With spring practically here and al fresco lunches, picnics and spritzes imminently on the horizon, we wanted to know what affordable and functional products our GH team are loving right now with the change in season, and find out what gives them that much needed ‘microjoy’ boost every time they use it..
From a surprisingly effective grout pen for the bathroom, to luxurious honey infused with truffles, and a 1-step nail polish that dries in just 90 seconds—these are the standout items our team can’t get enough of.
They would all make the perfect little treat for yourself or a thoughtful gift for a friend or loved one. These brilliant buys will spark joy in your life and might just make mornings a little bit brighter.
The espresso cup to make you hungry
“Anna + Nina always have the cutest ceramics and their newest French bistro-inspired range has brought me serious joy lately... particularly this croissant espresso mug. I swear it makes my morning espresso taste so much better (or it's purely psychological).” – Melanie Giandzi, Content Production Editor
The sustainable veg drop
“This might be a reflection of how exciting my week is, but the Riverford veg box drop is always a highlight. It's packed with everyday essentials such as carrots, spuds and onions, as well as seasonal treats to spark mid-week meal inspo.” - Stacey Smith, Senior Food & Drink Editor
The speedy 1-step nail polish system
“Spring’s quickest update? A pastel pink nail paint. This one has breathed fresh life into all my winter clothes. Am currently wearing it with a red velvet suit I got for Christmas. It’s giving me uplifting Mark Rothko vibes!”- Jane Bruton, Editor in Chief
The posh honey you didn't know you needed
“This posh honey from Fortnum and Mason is stuffed with a slice of real black truffle and adds the most delicious drizzle of flavour to really elevate brunches and lunches. I add an artful squeeze over poached eggs, sliced avocado, sandwiches, potatoes – you name it, and it lasts so much longer than you’d think.” - Bethan-Rose Jenkins, Features Editor
The viral pistachio trend... in fragrance form
“I do like the pistachio fragrance trend, and I like it even more when it's under £7. Here, that more-ish nutty note has been mixed into a sunny fragrance mist that also includes coconut, cotton candy and caramel, and if I told you it’s a) inspired by Rio and b) smells very similar to a trendy gourmand favourite that costs five times as much, you might catch my drift. It’s cheap (cost wise) and I’d say very, very cheerful too.” - Lynne Hyland, Beauty Director
SO…? Bossa Nova Womens Rainforest Paradise Body Mist Fragrance Spray, 150ml
The goes-with-everything top
“When I spied this gorgeous T-shirt in Sainsbury’s last week, I had to add it to my shopping basket. With its on-trend puff sleeves and beautifully soft fabric, it looks (and feels!) a lot more expensive than its £14 price tag. Equally flattering worn with jeans or a skirt, it’s the perfect wardrobe update for sunny spring days.” - Vicky Deacon, Deputy Chief Sub-Editor
The ultimate travel essential
“Ueshima are known for their insanely delicious coffee (it won our best coffee pods taste tests, FYI) so I was very excited when I spotted this innovative pour over coffee bag format. It has these clever 'clips' that hook onto the side of your mug so it sits snugly and then you tear the top of the bag open to reveal the ground coffee. Pour your just boiled water over the top and voila! You're left with a mug of delicious, freshly brewed coffee. Perfect for travelling where you might not have access to decent coffee options.” - Melanie Giandzi, Content Production Editor
The aesthetically pleasing natural deodorant (that works)
“I love my salt and stone deodorant. It's free of all nasties and smells so nice, that it feels like i'm wearing perfume when i'm not. Plus, it's so much more aesthetically pleasing than Mitchum, which is a bonus!” - Grace Evans, Senior Cookery Writer
Salt & Stone Santal & Vetiver Extra-Strength Aluminium-Free Deodorant
The goes with anything rosé
“I'm manifesting warmer weather, with a glass (or two!) of this organic rosé by the Daylesford brand. With notes of juicy peach, ripe strawberries, and a touch of salinity, it’s the quintessential Provence-style blush. It’s also exceptionally food friendly and absolute perfection in the sunshine (here’s hoping!).” - Stacey Smith, Senior Food & Drink Editor
The app to give you zen ☯️
“I've become obsessed with the App ‘Down Dog’ for yoga, and now they have just released a version for barre pilates! I find their instructors and videos really clear and easy to follow. It’s all customisable so you can focus on training particular areas for the exact amount of time you have to spare on a given day, and it’s certainly more affordable than classes!” - Frances Waterbury, Accreditation Manager
The fingerless gloves for 'fool's spring'
“Fingerless gloves are a great way to accessorise an outfit – often they look like a big fluffy cuff – and obviously keep you warm. With the temperamental spring weather we’re experiencing these are the perfect middle ground for seasonal shifts. I get so many compliments on them because they’re a bit different, and they’ll be great for bringing out on colder evenings when, in true British fashion, my friends and I insist on sitting in pub gardens before summer has even started. Fool’s spring, I believe they call it.” - Florence Reeves-White, Senior Beauty Writer, GHI
Urban Outfitters Fluffy Striped Fingerless Gloves
The revolutionary cable organisers
“It might sound dramatic but these magnetic cable organisers have revolutionised my life. No more untangling loose cables from each other and thanks to the colour coding you know whose charger is whose (if you live with a charger thief, you’ll know what I mean). Plus the rainbow colours look so pleasing!” - Joanne Finney, Books Director
The easiest £1 spent
“I can’t stop buying daffodils at the moment because they are just the easiest way to bring joy and add the best pop of colour into your home. Plus, they make you smile and are cheap as chips!” - Emma Bashagha, Accreditation Sales Director
The highly coveted skin repairing balm
“This is an ultra-repairing soothing skin balm, £15.60 for 100ml, that moisturizes dry skin, soothes nappy rash and calms generally irritated skin. My dear GP friend told me the secret to it: if you use this when your skin is not irritated, it gently boosts collagen production and reduces the appearance of fine lines, and I can report my skin looks and feels healthier since using it. All for under £20. Win.” - Melanie Rickey, Style Director
The super speedy, compact battery charger
“I'm always juggling several devices that need to be at full charge to test – there's nothing quite as joyless as a drained battery. I've been swearing by this dual-port USB-C charger that can top-up two phones at top speed – we're talking 50% of the battery back in under 30 minutes! If you're still relying on the old 5W brick that came with your iPhone 6 – and that takes forever – this is a quick and easy upgrade.” - Simon Cocks, Tech Editor
The tea to bring calm into your day
“I’ve really been enjoying the Pukka Chamomile, Vanilla and Manuka Honey Tea. It’s fabulous for unwinding at the end of the day as chamomile is very calming, plus the addition of vanilla and honey makes it extra delicious. I’ve had a bit of a bad cold recently, so it was great to have this tea to help sooth my throat whilst resting up.” - Jo Jo Anastasiou, Senior Food and Drink Tester
The lip balm to trump all lip balms
“I’m something of a lip balm addict, with one tucked into virtually every bag/pocket/purse I own. This one is my absolute favourite (and I’ve tried enough) – it’s really thick so a little goes a really long way, and the gorgeous coconutty smell reminds me of sunscreen, beaches, and the brighter warmer days to come.” - Rosie Percy, Newsletter Strategy Director
The perfect white T-shirt that doesn’t shrink
“I spent £90 once on an upmarket T-shirt, convinced I’d found THE one, only for it to shrink in the wash. This unisex Uniqlo cotton crew neck tee is heavyweight enough not to cling to middle-aged spread (important if you’re over 40) and after multiple washes remains intact and still dazzling, toothpaste white. It’s so good I purchased three and rotate them. Absolute joy.”- Simon Swift, Content Strategy Director
The grout pen that will make your bathroom bling
“This might sound un-sexy, but I spent a rainy Saturday afternoon reviving the grout in my bathroom with this pen and it has honestly been the best fiver I’ve ever spent. My whole bathroom looks and feels brand spanking new!”- Mel Giandzi, Content Production Editor
The snazzy socks to impress Gen Z'ers
“I’m told off by my Gen Z nieces every time I wear “secret” socks with my trainers (not the done thing, apparently), so I’ve switched to sparkly ankle socks. Arket’s £9 gold lurex socks cheer me up every time I wear them.” - Saska Graville, GH Product Director
The snack to curb the 3:30-itis
“Forest Feast has been bringing me some serious joy lately, especially these as they are double dipped in sugary goodness. You get the good quality chocolate then a hit of crunchy almond and crisp salted caramel. I allow myself a few a day (or half a pack) and it curbs any sugar cravings. Less packed with rubbish as other snacks, too - WIN!”- Corin Ripley, Junior Fashion Editor
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