LIST: Things you wish you had brought with you

To all my replies: Wow, that's really cool to know.  I didn't realize the products had been here forever - I was sort of responding to all the previous posts saying "bring your own toiletries and feminine products because they won't have them here". 

And dont forget that this list was started in 2002!
What might have been true then is not necessarily true today...

Will I be sorry if I don't bring my quilting supplies with me?  Templates, rotary cutter, patterns, maybe a bit of fabric?  I can't bring everything I want to, some things have to be left behind but it's so hard to decide what goes and what stays.  

Bring what you can.  I'd imagine that sort of thing would be uber expensive to replace here.

I agree with Mindy. Fabric is less of an issue (depending upon where you live though) but the actual tools will be a pain to replace.

--Mitchum Women's clear gel deodorant

But if you are stuck on that particular type of deodorant, then bring it.   We have Mitchum womens deodorant here, but it's a solid/stick, and lately the only scent i have found is water lily, although i have found baby powder scent in the past

Women's Mitchum deodorant in the UK should come in solid, roll-on and aerosol forms in Unperfumed, Shower Fresh and Powder Fresh scents (I used to stack the shelves in Boots so I knew the stock pretty much off by heart ).

However, I find that there can be differences between deodorants in the US and UK (I'm assuming different ingredients or something) - US deodorants give me allergic reactions whereas UK deodorants don't - so you might want to bring some US Mitchum with you in case you don't get on with the UK version .

You can see the UK Mitchum products here (I can't find an official website though)

They don't seem to have gel deodorants in the UK? Or maybe I'm missing them.

Apparently, dibutyl and diethylhexyl are two substances that are banned in the EU, and are commonly found in cosmetics in the US. Maybe that's why the deodorants are a bit different?

Thank you Mindy and balmerhorn.   
I know I'll have time on my hands and wish I could bring those half-completed projects that are waiting their turn but I'm afraid they would fill another suitcase.

But what's the deal with Ziploc bags? are they just really expensive? or what? I'm confused.

Tesco sells bags with zip closers, just not brandname Zip-Loc.  The price is not shocking, IMO, but if your budget is student income based as opposed to grown-up job income based, you may think otherwise!

They only come in a small (sandwich), medium (really kinda big) and large (quite big)*.  If you are hooked on particular sizes  feature (freezer strength... I know there were other dealies don't remember them now!) then you should stock up on those.  But for the basics, they are available at Tesco, which is one of the largest grocery store chains, and probably elsewhere.   

*forgive the vague sizing, I can't be bothered to go look at what the containers say are the actual sizes.  Besides, it'll be in metric and if you aren't here yet, you won't be able to visualize from that anyway! 

For any of you not able to find an effective deodorant in the UK, try Vaseline Active Fresh 24h Protection. It contains no alcohol and has a skin caring ingredient. I have very sensitive skin and perspire quite a bit and I prefer this deoderant to anything in the US, even the Sure Clinical is inferior to the Vaseline AND it only costs 1.88 BP at Tesco.

SurCare is a great laundry soap for people with chemical sensitivities.

I have resorted to making my own shampoo and conditioner in the UK because of the lack of SLS-free products.

A couple other natural products I bring from the US are Tom's toothpaste and henna hair dye.

Also on my list:
Twizzlers
Mountain Dew
Benadryl (very expensive in UK and can not find the pink ones)
Utensil holder (i just prefer mine to anything i have seen in asda or tesco)
Altoid cinnamon minis (these are amazing!)
Advil liquigels (the uk equivalent is outrageously costly)
Plastic bathroom storage with drawers (no luck finging these even in IKEA)
Hair styling products (just can't find the brands i prefer)
Burt's Bees lip stuff (the only lip treatment i will ever use and my search in UK = none)
Plus size jeans and bras from lane Bryant (two very important essentials for zaftig women)
Bumble Bee white tuna (john west just doesn't cut it)
Q-tips ("cotton buds" have plastic stems vs. paper of q-tips)
Band-Aids (uk plasters do not do it for me)
prenatal vitamins (much cheaper in US)
dryer sheets without dyes, chemicals or fragrance

Burt's Bees lip stuff (the only lip treatment i will ever use and my search in UK = none)

John Lewis and some other department stores

Plastic bathroom storage with drawers (no luck finging these even in IKEA)

I found mine at B&Q. Homebase also has them, and I've seen things like it at Matalan as well.

Bumble Bee white tuna (john west just doesn't cut it)

I hate John West too, but both Sainsbury's and Morrison's do white albacore tuna now!

John Lewis and some other department stores

Yeah, Burt's Bees is all over the place here.

Yeah, Burt's Bees is all over the place here.

We have a few Burt's Bees products available in our Boots store .

Does anyone know anything about an egg substitute that would approximate "Egg Beaters" from the US?  I think I could do without just about anything (okay, other than diet Mountain Dew, but found a source) but I am allergic to eggs and those things just about make me feel "normal."  LOL!!!! 

I love Mitchum deo that I got at Boots, plus I found most of my favourite brands there.  The only thing I worry about is meds....but that will come. 

How can you have things shipped to you?  Do any of you get "care packages" from the US from relatives?  What can and can't be sent?  Wondering if mum can send the "Egg Beaters" and maybe some cheaper Mountain Dew?  Do you ever miss magazines?  Which ones do you wish you had?

Thanks for the info....I am heading over on Friday (providing the weather holds), to marry the man of my dreams and I know that all will be well...

Cornishhen (Bonnie)

I think eggbeaters need to be kept cold and wouldn't the cost of mailing the Mountain Dew cost way more than buying it here, even if it costs 2.00 a can?

Do they sell L'eggs pantyhose/knee high's in the UK?

Thanks!