Gift Reviews
Mophie Juice Pack Spectrum Collection.
I have to admit I found this product pretty amazing. My iPhone 4 would need charged every second day – if I am not texting, my kids are on the internet or playing games! I guess its pretty much a ‘family’ phone.
However, when I am out and about and need to make a call or check something on the internet, I frequently find I am left with little or no battery.
The recent launch of the Mophie juice pack spectrum collection is just what I needed and I have to say – it is well worth the investment. This retails at about £69.95 and can be purchased from Apple Stores. If you are having the same problems I had been having – buy one, you will not regret it.
There are quite a few colours to choose from – I went for the purple one, but there are also blue, green, red, etc. This mophie contains a 1500mAh battery which will give your iPhone 4 or 5 80% more battery life. If flat, this can charge your phone to 80%.
The cover itself is great for offering protection – this is particularly good for me as my 4 year old has his Ben 10 games on my iPhone, and if he scores badly on his game, the phone gets flung down in a strop!
I cannot really say there is a downside to this – I have tested it to the limit and am 100% happy – wouldn’t be without it now.
Visit the Apple store for further information.
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Just dance 2014 Wii Game
I love it when my children ask for Wii games from Santa. The Wii is an absolutely super way to exercise, while having fun at the same time.
Just Dance 2014 is the latest addition to my daughter’s long Santa List.
![1383348_R_Z001A_UC1514507[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1383348_R_Z001A_UC15145071.jpg)
This is a brilliant game with the biggest songs of the year along with classics like Ghostbusters and YMCA. Modern hits such as the latest from Katie Perry and Nikki Minaj are included so it’s going to be very noisy in our house this Christmas – the kids will be shouting ‘Mum, turn the volume down!’
Up to six people can play this game – perfect for when families get together. Modes have been updated in this game and one singer can now perform with backing singers!! I cannot wait – roll on 25th December!
Available from most major online retailers. RRP £29.99
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Bois de Cashmere at Burford Garden Company.
When this candle arrived in the post I could smell the postman coming up the drive with it, even through a padded envelope and his ‘postman bag’!
Buy this candle – it is the most beautiful scent I have ever had the pleasure of smelling!
Made in Paris, Herve Gambs is very good at his job. He created room fragrances, furniture and other gift type items using natural materials. His style will suit any interior and his scent Bois de Cashmere is the crème de la crème of his work.
Bois de Cashmere or Agarwood and Vetiver simply cannot be described and I would urge you to smell this if you ever have the opportunity. I must have walked around with this candle for an hour after it arrived, with it held just under my noise!!
The glorious thing is that this candle will scent your home for 50 hours! Wow, isn’t that brilliant?
Whether you are trying to cover a smell or create a fragrance, this is the perfect candle.
Available from www.burford.co.uk
RRP £35
For The Garden, Gift Reviews
GL-200 Garden Labeller
It’s the time of year where we are our in our garden’s trying to tidy up and plant some spring bulbs. My garden is a mess but it’s also my childrens most exciting time as we go a bit mad on bulbs! We buy them from lots of different shops and the 3 children plant their own. I love to watch this excitement, while clearing old plants from the summer and cutting back my shrubs.
This winter we have labelled everywhere we have planted bulbs. It is the best idea ever as in the past, we would forget where we planted what and there were surprises all round!
![images[10]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/images10.jpg)
The GL-200 garden labeller is my favourite gardening accessory. The labels are weatherproof so they are ideal for the job at hand. Rain, humidity, heat and also frost resistant, there are hundreds of jobs for this gadget. My hubby does use this for other jobs outside, but it is mostly used for labelling plants and pots.
The children can use this themselves, it is dead easy. It is small enough to be hand held and very easily stored.
The GL-200 Garden label Marker would be a great Christmas present for grandparents or anyone who enjoys the outdoors.
Available from www.amazon.co.uk
RRP around £32.50
Gift Reviews
www.thedogsdoodahs.com
Walk into a hardware store or gift shop and I dare you not to laugh or even smile at a funny sign or wall hanging you have seen – the shops are full of them. I have one in my hall ‘Remember, as far as anyone knows, we are a normal family’! I adore these and think there should be something that makes us smile in every room of the house.
In saying this, I have never laughed as much as when I first logged onto www.thedogsdoodahs.com
![NB116_272px_1[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/NB116_272px_11.jpg)
This site sells personalised cards, mugs, aprons and other gifts. What separates them from the crowd is that they have such a ‘with it’ sense of humour. Honestly, I got rather carried away – there was a funny mug/book for everyone I knew. Photos can be uploaded and added to an item with a caption, so do not complete your Christmas shopping without having a look at their site –www.thedogsdoodahs.com
![Apron_Preview_03_272PX_1[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Apron_Preview_03_272PX_11.jpg)
The company is 100% honest and on their homepage they write:
‘We’re not the most famous personalised cards website (that would be Moonpig!) but we hope we are the friendliest and funniest! … Our humour experts design cards for all sorts of occasions including birthdays, anniversaries and weddings and they can all be personalised with a name and often a photograph.’ (www.thedogsdoodhas.com)
I selected 2 notebooks and a mug as my order. One of the notebooks of for my hubby’s Christmas stocking:
![NB87_272px[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/NB87_272px1.jpg)
I have had this personalised with our names, and it is ‘so’ us!
The other notebook is for my mother from my children and I had their photo printed on the front. She will love it. RRP £8
The mug I picked was for my brother-in-laws 40th birthday and as before, his name appears next to the image. It is hilariously funny. RRP £9
![M102_272px_2[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/M102_272px_21.jpg)
I will be shopping at www.thedogsdoodahs.com again soon as I have some of their aprons on my wishlist – they are a little too ‘funny’ to publish on Pampered Presents so have a look and laugh yourself silly!
All items available from www.thedogsdoodahs.com
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Its Your story Snowman Book.
This is a super company, any spare ‘computer time’ I have, I always find myself browsing their website. Check it out for those Christmas presents you have yet to buy this year.
Its Your story was the first company in the UK to sell personalised books for children and they are definitely the best yet. The variety is super, with books to suit all occasions and both boys and girls. I choose a Christmas themed book to keep it seasonal and I was very impressed with the book I received.
![17[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/171.jpg)
The Snowman book is a personalised book telling the story of a child and their adventures with their snowman. Other friends can be mentioned in the book, as well as an address. My kids were so excited reading this book – they couldn’t believe they actually featured!
A great value book priced from £12.99.
Have a look at their brand new range of personalised posters and water bottles.
www.itsyourstory.co.uk
For The Garden, Gift Reviews, Leisure Gifts, Teenage Gifts, Toy Reviews
Sci-fi Sledge from QVC.
Do you prefer summer or winter? That’s a hard question, both have ups and downs.
I love the warmer weather, but I absolutely adore snow. We do not always get snow in Ireland, but I have my fingers crossed for this year!
If we are lucky to have a white Christmas, I am totally prepared. My children will hopefully be whizzing down the hills on a Sci-fi sledge from www.qvcuk.com
![700082[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/7000821.jpg)
Toy Reviews
Wilko Blox.
If you are looking for building blocks – the expensive ones (without mentioning any names!) but are shopping on a budget, I have the solution.
Wilko have crated Blox – check it out, they are 100% compatable with other building blocks such as Lego, but 1/10 of the cost.
I have tried 3 of the sets – or rather, my children have, and I just can’t get over how these are so good yet very low in price. The variety of fab, there will be a set to suit everyone, I am sure of that. Have a look at the website and be amazed at the prices, Santa must shop here for sure!
Wilko Blox 10 in 1 Airforce Response 230 Piece 5+ Years £7.00
![0335882_m[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/0335882_m1.jpg)
Wilko Blox Princess Fairy Castle 220 Piece 5+ Years £5.00
![0335885_l[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/0335885_l1.jpg)
Wilko Blox SOS Fire Control Centre 310 Piece 5+ Years £5.00
![0337761_m[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/0337761_m1.jpg)
Available from www.wilko.com
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty
Gernetic Synchro Duo Sets.
Gernetic made its appearance to the world in 1978 and has gone from strength to strength since. They now hold status as an international brand with products available in 52 countries – isn’t that impressive?
‘A brand that combines natural ingredients and the miracles of science, GERnétic uses specialist molecular nutrients – amino acids, vitamins, proteins and trace elements – small enough in size to penetrate to a cellular level to help promote skin renewal and repair.’ (Gernetic)
For Christmas 2013 they have some amazing duo sets available combining a super product – Synchro with some other best selling creams.
A a special gift this year, with every purchase of Synchro, you get a 30ml specialist product free. I have looked at the combinations and want them all!
‘SYNCHRO 50ml – Balancing cream for dry and normal skin. SYNCHRO stimulates and maintains an optimum level of cellular renewal. As a basic cream for all GERnétic beauty products, it is applied after the majority of other creams and sometimes in combination with them. Its synchronizing action reinforces all other products and accelerates their results.
Combinations available:
IMMUNO 30ml – Restructuring mask
For a total and effective regenerating action, mix it with an equal quantity of the SYNCHRO cream when applying.
VASCO 30ml – Sensitive skin
VASCO is a special beauty care product for sensitive skins, providing comfort and softness by protecting it from outside aggression without altering your natural complexion.
MYO MYOSO 30ml – Intensive smoothing
The action of its phytostimulins reinforces the elasticity of your skin, and smoothes away wrinkles. Apply the cream each morning to relax your lines and give your face a new vigour.
NUCLEA 30ml – Restoring cream
Discover its soothing, penetrating action leaving an immediate feeling of freshness and comfort. Its exceptional regenerating effect stimulates cellular activity and reinforces the defence mechanisms of your skin.
CYTOBI 30ml – Luxurious restoring cream
The ultimate defence against ageing. CYTOBI gives your skin an optimal protection against ageing by providing’ (Gernetic)
Gernetic have something for everyone and with the extra free product this year, I believe it would be hard to find better value if you are shopping for skincare this year.
Synchro 30mls RRP £29.75.
For further information visit www.gernetic.co.uk
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty
Philips SatinPerfect Deluxe HP6581/00 Wet & Dry Epilator, Shaving Head, Precision Epilator & Tweezers.
Product details:
- Wide head epilator for fast hair removal with optional shaver or trimmer head
- Precision epilator for sensitive areas
- Textured ceramic tweezing discs with hypo-allergenic silver-ion technology remove even short hairs efficiently without tugging the skin
- Includes Active lift and massage attachment to lift flat-lying hairs for easy removal, smart tweezers with integrated light and storage pouch
- Both Deluxe Epilator and Precision Epilator come with fully washable heads and can be used wet or dry
This shaver caught my eye as it looked different to any other shaver I had seen previously. The shape is almost round which was interesting and encouraged me to read about it further.
![18139111[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/181391111.jpg)
The Philips Satin Perfect Epilator is round as it is designed to fit perfectly into your hand – very clever thinking Philips!
They call this the ‘ergonomic grip’, and it does work.
The gift set contains 2 epilators in one. A narrow head attachment can be used to shave underarm/bikini line and an extra wide attachment which can be used on your legs. This allows for super speedy shaving if you are in a rush – and no skin irritation I might add!
![18139113[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/181391131.jpg)
The shaver gives the closest shave ever, and follows the contours of your body perfectly and easily. Used wet or dry, in the shower or the bath, you will have super soft and smooth skin.
An active hair lift attachment works to lift hairs up so even flat hairs cannot escape! This vibrates the skin causing the hairs to lift and also gives a pleasant ‘massage like’ shaving experience.
Also included are a fab pair of tweezers with an integral light which make plucking those stray eye-brow hairs a doddle.
All you need on one gorgeous gift set – also includes a cleaning brush and trimming comb.
The cordless facility allows the shaver to be used for up to 40 minutes after a one hour charge, making this perfect for over- night stays and weekends away.
This really is the ultimate shaving gift set – I have had a good look and there is no better set on the market this Christmas – in my opinion.
An absolute bargain at £149.99
Available from Boots and John Lewis.