Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
The Little Book Of Monarchs.
This is a delightful book that details all the Kings and Queens of England since 1066 in a vibrant and interesting way. A perfect book to bring history alive and make it more accessible to the younger generation. Often history books are boring and stuffy but this one is a breath of fresh air as it approaches the subject from a completely different angle.
A total of 42 monarchs are described, using a simple bullet point format detailing the main highlights of each reign. Each is illustrated with a funny cartoon, which will undoubtedly appeal to younger readers. It will also prove useful as a basic reference guide to older students and history buffs in general.
This book is published in hardcover by Matador and is 88 pages long. It would make an excellent Christmas or birthday present for an older child or teenager.
Available from www.boullemierbooks.co.uk and all good bookshops nationwide from 1st October 2013.
RRP £7.99.
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Oxo Potato Ricer and French Press with Groundskeeper.
Oxo have some great gifts for Christmas, for both men and women. When I spied this potato ricer I was thrilled to bits. I have had riced potatoes, but never actually came across a potato ricer in the shops.
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Most of my kitchen accessories are from oxo and I have never been disappointed. The ricer has comfortable handles which is really important when you have to use force. It works by placing the potatoes into the ricer, place the lid on top and squeeze the handles together. Your mashed potatoes will be perfect – no lumps! The non-slip knob ensures it stays in place whilst in use and it will deliver the potato directly into a bowl or saucepan without slipping.
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This is a great idea if you have fussy children like mine. A lump in a potato would be ‘just awful mummy’! It’s goodbye to lumpy potatoes with the potato ricer. I also use it to mash my carrots and turnip, they taste delicious mashed in the ricer with butter.
My sister also has the oxo potato ricer and uses it to puree her toddlers’ foods – it really is strong enough to puree fruit and vegetables and more cost effective than using an electric blender. Not to mention, less mess!
This oxo potato ricer would make a great Christmas gift for the man in your life whether this is your husband, dad or granddad. Men love to mash potatoes, at least my husband does. I make the dinner and he mashes the potatoes, then he acts like he has made a major contribution to putting a meal on the table! He loves using the ricer, and so does my dad. Maybe because it’s a ‘tool’ of sorts and we all know men love tools! So if you are finding it difficult choosing a gift for your dad or husband, choose the oxo potato ricer and not slippers this Christmas. RRP £25
After Christmas dinner with lovely riced potatoes, I love to sit down with a cup of ‘real’ coffee. I am now on my third coffee press in 5 years. The first two got broken when I was trying to wash them. The ground coffee always stuck to the side of the glass and it was not tough enough to withstand a good scrubbing. Never fear, my gorgeous oxo ‘French press with Groundskeeper’ makes brewing coffee and cleaning easy.
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The carafe is made of strong glass which fits neatly inside the stainless steel housing. Before adding the coffee, a silicone ladle is inserted which ensures the coffee is easily scooped out when you are washing up. No tapping or scrubbing needed, just rinse and dry.
The French press will hold 8 cups of coffee, perfect when family and friends are gathered together. This is another great Christmas gift idea for both men and women, and at £35, very good value for money.
For further information, pleae visit www.oxouk.com
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Raisthorpe Shimmering Vodka.
At Pampered presents we love all things natural, organic, locally sourced and locally produced and this extends to alcohol as well. It is my pleasure to tell you about Raisthorps Shimmering Vodka Liqueurs launched for Christmas 2013.
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Raisthorpe Manor is one of those companies I love to read about. They use only the finest locally sourced ingredients and traditional family recipes, so their range is rather unique. Their gins and liqueurs have won many awards and are stocked all over the UK.
They say, ‘All that glistens is not gold’, but in this case – it is! Yes, the vodka shimmers with edible gold glitter, perfect for dazzling your family and friends this Christmas. Every sip from your crystal cocktail glasses will be delivering nine-carat gold luxury!
So, if you thought your parties couldn’t possibly get any more glamorous, think again. Try these Shimmering vodkas’ and decide for yourself. I was so impressed with the bottles and labels, very posh indeed.
The vodka comes in a set of 2 flavours, Blood Orange and Toffee Caramel. They would be perfect as a gift and would be sure to impress anyone, whether it’s your girlfriend, wife or mother. Perfect taken neat with ice, or with a mixer. I have to confess, I added a few tablespoons to ice-cream after Sunday dinner and it was scrummy! I plan to save some to add a touch of sparkle to my next toffee cheesecake.
The possibilities are endless and although I tried, I could not pick a favourite. Go on, treat yourself to a nine carat Christmas with Raisthorpes Shimmering Vodka.
Available from www.raisthorpemanor.com RRP £45
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Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Lily’s Kitchen Christmas Dinner and Christmas Biscuits.
Lily’s Kitchen is like most wonderful inventions – born out of necessity! Lily is a border terrier whose owner, Henrietta, took matters into her own hands when her little dog suffered from itchy skin and ears and eventually went off food.
This was the beginning of Lily’s Kitchen, Henrietta started to cook for Lily, who thrived on home cooking with human grade ingredients, not leftovers and food discarded by others.
I love the ethos; wholesome, natural and organic food for cats and dogs. The website is really cool and very informative. Check it out – www.lilyskitchen.co.uk It is well worth a look, very interesting and would definitely make you think about what we feed our pets with.
Lily’s Kitchen foods contain whole meat, grains, fruits and vegetables, and with the perfect fat-protein ratio for the animals nutritional needs. All the ingredients are on the label – this is something I look at when shopping, but would never have thought of looking at what I was feeding my beloved Jack Russel, Tyke.
For Christmas, Lily’s Kitchen has really spoiled our cats and dogs. Limited edition ‘Christmas Dinner’ – wow. Turkey, goose, carrots, beans and cranberries to name a few of the delicious ingredients. When we opened the lid and gave Tyke a taste, I was surprised at the smell. It smelled like Christmas dinner, not dog food – surely an indication of the fabulous festive ingredients! Yummy, our dog was very happy and kept licking the plate long after the food was eaten. RRP £2.19 Limited edition.
This was followed by a ‘Christmas Biscuit’ with turkey, cranberry, thyme and cinnamon. ‘Lovingly baked for dogs that have been good all year’(Lily’s Kitchen). RRP £2.99 Limited edition.
It was lovely to try these foods, and to be made aware of what should be in the food we buy for our pets.
Highly recommended and thoroughly enjoyed by our little tester.
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Gift Reviews
LifeProof iPhone case.
There are times I have given my 4 year old son my iPhone 5 to play a game because I have been very busy, under pressure, or even trying to talk on the landline. I have cringed inside – is it really worth the risk – 10 minutes peace in exchange for a cracked or broken phone? However, we still do it – millions of mums with iPhones have apps and games specifically for toddlers and young children, and millions of mums have a lovely phone with a not so lovely cracked face. STOP – LifeProof exists – I am now converted as is my sister and so should you. These amazing phone covers are indeed lifeProof, but more importantly, they are childProof!
Go on, buy one. You will be able to hand over your phone with ease, there is nothing your child can do to break it when it’s in a LifeProof cover. If you are in doubt, you have not met my son. I tell no lie, if there was any way he could break a phone in a LifeProof cover, mine would be broken.
My cover is a lovely green shade, but you can pick from several colours, they look very well and don’t leave your iPhone cumbersome or uncomfortable to use – I have seen other covers which claim to be ‘childproof’ but that’s because they completely cover the phone!
Now, for some examples of how my LifeProof cover was tested. My son threw it out of the car window (I was parked at the time), it has been splashed with apple juice and submerged in water! It has been outside to my children’s outdoor ‘restaurant’ – basically a mud pile with lots of old kitchen equipment and plates on an old table. It came in and had a wash – as good as new.
So, you are guaranteed this cover was tested well. I think it would be a fantastic gift for new mums.
If you are shopping for the man in your life, this would be perfect. My husband has just moved on from his first phone which was over 10 years old and the face was in bits! He now has an iPhone 4 with a LifeProof cover and has used it as an underwater camera when we were on holiday!
The LifeProof case is available for iPhone 5, iPhone 4, iPad and iPad mini. There are a range of accessories, including a LifeJacket which makes it completely buoyant. A perfect gift for men who spend a lot of time beside or on the water.
Highly recommended and sure to be one of the most ‘wished for’ Christmas gifts this year.
Available from www.lifeproof.com
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Riverdale Days Collection Diffuser.
If you’re interested in all things nice and sweet smelling for your home, look no further than Riverdale’s Days Collection of Diffusers.
Diffusers are a great alternative to candles as they don’t have the safety issues and you don’t have that common problem of an unsightly half burned candle on your mantelpiece.
The one I tried is called Rockin’ Rose and has a beautiful fresh scent reminiscent of freshly cut roses.
The Riverdale Days diffusers come gift boxed and contain 150mls of fragrance and 10 sticks. The oil is contained in an elegantly shaped glass bottle. These make a wonderful present for just about anyone as who can resist something that gives your living space and indeed your entire house such a beautiful scent.
The diffusers retail at £19.95 and are available from www.riverdale.ni
The collection also boasts scents such as Lovely Lily and Poppy Pleasure, so there’s sure to be one that suits.
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Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Chawtons Aromatherapy Joints Cream and Regular Mustard bath.
The aromatherapy and skincare range from Chawtons has been on the market since 1993. They have recently relaunched the brand, with some exciting new products, along with a contemporary new look to go with them. The new products include de-stressing Aromatherapy Rollerballs, Mustard Baths and Foot Balms to name but a few.
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They are a really great range. Whenever I shop for skin and bodycare I usually spend ages reading the labels studying the ingredients. However, not with Chawtons. All the products contain natural plant oils and no synthetic perfumes are used. The products work to alleviate aches and pains, which makes me the perfect tester as I tend to suffer from backache.
The Regular Mustard Bath is a must if your muscles ache at the end of the day.
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It contains Wintergreen and Eucalyptus pure essential oils which are a treat to the senses. I was almost tempted to taste it, the smell was so yummy! My mustard bath was a lovely experience. Perfect timing as my youngest child had just started school and it was probably the first time in 10 years I actually had a bath in absolute peace and quiet. The mustard and oils smelled lovely and I felt so relaxed afterwards. I definitely slept better that night. Chawtons Mustard bath is now part of my daily routine. RRP £19.99 and well worth it.
The joints cream, RRP £14.99, is an effective cream for painful overworked joints.
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The cream is to be massaged into the affected joints and the effects are felt within minutes. The unique blend of Rosemary, Marjoram and Eucalyptus work well together to deliver relief in a natural form. Unlike preparations from a chemist, this cream can be used as frequently as required. I use it on my ankles having sprained both of them in the past, they would ache when I stand for long periods. The effects of the cream can be felt after the first application, and I wouldn’t be without it. I would recommend it for people who suffer from arthritis also.
View the full range of Chawtons products at www.chawtons.co.uk
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Walkers Luxury Miniature Mincemeat Tarts and Pure Butter Shortbread Festive Shapes.
Christmas is on the horizon and I can smell the brandy cream already! The one time of the year I can forget about the waistline and indulge, and what better way to indulge than with Walkers.
I always remember walkers shortbread at Christmas in our house as a child, the distinctive red and green tartan boxes and the lovely buttery taste. I still buy Walkers at Christmas, every year, and my children love it too.
![PW608723[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/PW6087231.jpg)
The Miniature Mincemeat Tarts are just perfect – not too big, so not as many calories as other mince pies, but just the right size to have with a cup of tea. I love them cold, but my hubby likes them hot – either way, with a dollop of brandy cream, they are scrummy. The crumbly pastry is unbeatable, I try to make them every year and always fall short – Walkers must have a secret ingredient! The luscious tangy filling just hits the spot, and the quantity is perfect in relation to the amount of pastry. RRP £2.95 and available from most supermarkets coming up to Christmas.
Another favourite of mine would have to be the Festive Shapes Pure Butter Shortbread.
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Walkers have been making shortbread since 1898, so rest assured, you won’t taste better anywhere. This selection would be a perfect gift for all shortbread lovers and the children love the different festive shapes. Every bite is melt-in-the-mouth and simply too good to share. I save some for the Christmas movies when the children are in bed, and sit down with my feet up, a glass of mulled wine and Walkers shortbread – the perfect end to Christmas Day.
Walkers shortbread contains no artificial colours, flavourings or preservatives.
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Gone Crabbing Towel and Soaps.
Sorry hubby, but I am in love with someone else! His name is Colin, a little orange crab!
Readers – do not let the sun set this day without checking out www.gonecrabbing.co.uk I LOVE it.
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The company was launched in 2008 by Susie Mason, who has created beautiful items relating to all thing ‘seaside’. I love the seaside and sadly live 50 miles from it.
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, it takes a strong woman to look at her husband all day and then go home with him in the evening! 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.
Now, back to ‘Colin’. Colin is the Gone Crabbing LOGO, and he appears on several of their items as well as on the labels. He is absolutely adorable, 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.
I have a ‘Gone Crabbing’ towel – it does not reflect on my character and no mum, I have never skinny dipped!
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The towels are 100% cotton and good luck in choosing which one to buy, take a soft seat! The selection is superb, the designs iconic and unique. Have you a man in your life that’s hard to shop for? You will find a towel here that will bring a smile to his face, trust me. RRP £19.99.
I also have a couple of the soaps as well and I wondered what the beautiful smell was from the moment the postman walked up to the door. The gorgeous waft of sweet smelling flowers oozed through the letter box! Seriously, I will use these first as an air freshener, just sitting around the house. They smell heavenly, (I think – I’ll never know as the pearly gates will be shut to me because of the skinny dipping!).
100% vegetable and not tested on animals, there is a soap for everyone. The packaging cannot possibly be described – just go online and have a look. From ‘Mussel Man Soap’ to ‘Really lovely smelly soap’, again, you will want them all. RRP£3.99.
![preview_mussel-man-soap[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/preview_mussel-man-soap1.jpg)
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New products are appearing all the time, so I plan to visit ‘Colin’ weekly in case I miss out on anything. The plan is that in a few years, my house will have ‘Gone Crabby’ from the front door to the back. This is one of those companies you will see, love, buy and revisit many times – and not forgetting, recommending to friends. Thanks Susie, the website is fantastic, the products are brilliant and I am so glad I have discovered ‘Gone Crabbing’.
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Bluetrek 2-in1 Bluetooth Kit.
This is a great little car kit and very well priced at £22.75.
The Bluetrek car kit allows you to chat and drive, with the additional feature of switching between the headset and the car kit with no breaks in your conversation, so you can have your hands and ears free when driving.
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I have mine mounted in the corner of the dashboard and it does look very well (It can also be used at home). I am very pleased with the sound quality, this is the second Bluetooth kit I have had and Bluetrek definitely wins the medal for excellent sound! The ear piece is great for when I have the car full of kids and can’t hear a thing with the noise in the back! I just switch to the earpiece and chat away.
The kit is rechargeable and features up to 22 hrs talk time, which is excellent. The USB cable charges and USB car charger comes with the kit, as does the headset, so great value for money. This would make a great ‘man gift’, and I have recently purchased one for my brother-in law who was delighted, so highly recommended.
Available from www.qvcuk.com