Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
CocoonaBaby.
Wow, I am so sorry I did not have this for my babies! My sister introduced me to CocoonaBaby about 3 months ago. I was pretty stunned when I saw it as I thought there was nothing you could buy for a baby that I hadn’t bought for my own – I am a bit of a shopaholic! I must admit, looking at her little baby girl all snug and safe, I was very impressed.
Basically, CocoonaBaby is a type of mattress which is specifically designed for babies. It is used in some maternity wards as well. The idea is to re-create the close snug feeling the baby would have in the mothers womb. The semi-foetal position is easily facilitated and the mattress somewhat ‘cradles’ the baby. I can totally see how this would work and wish they came in adult sizes – I would just love to climb onto one of these at night!
CocoonaBaby claim to help baby sleep better and for longer and that this ‘containment’ reduces the little jumps and twitches babies tend to make adjusting to their new surroundings after birth. It also claims to reduce the flat head some babies can have from sleeping on a traditional mattress.
My sisters baby suffers from reflux and it is amazing how comfortable her baby is on this mattress and how easily she can be raised up to help her settle after feeding. This has got to be one of the best baby products I have reviewed. Very well thought out, a truly ingenious product. A fitted sheet is supplied with a CocoonaBaby and further sheets can be purchased online.
Suitable from birth upwards until the time baby begins to change position independently (approx. 4-5 months)
Weight : 0.87 kg
Dimensions: L 68 x W 40 x H 14 cm
Available on Amazon from £160. See links below for further information.
https://www.facebook.com/beabauk
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Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews, Toy Reviews
Wikipad.
Say ‘hello’ to the new tablet, the Wikipad, it will wow your socks off for sure!
The Wikipad is a new Android tablet that really does it all. I have 3 children and they have not touched our previous 7” tablets from this entered the house. Built for optimum gaming, this tablet has a detachable gaming controller so it is perfect for ‘mum’ to take out and about, and also the most amazing tablet for children who enjoy gaming.
![hero-2-2[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/hero-2-21.jpg)
The gaming experience the Wikipad has to offer has to be tried to be believed. Connecting via micro USB, this tablet is super fast and has the added bonus of automatically updating to the latest OS in weeks.
My children all use the Wikipad. The controls are designed expertly and are as easily used in the hands of my 4 year old as well as my 10 year old. The controller’s U shape makes for very easy gaming especially with the likes of driving and shooting games, which would not be as easily played on other basic 7” tablets which are limited with a just a touchscreen.
![tablet-1[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/tablet-11.jpg)
With Google Play, Tegra Zone and PlayStation Mobile apps the list of games available is almost endless, not to mention the 60+ games already on the Wikipad! My children think they are in heaven!! The pre-loaded games suit all tastes, even Dad – Hockey Nation, Shadow Gun and Dead Zone to name but a few.
Aside from suiting children, this tablet has a lot to offer the entire family. For example, Google Play for music, and with the 16GB memory a host of fun can be stored on the Wikipad. Further storage can be added via the SD slot. I have to mention the 7” screen in further detail it is so great – the 7” screen is a WIDE screen. No more watching movies with that horrible black bar and cropped picture! We can even connect the Wikipad to the TV via the HDMI port.
![hero-2-3[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/hero-2-31.jpg)
Could this tablet get any better? Do you SKYPE? The Wikipad has a built in microphone and a front facing camera – SKYPING is simple and so easy. No more wasting time setting up extra equipment around the computer to speak to family across the water. We SKYPE regularly now and brag about our Wikipad while SKYPING!
I am left with one problem to report with this tablet – one Wikipad is not going to be enough! You will love the Wikipad and so will your children. I know it will take the place of most other tablets on the market. I have never used such an advanced device that also offers solutions to the problems encountered while gaming with an ordinary touchscreen tablet.
![tablet-4[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/tablet-41.jpg)
Get yours now, especially if you would like to have it for Christmas.
The Wikipad was launched in September 2013 and is initially available from Game, Play.com and Smyths. Over the next few months, other retailers will have stock also.
RRP £249.99
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Standeazy Phone Stands.
This was one of the best products I have ever used by far! The Standeazy prop for your smart phone is unusual, quirky and inexpensive. Fed up with propping your phone in the window to get reception?? This is the gadget for you. Small enough to fit in your wallet or purse, it is easy to assemble and can be used landscape or portrait style.
The adjustable viewing angle allows your phone to sit at the correct angle for viewing, even without removal from the case. It is perfect for watching videos on the go and for hands free chatting. I use mine for hands free video conferencing via Skype and wouldn’t be without it.
A Standeazy phone stand is perfect for taking on overnight stays and this is especially useful if your phone doubles up as your alarm clock!
Standeazy have some new designs out for Christmas 2013. My favourite would have to be ‘The Kiss’!
These stands would make perfect stocking fillers as they are very keenly priced at only £5.
For further information visit www.standeazy.com Also available from Amazon and Etsy.
Gift Reviews, Health and Beauty, Homeware Reviews
Bauballs
These made me laugh – they were just what my Christmas tree needed and I have had so many comments on my ‘Bauballs’!
Orchid, the UK’s male cancer charity has produced these delightful tree ornaments shaped like testicles! They were designed to raise money for the charity which supports pioneering and life saving research and are part of Orchid’s Christmas testicular cancer awareness campaign.
Why not add a set of ‘Bauballs’ to your tree this Christmas and raise smiles and money for this super charity? They would also make for an excellent ‘Secret Santa’ gift or perfect as a cheeky gift for your friends.
‘Bauballs’ can be found at selected House of Fraser stores or online at www.checkyourbauballs.com (£5 each)
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Orla Kiely ‘Home’
Books, do you give any books at Christmas? I don’t mean children’s books, but adult books. I adore books and love reading in bed at night. A variety of books can be found in my bookcase from craft books to science fiction, anything goes!
I have not went down the road of a kindle as yet, there is just something about flicking through the pages of a book and using a traditional bookmark to keep your page when the book is put down.
![images[5] (2)](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/images5-2.jpg)
I plan to give a few books as gifts this Christmas, one if which is a book by the very famous Irish designer, Orla Kiely. Orla has a number of books but I have selected ‘Home’ as this book contains page after page of colourful illustrations taken of Orla’s work and has fabulous images of her home as well. This book is very hard to set down once you begin reading it!
![orla_kiely_new_york_a130312_6[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/orla_kiely_new_york_a130312_61.jpg)
The book itself is quite large – about A4 size and hard back – although the texture of the cover has a lovely ‘soft feel’ to it. The pictures are just so motivational, I have even spied mugs I have in my kitchen and my mum’s scarf among lots of other interesting articles and patterns that are now screaming to have a place on my Christmas ‘wish list’!
For further information vist www.octopusbooks.co.uk
Orla Kiely ‘Home’ RRP £30
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
SnapBox
I am so bad at developing photos, they seem to remain on my computer and mobile, and the really good shots get lost among the ‘sea’ of photos. I had a few really good photos I took of my children on holiday this year and I was determined to do ‘something’ with them, but was not sure what exactly.
I have had a good look around online and SnapBox seemed the best quality and value for money option. They can turn your treasured photos into wonderful prints on canvas, with an option for adding filter options such as black and white, sepia and vintage. You will get really carried away with SnapBox, like me!
![quality-uk[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/quality-uk1.png)
The image you download is made visible to you as a preview within minutes and delivery is superfast.
Gallery quality prints are quick and easy to order online and come in five different sizes outlined below:
- · 5×5 inches = £19.99
- · 9×9 Inches = £39.99
- · 5×7 Inches = £24.99
- · 8×10 Inches = £34.99 (SnapBox)
Images can be uploaded from your computer storage, mobile and even Facebook.
I am delighted with my SnapBox image and will definitely be returning to the site for further pictures. I would love to have a gallery on a wall – all the family on canvas. Why not give someone the gift of a SnapBox canvas this Christmas?
![main-uk[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/main-uk1.png)
SnapBox is the perfect choice when buying for someone special– easily affordable and easy to use with outstanding results they will treasure forever.
For further information visit www.snapbox.co.uk
Homeware Reviews
SureFlap Pet Door
If you have a pet or pets and are thinking of a pet/cat flap visit www.sureflap.co.uk before you begin shopping around – you will find what you are looking for here!
SureFlap microchip pet doors recognize your pets individual microchip and won’t open for any other animal. The door can be programmed with more than one microchip number if you have a few pets and it is also perfect for small dogs as well.
I have a SureFlap pet door for my little Jack Russel. He loves getting outside and this means he can go in and out whenever he pleases, including when we are not at home. The door is perfect and looks well – it is white in colour so suits my white door.
So successful has is this product that Germany has awarded it ‘most innovative product of the year for cats’.
‘The pet door is microchip-operated and only opens when a resident cat’s microchip comes within scanning range, ensuring the owner’s pet is safe from intruder animals – a problem for more than 50% of homes without a secure cat flap says recent research www.sureflap.co.uk/nccreport).’ (SureFlap)
This product, like so many successful others, was born from necessity. Research showed that people had problems with neighbours cats entering their houses through cat flaps and in 2008 SureFlap developed the first microchip-operated pet door.
SureFlap doors are backed by vets and are compatible with all common microchips.
www.sureflap.co.uk RRP £119
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Ticket Coaster.
I am so sentimental I really enjoyed this review! Ticket Coaster turns your tickets into coasters, as the name would suggest.
I have so many tickets saved over the years from various events. Tickets are a great item to keep for sentimental reasons as they are small and easily stored, but why keep them in a box under your bed or in a drawer somewhere?
Ticker Coaster have turned 2 of my most recent tickets into coasters and I am delighted with them. This only costs £6, so easily affordable and a great gift as well. My coasters are a gift to my mum as they were from our last overnight break in London – I used a London Eye ticket and a train ticket to they are quite sentimental to her as well as she had been really looking forward to going on the London Eye.
The coasters are excellent quality and would look great on anyone’s coffee table. An original idea which is very affordable at £6.
For further information visit www.ticketcoaster.com
Homeware Reviews
Wilko Dog Crate.
I have recently discovered a great value online company – Wilko. I had searched everywhere for a crate for my little Jack Russel to no avail – even our local pet shops had nothing suitable.
I discovered Wilko by accident – like all great discoveries! They have a great selection of pet accessories, dog crates being one of them. With free delivery when you spent £80, this site is well worth a visit.
![0313599_l[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/0313599_l1.jpg)
I was so excited when the dog crate arrived. The dog has the run of the house during the day, but at night he was confined in an old guinea pig cage as we had nothing else for him! This cage was dumped the second the crate arrived and it is really great.
The base is a plastic tray, which was well thought out, if he spills his food. It is very easily cleaned. This comes completely out of the crate so very handy. The cage itself is black with two doors. This was another good quality as, depending on where you have the crate, it is handy to have the door open on the side you prefer.
Tyke loves his crate, its somewhere he can go and rest during the day and the kids don’t bother him. He has a cosy little bed and his food bowls inside his crate in the corner of the kitchen. A very spoilt pooch indeed!
For a great selection of pet products and many other items, visit www.wilko.com
Medium dog crate, with double door in black. RRP £40
Gift Reviews, Homeware Reviews
Runners Wall.
Christmas shopping, you either love it or hate it. I adore buying gifts so Christmas is a fun time of year for me. In carefully source and collect ‘meaningful’ gifts all year and love to watch the expressions on my familys’ faces on Christmas morning when they unwrap their presents.
If you have an athlete in the family or even a child, like mine, who excels on sports day, www.runnerswall.co.uk have a selection of gifts you will simply have to buy. My daughter almost ‘embarrasses’ us on sports day, she wins every race, leaving all the other children miles behind. Last year we even considered asking her to ‘let’ another child win a race!!
![female_runner_001[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/female_runner_0011.jpg)
Check out Runners Wall extensive selection of medal displays, which are specifically designed to hold medals and display them neatly and beautifully. You can choose from triathlon, runner, run bike swim, female runner, etc. The displays are metal and come with holes pre drilled so they will easily attach to the wall.
![DUATHLON[1]](http://pamperedpresents.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/DUATHLON1.jpg)
Prices range from £28 to £32 so these are great value and perfect as a stocking filler – mine will actually fit inside a stocking which is an added bonus! Custom-made plaques can also be ordered for extra special events.