Helpful Gadgets

[Miranda]

Wth Christmas coming up, I thought I'd start this thread as my DH is spectacularly useless at buying me presents - for me a present has to be useful and something I'd buy for myself if I knew it existed (can't be doing with chocolates, flowers, candles, smellies), so I hope folk can come up with some ideas of things they've got that are useful.

Anyhow the most useful thing I bought myself recently (and it was only £5 on offer at a show) is a Thermos cup. Takes 2 x cups of tea/coffee and keeps it warm enough for me to actually drink it. Also as it has a lid if you do knock it over the spillage is minimal.

Second most useful is Organised Mum calendar - but I'm cheating as posting this reminds me I have still got to order mine.

[Chell]

The kids got DH a thermos cup for Fathers Day but it is shaped like a mug but is a cafetiere (sp?), he uses it all the time. It hasn't got a lid but keeps the coffee hot and is much quicker than putting the coffee maker.

Sorry, not a WAH thing but thought I'd mention it. :cheesy: TK Maxx had them for £4.99 in various colours last week. I got his from John Lewis, it was dearer at £5.99.

[brooklyn]

Oh I like that idea, ds managed to spill dh's cup of boiling coffee all over himself yesterday cryingsmil:no:

he got me once a tiny pen that you can write anyway you want with, like scribble notes with the paper upright (am I making any sense?) I loved it except it's so tiny, I keep loosing it.

I also love my Moleskine notebooks.
http://www.mojolondon.co.uk/stationery/moleskine/reporter/
I take them with my everywhere instead of writing things on random pieces of paper I loose.

[samigail]

I'm thinking i'd quite like a big pinboard to keep myself organised, then i could pin up orders still to complete royal mail postage prices etc, I;m so fed up of rummaging through paper every time i need to find something!

[partybabe]

I have a big notice board, just need to remember to use it now lol.

On my christmas list is a Sat Nav, need it for finding my way about!

[knotjustjigs]

OOh Miranda i have a couple of those cups and they are fab! i take them withme in the morning to fairs, i have one on the way and the other whilst setting up (i love my tea :blusingan)

I also absolutely LOVE my organsied mum Life Book/Diary! i think i might treat myself to the leather bound one next time :)

I do have a fantastic money box/tin from staples for anyone that does fairs etc this is amazing ! its called a coin counter and holder

http://www.staples.co.uk/ENG/Catalog/cat_sku.asp?CatIds=%2C&webid=385494&affixedcode=WW

The coin bit comes out so you can use underneath and the notes compartments are fab! sorry a bit geeky i know but i have found it a godsend at fairs!

Kettyx

[Issyboo]

I would agree that Organised Mum is fab. I have the magnetic weekly planner on the fridge and would not do without it now.

If anyone would like to buy Organised Mum enter code JR1ZZ178 to get free delivery.

http://www.mamatoto.co.uk/PRD_SearchResults.aspx

:happy72:

[Miranda]

Oh I like that idea, ds managed to spill dh's cup of boiling coffee all over himself yesterday cryingsmil:no:.

Hope he's OK

he got me once a tiny pen that you can write anyway you want with, like scribble notes with the paper upright (am I making any sense?) I loved it except it's so tiny, I keep loosing it. .
Now I have one of these too, space pen I think it is...I do have it...somewhere!

I also love my Moleskine notebooks.
http://www.mojolondon.co.uk/stationery/moleskine/reporter/
I take them with my everywhere instead of writing things on random pieces of paper I loose.

I'll have a look!

[Boom]

I have an Organised Mum calendar. It's been really helpful. Especially with meal planning

I also have a Sat Nav

Wilkos do the thermos cup things with lids (no spillage as they have a stopper in too) for £1.00! I want a couple of these, but live nowhere near a Wilkos - must remember to ask MIL

I love useful stuff as gifts too, rather than ornamental or sentimental

[BellaMiller]

Hey I'm a notebook person too - only problem is have so many I forget which book has the important note in!

[Patti odoors]

I have a big notice board, just need to remember to use it now lol.

On my christmas list is a Sat Nav, need it for finding my way about!

http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/product.do?sku=458996&cm_ven=Affiliatewindow&cm_cat=Affiliate&cm_pla=Affiliate&cm_ite=Affiliate

I saw it on http://www.offeroftheday.co.uk/?gclid=CMqNpu78-5ICFRVmMAod4HbJBA and it gives a code for free delivery and price reduction on there which means you get it for £91 [VOUCHER CODE AW1UK30 but it expires in 2 days}

[Katiequiggle]

I've got some of those mugs, £1 from the pound shop so shop around, they are fab. Tim takes one to drink his tea on the train to work and I use mine in the shed to stop my tea getting cold in between working on a bead. You're right the lid is fab as even when I knock it over it doesn't spill, well much anyway.

The best gadget I've ever ever had and anyone who knows me will know this is the perfect perfect thing for me is a Tom Tom. I've wasted hours and hours of my life getting lost going anywhere as some of you know and now I have the confidence to go anywhere because I wont get lost anymore. I've even taken on a few fairs in places I would go to before because I knew I'd get so lost finding them. It's fab and highly recommended to any losers like me. All I need now is for it to tell me where my lost car keys are each time I go out and I've won.

[Miranda]

I could never use a Sat Nav after DH took his work one with us to Lincolnshire. We argued with it all the way as DH & I are both distance drivers familiar with the best ways to go avoiding bottlenecks, between us we've covered several million miles and can get to anywhere south of Derbyshire without needing to look at a map. Could've throttled it every time it tried to send us back to the main road or motorway because we deviated.

[Katiequiggle]

Oh I just go the way I know until I get to where I don't know anymore, like when I'm getting near to the address I need then its invaluable for getting me through towns and housing estates etc. Having said that, I used it when I went to Suzi Smirnoffs last week and although I've been there loads of times it took me on a much quicker route after I'd come off the A3 so I'll be using it again next time I go. It's brilliant, it's my new best friend.