To ask for your “game changers”

[AndTheReasonIsYou]

Things you’ve bought that have essentially changed your life for the better.

For me, it’s a swim dress. Basically a swimming costume with a little skirt that just covers the bikini line. Flattering, hides my stomach and most importantly it doesn’t matter if my bikini line is needing a little attention. It has completely taken the stress out of taking the kids swimming and now we go all the time

Other game changers for me include the perfect prep (🥰), L’Oréal eight-second wonder water, and Pinch of Nom.

Mine are-
Dehumidifiers. My damp house is less damp, washing dries faster and I don't have to drape the radiators. Plus they add a bit of warmth.
Threading my top lip myself. Easy and free!
Amazon Prime. Free delivery was a boon over lockdown and I have stuff to watch on tv now.

Period pants and washable pads - much easier than I thought to use and wash and disposable pads feel horrible now.

Laser hair removal - I haven't had to think about shaving for the whole summer.

Kindle - was unsure as I had one years ago that was clunky. Now it's great.

Couch25K - started last November and couldn't run for 2 minutes. Now I can run 5K and actually enjoy doing so.

Aftershock headphones for running - I can listen to music but still hear what's going on around me.

Pianote subscription- got me back into playing the piano.

@WhileMyMeringueGentlyWeeps

It’s 350g cauliflower, defrosted.
Small onion chopped.
Chicken stock cube
Teaspoon of dried thyme.
250-300ml water, I used too little first time but you can add more but not take away.
Swirl of cream mixed through at the end.

@Window1 I just Googled "instant pot", and its a kind of pressure cooker. I thought it was a Pot Noodle type thing!

@CallmeBadJanet I have an instant pot but only really use it to proof my bread! I just find it takes twice as long!

Any tips?

My son has a robot vacuum cleaner. When it is full it goes back to its dock, spews out the sealed, full bag and inserts a new one. Then it continues its mission. Could hardly believe it.

@Fluffycloudland77 thanks. Could you freeze it do you know?

Zip & link bed. Partner & I are very light sleepers. Completely separate mattresses & bases but next to each other, so if one of us is tossing & turning, it doesn't disturb the other.

@WhileMyMeringueGentlyWeeps if you leave the cream out and add it before serving yes, I can’t see why you couldn’t.

A Peloton - turned me from an exercise hater to someone who wants to exercise every day.

A Soda Stream - saved me loads of money on buying fizzy water and I'm much better hydrated.

Collagen powder - my hair and nails look AMAZING. My nails used to be really weak and brittle, now they grow really fast and rarely break.

Sweaty Betty/Lulu Lemon/Athleta gym gear - easier to exercise when your leggings and tops are riding up or falling down.

Also Eufy robo vac for me. Particularly helpful for the hallway which shows every speck of dirt.

Learning about skin ingredients and developing a solid skincare routine. Essentially using a good SPF every day and adding a retinoid at night. I now get tretinoin (and a few other active ingredients) from on-line Skin and Me.

Taking good quality supplements. Multi vitamin, probiotic, omega fish oil and ionicell (all from Victoria health) which has definitely improved my hair, which is thin, and stopped my nails from breaking.

Footless tights (mine are from snag)

Snag tights = total game changer. Never fold or roll.

A Screen Shield Max. I can steam iron everything on the hot setting without having to worry about anything sticking or burning.

I don't understand this. Why wouldn't they just make irons out of whatever this is? And surely it wouldn't be any good for stuff you need a hot iron for.

What robovac is best, please?

@DrSeuss We have Eufy max for upstairs and a Roomba for downstairs. Both are good, the Roomba doesn't get tangled in cables, the Eufy is much quieter but will chew cables and shoelaces. Make sure you get one with side brushes for corners. We tried a Neato but even with side brushes it was crap. Eufy is cheaper than Roomba.

It will just power past soft toys, although it might push them somewhere you can't find them. It will roll over small Lego in pieces but would move round a built Lego structures.

Do not get one if you have a cat or dog that might leave poo somewhere it can find it.....

Steam mop. With four animals and two kids it's a godsend because with a traditional mop someone is bound to walk over the floor before it's dry. With the steam mop the floor is dry in a few minutes

Gtech cordless vacuum, a couple of minutes every day keeps the dog hairs at bay, I now actually like walking into and around my home.

Ninja air fryer.. never use my oven anymore.. best thing ever! No pre heating, can cook meat/ veg anything in minutes… brilliant if cooking multiple dishes!

Love those make up bags. Think I’ll be buying them as gifts for all my friends

So many I agree with here!
Period pants - only for sleeping in mind but so many years of leaking at night sorted.
Hand held iron steamer - ironing just got easy.
Phillips Lumea - smooooth
Driclor- no more sweat patches
Brazilian blow dry - bye bye frizz
Micro bladed brows - wear almost no make up now.
Apple I watch- amazing
I take glucosamine for neck pain and it's really helping.

I've had my eye on a robot hoover for ages and this thread is not helping my urge to splash out!

I've just bought a washing machine big enough for my cover less duvets and I'm hoping that will be a good purchase.

@CarlynH omg me too with the separate bedrooms - I adore my DH but 20 years of both of us disturbing each other, it's been a lightbulb moment - better sleep makes me so happy!

Eufy definitely! Love him.

Nespresso, I never buy coffee out now just take it with me

Period pants for dd when she started periods just turned 9, total life saver . She's older now and has zillions!

But my main one is a heated plug in mat for period pain, helps both of us and I can now work on period days instead of often calling in sick. And I'm about to use it on my arsing aching hip after a day out! Was recommended by someone on here and has transformed my pain!

Yes to laser eye surgery! Do it people it's incredible!

Ooohhh I love this thread!

Add a beach chair to the list! We live on a pebbly beach that I hate sitting on, but kids love it. I have my handy little chair in the car for beach, park trips etc and it's wonderful.

Love this thread

Chub rub shorts
Dyson hairdryer
Cordless vacuum
Nespresso Touch travel mug

Any recommendations for really good bedding?

@allfurcoatnoknickers

A Peloton - turned me from an exercise hater to someone who wants to exercise every day.

A Soda Stream - saved me loads of money on buying fizzy water and I'm much better hydrated.

Collagen powder - my hair and nails look AMAZING. My nails used to be really weak and brittle, now they grow really fast and rarely break.

Sweaty Betty/Lulu Lemon/Athleta gym gear - easier to exercise when your leggings and tops are riding up or falling down.

What collagen powder?! I am keen !

@diamondpony80 can you share the collagen powder you use. I think it's something my hair and nails would like!