Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty
Angela Langford Skincare.
For anyone who hasn’t heard of Angela Langford Skincare, this is a company that makes Skincare products using natural and organic ingredients, with no parabens, petrochemicals or synthetic fragrances.
Not only are these products pure and natural, but they are tailored to suit you individually. Angela selects products based on your skin type, condition and age. A sample pack is available to try for free, so you can be sure of what you are purchasing.
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I use Scrub Up, which is a natural exfoliator. This is easy to apply and leaves my skin soft, smooth and glowing with health. RRP £15.80
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I have always struggled in finding a cleanser that doesn’t dry out my skin and I am very impressed with Angela’s Clean Sweep which uses Castor and Jojoba Oils to cleanse the skin removing dirt and make up. However this lovely cleanser also contains Sweet Almond, Apricot Kernel and Shea Butter to soften and moisturise and I am happy to report that it works! My skin is cleansed and moisturised at the same time. RRP £21.40
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I have also been using one of Angela’s facial oils, Bloom and Glow, which is a wonderful product that restores and balances the skin. Despite being an oil, it is light and easily absorbed and leaves skin soft and refreshed. RRP £22.50
Angela Langford products are not tested on animals, rather they are tested on herself and her friends, thus allowing her to formulate products that are perfectly suited to the skin, minimising the risk of allergic reactions and the dreaded outbreak of spots!
I love the fact that the products are personally selected for you. Just provide details of your age and skin type and Angela can use this information to find products in her extensive range to suit you individually.
Go online to www.angelalangford.com for more details and product information. There are gorgeous gift sets which would make and ideal Christmas gift for someone special.
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Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
The Dodo Pad range.
It’s that time of year again, your diary is almost all used up and your thoughts turn to what type you will get for next year…Well why not go for something different in 2014?
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The Dodo Pad is a very useful desk diary with a twist. It is illustrated with funny drawings and witty captions guaranteed to brighten up your week. I mean, anything that can make you smile on a Monday morning can’t be bad! It is a week to view diary with enough squares to organise 5 people, making it the perfect diary for the busy modern family. It is generously sized, 23.8×18.6 cms, perfect for your desk or kitchen worktop. Mine is never far from hand, with 3 school-going kids to organise and keep track of! RRP £12.99
Most importantly, it has a small tear away section on the bottom of each page to help you quickly find the week you are on. This would be a perfect end of term teacher present or a thoughtful Christmas gift, as just about everyone needs a diary.
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This quirky range also produce smaller diaries, organisers, address books and planners so there’s something to suit everyone. The plain note books are perfect for children who love to sketch and my children have these on their Santa list.
I can see myself using Dodo for years to come, it’s a really great company with contemporary products which never fail to make me smile with their sketches and ingenious sayings.
“When it comes to organisation, pen and paper is, in my opinion, the best and most reliable method,” explains Rebecca. “Not only do you commit things to memory much quicker if you write them down, but the Dodo Pad won’t fizzle and die if dropped in the tub during a bath-time brainstorm – though we can’t guarantee that the pages won’t crinkle a little!” (Rebecca, Managing Director)
For more information on Dodo Pad, visit www.dodopad.com or join @Lord_Dodo on Twitter or Facebook. Have a look at the complete range and the Dodo Christmas Book, this is sure to be a big hit at Christmas. RRP £16.99.
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Everything from the Dodo range is very well priced and ‘in my book’ (excuse the pun), this makes the range perfect!
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Wow Packs, Snot the Zombie and Cutzee the Kitten.
My 4 year old will be simply delighted on Christmas morning. He has asked Santa for Snot the Zombie. What is Snot and does Santa really deliver Snot?? Yes he does!
Snot is a Wow Pack, one of the first world’s animated backpacks for kids aged 3-7 yrs. They come in 2 characters – Cutzee the Kitten and Snot the Zombie, one for girls and one for boys. Obviously my little boy would like Snot. He is green and with his huge eyes and ‘runny’ nose, he will be sure to be a hit on Christmas morning.
A few months back, my daughter got Cutzee the Kitten and it is really unbelievable the amount of mums have phoned me to ask where she got her school bag and does it really ‘move’!
Wow Packs move and make sounds which can be controlled by buttons on the handle – the buttons control the eyes, nose, whiskers and ‘snot’ depending on which pack you choose. The noises – laughing and funny sound effects will have your children’s friends thinking – ‘Where is that coming from’??
They look fantastic, big enough for a school bag. They would hold A4 books and a lunch box, but also excellent for sleep-overs and for taking on holidays too. No more boring journeys – these packs are so much fun.
The website is very entertaining and perfect for kids to navigate, providing hours of fun – print out a fun colouring sheet, play dot to dot and enjoy the maze, the list goeson. They can even play WOW Packs snap!
Available from Smyths toyshops nationwide SRP £29.99
Gift Reviews
Cocobaci ‘Circus Days’ clothing.
Cocobaci is a ‘dream come true’ to all you yummy mummies out there who adore finding absolutely gorgeous and clever items for your children – not to mention, it is also the perfect site for ‘gift shopping’.
My first impression of Cocobaci was one of ‘wow, I love this’ and strangely enough Victoria Beckham and my idol, the Duchess of Kent, immediately sprang to mind. I bet they shop at Cocobaci!
So, I have you curious now? Have a look and be amazed as well.
As usual, here on Pampered Presents we love all things natural, organic, made in the United Kingdom and my personal favourite – a family/friend business. Cocobaci is all of the above. Three friends came up with the business idea, with the aim of creating a platform where we could find exquisite baby gifts/products and purchase them quickly and easily, while enjoying the process. The site is hard to describe, words like beautiful, impressive, luxurious and unique all fall short. I have recommended this site to so many friends and they have all agreed – ‘Kate’ would love these items for Prince George!
Shopping for a baby gift is not like shopping for a necessity, I adore the hunt for something to make the mother smile when she opens the packaging. After my first child I counted 80 dresses I had received and so many of these were repeats. There was even an occasion where two people called to my house at the same time with gifts which was the same little outfit!
Cocobaci is very different, and the selection is vast. Not only will you find clothing, but ethically sourced baby items such as Christening gifts, toys, blankets etc. Each and every item has been approved and deemed fit for appearance on this exclusive site. Local companies are helped establish their business, local craftsmen are given a selling opportunity and we, the customer, are presented with a wonderful ethically sound website from which to purchase a variety of exquisite gifts.
My little sister had her second child 3 weeks ago. Her little girl was tiny – 5lb 3oz and on visiting her in hospital I presented her with my gift from Cocobaci. She was speechless when she looked at the box. A beautiful white thick presentation box with the Cocobaci logo, I actually thought she was not going to open it and that the gift was the actual box! On opening, she unfolded the sheets of co-ordinating tissue paper after breaking the seal on the little Cocobaci sticker holding the contents in place. I choose the Circus set for her baby.
Circus days pink printed all in one RRP £25
Circus Days pink printed two piece RRP £25
Circus days pink printed reversible bib £8
The clothes closed magnetically, so no poppers or buttons and no stretching the clothes so as to go on easily. What an ingenious idea? My sister was delighted and I have no doubt that I have topped the ‘Best baby gift list’, not to mention the ultimate gift box which she will use as a ‘Treasure box’ for all her baby sentimental items as well.
The clothing is made from the finest cotton and with the cute star and circus tent print, they are striking and scream ‘posh’. I was delighted and loved testing the magnetic closing system – perfect, baby is dressed in no time and with no stress or strain.
This would be the perfect attire for small early babies which prefer not to be handled quite so much. It takes minimal effort to dress baby, I am almost sure a man could manage it! Why wasn’t Cocobaci around 10 years ago when I had my daughter. My hubby must be the only man who managed to put a nappy on inside out and wondered why it was leaking!
At the risk of sounding like my mother, do not let the sun set without checking out www.cocobaci.com I guarantee you will be as impressed as myself, and I am not so easily impressed. Nothing beats the personal touch and below I have pasted a quote from the Cocobaci website –
‘At Cocobaci we love finding beautiful treasures & we have put our hearts & souls into making that accessible to you.
We hope you love our collection as much as we do…
Nel, Linda & Sarah xxx
P.S. You’re probably wondering what Cocobaci means?
It’s simple…. Chocolate Kisses
The very best kisses in the world x’
Isn’t this just beautiful? Happy shopping. x
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Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Green&Blacks Organic Tasting Collection.
Well, Christmas is just around the corner, and with it, thoughts of all that yummy chocolate! What better way to treat yourself this Christmas than with this fabulous Tasting Collection of 24 mini bars of chocolate from Green & Blacks, one of the best loved chocolate producers in the world.
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I’ve been enjoying Green & Blacks for many years now, I always say it’s chocolate for the connoisseur. This box contains a combination of milk, white and dark chocolates, some flavoured with little pieces of ginger, honeycomb or butterscotch. This would be a great treat to bring to a Christmas party or just for around the fire on Christmas Day when even those of use on slimming plans allow for a little indulging!
Green & Blacks produce organic and fair-trade chocolate, so you can rest assured the cocoa producers are receiving a fair deal for their cocoa beans and that there are no chemical or pesticide residues in the chocolate. Green & Blacks – chocolate with a conscience!
Available from all good retailers, priced at approx £10.99 – an affordable treat. I have mine tucked away in a secret hiding place, ready for when an unexpected chocolate craving hits! I’m sorry, these are too good to share!
For further information visit www.greenandblacks.co.uk to check out the many choices of gorgeous Christmas gift sets. Prices vary so you will find sets to suit all budgets.
Gift Reviews
New wings For Old Things – Charity Book.
The Children’s Air Ambulance has recently launched a new charity book to help raise funds for its Air Transfer Service. This book is aptly titled, New Wings for Old Things. It is a wonderful craft book with a difference providing amazing ideas about how to ‘upcycle’ old furniture and knick knacks. This is a great way to put your personal mark on just about anything from an old t-shirt to a vase or a piece of furniture you were thinking of getting rid of. Especially useful are the step by step instructions to help you transform your item into something amazing.
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There are more than 20 projects to choose from, all of which are easy to accomplish without the need to go out and purchase expensive materials. I am just after making a beautiful memo board for my kitchen using an old picture frame that almost ended up in the dump as the glass was broken. With the addition of some material scraps cleverly folded and attached I now have a lovely board which holds post, receipts, photos, etc. What’s more, it’s unique!
This would make a super Christmas present, especially as crafts and recycling are so on trend at the minute. In fact, several of the projects in this book would make lovely gifts.
This little gem of a book is available from www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk priced very keenly at £5.99. Buy it for someone special this Christmas and support a very worthy cause.
For more information about The Children’s Air Ambulance and New Wings for Old Things, or to find your nearest Charity boutique please visit www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty
Phytalotion and Phytaoil.
I’m so happy to be able to share this amazing product with you all… It really is a miracle cream which can be used for so many things.
Phytalotion is a blend of natural plant oils including extracts from the rosehip plant, which is proven to be beneficial in the healing of scar tissue. It also contains vitamins A and E which have moisturising and healing properties and oil of apricot, lavender, geranium and lime which help keep skin toned and rejuvenated. As I’m sure you can imagine with these ingredients, this cream has a lovely fresh scent which is completely natural.
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Phytalotion has many uses, some of which are as follows. It can be used on stretch marks, to reduce the appearance of existing stretch marks and also to help prevent new ones from forming during pregnancy for example. This lotion is perfect for expectant or breastfeeding mothers as it contains no mineral oils, synthetic fragrances or colours. It can also be used as a daily moisturiser and will reduce the appearance of skin blemishes caused by too much sun exposure. I have been using this as a facial moisturiser and find it light and quickly absorbed, leaving my skin feeling soft and hydrated. I have also been using it on my daughter who has a scar on her leg which itches and becomes painful in cold weather. It has noticeably reduced the appearance of the scar and she is no longer complaining of discomfort. This is wonderful, as I used to feel so helpless and sorry for her.
For anyone who prefers an oilier cream, this amazing product is also available in an oil form called Phytaoil, with exactly the same benefits as the lotion format.
Phytalotion is available in a 60ml pump bottle and is available from www.phytacol.com priced at a very reasonable £9.99. In my opinion, this is a lotion that every family should have to hand. Buy it, you won’t be disappointed!
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Sharpie Pens.
Anyone who hasn’t heard of Sharpie pens doesn’t know what they’re missing! Let me just say what I now know…these are the best markers on the planet. As a mum of 3 growing kids, I seem to always have a packet of markers in my shopping basket when we are getting the weekly shop. Basically, there always seems to be someone in our house with a marker in their hand! Anyway, I discovered these Sharpie fine nib markers and I am really delighted as they last much longer than other brands and don’t dry up half as quickly.
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It is worth noting that they really are permanent and the ink doesn’t run when wet. I have used them to name school jumpers and to write on home freezing bags, my husband uses them to mark his golf balls and my kids use them to mark just about everything! They just go on and on.
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The coloured ones are available in a pack of 12 or 24 and are available from Amazon, priced very reasonably. These would make a great last minute stocking filler or even an end of term teacher gift.
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They are also available in packs of black and metallic colours so there’s something for everyone. Buy them, you won’t be disappointed. Prices start at £1.99.
Gift Reviews
Catchphrase Board game.
‘Following its triumphant return – in the capable hands of Stephen Mulhern and longstanding mascot, Mr Chips – to UK TV screens earlier this year, ITV’s hugely popular All New CATCH PHRASE enjoyed peak viewing figures approaching 5 million a night and secured a legion of avid fans old and new.’ (Drumond Park).
Catchphrase is a board game based on the TV show. I love the show so I was delighted to get my hands on the board game version. I am always on the lookout for good board games as I feel in this age of video games and mobile phones, you really do need something to bring the family together. The game can be enjoyed by kids of all ages, my teenagers love it.
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Catchphrase is made up of 4 sets of cards and a timer. The object of the game is to guess the catchphrase within the allotted time. To make it more interesting, each set of six cards has a larger image on the back (6 cards form one image), which is revealed when the other cards are guessed correctly. The person who guesses the most catchphrases correctly is the winner. The drawings are in colourful cartoon style and easy to understand. This game is suitable for children 8 years and up, but I must admit, my husband and I play it at night when the kids are in bed, it’s so addictive!
For anyone who wants an excellent alternative to playing Charades after Christmas dinner this year, look no further, this is perfect!
Available from www.drumondpark.com priced at £19.99, this is definitely a game not to be missed.
Gift Reviews
Universal Textiles Winter Warmers.
Brrr! Winter has finally made its arrival, and with it, my annual search for those essential winter warmers. What better place to go than a one stop shop like Universal Textiles? They stock a great range of winter woollies, many with a cute Xmas theme, perfect to get you in the Xmas spirit!
I treated myself to a lovely pair of black and white knitted thermal gloves, perfect for those chilly mornings on the school run. I love these because they’re toasty warm without being bulky, and I can still drive the car with ease.
To match, I just had to get a pair of furry earmuffs, in co-ordinating red and white. No more painful ears from the biting winds. These are really great, glad to note that you can still hear when wearing them, just as well as I don’t like taking them off! They may have to be surgically removed in spring time…
I couldn’t resist some Xmas themed socks also. They’re so cute you can’t help but smile as you’re pulling them on… Mine have cute pics of Santa and yummy Xmas puddings. As usual, you’re getting the best quality with Universal Textiles. They’re lovely and thick, perfect for snuggling up in front of the TV on these cold winter nights.
Universal Textiles have a wide selection of children’s gloves, hats, slippers and many other traditional Christmas gift ideas. My daughter will be pulling out gorgeous slipper ‘boots’ out of her stocking on Christmas day. Nothing beats the winter draughts like cosy knitted slipper boots!
All the above would make perfect stocking fillers for family members or friends and as usual are very reasonably priced on Universal Textile’s website.
Gloves start at £1.99, socks £4.95 for pack of 3 pairs.
http://www.universal-textiles.com/UK-UT/index.php?gclid=CLzEoaT337oCFceWtAodghMARA
