Parker Pen- Fifth Generation. Dark  Gunmetal Grey

Having been an avid fan of Parker pens since my early teens (all my school exams were completed with my ‘lucky’ Parker pen), I was delighted to get my hands on this, their latest offering.  Parker have been manufacturing quality pens for what seems like forever but this new Fifth Generation range take Parker quality to new heights.

The pen comes nestled in an elegant gift box, which is a lovely touch if you are purchasing this as a present for someone special.  The pen I have is a sleek dark gunmetal grey, an excellent universal colour choice.  It is of a substantial weight, which only adds to the impression of superior quality workmanship.

The real treat with this pen comes (as it should) when you put it to paper, and as I signed my name with a flourish for the first time, I couldn’t suppress an involuntary smile.  I only wish it had been around when I was completing my 18 page Geography A Level essay….  What you don’t expect is that the tip of this pen is flexible, which allows it to gauge and adjust to your own individual writing style.  This means that whether you are a heavy writer or just glide across the page, this pen will suit your style.

It is extremely comfortable to hold, and unlike other pens, I find my grip does not slip at all as I write, even after quite long periods.  I was also impressed with the fact that I have had absolutely no leaks at all with this pen.  Testament to the superior quality of the ink, I am also delighted to report no smudging whatsoever.

Refills are available in four colours, blue, burgundy, green and purple, so there’s always something to suit, no matter what the occasion.

All in all, I am very impressed with this pen.  Whether you just want something impressive to pull out of your handbag or jacket when the need arises or you are a frequent writer, this is the perfect choice.

This pen retails at £58.00 and details of stockists can be found at www.parkerpen.com.

This has got to be the one item I could not live without! Dishwasher, freezer, microwave and oven safe, the Pampered Chef Classic Batter Bowl has a million uses, one of which is a ‘batter bowl’!  The glass is tempered, so perfect if you tend to break a lot of glasware like myself – try as you might, it is hard to break this! The Batter Bowl can go in an oven. Yes, I have made a cake in this! If you need a nice round cake for a childrens party, this will make a perfect ‘Barbie Cake’ and ‘Football Cake’.

The Batter Bowls also make wonderful gifts. Ingredients can be layered inside and with a ribbon added, the end result looks very well.

It is also perfect for mixing and storing. Your pancake batter can be mixed and then stored securely with the tight fitting lid. The convenient spout then lets you pour the batter onto the pan without spilling a drop! The batter bowl is also great for transporting soup to work, I use the Small Batter Bowl for this. They both come with a handle which makes for easy carrying.

A truely impressive bowl from a reliable well-known company. The Batter Bowls are guaranteed for 5  years and this also includes the lids. To purchase yours click on the link Pampered Chef Classic batter Bowl.