On the 18th December 2015 I became the proud owner of a new home. It is without a doubt the best thing I have purchased this year. In fact, in my whole entire life. Obviously I don’t own it outright as Nationwide have a majority share in our new pad but you get the gist of the post.
At Rock My Limited the team have been buying some very varied items; from romantic to practical here are the best things we’ve purchased this year.
Lolly
Best buy from a practical point of view would have to be a yearly pass to Birmingham Botanical Gardens. For the grand total of £48 we’ve had unlimited access to this oasis of garden awesomeness since April this year. Since we’re still encamped at my mum’s in Edgbaston, the Botanics is literally a short walk in the pram and from there a leap into lush gardens filled with flowers to keep this girl very happy indeed. There’s a brilliant playground (which is usually super quiet) which keeps the little man entertained along with the peacocks and parrots and earlier this summer the butterfly house too. Events for members are generally free and on weekdays we can take up to five adults in with us on our family pass (excellent for grandparents eager to push the pram). I found out recently that our pass also entitles me to free entry at a host of other gardens across the UK too including Kew so I’ll be taking advantage of that in the new year!
Fern
It’s all been mundane household stuff for us! Our hoover was held together by masking tape and with a dog, a crawling baby and the mountains of sand that seem to get into the house when you live by the beach (however careful you are), a new hoover was very much needed! This wasn’t even a purchase, as we inherited it from my Granny, but the Miele Cat & Dog has changed my life (!) I literally used to spend most of my time vacuuming and with the broken hoover I had to let go and accept that there would always be at least one dog hair, somewhere…but the Miele has made a huge difference, the dog hairs are almost eliminated. And Elle isn’t covered in fur from head to toe as she used to be 😉
Oh god, this is a definite sign that I’m getting old and need to get out more!
Becky
I’ve heard Fern’s purchase is amazing. I have a VAX one and it’s ok but it’s not amazing by any stretch. As a result, we now have a cleaner… maybe she is my best purchase of the year. She’s currently cleaning my kitchen as we speak. It’s a bit weird.
Lottie
I don’t think I’ve had anything that life changing! For that reason I’m going to say it’s my new Bobbi Brown under eye colour corrector and serum! I have seriously dark circles and always struggle to cover them. I’m also not one for spending hours on makeup so this is a whizz. First you dab on the colour corrector and then the concealer. Its fab. Plus as it’s a serum it is great for dry skin and doesn’t end up looking patchy.
The other thing we got for the house was paying a local carpenter to make our window seat in the lounge. Its transformed the room and the quality is fantastic.
Charlotte
The best things I bought were my NutriBullet – it makes sure I actually have breakfast, sometimes I’ll even have a smoothie for lunch if I’m pushed for time and nothing else takes my fancy. Also My Smith & Cult nail polish, it may be the key to me giving up gel nails forever, which is going to be a HUGE saving!
Adam
The best thing I bought in 2015 was ‘The Ring’. Not the supernatural psychological horror film directed by Gore Verbinski, oh no… I’m talking about popping the question with a Bobbly Dazzler. I asked Lizzie to marry me back in May and since then my life has felt a little more complete every day. We’ll be sharing our wedding planning adventures over on Rock My Wedding next year (starting in a few weeks actually) so please do stop by.
It’s going to be a big wedding year for us with our big day in September and two of my best friends also tying the knot in 2016. The fun kicks off in a few weeks when we fly out to California for an intimate wedding in San Francisco… Next year promises to be very exciting indeed!
So folks, what’s your favourite purchase this year? As the year comes to a close what’s been your best buy in 2015? Anything you’ve become the proud owner of that’s changed your life?! However practical or frivolous we’d love to hear.
Our first proper house. Even with the leaky windows, the discovery of asbestos in the chimney and mushrooms growing from my kitchen skirting board! After 4 months I still have a little “this is really our house” moment every morning.
Yay so exciting Sarah. Big congratulations on becoming a home owner x
Aw, my heart went all fuzzy on that last one from Adam. Congrats on your impending nuptials, and I’m very jealous of your destination. San Fransisco is on my 2017 Hitlist!
Best purchases… Hmm… I’m going to say my Macbook Air. Having this baby has allowed me to run my business from my garden, the beach, parks, cafe’s and moving vehicles. Although for ‘office days’ I prefer my big ass iMac.
Very jealous you get to use the beach an office Naomi! x
I got our loft partially boarded out. Now we have a place for suitcases, our sons cot, my old work wardrobe and even a huge bulk buy of loo roll from Costco! It’s changed my life and made our flat look so much more streamlined.
Hooray for extra storage Kathryn. I need some of that in my life at the moment! x
Best purchase has to be the IVF we had this year (we went privately). Most expensive purchase ever, but I don’t care any more as today I’m 12 weeks pregnant and my wife and I couldn’t be any happier 🙂 Can’t wait for 2016 🙂
Oh Wow Gracie!! Congrats to you and your wife! The IVF journey isn’t easy (I’ve watched a close friend go through it). I know that 12 week mark is such a big’un! Are you following Rock My Family?
Thank you! I am, I’ve already bookmarked the posts in car seats which I’m confused about and I’ve been checking out the sales mentioned this week 🙂 Now if only I could find a pram/pushchair that fits into a Fiat 500…
You can find them! My friend has a fiat 500 and a 14month old, not sure what pram she has though – if I can find out I’ll come back and let you know. Congrats on the success, I’ve been there. My son will be 1 in January, it’s been an amazing year xx
The armadillo flip xt from mamas and papas fits in a fiat 500. In fact the flipping down foldy demo video of it shows exactly that!
Congratulations! The icandy Peach 2 fits in a Fiat 500… We still drive ours 2.5 years on and only now is it getting a little bit snug!x
Congratulations Gracie! What a wonderful best buy! x
Gracie that’s incredible, congratulations!! Best of luck to you both xx
Huge congratulations Gracie. Such wonderful news. Have an absolutely fabulous 2016 x