Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Orla Kiely ‘Home’
Books, do you give any books at Christmas? I don’t mean children’s books, but adult books. I adore books and love reading in bed at night. A variety of books can be found in my bookcase from craft books to science fiction, anything goes!
I have not went down the road of a kindle as yet, there is just something about flicking through the pages of a book and using a traditional bookmark to keep your page when the book is put down.
![images[5] (2)](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/images5-2.jpg)
I plan to give a few books as gifts this Christmas, one if which is a book by the very famous Irish designer, Orla Kiely. Orla has a number of books but I have selected ‘Home’ as this book contains page after page of colourful illustrations taken of Orla’s work and has fabulous images of her home as well. This book is very hard to set down once you begin reading it!
![orla_kiely_new_york_a130312_6[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/orla_kiely_new_york_a130312_61.jpg)
The book itself is quite large – about A4 size and hard back – although the texture of the cover has a lovely ‘soft feel’ to it. The pictures are just so motivational, I have even spied mugs I have in my kitchen and my mum’s scarf among lots of other interesting articles and patterns that are now screaming to have a place on my Christmas ‘wish list’!
For further information vist www.octopusbooks.co.uk
Orla Kiely ‘Home’ RRP £30
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty
Dove Men + Care Trio Gift Pack.
This is a lovely little set from Dove to ensure your man stays clean and smells good. I have struggled with this for ages, and after 10 long years, mine will just about shower every day. Why are men the complete opposite to women? Every morning we smother ourselves in lotions and potions to fend off the years and smell delicious while the men in our lives get out of bed, shower, (on a good day) and go.
I feel there aren’t a lot of products out there specifically targeted at the male of the species, however this set is suited for the typical man, no faffing about with moisturiser or creams, just wash, spray and the job is done!
It comprises 150ml of Clean Care Antiperspirant deodorant, 250ml of Clean Comfort body and face wash and 250ml of Aqua Impact body and face wash.
The deodorant has a lovely fresh scent, (I think I’ll nab this one for myself)! The face and body wash is lovely and creamy, with a nice soft lather.
I have been using Dove products for years myself and am delighted with the new additions to the range for both men and women.
A perfect stocking filler for the man in your life.
Retails at £8.99.
Available from Boots, Asda, JS and Superdrug.
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
SnapBox
I am so bad at developing photos, they seem to remain on my computer and mobile, and the really good shots get lost among the ‘sea’ of photos. I had a few really good photos I took of my children on holiday this year and I was determined to do ‘something’ with them, but was not sure what exactly.
I have had a good look around online and SnapBox seemed the best quality and value for money option. They can turn your treasured photos into wonderful prints on canvas, with an option for adding filter options such as black and white, sepia and vintage. You will get really carried away with SnapBox, like me!
![quality-uk[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/quality-uk1.png)
The image you download is made visible to you as a preview within minutes and delivery is superfast.
Gallery quality prints are quick and easy to order online and come in five different sizes outlined below:
- · 5×5 inches = £19.99
- · 9×9 Inches = £39.99
- · 5×7 Inches = £24.99
- · 8×10 Inches = £34.99 (SnapBox)
Images can be uploaded from your computer storage, mobile and even Facebook.
I am delighted with my SnapBox image and will definitely be returning to the site for further pictures. I would love to have a gallery on a wall – all the family on canvas. Why not give someone the gift of a SnapBox canvas this Christmas?
![main-uk[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/main-uk1.png)
SnapBox is the perfect choice when buying for someone special– easily affordable and easy to use with outstanding results they will treasure forever.
For further information visit www.snapbox.co.uk
Homeware Reviews
SureFlap Pet Door
If you have a pet or pets and are thinking of a pet/cat flap visit www.sureflap.co.uk before you begin shopping around – you will find what you are looking for here!
SureFlap microchip pet doors recognize your pets individual microchip and won’t open for any other animal. The door can be programmed with more than one microchip number if you have a few pets and it is also perfect for small dogs as well.
I have a SureFlap pet door for my little Jack Russel. He loves getting outside and this means he can go in and out whenever he pleases, including when we are not at home. The door is perfect and looks well – it is white in colour so suits my white door.
So successful has is this product that Germany has awarded it ‘most innovative product of the year for cats’.
‘The pet door is microchip-operated and only opens when a resident cat’s microchip comes within scanning range, ensuring the owner’s pet is safe from intruder animals – a problem for more than 50% of homes without a secure cat flap says recent research www.sureflap.co.uk/nccreport).’ (SureFlap)
This product, like so many successful others, was born from necessity. Research showed that people had problems with neighbours cats entering their houses through cat flaps and in 2008 SureFlap developed the first microchip-operated pet door.
SureFlap doors are backed by vets and are compatible with all common microchips.
www.sureflap.co.uk RRP £119
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Ticket Coaster.
I am so sentimental I really enjoyed this review! Ticket Coaster turns your tickets into coasters, as the name would suggest.
I have so many tickets saved over the years from various events. Tickets are a great item to keep for sentimental reasons as they are small and easily stored, but why keep them in a box under your bed or in a drawer somewhere?
Ticker Coaster have turned 2 of my most recent tickets into coasters and I am delighted with them. This only costs £6, so easily affordable and a great gift as well. My coasters are a gift to my mum as they were from our last overnight break in London – I used a London Eye ticket and a train ticket to they are quite sentimental to her as well as she had been really looking forward to going on the London Eye.
The coasters are excellent quality and would look great on anyone’s coffee table. An original idea which is very affordable at £6.
For further information visit www.ticketcoaster.com
Homeware Reviews
Wilko Dog Crate.
I have recently discovered a great value online company – Wilko. I had searched everywhere for a crate for my little Jack Russel to no avail – even our local pet shops had nothing suitable.
I discovered Wilko by accident – like all great discoveries! They have a great selection of pet accessories, dog crates being one of them. With free delivery when you spent £80, this site is well worth a visit.
![0313599_l[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/0313599_l1.jpg)
I was so excited when the dog crate arrived. The dog has the run of the house during the day, but at night he was confined in an old guinea pig cage as we had nothing else for him! This cage was dumped the second the crate arrived and it is really great.
The base is a plastic tray, which was well thought out, if he spills his food. It is very easily cleaned. This comes completely out of the crate so very handy. The cage itself is black with two doors. This was another good quality as, depending on where you have the crate, it is handy to have the door open on the side you prefer.
Tyke loves his crate, its somewhere he can go and rest during the day and the kids don’t bother him. He has a cosy little bed and his food bowls inside his crate in the corner of the kitchen. A very spoilt pooch indeed!
For a great selection of pet products and many other items, visit www.wilko.com
Medium dog crate, with double door in black. RRP £40
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Runners Wall.
Christmas shopping, you either love it or hate it. I adore buying gifts so Christmas is a fun time of year for me. In carefully source and collect ‘meaningful’ gifts all year and love to watch the expressions on my familys’ faces on Christmas morning when they unwrap their presents.
If you have an athlete in the family or even a child, like mine, who excels on sports day, www.runnerswall.co.uk have a selection of gifts you will simply have to buy. My daughter almost ‘embarrasses’ us on sports day, she wins every race, leaving all the other children miles behind. Last year we even considered asking her to ‘let’ another child win a race!!
![female_runner_001[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/female_runner_0011.jpg)
Check out Runners Wall extensive selection of medal displays, which are specifically designed to hold medals and display them neatly and beautifully. You can choose from triathlon, runner, run bike swim, female runner, etc. The displays are metal and come with holes pre drilled so they will easily attach to the wall.
![DUATHLON[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DUATHLON1.jpg)
Prices range from £28 to £32 so these are great value and perfect as a stocking filler – mine will actually fit inside a stocking which is an added bonus! Custom-made plaques can also be ordered for extra special events.
Health and Beauty, Pampered Foods
Prefunc
Prefunc – this has got to be one of the cheapest products we have tried on Pampered Products – but it is also the most invaluable!!
Don’t we all love a night out? Mine are down to 2 per year now and they both take place in December – I put this down to having 3 jobs and 3 kids! It is because of my busy schedule that after one of my rare nights out, I have to be able to focus 100% the next day – than you Prefunc!
![shot_glass1[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/shot_glass11.png)
This lifestyle management drink has been 6 years in the making and wow – it works! The official launch was in US cities and now Prefunc is available in the UK. You will find it stocked in bars, clubs and stores and also online. A 59ml shot will cost £5.
What does it do and what is in it? I hear you ask with interest! Firstly, Prefunc is natural – it contains fruits, herbs and spices all which work to ensure you have a good morning after a good night out. It is not a synthetic drug but a well researched natural supplement. Not bad for £5 is it?
Prefunc can be taken before, during or after your night out, so no worries if you head out and forget to take it – in fact, when I was ‘testing’ this, I took it at 1am just before getting into bed. The next morning I woke up and thought, ‘Strange – no headache’! Fantastic, my tummy doesn’t hold alcohol very well and I would usually feel ‘rough’ the morning after. I felt absolutely fine.
![product4[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/product41.jpg)
I think this drink is an amazing idea, for a very good price. If you compare a shot of Prefunc to a pint of beer or a cocktail there is not much difference in the price. However, you will appreciate the difference the next morning!
Would I buy this for my 2 nights out every December – YES! Try it and see for yourself – this is one product so many people will be thankful for. Prefunc has filled a huge gap in the market and this revolutionary product will continue to succeed for this reason.
For further information visit www.prefunc.co.uk
*I would like to point out that alcohol is damaging to our bodies and linked to many diseases so although we now have the perfect hangover cure, please consume alcohol responsibly*
Homeware Reviews
OXO Good Grips Pop Containers.
Anyone who hasn’t tried OXO’s Pop food storage containers doesn’t know what they’re missing.
Among others, I have this very useful 5.2l square Pop container which is tall, thin and very useful as a space saving storage container. It measures 15.8cm square by 31.4 cm high and guaranteed airtight by a unique push button system. Basically pop on the lid, press the button and that’s it! Sealed perfectly. This nifty little button also serves as a handle for removing the lid again.
![pop_1[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pop_11-300x300.jpg)
As you can expect from OXO, these containers are BPA free so totally safe for any kind of food storage. They are available in 12 different sizes so there is always one to suit, no matter what you want to store.
OXO pop containers are also stackable, thus saving valuable cupboard space – I don’t know anyone who has enough cupboard space! The square corners make for easy pouring so your contents don’t spill all over your worktop when emptying.
Available from www.oxouk.com priced at £16.50
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
OXO Good Grips Mandolin Slicer.
I’ve always wanted to try one of these magic tools… Have you ever been in a posh restaurant and wondered how they manage to slice their vegetables so perfectly? Well, the answer is right here. The OXO mandolin slicer does all this with a minimum of fuss and hassle.
![232172501alt1[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/232172501alt11.jpg)
So, for Christmas dinner this year, you can impress family and friends with your perfectly sliced veggies. There are straight and wavy blades which can be adjusted by a dial on the side to set the thickness of the slice required. This doesn’t move around when in use and the handle is behind, nowhere near the sharp blades, so it’s much safer than using a knife. The blades are easily removed for washing and it comes with a neat storage container which fits underneath to catch your chopped veg.
![17091_2[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/17091_21.jpg)
The mandolin can also be used to make chips and even thinly sliced potatoes for making crisps. A salad will never be the same again, with my perfectly sliced cucumbers and julienne carrots. This is an amazing device. I wouldn’t be without one now I’ve tried it. An excellent Christmas pressie for mum, if ever there was one! Priced at £60.00, available from www.oxouk.com