![Green_People_Organic_Skin_Gift_Set_Xmas_2013_1378301483[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Green_People_Organic_Skin_Gift_Set_Xmas_2013_13783014831-1024x1024.png)
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty
Green People Organic Skin and Age Defy.
Green People, if you haven’t heard of them before, are a company that specialise in organic skin and body care products. (No, they’re not a band of leprechauns!) Their products are made as naturally as possible with no harsh chemicals or artificial fragrances. I have been using their products for some time now and always find them to be very effective.
![Green_People_Organic_Skin_Gift_Set_Xmas_2013_1378301483[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Green_People_Organic_Skin_Gift_Set_Xmas_2013_13783014831.png)
I’ve recently had the pleasure of trying out one of the new gift sets – ‘Organic Skin’, which contains a 50ml bottle of Vitamin Fix and a 50 ml bottle of Help at Hand. Vitamin Fix is a rich moisturising face cream for all skin types. It contains a mix of vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants including Avocado Oil, Evening Primrose Oil and Green Tea extract. It is a light non-greasy moisturiser which applies smoothly and is quickly absorbed into the skin. I have extremely sensitive skin and find it difficult to get a moisturiser which does not give me an attack of pimples. I am pleased to say that this fabulous cream not only leaves my skin pimple free but my face feels wonderfully soft and moisturised.
Help At Hand, as the name suggests, is a wonderful light non- greasy hand cream which contains a blend of beeswax, lavender and rose geranium. As a busy mum, with 3 kids living on a farm, you can imagine how often I have to wash my hands. As a result, my skin becomes dry very quickly, especially as we live in a hard water area. I am never without hand cream and have tried hundreds of different varieties. I think I will be sticking with this one though, as the effects are lasting and my hands feel soft and moisturised throughout the day. Other hand creams, I find, seem to wear off within a few minutes of application.
This is a great gift set, containing what I can say are 2 of the best skin care products I have ever tried. It would make a lovely gift for mum, granny or anyone who deserves a special treat this Christmas. RRP £25.90
Green People Age Defy Cleanse and Soothe Balm 50ml.
![Green_People_Age_Defy__Cleanse__amp__Soothe_Balm_50ml_1381136289[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Green_People_Age_Defy__Cleanse__amp__Soothe_Balm_50ml_13811362891.png)
This caught my attention the minute I saw the name. As an ‘always on the go’ mum who spends a lot of time outdoors I could use a little help in fighting the ravages of time and motherhood! This delightful balm is a super powered cleanser which comes with a complementary muslin cloth for easy application. It acts as an exfoliator as well as a cleanser. How neat is that? A blend of Perilla and Jojoba oil, known for their antioxidant and oil balancing properties, make this a cream to hang onto for life. The fabulous scent is attributed to a blend of Neroli, Ylang Ylang, Jasmine and Myrrh. I found this balm to be amazing at removing all traces of make up with no scrubbing or rubbing involved and my skin was left feeling soft, supple and glowing. Exactly the way you feel when you’ve had a facial spa treatment – without the time or expense! Age Defy Cleanse and Sooth Balm product contains 99.7% natural ingredients with no harsh petro chemicals or parabens so you can be sure your skin is getting a really natural treat. I cannot write enough about how amazing this product is, you really need to try it for yourself. It is available from Green Peoples website priced at £29.99. Spa treatment results at a fraction of the cost! Go on, treat yourself this Christmas. The results are worth it!
For other great gift ideas, log on to www.greenpeople.co.uk
![Green_People_The_Organic_Body_Gift_Set_Xmas_2013_1378301147[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Green_People_The_Organic_Body_Gift_Set_Xmas_2013_13783011471.png)
There’s free delivery when you spend £50 and they operate a points reward system. I will be getting a lot of my Christmas list sorted here, hurrah!
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Rick Stein’s India Gift Set.
What do give a ‘curry purist’ this Christmas? Rick Stein’s India of course!
I can think of nothing my brother-in-law would love more. Over the past few years he has started to cook, with a tendency to vere towards spicy foods and curries. My sister is loving this new ‘phase’ and wishes it to continue! This Christmas secret Santa is presenting him with the ingredients to recreate the recipes from Rick Stein’s India, and the book as well – what a gift!
![securedownload[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/securedownload1.png)
The TV series was hugely popular and following this success Spices of India has put together a starter gift set to enable the likes of you and I to recreate these fabulous recipes. The kit includes:
‘Rick Stein’s India cookbook
Amchur (Mango) Powder, 100g, adds a pleasing sourness to many Northern Indian dishes.
Asafoetida powder – Hing Vandevi, 50g, a pungent ground resin which tastes like garlic and onions.
Black Salt (Kala Namak powder), 100g, often sprinkled over nuts and snacks.
Black Cardamom, 50g, often used in rice and dal dishes and has a smoky flavour.
Kashmiri Chilli Powder, 75g, milder than most chillies and adds a rich deep-red colour to many curries.
Millet (Bajra) Flour, 500g, the key to making authentic flat breads.
Kokum, 200g, a dried fruit which has the same flavour-balancing technique as adding vinegar or lemon juice.
Mustard Oil, 250ml, very hard to buy in the west and is essential for truly Indian chutney’s.
Mustard Seeds, 100g, often used at the spice tempering stage of most curries.
Screwpine (Kewra) Water, 200ml, a fragrant essence of the pandan leaf which is often poured on rice to perfume it.
Tamarind, 200g, used to add a sweet tartness to many dishes.
(Spices of India)
This would be an idea gift for the ‘foodie’ in your life.
Spices of India has been a leading online Indian grocery shop from 2006, supplying authentic and high quality Indian food and cookware. Have a look at the website. There are really great dishes and cooking pots to buy which would compliment any Indian recipe.
Rick Stein’s India Gift Set RRP £39.99 from http://www.spicesofindia.co.uk/
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Masha.
The ultimate kitchen tool! How do you like your potatoes? With lumps? Yuck.
My mashed potatoes are perfect, they have a lovely smooth consistency and the children can’t get enough of them. This was not always the case, I have purchased a number of potato mashers over the years and broken most of them! I discovered the Masha and never looked back, the patented Rotor-Cone technology practically guarantees I have perfect potatoes every time.
‘Using a conventional blender or food processor to mash potatoes with its metal blades causes the starch grains to rupture and damage, which is why the result will be very ‘gluey’. The great advantage of Masha is that because it is specifically designed for the job, it extrudes the potato out of the side of the head; the starch grains are not damaged by this process, and the result is a lovely creamy smooth mash’ (Masha)
I first came across the Masha through my sister. She was making batches of baby food. It was like she was processing an industrial order, her kitchen was completely taken over with vegetables at different stages, fresh, cooked, mashed, potted up and ready to freeze. Well done sis, I was impressed. She was using the Masha to blitz her food, even fibrous foods like butternut squash, sweet potato and turnip. Everything was reduced to a smooth pulp in seconds.
I have since used my Masha for making a super quick guacamole, hummus and also for removing lumps from sauces and soups.
Masha is so versatile is has got to be on your gift list this Christmas.
RRP £34.99
For further information visit www.mplhome.com
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Dainty Delights Maker.
I adore baking, despite the fact that I never made anything until I had my children! When my 2 girls came along I started to make buns with them, which lead to pancakes, scones and other tasty treats. My 4 year old son has followed in these footsteps and as soon as he sees the butter and flour appear out of the cupboard, he says, ‘I will help you make a cake mummy’. How cute!
![17704_1[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/17704_11.jpg)
Every mother wants to bake with her kids, but not every mother has the time to spare. Work and housework, homework, piano practice, jujitsu, and necessities like making dinner take precedence over satisfying our sweet tooth. However, baking and cooking with your children serves a much greater purpose. They learn to count when weighing ingredients, they learn to follow instruction for a pleasing result while following a recipe and they develop creatively when decorating home-made treats. These are only a few of the benefits, baking with your children is also fun and a great way to bond with your little darlings.
So, calling all busy mums and dads, buy the Sweet Treats Dainty Delights Maker! This device will allow you to make cakes in 4-5 minutes! Yes, you will still weigh ingredients and follow a recipe so the kids do not miss out, but your cakes will only cook for 5 minutes thus saving at least 15 minutes of your time waiting on cakes to cook. The resulting minimal mess made when using the Dainty Delights maker will again save you at least another 15 minutes. There you go – the perfect accessory to any family kitchen.
![36087[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/360871.jpg)
My children love the Dainty Delights Maker. We use it at least once weekly and I have not used a baking tray or bun case from it arrived. The cakes are gorgeous after only cooking for 5 minutes and they pop out from the machine with ease with no sticking or crumbling – thanks to the non-stick coated base. A total of 8 cakes are made at once and this is plenty for our family of 5. They are really fab looking and can be decorated simply or elaborately, whatever you choose. Sometimes we drizzle icing over the tops, and we have also painstakingly decorated each shape with alternatively coloured strips of sugar paste. We have added different flavours to the mixture and different colours – this looks really well when baked. The recipe book included is great, lots of tips and ideas so you always have something lovely to make.
Dad’s – go and buy this for your homemaker this Christmas. No shop-bought bun I have ever tried has even came close to the home-made variety. You will ultimately be buying for yourself as you will have lots of yummy home-made buns to sample!
Very well priced at £29.99 Available from Lakeland and Amazon.
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty, Leisure Gifts, Luxury Hotels & Spas, Pampered Experiences
New You Boot Camp, Somerset.
Calling all busy people who tend to put work and/or family first! This is the ‘holiday’ for you – The New You Boot Camp.
The New You Boot Camp will help you regain your fitness and, in turn, your health by putting your needs first in a unique and personalised fitness programme.
![10549072-new-you-boot-camp-logo[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/10549072-new-you-boot-camp-logo1.jpg){kind=logo}
![SP-Camping_large1-300x300[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/SP-Camping_large1-300x30011.jpg)
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Breffo Spiderpodium Camping Accessory.
Breffo, why have I only discovered this product now? Breffo was launched in 2009 in response to the growing demand for holders of all types of modern technology, in particular smart phones and tablets. Breffo researched this ‘gap’ in the market and what would be the most useful and helpful solution. The Spiderpodium was the result of this research. It is now made exclusively in the United Kingdom, and is sold in over 55 countries worldwide. What a success!
![is[8]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/is8.jpg)
When my Spiderpodium arrived my hubby snatched it up straight away. ‘What’s that?’ he said. I could smell the smoke – his little brain was going into overdrive – he loved it! My dearest is an outdoor man, and he is so at home with all his tools and scrap metal, building and dismantling what can only be described as ‘scrap’. He also enjoys camping and outdoor activities and now he can’t be without his Spiderpodium.
![SP-Camping_large[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/SP-Camping_large1.jpg)
The Spiderpodium is intended to be a camping accessory, and yes, we have used this camping. However, it is simply the most useful and the most used item in the house. We have used it to hold a torch in just the right position while working in low light, it has held my camera when we have been taking family photos, it will hold anything in place, just like an extra hand!
The Camping Spiderpodium gets its name as a camping accessory as it also glows in the dark. It is perfect for taking both backpacking and camping as it folds up very small and can be used from year to year.
With its multi-functional uses, the Spiderpodium is truly the most multifunctional tool we have. The perfect gift for both men and women alike.
For more information, visit
www.breffo.com RRP £14.95
Gift Reviews, Pampered Foods
Baru Belgain Chocolates.
New for 2013 and in time for Christmas, Baru have released some gorgeous luxury chocolates. This Belgain chocolate company have products selling in stores like John Lewis, Harvey Nichols and Wholefoods.
I am the perfect person to tell you about these as chocolate and myself as the best of friends! I like to think of myself as a connaisseur, not an addict. I can enjoy chocolate at any time of day, breakfast time included! However, I would be quite fussy and prefer chocolate to be Belgain and the presentation plays an important part in the tasting experience.
My eyes and tastebuds certainly had a treat with Baru. I sampled some chocolate hippos and chocolate mallows. Both were elegantly presented and screamed gorgeous before they reached my mouth.
The praline Hippos were delicious, rich thick chocolate surrounding a smooth praline centre. My children helped ‘test’ the mallows and the only problem was that we wanted more!
![BRU207[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/BRU2071.jpg)
It is important to mention that Baru’s foods are all natural, with no artificial flavourings, colours or preservatives – just honest to goodness delicious chocolate!
Have a look in-store or online at the Baru range. You will be delighted with the variety and quality and the luxurious presentation makes them a must for someone special this Christmas. RRP from £2.50.
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Superdrug this Halloween!
Halloween, don’t you just love it? I always dress up, no matter how much my kids beg me not to! Why should they have all the fun? This year I will be wearing my long crushed velvet red dress with black boots. The sleeves are co-ordinated with spider web like material. For my make-up and hair I went to Superdrug. They have Halloween covered, and I picked up lots of hair colours, nail polish and a fab black lipstick!
![221362_l[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/221362_l1.jpg)
Superdrug hair colours start from £2.99. I have both pink and black so give a 2 toned effect. This is a great option if you want a dramatic effect but don’t want to spent a lot of money. My hair is brown and the pink actually shows up as pink, not pink and brown. The spray washes out easily and quickly. These are brilliant for childrens parties also, my daughter loves the neon colours.
My other accessories are black nail polish and black lipstick. These are also superbly priced and the quality is excellent. Sometimes cheap accessories don’t have the effect they claim to, but I can honestly say I was delighted with Superdrug products and will continue to shop there for my mad accessories!
![279485_l[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/279485_l1.jpg)
The crackling effect black nail polish is only priced at £1, this has got to be one of my favourite bargains this Halloween. The lipstick is £2.50.
With Superdrug you can go ‘all out’ this Halloween. Go have fun, dress up, and party with the kids, you know you want to!
Products available from Superdrug stores and online at
www.superdrug.com
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty
Frontcover Nail Art Collection.
Another brilliant little number from Frontcover! I am addicted to these sets, and depend on their makeup selection to keep me ‘in the trend’. Frontcover have the ‘in’ fashionable colours as soon as they are on the catwalk.
The various sets are brilliant value and great for filling the stockings of both teenagers and mums this Christmas. The Frontcover Nail Art Collection is a great idea, both compact and useful. My daughters love these sets and, along with the make-up, these are ‘on trend’ as well.
![FrontCover-Nail-Art-collection-[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/FrontCover-Nail-Art-collection-1.jpg)
Nails are meant to be seen this year. They have stepped up a level and now mirror the effect of jewellery. Jewels and diamonds are worn to be seen on a statement nail or as a set and the madder the pattern the better. Frontcover will give you the result of a salon nail treatment in your own home. The sets are fun and easy to use with instructions printed on the inside of the box – an absolutely ingenious idea. All you need from polish, glue, embellishments, glitter, stickers, files and brushes and even the top coat is included. These are perfectly presented in a glamorous box which serves to keep everything in its place as well as looking good.
Available from www.frontcovercosmetics.com RRP £25
Box includes:
- X1 Gloss Top Coat
- Pot of Mixed Nail Jewels
- Pot of Silver Holographic Glitter
- Pot of Small Round Crystals
- X2 Sets of Nail Stickers
- Nail Art Brush
- Nail Art Glue
- Nail File
- Dotting Sticks
Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
Magic and Erasable Markers from Selkin Media.
I have sorted Christmas and its not even November! I am so proud of myself, I have the stockings filled and very little electrical toys in sight. This year I have decided to give my family a ‘vintage’ Christmas. I have re-discovered board games, craft kits and drawing sets.
![magic-pen-sets_1_2_1[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/magic-pen-sets_1_2_11.jpg)
My children will be receiving these wonderful markers from www.selkinmedia.co.uk along with a selection of books and games. Drawing and colouring fuels the creative mind and I am all for this activity, the bonus being it produces no noise!! With 3 children in the house, anything they can do quietly is music to my ears.
![images[4] (2)](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/images4-2.jpg)
Check out the site – www.selkinmedia.co.uk and the entire range of crafty stamps and markers. I went for the magic and erasable set. At £6.95 for 10 markers they are brilliant value. The magic colour set change colour when coloured over with a single ‘magic’ marker. This causes the ink of the other pens to change, giving a total of 18 colours from the 10 markers creating a fab effect for children.
![51hBt5zZ0+L._AA160_[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/51hBt5zZ0+L._AA160_1.jpg)
The erasable markers can remove the ink drawn by the pens, but here comes the cool bit – the erasable pen can be used to write and not be seen, until coloured over with the other coloured markers. My children will just love these, the 2 elder girls are always writing in code and flying messages to each other via the paper plane method. They will get such a thrill from writing secret messages to each other at the annoyance of their brother!
![91KzyNk-P4L._SY606_[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/91KzyNk-P4L._SY606_1.jpg)
Roll on Christmas, I can’t wait for my children to look in their stockings!