Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty, Teenage Gifts, Uncategorized
Crystal Spring Cream of the Country Natural Hand and Nail Cream and Sweet Orange, Geranium and Chamomile Natural Candle.
I was delighted to discover and feature Crystal Spring’s products. They tick each and every box for me and that’s really saying something – I would be a tad fussy! They have a really interesting article on the website – ‘What’s in It? Weird Ingredients’ and this is definitely worth a read. If you have yet to convert to eco-friendly products, this will help make your choice! I am saying nothing further, go read the article – Here.
I have to wash my hands very often at work and at home. I love a really good hand cream and I also choose natural products where possible as these are better for both the environment and our bodies. Crystal Spring have some fab products including a really effective natural hand cream. I have tried the Cream of the Country Natural Hand and Nail Cream. RRP £15.
This will leave your hands super soft and moisturised with no irritation. Sometimes my hands are so dry certain creams can sting so natural hand cream is a must with me. Crystal Springs hand cream contains natural flower essences and herbal extracts with both moisturising and healing properties. The fragrance is also naturally sourced from organic essential oils of jasmine, chamomile and lavender. The smell is simply divine! Obviously Crystal Spring products are not tested on animals and there is more good news to follow. They are also free from:
- Alcohol
- Parabens
- Mineral Oils
- SLS
- Animal Derived Ingredients
Another product well worth a mention is the Sweet Orange, Geranium & Chamomile Natural Candle. RRP £25.
With its lead free wick, natural paraffin wax and over 20 essentials oils blended to create a gorgeous and welcoming natural scent, you have to smell this for yourself to fully appreciate how wonderful it is.
I adore the packaging. The candle is presented in a pretty glass jar and boxed to perfection. This would be a super gift and with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, why not have a look at Crystal Springs products for plenty of other great gift ideas?
For further information on Crystal Spring products visit www.crystalspring.co.uk
For The Garden, Gadget Gifts, Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty, Homeware Reviews, Leisure Gifts
Christmas Gift Guide for Mum 2014
This guide will hopefully help out with the task of Christmas shopping for mum. I have selected the products I found to be good value for money, excellent quality and easy to get hold of. I have also tried to select a varied range giving you several choices and also some new gift ideas you may otherwise have not considered. Happy shopping and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need further clarification.
Gadget Gifts, Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty, Homeware Reviews, Leisure Gifts
Christmas Gifts for Dad 2014.
Personally, the most difficult person I buy for at Christmas is none other than my no.1 man – my Dad!
Dad truly has everything and I really mean that. He is almost 70 yrs and acts like he is still in his 40′s. Although he continues to work, he takes time out frequently to take mum on weekends away and he also enjoys the odd ‘shooting’ trip to Scotland. Dad’s gift is usually a meal voucher but over the years this has become predictable and therefore somewhat boring!
I risk sounding uninspiring and traditional recommending gift sets but this year there are some super gift sets for men and no Old Spice in sight!!
One of my favorite and definitely top of the list has to be the Baldwins Men’s Range Gift Box.
Anyone who follows this blog will know I absolutely love natural products and those with a low carbon footprint. Earth looks after us by providing a fruits, vegetables, water, not to mention stunning natural scenery and beautiful landscapes so we must not take this for granted and recognize our impact is not always positive on this great planet.
Baldwins have been supplying natural products from 1844. The products are not tested on animals, are ethically made and the company has certification from the soil association. This is no easy task as this way of producing and selling is not the cheapest way – yet it is by far the most eco friendly. The packaging used is also made from recycled materials and Baldwins try and re-use the packing they have from stock deliveries. I am ultimately impressed with Baldwins and this means I will continue to check out their blog and keep up to date with their products – you see, it pays to run a company like this as customers prefer eco friendly!
The Baldwins Men’s Range Gift Box arrived and I was so impressed with the presentation. I couldn’t wait to open the box. The box itself can be recycled as its cardboard but there is no way this is going into my blue bin! It is so attractive it will take pride of place on my dressing table. I untied the Baldwins ribbon and loved what I found inside – I really fell for the smell as well – wow, if using these products means my hubby will smell like this there is no way I will wait till 25th December to present him with it!
The box contents:
‘Our Men’s Range Gift Box contains a collection of Green Tea and Frankincense dedicated products whose combination of essential oils with frankincense and green tea (which are known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties) can help to improve the appearance and condition of your skin.
• Natural Cotton Flannel
• Green Tea & Frankincense Refreshing Facial Wash – combining the revitalising effects of cucumber with cool aloe vera and toning extracts of seaweed, helps to remove everyday grime and pollutants.
• Green Tea & Frankincense Exfoliating Facial Scrub – a deep, toning facial scrub whose use of finely milled bamboo particles with moisturising candellia wax beads and birch bark extract helps you to achieve smooth, polished skin.
• Green Tea & Frankincense Smoothing Shaving Oil- we have blended the nutritious, lubricating and non greasy oils of argan, shea and marula for a non-irritating and smooth skin-conditioning shave.
• Green Tea & Frankincense Hydrating Skin Lotion – Chickweed and Jojoba oils are blended with Ginseng (rich in ginsenoside) to improve skin tone and offer you a healthy complexion.’ (Baldwins)
I have tried the products and love them, especially the facial scrub.
This was perfect for my skin. The particles were not too ‘harsh’ so as to leave my skin red but just perfect to actually feel like I had used a ‘scrub’. I must have tried millions of facial scrubs and had yet to find the ‘right’ constancy. Some have ‘micro-particles’ and this feels just like a facial wash – so why do they call it a ‘scrub’? The Baldwins Green Tea & Frankincense Exfoliating Facial Scrub will leave your skin smooth, clean and fabulously fresh feeling – I am so pleased with this product I may slip it from the box and onto my dressing table – hubby will never miss it if he doesn’t know it was there!
The other goodies were just as highly rated.
I couldn’t resist trying the ‘Green Tea & Frankincense Smoothing Shaving Oil’ on my legs – something I do not usually do. Its ‘hello winter goodbye razors’ for me – why shave legs which are hidden away under tights and boots? – I go right back to the stone age and by spring it takes about 6 attempts to achieve that smooth look to compliment by summer dresses! Ladies and gentleman, whether you are shaving your legs, face, armpits or elsewhere trust me, your skin will not be traumatised – it will feel soft, smooth and left smelling delicious!
Dad’s, boyfriends and brothers will be delighted with this gift box for Christmas. It has been well and truly tested and I rate it 11 out of 10! Have a look online. The website is very well laid out with interesting information about the company, the environment and a delightful blog to follow. With several gift sets to choose from and many other natural products available I am sure Baldwins will be a firm favorite.
Baldwins Men’s Range Gift Box RRP £33.99
www.baldwins.co.uk/baldwins-mens-range-gift-box
For a selection of gift sets available for dad’s this Christmas have a look at Boots online or pop into the store. I have sifted through the gifts on offer and have rested with none other than Ted Baker.
Ted Baker gift sets speak for themselves, they are very well presented with ultra modern packaging. I love the set that includes a wash bag – now this is something my dad would make use of. The toiletries vary depending on the gift set you select but they all smell of ‘gorgeous man’. Prices are very reasonable and the products definitely look a great deal more than they cost – which is a bonus.
Ted Baker Ted’s Tool Kit washbag RRP £15
For further information visit www.boots.com
Photobox.
Photographs, if the house was on fire my photos would be one of the first things I would grab on the way out the door – after the kids of course!
Photos are precious, a unique moment frozen in time to savour and remember forever. I have some fab photos of the kids and love admitting most of my framed photos are very unconventional and none were ‘staged’. I like to capture the kids in action and having fun, not posing on the sofa with their fake smiled painted on.
This is one of my favourites:
Such a spontaneous photo, capturing my daughter preparing herself to take a blow!!
My dad loves photos and we have a few oldies dotted around the house which I just adore.
For Christmas 2014 why not give your dad or mum a gift of a special memory captured on camera, or even a few ‘funny’ or sentimental photos on a canvas or in a photo book?
I have a few collage canvas prints and these are a fantastic way of displaying photos from a special event or holiday. I choose Photobox online to order from over and over again and they have never disappointed.
If you have more then a few photos to develop photobooks are excellent and not much more expensive than having the individual photos developed.
I have a wonderful photobook I made with the photos from our last holiday which the kids love to look at again and again.
Photobox is one of the best websites I have came across. The choices and discounts are easily displayed and laying out and selecting your photos couldn’t be easier. Online ‘live’ chat is available and I have used this twice. I love this as its almost ‘instant’ help – the most I have had to wait on a reply is 3 minutes!
I will finish with my favourite and most precious photo – taken by my brother-in-law when my sisters and I were at a family birthday party. This wasn’t planned, someone said the word photo and that was that!
This is the best photo on my wall and one which I will treasure forever. I have had this printed on canvas as a gift to mum and dad this Christmas and I know they will both be delighted.
For further information visit www.photobox.co.uk
Braun CoolTec and WaterFlex electric shavers.
The reputation of Braun electric shavers is excellent, with men claiming these are the best shavers available on the market. My hubby was the guinea pig, as I volunteered him to try out the 2 latest models from Braun. He is quite critical so I couldn’t wait to hear what his conclusions were.
Hubby always wet shaved, well, in the 15 years I have known him. He says he used to own an electric razor many years ago, but found the wet shave gave a better cut with less irritation.
He was honestly impressed, so well done Braun, he is a tough cookie to please (typical man)! He particularly liked that these shavers could be used in the shower and this saved him time in the mornings. To clean, he rinsed them under the tap and they were ready to shave again.
With regards to skin comfort and irritation, he experienced none. The shavers were comfortable, gave an excellent close shave and left no skin irritation.
Now, which one is best? Hubby couldn’t pick out a better shaver. They were both different and both excellent. I will explain the main differences as I know it is confusing when presented with 2 items which ultimately do the same job but are differently priced.
The Braun CoolTec
‘The Braun °CoolTec is the world’s first and only electric shaver engineered with pioneering Active Cooling Technology to combine a great shaving performance with a special cooling treatment especially suitable for men with sensitive skin. The new °CoolTec White edition visually reinforces the cooling performance of this device – Braun’s only shaver that cools and calms skin to minimize shaving irritation at the push of a button’ (Braun)
This would indicate that if your man has sensitive skin of any form he would be better off with this razor. My hubby would have sensitive skin and neither of the shavers lead to irritation although with any degree of sensitivity I suppose this would be the one I would recommend.
I have to mention that the CoolTec was £229.99 and is now £114.99 in Boots – a really amazing offer coming up to Christmas.
Braun WaterFlex.
‘Waterproof to 5m, the Braun WaterFlex is specifically designed to inspire men to unlock a whole new world of shaving, and to feel the unbeatably smooth skin feeling of a shave with water, foam or gel. Specially designed for use with water, foam or gel, WaterFlex transforms electric shaving into gliding, leaving men’s skin feeling perfectly refreshed’ (Braun)
My husband did mention how he loved the swivel head on this shaver – the shaving head swivels 33 degrees so giving a smooth shave on all contours. Between this and the 3 cutting elements you are guaranteed a close shave with 100% hair removal.
The WaterFlex would therefore be recommended as the perfect shaver for those who like the feeling of a wet shave with water and there are no underlying skin problems. The price was £159.99 and is now down to £79.99 also at Boots. Thats a difference of £35 between the shavers which is not that much. I would go for the CoolTec! Similar technology with that little bit extra ensuring comfort.
If you select Braun this Christmas you can be guaranteed quality, endurance and the latest leading technology in its field. For further information visit www.braun.com
Products can be bought from Boots.
MICRO Pedi Man Gift Set.
Another gift set worth a mention is the MICRO Pedi Man. This set was £49.99 and is reduced to £29.99 from the 15th of October – so snap it up if this is something you are interested in.
This set contains all your man needs to look after his feet and its presented nicely in a gift box. The contents are shown above so you can see there is quite a lot in the set.
My husband has this set from last Christmas and he has found it great. I must admit I have used it myself as well! Its perfect for buffing those heels into shape for the flip-flop season. The roller buffs away hard dry skin super fast and leaves feet soft and smooth.
Also included are 2 replacement rollers, nail clippers and a pouch to keep the gift set in. An excellent value set, especially if you purchase it for £29.99.
Available to purchase from www.micropedi.co.uk
Scholl Compact Manicure Set.
We have taken care of feet, now on to the hands! The new Compact Manicure Set from Scholl is quite the gift! Presented nicely in a handy travel case, this little set may be small and compact but it will definitely impress.
Scholl launched this in September this year, just in time to solve your ‘male related’ shopping dilemmas. The attachments are plentiful so this set will suit a wide range of nail types from the thinnest to thick and it can be used on the feet as well as the hands. The course shaping disc is perfect for toenails which are stronger and thicker than fingernails. I also found this got the job done super fast – I had to stay bent over for only a few minutes, great for people with backache like me!
With regards to results, I can vouch for that. 5 different speeds allow you to set one which is comfortable yet still effective. Shaping and buffing is easy and very fast so in no time at all you can have rather glam salon ‘perfect nails’. This could be one of these ‘men gifts’ you swipe for yourself in the new year!
A huge bonus is that this set is travel friendly. Charging allows for up to 90 minutes of use and it can also be charged worldwide if necessary. Compact enough to take up minimal room in your luggage this set would make a great gift for those who like to look polished on the go with minimal fuss.
Available from selected retailers and online RRP £34.90
iFit 3-in-1 Active Band.
Oh my goodness – this is amazing! At last, the ultimate weight loss product. I was so impressed with the iFit tracker. This clever little band actually totts up your calorie intake, compares these figures with your daily activities and tells you if you are losing weight.
In my opinion, this is the ultimate weight loss tool as the motivation is clearly displayed and I can easily spot when I should put down the crisps!
The iFit tracker works day and night always displaying accurate information and you can have an individual workout prescribed as well simply by downloading the iFit app available on android and apple. My own personal workout can only be described as ‘kind’ but I like that I was able to set my own goals therefore I am not disappointed if/when I fail. I also was impressed with the battery life – up to 7 days!!
As for my diet, there is no motivator greater than knowing you have taken on board enough calories to remain fit and healthy yet still loose weight.
‘the iFit Active 3-in-1 Fitness band enables users have the ability to wirelessly sync indoor workoutsfrom iFit enabled home and club fitness equipment. This way, fitness enthusiasts can match the enjoyment of exercising outdoors and enhance the experience of an indoor workout with the latest exciting technology’ (iFit)
The iFit is waterproof and can be worn as a band and even clipped onto your clothing.
If you are shopping for either men or women this Christmas and this is something you think they would appreciate visit www.nordictrack.co.uk/ifit for further information. RRP £99
RAF Leather iPad Case.
This is another item that is a ‘must’ for men this Christmas. The RAF leather iPad case is a stunning case and perfectly suited to this years gift guide for dads.
Made from Hunter leather and with WW2 images on the inside, this is a piece of history itself. The smell of real leather is hard to beat and this case smells and exudes quality from the first glance.
I love the RAF logo wings on the front. Aside from looks, this is one mighty case with many protective factors for your iPad to keep it safe and secure while on the go.
Suitable for generations 2, 3, 4 and 5. This looks every penny the £50 it is priced at – one of the most impressive gifts I have added to the guide.
For further information visit www.rafmuseumshop.com
Voombox Travel and Outdoor Speakers from Divoom.
These are really great and although in the Gift Guide for dads, they would also be fab for anyone who loves music on the go.
There are some qualities I look for in a speaker. It must be portable and wireless and obviously it has to have Bluetooth! The Voombox travel (RRP £49.99) and outdoor speakers (RRP £99) from Divoom have all these qualities and more.
My hubby works outside and as a family we spend a lot of time out and about as well. I have the Voombox travel speaker. This little speaker is sturdy – it has lasted the trial of my family for the last month and thats no easy feat. The sound quality is fab – even over the squeals of children! The water resistant properties come in handy when it is accidentally left outside clipped to some randon piece of gardening equipment!
The built in microphone lets you take calls without having to run inside and wash your hands first, it can simply be used with minimal fuss.
We have this speaker outside all the time and it has never let us down. Aside from the quality, it also looks really trendy. I would recommend this as a Christmas gift to anyone and I can guarantee they will not be disappointed.
There are several colours available to suit all tastes and styles.
For further information visit www.boots.com
GAME GOLF.
For the dad’s who enjoy a round of golf I have the ultimate recommendation – GAME GOLF !
What man (or woman) wouldn’t want this for Christmas when it has been spotted on none other than the no.1 man Barack Obama !
‘The world’s most powerful man was spotted using the GAME GOLF tracking device at Farm Neck Golf Club, on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, just off Cape Cod. The PGA and R&A approved device was spotted on President Obama, who has been using the GAME GOLF tracking device to analyse and improve his game, and lower his reported 17 handicap.’ (Game Golf)
This handy little device is like your best friend – better than your best friend in fact. You just carry on as usual with your game and GAME GOLF will monitor your performance and report back as to how/if your game can be improved. Track your round, your trends and your statistics and share this with your friends – or even share on facebook or twitter if you prefer!
‘Used by professionals Lee Westwood, Graeme McDowell and Jim Furyk, GAME GOLF’s Digital Tracking System brings golf into the 21st century and helps golfers to reach their full potential.’ (GAME GOLF)
Despite the cutting edge technology GAME GOLF retails at only £159.95.
Available from Mailordergolf.com and Golfonline.co.uk
For more information please visit GAMEGOLF.com, follow on Twitter@GAMEGOLF or like on Facebook Facebook.com/GAMEGOLF”
Dunlop NZ9 Putter.
If GAME Golf is a little out of your budget why not treat your man to a new golf club. Dunlop have a fab online store for all your golfing needs. In particular I want to mention the Dunlop NZ9 Putter which I have recently had the opportunity of having a swing with!
Impressed? I certainly was, with every aspect of this putter.
I am not going to lie and make out I am a golfing pro. I enjoy nothing more than playing a round with my friends but I am in no way an expert. However, I believe with the right equipment I do play better and I find this putter to be comfortable to use and accurate – even in my hands!
The handle is super easy to grip thanks to GEKO-TAC which reduces slipping. The stainless steel head is finished in matt black to reduce glare from the sun and this looks rather well – a clever touch from Dunlop.
This handy putter retails at £54.99 and is now reduced to £29.99 – just in time for December’s shopping frenzy.
For further information visit www.storedunlopsport.com
Piper Home Security System.
If toiletries really do not appeal to you and you are ‘stuck’ on what to buy for the man in your life I have something very useful and, I think, won’t be replicated by another family member.
Piper provides you with the ultimate in home security. New on the market, Piper takes alarms and home monitoring to another level by keeping you informed of potential threats to your home and sending this information to your mobile phone.
‘The new and award-winning all-in-one home security, monitoring and automation device enables you to stay connected to your home when you’re away. Whether on holiday or at work, Piper sends you an alert when something out of the ordinary happens and a 105 decibel siren will sound if an intrusion is detected’ (Piper)
I know my husband would be delighted with a Piper this Christmas. The device works with numerous smartphones or tablets and is rather straightforward to set up and begin using. While testing this device I must admit we have had a lot of fun as well. The children were keen to participate and had ‘role play break ins’ with their antics recorded and watched on their tablets. Aside from the fun factor, this function would be very reassuring if you were away and wanted the piece of mind knowing exactly what was going on at home.
An added bonus, and very useful as well, is the capability to switch on your lights. I work shifts and in the winter I am usually coming home in the dark. This function will come welcomed as I can programme the Piper to turn the lights on as I arrive to the door – brilliant!
I found the Piper simple to use with minimal setting up required and I would recommend it to Every household. Despite the advanced technology and multiple functions the Piper is available for £119. Available to order from the link below.
Have a look at the video on site, I really enjoyed it and its a great way of understanding just how useful Piper can be.
SUGRU – I have saved the best till last!!
Wow, this has to be the invention of the century? I love Sugru and it is now present in some shape or form in every room in my house. I am recommending this as a brilliant gift for dads this Christmas although it would make a great gift for absolutely anyone.
‘Sugru is the world’s first mouldable glue that turns into rubber.
Look how easy it is to make a simple kitchen hook!
Sugru can literally be used in every room in the house and on almost everything. I have added a door stop to my new bathroom as my hubby didn’t want to drill the new tiles – and I didn’t really want him to drill them either with his track record for DIY!
Worried the kids may smash your precious iPad, iPhone or camera? Why not add Sugru to the edges and ‘ta da’ – you have immediate protection.
For Christmas 2014 Sugru have some festive new colours which I really love. 2 new tins are available for a limited time only one being a very useful silver grey which is perfect for DIY on various gadgets as the colour will match perfectly.
The other tin has a brilliant selection of colours – awesome orange, silver grey, woody brown, mossy green and panther pink. These will inspire creativity as soon as you open the box.
Despite the multiple functions, the Sugru festive tins are very reasonably priced at £9.99.
For further information or to buy Sugru visit www.sugru.com
Hardwall Takker.
In keeping with DIY Christmas gift suggestions I am proposing the Hardwall Takker. I am not sure this would solely be a great gift for dads as I would love one myself!
Completely affordable, this nifty little tool will make DIY a doddle even for the most clumsy of dads.
No longer will hanging a picture be a chore – I know my hubby can put this job off for months and there is nothing as frustrating as having a new picture or photo of the kids sitting on the floor waiting to be hung!
Health and Beauty
NasalGuard AllergieBlock
NasalGuard AllergieBlock is the latest innovation against hay fever and similar allergens that make so many of us miserable in the summer months.
I could never recall suffering from hay fever in the past so I did take some time to self-diagnose myself! The sneezing – wow, the sneezing – I scared the kids, it just seemed to go on and on. I counted 8 sneezes one after the other that any fully grown man would have been proud of. However, not very lady like for the likes of myself! My eyes would sting and they were blood shot to the point of people asking me if I had been crying!
So, diagnoses made I was then able to do something about it. I tried NasalGuard AllergieBlock and noticed a difference from the first use. I know many other remedies would have a similar result but I have proved none works quite as fast as NasalGuard. Speed is of essence with hay fever as the symptoms hit suddenly and very quickly progress into a full blown miserable experience. Just a tiny drop of NasalGuard on the upper lip and nostrils and you can say goodbye to hay fever in a flash.
NasalGuard has been ‘ clinically-proven, drug-free allergy prevention gel that blocks airborne allergens such as pollen, ragweed and dust entering the nose. It works by applying a small drop to the nostrils and upper lip, to create an invisible barrier that blocks all airborne allergens entering the nose and creating an allergic reaction such as runny noses or itchy eyes’ (NasalGuard)
It can be used by children and also pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
NasalGuard AllergieBlock can be easily purchased from Boots, Sainsbury’s, Superdrug and Alliance. A bottle will last 150 applications and all this for the mere cost of £11.99
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty, Teenage Gifts
EPI Hair Removal Roller.
Epi Hair removal Roller from Laurelle Beauty.
This is one gadget I couldn’t wait to try – it seemed almost too good to be true! The Epi Roller’s function is to remove facial hair and it claims to do this quickly and very simply with lasting results. Skin is left smooth and soft – an added bonus!
I have had this for the last 2 weeks and both my mum and myself have used it – (although recommended use by one person only)
The spring is rolled on the skin in an upwards motion and the hair is caught and removed – so simply but this actually works very well.
The hair is then easily removed simply by widening the spring and blowing on it. It can also be washed and cleaned with a disinfectant solution at intervals.
I found this works better if used quite swiftly but I can honestly say the result is smooth soft skin. My mum loved it and has now declared it as her own! She would have paid much more to have facial hair removed at a beauty salon and found the Epi Roller equally as good for a fraction of the cost.
The Epi Roller should be in every ladies hand bag, and this super little gadget is now on offer for the tiny price of £20!
Visit www.laurellebeauty.com for further information.
Gadget Gifts, Health and Beauty
Socialite Zero Electronic Cigarettes.
A few samples of Socialites Zero (electronic cigarettes) arrived on my doorstep for review a few weeks ago and I shipped them out to a few reliable friends who I know smoked but wished they didn’t! The feedback was impressive from all 3 friends/testers.
I myself am a non-smoker but I am all too aware of the grasp something can have on our bodies and how difficult it is to break a habit. Although my addiction is not with cigarettes, I have an addiction to chocolate and other junk foods! Breaking the habit is ‘key’ and this is where Socialites work so well.
‘.. vision is to create an electric cigarette that will satisfy a smoker enough for them never to light up a tobacco cigarette again, therefore to save a fortune and to limit the risk of bad health due to the 4000 chemicals and 60 known carcinogens’ in a Tobacco cigarette’ (Socialites)
The ritual of smoking need not be broken with an electronic cigarette thus greatly increasing the chances of quitting cigarette smoking completely.
My friends found it very easy to ‘switch’ to an electronic cigarette. The taste and smell was reported very similar and the satisfaction of having a ‘fag’ after a meal was just as intense with a Socialite electronic cigarette. This would imply that the habit of smoking was as important as the actual effect of the cigarette.
‘Socialites Zero offer five traditional tobacco flavours with four levels of strengths. We also offer an unlimited variety of novelty flavours known as Shisha’ (Socialites)
The aim was to have a similar electronic cigarette to the top 5 brands of cigarette smoked in the UK and Socialites achieved this! My friends found the taste incredibly similar to their usual brands.
I was really impressed with the feedback and have no doubt that Socialite Zero has had a major part in reducing the number of smokers in our country – think of the positive impact this will have on our already stretched Health Service!
Socialites can be purchased from the link below and there are a variety of options to choose from including a great value starter kit.
www.socialiteszero.com/electric-cigarette-starter-kits.html
Gadget Gifts, Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty, Homeware Reviews, Toy Reviews
‘Back to School’ Sept 2014
It is hard to believe the summer is half over! We have had a great time over the holidays although it has been very busy as well. The kids are almost set for going back to school and I am proud to say I do feel I am very well organised this year!
BioCare ‘NutriFruits’
My kids will be ‘fighting fit’ this September. I am determined to give them the best possible start and hope to avoid as many colds, flu and various ‘bugs’ as possible. Vitamin supplements are a must with so much recent research claiming we should have children on supplements and that it is increasingly difficult to obtain all the necessary nutrients from foods. I have tried several of these concoctions and have rested with one from BioCare.
BioCare’s super new product, NutriFruits, was voted highly commended in the Best New Product category by Health Food Business Magazine. I love that the technology uses freeze dried fruits and vegetables to deliver the nutrients – this ‘reads’ very well and my kids have no problem taking this solution.
Vitamins C, E Beta Carotene and Bilberry are important for a healthy immune system and these will help fight off the various bugs children so often pick up at school, especially coming into the winter.
NutriFruits are suitable for children over one year of age. RRP £23.65
For further information visit www.revital.co.uk
Post-It study aids from 3M
My eldest daughter has a tough few months ahead of her this September, she is taking the ‘Transfer Test’ and has been working very hard over the summer.
She is like her mum in that she believes organisation is the key to success and her favourite school bag essentials are her Post-It notes. The new range of study aids for ‘Back to School’ this year are excellent. Jenny has quite a selection of the various notes and she loves the new additions.
Post-It Index Study Flags are a ‘must’ when you have a load of paperwork you need to frequently refer to. They make it super quite to find a particular page and they stay put. The bright colours leave it easy to organise your work. These are great value for £2.99
The new lined notes are perfect for making longer and more detailed notes. The pages are neon so making it super quick to locate various pages and notes made. These notes stick to just about anything – I have seen Jenny stick these to water bottles and they stay on all day! Very keenly priced at £3.26
My favourite ‘must-have’ has got to be the Index Flags and Arrows very neatly combined in a ruler type format. This clips into a file or organiser and your Post-it sticky pointers are on hand any time you need them. I have been using this for the last few weeks and my daughter has insisted I buy her another one for her school work. A really fab product that will keep even the very un-organised students notes well referenced, neat and tidy. RRP £7.20
iLearn from Jumbo.
With the older kids back at school I have the perfect puzzle for younger pre-school children – the iLearn from Jumbo! This will keep your little ones entertained and its both fun and educational.
Aside from the fun factor, the iLearn will expertly prepare your children for school. Learning through play is by far the best way to learn as the skill is learned without any real effort or realization of any ‘work’ been done at all!
Essential skills including reading, counting and writing are all encompassed within this super game. Children learn not only about animals and their young but also where they live. The cards themselves are sturdy – my children have been playing this for a few weeks now and it has stood the test of time well. This is no surprise as Jumbo have proved time and time again that their games are high quality and made to last. An excellent game suitable for children from the ages of 2-4 yrs.
Available from Amazon and very reasonable at £8.99
But what about mum? What would I recommend for all the mums who have given their all to the kids over the summer? September is sometimes long awaited by mums as it is their time to reclaim some much needed ‘me time’.
I have a suggestion I rate as the best possible ‘me time’ you will ever have – New You Boot Camp! Wow, the reports I have heard from this camp are so amazing. My good friend had a week at one of these camps last year and she has reported it was a positive life-changing experience and the most fun she has ever had.
Read her review here and do honestly consider this as your ‘reward’ for surviving the summer!! I have the New You Boot Camp on my wish list and maybe before the end of 2014 I will have a report on this camp myself!
Health and Beauty, Leisure Gifts, Teenage Gifts
BAM Bamboo Clothing: Enduro Leggings and Sundowner Hoodie.
BAM also have made the amazing pledge, planting a tree in the name of the purchaser for every order made! That is so cool! To date, they have donated over £10,000 to Rainforest Foundation and Rainforest Concern. Are you impressed yet? Read on..
Why Bamboo, surely cotton is better?? Well, no actually!
- Bamboo thrives naturally without using any pesticides or fertilizers.
- Bamboo fibre is 100% biodegradable.
- Bamboo is the fastest growing plant in the world. It spreads rapidly across large areas.
- As a grass, bamboo is cut, not uprooted, helping soil stability.
- Bamboo grows on hill slopes where nothing else is viable.
- The yield (i.e. the amount of product) you get from an acre of bamboo is 10 times greaterthan the yeld you get from cotton. In an age where land use is under enormous pressure this is huge.
- The water requirement for bamboo is minute, mainly just from what falls. As opposed to cotton, whose water requirement per shirt’s-worth is monstrous.
In contrast, ‘Synthetic performance fabrics are made from petrochemicals, a non-renewable fossil fuel. They go to make clothes which get smelly really quickly.’ (Bambooclothing.co.uk)
Bamboo is the most sustainable resource in the world and will one day lead the clothing market away totally from cotton! That will lead to a better world for us all.
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty
James Bronnley Skincare range for Father’s Day.
If your Dad would like some new toiletries this year for Father’s Day have a look at the James Bronnley range. Bronnley use the finest natural ingredients and essential oils resulting in a beautiful luxury skincare range. I have been enjoying Bronnley for years and always have their products in my guest bedroom. All the soaps are triple milled and last for ages – much longer than other soaps.
For dads this Father’s Day they have several lovely products and I have been lucky enough to try a few of these. I have the James Bronnley Original Body Wash RRP £8.50, Soap Bar RRP £6 and Moisturising Balm RRP £8.50.
The Body Wash, and all the other products, are nicely presented in a blue and silver coloured box with a little bit of the history of Bronnley on the side. I particularly appreciate the writing on the back ‘ Free from Parabens and SLS’ Yippee – in an ideal world all toiletries would have this on the packaging but sadly this is not the case at present.
The wash has some added goodies to naturally cleanse and moisturise the skin like Samphire, Sea Kelp and Provitamin B5.
The Soap Bar also has these ingredients and they both smell gorgeous – citrus and woody, just as men should smell!
My hubby does not moisturise but I am sure he will start when he is given this Moisturising Balm on Father’s Day. It has a light texture so leaves the skin soft but not greasy. I have fairly sensitive skin but I had no problems testing the Bronnley moisturiser as I know it is made with natural ingredients and these never cause me any irritation.
This set of three items would make a lovely gift for father’s day or indeed any occasion – teachers present, birthday, etc.
The Bronnley products can be purchased from www.bronnley.co.uk and also from Amazon and other selected retailers.
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty
Murad Man Skincare for Father’s Day 2014.
I use Murad skincare products as I am happy the ingredients are environmentally friendly, non-toxic and I achieve brilliant results. If you are at all curious, just try their Skin Perfecting Primer – amazing!
On the market from 1989, Murad can be purchased online and in store from selected Marks&Spencer, John Lewis and House of Fraser stores to name but a few. The products are based on scientific evidence and they use pharmaceutical grade ingredients, meaning they are research based and really work.
Murad have a brilliant skincare regime for dads this Father’s Day.
Murad Man Regime:
Developed by dermatologist Dr. Howard Murad, this three-step regime ensures you get the very best shave possible whilst protecting and repairing skin. The regime includes:
Cleansing Shave (£25) – a two-in-one cleanser which can be used to shave or simply cleanse you skin. It contains our unique Beard Softening Complex which exfoliates to uncover stubborn facial hairs for a superior shave.
Razor Burn Rescue (£35) – this triple-action formula reduces ingrown hairs, redness and irritation in one step!
Face Defense SPF 15 (£31) – infuses skin with essential hydration whilst providing broad spectrum protection against UVA/UVB rays. It also contains powerful antioxidants to fight free radicals. (Murad)
Lets start with the Cleansing Shave. The lotion produces a lovely creamy lather which exfoliates as well as cleansing. Despite this, the texture is not gritty. Murad have some very impressive Mushroom Enzymes tucked away inside this potion which is the secret exfoliator and this is brillaint. My hubby has sensitive skin and he loved trying various shaving creams. He has said this one is one of the best he has used with no irritation or ‘stinging’ when shaving. An antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect is given with added vitamin E and panthenol. Tea-tree is also present with its antibacterial and healing properties helping to prevent irritation.
Sounds good doesn’t it? I have tried this on my legs as well and it works a treat. Apparently 60% of whatever we rub on our skin is absorbed into our bloodstream. Think about it, when we shave we strip the top layers of skin away leaving our ‘barrier’ even more prone to absorbing whatever we use. You can relax with Murad, there are no ‘nasty’ ingredients or toxins, just honest to goodness ingredients that really work!
The Razor Burn Rescue follows the Cleansing Shave. This is yet another product that does exactly as it claims. Skin is left smelling gorgeous,smooth and irritation free. A concoction of glorious ingredients – Neem Leaf Extract, Vitamin E, Glycolic Acid and Tea-Tree work together to leave skin soothed and hydrated. Your skin will feel super smooth and soft all day!
The Face Defense cream is the perfect finishing touch. With SPF 15, moisture is pumped into the skin yet this is quite a light lotion. Skin is protected from damage and signs of aging are reduced with Murad’s Patentea Skin Repair System. Your man will smell good and look great making these products the perfect gift this Father’s Day.
The Murad Man Regime is £80 from www.murad.co.uk saving you £11 when the complete regime is purchased.