but worth the hassle.
No draughts, we can open them without fear on them falling on us, survived the winter without having to look out towels everytime it rained. The rooms are warmer. BLISS

Y shaped veg peeler, cheap and cheerful type from supermarkets

Crappy S reg Freelander.
iPhone.
Sky+
Dishwasher.
Tumble dryer.
Reduced shelving unit from Homebase.
FCUK denim Jacket.

iPad.

Food processor.

My carbon bike - bargain from ebay. I love, love, love it. Just been out and done 30 miles on it before work.

My macbook. Nearly 6 years old and still working quite well (he gets a bit slow at times). I do regret not buying a new one when I was in NYC as they are MUCHOS MUCHOS cheaper than in London.

Most recently - tinted moisturiser from Laura Mercier and benefit benetint. The combo of these make me look less corpse like.

A projector. We rent films, put the sofa bed out and watch them on the projector with DD as a special treat. It is much cheaper than the cinema and 'no cinema night' is absolutely guaranteed to stop tantrums / arguments/ fussing in its tracks. It has even been known to allow hairwashing.

A cinema ticket to go to see a really bad film with my best mate at University. We met up with her potential bf who dragged along a friend. That friend is now my DH.

Running shoes. I suddenly realised how much fun exercise could be.

Ensuite bathroom. I love love love having my own bathroom that I don't have to share with the DCs. It is wonderful.

The gold necklace bought with part time working at restuarant for my then girlfriend - her mum (now MIL) told her not to allow me to spend too much on her - the dozen red roses delivered later that day too....

Engagement and wedding rings have lasted very well too.

Bought some nice old reclaimed fireplaces for previous house that needed loads of cleaning up and stuff but were really grate.

Woodburner in current house we added has been worthwhile.

The 10p melons and pineapple bought on Wednesday from Sainso.

All the bedroom furniture bed, wardrobe and dresser that we piad off over a few months when we first got married - has been through 3 houses now. Couple of new mattresses which we spent out on but cost per night is low over all the years!

Carpet bought from previous house- re-fitted lasted another 10 years and just been replaced - same pattern but in different colour!

My GHD's
DS's weighted blanket - means he settles down to sleep before 10pm.
12ft Trampoline in the garden - when I got it DH said it would be a watse of money. Its been used most days for 3 years and is still going strong.
Our breaks to Center Parcs - we go a couple of times a year and everyone loves them, and there is something about them that makes them so relaxing.

I phone
Trampoline for dd
Nike + for Dp he loves it

30 Day Shred dvd. Less than a fiver, hours of fun.

Penisdog

My iPad (although that was a gift)

A pair of gucci aviator sunglasses in a black leather case, bought for £10 from an antique market. I have worn them every sunny day for the last two years. They are lovely

ghd's, i've tried other straighteners!
no7 shine free primer
highlights every quarter at around £100
£25 sainsburys dvd player which outlasted dh's sony and is going strong after 6 years with dd frequently standing on/whacking it :)
all of dd's books - worth it for her waving them at me hopefully saying 'book pease!!'
£90 topshop leather biker jacket. it was the most expensive thing i'd ever bought/owned back in 1197 but i'm still wearing it. i would never expect anything from TS to last that long now!
£85 adidas supernova running shoes - no more shin splints ever again! actually i owe that to the guys at the specialist running shop :)

Laser eye surgery
Beloved Cat
Braun Epilator
Stevie Wonder tickets

IVF - I have three magic babies from the wonders of that
My old (rescue) lurcher. Now sadly RIP but he had a lovely time with me.
My wardrobe. Not the actual piece of furniture but the contents. And in defiance of the competitive poverty on the 'lip curling thread' it's full of fabulous clothes and shoes and handbags. All of which will go to my daughters, unlike some Primark sh!t that will last five minutes.

Orthadontic brace when I was in my twenties - gave me my smile.

£30 mattress topper - Looks like a giant egg box but gives the most comfortable nights sleep ever.

Dishwasher - My one luxury.

Breville Hot Cup - Was given to me to test by my bil who is a technical author. Still going strong 3 years later. When it breaks I'll get a new one. A hot brew in 30 secs. I love it. I haven't used my kettle in years.

Benefit Highbeam - Looks like you've had a full nights sleep even when you feel like shit. No other product compares. Thank god my sister works for Benefit and sorts me out. :o

Nintendo Wii - Why did I wait so long to get one? Its great.

Chrome towel radiator - looks out of place in my shabby bathroom but was a freebie when the central heating was updated. Although dd2 thinks its a ladder.

My knee high wide fit tan boots from Very. They were a snip at £20 (in the sale) and I love putting them on with my big calves knowing they'll zip up effort free and look great. They funk any outfit up and I look great in them. Even big lasses love shoes. Thanks Very.

A flat.
Bought it for £25k at auction and flogged it for £180k.

Dab three-four dots along your cheek bone and lightly blend (outwardly to corners of your eyes) you can also use it on your brow bone and bridge of nose. I love it. You can also mix it with moisturiser for a "dewy" look. My sisters tip :o

The cats (technically all free but with immediate vets bills)

The i pad

DDs cot top changing 'table' £1 from the charity shop and means I can change her without kneeling on the floor, her room is too small for a decent size cot bed and a changing table

My apple tree, the same variety my Gran had when I was little and has a bumper crop of fruit every year

The dc trampoline. Best ever fun to jump around with your children. Brilliant conversations to be had. Then lie back and watch clouds