Gift Reviews, Toy Reviews
The Real Wonders of the world and How to be a Dinosaur Hunter from Lonely Planet.
I am a very proud mummy! I attended 2 parent teacher interviews last week for both my daughters and both teachers said the same thing. Sure, the handwriting isn’t perfect and the maths may need a little work, but my daughters manage to astound the teachers with their vocabulary! Apparently this is down to the volume and variety of books they read.
My daughters and my son would visit the library weekly borrowing, returning and requesting specific copies of books. The teachers said reading books served to fuel the imagination and extend the vocabulary.
If you have children and are thinking of buying books for Christmas this year, have a look at the ‘Not for parents series’ from Lonely Planet. They have released new titles this year and I have a couple of copies. The books are hardback and beautifully illustrated. The reading material is factual and perfect for boys and girls alike who are keen to discover the world around them.
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The Real Wonders of the World is a cool and upbeat take on the original wonders, making this a very appealing read to children. Discover the craziest world tour, luxurious extravagances, haunted locations, the biggest sweet shops and the scariest theme parks. The perfect distraction from the computer this Christmas! RRP £14.99
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How to be a Dinosaur Hunter suits girls as well as boys. I enjoyed reading this book myself! Discover where to look for dinosaur remains, and what you need for your adventure. You will learn to know what to look for and how to identify your finds. The most famous finds and the fossil rich areas of the world are discussed and I was delighted to learn one of these places in the Isle of Wight – so a visit is not out of the question. Appealing to both fossil lovers and dinosaur hunters, this is a great buy for £12.99.
Lonely Planet has printed over 120 million books and they are the world’s leading travel content provider. This year they celebrate their 40th Anniversary. They boast mobile apps, ebook portfolio and an award winning website and they can be followed on Facebook and Twitter.
facebook.com/lonelyplanet
Twitter @lonelyplanet and #lp
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Noble Isle Rhubarb Rhubarb gift set.
The Noble Isle collection is undoubtedly the most luxurious collection of gift sets I have had the pleasure of using. The company screams luxury and the products are exquisitely presented that a Noble Isle gift set would say ‘I think the world of you’ to the receiver this Christmas.
Noble Isle take their inspiration from the British Isles: the English Orchards, misty moors, the highlands and the coast. The result is an unequalled quality of products and the best of British design to create an unforgettable and lasting impression.
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I have the Rhubarb Rhubarb gift set. Rhubarb is distinctly British in my opinion, and I love it. This was my first experience of rhubarb used for anything other than in my crumbles and tarts, so I was so excited to try it out.
Noble Isle rhubarb comes from Yorkshire and is expertly forced throughout the winter and the extract collected with nothing less than ‘extreme skill’. This extract collected from the rhubarb root was once more precious than opium and during the railway age, it even had its own train to ensure speedy transportation to its destination. Rhubarb has a high level on natural antioxidants and is well known for its cleansing properties on the body so it was rather clever of Noble Isle to encompass these properties and create their gorgeous toiletries.
3 items come in the Rhubarb Rhubarb set: handwash, hand lotion and a scent diffuser. They look stunning together, the presentation being second to none.
On trying the products, the quality and scent give the senses such a treat, so in-keeping with the luxurious presentation. I can imagine Willian presenting Kate with a Noble Isle gift set this Christmas! If you are looking for a special gift than stands out from the crowd, choose Noble Isle.
Rhubarb Rhubarb gift set RRP £65.
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Available from www.nobleisle.com
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty
Moroccanoil Hair treatments.
Having promised my poor neglected hair a bit of pampering I decided to try the hair care range from Moroccanoil. The description on the packaging stating it would ‘add elasticity and shine’ and ‘make hair more managable’ was quite reassuring. This range is aimed at people like myself with dry, course, fragile hair that tends to be very disobedient as well as suiting people with perfect hair who want to keep it looking good.
On a good day I look like a womble (frizzy haired mice cartoon from the 80’s), and windy days are the dread of my life.
The initial product recommended to use is the actual signature product, the Moroccanoil Treatment Oil. This is smoothed through damp or dry hair as the base for other treatments or can be used alone. I have used this after every shampooing and will use it forever. The change in my hair is so marked that even my husband noticed. Silky soft, thicker and, to be honest, my hair looks like ‘normal’ hair for the first time in my life!
This Intense Hydrating Mask was definitely aptly named, I followed the directions and applied to my locks after shampooing and left it on for 5minutes. On washing this mask out, my hair felt lovely! So smooth and soft and I was pleased to notice I hadn’t lost nearly as much hair as I usually do when washing it.
I then moved on to the Hydrating Styling Cream. I applied this to my damp hair and let it dry naturally as per usual. For years I have tried hair products that promise to tame frizz that just don’t deliver what is promised to the user, however, this cream made styling my hair much easier, and I only used a tiny amount ( about 1p size). This made me feel great as I know the bottle will last me ages which makes 300ml for £23.75 great value.
With such pleasing results, I plan to try out some of the other products from Moroccanoil. The Extra Volume Shampoo and Conditioner look very tempting and the Miniature Essentials Kit will be brilliant for sun holidays.
For more information visit www.moroccanoil.co.uk
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Oxo No Spill Ice Cube Tray.
The name says it all…. Can it really be possible, I hear you say? I know, I was sceptical too. An ice cube tray that stays filled until the ice has formed? No way!
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Well, here it is. I’ve tried it and it works. No more toppling in the freezer, spilling water everywhere, no more walking to the freezer in baby steps trying to keep the water from overflowing. This ice cube tray comes with a nifty little silicone cover which goes over the tray, forming a watertight seal, preventing any leaks – I even held it upside down. The rounded ice cubes it delivers are quite clever also and very easily removed.
Now I can fill my ice cube tray and chuck it into the freezer. I no longer have to create a flat surface for my ice cube tray using a Jenga inspired tower of pizza boxes and apple tarts.
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This is one of those handy little gadgets that you wish had been invented years ago. I love it, I’m thinking of buying a few as stocking fillers for friends and family this Christmas.
Available from Lakeland, priced at £12.00.
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Oxo Good Grips Box Grater.
Well, having searched for a long time for the perfect Box Grater, I think I may have found it at last! My criteria was a soft grip handle, easy to store, generous box size amongst others. This box grater from Oxo fits the bill perfectly!
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It has a coarse, medium and fine grating surface and also the added bonus of a slicer, which I must admit I wasn’t expecting. The handle is lovely and comfy to hold, what I’ve come to expect from OXO (I have lots of their products). They’re thought of everything as it even has a non slip base. How many times have you grated a block of cheese only to land the whole lot on the floor? I love the fact that your cheese is conveniently caught in the box at the bottom, not scattered all over a chopping board… When not in use, the box can be stored inside the grater, how perfect is that?
This little gem of a grater retails at £15.30 and is available from Lakeland. Get one, you won’t be sorry!
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Ashleigh and Burwood Fragrance Lamp.
‘I can smell a dog in this house’ were the words of my dad last week when he popped in for a coffee. Being my usually witty self, I answered ‘There is a dog in this house’.
However, it got me thinking, is there really a smell of my gorgeous little Jack Russel?? He is bathed in coconut doggie shampoo every week but he still manages to give off a doggie odour. I am not one for scents and fragrance and would steer towards natural and environmentally friendly products so I opted for an Ashleigh and Burwood Fragrance lamp instead of one of those sprays which hide odours but have everyone sneezing.
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The fragrance lamp originated in 1898 as a tool to disinfect the air in hospitals and the same method is used today – diffusion by catalytic combustion. Odours are carried by molecules and this is what the lamp destroys thus eliminating the odour. Airborne microorganisms are also destroyed thus the purification result. I was so impressed with the science behind this and that the air was being purified as well and scented.
The statistics are mind boggling! See below:
Bacteria :
E.coli : 100% mortality after 30 minutes of exposure
S.aureus: 100% mortality after 30 minutes of exposure
E. aerogenes: 100% mortality after 30 minutes of exposure
Dust Mites: Human dust mites (Dermatophagoides farinae): 100% mortality after 30 minutes of exposure
Mould Spores: Stachybotrys chartarum: 96% mortality after 30 minutes of exposure.
Unpleasant odours ‐ the catalytic fragrance lamp Ashleigh & Burwood is effective against removing dog, cat, food spoilage odours and cigarette smoke.
Dog: 80% reduction in odor after 30 minutes of exposure
Cat: 80% reduction in odor after 30 minutes of exposure
(Ashleigh and Burwood)
Dad can visit anytime now and I guarantee all scent of my precious pooch is gone. I light my fragrance lamp every morning for 30 mins and my home smells fresh all day.
Ashleigh and Burwood catalytic lamps are the leaders of this technology and they have a fantastic range of lamps and fragrances on their website. Mine is gorgeous, a handcrafted glass lamp. I have gold, frankincense and Myrrh fragrance. The main range of fragrances are natural and none are tested on animals.
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An Ashleigh and Burwood Fragrance lamp retails from £26.99 for the lamp. A gift set including the fragrance is approximately £34 depending on the lamp and fragrance you choose. This is the ideal way to fragrance and purify the air in your home. The gift set box would make a gorgeous thoughtful present for someone special this Christmas.
For further information visit www.ashleigh-burwood.co.uk
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Goo.ey – Phone and Tablet Accessories.
My iPad is my world. I use it for everything from emails, notes, storing documents and recipes, games for my children and much more.
Sometimes I wish I had more than 2 hands I am so busy which is why the Goo-ey has made a huge difference to my little world!
The Goo.ey is a new phone and iPad accessory and you will love it. The purpose of this is to allow you to ‘stick’ your tablet or smart phone to a surface which frees up your hands and your worktop space. This new ‘hands free’ way of using your devices is very useful at home and at work. With Goo.ey on your tablet or phone, wherever you put it, it stays put. I love it for cooking – I can have my iPad on the front of my kitchen cupboard to read recipes without it being in the way. It stays put and stays clean!
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The goo.ey does not feel sticky on your hands or in your pocket – it really is a revolutionary product. The smooth surface will stick to flat surfaces such as mirror, glass, ceramic, vinyl, laminate and metal. It is easily removed and can be reused without leaving a residue on your appliance.
My children love this when using Facetime and taking self images. They stick the iPad to the mirror and spend ages taking shots of funny faces!
A really ingenious Christmas gift and at a super price, the perfect stocking filler.
Available from www.gooeyskins.com from £15 in a variety of cool colours
Goo.ey is compatible with the iPhone 4 & 5, Samsung Galaxy S2, S3 & S4, Samsung Galaxy Note 2, iPad Mini and iPad (all generations).
Priced at £15 for the smartphones, £16 for the iPad Mini and Note 2 and £18 for the iPad.
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.
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.
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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.