Birthstone rings, luxury loungewear and a genius overnight bag: what you loved most this month
Never has the term 'fool's spring' been more fitting. When the sun came out early in the month, many of us began to prepare for the summer that felt just around the corner. Hundreds of you, like me, bought the most genius overnight bag for the weekends away that were surely about to happen, and the perfect nail colour for the new season.
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But let's be real: it's not summer yet. A fact evidenced by just how many of you were also buying practical raincoats, stay-in-all-day satin pyjamas and – less glamorously – microwave rice cookers. Here are the Filter recommendations you loved the most this month.
Anyday Hennriette Point£49 at John Lewis
Jess Cartner-Morley declared the pilates pump to be 'the new ballet flat' in her style essentials for March – and so many of you seem to agree. 'Something about the way a ballerina flat leaves the top part of my foot flat lacks grace, visually,' said Jess. 'I've found the solution in a new genre of ballerina/Mary-Jane hybrids, with a strap across the top – like the socks people wear at pilates, hence the name.'
Sistema rice steamer £7.99 at Amazon
We were as surprised as anyone when this £11 microwave rice-steaming bowl managed to hold its own in our recent rice cooker group test. 'Using its suggested ratios and timings, my basmati emerged after 15 minutes with individual fragrant grains, with no starchiness or chalky middle,' said our reviewer Joanne Gould. It also performed well for sushi and brown rice. It's no YumAsia for complete rice perfection, but if you're nervous about cooking rice in a pan, this is a great starting point. It does get incredibly hot, though.
Antler Essential overnight bag£125 at John Lewis £125 at Antler
This bag 'has had complete strangers stopping me in the street and on the Eurostar platform recently', said Cartner-Morley in her March style essentials. 'The clever thing … is the integral back strap, which allows it to slide over the pop-up handle of your wheeled suitcase. This keeps it sitting securely on top of your luggage without everything falling over in chaos when you try to buy a coffee or get on to a train.' It also fits easily into a luggage rack or under the seat in front.
Fussy natural deodorant£10 at Fussy
With more and more of us wanting to cut back on plastic, it's no surprise so many of you loved Anita Bhagwandas's roundup of the best refillable beauty products. And especially popular was this refillable deodorant from Fussy. 'Unlike many 'natural' deodorants, it genuinely works,' she wrote. 'Choose your recycled plastic case, and pick from several scents (I'm obsessed with Parma Violets) to create your own bespoke deodorant.'
Nails Inc Turks And Caicos Beach nail polish£8 at Amazon
Not only do 'cappuccino-coloured nails look great with everything', said Cartner-Morley in her monthly style essentials, but also the 'shade is subtle enough that if – like me – you're not exactly a dab hand on the DIY, a few application wobbles won't show'.
Rains unisex long jacket£71.50 at John Lewis
Scandinavian label Rains 'is one of the brands I reach for whenever the weather takes a turn', says Ellie Violet Bramley in our guide to stylish raincoats. 'Its long jacket has seen me through countless soggy commutes, playground trips and walks in the woods.' It's machine-washable, too.
Stacking family birthstone ringFrom £21.60 at Etsy
This sentimental gift idea was popular for Mother's Day, but it would also make a lovely gift all year round, for mothers and friends alike. 'If in a few years, my now three-year-old decided to give me one of these, her birthstone nestled next to mine, I can guarantee I would melt,' said Bramley in our gift guide.
Satin pyjamas£34.90 at Uniqlo
Lounging around must have become much more glamorous around the country after hundreds of you bought these satin pyjamas from our Mother's Day gift guide. They even have pockets, so they're practical too.
Smol laundry capsulesFrom £6 for 24 at Smol
We've been overwhelmed with responses since we asked in this newsletter for your tips on cutting down on plastic. So many of you told us how much plastic you'd saved by switching to Smol refillable cleaning products, and now many more readers have cottoned on to this as well. Thank you so much for sending in so many great tips – read below for more we've received.
From smash-proof cases to updates: how to make your smartphone last longer
The best cordless vacuum cleaners for a spotless home: 10 tried and tested favourites
Is the Simba Hybrid Pro mattress worth the hype? I slept on it for three months to find out
Always roll your clothes! 13 travel packing hacks to save you space and money – according to seasoned travellers
'Reminds me of sun cream': the best (and worst) supermarket coconut milk, tasted and rated
It's been nearly 11 years, but I can still remember the number of bouquets that filled my flat after the birth of my daughter. Don't get me wrong: I love flowers. But in those magical, insane early weeks there are, with hindsight, other gifts that could have lightened the load a little.
A week's worth of meals, for example; or a care package filled with treats. Someone did buy me the Mother's Balm from this Neal's Yard trio though – a moisturising treat for my skin. Don't forget the new mums in your life.
Hannah BoothEditor, the Filter
Feel like you need that extra bit of help waking up in the morning now that the clocks have gone forward? Our expert Sasha Muller tested 10 of the best coffee machines for the Filter – having reviewed them for the past seven years, he knows his way around a drip tray. Not interested in a machine, but want tastier coffee? He's also given us all the kit you need to make great coffee at home – and what not to waste your money on.
Our article on how to use less plastic resonated with you, and you've been writing in to tell us all the ways you're cutting back on your consumption.
Libby Hutchings told us how she switched to plastic-free baby products for her two young children. 'I used cloth nappies with my now five-year-old, and I'm now using them with my six-month-old. While I bought a lot of them new with my first, I also bought several secondhand and, with proper care, have been able to use the same nappies this time. The extra laundry isn't that bad and any stains come out in the sun! Once we're done with them I'll sell them on to others as they'll have loads of life left in them. And we use cloth wipes instead of wet wipes: they're much kinder to delicate skin as well.'
And Elise Rayner emailed to tell us how she avoids plastic in her food shopping: 'I use my local refill shop for lentils, stock powder, porridge oats and chocolate raisins. I only buy plain yoghurt in the largest tubs to avoid the small pots. If there's a glass option instead of a plastic option, eg mayonnaise, I buy the glass. Cheese from the cheesemonger wrapped in paper.'
Have you ever been surprised by a brand or retailer going above and beyond on customer service? Maybe they repaired an ancient raincoat for free or brought a much-loved kitchen appliance back to life with a new part.
If so, let us know by emailing us at thefilter@theguardian.com.
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I keep an eye to see if there are any new patterns I like but I will be waiting for the sale to buy again." For those who want to buy the Oodie Cooling Throw, click HERE. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
