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.

@Roussette

A proper conservatory roof. The legislation changed whereby you can do this without planning permission, and the roof tiles are a lightweight replacement for slate or ordinary roof tiles.

Best. Thing. Ever.

Temperature is warm but ambient in summer (we're SW facing) and keeps its heat in winter.

Wish we did it years ago.

We have had ours done this year and it has turned an unusable space into my favourite room in the house. We had all the upvc walls and glass replaced too, so just kept the brick wall, so it wasn't cheap, but so for worth every penny.

I'm going to add to the robot vacuumers here.

Wouldn't be without it and even bought a second one for upstairs.

@boredzelda I need one for the stairs

A few more:

I love plants.....too much. I always over water and kill them. So I have replaced them with incredibly life like faux ones. You honestly cannot tell they're not real (and I have very high standards). All the pleasure with none of the stress.

A really nice overnight bag with a big, matching toiletries bag. It's always kept stocked with minatures of all my potions & lotions, spare phone charger and clean underwear.

My make up bag from The Flat Lay Co. It. Is. Amazing. It folds out into a shallow tray that sits on your dressing table, you can easily see all your stuff, no rooting around - then you can instantly zip it up closed, and it becomes a make up bag with a little carrying handle. Love it so much

@amatsip

Nail scissors in my handbag pocket, so handy when we are out and about, opening things, taking tags of cuddlies daughter insists on holding straight after purchase, loose strings etc. Just nice to always know a pair is close by.

www.amazon.co.uk/Clover-Cutter-Pendant-Antique-Silver/dp/B000WV1YC0?tag=mumsnetforu03-21 I have one of these on my keyring which serves a similar purpose (it's meant for cutting yarn when you can't take scissors and stuff on flights but it tends to get used for those times the kids find a loose thread on school uniform and you know if you leave it they will have pulled and pulled and pulled by the end of the day).

Heated airers - ours folds flat - still takes up a fair bit of space but it's flat surface area space if that makes sense.

An air con unit for the bedroom - can cope so much better with heat waves if I at least get a good night sleep.

@Lincslady53

So glad to hear it worked for you too!. We are half brick walls, rest glass, and we had roof blinds with UPVC roof. The cleaning of the UPVC on the top was a nightmare, it always had green algae on it. Now it just looks smart and no maintenance woohooo

I like the heat but it was really really hot in there at times. Now it is just lovely, and now in winter, my heating bills are so much less

@CoRhona yes! That needs to be invented.

@BoredZelda like a Eufy Slinky

like a Eufy Slinky

That made me proper laugh @CoRhona!

@peaceanddove where do you get your fake flowers?

I would love some but can never find any that don't look fake!

I'm evangelical about all of these things...

Phillips Lumea - my PCOS-hairy legs have been transformed.

Popsocket - I would drop my phone, no joke, 4-5 times a day, I am the clumsiest person alive. Not any more!

Satisfyer Pro 2 - it's a sex toy, you will not regret it. TRUST ME.

However, my number one...

TILE TRACKERS. If you are a forgetful person (or like me, have a brain made of bees), the Tile tracker (cheaper brands are available etc etc) is the single greatest investment I've ever made.

Kenwood Major Food processor. Didn’t actually know I needed/wanted one. Unexpected Christmas gift from DH 10+ years ago. Saves huge amounts of time for food prep. Can now bake regularly without worrying whether the mixer can handle large amounts. Always used to burn out a domestic food processor in about 2 years due to regular bread making

[quote Orangelizard]@peaceanddove where do you get your fake flowers?

I would love some but can never find any that don't look fake![/quote]
I get mine from Amaranthine Blooms x

I second @LoveFall. Use the Instant Pot all the time. Oven is now a warming cupboard.

Magazine and E-book apps (Pressreader/Libby/BorrowBox) from my local library service have changed my life.

Reusing glass jars (with lids) for food prep/storage.

Having just 2 lipsticks

Watermans shampoo & conditioner are awesome for reducing hair loss and thickening your hair.
Also employing a cleaner

My rice cooker!
Swimming costume that has legs like cycling shorts.
Tidying system of having boxes for toys in each room of the house, makes tidying up so much quicker.
Saltwater sandals.

Halo wave and air fryer. Saves putting the oven on and cooks far quicker

Oh and robo hoover and Stamptastic stamps for labelling children's clothes for school/nursery!

Automatic coffee machine - I can make good coffee almost with my eyes shut - and make up a thermos of coffee now whenever I go out - saves me a fortune
Sports crop tops - buy plain black ones now and am never going back to bras
Cashmere track suit bottoms in a sale - the warmest most comfortable and comforting garment I have ever owned - lived in all through lockdown

@Newbie8365 joining you revolutionary Olaplex for my hair. Have you tried No.8 yet, its a miracle.

This afternoon I have collected my new loppers from screwfix and they have literally saved me hundreds of pounds as I can cut my own trees now.
They are fabulous

A weekly clean

Braun IPL machine

@peaceanddove You have changed my life with the Flat Lay Co make up bag. How did I not know about these? I’ve been lusting after the Beautifect box for months but couldn’t justify the ££££££. Flat Lay is an awesome alternative. Now I just have to choose which design to get!

A sellotape dispenser. It’s so brilliant, now I love wrapping things.

I’m so happy I read this thread as I am totally buying shorts for swimming now! Why didn’t I think of that. Genius.

For those on a budget, boyleg swimsuits from Sports Direct:
www.sportsdirect.com/slazenger-boyleg-swimsuit-ladies-354743#colcode=35474303 I've been using them for years.