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JOMO Club

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Family Life, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Subscription Boxes, Winter

Disclaimer: We received this box free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts an opinions are our own.

JOMO Club was founded by Richard and Gemma after they grew bored of the limited alcohol-free options found in supermarkets. Wanting something more interesting and better tasting, they left the corporate world behind and created JOMO Club with the aim of making high-quality artisan alcohol-free brands easier to discover. Run as a subscription service, there is the choice of monthly, two monthly or quarterly deliveries which can be paused, skipped or the frequency changed at any time. You’re also not tied into a set period, meaning your subscription can be cancelled at any time.

Each box contains a hand-curated selection of alcohol-free treats designed to introduce members to drinks they’re unlikely to stumble across in the supermarket. The focus is on quality and flavour, with artisan brands that feel and taste completely different to all the supermarket alcohol free drinks available. Each box typically includes one full-sized bottle of an alcohol-free spirit, five or more drinks such as mixers or ready-to-drink cocktails, plus snacks, garnishes and a members’ magazine filled with recipes, serving suggestions and the stories behind the brands.

The boxes are all very well packaged in a sturdy cardboard box an the box I received was the one that was sent out to subscribers in January and included the following products –

• Wilfred’s Aperitivo
• Navas Ginger Beer
• MONTY Lightly Sparkling Elderflower with Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Maitake
• LA Brewery Citrus Kombucha
• MATCH Tonic Water
• Naked Life Ready to Drink Margarita
• Popcorn Shed Chocolate Orange Gourmet Popcorn
• Delicious Pig Snacking Pickles
• The Zest Orange, Cinnamon and Star Anise garnish

The main drink in my box was the full-sized bottle of Wilfred’s Aperitivo. Now this is the sort of drink that tries, quite bravely, to capture that lovely bittersweet magic you normally associate with a proper Italian aperitivo. And it’s fair to say it does a very respectable job indeed, first you taste the sharp bitter orange flavour, then a hint of rhubarb comes through, and there’s a touch of rosemary floating about as well. Right at the end there’s a tiny bit of clove which makes it feel a bit more sophisticated than your average fizzy drink. Splash it over ice, add tonic and a wedge of orange, and suddenly you’ve got something that actually feels like a proper drink rather than just something you’re having because you can’t have the real thing. It’s fresh, a bit sharp, and quite refreshing really. So yes, it turns out you can have something that feels a bit fancy… without ending up with a headache the next morning. Which, if you’ve got work to do the next day, is probably for the best.

The Navas Ginger Beer has a proper ginger kick, warming and slightly spicy rather than overly sweet, which made it ideal with the Wilfred’s Aperitivo. The MATCH Tonic Water is wonderfully crisp and clean and doesn’t try to steal the spotlight but instead lets the flavours of the other drinks shine through, which is exactly what a good tonic should do.

One of the more intriguing discoveries in the box was the MONTY lightly sparkling elderflower drink. Now, I’ll admit that when I saw the ingredient list including Lion’s Mane, Reishi and Maitake mushrooms, I did raise an eyebrow. It sounds slightly like something you’d find in a very enthusiastic health food shop. Not being a fan of mushrooms I was unsure about this one but was actually quite surprised at how nice it tasted, it’s light, floral and delicately sweet with that familiar elderflower freshness and a gentle sparkle.

Another one I really enjoyed was the LA Brewery Citrus Kombucha. Now if you’ve ever had kombucha before you’ll know it’s got a tangy kick to it straight away, and this one’s no different. But the citrus in it really lifts the whole thing. It’s sharp, fresh and properly refreshing, without being overly sweet or heavy like a lot of soft drinks can be. It’s the sort of drink that wakes your taste buds up a bit and actually feels like you’re drinking something interesting rather than just fizzy pop.

Now, I’m quite partial to a Margarita, so when I spotted the Naked Life ready-to-drink Margarita in the box I was pretty pleased about that. And I’ve got to say, it does a surprisingly good job. You get that proper limey sharpness straight away, with a bit of that salty citrus edge you expect from a Margarita. Somehow it manages to taste very close to the real thing, which is quite impressive considering there’s no alcohol in it at all. It’s one of those drinks where you take a sip and think, “Right, yeah… that actually works.”

The snacks were delcious too and the perfect accompaniment to the drinks, the Popcorn Shed chocolate orange popcorn was a real grown up treat – rich, crunchy and indulgent, while the Delicious Pig snacking pickles added a sharp, tangy contrast that paired nicely with the drinks.

There are lots of occasions where alcohol-free drinks just make a lot more sense. Pregnancy, medication, being the one driving everyone home, or simply not fancying a fuzzy head the next morning. For me it’s often a practical thing. I’m usually the one behind the wheel or I know I’ve got an early start the next morning, so having something interesting to pour into a glass makes all the difference. You still get the flavour, the little ritual of mixing a drink, and that feeling that you’re having something a bit celebratory… just without regretting it the next day.

Another bonus is that they’re low in calories too. A quick glance at the labels showed most of the drinks sit at around 60 calories per 250ml, which is quite a bit less than your average glass of wine. So you get all the enjoyment without quite so much of the guilt either.

All in all, JOMO Club is a cracking way to explore the growing world of alcohol-free drinks. It takes the guesswork out of finding the good ones and delivers a box full of interesting things to try – proving you don’t need alcohol to raise a proper toast.

The JOMO box costs £46 for a one off box with discouts of up to 20% available for regular subscriptions. Wine drinkers may prefer the Wine Club box at £43 which contains three bottles of wine along with a tasting card.

Superdrug B. Complete Base Make up Brush Set

beauty, Birthday Gifts, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Women

Disclaimer: we received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Make up brushes are every bit as important as the products you apply so it is well worth investing in decent ones. That said, you don’t have to spend a fortune as there are some really good quality brushes available on the High Street like these Superdrug B make up brushes which strike that rare balance between affordability and quality. I’ve been a fan of them for a while now and they certainly give some of the more expensive brands a run for their money! If you haven’t tried the Superdrug B brushes before then The Complete Base Make up Brush Set is a great starter set as it contains four essential make up brushes – a Concealer Brush, Contour Brush, Blending Foundation Brush and a Powder Brush.

I’ll start with the foundation brush because that one really impressed me. It’s beautifully dense but still lovely and soft, packed with plenty of bristles so it buffs foundation into my skin rather than just pushing it around giving a really smooth, flawless finish with no streaks in sight.

The concealer brush is another winner, it picks up just the right amount of product and allows for a really precise, delicate application, particularly around the eyes. I usually rely on my fingers but I might just be converted to a concealer brush now as it blended the concealer beautifully, leaving the skin looking smoother and more even.

The contour brush is just as versatile, it sweeps blusher or bronzer across the cheeks with a soft, natural touch giving a subtle glow to lifts my complexion. Finally, the powder brush is wonderfully soft and fluffy and picks up just the right amount of powder to dust across my face to help set my make-up.

I am really impressed with these brushes, they glide easily across the skin, making my make-up application quick and easy. The bristles stay firmly in place and I’ve not noticed any falling out which is good. The handles are also very comfortable to hold and the brushes are a nice size and fit nicely in my make-up bag.

All the brushes have a 100% recycled plastic handle and 100% recycled plastic bristles, so they’re a more sustainable choice as well.

Whether you’re just starting to build your brush collection or looking to upgrade the brushes in your make-up bag the Superdrug B.Base Make Up Brush set is a great choice. It has a RRP of £15 but is currently on offer at £12 so it’s a great time to buy.

Le Bab Restaurant, Soho London

Birthday Gifts, Days Out, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Restaurant

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

In the alleyways between Regents Street and Carnaby Street, you’ll find Kingly Court tucked away where you can’t see it. On the top floor sits Le Bab, the World-influenced kebab restaurant that’s part of a chain across London.

The moody, candlelit atmosphere is far from overlooked thanks to being on the highest floor and overlooking a gallery looking down to the restaurants below. There’s a maximum of 40 covers including the bar and window seats and even when half full there was atmosphere. We started with cocktails, including an incredibly strong Negroni as you can see from the photo!

We ordered the mixed mezze for starter, which included hummus with steamed broccoli and two different naan breads including garlic bread. This was delicious, and could have been a meal in itself! The bread was obviously baked on site because it was so fresh and so warm. The broccoli was not something I’d seen before, as it was arranged like a tree on the plate and cooked whole. We cut off pieces of the broccoli tree, tore up the garlic naan bread and devoured the hummus bare handed.

Next were the mains. I had the Dirty Bab; a chargrilled lamb with chips, piled with pickles, chilli, lamb’s lettuce and mayo. My guest tried the Mixed Grill Kebab with chicken and lamb plus red cabbage, chilli and mayo topped with leaves. Both kebabs were sitting on a flat bread, so you could wrap them up if you wanted to, or cutlery is brought to your table. In both meals, the lamb was incredibly tender and the flavour from the chargrilling was fabulous. The chilli can be on the side, which I’m very glad we both chose to do because it was so hot, but it added yet another layer of flavour to the meal if we wanted to. Both of us had to leave some of our kebab because there was so much!

For dessert, there was a choice of only two items. We could have done with something with ice cream as the chilli was so hot and the meal so filling, but we each had the desserts; baklava and sticky toffee pudding. The STP was extremely light, not heavy and dull like most puddings. It was covered with chocolate sauce, giving the sweetness you crave at the end of a meal. The baklava was also sweet, and as one huge piece, it was a meal on its own.

We enjoyed the meal and the restaurant immensely. There was far too much food in three courses for two people, but I’m glad we got to sample the kebabs as well as the mezze. The mezze alone would have been a great meal, but there’s plenty more on the menu which I could happily have ordered – or maybe I’ll come back another time and sample it!

Le Bab Soho, Top Floor, Kingly Court, Carnaby St, Carnaby, London W1B 5PW

https://www.eatlebab.com/soho

AQUAPHOR Water Filter

Birthday Gifts, eco friendly, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Home, Home & Garden, kitchen appliances, Mother's Day, REUSABLE

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Whether it’s reducing plastic, filtering out toxins or eliminating heavy metals, a kitchen water filter jug benefits the whole family. AQUAPHOR ‘Filters every drop’ of your home tap water to reduce limescale and help create delicious drinks and taster food when cooking.

The jugs are designed with a slimline look which fits into the shelf of the fridge door. The massive jug holds 3.2 litres and has a battery-free filter indicator in the lid, which is flip-top to make it easier to fill. The custom filter, known as the AQUALEN is made of an ion-exchange filter material containing extra fine coconut shell carbon and efficient ion-exchange beads. As with most water filters, you need to soak the filter in water for 2 minutes first, then run water through the reservoir twice before being able to drink the water safely on the third filter.

The filter, which can last for 200 litres, filters out organic compounds, iron and heavy metals, as well as removing limescale which causes hard water. The lid of the ‘Fresh’ water just that we tested has a cartridge replacement counter. This gives an indication of the quality of the filter from 100% when it’s installed, down to zero percent when it needs changing. New cartridges can be found on the AQUAPHOR Amazon site (below).

The AQUAPHOR Fresh, which we tested, was ample size for a family, with us being able to fill it up and use about 3 times a day, and that was with cooking too. It’s easy to pick up and easy to fill up too, and the cartridge replacement counter is really useful in a busy household. The water tastes pure and when you hold it up to the light it certainly looks clear too. I’ve tried it in the kettle a few times after having cleaned the limescale from inside, and it hasn’t furred up the mechanism yet so the hard water must be removed during the filtering process.

No one in my house has complained about the taste of the water, which is always a bonus! If you’re not used to filling up a jug all the time then that can get a bit of getting used to, but we always have a jug of water ready to go. The filters aren’t that expensive and you can buy them in bulk but they do last a long time so you can buy 6 at a time on Amazon and forget about buying anymore for a while.

AQUAPHOR is a great alternative to under sink filters, not least because they’re cheaper but they rival anything else on the market, and you know that you’re getting purer, cleaner water than what comes out of the tap.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/AQUAPHORWATERFILTERS/page/241D9FA6-27A6-4C44-958B-D54BE2F7453D

Rubis 4 Piece Ladies Grooming Leather Case Set

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, travel, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: we received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

I have always been a bit embarrassed about the state of my nails. For years I was a nail biter and as a result my nails are quite weak and have a habit of snagging and tearing, usually once I’ve managed to grow them a little bit! With a couple of important events coming up this year I decided enough was enough as I want my nails to look nice for once, so my New Years resolution was to finally start looking after my nails properly.

The first step was to book a manicure and after a bit of expert advice and a gentle lecture about not nibbling them I was ready to change my ways! I’ve discovered that the secret to good nails is having decent nail tools so I was really pleased when the Rubis 4 Piece Ladies Grooming Leather Case Set arrived. Inside the neat little red leather pouch are four Swiss-engineered tools that mean serious business: Colibri cuticle scissors, nail clippers, a nail file made from the tiniest glass beads, and a rather clever Push & Clean nail cleaner. It’s essentially the Formula One pit crew of nail care, but small enough to live in your handbag.

I already own a pair of Rubis tweezers so I know first hand just how good Rubis products are so armed with my nail technicians expert advice I was, dare I say – quite excited to start trying the new nail tools on my nails. Each tool is crafted in their Switzerland factory from the best stainless, acid-resistant surgical steel, which means they are easy to clean or sterilise and will last for years.

The nail clippers are a fantastic upgrade from my previous ones, the cutting action is noticeably sharper and they cut through nails with a single, precise cut. The curved cuticle scissors are just as impressive, sitting comfortably in both hands, they are nice and sharp and give a really clean finish around the cuticles.

The glass nail file, stored in its own protective pouch, has quickly become my handbag essential. Rather than shredding the edge of the nail like traditional files, it smooths and shapes gently, leaving the nail edge tidy and sealed. Best of all, it stops me reaching for my teeth when I spot a rough edge.

Finally there’s the wonderfully practical double-ended Push & Clean nail cleaner. One end is designed to gently push the skin back from the nail, keeping everything looking neat and well-groomed, while the other end hooks neatly under the nail to remove any trapped dirt. After a day in the garden, it’s absolutely invaluable

The leather pouch is nice and compact and slips easily into my handbag, so when a rogue hangnail appears or a nail suddenly decides to split, I’m prepared. No more emergency nibbling to tidy up my nails !

With Mother’s Day coming up, this would also make a brilliant gift. It’s practical, beautifully made and the sort of quality item that many mums would never think to buy for themselves but would use all the time. A little touch of Swiss precision that keeps nails looking their best every day.

RRP £104.71 available from allcures.com

Yankee Candle Serenity Stone Signature Large Jar Candle

Birthday Gifts, Fragrance, Gifts for Her, Home, Home & Garden, Women

Disclaimer: we received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Once upon a time candles were a necessity in all homes, with the flickering flame the only way to light a room in the evening. These days candles are no longer just practical and make an indulgent treat for ourselves (why not?) or a lovely gift for a loved one. They’re also a lot more stylish, with many in elegant glass jars that look just as lovely on a shelf or coffee table as they do when they’re lit.

When you’re buying candles it is definitely worth knowing what to look for. A good candle isn’t just about a pretty jar or fancy sounding fragrance – you need to consider the ingredients, the burn time, the scent, the design and of course the price.

When it comes to fragrance I tend to go for fresh and floral notes and Yankee Candle have plenty of fragrances that feel light, airy and perfect for this time of year. I’m currently enjoying their new Signature Large Jar Serenity Stone Candle, which has a lovely fresh fragrance making it the perfect choice for Spring. The top notes bring together Marine Accord, Dune Grass and Water Hyacinth, which immediately give you that breezy, just stepped outside sort of feeling. Then things soften slightly with Blue Chamomile, Cactus Blossom and Aloe in the middle, before settling into a base of Vetiver, Sea Moss and Wet Stone Accord.

Not only does the candle smell amazing but the Yankee Candle’s elegant glass jars look beautiful in any home. The candle itself is made from a smooth soy wax blend, which means you get a clean, even burn and the wick is made from 100% natural fibres and has been rigorously tested to make sure it burns properly.

With Mother’s Day coming up it’s a great gift for Mum. Whether she lights one to help her relax or just to make the home smell amazing, a Yankee Candle is a guaranteed winner.

The Yankee Candle Signature Large Jar candle retails at £29.99 and with an impressive burn time of between 65 and 80 hours it is excellent value for money.

Macellaio Italian Steak House, Soho London

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Restaurant, travel, Valentine's Day Gifts

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Right between the Guilgud Theatre and Sondheim Theatre in London’s Soho district, the Macellaio Italian Steak House sits proud on Shaftesbury Avenue. From the outside, the gingham curtains cover diners and hide the depth of the restaurant and what’s inside.

The first glimpse as you venture indoors is the huge meat counter. Rows of steaks ready to be cooked in the kitchen are lined up ready to eat. The restaurant is rustic, as if you are in a restaurant in a non-touristy town somewhere in Tuscany and everyone speaks only Italian, and the lights are low. The tables are arranged in a café style and the centre of the ceiling opens up to the second floor of the restaurant, where you can see more people dining and another bar awaits you.

The menu is a mixture of pasta and grill, with everything on the grill from cheeseburger to T-bone, but of course, the Italian version of T-bone! You can also choose spaghetti or ravioli ragu, like I did. The meats aren’t actually from Italy but from the Lake District, and aged 7 weeks to have the perfect tenderness and marbling. The breeds are a mix of Italian Maremmana and Angus beef to give a depth of texture and flavour. We were treated to a beef tallow dipping candle (as the candle melts, it created a fat reservoir to dip bread into). We also chose the Focaccia al Formaggio, which has a thin base and rich Stracchino cheese.

We were seriously impressed with our meals. They were authentically Italian with homemade, al dente pasta and slow cooked beef ragu which is the quintessential Italian pasta dish not ruined by commercialisation. The cheeseburger was too large to finish, along with the skin-on chips! The Marango cheese on the beef patty melted perfectly into the bun and complimented the beef.

No Italian restaurant can be complete without the tiramisu or profiteroles, and in our case, it was both! The tiramisu was extremely light and fluffy, nothing like the Anglicised version we have in pizza houses today. There was a hint of coffee there but no alcohol to overpower the dish. The profiteroles were also homemade, with lashings of chocolate (but not sweet) sauce over them and filled with an incredibly light cream. We topped off the meal with an Italian coffee, just to add to the authenticity of our visit!

The staff were very welcoming and incredibly attentive throughout the meal. The atmosphere of the restaurant is that of a laid-back, rural Italian salon with moody lighting and candles with the meat counter in the middle of the room which bounces light and the sound around so that you can still talk without being drowned out. There are two other Macellaio restaurants in London (South Kensington and Exmouth Market), which have similar menus. As a concept, eating both steak and Italian cuisine in the same evening is a winner for me!

Macellaio, 39-45 Shaftesbury Avenue, London W1D 6LA

https://www.macellaiorc.com

French Soaps Mother’s Day Gift Set

beauty, Birthday Gifts, cruelty-free, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, health, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Vegan, Vegetarian, Women

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

If you’re struggling for a Mother’s Day Gift, or want to supplement something bigger, French Soaps have a genius gift for you to give on Mother’s Day. From their range of soaps on their website, they’ve created a Mother’s Day Gift Set which contains 6 vegan soaps, and arrives in a magnetic box with a denim washbag.

Contained in the soap set are fragrances;

Tilleul (Linden blossom)
Honeysuckle
Verbena leaf
Cotton Flower
Lily of the Valley
Aloe Vera

Each soap is made using traditional French soap making techniques and enriched with plant oils and shea butter. They lather up beautifully and can be used every day, but I like to use these in the guest bathroom, or for the bath where the scent can be appreciated. There’s also a washbag that can be used for the soaps or separately, which is surprisingly large and can carry a lot, including all the soaps.

Each of the soaps has a distinctive aroma with the usual ‘soap’ fragrance to them. They’re actually quite pungent so you can smell them as you open the box! They are beautifully wrapped individually with some wrapped in paper, muslin and in presentation boxes. They’re imprinted with the name of Savon de Marseille name and the flavour of the soap so that you can distinguish them. They’re very handy in the magnetic box so that they don’t get damaged in transit which also make them a perfect gift, even if you are splitting up the set and giving the soaps out to different people.

This is a brilliant gift set, or a way of sampling a range of soaps for yourself to see what you like. There’s a lot of thought gone into designing these soaps as well as making them and giving them the creative edge which you don’t find in the High Street brands, making them more unique than just any beauty of health gift set you can buy everywhere. They’re a lasting gift too, probably lasting until Christmas when you can buy the French Soaps’ next gift set!

Available from £25 at: https://www.frenchsoaps.co.uk/products/mothers-day-soap-gift-set-2026?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Franci Toscano IGP Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Birthday Gifts, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, Summer

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Give the chef in your life a treat to cook with in the Franci Toscano Extra Virgin olive oil from the Artisan Olive Oil Company. We were lucky enough to be sent a sample to try this spring just in time for Easter Sunday!

Franci Toscano Extra Virgin Olive Oil is produced from the 2024/2025 harvest of Tuscan olives, with the slightly spicy olive oil leaving a bitterness reminiscent of Italy’s ancient olive varieties. The fresh taste of Franci Toscano can be used in cooking or the unique flavours are especially useful in dishes such as salads, pasta or seafood. I used it neat over a salad and it works particularly well in a salad dressing where the full flavour can be enjoyed. You could also use this to dip bread into, combined with the Artisan Olive Oil Company’s selection of balsamic vinegars.

The Franci Toscano IGP Extra Virgin Olive Oil has already won several awards;

Flos Olei 2025: Maximum score of 100 points

Flos Olei 2019: 99 points, named World’s Best Olive Oil Mill
New York International Olive Oil Competition 2020: Gold Medal winner
Selezione Regionale Oli extravergini DOP e IGP 2020: Awarded
Ercole Olivario 2019 National Competition: Finalist

The blend of olive oil comes from a variety of olives including Frantoio, Moraiolo, Leccino, and Olivastra which are grown and blended on the Frantoio Franci estate near Montalcino by Giorgio Franci, who continues growing and producing olive oil after his father Fernando Franci who started the business.

Taking into account the price of £21.95 for a litre, this is an exceptional oil, grown authentically in Italy and produced to a very high, award winning standard. Serious chefs and lovers of all things Italian will love this olive oil and add it to their collection like a fine wine. I have already added it to my daily salad and seafood cooking and loved using it so far.

Available from £21.95: https://www.artisanoliveoilcompany.co.uk/products/franci-toscano-igp-extra-virgin-olive-oil-500ml?variant=55597487456634

Libi & Daughters No 27 Sun Shield SPF 50

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Women

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Step up your summer beauty regime this year with the Libi & Daughters Sunshield cream with SPF50. The family run company believes that products should, “Have everything you need and nothing you don’t,” which runs true through all the products they produce. The list of products on their website is impressive with everything from lip balm to charcoal soaps and you can see that the products are tailored for women and actual needs, not commercial revenue. We were sent Libi & Daughter’s new No 27 Sun Shield SPF 50 to test, and thankfully there have been a few sunny days this week to try it!

No 27 Sun Shield SPF 50 is made fresh to order, like all the Libi & Daughters products, using olive squalane, jojoba esters and beeswax among other natural ingredients. Most sun screens leave a white, insoluble film on the skin when applied, but No 27 is made with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide with natural ingredients to help protect the skin from environmental factors and tint the skin to give a warm glow and a dewy look.

No 27 Sun Shield SPF 50 is ideal for all skin tones, but especially for darker or olive skin and can be warn daily. I would wear this on holiday as it has the slight tinting quality but also because of the high SPF which protects on days with more sunshine than we typically get in the UK! You can tell that this is a more natural cream because it’s very organic to the touch, and not typical of High Street cosmetics. Although heavy at first, once you blend in the No 27 Sun Shield, it absorbs and leaves a slight tint, but not as much as you would get with fake tan. I found that the more I worked it into my skin, the more it gave an even coverage and did indeed leave my skin dewy. There was a definite difference in the reflection of the light after a few minutes, which is how long it takes for the cream to dry properly.

I can’t test how effective the SPF is yet, but with No 27 Sun Shield you do get a hydrating, natural base face cream which peps up your complexion beautifully. There’s hardly any scent to it, except a slight earthy fragrance from the natural ingredients but this is perfect for a holiday or to get yourself ready for work easily in the morning and not having to wear layers of foundation and base creams.

Available from £100 at: https://libi.com/products/nº27-sun-shield-spf-50

HORL3 Cruise Knife Sharpener

Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, kitchen appliances, Spring

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Spring clean your kitchen with a new, faster knife sharpener from HORL3. If you’re like me and love a sharp knife but hate sharpening, this is a great alternative and actually quite fun too!

The HORL3 Cruise Knife Sharpener is a two-part utensil with the angle support (15 degrees and 20 degrees) and barrel both being made from recycled plastic. There is also a solid wood (oak/walnut) version and the high-end aluminium version.

How does it work?

The angle support holds the knife in place. Line your knife up on the 15 or 20 degree face of the angle support, and the magnets will hold it in place. The sharp edge of the knife needs to be facing upwards. Roll the barrel along the knife so that the disk end is touching just the edge of the knife and it will sharpen within a few moves. This is where the two different degrees matter; 15 degrees is for a precise cutting edge. 20 degrees gives a robust edge. You can vary how you sharpen your knife by using the 15 or 20 degree edge first or for longer, depending on what your knife is used for. The magnets make sure that the knife doesn’t slip and your fingers aren’t near the blade at any time.

The barrel turns as you roll it, keeping the disk in place. On each end of the barrel, there are vastly different disks. The courser diamond disk is for the heavy lifting of the sharpening. When you first use this disk, there are particles of both the disk and the knife generated, which looks like metal dust. This is normal, and subsides in time. The other end of the barrel is the stainless steel disk. This gives the knife a smooth edge. The instructions suggest that you coat the blade with a felt pen before you start sharpening and then you can see when all of the blad has been sharpened. Although I didn’t do this, it would be a good experiment!

The disks certainly sharpen the knives and very quickly too – it only took 5-10 turns of the barrel to sharpen my smaller knives, which is a big improvement on my old spear sharpener. You don’t have to worry about getting the angle right because it’s pre-set thanks to the angle support, and the magnets won’t allow the knife to slip. It took a few attempts to see how the barrel travels along the length of the blade but once you work it out, the sharpener does all the work and makes light work of it.

Although pricy, this is a kitchen product that reaps the benefits for years and won’t need replacing. The time it saves by not only shortening the sharpening time but by keeping your knife set (and scissors!) completely sharp forever, is invaluable. As the number one tool of any chef at home or in the restaurant, the HORL3 Cruise Knife Sharpener is priceless.

Available from £99 at: https://www.horl.com/gb/en/sharpeners/horl3-cruise/

MANTA Healthy Hair Brush

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, travel, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

It’s time for hairbrushes to get a glow up! The MANTA Healthy Hair Brush uses FLEXGUARD technology to create a hairbrush that sits in the palm of your hand and has a heat resistance of up to 80 degrees centigrade (175 Fahrenheit). The bristles are super gentle on hair and scalp, even flyaway hair and create shine when the hair is brushed from scalp to ends. It’s anti static and can be used on wet or dry hair. As the bristles are far apart, they don’t snag as they pull through fine hair, and if the ends are dry, you don’t rip away and break strands of hair as you brush. The MANTA Hair Brush can be used on all types of hair including hair extensions.

The MANTA sits in your hand comfortably by I found it easier to use on myself if I hold it from the handle and work my way through the length of my hair, starting at the scalp. Although this is a hair brush, it actually works perfectly as a scalp massager, taking the tension out of the scalp as you massage the brush through your hair. Taking the MANTA from the front of your scalp to the back of your neck and then to the ends of your hair, you’re also transferring the good oils to the rest of the hair and conditioning the cuticles as you do so. It feels absolutely amazing! As the bristles aren’t really close together, it gives a good massage as well as not damaging the hair too much. I loved using it after washing my hair to distribute the styling products without disturbing my natural curls. It’s great for putting your hair back into a messy pony tail too once your hair is dry.

This is a great investment for yourself or as a gift for someone else. It’s perfect for taking on holiday though with the travel pouch it comes with and the hand-held size that means it can even fit into your hand luggage!

Available from £30 at: https://www.boots.com/manta-original-healthy-hair-and-scalp-brush-pink-10345639

Eyeam Bi-Phase Magnesium Body Treatment Spray

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Fitness, Gifts for Her, health, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

If you’ve ever come back from the gym already aching from a workout, felt tired enough in the evening and need something to help you wind down or still feel tired when you wake up, then it could be a lack of magnesium in your diet. Thankfully, magnesium can be absorbed through the skin to boost your energy. Eyeam have created the Bi-Phase Magnesium Body Treatment Spray to aid your magnesium absorption, but to also tone your skin and add vitamins such as C and E.

Either at bedtime, or after exercise, shake the bottle to combine both treatments and spray on your legs, torso and arms. Massage into the skin and muscles to feel the full benefit of the magnesium and oils. The Treatment Spray has a slight citrus scent to it, but doesn’t act like a lotion, it’s more like an oil. It absorbs into the skin easily and hydrates, giving a slight matt glow which works perfectly for after the gym when your skin is dehydrated by the blood is circulating. The added vitamins help nourish the skin as well. The added botanicals help calm the mind too, so it’s ideal for night time when the magnesium makes you sleepy, and the vitamins and botanicals support your sleep routine.

This is not your usual body lotion – it’s a treatment for those serious in getting healthier skin and absorbing the correct nutrients and making your skin look the best it can be, long term.

Available from £49.00 at: https://eyeamworld.com/collections/shop-all/products/magnesium-bi-phase-body-treatment-spray

11:11 Self Heating Eye Masks

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, travel, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Relax this Valentines Day with some self-care, or give some love with the 11:11 Self Heating Eye Masks. These 3 single use eye masks are great for when you need some quiet time, or when trying to get to sleep and travelling thanks to their heating ability and some rose and oud scents.

The eye masks are felt-like pads with heat pouches inside. They instantly start to warm up as soon as you open the packet. The elastic ear loops allow you to wear the eye patches whilst you lie back for up to 25 minutes (I found the heat lasted for more than 30 minutes though) and the fragrance of rose and oud oozes from them. The packet contains a complimentary audio ritual to work with the eye patches and allow them to calm you even more. The sound bath music and soothing warmth around your eyes helps you drift into slumber, or simply relax.

I wore these before bed and was pleasantly surprised by how they calmed my mind mostly. The eye patches aren’t for blocking out light, but they do warm up the area around your eye and your eyelids. Not specifically for beauty, I did find that my eyes were nicely relaxed and slightly softer thanks to the effects of the heat!

Available from £9.95: https://sensoryretreats.com/products/11-11-self-heating-eye-masks

Bow Embroidered Cotton Pyjama Set from Boux Avenue

Birthday Gifts, Family Life, Fashion, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Mother’s Day is notoriously difficult to buy for, but taking time to buy Mum something luxurious, which she’ll use regularly. Boux Avenue have a range of lingerie, nightwear and swimwear that are perfect for Mother’s Day as gifts. This week, we were sent the Bow Embroidered Cotton Pyjama Set to try out from the Boux range, in size 16.

This button-up, collared pyjama set is 100% cotton with a crinkly texture to it, adorned by white bows. The pink colour is particularly flattering and the little bows add a touch of femininity. The shirt is collared and button down the front, and the trousers are elasticated string tie. I’m not particularly tall (5’ 5”) and the shirt is long enough to tuck into the trousers, and the leg length is just below my ankle. There is minimal tailoring on the shirt but there is a breast pocket, and the trouser legs are wide all the way to the ankle to be more comfortable.

When wearing these pyjamas, I found them to be very warm in this weather, as the cotton material adapts to different temperatures. They wash beautifully and there was no shrinkage. They look really good in photos and are great for holidays or sleepovers, but not only for Mother’s Day Gifts, it occurred to me that these would be great bridesmaid gifts or for a Girls Night In because they’re so photogenic!

Available for £52 at: https://www.bouxavenue.com/new-in-nightwear/bow-embroidered-cotton-pyjama-set/211950_20PX.html?cgid=1000458

Neve’s Bees Beeswax Tinted Lip and Cheek Balms

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Gifts for Her, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Winter, Women

Tucked away in the rolling countryside of North Oxfordshire, Neve’s Bees is a family run business, founded by Julie Macken and named after her daughter Neve. After a bout of hands-on tinkering with beeswax, natural plant oils and rich butters, Julie realised that she could make skincare products that were kinder, richer and infinitely better for your skin than most high street brands. From those early “lotions and potions”, Neve’s Bees was born. Today, they offer a wonderful selection of natural products, including these fantastic tinted lip and cheek balms. Available in three flattering shades, Berry, Bronze and Maple, each balm costs £9.95 and comes in a handy little tin which is the perfect size for popping in my handbag or coat pocket.

Each balm is blended with 100% natural and organic plant oils, natural beeswax from Neve’s Bees’ own hives, and ethically sourced, COSMOS-approved mineral mica. The mica alone took three years to source and is fully traceable, certified by both the Soil Association and COSMOS, and guaranteed to be free from child labour. It is beauty you can feel good about, in every sense.

So on to the ingredients of the balms – Beeswax locks in moisture and provides a layer of protection, while upcycled apricot kernel oil absorbs quickly and leaves the skin feeling smooth. Organic jojoba oil contributes hydration whilst vitamin E helps protect the skin. Finally, mica adds a soft, civilised glow to your skin.

Like most balms they are solid in the tin and warm up with the heat of your fingertips. Use on cheeks, lips or eyelids for an instant healthy-looking freshness. The formula is breathable and non-drying and feels nourishing as well as acting as a gentle highlighter and tint. As they are a balm I was expecting them to feel greasy or sticky on my cheeks and was pleasantly surprised when they didn’t. They give just the right hint of colour for a natural glow and are great for keeping lips hydrated in the cold weather.

The shades have been created to suit all skin tones. Berry gives lips and cheeks a natural, plummy flush, not unlike the effect of a brisk walk in the fresh air. Bronze, meanwhile, adds instant warmth with a subtle golden shimmer. Maple offers a subtle golden-red tint to your skin.

Neve’s Bees also donate 10% of their profits to wildlife causes, helping to restore precious wildflower meadows and providing vital habitat for bees and other pollinators so when you buy their products this February you’re not only treating your Valentine, or yourself, but also giving something back to the natural world.

Neve’s Bees Tinted Lip & Cheek Balms would make a beautiful little Valentine’s gift for a loved one as they’re the kind of present that feels personal, pampering and full of love – and they leave lips soft, smooth and very kissable 💗🐝

RRP £9.95

That’ll Be The Day 40th Anniversary Show

Birthday Gifts, Days Out, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, Theatre

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

The hit show That’ll Be The Day celebrates 40 years of touring this year, with a celebratory show that travels throughout the UK in 2026 in two separate tours.

Created by Trevor Payne, who features heavily in the show, That’ll Be The Day chronologically traces music from the 1950s through to the 80s with an emphasis on the early days especially the 60s. The show is in two parts with the second, shorter part being more about the 70s and 80s. As a show, it is interspersed with sketches about the eras (the Mick Jagger sketch is particularly funny!) and Trevor talks about some of the memories from the past, such as school and how your Mum used to tell you off as a child when you talked back!

The music is the real star here. Trevor explains that the show evolves over time so if you’ve seen the show in the past, this iteration will be completely different to what you’ve seen before. We start with Billy Haley and Rock Around The Clock, and go into some Dusty Springfield, Four Seasons, Beatles, Elvis and then onto Rolling Stones, Diana Ross, the Eagles, Blondie and many more. Each song is a hit and has you dancing in your seat. The whole show is upbeat and has lots of songs you’ll recognise such as Help! Simply The Best, Good Vibrations and finishing with the Buddy Holly song, of course, That’ll Be The Day! Look out for the Roy Orbison song too, Pretty Woman, which serves as a running joke throughout the show.

The show collects money for the Make A Wish Foundation charity, and singer Tom Ball, from Britain’s Got Talent, also makes an appearance for several songs.

This is a brilliant night out with a tour that takes in most of the country and appeal to anyone who loves music, not least for those who lived through it and want to bring back memories. It goes on for over 3 hours too, so there’s no end of entertainment.

Tickets available from: https://www.thatllbetheday.com/

Footsie Foot products

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, hiking, National Walking Month, Stocking Fillers, Vegan, Winter, Women

My feet do an awful lot of work and like most people I’m guilty of not showing them the care they should receive. Walking across hills, tucked into sturdy boots, squashed into heels over the Christmas period and constantly swaddled in socks and wooly tights they had become quite dry and a bit rough around the edges. So when a couple of footcare treats arrived from Footsie, a new footcare brand with a range of six new products designed to properly pamper hardworking feet, it felt like a gentle nudge to finally give mine the TLC they were desperately in need of.

First I needed to get rid of the dry skin so the Smooth Operator 2 in 1 Glass Foot File, (RRP £7) was quickly put to use. The dual-action file made light work of the hard skin on my feet, smoothing my heels and soles quickly and effectively. Made from 100% toughened glass, it feels nice and robust and being made of glass it is hygienic and will last a long time. The file can be used on both wet and dry skin and has two different textured surfaces, the coarse edge is designed to remove hard, thick skin and the finer side is used for gentle exfoliation.

Once filed and exfoliated it was time for a taste of the tropics with the Tropical Toes Coco Luscious Foot Butter (RRP £7). This rich, indulgent cream melted beautifully into my skin leaving my feet nice and hydrated and refreshed. It is also great as an overnight treatment, a generous application before bed then I pop a pair of cotton socks on and by morning my feet feel lovely and soft and ready for action. I’ve been using it every evening for the last couple of weeks and my feet are looking so much better. The dry skin on my heels has completely gone and my feet look and feel cared for again.

Now that my feet have been well and truly pampered, they’re ready to carry me across hill, dale and anywhere else I choose to wander.

The Footsie products are all available from Boots

Cut By Fred Hair Products

Gifts for Her, Vegan, beauty, Women, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts

I have curly hair which is currently very dry and frizzy and at the minute I am certainly having more bad hair days than good! I was therefore really pleased when a box of Cut By Fred landed on my doorstep and couldn’t wait to see what they would do to my dry mop of hair.

Cut By Fred is a cult haircare brand created by hairstylist Fred Birault and it officially launched in the UK in 2025. Fred’s whole ethos is making haircare feel like it does backstage or in the salon and he wanted his products to be effective, intuitive and a bit joyful and not to include harsh ingredients or overcomplicated formulas. The result is natural, vegan haircare that respects your hair, the planet and those little everyday rituals we all secretly love.

I’ve been using the Vegan Hydration Shampoo, the iconic Vegan Hydration Mask and the Vegan Serum for a couple of weeks now and I have to say I’m really pleased with all the products. The shampoo (RRP £29) is nice and gentle and lathers beautifully, cleansing my hair and scalp and most importantly giving my curls some much needed hydration.

Now let’s talk about the Vegan Hydration Mask (RRP £41) because this is where the magic really happens. My curls are naturally dry, frizzy and a bit dull, so a hydrating mask is non negotiable in my routine. This one is rich, creamy and packed with jojoba oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil and aloe leaf juice. I applied it to my hair, combed it through and then left it on for the full 15 minutes before scrunching it into my hair to really lock in the moisture. It rinsed out easily leaving my hair tangle free and my curls noticeably softer, shinier and more defined.

Once my hair is dry a drop or two of the Vegan Serum (RRP £32) is all I need to smooth the frizz and add a touch of shine to my curls.

Most of the time I let my hair dry naturally and I have noticed that my hair is less frizzy and I have much better curl definition. When I take the time to dry it with a diffuser, I’ve found that my hair has more bounce and the curls are staying defined for much longer. Thanks to Cut By Fred in just a couple of washes my dry, frizzy locks have been transformed into glossy, defined curls and I am absolutely delighted.

The packaging is simple but stylish, with an elegant glass shampoo bottle and a generously sized mask jar with a wide opening that makes scooping out product easy and mess free. The serum has a pippette dispenser which makes it easy to dispense just the right amount and ther’s no wastage.

If you are looking to up your haircare game and give your curls some proper love, I really recommend giving Cut By Fred a try. I’m looking forward to trying out more of their products as they release more into the UK.

The products are currently available from Oh My Cream

Sea-Band Nausea Relief Bands

Children, Days Out, Family Life, health, Summer, travel

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Going on holiday this year? Chances are you’ll be using some kind of big transport – aeroplane, ferry, train and even the car. Most children get motion sickness on new transport and especially on long journeys in the car so some kind of remedy is needed. I know when I’m on a ferry, or a cruise, the sea sickness is atrocious and even with medication it takes a long time to fade.

Sea-Band Nausea Relief Bands are not medication but a great alternative to preventing any kind of sickness. Based on acupressure points, similar to acupuncture, the bands wrap around your inner wrist and exert pressure on a particular point to relieve sickness. It sounds wacky, but the acupressure point seems to lessen the effect of sickness regardless of whether it is sea sickness, morning sickness, as a result of drug treatment, post-op recovery or even VR/gaming sickness. The bands don’t only prevent sickness from starting but they can eliminate it within 5 minutes of being put on.

There are no side effects either. You can still take anti-sickness medication whilst wearing the bands if you wish, but they are very discreet and can fit under a sleeve if you want to hide them and prevent questions!

There’s no reason not to give them a try, no matter what reason for the sickness. There’s no down side, and they might prevent that horrible feeling of moving around constantly, which is what I had on a recent cruise. The bands ramp-up your defence against any kind of nausea and anything that can help me have a good time on a cruise, or even just let me tolerate a long journey, is a friend for life!

Available online from £6.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Sea-Band-Wristband-Anti-Nausea-Acupressure-Sickness/dp/B001F731N0/ref=sr_1_6?crid=23OC1LI97Z8IT&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.xG1fWVDLibx5j3zegpMmrad7IAwAH1e8ecShnu02ahISGpw02YikpHTCQIBSgtaIr1a2JGwYTRIGMapd5SJYw3ntwO_vHwr0nxE-j4CznzyVllb6Ru2W3lWy9pVGyIvaAaaJLqaVJ0BS7GyJSD–r6dhQ2Bfd8txbI_ix7LjYdjPPT6FYbAnJyiMZ1E1AMNoOJR5fBL0KwS9JvnKCIVUVSn7263OKgRbUSm6u_Ep-zqu7gvRCr20Iv_qj6WQQj5jbn2yzl7emot8xoNs7KMzwHATnsDKFKf1zyCVPZtuTPU.Rv2ZpwuN–Sivtng2C1yg5__3C6oBRElzGMbJR_r6ig&dib_tag=se&keywords=sea+band+nausea+relief&qid=1769621474&sprefix=Sea+band%2Caps%2C101&sr=8-6

NecessaryGood Bright & Hydrated Moisturizer and Protected & Hydrated SPF 50

beauty, Gifts for Her, health, Summer, Women

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

NecessaryGood is a portmanteau of the ideal skin cream. What does your skin need? And what is good for your skin? With thousands of skincare products on the market, NecessaryGood realised that there was no way of knowing what your skin needed, and what was available, so they decided to create a range which was just about good ingredients, mixed right, high quality and therefore the most effective. They pride themselves on not being in the top price range either. We were sent their Bright & Hydrated Moisturiser and their Protected & Hydrated SPF 50 day creams to try out.

The Necessary Good Bright & Hydrated Moisturiser prides itself on being able to hydrate, brighten and support your skin barrier all at the same time. It’s a really rich cream, much like a serum, which blends in with some work to create a deep barrier. It softened my skin first, which probably suggests that I needed more hydration by the end of the day! You can use this skincare more than once a day too, which is ideal as we go into summer. There’s no fragrance to this day cream, it can be used day and night and is ideal as an all-over base before make-up or for when you’re working from home and need some daily skin hydration.

The NecessaryGood Protected & Hydrated SPF 50 day cream is less rich than the Bright & Hydrate and takes a little more working into the skin, which is probably due to its SPF ingredients. It’s lighter too and has a tad more fragrance to it, which I put down to the cotton seed extract. There’s added vitamins E and B5 and contains both UVA and UVB advanced filters. I can’t test this one in the sun until the weather warms up, but SPF 50 is pretty high for this country, so you could use this on your summer holidays. It still hydrates your skin, even though it has the sun protection with it. With all the benefits of both day creams being the “Necessary Good”, they’re both great for taking on holiday this summer!

NecessaryGood Bright & Hydrated Moisturiser £27: https://necessarygood.com/collections/shop-all/products/bright-hydrated-moisturiser

NecessaryGood Protected & Hydrated SPF 50 £29:

Protected & Hydrated SPF 50

Dr PawPaw Your Gorgeous Skin SPF Day Cream and Lip Balm

beauty, Birthday Gifts, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, health, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Vegan, Vegetarian, Women

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Award-winning Dr PawPaw have sent us their SPF Day Cream and Lip Balm to test before the summer holidays start in earnest, and based on the lovely fruity scents when opening the products, we couldn’t wait to get started!

Dr PawPaw is a British based company started in 2013 with most of the products made here too. Originally, the products were for soothing owners Pauline and Johnny Paterson’s young daughter’s eczema, but their following soon grew and they branched out into other products. The company pride themselves on using eco-friendly materials, which are recycled and biodegradable when possible.

The Dr PawPaw SPF Lip Balm and Day Cream are both vegan and cruelty-free, like all their products. The Lip Balm, which has added SPF 30, is targeted at keeping lips soft but also has the Dr PawPaw healing properties. It’s a very light application which can be used in the sun, or every day especially if you’re not wearing make-up. I like to use it at night to condition my lips as a I sleep. As you don’t need very much, it absorbs easily and has a lovely pawpaw taste to it which lingers when you put it on. It lasts enough of the night too so that your lips are still conditioned when you wake up.

The Dr PawPaw SPF 50 Day Cream is equally as fruity scented and a rich day cream, but it actually blends in very easily. My skin wasn’t oily with this day cream, but there was some light refraction to leave my skin looking like it had a glow. It contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for enriching the skin and the SPF 50 really helps when the sun comes out! This 45ml tube would be great for taking on holiday. I can’t wait for the day when the sun is out and I get to test out the SPF on both of these Dr PawPaw products!

Dr PawPaw SPF Lip Balm £4.95: https://www.drpawpaw.com/products/lip-balm-spf

Dr PawPaw SPF 50 Day Cream £18.00: https://www.drpawpaw.com/products/spf-50-pa-day-cream?selling_plan=7776010475&variant=43817267855595

Optima Natura Four Thieves Oils Products

beauty, Children, eco friendly, Family Life, health, Home, Home & Garden

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

If you’ve found this review then it’s probably because you’ve been searching for Thieves Oil, or Four Thieves Oils for holistic purposes. Four Thieves Oils is used for many ailments, cleaning and natural diffusing of the home. It’s a blend of essential oils which you can make yourself (but is quite expensive) or as in this case, you can buy Four Thieves already blended and ready to use. We were sent the Optima Natura Four Thieves Oils and the Four Thieves Fragrance Mist.

Each of the products, which is part of a bigger range by Optima Natura, are made of 100% natural essential oils comprising of cloves, lemon, cinnamon bark (and leaf), eucalyptus and rosemary. If you’ve never encountered the Four Thieves scent before, then I can only describe it as the freshness of eucalyptus with the warmth of cinnamon and rosemary. The cloves smell is very strong which is probably because it’s the oil with the largest concentration. I wouldn’t describe it as a scent you’d recognise from cooking or medicine, but it is similar to something you would find in a room diffuser or candles, but without being synthetic.

The concentrated Four Thieves Oils is great for adding to cleaning products to give the antibacterial properties as well as adding the pleasant fragrance. I use it as a mild antibacterial agent when I need a cut or graze dressed, or for mild skin infections like around my nails after a manicure. It has a whole range of uses, and the concentrated Four Thieves Oils from Optima Natura is the quickest, easiest way of getting all of the essential oils together rather than having to make it yourself! It’s very potent stuff though, so be careful when using it on some surfaces or around delicate clothes.

The Four Thieves Oils Fragrance Mist can be used as a perfume, direct to the skin, or for freshening up curtains, bedding, upholstery etc. If clothes are a bit musty, or don’t have the ‘just washed’ smell any longer, it’s a great way of giving them new life and also keeping the germs away. You can have this on hand for the car too when the dogs are wet during winter!

Save yourself the hassle of having to make up Four Thieves Oils for yourself, and indulge in the whole Optima Natura range for at home. You’ll be surprised how much you grow to need it!

Mist available from £8.49 at: https://www.boots.com/optima-natura-four-thieves-oils-fragrance-mist-50ml-10377817?srsltid=AfmBOopudvT-Ovtcdz3yOn3bxPL5F00dJF_qbZQsinPOZm4mEr16pGtS

Four Thieves Oils available from £16.99: https://www.boots.com/optima-natura-four-thieves-oils-aromatherapy-20ml-10377810

Boux Avenue Valentine’s Collection: Tunnel of Love

Fashion, Gifts for Her, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own

Love is in the air, and whether you celebrate it or not there is no denying that the shops all think that you should!! Walk into almost any high street store at this time of year and you will be met with a riot of pink, red and heart-shaped persuasion. Whether you’re buying for a partner, or simply treating yourself (and why not?), this is the season for romance.

Valentine’s Day gifts have a tendency to fall into two camps. On the one hand, there is the novelty end of the spectrum, amusing but short-lived. On the other, there are things that are made to be enjoyed long after the 14th has been and gone. Lingerie, when done properly, firmly belongs in the latter category.

Boux Avenue has clearly taken this approach with its latest Valentine’s collection, rather grandly titled Tunnel of Love. Available in all 27 UK stores and online from Monday 12 January 2026, the collection leans unapologetically into romance and drama, without tipping into parody. This is lingerie designed to be worn, enjoyed and admired, rather than put in drawer never to see the light of day again.

The range is available in sizes 6 to 18, with selected bras available up to an H cup, which speaking as a larger chested lady is really good news! Prices run from £14 to £55, placing it firmly in the “treat yourself or someone else without requiring a second mortgage” category. Boux Avenue has also really nailed that all-important balance – the pieces feel glamorous, confident and a little bit daring, but they’re also comfortable too.

According to Zoe Price-Smith, Boux Avenue’s Chief Design and Product Officer, the inspiration for the range came from high-drama catwalks, burlesque shows and the glamour of the Moulin Rouge. The result is something theatrical without being over the top with delicate eyelash lace, spot mesh, intricate heart embroideries and sumptuous satins. The romantic colour palette of classic black, deep reds, pinks and rich berry sees the designs exude sensuality and confidence, and is designed to make the wearer stand a little taller and feel entirely at ease in her own skin.

Boux Avenue kindly send me the Vivienne Lingerie Set with the soft blush pink set, intricate embroidery and raised red floral detailing striking the perfect balance between classic and chic, The red embroidered flowers edging the cups and knickers add just enough Valentine’s charm without shouting about it, making it a set I’ll happily wear when Valentine’s Day is nothing but a distant memory!

Unlike some other lingerie brands Boux Avenue haven’t forgotten those ladies with a fuller bust. All too often, brands either forget about us, stopping at at D or E cup or design bras with pure functionality in mind, leaving style firmly behind. Boux Avenue certainly don’t compromise on style with the bras feeling supportive and secure, yet still beautifully modern and flattering, proving that comfort and confidence can go hand in hand.

Foe ease of gifting the lingerie arrives in a gift box and free gift wrapping is available. Delivery costs £3.99 with free delivery over £50 and free returns. There is also 15 percent off for those who sign up by email.

Vivienne 3D Embroidery Balconette in Pink Mix £45.00 (Sizes 30C-38G)

Vivienne Briefs in Pink Mix £18.00 (Sizes 6-18)

Vivienne Thong in Pink Mix (Sizes 6-18)

Airy Home Reed Diffuser

Birthday Gifts, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Home, Home & Garden, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

We all struggle for Valentines gifts especially if we want something that’s not mushy! Airy Fragrances were born in Japan, based on the Japanese art of Kōdō where fragrance is not a function, but a feeling. The company was started by two Japanese women in 2024 who realised that the Japanese way of scenting the home was not the same as in Europe, and so the Airy home reeds were developed.

We were sent the Airy Elegant Harmony Home Reed Diffuser to try out in White Tea scent. A beautiful presentation box arrived with a bottle of scent, five reeds and the round, glass bulb. Setting up the diffuser is easy with the lid of the bulb vase easily detached and then replaced before the reeds are inserted. The circle of the round glass represents the concept of ensō, symbolising harmony, impermanence and quiet beauty. The Elegant Harmony scent is very soft, floral, and a touch musky. I can detect the slight vanilla scent as well which is what carries most in the home.

Although expensive, the Airy Home Reed Diffusers make a great gift and last 2-4 months each. The fragrances can be bought separately so you can replace them without having to replace the bulb vase as well. They’re also alcohol free. The website is set up to send the diffusers as gifts so you can send them straight onto the recipient.

Unlike other diffusers, the Airy Home Reed Diffuser is much lighter in fragrance and feels like there’s equally less heavy ingredients. They make great gifts because they’re so beautiful and have a range of different scents which can be purchased online, and no doubt more scents will follow. They’re a beautiful fragrance for the house and the scent carries really quickly, making it a gift which will last.

Available from £43 at: https://www.airyfragrances.com/products/elegant-harmony-whitetea-reed-diffuser