For The Garden, Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Indoor Allotment.
I adore my garden and hate to see the winter approaching. My gorgeous geraniums are hauled inside, along with a few other tender plants. I then struggle to accommodate them and the little cuttings I make from my favourite coloured plants.
My kitchen window would have been their home till spring but it was a lot of work moving the pots around to clean the window and to ensure they had adequate light.
Toy Reviews
Finger Whips Scoot Park.
Finger Whips are the new craze and I am so happy to see my children engrossed playing with these as they have totally forgotten about their computer games. These great little construction toys are just what children need, and mum’s too. They are small, so very easily stored, something I always consider!
Finger Whips require an element of construction and children use the miniature wrench to build the scooters, so they are educational. Construction play is so important for areas of development. The parts are interchangeable, so children are not instructed to build a certain way and can use their imagination to construct their individual scooter park.
With the Scoot Park set, children can build a scooter park with ramps and the scooters are included. This would be a great starter set as there are ample pieces to keep the children entertained and they can add to the set at a later date. The set includes 2 scoot ramps, and 2 scooters. One of the scooters is red and blue and the other is a limited edition gold one.
This would be a great toy to take along when travelling or when on holiday as they really are very compact. Children could collect lots of the different sets and they would still fit into a small storage box.
Priced very reasonably considering they are die-cast, the Scoot Park is £14.99.
Other sets start at £4.99 upwards, so thumbs up for Finger Whips! Educational, entertaining, inexpensive and non-electrical!
Available from www.fingerwhips.com/
For ages 6yrs and over.
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Lego Friends Book-light and LED Brick Light Key-chain.
Lego – how long has this been on the go? A long time! The beginnings of Lego actually began in 1932 and the ‘brick’ came into play in 1949.
Lego has a great ethos and we always love to review the sets and accessories on Pampered Presents. Many many sets are to be found ranging from Space Ships, to the Wild West – however one major theme is missing and that the ‘military style’ toys. Lego have stated they will NEVER sell toys that resemble war and present war to children in game form – Why can’t all toy manufactures learn from this?? Maybe some-day, in a more perfect world.
Lego now have over 10,000 employees and the toys are sold in over 130 countries, amazing! Well done Lego, we love you.
I still have the Lego I had as a child and it is compatible with the modern sets my children play with so it is an excellent toy to buy. Accessories from Lego are very popular and my children have the Lego Friends Book-light and Key-ring light.
The Book-light is great as it clips onto books to enable my children read at night and saves them reading with the full light on which might hinder them from falling asleep – God forbid!
We have been through quite a few book-lights in our household, between the children and their father, they all enjoying reading in bed. However, the Lego Friends Book-light is by far the strongest – it is simply made, with no exposed wires and fiddly parts like some of the others. I would be happy letting my 4 year old use this. Priced from £9.99 this is very good value as it will stand the test of time.
My 10 year old has a great key-chain collection and her latest addition was the Lego friends Brick Key-chain. This too is strong and built to last. Well priced from £6.99.
The key light is actually quite strong and I have called on her to use it to help me find the house key on my key chain in the dark. Although this is a toy, it is a handy little item to have on a key-ring. The colours are from the Lego friends series to co-ordinate with the sets.
As ever, all Lego toys and accessories have a special place here at Pampered Presents, and they all come highly recommended.
Available at John Lewis and Sainsbury’s.
Health and Beauty, Uncategorized
Touchback Hair Product and Brow Marker.
We should ‘grow old gracefully’ they say, but there is no way I intend to go grey! However, as a mum of 3 children who cost me money every day, I found I was putting off going to the hairdresser to save a few pounds. This is why I have now invested in Touchback and can save money and stretch those visits to the hairdresser even more – while still looking fabulous of course!
Touchback is great, simple as that! What you see is what you get, this really does deliver what it claims to. As with all the beauty products tested on Pampered Presents, they do not test on animals nor use any animal based ingredients. We simply refuse to review products that are not ethically sound in our opinion.
I have brown hair and do not want to go blonde. My hairdresser said the best way of covering grey is to have blonde streaks and she was correct. However, I am holding onto my natural brunette look with Touchback.
Unlike hair mascaras, gels, powders and crayons, touchback attaches to the hair and stays put. I have the dark brown Touchback colour, it blends perfectly and there is honestly no difference between touchback and my natural colour. The colour is temporary and contains no harsh chemicals – another trait we like to see. You will not find ammonia or peroxide on Pampered Presents! The hair colour dries in minutes and hair can be brushed without flaking.
When using touchback, the patented formula is delivered through the Fiber Flow applicator and hair is coloured neatly and easily. This is the fastest touch up for greys on the market and I couldn’t recommend it more.
For our eyebrows, we have the Touchback BrowMarker. Prior to my summer holiday earlier this year I treated myself to a beauty treatment at my local salon – Studio 37. The beautician tinted my eyebrows and eyelashes, but did explain she would have to dye my skin as I had some ‘missing eyebrow’. This was not as bad as it reads, there is just a small gap – some may even think it is intentional and fashionable! However, I prefer a complete set of eyebrows, so the skin was tinted too. I can now complete this treatment at home with the BrowMarker. I use the light brown colour and this is well suited to my hair and skin colour.
Thin brows are enhanced and missing strands are filled in nicely. This also lasts all day and will not rub off, no matter how many times my son gives me tight cuddles and smothers my face in kisses! The BrowMarker is here to stay.
This marker can also be used as a super long lasting eye marker, but needs to applied prior to moisturiser.
There is a wide variety of shades and products on the Touchback website – check it out and treat yourself. You have nothing to lose and trust me, you will love it. The products are extremely well priced.
I cannot finish this review without mentioning the amazing charitable doings of Touchback.
Isn’t this amazing? Well done touchback, you have my support.
Homeware Reviews, Pampered Experiences
www.fashionista-outlet.com
Don’t we all love fashion outlets?? I live and breathe for a bargain and it has been said many times – ‘If there is only ONE bargain in a shop – that girl will find it’. I am proud of this as times are tough financially. We have to be savvy. Since September I have written about 6 cheques and not one of them was for my beloved Roberta Cavalli boots! After school activies, Jugitsu, Brownies, orchestra and the likes have been ‘steeling’ my funds.
Wouldn’t it be great if, after ushering the kids out to school, we could sit down at our desk top and buy a pair of fabulous Versace knee high boots reduced from £711 down to £284 – how much satisfaction would this give??
Much more than chocolate! What if we could be shown exactly what Fern Cotton was seen wearing AND shown the same/similar outfit at 80% off??
No, this in not too good to be true, I have discovered www.fashionista-outlet.com and I bet Paris Hilton shops here!!
The slogan ‘Why pay more?’ comes to my mind and why should we pay full price for our designer must-haves when we don’t have to?
Check it out today, this fabulous site offers a host of items vastly reduced, not just boots.
You can pick up a Love Moschino dress and that elusive Missoni bag – WAIT, that bag is mine!! Oh Missoni, I love you so. I have found my heaven on earth and it is called Fashionista-Outlet.com
It gets better, click on the section – Fashionise me, and this will tell you exactly what to wear for any occasion. This is where I am in bother, being the eldest of 3 sisters I tend to have to ‘keep up’ with my 3 younger siblings. Fashionise me ensures you have fab designer gear and you are wearing it appropriately.
Fashionista-Outlet.com also run super competitions, but it’s not chocolates or toiletries up for grabs, but handbags and other ‘must-have’ items.
Brilliant, isn’t it? I know, I am soo impressed. So, why wait, check it out today and enjoy shopping from your bedroom/kitchen/sofa and sit back and wait on the bargains to arrive.
Gift Reviews, Pampered Experiences
Mania Mia Autumn Winter Fashion Release 2013
In September I was lucky enough to attend an exclusive preview of the autumn/winter ’13 fashion brands at Mania Mia.
Mania Mia is known as ‘ Fulham’s best kept secret for the stylish shopper to discover affordable chic women’s contemporary fashion and accessories.’
I found this to be true, and fell in love with the shop immediately. I had no pre-conceptions and attended this ‘invite only’ preview with an open mind. My fashion taste would be quirky and unusual, I like to wear what others would shy away from! I was delighted to discover the range of designers at the preview and came away with great fashion ideas and with lots of ‘essentials’ on my wish list.
Mania Mia has a great concept on fashion and design and tends to support designers from outside the UK along with some closer to home. The styles are therefore perfect for me – unusual, varied and with an element of quirky thrown in for good measure. I simply loved the shop and enjoyed my tour of the fashions while sipping champagne and nibbling hors d’oeuvres.
The ranges I was shown included Essential, Charlotte Taylor, Furansu, Filippa K, and many more. My favourite would have to be Charlotte Taylor. Her prints were stunning and very unusual. The prints tend to be her signature and she favours bold shapes which I adore. Her designs range from:
‘Penguins, Grannies and eccentrics to Vintage Robots, Sail-making
and decayed metal; Charlotte delves into her collections and creates worlds and stories to complement and drive them’. (Mania Mia)
This preview gave me a great insight into the autumn and winter fashion and I would urge those who are in the area to visit this boutique and experience the fabulous fashions they have to offer.
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Braun Series 3 Shaver 380s-4
Let me introduce you to the Braun Series 3 Wet & Dry Shaver. This handy shaver is now a worldwide seller and cannot last on the shelves till 25th of December, buy it now! Every man will want one. Why?? Read on..
Firstly, the biggie with this shaver is that it can be used in water. This serves more than one purpose. Firstly, its quicker as men can shave while in the shower. Second, it is much easier to clean as it can be rinsed under the tap.
The reputation of this shaver is excellent, with men claiming it has been the best shaver yet. My hubby was the guinea pig, and he is quite critical so I couldn’t wait to hear what his conclusions were.
Hubby always wet shaved, well, in the 15 years I have known him. He says he used to own an electric razor many years ago, but found the wet shave gave a better cut with less irritation.
He was honestly impressed, so well done Braun, he is a tough cookie to please (typical man)! He particularly liked that the series 3 380s-4 could be used in the shower and this saved him time in the mornings. To clean, he rinsed it under the tap and it was ready to shave again.
With regards to skin comfort and irritation, he experienced none. The shaver was comfortable, gave an excellent close shave and left no skin irritation.
This is specific to Braun series 3 shavers, they are designed to give a clean and gentle shave as the 3 cutting elements move independently to give a smooth finish. Long and short hairs are cut together and this is the major factor in reducing irritation. Only one stroke is needed whereas with other shavers, continual strokes are needed for a clean finish. To add to a really great razor, Braun have had the innovative idea of SensoFoil.
This was very impressive, as it enables hair to be cut closer to the skin than ever before, without irritation.
The pop-up trimmer is a great little extra, perfect for sideburns and moustache. Braun really have thought of everything and have give men what they need with the series 3 380s-4.
The battery delivers 45 minutes of cordless shaving after one hour of charge.
My hubby will never return to his ‘old fashioned’ method of shaving, as he loves the Braun series 3 380s-4. What a fab gift! The shaver is very well priced and available from several online stores and on the high street.
Luxury Hotels & Spas, Pampered Experiences
myhotel Chelsea, London.
Do you ever feel like escaping your life for a few days just for a break and to experience something different? Last month I whisked my mum and myself off to London as she wanted to see the London eye. I took her on one condition – that she would be going on the eye by herself as I have difficulty standing on a stool, never mind getting into a small glass ball that transports you up past Big Ben.
So we set off after booking an hotel online from www.myhotels.com, we stayed at Myhotel Chelsea.
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Lir Chocolates: Glittering Signature Selection, Baileys Gift Box, Guinness Luxury Dark Chocolate Bar.
My ‘tricky’ Christmas gift dilemma is now sorted with Lir! Do you have someone in your life who seems to have everything, which makes buying gifts for this person a chore? Have a look at Lir chocolates for some great gift ideas.
Lir is an award winning chocolatier based in Southern Ireland. Ingredients are sourced from across the world and used to create the most luxurious chocolates I have ever tasted. The choice is difficult, as they all look temptingly delicious.
My favourite, as always, are the Baileys chocolates. Holding the position as the Uk’s no. 1 liqueur, this is a great gift which everyone would be delighted to receive.
The chocolates are presented in a luxurious gift box with a gold ribbon which looks very well. The ultimate foodie present in my opinion. This gorgeous box contains an array of milk, white and dark chocolates flavoured with the fabulous Baileys liqueurs. The flavours include Baileys Original, Mint, caramel, Fudge and Coffee. Baileys have a reputation of luxury and these chocolates fit the profile. They are little mini works of art, finely decorated with strips and flakes of co-ordinating chocolate. Yummy! This gift box retails for £9.99 and is available from Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Tesco.
Lir’s own Glittering Signature Selection did not last long in my house, and I have to admit, I saved these for myself. They are heavenly chocolates, and every one of them looked and tasted gorgeous. This box contains Lir’s most popular varieties so a good choice as a gift when you may not be aware of the recipients preferred taste.
RRP £6.99 Available from Co-op nationwide and high street retailers.
In keeping with the Irish theme, Lir have created a Luxury Dark Chocolate Bar, infused with the delicious taste of Guinness. Wow, what a man gift! This would be great for dad, hubby and any other man in your life. Men love chocolates too and sometimes delicious chocolates are presented in a box which appeals to women. This is perfect for the men in your life who enjoys great tasting chocolate. The bar is red and black and with the Guinness logo and the chocolate has the roasted creamy notes of the world famous stout.
52% cocoa solids gives this chocolate the intensely dark taste which lingers leaving the ultimate smooth taste of Guinness. Absolutely gorgeous and one to be enjoyed all by yourself!
RRP £1.49 Available from Selfridges, Debenhams, Amazon and high street retailers.
Lir chocolates have in recent years won 13 gold star awards in the Great Taste Awards [the ‘Oscars’ of the food world] from the British Guild of Fine Food, as well as, in 2011, Gold in the Best Filled Chocolate category from the Academy of Chocolate . (Lir)
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
My Blue Nose Friends, Pout, Abbey, Glide and Crest.
I adore the Blue Nose Collection and I am delighted that my girls share my enthusiasm. Tatty Teddy has been a firm favourite in our household, featuring on pyjamas, books, key-rings as well as the actual teddy himself.
He has some of the cutest little friends joining him from September 2013 and they are every bit as gorgeous as Teddy is.
There are 4 new friends to collect, each different, but all snugly soft and adorable.
It’s difficult to choose a favourite, but being a fan of the Dinosaurs, I have to go for Crest.
This little Pterosaur is pink and grey with a few little blue specs on its nose. The signature ‘patch’ is in two places, and he is stuffed with those lovely little beads that give him the lovely squeezy feel which gives just as much satisfaction as a stress ball!
Glide was ‘stolen’ by my niece within an hour of arriving to the house. She is horse mad and fell for the cute little pink wings and expression glide possesses. Glide is a Pegasus who is always up for an adventure, and with the fluffy tail and mane, is just as soft and cuddly as the others.
For cat lovers, we have Abbey. This little blue cat will steal your heart as soon as you set eyes on her. She is perfectly bread and British through and through.
Last but not least, comes Pout the puffer-fish. This little fish is a round pink ball of adorable fluff. My other niece who is three years old had her pick of these friends and she chose Pout. He is just the right size to hold and squeeze! Soft and fluffy with the little blue nose, he makes the collection of four friends complete.
All the friends are available now online from www.carteblanchegreetings.com
RRP £5.