Toy Reviews
My 1st JCB Pullbacks.
Released earlier this year from JCB, these brilliant little pullback vehicles are perfect for filling stockings this Christmas. They are small enough to actually go inside the average stocking which always helps!
5 variations can be purchased for £5.99 each. Doug, Freddie, Joey, Larry and Rex, and my son has all of these on his Santa list this year. He first spied them in Tesco and played with one in the shopping trolley while I carried on grocery shopping. I was impressed as they are pullback toys, you pull them back, let go, and they spin off. However, despite having this confined to a shopping trolley, he still played happily for half an hour.
The vehicles are brightly coloured and made from strong plastic. Each one has cute facial features to add to the character and keep your child entertained. Doug the Dumptruck has plenty of room in his trailer for some toy bricks and Joey the JCB can also carry small items in his front loader. This adds to the fun and allows the child to experiment and use their imagination. What will we transport across the kitchen today?
Suitable from 12 months, these are super strong little toys which provide oodles of entertainment.
Available from Tesco RRP £5.99
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Fitness FX – Groove FX DVD
Christmas is coming and I Love it, I love EVERYTHING about it!
Most of all I love the hunt for the perfect dress. I go shopping every year with my sister and we hunt the shops for our party pieces. This could take anything from days to weeks. I do know that whenever I feel fit and ‘in shape’ it is so much easier to shop as the clothes I like look well on.
It is for this reason that we usually enrol in some sort of fitness class during October, in a last ditch effort to dump the excess pounds. We have tried swimming, spinning, running and, worst of all, rowing. I hate exercise and could happily live the rest of my lift never breaking a sweat, but I expect the waist band wouldn’t be long expanding and it would not be very healthy.
This year we are dancing our way into our little hot Christmas numbers with Fitness FX new DVD, Groove FX. I must admit, I don’t feel like I am exercising and we have heaps of fun! We both feel fitter and look great – even if I say so myself!
The Groove FX DVD is super and very easy to enjoy. The instructors are ‘proper’ fitness experts, not some celebrity trying to promote their new body and make money while doing so. The Fitness FX team understand what the public want from a fitness DVD. Athletic bodies are ‘in’ and skinny bodies are ‘out’ thanks to the gorgeous and ever so lovely Jessica Ennis who has recently claimed the prize of ‘Best Female Body’. We want to look like her, not a size 6 super model with zero curves.
Buy this DVD and you will be well on your way. Yes, you will sweat, but you will have a great time doing so. Find a friend who will exercise with you, I found this motivated me and we both kept each other going, although not necessary as I have also exercised to this DVD my myself. I love the Latin and hip-hop routines, although there is music to suit all tastes including disco and club.
The Fitness FX DVD’s include :
- jump fx – no-nonsense aerobic and interval training designed to accelerate fat loss and maximise fitness gains.
- fight fx – punch and kick your way into knockout shape with the ultimate martial arts-inspired workout.
- stomp fx – basic, athletic step routines designed for maximum calorie burn and fitness improvements.
- groove fx – dance yourself into shape with hip hop, Latin, disco and club routines.
- pump fx– a complete resistance training workout featuring a bar and weight plates set to the latest chart and club anthems.
- blast fx – bodyweight-only conditioning routines that promise to shred fat and boost fitness…fast. (Fitness FX)
Don’t delay, visit www.fitness-fx.com and get into shape for the party season quickly, easily and while having fun. At the bargain price of £14.99, this would also be a great little stocking filler.
Homeware Reviews
Karcher Steam Cleaner 1.020
My kitchen wall sports a sign stating ‘My house was clean yesterday….sorry you missed it!’ My three children think undoing my work is their sole purpose in life so when it comes to cleaning, I find it hard to be enthusiastic because the result is so short lived.
With cream floor tiles throughout downstairs, cleaning the ground-in mud, grapes, bread, play-dough, etc is a daily chore for me. I have a (strange) friend who has BANNED the use of play-doh and paint in her home for this reason. Usually last thing at night when I’m hanging together by a thread I get my ‘squeezy’ mop out and use the last of my fading energy to scrub the above named items off the floor, all ready for the kids to dirty again in the morning.
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This Steam mop from Karcher was created with me and my house in mind, now my floors are clean in minutes without any elbow grease. The powerful cleaning action provided by the steam means no nasty detergents and with a baby crawling everywhere it’s very reassuring to know that the hands she puts in her mouth are clean.
Firstly, the mop was very easily assembled, 2 minutes and it was done (I did inform my husband that it was VERY complicated though). As I’m quite tall I used the extension pipe which made it perfect for my height. By the time I had given the floor a quick vacuum the mop had heated up and was ready to go (literally in a few minutes as I used warm water). I must admit I got a bit carried away and mopped the entire downstairs floors as I discovered I was actually ENJOYING myself. The picture below is the cloth after I had cleaned (just) the kitchen floor. I used a conventional mop the evening before PLUS detergent and a hearty amount of elbow grease and was gobsmacked at the amount of dirt the Karcher steam mop collected.
The wooden floor in our family room had been impossible to mop without streaking until now, my wonderful steam mop cleaned it up beautifully and it looks the best it has since it was fitted 3 years ago!
I must also add that the detail nozzle was excellent for cleaning behind the taps in my bathroom which are usually smeared with handwash and toothpaste (which turns to cement if not removed for a while…….), no problem for my new mop, the nozzle is small enough to go right around them with ease. I normally use two ‘magic’ cleaning cloths for my shower screens, one to wash and the other to dry and they are amazing but now totally unnecessary as the hand nozzle means I can clean the showers and mirrors by simply switching the floor nozzle to the hand nozzle……be sure to LOCK the steam lever first so you don’t scald yourself! This child protection function is very useful when the above mentioned crawler is on the loose…..Karcher really have thought of everything….THANK YOU…for making life much easier. Cleaning is no longer a dreaded chore and my cleaning cupboard is so much tidier now that I’ve dumped a lot of detergents (along with my knackered old mop!)
They do say that ‘only boring people have clean houses.’ I now know this to be totally untrue – sensible people invest in a Karcher SC1.020 and spend a minimum amount of time and energy cleaning their house and the rest going out for coffee mornings, to mums and tots, a walk in the park or even playing play-doh with their children!! Now in the evening I even have time to hear about my husbands enthralling work day………
Toy Reviews
Night Booma Boomerang.
Wicked Vision, the company who exports boomerangs to Australia! I think this very entertaining, but it is true. Wicked Vision have produced the worlds’ best selling boomerang in the UK and it is exported all over the world, and to Australia! Their boomerangs can be purchased in many familiar toy shops such as Hamleys and Harrods and they are available online from Amazon and from www.wickedmania.com
![Indoor[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Indoor1.jpg)
There are indoor and outdoor boomerangs but my choice was the Night Booma. This is super cool and glows in the dark. We are lucky to have a big field behind our house and for the last few nights my hubby and the children were out after dark trying out this new boomerang. It glows quite brightly and can be easily seen. It looks a bit like a flying saucer when it is spinning around – so my 4 year old claims!
![Nightbooma-large[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/Nightbooma-large1.jpg)
For added impact, it comes with a glowstick so it really does stand out against the night sky.
A really good toy to keep your children entertained outdoors and a big plus – it doesn’t need batteries. The perfect stocking filler.
RRP £9.99
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Olives Et Al.
If you are looking for something special to serve this Christmas have a look at the range from Olives Et Al. This company has a great reputation for using the finest ingredients with nothing artificial added. Many fine foods can be found, along with olives, of all flavours and arrangements.
![olives-et-al[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/olives-et-al1.jpg)
It wouldn’t be Christmas without nuts and Olives Et Al present theirs rather uniquely in a jam-jar style pot. I have tried the Malabar cinnamon and vanilla nuts. Peanuts, almonds and cashews roasted and sprinkled with the finest tasting vanilla and cinnamon, absolutely scrummy!
If you love olives you are in for a real treat. The Moroccan inspired Tapenade Marocaine is superb. The fresh zestful flavour has a lemony kick you won’t be able to get enough of. This is delicious served on crackers or added to a chicken dish for a wonderful flavour.
Jars start from £4 available from www.olivesetal.co.uk
A wide selection of hampers are also available for the perfect foodie gift this Christmas.
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Taylor’s Eye Witness Knives.
Taylor’s EYE Witness have been making knives for 150 years in Sheffield. Their knives have a brilliant reputation and are iconic in their design. Modern and contenporary, they have knives to suit all tastes and brighten up the dullest of kitchens. Prices vary to suit all budgets and knives can come single, in a set or with a block.
I have a set of 3 non stick knives with soft grip handles. These are brightly coloured with a flower pattern on the blade. Everyone who uses them loves them. They are evenly weighted so balance nicely in your hand. Exceptionally sharp, they have stood the test of time in my kitchen, as they would be used at least once daily.
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I have difficulty keeping my husband from opening screws and using my kitchen knives for other ‘non-household tasks’. Despite this, my knives are as good as new and I have not had to sharpen them as yet.
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A variety of designs are available from flower to flag patterns.
Have a look on www.taylors-eye-witness.co.uk for great Christmas shopping ideas this year. Knives are available from as little as £10.99.
Toy Reviews
Mr Pencil from Leapfrog.
My 4 year old son loves his Mr Pencil. This fun learning ‘toy’ has made a huge difference to his writing skills. It is from the well know and trusted Leapfrog who have the reputation of producing brilliant toys which help children learn through play.
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An app is included with Mr Pencil which can be used with an iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The purpose of this toy is to help children learn letter and number writing and to teach how to draw shapes. Mr Pencil himself is adorable. Big enough for tiny hands to get a good grip and brightly coloured with facial characteristics to have children interested.
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Mr Pencil and the citizens of Doodleburg will keep your child engaged, teaching drawing and writing skills through the fun learning activities. There are over 85 learning activities on the app which is brilliant as there is no repetition and your child doesn’t lose interest.
I have really appreciated Mr Pencil over the last few weeks. I have been really busy and have taken my son to the shops and even grocery shopping. Mr Pencil has got to be the most portable toy on the market, I never leave home without him and he is so easily carried in my handbag. The perfect little entertainer for Dr’s waiting rooms, car journeys or while sitting in a shopping trolley!
Available from www.leapfrogstore.co.uk
RRP £14.99
Learning Difference
Handwriting is an important element of school readiness. Recent research findings demonstrate that handwriting improves children’s creative writing skills and fine motor skills. Handwriting also contributes to children’s recognition of letters and numbers. (Source: Longcamp, Zerbato-Poudou, & Velay, 2005; Handwriting without Tears.)
Gift Reviews
Logo App / Logo Board Game Competition.
If you’re one of the millions of UK fans of Drumond Park’s Number One best-selling ‘big brands’ LOGO picture board game concept (and even if you haven’t played it yet!), you’re going to be blown away by The Official LOGO board game app. It’s on the Apple list (for iPhones and iPads), and it’s absolutely free – until the end of December 2013.
This is the one and only Official LOGO app, published with fully granted permissions and approvals from all the contributing companies. Drumond Park launched the LOGO board game property five years ago, and there are now 6 games in the series – so Drumond Park has unrivalled access to the logos of hundreds of UK brands and products, many of which have chosen to appear on the app.
These include existing LOGO favourites such as Argos, Birds Eye, British Gas, Churchill, Hovis, Marmite, National Express, Tesco, Tetley, Vauxhall and Wagon Wheels. And to add even more variety, new brands specifically introduced into the app gameplay include Campbell’s Soup, The Co-Op, John West, and Ready Brek.
There are 7 question types – Reveal, Blur, Tilt, Grid, Shape, Colour and Trivia – and 12 levels of play. Each level contains 20 questions to be completed within a particular time, and once complete the next level is then unlocked. Each level uses a mix of the question types, involving more than 1,100 questions and approaching 300 images in all. Needless to say the graphics, and the items for the Q&As in the Trivia mode are superbly authentic – because the logos and information displayed all come direct from source.
We can’t offer you the app as a prize, because it’s free. But here’s your chance to win the original – and still super-popular – LOGO picture board game. We have three to give away.
For more information visit www.drumondpark.com or call 01506 855577
Homeware Reviews
Chic Feet Footwear.
What is the first thought springs to mind when you receive an invite to a sparkly dinner or a wedding? Yes, me too, ‘What will I wear?’
Well, if you have your dress sorted, Chic Feet Footwear will take care of your shoes and handbag!
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I am so delighted I discovered Chic feet Footwear. There are so many online shops and I usually end up going round in circles, flicking from one site to the next and not buying anything. Have a look at www.chicfeetfootwear.co.uk
I pride myself on being an accurate judge of price, I enjoy looking at a garment or a pair of shoes and guessing the price before looking at the label. However, these shoes and bags had me fooled! I must admit, when I looked at the shoes and bag sets, I found the price hard to believe. £26 for glamorous shoes and a matching bag!!
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The selection is fabulous, and I guarantee you will find a pair of shoes you will love and ‘need’ on Chic feet Footwear. They are now the no.1 online supplier of wedding shoes and sandals in the UK, and they also specialise in shoes for all party occasions, evening wear and summer flip-flops.
Ballerina pumps can be picked up for £12.99 and gorgeous sandals (my next purchase) for £16.99. These would be perfect for the warmer weather or for evening wear.
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If you need a specific colour to match an evening dress or a bridesmaid dress, beautiful heels in a wide range of colours can be found from £17.99. This site has really amazing value.
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I have a winter wedding on the horizon and selected my footwear from Chic Feet Shoes. I am delighted with my shoes and even recommended the site to the bride!
My shoes are perfect for me, not too high as I have been known to enjoy a glass of champagne or two if the occasion calls for it and want to remain steady on my feet! They are black satin peep toe shoes with a 2.25 inch satin heel.
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They have diamante detailing on the front which gives them a very glamorous look. The sole is cushioned, so someone was clever when designing these shoes. They look comfortable and they are comfortable. This is very important for wedding shoes as they will be worn from early morning till early morning! These shoes are £20.55, a wicked price for such a great pair of shoes.
The website is easily navigated and the photos of the shoes and hand bags are a true likeness.
So, have a look at www.chicfeetshoes.co.uk and check out the brilliant range of shoes and hand bags for a bargain price.
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Pretty Polly Tights.
Pretty Polly, they are simply the best tights ever. When I was little I used to watch in amazement while my mum put on her tights. She smoothed her hands down her tights to put them on with-out snagging them, a skill I have yet to master! Isn’t it strange the little things you remember from your childhood?
I have recently been trying tights from Pretty Polly and when they arrived my daughter quickly claimed a pair of sheer tights with black butterflies fluttering on one leg. They are ultra modern and the design would have added that much needed ‘fancy touch’ to my little black dress. However, it was not meant to be as my daughter is not parting with them. Apparently they are ultra cool and much too young for me!
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Pretty Polly are to tights what google is to the internet, I adore them. They have been around since 1919 – amazing! They have never dated and are always adding new textures, colours and designs. Celebrities have adorned their legs with Pretty Polly tights from Jessie J, Agyness Deyn and Fearne Cotton.
As beautiful as my daughters Pretty Fly Flutterby Tattoo Tights are, (RRP £10), I believe I have came out better off in the long run. I have kept the best for myself – the Shape It Up Suspender Tummy Shaper Tights! Wow, the name says it all and they really do deliver what they claim to.
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The tummy is no more, and I am looking down at long smooth legs, wondering if they really are mine. I love these tights, they are from the new Shape It Up range and with added Lycra, they give excellent support where it is needed. The suspender style are perfect for a night out – or in!! and will make you look and feel gorgeous. RRP £12.
Check out the website, its very lush, with a modern black and pink design. There are competitions, and lots of products and information answering any question conceivable regarding tights. Their instagram pictures are wicked, with a variety of styles on display.
Pretty Polly, your legs will be ‘better than bare’ as they claim. Don’t leave the house without them!
https://www.facebook.com/prettypolly