Things that are impossible to find but really shouldn't be.

[HairyShins]

I want an affordable hard back A3 notebook with lined paper that is thick enough to write on both sides. It needs a pen holder. Not too thick or thin and not spiral bound. Not ugly.
I've been looking for months and can I find one?!

What things are you searching for that really shouldn't be this hard to find?

@ToWhere

Plain bog standard rubber hot water bottle without the cover. Looked in The Range, B&M and Home Bargains. There were loads of fluffy things before Christmas but already have the covers.

@toWhere www.chemist.co.uk/rubber-double-ribbed-hot-water-bottle-red.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAi9mPBhCJARIsAHchl1zVRkzzqhASFlD7TgHzZpyDJgPenFGcWHxj-807zgKjXyRvJbO7jpMaAimaEALw_wcB

Hot water bottles 😊

A properly waterproof and breathable jacket in a size 22. Even fat women go for walks in the rain but there don't seem to be any suitable clothes!

@HugeAckmansWife

This might work? www.decathlon.co.uk/p/women-s-aquafitness-one-piece-swimsuit-doli-black-pink/_/R-p-325442?mc=8615208&c=BLACK

[quote Ijsbear]@EffortsToBuild I got this and really like it. Removeable pages with 6 rings, and you can order refills.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07D9HQYXD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8

refills www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07V69K4XR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?psc=1&tag=mumsnetforu03-21&ie=UTF8[/quote]
Omg - I love this - I don't need it but I love it

Decent black trousers for work. I don't want them to be half way up my leg (ankle grazers my arse). I don't want to wear polyester. I don't want wide legs that make me look like I've run away from the circus.

How hard can it be?

I just googled "A6 perfect bind hardback writing pad with pen loop." £4.99 amazon. First result.

@InThePresenceOfWeevil

Fitted sheets for small double beds

Amazon is your friend here. I even managed to find some microfibre ones.

Breastfeeding clothes that are not also pregnancy clothes. You won’t be doing both at the same time!

@Dandelionflower

A toaster that can toast a whole slice of normal sized bread.

I have a 4 slice toaster from wilko, that can toast whole slices of Warburtons. My last toaster could as well and that was also from wilko.

A 2nd hand Louis style fire surround. (Just the surround) that isn't either 250 miles away or ridiculously overpriced.

Niche I know

@Fairyliz

Workmen who turn up to give you a quote when they say they will and don’t just ghost you. I have the money for several jobs around the home, just can’t get anyone to even quote me.

Or even get back to you after an initial enquiry. Can’t even get as far as making a quote appointment with some of them. What is it with them? It’s not that difficult to just let someone know they’re not interested instead of leaving them hanging.

A website that lets you select all the very specific criteria you need your new or used car to have and a budget and then tells you which models fit the bill.

A large handbag, big enough to hold my 1 litre water bottle amongst other things, with internal sections so all the other stuff is findable, with a long strap so it can still be a shoulder bag. A bit smaller than a tote. Everything I see is either too small or a tote.

A sharpener with a container for shavings that always works properly! I’ve wasted money on various brands but haven’t found a decent one yet so stick to the basic metal ones. I tried an electric one too and that was also rubbish. Why’s it so hard to find decent pencil sharpeners?!

An online clothing retailer where you can filter for 'not'. So 'not low back', 'not high waist' and 'not a crop top'.

Boohoo has 'not a crop top' to be fair, but, well, it's Boohoo.

@Thatkid

Mine would be a 100% cotton, high thread count extra, extra deep (I.e. 20 inches or more) fitted sheet for a superking bed. Without having to take out a small mortgage to afford the damn thing.

Most extra deep fitted sheets are 18 inches which isn't enough when you have 6 inches of memory foam on top of an already thick mattress. That much memory foam is kind of essential thanks to crappy joints (several) and a desire to want to wake up pain free in the morning.

I've had some cracking good stuff from Brand Alley, like 1,200 thread count fitted sheets with extra deep corners to fit over mattresses plus toppers perfectly. Paid about £55.

Oh also, a smart (like office wear smart) Mac that is actually waterproof and has a hood. You can get loads of casual or 'outdoor' styles but nothing smart enough for a corporate type job or to wear on a evening out.

Gravy browning. Our small local Sainsbury's (not that small) doesn't stock it, so I have to drive miles to the big one. Lucky it lasts for ages.

Ditto black treacle.

Oh, has anyone tried buying a ladies', brown, round neck jumper recently?

An online video tutorial of how to stack sponge cakes. Not how to stack already stacked cakes. How to put one layer on top of the other straight, so that it is vertically precise.

@Lizsmum

Snowdonia brand do up to size 32

@thehateisnotgood I recently got hydrogen peroxide in Tesco, you have to ask for it at the pharmacy, they asked what strength I wanted, and what I was going to use it for. So check which strength you need before you go.

My holy grail notebook is an A5, ringbound with dotted paper - that preferably doesn't have to come from France or cost £££.

Yet to find one. Luckily Kenji do decent hard back 'bujo' notebooks which will do.

I really want to buy more Tropical Seasoning pilau rice seasoning. It was perfect. So much cheaper than the Schwartz stuff plus no star anise which I don't like.

...my local shop has stopped selling it, should have ended that sentence!

@climbingplant
this is a reliable pencil sharpener with three pencil sizes.
But remember to open it at the dots or the sharpenings go everywhere!