4 recent game changers

Similar to my post about Christmas pressies that worked with the kids, I thought that I would share with you some recent game changers in our household. These are things that have been SO good, SO life changing that they change the game as you know it. They make life a better place. And because I like to share, I thought you might like to know about them too.

Of course I don’t need to mention that I have not been paid to do so (I WISH I had these as brands wanting to work with me). Think of it as a community service announcement. A chat in the playground if you will while we wait for the bell to go.

Bose Bluetooth portable speaker

This was the Christmas present that I gave Rob last year and it’s safe to say that I NAILED IT.COM.AU/SHITYEAH. I grabbed it from JBHIFI but I think you can get it other places. It’s a high quality speak that gets charged at a power point, then you use your phone (or any MP3 player device) with bluetooth to play all your music through. You can also hook your iPad up to it and if you have WIFI with Spotify attached you can play whatever you like ENDLESSLY. We used this poolside at the farm, outside when we are entertaining, when I’m gardening, when Rob is doing weights. Whatevs…it goes wherever you do. GAME CHANGER.

From memory it was $350. You can read more about it here.

IMG_5531

Apple TV

I have written about this in previous posts but I must say it’s worth every word. Being able to access any movie or TV show without having to buy or rent it through a ye olde worlde video shop is REALLY good. I got this from Harvey Norman and it was $104. You can read more about it here.

IMG_5533

Sticker chart for exercise

Because my mind works like a 4-year-old I have implemented a chart for me and my exercise. Anyone that has been reading this blog for any length of time would know that my parenting skills are based purely on bribery and sticker charts (which is basically bribery). I use Run Keeper (which is an app on my phone) which tracks distance and pace etc, but I ended up pulling the pin if I missed a a few days (even if I had been going really well for months at a time). See? Told you I was like a 4-year-old. Instead of beating myself up about not reaching unrealistic expectations, I decided to set myself a REASONABLE goal. Exercise 4 times a week. That’s it. Just 4. Write them down. Do it whenever. Just do it 4 times per week. And so I have. And while this is week 3 and I will inevitably beat myself up when I miss a week and self sabotage the ENTIRE thing. It’s working now. I have a July deadline to look and feel great in Croatia. Let’s do this.

IMG_5523

Soda Stream

As I mentioned when I wrote about this before – this bad boy was sent to me (YES I DID NOT PAY FOR IT) but it has been loved and adored every day since. I have gotten replacement gas cylinders, extra bottles for it and while I haven’t messed around with the pre packaged flavours available it is THAT GOOD. It is! No more millions of empty bottles in the recycling. No more lugging bottles from the shelf to the trolley to the car from the car to the shelf to the fridge. Just cold bubble water in my fridge at all times. You can get them from Harvey Norman as well (that’s where I get the replacement things from) or places like DJ’s/Myer etc for $149. You can read more about them here.

IMG_5527

So tell me, what’s been a recent game changer for you?

Comments

  1. Son has just b ought brand new on Ebay Sodastream. Australian postage and much cheaper than you paid. Then again, he has a couple of days to wait yet for it.

  2. Marcia Boulton says

    Link your Apple TV up to the US Netflix and you’ll never leave the house! x

  3. I dived on the Apple TV when I had some points to burn, and was so excited to get it. Since then, I’ve discovered that our useless internet at Dirranbandi (not confusing Dirranbandi as useless in case anyone is reading from Dirran!, just the internet) makes it take DAYS to download anything. It collects dust until the day I move and live underneath a satellite……we’ve had a sodastream for donkeys………………complete game changer

    • BabyMacBlogBeth says

      Ah yes…internet is kind of required isn’t it? Ours can be slow at times and pause but it’s mostly been pretty good.

  4. My retro digital radio $49 from Kmart. It plugs into the wall or runs on batteries when out at the beach or by the river. I love it, I need music all the time.

    Our new coffee table, it’s glossy and round and has wheels. Totally awesome. Actually, changing everything about our living area. I have a super small space to deal with (seriously, can I move in with you?) so making the most of what we have was important and has changed our daily lives. http://www.danimezza.com/2014/01/living-colourfully/

  5. We bought a soda stream from Coles for $70 – works the same,just doesn’t look as pretty and it has earned its place in our kitchen over and over. Bev, also look at a fit bit band or garmin watch to track your exercise – you will love it!!!

  6. Yep, we’ve got Apple TV and a similar portable speaker that I got Clint for his birthday last year. Agreed they are game changers!
    My coffee machine that I bought before Chrissy is a game changer for me. So much more extra $$$ in my pocket! We can get coffees home delivered here so I was getting a little too cosy with that. Now I love the ritual of making my own every morning. (Before the coffee machine, home delivered coffee was my biggest game changer!)

    • BabyMacBlogBeth says

      Well done on getting a good coffee machine. I can’t wait to take that speaker OS with us as well – will be great to have it in apartments and in Croatia.

      • Take the Apple TV too. It was a lifesaver when we went to Germany and wanted to watch something after a day of sightseeing. Also good for early rising kids and we wanted a quiet morning.

        • BabyMacBlogBeth says

          You can DO THAT?!

          • Sure can. As long as the TV has a HDMI connection and you have internet (which most holiday apartments have these days). You can take your whole collection of movies/TV shows with you! Such a little black box of goodness!

  7. Yes! Soda stream! A new addition to our house post-Christmas and it’s seriously awesome. I feel… I want to say, evangelical, about it. As in: “everybody get one!”. No flavours, no way. Just fizzy water. LITERALLY on tap. So good.

  8. shoppegirls says

    We have Apple TV and it is brilliant. We are a family that just loves movies and this is just the best.

  9. Apple TV very tempting! Do you find it restrictive only being able to use iTunes products with it? Also love the exercise chart thing, reminds me of the Jerry Seinfeld productivity trick, as discussed here. http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/01/27/idUS258947592820140127 Love your work!

  10. fauxfuschia says

    having the internet restored after 3 yes 3 weeks off line. Game Changer.

  11. Oh my god. A sticker chart. WHY DO I NOT HAVE ONE? That’s fucking genius! *makes note to go buy stickers FIRST THING*

  12. MotherDownUnder says

    My Thermomix! She was a LONG time coming but she is finally here! And I love her! So now while “I” am “cooking” dinner I also get to do really fun things like empty the dishwasher, do a load of laundry…or my favourite, cuddle with my little guy and watch some Thomas The Tank Engine!

    • BabyMacBlogBeth says

      Is is the Aldi one? Or a proper one? I am sure one of these would be a game changer…I’ve never seen them in use!

      • MotherDownUnder says

        A proper one! The Aldi one broke after about two weeks…I took that as a sign that I needed to suck it up and get the real deal.

  13. I have Hutch a jambox for Christmas last year, same as the Bose but cheaper. I agree game changer! We’re living in a house without a stereo, and really listening to podcasts and music through your phone is quite inferior. We love the jambox, got it on Amazon. The Nespresso machine he gave me is also a game changer in such an obvious way, we’re all much happier and it’s saved heaps on take away coffees.

  14. vacationbarbie05 says

    I have a wireless system similar to the Bose, it’s called Sonos. It works the same way, but you can add up to 31 speakers and each speaker can play a different station…. Pandora, Spotify, iTunes, etc. You can program it to play something different in each room, or move the speakers…say outside (but it needs to be plugged in) to play the same thing. We love it.

  15. Our pool is going to be a game changer when it is finally fucking finished.

  16. Lisa Mckenzie says

    My Saeco posh coffee machine is the best it grinds the beans for you! I really like my George foreman mix and go smoothie maker too and my new Dyson vaccum cleaner is THE business I love it.My husband and son would like an Apple TV but since we have 6 TVs in the house I said the one in the family room has to break first!

  17. We have a Jawbone mini speaker that i LOVE! I can listen to anything I like in the shower without annoying Mr Smags

  18. Our Soda Stream is the greatest chrissy gift i have received in years too, I love the gas bottle exchange & they make a tonic syrup is the best too!

Trackbacks

  1. […] also wrote this post at the start of the year with some other game changers in it that you might want a look […]

Speak Your Mind

*