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Grace & Stella Mother’s Day Pamper Gifts

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

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

Mothering Sunday or Mother’s Day as it is more commonly known, falls on the 4^th Sunday of Lent, meaning the date varies each year and if you’re not careful it creeps up on you without you realising! With the increasingly busy lives that we all seem to lead now, and with many people watching the pennies, it’s good to know that there are plenty of affordable and easily accessible gift ideas that mum will love this Mother’s Day. Amazon is my go-to place for last minute gift ideas and I know my Mum will love this selection of pampering treats from beauty brand Grace & Stella.

Rainbow Bath Bomb £19.99

The rainbow clouds are the ultimate bath time treat, scented with lavender extract and packed with nourishing oils to help you relax and unwind. The simple white clouds aren’t very exciting at first glance but when dropped in a bath full of warm water they quickly explode into a riot of vibrant colours, creating a swirling rainbow that is quite mesmerizing to watch. The beautiful lavender fragrance is lovely and relaxing and when you get out of the bath your skin feels lovely and soft.

Lavender Foot Peel Mask (2 pairs) £20

Winner of the “Best Footcare Product” in the 2023 Marie Claire Sin Awards these foot masks are the ultimate treat for tired feet. After soaking your feet in warm water for 10 minutes put the foot booties on, securing with the supplied tape and then put on a pair of socks, which helps speed up the peeling process. They need to be left on for an hour – so the perfect opportunity to grab yourself a cup of tea and a good book and relax whilst the magical ingredients do their stuff. After an hour you remove the bootie and then wash your feet with soap and water. My feet felt incredibly soft afterwards and I found the lavender scent was very relaxing. The peeling starts in 5-7 days and it is recommended that you soak your feet for 10 minutes everyday to help loosed the skin. I found it quite satisfying peeling the dead skin off and I was really impressed with how soft it has left my feet. While the peeling process might not be for everyone, I would say that the end result is definitely worth it.

Eye Mask (24 pairs) £17.50

Eye masks are a popular choice to help reduce under eye puffiness, dark circles, and wrinkles. These eye masks are simple to use, adhere nicely to the skin and stay put for the 15-20 minutes recommended use. The unscented eye masks are ideal for a boost when you haven’t had enough sleep and need to look bright and alert or you can incorporate them into a pamper session and sit back whilst they do their magic. I found they have really reduced puffiness, especially after a late night and after using them I look a lot fresher.

Face Mask £20.95

The Dead Sea Mud Mask is infused with Shea Butter, Sunflower Oil, Aloe Vera Juice and draws impurities like dirt and oil out of your clogged pores to give a clearer complexion. Applying the mask was nice and simple as the mud spreads easily and then you then leave it to dry for 15 minutes before rinsing with warm water. It took a few minutes to remove but my skin felt lovely afterwards and I was I was really impressed with how fresh and clear my complexion looked.

Lavender Body Lotion £14.95

Containing a whopping 470ml this body lotion contains Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, Aloe Vera and Rosehip Oil that moisturizes, nourishes and soothes skin. This body lotion smells amazing, the lavender fragrance is calming and relaxing, yet not overpowering and it lingers nicely on your skin, creating a relaxing spa-like atmosphere long after it has been applied. The lotion is smooth and creamy and absorbs easily without leaving a greasy residue. My skin felt instantly hydrated and is a great choice for everyday use.

I’m really impressed with the Grace & Stella products and I am sure lots of mums would be delighted to receive a selection of pampering products this Mothers Day.

Available from Amazon

Generation Hope – Book

Birthday Gifts, Books, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

By Arunjay Katakam

Following Generation X and Millennials, the post-pandemic generation are starting to make their mark in terms of economics and we see in Generation Hope, but Arunjay Katakam how we have got to this point and where it is likely to go.

During the 1980s, the mantra was ‘greed is good’. No way would this saying be accepted in business any longer however the sentiment is still there with an uber-capitalist market out there except now there are 40 plus years of capitalist decisions, recessions and now a pandemic which have changed the face of finance across the world for good. What are the newest generation’s challenges now, and what area they likely to be?

Author Katakam takes us on a little journey through the history of the last century to the point now where as a world, we are under paid and over worked to a degree which we’ve never seen before. Things are looking to change though, as the new workforce, mostly working from home, seek more of a work/life balance but also appreciate working for a business or industry that believes in community and people, and not about just profits. However, undoing all those decades of greed is going to take some time and the book explores how old-school economists are being replaced by Inclusive Economics and how everyone can benefit from it.

Arunjay Katakam’s book is sliced into three parts; 1. The Scale of the Problem, 2. The Shape of Change and 3. The Scope of Impact. Each section has easy to understand chapters, complete with footnotes for anyone who isn’t an economist, and the odd quote or diagram to help explain along the way. Katakam takes the time to look at what the problems are and how they came about and then directs the reader to how things could look in the future, if change might happen.

The book is a modern day look at how we operate finance and economy nowadays, and essentially where it is going wrong. The speed of change which has been instigated by the internet and social media over the last 20 years means that the models that used to be applied are now no longer relevant and change is needed. For anyone interested in economics or studying the subject, Generation Hope adds seasoning to the commentary on wealth today and brings the reader up to date with how those Billionaire made it… and where they are likely to end up.

Further details:

Arunjay Katakam

Insta – @arunjay.katakam

X – @arunjay

#Genhope

From £14.99 at: https://www.waterstones.com/book/generation-hope/arunjay-katakam/9781955671347

Rugby Icons Max Brown and Greg O’Shea unite to champion the excellence of Organic Irish Beef

Family Life, Food & Drink, Mother's Day

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

Renowned Irish rugby player Max Brown and TV presenter and Rugby Pro, Greg O’Shea, have joined forces with Bord Bia in an exciting campaign celebrating the unparalleled quality of organic Irish beef.

Known for its delicious flavour, organic Irish beef comes from cattle that have grazed on the nutrient-packed clover and yarrow grasslands of Ireland. The beef that comes from these cows is not only incredibly tasty but has the following benefits too:

1. Premium Protein: Naturally rich in protein and vitamin B12, organic Irish beef is a great choice for those seeking to increase their protein intake. Max Brown, drawing on his experience as an athlete says “As an athlete, I’ve always been mindful of the crucial role nutrition plays in peak performance. Organic Irish beef not only offers an exceptional taste but also the protein and nutrients essential for athletic excellence.”

2. Energy Elevation: Packed with protein and essential nutrients, such as vitamin B12, organic Irish beef contributes to energy production. Greg O’Shea, recognising the importance of a balanced and vibrant lifestyle, emphasises how incorporating organic Irish beef into one’s diet can be a key element in achieving optimal energy levels.

3. Natural & Organic: The delicious flavour of organic Irish beef is a testament to the natural and organic practices followed in its production. Cattle grazing on Ireland’s lush grasslands result in beef that is not only delicious but also aligns with the values of conscious and healthy food choices.

In order to taste the quality of the steak ourselves we were sent a couple of sirloin steaks to try. The steaks are expertly butchered and naturally matured for a minimum of 21 days to enhance their full flavour potential. Sirloin steaks can be cooked in a variety of ways and I decided to cook them in a griddle pan as this gives the meat those all-important char marks and gives a smoky flavour to steak, which my family loves.

Before I cooked the steaks, I oiled them before seasoning with salt and pepper and then left them to stand for 10 minutes whilst the griddle pan was being heated in the oven. Once the pan was REALLY hot and smoking, I placed the steaks in the pan, I like my steak to be medium rare, so cooked it for 2 minutes on each side.

Once cooked it was served with all the trimmings, chips, corn on the cob, broccoli, mushrooms and onion rings. The verdict – this was a fantastic sirloin steak, it was perhaps a little on the medium side than medium rare but it was perfectly cooked and a juicy, delicious steak. The combination of the crispy flavoursome layer of fat and the succulent meat is heavenly and if I was served this steak at a restaurant I’d be more than pleased.

There is currently a giveaway over on the Irish Beef Instagram page to win two tickets to the Ireland vs England clash in the 2024 Six Nations Championships at Twickenham Stadium. The competition closes on the 28^th February so get your entries in quickly before the competition ends!

If you want to try some Organic Irish Sirloin Steaks for yourself then Bord Bia has partnered with Ocado who are offering a saving of 15% until the 19^th March, with Mother’s Day coming up they would make a lovely treat for your Mum or Mother figure this year.

Just Spices Discovery Spice Box for Mother’s Day

Birthday Gifts, Children, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, health, Mother's Day, Summer

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

If you’ve never heard of Just Spices (and if you ever go to the supermarket and look at the spice and herbs section, they’re everywhere!) then let me tell you a little secret. You no longer have to blend a whole heap of expensive spices together to make savoury meals or even desserts because Just Spices has an enormous range ready-to-use which does all the work for you.

This Just Spices Discover Spice Box contains 8 ready spices including; Sandwich Seasoning, Potato Allrounder, Pizza Topping, Chicken Seasoning, Pasta Allrounder, Vegetable Allrounder, Avocado Topping and Egg Topping. Each of the sachets contain a mix of herbs, dried vegetables and spices which can be added to food especially the ones recommended on the packet.

For example, the Sandwich Seasoning contains salt, onion, leek, black pepper, cumin and lemon myrtle among other ingredients. It doesn’t matter what sandwich filling you’re using, you can add the Just Spices Sandwich Seasoning sachet to it and enhance the flavours. Alternatively, you could make the same sandwich every day and use different sachets to create different flavours. Your cheese sandwich will taste completely different with the Pasta Allrounder seasoning with the added paprika, chilli and rosemary.

If you usually cook pasta once a week, or have avocado on toast anytime, then the seasoning sachets make a pleasant departure from your usual cuisine. Without Just Spices, you’d have a cupboard full of tons of opened spices and herbs, all past their sell by date and all in different quantities that you’re never going to use anyway! I’m not sure I’d even think of adding a different herb to my egg on toast let along a whole host of the Just Spices ones…

The Just Spices Discovery Spice Box is not only for popping in the post to your Mum or Grandma, but it could introduce your household to the range of Just Spices available in the supermarket without the cost of having to buy a whole jar. The Discovery Box is also easy to post to a student who is just starting out cooking or doesn’t have a lot of room to store anything in a kitchen. It’s the perfect gift for a teenager learning to cook as well as something homely for Mother’s Day.

Available from £9.99

Get Waisted With Biddy Shapewear

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Summer, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

New to this type of apparel I was excited to be sent some Get Waisted With Biddy (GWB) body shaping garments to help me get into shape for summer! Make no mistake, these clothes won’t change my shape permanently or make me lose weight, but I was hoping they could make me look and feel different.

The first piece was the body suit. I am a size 16 so this suit was in XL size. Made of 85% Polyamide and 15% Elastane, it’s incredibly stretchy but also very strong. There are no fastenings on this suit (except underneath) so you have to manoeuvre yourself into it by stretching it over your head. This took some time the first time I wore it! There’s some shaping there for the bust too but the lack of fastenings to the side or back give it the shape you’re looking for. Once the bodysuit is on, it gives fluid, tighter lines of sight under clothes and doesn’t give any lumps or bumps. I would suggest trying this on and wearing it round the house before you wear it somewhere special like a wedding, so that the elastane shapes to your own curves. There’s no rigid boning so nothing sticks into you as you try and move or sit down. Garment 1 gets a big smile!

The second shapewear were the Snatch Me Shorts. These are pretty, high waisted shorts which fasten at the front with hook and eye fastenings. These are impossible to get into without undoing the fastenings (trust me I’ve tried!) so you might need some help getting them on, especially the first time you wear them. The same advice applies – get used to wearing them before the big day otherwise they might not shape to you as you would like, plus it can take a long time to get them on.

The seams are constructed so that again, there are no lumps and no creases in unsightly or uncomfortable places. There’s 3 settings on the hook and eye fastenings (like a bra would have) and you can start on the loosest setting and work your way up to something more appropriate. I tried on a size XL which just about went over my thighs but I do have footballer’s legs! The shaping around the tummy holds you in so that dresses especially have that clean look and the fastening at the front makes it easy to adjust and get in and out of. There’s also some engineering to make it easier to go to the toilet but I found it easier to just take it off. With time, the elastane may become more flexible for me to be able to wear it that way. I like how high waisted it is too so it can be worn under a dress or even under trousers or jeans.

I probably wouldn’t wear both garments in combination as they do the same thing and would probably be too tight together. They are both incredibly well made, which is good to know when it comes to shapewear as you don’t want it tearing at the seams after time, or the lace fraying. The shorts are hand wash only and I would suggest both of them are kept as hand wash to preserve the elastane and the shape of them.

Not only are these great for creating the perfect shape but they make lovely gifts, or can be taken on holiday for the summer to give you that effortless, cool silhouette in all those vacation photos! With Get Waisted With Biddy, you’re Insta ready in no time!

Bodysuit from £37.99: https://getwaistedwithbiddy.com/products/new-gwb-skxn-luxe-2-0-shaping-bodysuit

GWB Snatch Me Shorts from £51.99: https://getwaistedwithbiddy.com/products/gwb-snatch-me-short

Olay Protect Gift Set

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Mother’s Day is a great excuse to buy Mum some luxury skincare and with the Olay Protect Gift Set, it’s not just the day cream, but a night cream and Vitamin C eye cream that’s included! This gorgeous box set contains Olay Retinol24 Night (50ml), Olay Niacinamide SPF30 Day (50ml) and Olay Vitamin C Eye Cream for Day (15ml), all in a pretty gift box.

Starting with the Olay Niacinamide SPF30 Day Cream, the hydrating, renewing, age defying cream works perfectly as day cream either under make up or just on its own, especially as it is SPF30. For British weather, it’s a must to both moisturise and have some sun protection as we’re not used to the high temperatures in the summer and like now, the biting cold and wind that the winter can bring. Your skin will love you for looking after it with a rich day moisturiser! Couple this with the Olay Vitamin B3 24 Eye Cream. Packed with lots of vitamins to work for as long as possible, this eye cream hydrates the delicate area around the eyes and acts as a barrier too, to prevent free radical damage.

The final piece to the Olay puzzle is the Olay Retinol 24. This cream moisturises and smooths skin overnight using the powers of Retinol and helps give your skin that healthy glow. It’s fragrance free too so you still wear a scent with it. This is a lovely indulgence to put on at night as part of your bedtime routine because it feels so soft against the skin and gives you a luminous glow before bed and when your skin regenerates as you sleep.

Each of the creams are lightweight and don’t feel greasy at all. They’re fabulous on their own, but in combination and over time they work together to give your skin a continuous glow and make it feel hydrated and smooth. They’re so light in fact that you can wear them under make up and it won’t matter but the vitamins help protect your skin when you’re out and about.

If Mum (or Nan!) love Olay, then this is the perfect gift for her. You know she’ll use it, love it and appreciate having it all together in one box set is a thoughtful gift for Mother’s Day.

And if you don’t give it? You could just keep it for yourself!

Available from £111.00 at: https://www.boots.com/olay-project-protect-day-and-night-moisturiser-and-eye-cream-christmas-giftset-10335161

Lacura Collagen Lip Oil from Aldi

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

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

A few weeks ago, some girlfriends and I went for a makeover in a posh London department store. After buying a ton of new products, I was hesitant about buying the lip oil they had used on me. I had never heard of lip oil before and my usual lip covering is lipstick or sometimes a matt lipstick applied with a wand, so the lip oil was a new product to me.

Well, Aldi had other ideas! They sent me this Lacura Collagen Lip Oil (8ml) with Shea butter and Vitamin E to try, so after last weekend I was very happy to oblige! The lip oil is a tube with roller glass ball for ease of application and is only about 7 centimetres tall so can fit into a handbag or purse easily when you go out. The added shea butter and vitamin E are to protect and moisturise the skin and you can really feel the softness of both ingredients and taste the shea butter too!

Lacura Collagen Lip Oil applies easily and doesn’t leave your lips feeling sticky like a lip gloss. It’s more like a light oil, as the name suggest and leaves a shine on the lips. It’s colourless on application but seems to enhance your natural colour, or if you apply with a lipstick underneath, brings out the lipstick colour and protects a little from the make-up transferring onto glasses etc. It’s easy to wear on its own during the day or to mix it up at night with a lipstick as well and create a different look, especially if you’re really good with lip liner and can create a blend with the oil too.

I’m loving experimenting with the Lacura Lip Oil and being able to make a new look with it for both day and night. It’s so easy to use too and doesn’t need to be precise at all. A new staple for the make-up bag!

Available from £2.99 at: https://www.aldi.co.uk/collagen-lip-oil/p/722836778210501

Mavogel Sleep Mask

camping, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Mother's Day, Summer, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

The mornings are getting lighter, which means the evenings are too and as we approach summer, the nights aren’t as deeply dark. If your circadian rhythms are affected by the daylight then you’ll appreciate some darkness in order to sleep. I know I do.

Mavogel’s Sleep Mask is a handmade mask which goes over the eyes and fits over the nose to give a completely light-tight night time. The mask is designed with an adjustable strap at the back so that you can get a custom snug fit, and the bridge of the nose has a mouldable cartilage to fit over the nose and prevent light entering. The mask is made of black cotton with a sponge inner that makes it more comfortable to sleep in, and there’s no sharp bits that dig in or are too tight. The adjustable straps make it easy to fit and not be uncomfortable when you sleep.

The mask itself is very deep so can accommodate most faces and prevent light seeping in at the top or over the nose, where conventional sleep masks usually struggle to keep out light. This is great for adults and for older children because of how it adjusts. I think this would be excellent for travelling with too as the mask comes with a travel pouch and clip that you can use to keep on the plane seat in front or the back of the car. If you don’t know where you’re staying, it also makes a handy travel companion as it’s so light it can go into main luggage or hand luggage. No doubt a life saver if you need it and you won’t notice it’s there if you don’t!

It’s comfortable too. The nose clip is made of carbon steel and can adjust to nose bridge sizes but also be straightened out in case someone else needs to use it. I found the strap easy to adjust and fitted my head and nose easily. It absolutely blocks out all the light too! It was one of those moments when I woke up in the morning and didn’t know what time it was because it was so dark! If you’re a shift worker, this is also great for sleeping in the daytime.

Great as a travel companion or for anyone who finds it hard to sleep with the amount of light in the room.

Available from £6.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cotton-Sleep-Eye-Mask-Comfortable/dp/B07D3M6892/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3AB6UWQO46YBV&keywords=mavogel%2Bcotton%2Bsleep%2Beye%2Bmask&qid=1707324947&sprefix=mavogel%2Bslee%2Caps%2C213&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&smid=AAJ55L688ECUI&th=1

Ant & Dec’s Limitless Win Board Game

Birthday Gifts, Children, Easter, Family Life, Games, Gifts for children, Home, Toys

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

I know Ant & Dec are on our screens more often than not, but for a fan like me, their humour makes game shows and talent shows all the more entertaining. Their latest show, Limitless Win on ITV is already making the news for the amount of money they give away each week. The premise of the game is to answer number based questions as accurately as possible. If you are under the correct answer, you lose lives up to the correct answer and climb the ladder of money. If you are over the correct answer, you lose!

For example, using one of the questions from the game, can you answer:

How many countries have a land border with Germany?

Answer: 36 (surprisingly!)

If you guessed 10 then you would still be in the game but would lose 16 lives (36-10) but if you guessed 37 your game would be over. If you guessed 36 correctly though, you would climb the ladder of money and be able to walk away with the sum of money on the board (because you had a correct answer) or you could go on and win more money if you had enough lives – and you can win a limitless amount of money at that!

The board game works in a similar way. There are two teams, each team has a score dial and a score tracker. Place them opposite the money ladder at the gold starting space. There is also a gold cash out button which is placed between the two teams.

You can play with or without the internet – with the internet uses the QR code included with the game otherwise the lifeline question cards are included. The Limitless Win question cards are divided into 3 piles depending on the number of rounds – it is suggested that you play in 3 rounds using all three colours of cards. As each card is played, the teams race up the money ladder until a team runs out of lives or gives an answer that is more than the exact answer. There is more to the rules which are explained really well with the board game but you get the idea.

The game can take as little as 25-30 minutes if all is running smoothly and you can just two people playing (one on each team) or even up to 3 people on a team is manageable. There’s over 600 questions and an extra QR code on the box to access more lifeline questions and soundtracks. It is for ages 8+ years but adults will find this really entertaining and easy to play especially if you’ve seen the show. We really enjoyed having a go at the questions and trying to get the exact answers but with a time limit, it’s just as nerve wrecking as it looks on TV!

Available from £24.99 at: https://www.gingerfox.co.uk/products/ant-decs-limitless-win-board-game

Freshwipes for Summer

Baby, beauty, camping, Children, Days Out, eco friendly, Family Life, Home, Plastic free, Summer

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

As spring is here, I was thinking about what I might need to stock up on now for the summer. Face wipes and antibacterial wipes are essential for my office which has no air conditioning and at our busiest times during the months of May, June and July, we need to keep cool somehow.

Freshwipes are 100% biodegradable wipes and completely plastic free. I abhor plastic in anything so I have always stayed away from any kind of wipes but Freshwipes are in a different league. As a small company, they are s till able to produce disposable wipes that don’t live forever and block up drains and damage wildlife which is why they are still in production even after a ban on all wipes comes into effect.

Freshwipes actually produce a whole range of wipes that are available on the market now. We were sent some of them to test; Antibacterial Mini Wipes, pH Balanced Intimate Wipes and Antibacterial Body Wipes in Coconut, Grapefruit and Unscented versions. All of the wipes are made of viscose, a biodegradable plant-based fabric and are made antibacterial with Chlorohexidine. This means you can have the power of washing with soap (and therefore being antibacterial) but without having to rinse afterwards.

Starting with the Antibacterial Wipes and Intimate Wipes, they measure 20 x 15 centimetres per wipe and come in tamper proof sealed packets of 10. These are great handbag sized packets which can be taken with you anywhere. The packets seal up again after you use one for either cleaning your hands, cleaning children or even cleaning surfaces if needed. The Intimate Wipes are scent free whilst the Antibacterial Wipes have a slight coconut fragrance to them which in itself is very refreshing.

The Body Wipes are bigger at 20 x 30 centimetres each but also come in tamper proof sealed packets which are resealable. These body wipes are for when you might not be able to get to a shower or bath, like whilst camping, at a festival or if like me you work long hours during the summer. They also refresh your hands and face whilst on a long flight or car journey and the soft texture of the viscose fibre isn’t harsh like a flannel so can be used for taking off suncream after a day at the beach, or excess make up.

Freshwipes are available in Superdrug, Montain Warehouse and online at Amazon among other places but also have their own store online which includes a starter pack for Freshwipes.

Available for various prices depending on type at: https://www.freshwipes.co.uk/?gclid=Cj0KCQjw3a2iBhCFARIsAD4jQB3CMQ3lZkRxxj9QdPMX9XKp6RZSDxgWUdUavGax9fCTlNNXF7Q9gMoaAoFIEALw_wcB

Grapefruit & Elderberry Bitter from The Bitter Club

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Drinks and Mixers, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Summer

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

What is a bitter?

Bitters are flavourings added to spirits to make certain cocktails. Most of the cocktails are the famous ones like a Screwdriver, Cosmopolitan or a Bitter Martini, which is made from the Grapefruit & Elderberry Bitter which was sent to us by The Bitter Club.

Made with love in small batches and with natural ingredients that have no added sugars or flavourings, each of the bitters (they also create Hibiscus & Rose Bitter and Cinnamon & Orange Bitter) has a distinct taste which adds to spirits to create the perfect cocktail. Ro Murray, the founder, explains that the bitters were created by accident, after living in the US and sampling the finest bourbons and wanting to bring the cocktail lifestyle home to London. Ro took a course in distilling and found a fascination with the process which led to creating the Cinnamon & Orange Bitter in order to make a favourite cocktail – the Old Fashioned. From there more distilling flowed and the other flavours developed, including the Grapefruit & Elderberry Bitter.

If you’re looking for an addition to your drinks cupboard and don’t want to have to make all the mixers and flavours yourself, The Bitter Club has the perfect selection for you. Each 100ml bottle of flavours contains a pipette for ease of making so your cocktail making suddenly got easier. The Grapefruit & Elderberry tastes delicately fresh with the grapefruit bitterness coming through first, then the elderberry brightness. There are cocktail recipes available on the website for The Bitter Club: https://www.thebitterclub.co.uk/grapefruit-elderberry-cocktail-recipes or you can add the bitters to a gin and tonic to try them if you’re not a cocktail person. You can always invent your own cocktail from the bitters too!

Available from £15 at: https://www.thebitterclub.co.uk/products/grapefruit-and-elderberry-bitters

Just Spices DIY Chocolate Kit

Birthday Gifts, Children, chocolate, Easter, Family Life, Gifts for children

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Easter is now synonymous with chocolate, or at least it is in our house! It’s also the end of Lent, which often is a time for giving up chocolate in most households. This Easter, you can indulge in chocolate as well as keep the children happy during the holidays with this alternative to an Easter Egg – the Just Spices DIY Chocolate Kit.

The kit contains two chocolate silicone moulds, clear wrappers and cardboard packaging, a booklet on how to make chocolate bars and 11 spice sachets. The spice sachets, which Just Spices are famous for, include Peppermint, Pink Pepper, Ceylon Cinnamon and more unusual flavours like carrot and Anise. If you’re into gourmet chocolate, you’ll know that all the big chocolate houses are now doing flavoured chocolate bars as well as boxes of your favourite flavours, so these spices will go down a treat with the whole family!

The handy booklet that’s contained in the kit talks you through everything that’s needed and how to make the chocolate. It’s worth noting at this point though, that the kit doesn’t have the chocolate included – you have to purchase that yourself. You also need a saucepan and heat-proof bowl, kitchen scales, a spatula and a kitchen thermometer. The booklet calls it ‘The Ultimate Guide’ to getting started making chocolate and takes you on easy to follow steps through the process. The first step is to heat the chocolate you’ve bought and make sure that it doesn’t overheat otherwise it spoils! Taking the chocolate to the right temperature is crucial and make sure that that the chocolate doesn’t come in contact with the water.

Once you read up about getting the temperature right (I had no idea that was an art in itself!) then you can add the spices. There is an art to this as well, making sure that the spices are added before the chocolate gets too cold and placing it in the silicone mould. It needs to harden at room temperature before it goes into the fridge to set completely. The chocolate is best eaten at room temperature but you can keep it in the fridge or a pantry cupboard.

The whole process takes an hour or so if you’re following the instructions and can be completed by children, especially young teenagers who are supervised around the hot saucepan. Smaller children will need to be brought in at a later stage when the heating is done, but they will enjoy mixing in the spices and smoothing off with a spatula. It will depend on your children’s patience as to how long they are willing to wait for the chocolate to set, but you can guarantee they will love licking the chocolate off of their fingers when they’re finished!

The silicone mould can be used again and again and the spices are available on the Just Spices website if you need more. The packaging is a nice edition but you don’t need it for every time you make the chocolate, only if you’re giving the bars as a gift.

This is a nice way to spend an afternoon with the family or as a give to a family at Easter. Those who are particularly good at crafting will enjoy this starter kit and how the chocolate process works, especially if you go on to make more varieties of flavoured chocolates in the future using the Just Spices ingredients!

£29.99 at: https://www.justspices.co.uk/diy-chocolate-kit.html

Mint Leaf Indian Restaurant, Angel Court London EC2R 7HB

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Days Out, Family Life, Food & Drink, Restaurant

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Behind The Bank of England in the City of London, there is a tiny car-less passageway called Angel Court which houses Mint Leaf Indian Restaurant. The minute alleyway belies how extensive Mint Leaf is as both a restaurant and a bar, but if you were here during the working week, you would see that every inch of space is needed for diners of this authentic Indian cuisine.

We were greeted by the lovely staff who brought over cocktails for starters. Illusion is a lychee and lemonade mocktail topped with Gypsophila and is deliciously refreshing. I was given the Sunderban, a vodka based cocktail served in a toadstool glass and beautiful table setting. Named after the delta Sunderban in the Bay of Bengal, it also contains peach, pineapple, Grenadine and lemon juice. Yes, it really is delivered in the toadstool ceramic ornament!

It’s always worth asking for a recommendation so we were brought Crispy Kekda (Indian style fried crab) and Charcoal Lamb Chops for starters. The Charcoal Lamb Chops were perfectly cooked with the lamb meat tender but the fat was silky soft and pulled away from the bone. There was an accompaniment of mint sauce as well, which added to the flavour and texture. I couldn’t get enough of these and this was only the starter! The Crispy Kekda was equally delicious. Each piece of crab was fried to a crispness without being burnt and not at all heavy with grease. The flavour of the crab meat was also evident and made a welcome difference to what you normally find on a menu.

The main course was again recommended to us. We had Bhuna Khargosh (slow cooked rabbit) and Coconut Prawn Curry were brought over to us in piping hot dishes with beautiful garnishes and ample amounts. The Coconut Prawn Curry had enormous prawns, curled round and presented in a dish of coconut sauce. This wasn’t too spicy, and along with the rice, the sauce was a meal on its own. The prawns were cooked to perfection and not at all chewy and the coconut sauce was delicious, especially on its own. This is a great dish for children who don’t like hot curries. The rabbit is something which is not often seen on menus in the UK and I gather it’s not that well known in India either, but if you have never tried rabbit as a dish before, this is the time to try it! I’ve eaten rabbit before and it can be a bit stringy, but this dish was tender, had the texture of soft beef and was easy to eat in the Indian gravy. I also added some of the Coconut Curry sauce to it which gave it a different texture altogether!

The staff also added some rice and both plain and garlic naan breads, which help enormously when you’re trying to devour the last few drops of curry sauce from your plate. They were also delicious on their own!

As full as we were, there was still dessert to come. We were treated to the house specials of White Chocolate Cheesecake and Carnation Milk Vanilla Cake served with rose petals. The cheesecake was to die for – the base was light and had only a slight texture to it and the filling was incredibly delicate, with a rich flavour but nothing like the heavy cheesecake filling I knew growing up. The Carnation Milk Vanilla Cake was served on a bed of Carnation milk and rose petals and the cake itself is also incredibly light with a vanilla taste. It absorbs some of the Carnation Milk to give extra flavour and it’s more than enough to give a sweet ending to a meal.

Overjoyed at a fabulous meal and feeling full, I was given a tour of the rest of the restaurant. The magnificent bar stretches along the back wall, but there’s another bar upstairs in the private dining area which can house corporate events. Downstairs, the restaurant area is divided so that you can have several smaller private rooms of around 30 seated, or open up the divided and have long tables seating up to 60. There’s also a projector downstairs for presentations and a lounge area for pre-presentation drinks or after dinner.

The restaurant itself is enormous and you don’t get the scale of it until you walk around all the different areas and see for yourself. The lighting is kept low (which makes it difficult to photograph!) and the subtle lighting comes from pretty candle tealights on the table. The whole room is airy with double height ceilings and an open staircase with the bar taking up the main bulk of the back of the restaurant.

I cannot speak highly enough of the food. This is not your “High Street” Indian restaurant where you find the same old items on the menu. Instead, this is Indian inspired cuisine with the best quality meats (and you can tell that these are not the cheap cuts) with rich Indian flavours, a mixture of hot curries and every type of Indian bread you can think of. There’s plenty to choose from on the menu too and enough for vegetarians to enjoy, or if you want to go back several times and try a range of dishes.

Mint Leaf Indian Restaurant is one of those hidden treats in London that once you find it, you’ll want to tell everyone you know. You’ll not be disappointed with either the food, or the experience.

Mint Leaf

Angel Court London EC2R 7HB

T: 0207 600 0992 | E. reservations@mintleaflounge.com

https://www.mintleaflondon.com/city

Tropical Sun Snacks

Christmas, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Him, Lunchbox Fillers, snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

Anyone with teenagers knows it is essential to keep your cupboards well stocked with food as no matter how much they eat at mealtimes, they are invariably hungry an hour or so later. My teenage sons are always raiding the cupboards for nibbles, so when we were given the opportunity to try some snacks from Tropical Sun Foods I certainly didn’t need to be asked twice! Fortunately the box arrived quickly and it contained a fantastic selection of snacks to feast on, which I hoped would keep the boys satisfied for at least a week!

The first snack we tried was the plantain chips, there were four different flavours in the box –Lightly Salted, Sweet Chilli, Sweet and Chilli and Lemon. Plantain chips have a flavour that is reminiscent of potato crisps but the thicker chips have a more exotic taste and unlike their counterparts, offer a hint of sweetness alongside the saltiness. Made from ripened plantain, they are hand-sliced and then batch-cooked following a traditional recipe with no added sugar. The standout feature of these plantain chips is their irresistible crunch and as they are thicker than potato crisps, they are also great with dips and salsa and with less fat they are a much healthier option. My favourite is the Lightly Salted, it has just the right amount of crunch and saltiness, making it the perfect snack to eat at my desk or whilst watching a film. My younger son who has a sweet tooth loved the Sweet chips, the sweet flavouring is very similar to sweet popcorn and again is a great snack when watching a film. Those who like a kick to their snacks will enjoy both the Chilli and Lemon and the Sweet Chilli chips. The Chilli and Lemon flavour is surprisingly mild, it’s not a flavour combination I have tried before but the lemon pairs surprisingly well with chilli and we all found them incredibly moreish. The Sweet Chilli plantain chips have more of a bite and were the first to disappear.

A 450g tub costs £4.49 and they get a big thumbs up from my teenage taste testers.

I love peanuts so was very intrigued with the selection in the box – Crunchy Coconut, Crunchy Coffee, Crunchy Sriracha, Crunchy Wasabi and Crunchy BBQ peanuts. The delicious nuts are roasted to perfection and have a very satisfying crunch when you bite them. They are great as a snack but can also work really well as ingredients in cakes and biscuits, the Crunchy Coconut peanuts were a tasty addition to both my peanut cookies and Rocky Road and my bakes didn’t last long when I took them into work. My sons loved the Crunchy Sriracha and Crunchy Wasabi peanuts best, but I found these a little hot – much to their delight as it meant there were more for them!

RRP from £0.99

The Crunchy Mixed Crackers were a big hit with everyone, an irresistible mix of seaweed, green peas, soy sauce, garlic, spices and more, these little snacks have a pleasant hot kick to them and look nice and colourful in a dish. They are perfect for parties or even a mid morning snack.

RRP £2.99 (150g)

The final snack we tried was the Cassava Chips, made with cassava root they are thinner than plantain chips and are a delicious alternative to traditional crisps. The thinly sliced chips are light and crispy and the 80g bags are the perfect size for sharing (or not!!)

RRP £1.49

Tropical Sun’s snacks are now a staple on my weekly shopping list and the winning combination of flavour and crunch is helping keep the hunger pangs at bay – no mean feat with teenagers. So whether you’re craving the tropical sweetness of the plantain chips, the crunch of roasted peanuts, the mix of heat and flavours of the mixed crackers, or the light and crispy crunch of the cassava chips, Tropical Sun have a snack for you.

Lola’s Cupcakes Valentine’s Postal Cake

Birthday Gifts, chocolate, Easter, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts

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

Love is in the air and The Review Studio team have been spoilt rotten by our loved ones today. As well as the usual chocolates and flowers we’ve had a very special delivery from Lola’s Cupcakes who make the most amazing cakes. Their stores are mainly in London, but they do offer a nationwide delivery service, meaning everyone can enjoy their delicious bakes.

When sending cakes through the post they need to be well packaged to ensure they arrive in perfect condition and I was really impressed with the care that goes into the packaging. The cake sits in a carboard box with a protective layer of cardboard on the top and there is a cool block and thermal liner to ensure they arrive in tip top condition. Once opened the cake should be stored at room temperature in an air-tight container and is best eaten within 48 hours. It can be kept in the fridge for another 2 days – ours didn’t last that long!! The thermal liner and ice pack can also be returned to Lola’s Cupcakes and they will be cleaned and reused which is a great idea and to make it even easier there is a prepaid label so it doesn’t cost you a penny.

So, onto the important bit – the cake – the Valentine’s Postal Cake not only looks amazing but tastes fantastic too. The delicious chocolate sponge is beautifully decorated with pink vanilla buttercream with “Happy Valentines” iced in the middle. It won’t come as a surprise to hear that it is adorned with hearts – a couple even have “Love” written on them and there are plenty of Valentines sprinkles and a few rose petals to complete the Valentines theme. The cake has a nice thick layer of pink buttercream sandwiched between the two moist chocolate sponges and once we had cut into it, we discovered that the cake was light and fluffy, nice and chocolatey and incredibly tasty.

We were all really impressed with this cake, it has travelled a few hundred miles yet still looks like it has just been picked up fresh from the bakery. Lola’s Cupcakes make all their cakes daily by hand and from scratch, using only the very best ingredients and have a fantastic selection of cakes, cupcakes and brownies available on their website. The cakes make lovely gifts so next time you need a birthday, anniversary, get well soon, Mother’s Day, Easter or even a “Just Because” gift for a loved one then Lola’s Cupcakes is the place to go and I guarantee they will be well received by the recipient!

Small (serves 8) £25

Large (serves 14) £40

Joe & Seph’s Valentine’s Day Popcorn

Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gluten Free, Mother's Day, snacks, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegetarian

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year so instead of going out we’re planning a cosy night in with a good film and plenty of popcorn. Since discovering Joe & Seph’s gourmet popcorn I must admit we’ve become “popcorn snobs” and supermarket popcorn doesn’t get a look in anymore! Joe & Seph’s have an amazing selection of flavoured popcorn and we eagerly await the limited editions that are launched throughout the year for special occasions. The latest flavours to land on our doorstep were the Valentine’s collection which consists of three delicious flavours, Rose Chocolate, White Chocolate & Strawberry and Caramel Macchiato & Whiskey.

Joe & Seph’s make their popcorn in small batches using only the finest, natural ingredients which means all their popcorn is packed full of flavour. All the popcorn is lovely and crispy and covered in a delicious indulgent coating which makes it the perfect choice for a Valentine’s Day treat.

The White Chocolate & Strawberry air popped popcorn is a real treat for the tastebuds, when you pop it in your mouth you first taste the smooth caramel before getting a white chocolate hit which is then followed by a delicious fruity strawberry taste. It is light in colour with pink flecks and incredibly moreish so be warned!!

The Rose Chocolate popcorn is perfect for chocoholics. The rose flavour works well with the chocolate and reminds me of Turkish Delight. The popcorn is light and crispy and goes incredibly well with a sparkling rose wine!

The Caramel Macchiato and Whisky Gourmet popcorn isn’t one I would have chosen myself as I’m not a whisky lover, but I was pleasantly surprised with this popcorn, the combination of smooth cream, Columbian coffee and Scotch whisky works incredibly well together and as it’s not as sweet as the other popcorn was my husband’s favourite of the three.

The 80g pouches contain 4 servings and the pouch is resealable, Once opened it’s recommended that the popcorn is eaten within 5 days – I’ve never been able to check out the freshness after 5 days though as it never lasts that long in our house!!

RRP £4

Edifier WH950 NB Headphones

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, Tech, Valentine's Day Gifts

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

I love listening to music and podcasts so there is always a pair of headphones in my bag. You can’t go wrong with a pair of Edifier headphones and I’m currently using the new WH950 NB headphones which not only look great but are comfortable to wear and most importantly offer a great sound, especially when I’m out and about.

Available in black or ivory with rose gold the wireless headphones are very stylish and well made, the earcups and headband combine soft leather effect material with memory foam, giving a pair of headphones that are comfortable to wear, even after many hours of use.

That’s a good thing as the battery life of these headphones is quite impressive. Charging from USB-C for 1.5 hours gives up to 55 hours of use (34 with ANC on) and if you’re in a rush just 10 minutes of charging is good for another 7 hours!

The headphones use 40mm titanium film drivers to deliver the sound with a frequency response of 40kHz and the Edifier app gives plenty of options to tune your music with equaliser settings plus different sound modes to get the best from games and movies. With a compatible device the headphones support both Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio wireless with LDAC certification. Hi-Res audio provides a wide range of detail and clarity so whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, gaming or using them for calls the sound quality is excellent.

I’ve already mentioned how comfortable the headphones are, but the soft over-ear design also helps to block external noise too. When combined with the active noise cancellation it is a great way to listen to music when in noisy environments or travelling as you don’t hear background noise when wearing them. There are also ambient sound and wind reduction modes if needed.

Connection is made with the latest Bluetooth 5.3 so Android users will also benefit from fast pairing.

These headphones are great for travel, folding into the included hard case which also has room for charging and audio cables. They feel very well built, with all moving parts made of metal and I’m confident that these will last me for years to come. They even include an aeroplane headphone adapter so will be perfect for my holidays!

RRP £149.99 available from Amazon

LoveRaw’s Nutty Choc Balls

Birthday Gifts, chocolate, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Lunchbox Fillers, snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

LoveRaw started in 2013 with the crazy idea of founder Rini to create vegan chocolate that tasted like regular chocolate. In the 10+ years since then, the website has grown and the product line has exploded to include all sorts of varieties of chocolate, including the Nutty Choco Balls (milk chocolate) that we were sent this week to try!

LoveRaw chocolate is not only vegan but is completely plant based, has no palm oil and no added artificial ingredients either. LoveRaw product chocolate bars which are similar to commercial treats on the market, and are less about blocks or bars of pure chocolate or they type of chocolate you can cook with. The LoveRaw chocolate bars are the type of treats you’d buy for yourself for lunch, or as snacks for children. The fact that you can buy them in bulk (typically packs of around 16 bars) means you can keep them for lunchboxes or even use for children’s parties where anyone, even though with dairy allergies or who are vegetarian or vegan can eat them.

The Nutty Choc Balls are based on a famous commercial chocolate that the Ambassador would enjoy… each one is individually wrapped and contains a hazelnut surrounded by hazelnut cream, wafer then milk chocolate and finally a coating of hazelnut pieces. Guessed what it is yet? The pieces are easily eaten after dinner, during a meeting or as they were in our house, as a snack in the afternoon when you need just one or two for a quick sweet hit of sugar.

You really can’t tell the difference between the commercial chocolates and the LoveRaw variety. The chocolate still has a smoothness to it and tastes like chocolate should. The added hazelnut pieces and hazelnut cream are still silky and indulgent and the wafer adds the decadent touch we look for in these chocolates. The team at LoveRaw also sent me some Cream Wafer Bars in milk and white chocolate which I have tasted before, and the LoveRaw Peanut Caramel Bar in Milk Choc which is new to me, but I will make room for!

LoveRaw Nutty Choc Balls available from £9.99 here: https://eatloveraw.com/products/m-lk-choc-nutty-choc-balls-box

Just Spices Pancake Spice

Children, Family Life, Food & Drink, Home

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

It’s that time of year again, where Christmas is far behind us, Easter isn’t here yet but we are on the slow road to the Easter Eggs when Shrove Tuesday comes around! Or should that be Pancake Day?

Just Spices create lots of lovely toppings for food including Avocado Toppings, Egg Toppings and sweet seasoning like this Pancake Spice. The 75 gram pot, which is sealed for freshness and longevity, contains sugar, ground cinnamon, ground lemon zest, Cardamom and vanilla. The combination of flavours give pancakes a different twist, adding some sweetness as well as the sharpness of the lemons to pancakes. The Pancake Spice can be used in 2 ways; firstly by adding it to the mix before you put it in the frying pan, or you can add it as a topper to pancakes after they’re cooked and ready to eat.

If you’re not familiar with pancake recipes, let me share with you my favourite one!

Pancake Recipe (makes approximately 4)

You will need…

100 grams of flour (sifted)

2-3 large eggs

250ml milk

2 heaped teaspoons of Just Spices Pancake Spice

Oil or butter for heating the pan

Method

I like to heat the frying pan slightly before adding butter, as butter gives a crispier finish but you can use olive oil too.
Add the flour to the milk, sifting as you fold it in. It’s much easier to pour and cooks more evenly if you take out all the lumps first. Add the eggs.
Add the heaped teaspoons of Just Spices Pancake Spice. You can add more or less according to taste.
Pour the mixture into the frying pan and wait until the edges start to firm. One the top is slightly cooked, wiggle the pan and flip to cook the other side!

Once the pancake is on the plate, you can add more Just Spices Pancake Spice to give more flavour, or if you’re adding ice cream, Pancake Spice added a little more sweetness to the dish overall.

After Pancake Day, if you still have some left over, Pancake Spice can be used on other desserts too. Why not try it as a topping to Tiramisu? Or to add to the apple of an apple pie? The sugar, cardamom and cinnamon make it versatile for any pudding!

Available from £4.99 at: https://www.justspices.co.uk/pancake-spice.html

The Protein Ball Co Snacks

camping, Children, Family Life, Home, Lunchbox Fillers, snacks

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

The Protein Ball Co do what they say they do, except have you ever thought about what they really are? 50% baked cookies, 50% sweets, they’re 100% natural, gluten free, high fibre and no added sugar so it’s as if you’ve made them yourself in the kitchen this morning! The treats come in handy packs of 6 balls which are easily transported around – they don’t need refrigerating.

We were sent a selection pack of 12 different flavours, from Lemon & Pistachio to Cacao & Orange as well as favourites such as Raspberry Brownie. See what I mean about half cake, half sweets? Their newest flavours out this month are Salted Caramel and Choc Chip Muffin which of course, were also in the variety pack.

The base of each of the protein ball recipes is dates along with peanut or nut butter, cashews and different juices for flavourings. The Salted Caramel Protein Balls (as seen in the photo) also contain Pink Himalaya Salt and almond nibs for that crunchy texture. They contain 8 grams of plant protein per pack to satisfy your enough to fill you up, but also to give you a sweet treat as a pick-me-up. When I tried these as an afternoon snack, they are indeed filling and you can taste the caramel in them but I also got a distinct peanut butter flavour. The added almond nibs are lovely too, for adding texture.

The second of the new flavours is Choc Chip Muffin flavour. This flavour contains 9 grams of plant protein and boasts added cacao nibs and gluten-free oats to add fibre and texture too. This is one of the cake-style alternatives which give you a sweet treat as well as providing health benefits such as B12, C and D3. These are just the right size and amount to give you a lift in the afternoon without the sugar hit, and they’re great for children’s lunchboxes too.

My favourite flavour? Probably the Choc Chip Muffin for the delicious chocolate cake-like texture and because I can fool my taste buds into thinking I’ve had a whole piece of cake instead!

Available for £18.99 for 10 bags at: https://theproteinballco.com/collections/our-range

MONPURE Hair Products

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, secret santa, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Women

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

After years of straightening my curls, I am now embracing them and in my quest for perfect curls have tried a huge selection of curl friendly products, all with varying results. One product my hair likes is protein as it gives my curls strength, shape and structure so I was really pleased to receive the Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo and Strengthening Essence Conditioner from MONPURE.

If you’re not familiar with MONPURE they are a luxury haircare brand who know that the secret to healthy hair begins with the scalp. Their products contain retinol and lactic acid – products more familiar to us in skincare – and are effectively bridging the gap between skincare and haircare, taking haircare onto a new and exciting level.

The Strengthening Silk Protein Shampoo £36 is a fantastic product, cleansing the hair and scalp without stripping it of its natural oils and moisture. The shampoo lathers easily, creating a creamy foam that lifts away dirt and debris and the vegan silk peptides in the shampoo create a breathable ‘second skin’ on both the scalp and hair to protect it from the effect of pollution, irritants and bacteria.

I love the fragrance of this shampoo, it smells fresh and luxurious and as you massage it in it instantly feels like it is doing wonders for both my scalp and hair. It rinses out easily leaving my hair clean and fresh.

The Strengthening Essence Conditioner £36 is designed to hydrate both your scalp and hair, the lightweight formula glides through my hair leaving each strand silky and free of tangles. I found a walnut sized amount was perfect for my shoulder length hair and I left it on a few minutes before scrunching it into my hair and rinsing with plenty of water. The conditioner deeply hydrates and nourishes my hair and scalp and the blend of strengthening vegan silk peptides, Argan oil and pro vitamin B5 has left my hair incredibly shiny and it definitely looks a lot healthier than it did a few weeks ago!

The key to great curls is to keep them moisturised and hydrated and these products do just that, helping keep the dreaded frizz at bay and enhancing my curls.

Whilst the products are fabulous they aren’t the cheapest so with Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day coming up it’s time to start dropping a few hints!!

⁠

Barebells Protein Snacks

Children, Family Life, Food & Drink, Home, Lunchbox Fillers

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

I had never heard of Barebells before, but as someone who is (meant to) eat low carb, these indulgent looking snack bars were tempting! We were sent a variety pack of 4 flavours; Caramel Choc Soft Protein Bar, Banana Dream Soft Protein Bar, Cookies & Cream Protein Bar and White Salty Peanut Protein Bar. Barebelles also have a larger range of protein bars on their website, suitable for all tastes and a lot of them would appeal to children too.

Barebell’s Protein Bars contain between 15 grams and 20 grams of protein per bar and have no added sugar. Most of the bars are covered in chocolate and aren’t identical to chocolate bars you find on the supermarket shelves, so there’s something different about them. The vegan bars also contain 15 grams of protein and are topped with cocoa for that delicious chocolate taste.

The first bar I tasted was the White Salty Peanut bar. With 20 grams of protein, it’s at the upper end of the range of protein per bar, which probably has a lot to do with the peanut content. It’s dense but not heavy – there’s no air involved so you feel like you’re getting your money’s worth with this bar. You can taste the peanuts in it and although I don’t like white chocolate very much, this was a nice bar. I think it’s more for adults though as it’s not a taste children would enjoy. The next bar was the Caramel Choco. This has 16 grams of protein and is one for the chocolate lovers! Children will enjoy this too but it’s a thick, caramel and chocolate covered bar which is really filling. There’s a lot of chocolate on this bar, and a lot of caramel for the 55 gram sized bar!

The Cookies & Cream protein bar is another massive 20 grams of protein. This bar is more creamy with the familiar cookies & cream flavour we are used to in ice cream. Again, it’s not like anything I’m already familiar with on the market, but that doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable! It’s a taste which anyone, including children would enjoy because it’s the right mix of sweet and tasty. The Banana Dream has a banana base and a caramel topping, finished off with an all-over layer of chocolate. I again couldn’t find anything similar on the market to compare it with, but there’s a really lovely banana flavour, and anyone who loves bananas will enjoy this.

Each of the bars are 55 grams which I found to be a bit too much. They’re quite sweet and with their density I found I could only eat half of one at a time. Maybe I’m used to shrinkflation and the size of chocolate bars getting smaller, but if I needed a snack to fill me up that was also high in protein, I now know that Barebells fulfil both criteria, and any of the flavours would satisfy me!

Available at a variety of prices and sizes at: https://barebells.co.uk/shop/

Annabelle Minerals Lipstick, Jumbo Lip Pencil and Refill

beauty, Birthday Gifts, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Fashion, Gifts for Her, health, Home, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

What beautiful Mother’s Day gifts! Annabelle Minerals have been around since 2012 and founded in the UK to provide handpicked ingredients that are both minimalist and natural. The idea is that the ingredients pamper your skin so that you don’t have to suffer unnecessary layers of heavy chemicals just to look your best. The theme of the ingredients being natural also carries across into the style of make up – natural and understated but still with a flare for style.

We were sent some lovely lip make up for Mother’s Day. Annabelle Minerals have both lipsticks (with refills available online) and jumbo lip pencils which can be used as both lip liners and as a lipstick. There’s several colours online too, including these shades; Apricot for the lipstick you can see and Brown Fig for the refill.

The Shear Lipsticks are presented in these gorgeous gold swizzle sticks and come in Apricot, Brown Fig, Coconut, Dragon Fruit and Strawberry. The names of the colours give away the type of natural ingredients Annabelle Minerals strives for! The Apricot colour I received is a slightly darker shade of my lips, so it’s very natural and glides on superbly. The colour stays all day too, as I discovered when I went out one Friday night wearing it. Only a small amount of the middle of the lips was missing at the end of the night, and probably as a result of drinking.

Once you’ve bought one lipstick, you can buy refills in either the same colour or a different one, and saving not just the packaging but also a bit of money! I was sent my second choice of Brown Fig, a slightly darker shade with a touch of red in it. This was a great colour for when I was wearing a darker outfit and wanted my lips to pop.

The Annabelle Minerals Jumbo Lip Pencil is probably my favourite of all the lip products. I was sent the Marigold colour which compliments all the other lipstick colours in the range. I used it as a lip liner, then you can fill in your lips with that colour, or dab it on as a base before you add a lipstick on top to vary the colour. You can also do the opposite and put the lip liner on top of your lipstick and seal it in and also change the colour.

With each of the lipsticks and the lip liner, they glide on perfectly, don’t come off easily and keep a constant colour. I didn’t notice them on my lips as they’re not greasy at all and in fact, I didn’t even need to blot with each application. They travel really well too, with a pencil lid to the liner and magnetic locking lipstick cases. I’ll be exploring more of the range at Annabelle Minerals, and looking at what Mum would like for Mother’s Day.

Annabelle Minerals Lipstick: £12.90 (Apricot)

https://www.annabelleminerals.com/en_gb/lips/1368-sheer-lipstick.html

Annabelle Minerals Jumbo Lip Pencil: £11.90

https://www.annabelleminerals.com/en_gb/lips/1268-1922590-jumbo-lip-pencil.html#/364-jumbo_lip_pencil-marigold

Annabelle Minerals Lipstick refill: £9.90: (Brown Fig)

https://www.annabelleminerals.com/en_gb/lips/1368-1922976-sheer-lipstick.html#/478-lipstick-brown_fig/485-options-refill

Seep Plastic Free Cleaning Cloths

eco friendly, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, Home & Garden, REUSABLE, Sustainable, Valentine's Day Gifts

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Granny always knew about cleaning. When I was little, there were so many different cleaning cloths, just in her kitchen that I could never keep up. As time went on though, all her cleaning equipment as well as the cleaning products in my parent’s house whilst growing up were plastic, non-recyclable and not good for the environment. We’ve come full circle though, with cleaning products now becoming more environmentally friendly and from companies other than the big corporations.

Seep (Sustainable, Everyday, Essential Products) is the only B-Corp certified cleaning product company which means they can be proven to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. They have an extensive and ever-increasing range of products too, and these Valentines Eco All-Purpose Sponge Cloths are one of their latest innovations.

The pack of 2 cloths are zero plastic and long lasting, made from sustainable wood pulp. That also means they are compostable! Each cloth measures around 15 centimetres square and is spongey to the touch. They soak up loads of water and are easily rung out. You can add them to the washing machine to give them a longer life but they dry really quickly on the side of the sink or over the tap. They’re hardwearing too, but when they are at the end of their life, they can be compostable. Just cut them up and add them to your compost or food waste bin.

Each of the designs is suitable for Valentines, but they can be used by anyone! If you’re like me and don’t particularly relish the thought of cleaning products as a Valentines present, then any of the Seep products can be used as part of a bigger present, or a hamper for your Mum, Nan or a friend at Valentines. I think the best use of these Valentines Eco All-Purpose cloths is to use them as a date marker – start using them on 14 February and you can easily tell how long they last before you need to buy new ones.

Available from £4.95 for 2

Martha Hill Anti-Ageing All Day Crème Gel

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, Women

Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Martha Hills are one of the brands available from the Beauty Naturals team, the natural beauty company since 1980. Their extensive range of beauty items online covers everything beauty related, and this Anti-Aging All Day Crème Gel is no exception.

The new Anti-Ageing Crème Gel is new to the market, formulated with natural probiotics preBiulin FOS™ to protect and restore the skin’s natural microbiota barrier. What does that mean? Well it means that it protects the ‘good bacteria’ on the skin that is needed for your skin to be healthy and therefore keeps a balance that’s more favourable to clear, well-nourished skin.

It’s suitable for all skin types and not oil based so it absorbs in easily without a greasy shine. The Anti-Ageing All Day Crème Gel keeps your skin moist and nurtured all day to give a glowing complexion and the gel seals moisture in. Along with the preBiulin FOS™ to protect the microbiota barrier, the All-Day Crème prevents wrinkles, protects from UV damage and acts as a buffer between pollutants and harsh chemicals. It also works wonderfully under make up to create a beautiful skin texture. Over time, the crème will build up protection along with keeping moisturiser in to give you ongoing defence.

I have been using the Martha Hill Anti-Ageing All Day Crème Gel for a few weeks now. It’s not heavy at all, and keeps skin light and hydrated. It works well under make up, and if you’re wearing it to bed or with exceptionally dry skin, you can still add a moisturiser over the top. It’s fragrance free too!

Available for £21.00 but currently on sale for £14.70 at: https://beautynaturals.com/product/?mh=200