Gadget Gifts, Homeware Reviews
Nest Protect Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm.
Nest Protect is somewhat of a technological revolution, taking both the smoke alarm and the carbon monoxide alarm into the 21st century. This nifty little device looks similar to your standard smoke alarm but it does so much more. It has been created by the same man who designed the iPod so, in my opinion, that gives it instant credibility as I love my iPod!
The Nest Protect won’t suddenly alarm when you burn the toast but will give you a ‘not so alarming’ heads up prior to an alarm and it will tell you exactly what the danger is. I love this as I tend to set off our smoke alarm quite a few times, usually at mealtimes! I then take a few minutes to find out exactly why it has gone off. It is usually the toaster oven, but on occasion it has been the open fire or the microwave.
The Nest Protect will connect with your mobile phone and will even let you know via text when the batteries are running low! That will save you listening to that very annoying ‘beeping’ smoke alarms make when the batteries run low.
Another huge plus is the night light or ‘Pathlight’. I think this is absolutely brilliant – This Pathlight glows white at night as you walk under it, so no more fumbling around at night in my house!
Despite this futuristic technology, the Nest Protect is super easily installed, even I could do this. I can think of no reason you would not need this device. In my opinion, it is one of the most necessary devices that will make a difference in anyone’s home.
For further information visit www.nest.com
RRP £89 Available from Amazon, Apple Store, B&Q, John Lewis, www.nest.com
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty, Teenage Gifts
Argania Desert Defense Shampoo and Conditioner and Cashmere Hair leave-in Conditioner.
Anyone who regularly reads the posts on Pampered Presents or who follows our Facebook will know they will frequently find natural and environmentally friendly products. I believe these products are better for bodies and our planet and, thankfully, more and more people are following this ethos. I am delighted to feature yet another fabulous product range that ‘ticks all the boxes’ for me. Argania Desert Defense, the new range from Argania Haircare.
Ethically sourced from Morocco, you won’t find any nasties like sodium lauryl sulphate, artificial colours, mineral oils or parabens in these products! However, you will find organic cold pressed argon oil and essential oils, all which add lustre, moisture, shine and silky softness.
I have been using the Argania Defense Moisture Defense Shampoo and Conditioner followed by the Cashmere Hair leave-in Conditioning Spray. I don’t know where to start.. maybe with the smell! Oh my goodness, these products smell gorgeous. I have had people commenting, asking which perfume I am wearing!
The smell is a combination of the essential oils and I just love it. Aside from the smell, my hair feels silky and is more easily combed out after washing. My fingers simply glide through my hair, yet there is no greasy feel. Having naturally curly hair can be difficult. I have to ‘deal’ with fuzz every morning. I have found my hair to have more curl with less fuzz and there is definitely more shine.
This is not the first time I have used hair products that are natural and contain oil, but it is the first time I have had these exceptional results. All this for a mere £7.99 for the shampoo and conditioner! An absolute bargain!
The Argania Desert Defense Cashmere Hair Leave-in Conditioning Spray is £9.99 and this Will become your most favourite product ever – trust me.
For further information on the full range of Argania Desert Defense products visit www.lovelula.com or purchase from Boots or Superdrug.
Gadget Gifts, Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Chipolo, a very useful Valentine’s day gift.
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and I am sure there will be lots of ‘panic buys’ in the next couple of weeks! Get yourself organised this year and order your other half a Chipolo. No, this is not another fancy type of sausage! Every one of us could benefit from having a couple of these tags, especially myself.
Ask my husband and he will agree, I am forever losing my phone and my car keys. Almost every day I have to search for one or the other. However, no more! I have a Chipolo tag attached to my keys and am planning on getting one for my phone as well.
With Chipolo your phone, keys or anything else will be easily found when they manage to hide themselves in a coat pocket, under a pile of post or anywhere else elusive. Simply attach the Chipolo tag and download the app. You can have notifications sent to you if the item leaves a certain range – I am thinking this would be extremely useful if you were with young children in a crowded place as well as for your phone and keys!
You can also keep your Chipolo on your key-ring and simply shake it to find whatever item you have this set up for – mine would have to be my iPhone and iPad as I am truly lost without them.
The Chipolo is small so it would easily clip onto your key-ring or attach to your phone or any other small item you use and need regularly. The colour choices are fab so there is no compromising on your style either.
I have had my Chipolo for a couple of weeks now and have to say I love it. It has made a huge difference to me, I am no longer getting frustrated while wasting time looking for my phone. I can’t wait to build up my collection and get one for my husband’s keys and my daughters phone as well. My son is always asking ‘Mum, where is my tablet?’ – maybe the creators of Chipolo should think of selling multipacks!!
For further information on how this useful little tag can help in your busy life visit www.chipolo.net . There is loads of info on the site as well as a great little video clip.
I would have estimated something like this would cost around £35 and I consider myself a bit of a ‘whizz’ at estimating prices. However, I was wrong! The Chipolo retails at only £19.
Features:
- Search for the tag by sound using the app
- Notification when the object leaves and comes back into range
- Size of a 10p piece, 5mm thick
- 12 months battery life
- Comes in nine different colours
- Also works in reverse – shake the Chipolo tag to find your phone
- Price – £19
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Aldi Specialbuys – Fishing Season.
Fishing season is here again and once more Aldi Specialbuys have produced an extensive range of functional and stylish fishing clothing at very reasonable prices.
My other half is a keen fisherman so I know where to go to stock up on some warm, practical and cosy gear to see him through the season, as summer is yet a long way off.
The range includes a warm padded jacket and matching trousers in a nice appropriate olive green. Both are made from breathable, waterproof fabric which is, most importantly, stain repellent. The jacket I have fallen in love with myself, (even though I have never fished in my life and have no desire to!)
It has a high padded collar and a detachable hood which has a little lip on the front to stop rain from dripping down onto your face. I adore the tight neoprene inner cuffs and the fact that it dips lower in the back for extra warmth. I can see me borrowing this myself if this snowy weather continues! Trousers are priced at £16.99 and the jacket a very reasonable £24.99.
A must is the thermal base layer all in one suit which not only adds a layer of warmth but also regulates your body temperature to prevent overheating and sweating. It is made from stretchy fabric with Lycra for a perfect fit and has a useful 2 way front zip and seat zip. Perfect for those freezing mornings whether you are going fishing or not. Available for just £15.99.
I was also impressed with the beautiful wool fishing jumper which is so nice I can see it being upgraded to ‘good’ wear. It comes in the same olive green with faux suede shoulder and elbow patches. You could really wear this jumper anywhere. It is priced at just £16.99.
All of these Aldi Specialbuys are machine washable and come in sizes M-XL. Get into your local Aldi quick as they are sure to sell out fast. Items are only available while stocks last. On sale from Sunday 18th January. See aldi.co.uk for more details.
Kindly written by my sister Leann whose husband tested the fishing Specialbuys and who is shown below.
Gadget Gifts, Gift Reviews, Teenage Gifts
Albumcards for Valentine’s Day.
I have recently discovered Albumcards and have recommended them to loads of people since. In my opinion, they are a fab idea – ingenious actually. How many of us like shopping, trawling through the shops and web stores looking for the perfect gift?
For Valentine’s day this year why not have a look at www.albumcards.com. I am sure you are aware of your partners taste in music and with the vast range of titles to choose from you will be sure to find what you are looking for.
The bonus with Albumcards is that you don’t have to shop for a gift and a card. The Albumcard is both in one. Simply visit Albumcards, select your album then add your personal greeting. Your Albumcard will be dispatched the same day or next day depending on the time of your order. The cards will contain a code to download the album, how simply!
The cards themselves are excellent, mirroring the actual album cover. They are printed on thick card and presented in a high quality envelope to maximum the gifting experience – presentation is everything! All this for only £9.99 per album.
Albumcards are perfect for any occasion, as well as Valentine’s day. My niece recently celebrated her sixteenth birthday and for her birthday celebration the entire family went ice skating. This was one of the best days out ever and was only ‘topped’ by the expression on Hannah’s face when she opened her albumcards. My daughters had selected Sam Smith and Ed Sheran and they obviously made the correct choice!
So whether its a Valentine gift or a birthday gift have a look at Albumcards and take the stress out of gifting.
For further information on Albumcards visit www.albumcards.com
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
MyWeddinglog
MyWeddinglog comes to us from the founders of the well known and fabulous MyBabylog, an established brand that knows no limits to its success. It would be the most treasured and most useful gift I have yet to feature on Pampered Presents and it is with pleasure I take you through what you are actually getting when you purchase MyWeddinglog.
MyWeddinglog has got to be the ultimate keepsake box! I was absolutely thrilled to bits when mine arrived. My husband and I married in Cyprus and I have a number of sentimental items from our stay, I would be one of those secret hoarders you see on TV – almost!
I have all my little sentimental items all safely stored in MyWeddinglog. But what is this Weddinglog I hear you ask? Well, trust me, it is much more than a keepsake box.
MyWeddinglog is the most beautiful treasure chest you will find in any shop or on the web. I only have to open the lid to discover compartments full of treasures from my special day and photos to bring back the most exciting memories. I have my favourite photo framed inside the lid, one of my hubby and myself under a palm tree taken just after our ceremony.
The chest is large enough to hold my hairpiece, a small dried flower bouquet, cuff links, plane tickets, hotel receipts and place cards from our reception dinner and a few other sentimental items. Despite the size, it is compact and easily stored. If you choose not to store your Weddinglog, it would sit perfectly on display either, it really does look very well. The colour scheme allows it to suit all interior styles.
The top section is perfect for storing small items and this lifts out of the box so larger items can be placed underneath. I adore the wedding verse included in all Weddinglogs and this brings tears to my eyes when I read it.
MyWeddinglog has been featured in various magazines and online blogs and I have no doubt it will be as successful, if not more successful, as MyBabylog. For £44.99 I consider this excellent value for money and well affordable for the hours of pleasure it will bring yourself and your future generations.
For further information and to purchase MyWeddinglog please visit www.babymoments.ie or www.mybabylog.co.uk
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty, Teenage Gifts, Uncategorized
Crystal Spring Cream of the Country Natural Hand and Nail Cream and Sweet Orange, Geranium and Chamomile Natural Candle.
I was delighted to discover and feature Crystal Spring’s products. They tick each and every box for me and that’s really saying something – I would be a tad fussy! They have a really interesting article on the website – ‘What’s in It? Weird Ingredients’ and this is definitely worth a read. If you have yet to convert to eco-friendly products, this will help make your choice! I am saying nothing further, go read the article – Here.
I have to wash my hands very often at work and at home. I love a really good hand cream and I also choose natural products where possible as these are better for both the environment and our bodies. Crystal Spring have some fab products including a really effective natural hand cream. I have tried the Cream of the Country Natural Hand and Nail Cream. RRP £15.
This will leave your hands super soft and moisturised with no irritation. Sometimes my hands are so dry certain creams can sting so natural hand cream is a must with me. Crystal Springs hand cream contains natural flower essences and herbal extracts with both moisturising and healing properties. The fragrance is also naturally sourced from organic essential oils of jasmine, chamomile and lavender. The smell is simply divine! Obviously Crystal Spring products are not tested on animals and there is more good news to follow. They are also free from:
- Alcohol
- Parabens
- Mineral Oils
- SLS
- Animal Derived Ingredients
Another product well worth a mention is the Sweet Orange, Geranium & Chamomile Natural Candle. RRP £25.
With its lead free wick, natural paraffin wax and over 20 essentials oils blended to create a gorgeous and welcoming natural scent, you have to smell this for yourself to fully appreciate how wonderful it is.
I adore the packaging. The candle is presented in a pretty glass jar and boxed to perfection. This would be a super gift and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, why not have a look at Crystal Springs products for plenty of other great gift ideas?
For further information on Crystal Spring products visit www.crystalspring.co.uk
Gadget Gifts, Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews, Teenage Gifts
Logitech Big Bang iPad Case.
My 11 yr old daughter was lucky enough to receive an iPad mini from Santa – she must have been very very good!
We have had a few mis-haps with various tablets in the past and I am all too familiar with the ‘sound but no picture’ as the result of a tablet dropping to the floor! I was determined this would not happen to Jenny’s iPad.
I had a really good shop around in selecting a cover. I wanted something that would protect from drops and bangs yet something light and thin. I also didn’t want to spoil the image of the iPad for her, so I was hoping to find a cover that ticked all the boxes and looked good as well. Guess what? I found exactly that!
Look no further than the Logitech Big Bang if you want the ultimate case for your iPad.
Firstly, the statement ‘Exceeds Military Drop Standard (MIL STD 810 G)’ What does this mean in everyday language? Well, this literally means that the Logitech Big Bang protects your iPad from a drop of up to 1.4 metres and this really does exceed military testing standards. Despite this protection the Big Bang is light, thin and fits neatly around the iPad.
Another huge plus is the auto-wake and auto-sleep function. This simply means that when Jenny closes the case her iPad will automatically go to sleep which saves battery and it will also automatically come back on when she opens the case. A well thought out factor and very useful.
My other daughter has a tablet and the coordinating case but we discover it so often without the case as she has to remove it to take photos, video etc. The Logitech Big Bang has all the correct specifications to allow Jenny to use the camera, microphone and charger while the case is on.
She never has to remove the case to preform any of the functions. Thankfully, more reassurance from Logitech!
The case itself is perfectly functional in many positions and Jenny can watch Taylor Swift singing ‘Blank Space’ for the millionth time at different angles!!
I love it this case and any tablet than Santa brings in the future will definitely be protected by the Logitech Big Bang. Have a look online for further information. www.logitech.com/en-gb/product/big-bang-case-ipad-air The Logitech Big Bang is available for a variety of iPad models so check online for compatibility.
Dimensions
- Height: 180 mm (7.08 in)
- Width: 247.3 mm (9.74 in)
- Depth: 15.86 mm (0.62 in)
- Weight: 412 g (14.5 oz)
Technical Specifications
-
- Auto-wake/auto-sleep feature. Big Bang wakes iPad when you open the cover and puts it to sleep when you close it.
- Available in two colours: Magma Red and Forged Graphite
- Case material: Polyurethane, shock-absorbent material, glass fiber
- iPad holder material: shock-absorbent material, Thermoplastic Polyurethane, Poly Carbonate
The Logitech Big Bang retails at £55.99 and is reduced from £79.99.
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Simplicity’s Simply the Best Sewing Book
I have recently taken to the sewing machine and my daughters and myself have had a lot of fun making Santa and snowmen at Christmas. Craft is a great hobby and I love that the children enjoy it as much as myself. Now that the festive season is over I am going to try my hand at clothes making. I have a friend who makes her own skirts and tops and she always looks fab. I would love to shop around for the ‘perfect’ fabric and turn it into a trendy top. I have the perfect tool to help with my goal – ‘Simplicity’s Simply the Best Sewing Book’.
I have quite a collection of craft books and am proud to add this to my collection. Simply the Best Sewing Book is the perfect book for beginners as even I can understand the techniques and instructions. There are plenty of really good photos included to help follow the patterns and these are modern and quite trendy. Some sewing books are traditional and therefore don’t appeal to the younger generation but Simply the Best Sewing Book will appeal to all with its modern style.
Why wait till we are all retired? Everyone has the same amount of time and I am spending my free time being creative and I love it!
Simplicity’s Simply the Best Sewing Book is available from www.simplicitynewlook.com and RRP is only £20
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Monin Coffee Syrup and Cocktail Syrup Gift Sets.
Looking for something a little bit special and different for Valentine’s day this year? Monin have some great gift sets which can be used to make gorgeous coffee and also fabulous cocktails.
The Monin Cocktail Set contains 5 mini bottles of Cocktail Syrup – Mojito Mint, Coconut, Curacao Blue syrup, Passion Fruit and Grenadine. A recipe book is included which guides you through the steps to making the perfect cocktail. You can easily produce Pina Coladas, Tequila Sunrises and many other well-known cocktail drinks.
The recipes are simple, some are even detailing how to make non-alcoholic drinks using the syrups such as smoothies and exotic juices. This would be amazing as a Valentine’s day gift, I mean, anyone can go to Tesco and buy a bottle of ready made cocktail, but why not make your own in a few easy steps?
The Monin coffee syrup gift set is also excellent. I love the different flavours and would find it difficult to pick a favorite. The gift selection includes 5 different tastes – caramel, vanilla, hazelnut, gingerbread and chocolate cookie. Each of these added to coffee transforms your morning cuppa into a delicious taste experience, not to mentioning impressing your friends at a coffee morning!
Visit www.monin.com for thousands of fab recipes or download the free Monin Ultimate Cocktails App for Android and iPhone.
I can’t recommend these sets enough, for your own pleasure, but also as a gift for someone special this Valentine’s Day.
The Monin Coffee Syrup and Cocktail Sets retail at £6.99, and are available from Tesco, Lakeland and creamsupplies.co.uk