I never knew I needed....

Do you have any of those things that you didn’t know you needed, and then when you got them you wondered how you ever lived without them?

Those things that make your life just that little bit easier?

I would love you to share your ‘must haves’, but in the meantime, here are a few of mine!

• Crocs

  So mine are my ‘backdoor shoe’ of choice. I have tried others (sliders- too slidey, Birkenstock Bostons- not good when it’s wet) but crocs are comfy and practical. Great for watering the garden as it doesn’t matter if they get a splashed. Great for a walk down to the beach as they don’t let too many little stones in. You can ‘jog’ if you need to move more quickly. I never thought I would be singing the praises of Crocs, but here we are!

  

• A micro-fibre hair towel/ turban

  This is just perfect to pop round your head and dry your hair. I used to use a small towel and it would fall off as I was getting ready. These have a button to secure it in place and it dries your hair more quickly.

• A weekly planner notebook

  My husband relies on his phone for all his reminders, but I love my weekly planner. I can see what is coming up and I can plan around it. I love the visual aspect of it and all of it being in one place. My current one has a space for each day, plus additional boxes for things to do and notes. It means I can scribble down chores and reminders, as well as ideas.

• Magnets

  Specifically the ones that you use to attach a race bib. It’s much nicer than a safety pin that might ruin your lovely running top. They have flat backs so are less likely to rub your skin too.

• Kaftan

  I bought this last summer as I just loved the cotton and the print. I had no idea how much I would end up wearing it. It’s just perfect when it is hot and you want something to waft around the house in. I love to pop it on after a shower in the evening as it means I don’t spread aftersun or body lotion on the sofas or chairs. My summer pyjamas are usually shorts - so this just gives a bit more coverage.

  

• Hiking trousers

  When I started walking the Saxon Shore Way last year, I walked in leggings, but if you walked near brambles they would poke through the fabric and scratch your skin. I’ve learnt to avoid shorts due to nettles overhanging the paths. Hiking trousers have been ideal. Lightweight and robust enough to protect the legs. I have two pairs (Decathlon and Sweaty Betty) and I wouldn’t be without them now!

• Glass cleaning cloth

  Randomly this was part of a pack of cleaning cloths that I bought, and is a very flat microfibre cloth. It is just brilliant for bathroom mirrors and the rogue splashes that seem to appear from nowhere (must be the others using the bathroom?). You don’t need any cleaning fluid, the cloth and a bit of water and its so shiny again!

• Squeegee

  How did I not know that using one of these after the shower means that you don’t need to clean the shower so often? Literally no-one told me. Gets rid of all that hard water before the deposits build up. Tell me what other cleaning hacks I am missing? Anything to save time!

• Dental Hygiene Kit (contains a scaler, pick and mirror)

  I am pretty good at flossing and using my interdental brushes, but I love these tools for grabbing at a pesky chia seed after breakfast! The mirror can be handy for other random things too, like a little rash behind my ear other other day.

• Mini Hoover/ Vacuum

  So lovely to not have to get the big vacuum cleaner out every time. Handy for all those little spills (I am clumsy!) and crumbs. I have been known to use it on the worktops before wiping them down.

  What have I missed? What do I need that will genuinely make life easier?

You might be interested in the Substack I wrote about my cupboard/fridge/ freezer essentials, which I cannot live without: