Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews, Teenage Gifts
Wilko for Valentine’s Day gifts.
I have recently discovered a great value online company – Wilko, who have a whooping 374 stores nationally as well. I discovered Wilko by accident – like all great discoveries! They have a great selection of almost everything! Yes, whatever you are on the lookout for, have a look at www.wilko.com and you will be sure to find it.
I have a few of their products now and keep returning for more. They offer free UK delivery with £80 purchase. Shipping is quick and I have never been disappointed with Wilko.
For Valentine’s day they have a lovely selection of gifts I would be delighted to receive. I have a couple of the photo frames on my wish-list.
I love multi aperture frames. They hold so many photos yet I only have to lift one frame to dust! Wilko have a beautiful silver rococo photo frame with 5 different aperture’s for only £10. This would look grand on my mantle piece with our 5 family members in each frame.
As a special gift for your other half, I would recommend the Butterfly Photo Frame 6inx4in for £8. This looks much more than £8 with intricate butterflies and diamante detail around a beautiful glass frame.
I have my eye on a few other home-ware items that would add to the shabby chic look I love. A hanging ‘Willow Love Heart’ RRP £5 and the ‘Heart Lantern Candle Holder Glass’ for only £2.
Why look elsewhere when Wilko has fab items at a fraction of the price?
For further information visit www.wilko.com
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews, Teenage Gifts
Post-It notes and dispensers for Valentine’s Day.
I’m fairly sure just about everyone has heard of those indispensable sticky notes called Post-Its by the brand 3M. My office walls are decorated with them, I seem to be constantly reaching for one for some reason or another. I love the brightly coloured sets and I have several different shaped Post-it notes, brilliant for prioritising my notes along the edge of my desk!
My children have a selection for their school work. They are perfect for highlighting pages as they come in small little individual arrows, and as a ruler with little tabs which peel off and attach neatly to mark pages.
Ingeniously, they are now available in a cute pop up dispenser in a variety of shapes, such as handbags, karate men and pink hearts.The dispensers are easy refillable with 76x76mm Post-It notes so it’s not just a single use throw away item. They’re novel, fun and useful.
The pink heart dispenser would also make an ideal Valentine’s Day pressie for that special someone in your life. Heart shaped notes are also available.
These are available on Amazon priced at £8.99.
Visit the link below to reach the facebook site, they are worth a ‘like’ !
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
A4 Loveheart Photo book from Photobox for Valentine’s Day.
I adore photographs. I have 3 children and want to ‘preserve’ every special moment! Photobox is really worth checking out if you have a host of ‘adventures’ you would love arranged in an album but don’t have the time to process photos, find a suitable album and arrange all your photographs to fit.
Photobox is one of the leading online digital photo services with over 27 million members.
‘We are market leaders because we’re passionate about what we do – the photography and the collaboration – and how we do it – insanely great products and customer service.
We help people create memories and keep them alive through Photobooks, cards, wall decor, mugs, t-shirts, and more.
We’ve built an active and extensive online community that sparks much of our innovation – we’re always finding new ways to engage with them and share the joy of PhotoBox’ (Photobox)
I selected the A4 Love heart book as my first Photobox project. I must say I had no idea it would be so much fun. The online process was so easy. I selected the photos I wished to use and then the layout of these pictures. I really enjoyed myself choosing photos and arranging them within the album. I had the option of using anything from 26 to 100 pages.The best part was definitely the front cover. With the Love heart photo book, the first photo can be seen through the cut out heart shape, thus this picture was very special. I selected my favourite photo of the 3 children together on holiday.
After ordering, the follow-up service from Photobox was excellent. I received an email thanking me for my order and another email telling me the book was dispatched.
When the book arrived I was so excited I simply had to open it in the car at the post office. Wow – I was delighted! The book was even better than I imagined and I loved the glossy finish I had selected for the photos.
Now I have discovered Photobox, I have big plans for all the photos I have on various phones and tablets. I plan to make a few more books with Photobox. A photo book would be a lovely gift idea also, especially the ‘Love Heart Book’ for Valentine’s Day.
Have a look at www.photobox.co.uk, I would highly recommend having a photo book printed. You will be just as delighted with the result as I was.
A4 Love heart photo book from £27.99
29.2cm x 21.6 cm
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Gone Crabbing Apron and Soaps for Valentine’s Day.
I was delighted to have the opportunity to review this fantastic company’s produce again. I am crazy about Gone Crabbing!
A little history lesson first… The company was launched in 2008 by Susie Mason, who has created beautiful items relating to all thing ‘seaside’.
Susie’s range includes soaps, towels, clothing for children and adults and much more. I am truly addicted! It is a family run business, so well done Susie! The company has continued to grow, with the support of stockists and local companies. You will find ‘Gone Crabbing’ in seaside shops as well as on-line.
Colin is the Gone Crabbing LOGO, and he appears on several of their items as well as on the labels. He is an absolutely adorable little orange crab and you will love him too! Sometimes he features as the main design, and on some items he will appear in the corner but always on the labels. A brilliant feature, and I am sure this company will continue to grow and grow.
I have a few of the different Gone Crabbing soaps now and cannot pick a favourite. They all smell gorgeous and I leave a bar or two sitting around as they look great on the bathroom shelf, the packaging is fun loving and very pretty. The scent lasts FOREVER and I have a bar in a few of our wardrobes as well. When I open the door, the smell is simply wonderful.
Gone Crabbing soaps are 100% vegetable and not tested on animals, there is surely a soap for everyone – just go online and have a look for yourself! From ‘Beauty on the Beach’ to ‘Really lovely smelly soap’, again, you will want them all. RRP £3.99.
Following the success of ‘Colin the Crab’, Gone Crabbing have introduced us to ‘Shaun the Prawn’! Shaun is just as playful as Colin and certainly makes an impact wherever he features. You will find him as the lead on his very own apron along with the slogan ‘Cocktails at my Place’! I think he is quite French looking myself, with his fab moustache and cheeky expression. Wouldn’t you agree?
A ‘Shaun the Prawn’ apron retails at £15.50 which is really great value. The aprons are 100% cotton with adjustable straps and large enough to suit both men and women. 85x60cms.
Shaun also features on an ovenmit and tea towel as well. This set would make a perfect gift for your other half this Valentine’s Day as Gone Crabbing will never disappoint.
For further information visit www.gonecrabbing.co.uk
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews, Teenage Gifts
Envelope style Tablet case by Proporta for Valentine’s Day.
I love this envelope style iPad case from Proporta. The colours and pattern look really well and with the ‘stamp’ detail, it would pass for a large envelope sitting on the front seat of your car!
I always seem to be rushing from place to place and with 3 kids and various iPads and other tablets we try and hide them somewhere discretely in the car when we are out and about. With this case you have your precious iPad perfectly disguised!
The envelope tablet case by Proporta will fit all 10 inch tablets and is quite spongy to touch. It will protect your tablet while expertly ‘dressing’ it at the same time. Despite the high level of protection offered, this case is fairly flat, therefore easily slipped into your hand-bag or brief case.
‘Ten inch tablet case with unique envelope design
Compatible with numerous ten inch tablets
Faux-leather tablet case is slimline and lightweight
Tablet sleeve protects against scratches, drops and knocks
Perfect for travelling or commuting
Lifetime Exchange Warranty’ (Proporta)
If you are buying a gift for your other half this Valentine’s Day, have a look at the Proporta range of tablet accessories online. Gifts such as these have style, taste and functionality and last much longer than flowers or chocolates!
http://www.proporta.co.uk/tablet-case-for-10-inch-tablets-envelope
Available now for £29.95 RRP £34.95
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Swanky Maison Personalised Prints for Valentine’s Day.
I added Swanky Maison to my ‘favourites’ as soon as I had a browse around and I found I couldn’t tear myself away. I was delighted with page after page of unusual and personal home-ware items. Swanky Maison is the perfect site for all types of gift shopping from Valentine’s Day gifts to New Home and even new Baby.
I have always wanted a personalised print capturing the essence of my family and now I have it! Thank you Swanky Maison. This Valentine’s day I will be presenting my hubby with a beautifully framed print he will absolutely love.
The centre of the print has a picture of my family on our last holiday. This is one of my favourite pictures and it is just great to have it as the centre of the print. Around the image are words and phrases, some I selected and others selected by the Swanky Maison expert designer. Words such as forever, love, joy and fun are brought together with familiar dates and phrases with special meaning – family holidays, walking in the forest, cycling, our wedding date and the names of our three children. I have our little doggie featured as well – something I am sure will amuse my hubby – he is not really a dog fan!
I would urge every family to order a personalised print from Swanky Maison. It is so special and when times are ‘less than perfect’ our family life and the good times are on the wall to remind us of how ‘fabulous’ our life really is.
As for the overall design of the print and the frame, several different background shades are available and I selected a natural colour. The print is framed in a white wooden frame and I have to say it is perfectly framed. I am delighted with this and it rates in the ‘top 5’ of all the items ever reviewed on Pampered Presents EVER!
http://www.swankymaison.com/gifts/valentines/personalised-print-for-a-partner.html
RRP (A bargain giveaway price!) from £29.50
Visit www.swankymaison.com for a whole range of swanky home and garden gift ideas. Various other personalised prints are available like the image below:
The cushions are well worth a look and I am saving for a few garden accessories I simply must have as well!
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Vintage Playing Cards.
‘Vintage Playing Cards have created a collection of unique Valentine cards and gifts that will make hearts flutter this February’ (Vintage Playing Cards)
This is surly recycling at its best! Vintage Playing Cards re-use playing cards and 1920’s parlour game cards individually sourced to make iconic cards, pictures and stationary. They are individual, original and very pleasing on the eye.
The company began in 2008 and has gone from strength to strength with their retro/vintage range. The company are constantly introducing new items and for Valentine’s Day 2014 they have pulled out all the stops with their show-stopping loveheart frames. This Valentine’s range is a great place to start if you are shopping for a special someone and puts your ‘gift’ way ahead of flowers and chocolates!
As the title would suggest, the frames are modeled on the classic ‘Love heart’ sweets and spell out messages of love and fun such as ‘heart throb’ and ‘sugar lips’.
These frames are sure to bring back memories from young days – in a good way! RRP £75
The ‘Vintage Playing Card Frames’ are my favourite. These are so ‘on trend’ with both vintage and recycling themes rating highly with everyone these days. The cards come framed in black boxed and double mounted frames. They would make an ideal valentine’s gift or even an extra special wedding gift. Choose words like ‘Love’, ‘Kiss’ or even ‘Cherish’ or select an individual card from hundreds of vintage cards and have one individually framed.
Framed words (5 letters) RRP £45
Framed words (10 letters) RRP £55
Framed individual cards £29
Supersize Frame £195
Vintage Playing Cards can be purchased directly from www.vintageplayingcards.co.uk or for your nearest stockist call 01284 728930
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
On a Wick and a Prayer – Ebony Orchid Reed Diffuser.
Love candles and scenting your house? I do, but with 3 small children and a dog I have to take extra care when lighting a candle. I have been described as a ‘sieve head’ in the past and I will admit there is some truth in this – I am a little forgetful! I tend to veer away from candles as I have left the house and raced back many times forgetting to blow out a candle!
It is for these reasons I favour reed diffusers. ‘On a Wick and a Prayer’ have a great selection of both candles and reed diffusers and with UK shipping included in the price, their website is one of my favourites. An added bonus is the reassurance that all the products are made on site by the team in the Peak District.
The Diffusers all come as a wooden corked bottle, diffuser reeds and oil. There are 18 different fragrance diffusers to choose from. This took me some time as there are some really beautiful diffusers on show and I couldn’t make up my mind! The oil can also be bought separately.
My present diffuser is ‘Ebony Orchid’. The scent is quite manly with a black diffuser bottle. Maybe this is originally intended for men, but I really like the scent. Sometimes I feel like a change from the usual feminine scents and prefer something a little more masculine.
Ebony Orchid sits in the windowsill of my little downstairs toilet but the scent travels through the house. This can last for 6-8 weeks and for an extra boost, just flip the reeds the other way around. Simple, and no worries of burning the house down!
The scent is available as a candle also, within a beautiful black gloss container.
Visit www.onawick.co.uk for further information. RRP £14.95
The website has a good selection of scented container candles, reed diffusers, natural wax candles, original wax bars and china garden candles. If you are looking for an extra special gift, this is the website for you!
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Mc laggan Smith Mugs for Valentine’s Day.
If you have yet to discover Mc laggan Smith Mugs, now is the time to do so. They have beautiful china mugs for everyone. From children, mums, dads, teachers, friends, etc. The selection is vast, with several designer choices and quirky comments.
The Valentine collection is out now with some brilliant designs to suit your special someone. The ‘Love’ collection, as I call it, has several themes to choose from. They offer comical mugs and more serious ‘Love’ mugs along with the opportunity to add a personal message.
WP01
I have some very pretty daintily painted Mc laggan Smith Mugs and I get so many comments on them.
WP04
The quality is superb, a beautiful white fine china intricately painted with lovebird and flower designs.
For the younger shopper, they have comical mugs to bring a smile to your face.
MM02
Prices start at £9.00 for a standard 250ml fine bone china mug and, with the option to personalise the handle (up to 30 characters) for an extra £5. This is very good value compared to some other sites which offer personalisation at double the price. Mc Laggan Smith Mugs are a unique and affordable option.
MM114
Mugs can be ordered from www.msmugs.com or ordered online at 01389755655.
Gadget Gifts, Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Gigaset’s new ‘smart’ home phone SL930A
Modern technology! Sometimes I feel so old. The kids can’t seem to comprehend the fact that I was 24yrs when I had my first mobile phone! It was rather large with push buttons and only one ringtone. Home phones have also progressed dramatically, have you seen the new home ‘smart’ home phone from Gigaset? Wow, this is pretty great, combining the features of a home phone with a mobile android phone – It is the very first home phone with android technology!
The new Gigaset SL93OA lets you connect with your mobile phone with direct internet access. Connecting to your WiFi, you can access emails, skype and brouse the web. Apps can be downloaded from Google Play and with head-phones, you can listen to your music with exceptional sound quality. The boundaries are limitless with this phone.
I love this phone. When it was connected, my contacts were automatically transferred over from my mobile and were waiting for me at the touch of a button – or should I say ‘touchscreen’!
‘The touch sensative display on the Gigaset SL930A is sublime. It has a 3.2 inch, full colour display that uses a detailed graphical user interface for quick and simple navigation. Despite the large colourful display you still get a talktime of 20 hours and 140 hours of standby time from one full charge of the battery’ (Gigaset)
The phone is extremely easy to operate, even for myself – and I am not very good with technology. I was more or less able to use this phone immediately after it was connected. I have even tailored the settings to suit myself – that’s the fab thing about this phone. There are so many ways you can make it your own. The integrated answering machine can record up to 55 minutes of messages which is a big thing for me as we get a lot of messages when we are at work during the day. My previous phone had limited space for messages and some were missed.
The micro-USB port allows for easy transfer of photos, videos and music. These can be safely stored on the 4GB memory and this can be increased up to 32 GB if needed.
I cannot say enough about this phone. Its appearance and functions are superior to any other phone on the market. Comparing prices is something I am very good at and I am 100% sure this phone gives unbeatable value for money for £179.99. Available from Amazon.