Most useful item purchased in lockdown

[CoRhona]

...or items?

Mine have been:

1. A large transparent command hook that I put on the side of a chest of drawers to hang my hairdryer on (I tried lots of other sticky hooks before but that was the only one that actually worked)

1. Buying all the same clothes hangers so DD's clothes look tidier

1. A large kitchen sink tidier which has instantly made the kitchen side less messy

I am on a constant mission to improve our living spaces, so AIBU to ask what yours have been?

@Chewingle
It would heat water, not sure if it would froth it though? Does water froth for an Americano? I don't drink coffee so I am not really sure.
DD has tried heating up the cold Starbucks and Costa lattes that you can buy in the chilled cabinet at the supermarkets and that has worked well.

A Clark's shoe measurer for the kids to buy shoes online

@tiredmum2468

A Clark's shoe measurer for the kids to buy shoes online

I’ve got one of those on the way because we had to make an emergency turn back for home due to holey shoes the other day and my youngest DD had to wear a pair of her older sister’s shoes - which fit perfectly Terrible parenting moment to think how much she has outgrown her shoes even though I did one of those paper measures in the autumn

Garden table, chairs & a parasol for outdoor working from home (lockdown 1)
Disney+ to watch the mandalorian (lockdown lite)
Nintendo switch ring fit & wellies (lockdown 3)

[quote ByeByeMissAmericanPie]Icebreaker merino thermals or any other merino thermals I can lay my hands on

Instant pot

Açai waterproof and breathable walking trousers. Not the cheapest but on a price per wear basis, worth every penny. No sooner are they out of the washing machine, they’re back on me!

acaioutdoorwear.com/[/quote]
I love mine - have worn them almost every day for the last three years, the zip is now dying but the fabric is indestructible! Bought two more recently but was optimistic about sizing & they still don’t fit, so while waiting for my belly to magically disappear am still wearing the old ones with dodgy zip all the time because nothing else is as good or comfy!

Sun lounger for lockdown 1, laptop table for lockdown 2. I love them both quite fiercely!

@KSeason what a great set - the kind of things I would get . In fact I really wanted to get silk pillow covers but have heard ones work and ones don´t and it´s expensive so I´d love to know how yours are doing and which ones !
About the coffee machine . bean to cup- would also love to know which one and how it´s going seeing as I write about coffee a lot and machines. So am always curious what people think. THanks so much ! Sounds like a great combo - bean to cup for the morning wake-up and silk pillows for a great night´s sleep

I have the DeLonghi Autentica coffee machine. I like it very well and there is a youtube video online by someone who tried one. There is an option for you to use a small amount of ground coffee instead of the beans.

I visited someone who had a DeLonghi bean to cup and was impressed with how the used grinds were made into dry patties and easy to discard. I have a separate frother from John Lewis, can't remember the name. I most use the milk from that for hot chocolate! It does cold as well. I didn't want a coffee machine where I inserted milk and had to worry about it spoiling or cleaning it up.

I only paid half the price of the link. I bought it online - not from Currys.

www.currys.co.uk/gbuk/household-appliances/small-kitchen-appliances/coffee-machines-and-accessories/coffee-machines/delonghi-autentica-etam-29-510-sb-bean-to-cup-coffee-machine-silver-black-10209861-pdt.html

Just remembered there is a milk frother attached to the machine which you put into your cup of milk and it froths it. Looks easy to clean, but I've never ever used it.

@fromcooktochef Thanks, I didn’t mention the new mattress and duvet but yes improving my sleep lifestyle has been expensive

Bean to coffee - I had a DeLonghi before but I upgraded to a Sage Barista. Both are good but the Sage ones give you more control. Someone advised me on one of the coffee forums that you need to start with a DeLonghi and then upgrade every two years to more complex machines. I am looking forward to my Sage Oracle in two years!

Silk pillows - I’ve tried several ones over the years. I haven’t found the perfect ones yet but this is what I use now and happy with it: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B076T3TF71?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@KSeason brilliant I´ll check the pillows out. I do recommend delonghi but their range is very complex. My most in depth review is the Sage Barista funny enough ! It´s my favourite - The Barista touch that is cos it gives the best of both the Oracle and the Express/ Pro. having said that I´m in love with the wee inexpensive manual Aeropress at the mo and have a post on that just now. Check out my site next time you need something or let me know what you need and I´ll check it out - just love doing that research lol. thx a mil.

Shoe Measurers sound great! We have a couple of weeks to get everything together I am sure all the kids have grown during lockdown. I will get one tonight. Indoor sports equipment worked well for us and was very cheap.

Clarks shoe measurer

Snakes and ladders for DD (4)

A new vibrator

@fromcooktochef Could you DM me your review links? I am new to the world of barista coffee, but trying to learn as I go along!

@KSeason and I´m new to mumnet world and don´t know how to DM yet lol - feel free to educate me too. Of course, anything I can do to help. I have a wee post on a free masterclass link that Sage do. If you haven´t done that yet I´d really recommend it. Email me if you like at [email protected] and I´d be glad to send you all the links that might help. x

@Whengodwasarabbit

Wooden swing seat/ nice cushions/ lights Teddy bear bedding for everyone, it’s lovely. Tutor for 15 yr old dd Decent computer for dd Washable nappy for elderly dog to wear at night, before I was getting up every 2 hrs. Oh and little socks for him too so I can’t hear him pottering about right before he pees 🤣 Board games Yogurt maker, I was spending £ on non dairy yogurt before Nice heavy blankets for sofas Colour coded washable cleaning cloths, I realised we were throwing away so much of single use wipes, cloths, masks Light projector so pretty looks like night sky and plays nature sound/ white noise/ music / it really is helping my teen fall asleep much faster when she’s worrying. Decent hand cream

@Whengodwasarabbit Which light projector did you get, please?

Deep fat fryer (I know, I know)
and today, a jasmine plant.

@mbosnz

Deep fat fryer (I know, I know) and today, a jasmine plant.

We moved from a deep fat fryer to an air fryer and it’s brilliant! No waste, so better for the environment and the food tastes great.

A large white tarpaulin. Couldn't afford a gazebo so we made one with the tarp, hooks and rope. I broke my ankle and couldn't go on walks so It saved my sanity, being able to sit outside every day whatever the weather.

@carameldecaflatte you're braver than me, it's been bloody freezing here

Sam’s Club membership

Seeds to plant (flowers and vegetables!), grow lights to grow them indoors for a head start (no idea how this is going to go but hopefully brilliantly!)

New sunlounger set for the patio

Dd insisted on getting an air fryer recently, which we thought would be just for her, but it makes great (and fast!) roast potatoes. She's used it loads (and has just got accessories to allow her cook pizza and cake in it - from her own pocket money).

Kittens.

A heated throw