shopping list(s)
This is a Facebook-inspired entry regarding the stuff I haul back and forth across the pond.
Some items are toiletries which, having finally discovered them after years of trial and error, I don't want to have to go through again in a new market. I'm open to suggestions, however.
You'll notice most of the snacky things are sweet. This is mostly because 1) cookieman likes them, and 2) I can savour them for a reasonable period of time. If I gave in and brought back a suitcase full of BBQ Fritos, for example, I'd probably have that cleared out within a week. I do like me some savoury snacks ending with o's.
Things I Shop For in the US:
* Secret Platinum Protection (it works)
* L'Oreal Daily Moisture (really took a while to find a moisturizer that didn't burn when I put it on. I'd call it 'tingle' but seriously, it was more of a burning)
* Reduced-Fat Cheezits (because they're salty, cheezy awesome in a box. Reduced fat because honestly, they're one of the few products where I can't tell the difference between regular and RF, except for greasier hands when eating the normal version. And why don't I buy something similar here? Because I haven't found one yet. I have found cheesy crackers, but they're usually flaky, like Ritz but cheesy. sorta. Anyway, would happily buy a UK version, if anyone has suggestions)
* Sour Patch Kids (they're more than the average sour gummy candy. Also, because anything other than Haribo over here tends to use enough gelatin for me to actually taste it. mm boney)
* Reese's Peanut Butter Chips (for baking awesome cookies)
* Vanilla extract (though I'm thinking of just making my own at some point)
* Tootsie Pops
Things We Sometimes Bring From the US:
* Nutter Butters (cookieman loves them)
* Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies (because omg)
Things We Used To Bring But Have Found Alternatives To:
* chocolate chips (the good thing about the behemoth that is Wal-Mart is that their outpost here, Asda, stocks more American items than any other shop. And sure enough, I found small bags of chocolate chips there, for a reasonable price. It takes about three bags per batch of cookies, but whatever. LOTS of weight saved hauling back from the US)
* eye makeup remover (Nivea, I think, is the new brand I like here. I previously liked L'Oreal)
* Neutrogena T-Gel (I finally just switched to Head and Shoulders. Not perfect, but I use too much shampoo to keep up that shipping habit. And they make one for coloured hair now, which is good)
Things We Bring to the US from the UK:
* Milk Chocolate Digestives (unique to the UK afaik, and awesome)
* Quality Street (chocolate selection, very nice)
* I'm forgetting something here (but I'll edit later when I think of it)
Things We Bring from Germany to the UK:
* Ritter Sport with Whole Almonds (AWESOME CHOCOLATE and it's like, the normal stuff that's at the supermarket checkout line)
* Lindt (his parents live near Aachen, which houses the Lindt factory, and a Lindt factory store. 'nuff said)
* spekulatius (though the Dutch have it right, and offer these awesome cookies year-round. It's only a Christmas specialty in Germany)
* Lambertz (the other factory in Aachen, producing various pfeffernuesse/ gingerbready type goods, which also has a factory store)
* cheese
k, dude's up from his nap, time for walkies!
Some items are toiletries which, having finally discovered them after years of trial and error, I don't want to have to go through again in a new market. I'm open to suggestions, however.
You'll notice most of the snacky things are sweet. This is mostly because 1) cookieman likes them, and 2) I can savour them for a reasonable period of time. If I gave in and brought back a suitcase full of BBQ Fritos, for example, I'd probably have that cleared out within a week. I do like me some savoury snacks ending with o's.
Things I Shop For in the US:
* Secret Platinum Protection (it works)
* L'Oreal Daily Moisture (really took a while to find a moisturizer that didn't burn when I put it on. I'd call it 'tingle' but seriously, it was more of a burning)
* Reduced-Fat Cheezits (because they're salty, cheezy awesome in a box. Reduced fat because honestly, they're one of the few products where I can't tell the difference between regular and RF, except for greasier hands when eating the normal version. And why don't I buy something similar here? Because I haven't found one yet. I have found cheesy crackers, but they're usually flaky, like Ritz but cheesy. sorta. Anyway, would happily buy a UK version, if anyone has suggestions)
* Sour Patch Kids (they're more than the average sour gummy candy. Also, because anything other than Haribo over here tends to use enough gelatin for me to actually taste it. mm boney)
* Reese's Peanut Butter Chips (for baking awesome cookies)
* Vanilla extract (though I'm thinking of just making my own at some point)
* Tootsie Pops
Things We Sometimes Bring From the US:
* Nutter Butters (cookieman loves them)
* Little Debbie Oatmeal Cream Pies (because omg)
Things We Used To Bring But Have Found Alternatives To:
* chocolate chips (the good thing about the behemoth that is Wal-Mart is that their outpost here, Asda, stocks more American items than any other shop. And sure enough, I found small bags of chocolate chips there, for a reasonable price. It takes about three bags per batch of cookies, but whatever. LOTS of weight saved hauling back from the US)
* eye makeup remover (Nivea, I think, is the new brand I like here. I previously liked L'Oreal)
* Neutrogena T-Gel (I finally just switched to Head and Shoulders. Not perfect, but I use too much shampoo to keep up that shipping habit. And they make one for coloured hair now, which is good)
Things We Bring to the US from the UK:
* Milk Chocolate Digestives (unique to the UK afaik, and awesome)
* Quality Street (chocolate selection, very nice)
* I'm forgetting something here (but I'll edit later when I think of it)
Things We Bring from Germany to the UK:
* Ritter Sport with Whole Almonds (AWESOME CHOCOLATE and it's like, the normal stuff that's at the supermarket checkout line)
* Lindt (his parents live near Aachen, which houses the Lindt factory, and a Lindt factory store. 'nuff said)
* spekulatius (though the Dutch have it right, and offer these awesome cookies year-round. It's only a Christmas specialty in Germany)
* Lambertz (the other factory in Aachen, producing various pfeffernuesse/ gingerbready type goods, which also has a factory store)
* cheese
k, dude's up from his nap, time for walkies!