I love pink, sparkly, girly things – but I am deeply intolerant of things that don’t work and things that take forever.
Somewhere in my 30s, I realised I don’t want to be mildly annoyed in my own home.
I don’t want to wait for things, fix things, move things around, or deal with soggy, broken, badly-designed nonsense that ruins my mood for no reason.
I want things to be where they should be, to work properly, and quietly make my day better without any faffing around.These are the things in my apartment that do exactly that – things that would absolutely be on my Pinterest board now, instead of wedding dresses, Louboutins, and fairy lights in mason jars.
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Things I Love in My Home in My 30s
#1. I Bought a Sewing Machine Instead of Returning Curtains
(And It Turned Out to Be a Genius Idea)
Last year, I bought the wrong length curtains.
Instead of returning them like a normal person, I ordered a cute Brother sewing machine and decided I would simply learn how to sew and hem them.
This felt reasonable at the time.
I am not a professional.
I am also not terrible.
I sit firmly in the “confident but unqualified” category and absolutely girl-math my measurements.
But somehow, it works.
I’ve now:
- hemmed every curtain in my apartment (they had been dragging on the floor for years)
- hemmed dresses to the exact length I actually like
- removed an ongoing irritation from my life permanently
Was this the fastest solution?
No.
Was it the solution that meant I never had to deal with badly fitting curtains ever again?
Yes.
And honestly, this is the logic I will be using to solve all problems moving forward.
If you want a giggle, I wrote a whole blog post about that week – Botox, Curtains & Stroopwaffles: My Chaotic Glow-Up Week – which perfectly captures my decision-making process at the time.
#2. A Nutribullet EveryGrain Cooker for People Who Do Not Romanticise Cooking
I would love to be someone who enjoys cooking.
I am simply not her.
If a recipe says “simmer”, it’s a no from me.
This little Nutribullet EveryGrain cooker is ideal for people like me who just want food to happen without turning it into an activity.
Here’s the process:
- you put your grains in
- you add water
- you press a button
- you leave
That’s it.
It comes out fluffy and correct every single time, without supervision, stirring, or vibes-based guesswork.
There’s also a steamer tray on top, which means I can do vegetables at the same time and feel nutritionally responsible without having to put in any extra effort.
This is the closest thing to food magically appearing that I’m ever going to get.
#3. The Double Basket Air Fryer That Replaced My Entire Oven
Air-fryer life is Liam Hemsworth.
Double-basket air-fryer life is Chris Hemsworth.
I bought a double-basket air fryer last year, and my oven has been unemployed ever since.
I am not adventurous with food. I will happily eat the same meals on repeat and feel absolutely no shame about it:
- air-fried salmon or other fish
- air-fried vegetables
- rice or quinoa from the grain cooker
That is the rotation. It has never let me down.
The reason this one matters is the two baskets.
Two different foods, two different temperatures, both finishing at the same time – which feels wildly organised for someone who does not enjoy hovering in the kitchen.
You put the food in.
You press start.
You leave it alone.
Everything is cooked properly, without supervision, timing maths, or standing around waiting for something to happen.
I once made cheesy nachos in it and briefly understood why people insist on showing you photos of their children.
#4. An Indoor Security Camera Because I Like to Check
I have a small indoor security camera in my living room.
Nothing dramatic.
I’m not monitoring anything.
I just like being able to check.
When I’m away, I occasionally want to confirm that:
- nothing’s on fire
- no one’s in there
- it hasn’t somehow flooded
(Which is irrational, because I don’t live anywhere near a river, but still.)
I check.
Everything’s fine.
I move on with my day.
It’s not about fear – it’s about removing an unnecessary question from my brain.
One glance, problem solved, no spiralling required.
And honestly, that’s exactly my brand of peace now.
#5. The Bath Mat That Is a Literal Stone
I ordered what I thought was a normal grey bath mat.
What arrived instead was a diatomaceous stone bath mat – which is essentially a flat slab of natural stone that absorbs water instantly.
I was confused for about five seconds.
Then I stepped on it.
Game over.
No soggy fabric.
No damp smell.
No hanging a wet bath mat over the side of the bath like some sort of apology.
You stand on it, and the water just… disappears.
It looks clean, it dries immediately, and it removed an annoying little admin task from my life that I didn’t realise I hated until it was gone.
I did what anyone would do in this situation and texted everyone about it.
Family group chat.
Best friend.
Work friends.
Nobody asked.
Everyone was informed.
Technically, you’re meant to lightly sand it every now and then to refresh the surface when it stops absorbing.
I’ve had mine for a while and haven’t needed to do that yet.
It cost about £30, and I will never go back to a normal bath mat.
Ever.
#6. A Miele Vacuum Cleaner
I have owned a few vacuum cleaners in my life.
All of them eventually annoyed me.
My parents swear by their Dyson.
I do not share this belief.
If you drag it around a corner with even a hint of enthusiasm, it rolls over – which sends me into a quiet internal rage. The suction is fine, apparently.
I remain unconvinced.
Even the handheld Dysons?
Nothing compared to a Miele.
So I bought a Miele, because that’s what we use on yachts and they simply behave.
It doesn’t tip over.
It actually sucks.
It does its job without drama.
The most elite vacuum cleaner.
#7. All-White Bedding, Towels & Satin Pillowcases
(Because I Do Not Want a Boy Room with Ugly Blue Bedding)
All white bedding.
White towels.
Satin pillowcases.
I want my bedroom to feel like a big, comfy, fresh hotel bed – the kind that makes you actually say “oh my gosh I LOVE getting into bed” out loud.
My bedroom looks clean, fresh, and unapologetically girly with my pastel pink velvet curtains sitting at the perfect length
(Thank you, sewing machine.)
Also, the satin is SO much kinder on your hair than cotton, so 10/10 recommend if you’re on a hair care journey!
Welcome to the era.
If you want more of this energy, I’ve got:
- a whole Amazon Faves section full of things I actually use and love
- and my Delulu Diaries, which are significantly less practical but much more unhinged
Choose your adventure.
