Honestly, it’s life changing is a regular series where we talk about the weird and wonderful possessions we can’t imagine life without. Think of it as an ode to the mundane, bizarre and, sometimes, wholly unnecessary products in our lives.
Carrying a reusable water bottle well and truly became the norm in 2019 – and for good reason. Back in April, the Plastic Rivers Report found that plastic water bottles were the top plastic polluter in our rivers and streams, making up 14% of identifiable plastic litter items found.
But while we ran en masse to purchase reusable water bottles, there was one problem that really bugged me: most were so bloody big.
I initially attempted to join the anti-plastic brigade with a standard-sized 500ml S’well water bottle and while its large capacity kept me hydrated, it didn’t fit in the majority of my bags and forced me to make impossible choices like ‘book or bottle?’ on the morning commute.
Sure, I could have bought myself a lovely new big rucksack, but casting all my current much-loved bags aside didn’t seem that environmentally friendly. As a result, I’d often leave the bottle at home and would end up buying a plastic one anyway.
So imagine my delight when I discovered you can buy a diddy, stainless steel bottle from Chilly’s that actually fits into my bag.
Since the Chilly’s 260ml bottle came into my life, we have been inseparable. It’s come on shopping trips, date nights, family visits and more. It fits inconspicuously into all my bags, from my compact cross-body to my Out Out large clutch.
Sure, it doesn’t hold enough liquid for a sunshine hike, but a few sips to wet the whistle is all you need on your average day out with friends, thanks to the increase in public water fountains and more retailers happy to refill water bottles. Buying a small water bottle might sound obvious, but you’d be surprised how many friends have looked at mine with envy, before swiftly purchasing their own.
Another plus is that it doesn’t weigh a ton, which is a joy on weekends when I want to travel light, having hauled a laptop around during the week. Plus I’ve saved money and cut my sugar intake now that I’m not tempted by the lure of fizzy drinks.
At £20, I’d say the bottle is a worthwhile investment, especially as it keeps water ice cool for hours. It also comes in a huge range of colours and patterns. I own the pink flamingo design, because why not?
Just think, it’s not only life-changing, but also saving the planet.
We all work hard to earn our money – so it shouldn’t feel like hard work to spend it well. At HuffPost Finds we’ll help you find the best stuff that deserves your cash, from the ultimate lipstick to a durable iron to replace the one that broke (RIP). All our choices are completely independent but we may earn a small commission if you click a link and make a purchase.