After writing about my lockdown purchases I though I would share some things in my flat from pre lockdown that just make sense.

Timer Smart Plugs.

I have a bunch of Kasa Smart Plugs dotted around my flat with all my lamps connected to them.  The plugs are great as I can turn these lights on from my phone.  Particularly good as some are located in awkward positions!  However, the best function is the scheduling that has allowed me to set the lamps to come on and turn off at different times of the day.  As I sit here wirting the sun has gone down and three of my lamps have turned on.  Later around 10pm they will slowly switch off, a good signal to me to wind down for bed.  When I go to my bedroom the light in there will be on welcoming me in.  I can easily turn it off as there is a button on the front of the plug.  Depending on where you are in the world there might be a better option to these plugs and that smart power points.  It is not something readily available in the UK, but having the power point smart enabled reduces plastic waste and is more aesthetically pleasing.  This tech is changing fast, so I recommend doing some research first to find the best solution for you.

Automatic Lights.

Even before I was home as much as I am now in lockdown, I realised there were spaces in my flat that I would go into only for a minute or so that required lighting.  It was an effort and not always convenient, hello early morning wardrobe searching (!), to be turning on lights.  I found some rechargeable motion sensor lights that are perfect for these spaces.  Rechargeable is the way to go as I’ve had the battery ones before, and they really don’t last.  Plus, the horror of knowing batteries take over 100 years to biodegrade and then they leave behind a waster that we should all be ashamed of.  I’ve got a few of these dotted around the flat.  In the wardrobe, the laundry as I am often just dropping off something quickly and in my Monica closet that I dump things in for later.

Robot Vacuum.

Full disclosure this has been a purchase influenced by the lockdown but has always been in the back of my mind.  The cost of robot vacuums has decreased significantly in the past year and their tech abilities have increased.  I wasn’t home that much pre lockdown and only had to vacuum maybe once a week, but now times have changed.  Living, and I mean properly living, in this space, most of the week sees me vacuum nearly every day.  Turns out I hate it.  A lot!  So, I have used some of my Australia flight money (because who knows when I will go back to visit) and brought myself a robot vacuum.  Have a look at them, but keep in mind that they have huge discounts in the sales, and this is when you want to purchase.  Some even have a mop function which sounds heavenly.

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With the post becoming full of parcels and more delayed as this pandemic continues, I sent off my Christmas wish list last month to the other side of the world. In addition to the beautiful things below I’ve requested a care package of milo, mint slices, strawberries and creams, and dutch cocoa. My favourite food things. This list has gotten shorter as my tastes have changed. I no longer request any chocolates as I don’t like the aussie stuff. I hope this gives you some inspiration. If you need more have a look at my birthday list from this year too!

1. Earrings moulds from Bob N Frank, an aussie maker, to try and make earrings from jesmonite and resin.
2. Aesop Reverence Handwash £27. My favourite for the kitchen with all the little bits in it.
3. Aesop Rind Concentrate Body Balm £27. I use this on my hands to help refresh them from all the creating I do.
4. Dremal 3000 £60. This is perfect for my new earring making skills and will save me lots of time sanding.
5. The Other Side of the Frontier, history of Australian Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islander and the British Invasion
6. Container Store Acrylic Handbag Hook, was the one thing on the Home Edit I really want
7. Em Rusciano Try Hard Autobiography, one of my fav female comedians
8. Trevor Noah Born a Crime, looking forward to reading this to understand apartheid better

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Full disclosure I have been very active on tictok hence the title of this post! If you aren’t familiar there is a trend to show things in your home that just make sense but today I am going to do my lockdown purchases that just make sense. Prior to lockdown I thought my home was very organised and not really in need of any updates big or small. However, like you being in my home for longer time periods has allowed me to see where small improvements could really change my space for the better.

Spice Rack Clips On The Pantry Door.

I purchased a spice rack from ebay and waited the customary billion weeks! If lock down has taught us anything I have def learnt patience. They arrived and I promptly stuck them on my pantry door with the thick tape adhesive they came with. In the middle of the heat wave. Not sure if it was the heat or just this tape ain’t that great but I woke in the middle of the night to loud banging and realised my spices were falling inside my cupboard! Disappointed but not discouraged I pulled out my £20 drill, charged her up and screwed those racks into the door. Solved and now I have plenty of space in my cupboard when I am trying to find something.

Tube Squeezer.

I saw a fancy version of this tube squeezer at Liberty’s. I asked them how much and they told me they didn’t sell them but were always asked about it. What followed was my business head having a conversation with the assistant about lost sales opportunities! Later I ordered this one from Amazon. Yes yes we aren’t meant to shop there anymore but this was beginning of lock down and I was stressed. There are cheaper plastic versions but darling for for this cause she is beautiful and you know it will last. Perfect to get every last drop out of your Aesop hand cream tube!

Mini Trampoline.

Well that was an unexpected step change to exercise. The minute it became obvious Boris was going to announce a lock down I stress searched the Internets for a mini trampoline. Did you know 10 minutes on a mini tramp is the same as a 30 minute job? But better for your joints. It’s the only thing I remember from that horrendous show ‘You are what you eat’. Remember the poo samples?! If you are too young then thank your lucky stars cause we saw it all! Anyway, digression, the mini tramp. She was cheap and cheerful purchase from Argos and I exercised three times a week for three months on her before she started to break. Not terribly just a seam came undone which meant a spring dropped mid jump! I sewed her back up because by then all the mint tramps were sold out, even the £400 plus ones. Now that the gyms are back open her and I have a session once a week. She is a fragile but I am also determined to get the most out of her before she becomes landfill. Note if you want one to do serious exercise on I recommend a tramp that has elastic where the springs are. These are the professionals pieces that gyms use and more expensive but much better long term for the earth.

Whilst it is a few months off until my birthday, my family are already asking for my birthday wish list!  They recently sent a package from Australia that took six weeks to get here.  Normally it takes two, maximum three weeks.  With these uncertain times I’m trying to stick to items from the EU.  However, there are a couple from Canada and Australia in there.

In the last couple of years since leaving advertising agency crazy life I have taken my birthday off to celebrate.  This year’s day is loosely planned out.  A sleep in and I’ll make myself a hot breakfast.  I’ve bought a ticket to Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Rooms at the Tate Modern.  Not sure if that will still happen!  A late lunch at a Wahaca and its delicious Mexican food.  Previously I would have then gone to a theatre show but I think this time I will head home and watch a movie.  Splurge, and pay for a latest release!

1. Kroft Hanging Clothes Rack
2. Rachel Castle and Things Baby Floral Pillowcase
3. Indy Tute Upcycling Vintage China Upcycling
4. Hand Caning Workshop
5. Rainbow Confetti Glasses Etsy maker MEKU
6. Indy Tute Cold Pressed Soap Making Workshop
7. Jesomite Bowl Making Workshop
8. Bimby & Roy Ubi Dressing Gown