Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Gift Eggs and Easter Calendar from Playmobil.
Easter, it is truly a lovely time of year and I am not just of that opinion as it’s also my birthday! I love Easter almost as much as I love chocolate. However, the eggs last Easter were so abundant I had to make tray bakes and buns with the children just to make use of all the chocolate. This was not a ‘good call’ as I ate most of them myself!
This year I have made a rule – only one chocolate egg each and none for mum, I am sure not to gain a pound.
Playmobil have sorted my ‘chocolate free’ Easter with a fab new range of Gift Eggs RRP £5.99. These include 4 new designs for 2014 and my children will adore them.
The eggs are colour coordinated and contain a Playmobil figure with accessories. These are really great and lots of fun – Playmobil is always a big hit with my children. The toys are fun, strong and last and last.
The eggs have the added bonus of having a slot which is perfect for saving and storing pocket money – my son has his on his bedroom shelf with lots and lots of 2p coins inside as he loves to hear the coins rattle when he shakes the egg! ‘Listen mummy, I’m rich’, he says!
My daughter loves her egg. She has the pink one and this had a lovely little flower fairy inside which is now her favourite toy.
Playmobil are also launching their first-ever Easter Calendar in their special 40th anniversary year – 2014.
This is a great way of rewarding your children as the calender is a little like an advent calendar. There are 10 different ‘windows’ to open, all with a Playmobil figure or accessory inside. The new and exclusive rabbit characters are really cute.
The figures are made to the same scale as all Playmobil figures so my children have a lot of fun mixing these characters with their existing Playmobil playsets. The calendar is very well priced at only £9.99.
View the full range here: http://www.playmobil.co.uk
Gift Reviews, Teenage Gifts
Gone Crabbing children’s Hoodie!
Gone Crabbing – for those of you who have yet to discover this fab company – was launched in 2008 by Susie Mason, who has created beautiful items relating to all thing ‘seaside’.
Susie’s range includes soaps, towels, clothing for children and adults and much more. I am truly addicted! It is a family run business, so well done Susie! The company has continued to grow, with the support of stockists and local companies. You will find ‘Gone Crabbing’ in seaside shops as well as on-line.
Colin is the Gone Crabbing LOGO, and he appears on several of their items as well as on the labels. He is an absolutely adorable little orange crab and you will love him too! Sometimes he features as the main design, and on some items he will appear in the corner but always on the labels. A brilliant feature, and I am sure this company will continue to grow and grow.
My latest ‘crabbing’ addition to the household is a vibrant red hoodie. I sincerely wish this was mine but unfortunately this one is aged 8-9 yrs and my daughter is the proud owner, not me!
As per usual, Gone Crabbing items arrive perfectly packed in co-coordinating packaging, tissue paper and stickers to seal.
The hoodie is one from a really fun collection and the logo says ‘Love life, don’t be crabby’ Well, there is no better logo for my daughter! She loves life and lives it to the full without a care, I am so proud. Here she is modelling her hoodie.
She has even worn this back-to-front she loves the image so much!
From a mothers point of view, the hoodie is very thick and warm. From a busy housewife’s point of view, it can be machine washed and tumble dried – Yea!! This is the perfect hoodie for both cool summer days and freezing windy winter excursions also.
The hoodies are available in child and adult sizes – and in a variety of colours with various ‘seaside-themed’ logos. Prices start at £27.99.
I so want one of these so watch this space… another ‘Gone Crabbing’ feature to follow shortly!
For further information and to view the full range visit:
Gift Reviews
Inch Blue baby shoes.
My 3 children had pairs of Inch Blue shoes for their first ever shoes and I still have them stored in their memory boxes. My first daughter had a pair of black and white cow patterned shoes, the second had purple flower patterned shoes, and my son’s shoes had a little rocket on them. They were the softest shoes on the market at the time and they are still impossible to beat.
My little sister has a young family and she came to visit me yesterday with a pair of Inch Blue shoes adorning her daughters feet – I was delighted!
‘In a world of mass produced goods INCH BLUE is an oasis for lovers of originality, quality and fun design. We understand your baby’s feet aren’t just smaller versions of your own, they’re a completely different shape. They’re softer and plumper with hardly any hard bone in them at all.
Inch Blue baby shoes have been designed to give total comfort for little growing feet. They are made exclusively from soft natural leather allowing your baby’s feet to breathe. And they’re not just for babies, Inch Blue make baby shoes for toddlers and children aged up to 6 years, which make them ideal for use in nurseries. ‘ (Inch Blue)
Inch Blue are constantly designing shoes to suit both boys and girls, the range is vast and the array of designs seem unending – you are sure to find a pair to suit any child and compliment their personalities. I adore these shoes with the horse image!
These will certainly delight any parent with a love of horses. Absolutely every personality under the sun is catered for.
I have purchased these shoes as gifts – new baby gifts as well as young birthday gifts. You will not find a better made child’s shoe, a softer leather, nor such cute original designs anywhere on the net or in a store.
For Easter, Inch Blue have the cutest rabbit designs available in baby pink or baby blue. I can’t think of a better gift for a baby at this time of year.
For further information visit http://www.inch-blue.com/uk/
Prices from £19 with free UK delivery.
Gift Reviews, Teenage Gifts
Angel’s Face Tutu Pettiskirts.
Have you ever struggled at what to buy for your little girl, except she is no longer so ‘little’? You want to continue shopping in stores like Next, Monsoon and Benetton but the range just seems a little ‘childish’ even though the clothes are sold in ‘big girl’ sizes.
My daughter is coming 11 years this year and she loves fashion as much as her mother! We usually get on so well but this can all abruptly end on one of our shopping trips. Clothes which she likes are never what I would choose. However, we have agreed on her selection of a skirt from Angel’s Face Tutus and I am absolutely loving the website!
Angel’s face have a range of fabulous designer Pettiskirt Tutus in an array of colours you will take hours to make a selection – I think we took 2 days to be honest! The colours range from pastel to bright and very daring. Have you watched ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’? It’s our fav family film and the identical skirt worn in the last scene is on the Angel Face web!! How cool is that? !
Jenny went for a ‘Peacock’ colour and it is fabulous with her black leather jacket and converse trainers – so ‘cool’ yet girly as well so both mum and daughter very happy!
The packaging – which is so important when receiving anything in the post – is exceptional!
The skirt is well made and has oodles and oodles of material to give it the tutu look. It can be worn with bare legs like above or with tights or leggings in the winter. They would be just super at a Christmas or New Year party. Sizes start at newborn and go all the way to adult and I have one on my wish list! I will be daring and go for the red – perfect with a satin black top – I can’t wait to wear it.
My other daughter now wants one and she is very jealous of her sister’s skirt! Caitlin would be the more daring of the two and has went for the Pink Safari Tutu – I love it!
Prices start from £35.
For further information visit http://www.angels-face.co.uk/7-pettiskirts
Gift Reviews, Teenage Gifts
STORY Jewellery for Mother’s Day.
I have recently discovered STORY by Kranz and Ziegler and you should really check this out as well. I love unusual jewellery and this definitely made a lasting impression on me.
STORY jewellery consists of a variety of iconic items which complement each other. The pieces are beautifully presented, in particular, the charms on various bracelets either silver or leather. Matching ear-rings and rings are available to co-ordinate. I have selected a favourite to demonstrate. The charms are interchangable and you can have as many as you desire on one bracelet.
They look as well with 3 or 4 as they do with 10 or 12. The combination below is so striking, I love it!
I would much prefer jewellery which can be changed easily and always have chains with a selection of charms to hand. However, the STORY collection is the most unusual and original jewellery range I have spotted to date. I have an image of a STORY charm below. I really like this one as I am partial to the ‘heart’ motive but this is so unusual. So many jewellery brands have charms with hearts but none as modern and unique as this one. This would look great as a solitary piece on a necklace or with co-coordinating charms on a bracelet.
Despite this, the price is very reasonable in comparison to other well known charm brands. Prices start from £39 and STORY Jewellery is stocked in independent stores as well as House of Fraser and House of Fraser online.
Looking for a Mother’s day gift? Have a look at the selection at STORY.
Gadget Gifts, Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Gigaset E630A for Mother’s day.
Designed to withstand tough everyday situations
It was the opening title of the description of this phone which really caught my eye – Designed to withstand tough everyday situations! If anyone qualifies for a phone like this, I sure do. The Gigaset E630A was made for me!
Any mum on the planet can relate to me when I say this – running a household with 3 kids, a dog and a husband is not easy. With so much emphasis put on mums in the media, we constantly strive to be ‘perfect’ or simply the best mum we can be at all times.
We keep the house clean and tidy which can be difficult with 3 kids bringing home ‘clutter’ from school every single day. We strive to only resort to feeding our family convience foods once a week so this means we make a home cooked nutritious meal from scratch, without help, 6 days of the week.
With the recent home baking revival, we also turn out a few delicious desserts, some muffins and always have a cupboard stacked with neatly squared ‘tray bakes’ so as hubby can have something tasty with his cup of tea.
In the middle of all these chores, and I have not even mentioned homework, bathing and walking the dog, where do we get the time to chat on the phone??
I have 3 sisters and without fail I manage to speak to each of them every day. I put this solely down to my new super phone, the Gigaset E630A.
I you are on the go as much as me, you will NEED one of these phones. I have had ‘hands free’ phones in the past but this phone is amazing. Simple to use, easy to answer if you are busy feeding kids, washing dishes, etc, and with excellent sound quality, this is now my most cherished possession.
To list but a few of the fab features:
- Splash proof
- Resistant to dust and shocks
- 60 min recording answering machine
- Vibrating and light caller alert
- Energy efficient power supply
- Radiation free mode
- Hands free up to 14 hours
This phone is so comfortable to hold if you prefer not to use the hands free option. If you are multi tasking, as us mums do, the rubber grip allows for easy balancing between your ear and shoulder if needs be!
So, now you want one as well?
Further information can be found at www.gigaset.com
RRP £99.99 from Amazon.
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Gorgeous soaps from ‘Gone Crabbing’ for Mother’s Day.
Mother’s day is fast approaching, what will you buy this year? Why not be a little different if you have opted for flowers and chocolates last year. My mum will be receiving a collection of toiletries as she has just had a birthday and her house is crammed full of chocolates and flowers already. Toiletries are a lovely gift for any mum, I love opening the packaging and sniffing the delicious fragrance. Unfortunately for some, I then read the label as I am a little fussy with what I put on my skin!
![original_Gone_crabbing_TT_1__1[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/original_Gone_crabbing_TT_1__11.jpg)
However, have no fear, Gone Crabbing is here!! My absolute favorite company with the little Colin the Crab logo, I simply cannot get enough.
Gone Crabbing soaps are are 100% vegetable and not tested on animals, there is surely a soap for everyone – just go online and have a look for yourself! From ‘Beauty on the Beach’ to ‘Really lovely smelly soap’, again, you will want them all. They are excellent value for £3.99 as they are a huge bar and lasts for ages.
![original_really-lovely-smelly-soap[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/original_really-lovely-smelly-soap1.jpg)
I have a few of the different Gone Crabbing soaps now and cannot pick a favourite. They all smell gorgeous and I leave a bar or two sitting around as they look great on the bathroom shelf, the packaging is fun loving and very pretty. The scent lasts FOREVER and I have a bar in a few of our wardrobes as well. When I open the door, the smell is simply wonderful.
![preview_mussel-man-soap[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/preview_mussel-man-soap1.jpg)
For further information visit www.gonecrabbing.co.uk
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Penwizard Personalized books, Trinity and the Medieval Princess.
Penwizard is a great company which provides a personalised book service. The range of books vary greatly, but when I came to the action and adventure books, my decision was made. What child wouldn’t love to star in their very own medieval adventure book alongside a Princess? Exactly!
My niece is almost 2 yrs and she is very fond of books. She has numerous books and now she has a Penwizard personalised book too.
My sister was delighted when the book arrived, expertly packaged and in perfect condition with a little cover note. This was an excellent idea and made the personalisation all the more special. The cover note read ‘Thank you for ordering our personalised princess storybook for Trinity. We hope that Trinity will enjoy her magical adventure as a medieval princess. Best wishes, from all at Dragon Castle’ Isn’t this class? I though it was such a special touch.
As for the book, it is fab!
The image portraying Trinity could be adjusted to add the correct hair and eye colour, if glasses are worn and the hair style as well. The front cover is of a little girl – Trinity, on the back of a dragon with a pink castle in the background. The story is just enough to keep young children captivated while not going into too much detail and resulting in boredom, this is not an easy task! The book is very well written with beautiful illustrations. I love it!
There are other books to choose from including books to suit boys and Peppa Pig fans.
Make someone’s Mother’s Day special with a personalized book from Penwizard! What a great surprise for any mum.
For further information visit www.penwizard.co.uk RRP £14.99.
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty, Teenage Gifts
Artisan Spa ‘Authentic Mermaid’ Soap and Lip Balm.
This is a site I have added to my favourites! The Artisan Spa is a dream come true to a girl like me – I am so passionate about luxury skincare WITHOUT ‘nasties’ added. By ‘nasties’ I mean SLS, SLE, parabens, alcohol, synthetic fragrances and artificial colourants. Products without these ingredients are very hard to find and I am so pleased to tell you that you will find some of these companies on Pampered Presents.
The Artisan Spa is my newest, and very impressive, discovery. The products are made in the UK which can only be a good thing for our economy. The retail brand ‘Authentic Mermaid’ is growing in demand and the number of awards it has won is ever increasing as well.
Inspired by the sea, this brand has some really great soaps and skincare products well worth purchasing. Offering only luxurious natural ‘kind to skin’ products, Authentic Mermaid’s range includes lip balms, soaps, bath froths and salt body scrubs.
I have sampled the glycerine soap and some lip balm.
Citrus Luxury Soap, RRP £5.95
‘100% natural glycerine soap, enhanced with golden jojoba oil and a final flourish of natural sea salt. A spa bar to nourish and cleanse the skin while uplifting and awakening the mind and spirit. The essential oil in this fantastic citrus soap bar was inspired by mediteranean citrus fruit blossom and the unmistakeable sweet tartness of freshly cut yellow freesia. This blend includes Grapefruit, Orange, Litsea and Bergamot, with amber notes of Cedarwood and Patchouli to uplift and awaken the mind and spirit’ (Artisan Spa)
This is a really lovely smelling soap which seems to last and last. I am using mine for the past 2 weeks and it still does not appear to be any smaller in size!
The soap has a delicious citrus smell – one of my favourite scents. The lather produced is smooth and bubbly and leaves skin super soft and super smelling too. Spa salts are embedded in this soap to nourish and soften skin, this gives a lovely smooth sensation – not rough like an defoliator. The glycerine base lets this soap offer moisturising properties as well as acting as a cleanser.
Plain & Simple Lip Balm, RRP £3.95
My 8 year old daughter is really fond of this lip balm. She would have really dry lips no matter whatever the weather. She seems to suffer as much during the winter as in the summer months. She has tried all make and types of solutions and is now using an Artisan Spa lipbalm from the ‘Plain’ range.
This range contains no scents so perfect for children.
‘Award winning lip elixir from The Authentic Mermaid, designed to protect, soften, moisturise, soothe and nourish the most sensitive lips
All natural including Organic Bees Wax, Spring Set Honey, Nourishing Oils, Vanilla and Sweet Orange essential oils.
- A fantastic natural product from the Award winning designers at The Artisan Spa
- Platinum Award Winner of Janey Lee Grace’s Imperfectly Natural ‘Best luxury Spa range’ 2012
- Suitable for all skin types including sensitive skins
- Only natural’ (Artisan Spa)
So, no artificial anything, not tested on animals and suitable for all skin types – why would you not check out these products! They are just as amazing as they sound.
Artisan Spa will cater for hotels which require both large and small orders as well as selling on Amazon individually.
www.authenticmermaid.co.uk <http://www.authenticmermaid.co.uk/> (Business
>to consumer via internet or Amazon.)
www.theartisanspa.co.uk <http://www.theartisanspa.co.uk/> (Business to
Business. Destination Spas and hotels or private labels only)
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
‘Wildabout’ and ‘Lindt’ for Mother’s day.
There seem to be so many Mother’s Day gift ideas around this year, I am spoiled for choice. All the suggestions I have received to feature on Pampered Presents are equally worthy. As a mum myself I love getting flowers and chocolates on Mother’s Day, it really is hard to beat. How about one website with some perfect Mother’s Day combinations already put together for you? Have a look at www.wildabout.co.uk
‘Make Mother’s Day truly memorable with the ultimate gift comprising of ‘The Classic Beauty’ bouquet and Lindt Swiss Luxury Selection. A sophisticated combination of exquisite flowers, featuring mango calla lilies, burnt orange roses, hypericum berries, spray roses, ranunculus, and astilbe with complimenting foliage. This premium bouquet is accompanied by the finest selection of Lindt traditional Swiss praline chocolate masterpieces, forming an indulgent treat for the leading lady in your life’ (Wildabout)
This is truly a gorgeous gift combination and I really hope hubby reads my blog!! Hint..
I Adore Lindt, they are the best chocolate makers ever. I have tried almost all of their collections and couldn’t pick a favourite. To receive these flowers along with Lindt Swiss Luxury Selection would make every mum feel special. The chocolates come in a beautiful gold leaf effect box with the chocolates contained inside featured on the back. I can’t get enough of the ‘Cornet d’Or’ and the ‘Pointe de Chocolat’ is so yummy as well! The prices are listed below and very reasonable for what is received.
The Classic Beauty
Small bouquet + Lindt Swiss Luxury Selection 145g £60
Medium bouquet + Lindt Swiss Luxury Selection 215g £75
Large bouquet + Lindt Swiss Luxury Selection 445g £100
Visit www.wildabout.co.uk for further information.