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Manchester Gin

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Summer, 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

Gin has become incredibly popular over the last few years with plenty of small distilleries starting up, each with their own unique gin flavours. Being a gin fan myself, I do enjoy sampling all the different types and when it comes from a city close to my heart it’s even better.

Manchester Gin was created back in 2016 by Jen Wiggins and Seb Heeley who met in a Manchester bar. They both shared a love of gin so decided to take the plunge and create their own starting distilling in their dining room. Fast forward to 2019, the couple opened a brand new distillery, bar and restaurant under railway arches in the centre of Manchester, where you can not only sample the gin but see it being made too.

Made in the heart of Manchester the aptly named Manchester Gin Signature is distilled in a copper still and is one of the most awarded gins in the country. It is a citrus-led gin with 12 botanicals including orange, lemon and dandelion and burdock. The gin is spicy and sweet and makes a very refreshing G&T.

I served the gin with a premium Indian tonic water and plenty of ice, adding lemon and lime slices to make the perfect G&T. This is a very refreshing crisp flavoured gin, having a real juniper punch and a delicate sweetness from the liquorice.

Once I had tried a traditional G&T it was time to hit the cocktails and I found it worked well in the classic Gin Fizz or add fresh lime juice, homemade lime syrup and mint for my favourite – the zingy Gimlet cocktail.

If you are heading up to Manchester any time soon you can book a distillery tour where you can see the process and taste their gin for yourself. For gin connoisseurs you can even create your own gin. If you can’t get up to Manchester then the 42% proof gin is available from The Whiskey Exchange at a very reasonable £34.95.

RINGANA Fresh Baby Products

Baby, beauty, Children, Vegan

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

RINGANA the Austrian award-winning vegan, luxury skincare and supplements brand have recently launched a new product range which is specially formulated for babies and children.

Called FRESH baby the products are aimed at children aged 0 -4 years and consist of four essential products, which like all the other products from RINGANA, are vegan, free of synthetic colours, perfumes and preservatives, mineral oils, parabens and PEG emulsifiers. All four products are dermatologically tested and suitable for the delicate skin of babies and young children. We’ve been trying them out on our mini reviewers and are really impressed with them.

FRESH baby bum cream

One of the essential things in every changing bag is a nappy cream. The FRESH baby bum cream comes in a handy 50ml tube and the gentle cream, which contains effectively soothes nappy rash and redness. It strengthens the skin barrier and forms a breathable protective film on the skin and is perfect to use after every nappy change.

I liked the smooth consistency and non-medicinal scent of this cream and found it easy to apply. I only needed a small amount and any redness disappeared after a couple of applications.

RRP 50 ml, £9.48

FRESH baby bum foam

Whilst baby wipes are convenient, we are hearing more and more about their environmental impact, so I was pleased to discover RINGANA have an eco-friendly alternative.

The FRESH bum foam is applied to a soft, washable cloth and is very effective at cleaning delicate skin. The foam contains the same skin-soothing ingredients, witch hazel extract & cotton extract as the bum cream and is an excellent alternative to baby wipes. It’s also good for cleaning hands and faces too! This is an essential for any nappy bag!

RRP 50 ml, £8.61

FRESH baby body & hair wash

The mild body wash is very gentle on skin and does exactly what it says, getting our mini reviewers lovely and clean whilst leaving their skin lovely and soft. The gentle formula means there are no tears at bath time, and it also leaves hair squeaky clean and tangle free too.

The great thing with this body & hair wash is it doesn’t irritate our mini reviewers eczema prone skin, meaning they can enjoy bath time without me worrying that their eczema is going to flare up.

RRP 50 ml, £6.70

FRESH baby oil

Baby oil not only keeps skin lovely and soft but it is perfect for baby massage. Gently stroking your baby with the oil as part of your bed time routine can help soothe them and wind them down ready for bed.

The oil is specially developed for sensitive baby skin which easily dries out and can suffer from a lack of moisture. FRESH baby oil is a multipurpose skin care and massage oil which restores lipids, strengthening the skin barrier, and is gentle enough to be used daily.

The bottle is so easy to use, you can dispense a couple of drops easily and it doesn’t spill if you accidentally knock it over.

RRP 50 ml, £7.66

RINGANA have a wide range of products, you can read about the haircare products here , soap here and tinted moisturiser here

Johnsons Lawn Seed Celebration Wildflower Tins

Children, eco friendly, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, Home & Garden, Spring, Summer, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

I love gardening, especially this time of year when all the plants start to really take off, it’s a joy to be outside and the wildlife is taking over our gardens. I plant a lot of seeds, take cuttings and every year promise myself to do something different to encourage nature in the garden.

Johnsons Lawn Seed are helping with that goal. They don’t just sell grass seed for lawns, but seed mixes too. We were sent some Celebration Wildflower tins to try for this summer, which incidentally coincides with #NoMowMay; the month where we are encouraged to not mow the lawn and let the wildflowers, weeds and therefore nature take over. It increases diversity and encourages the ecosystem to flourish.

Johnsons Lawn Seed Celebration Wildflower tins are 100% wildflowers which cover up to 15 square metres, which is about the size of a large room. The prepare the area to be sown, a bed of soil needs to be weed free (to decrease competition) and raked finely to give a medium-fine seedbed. Seeds should be sown from April to the end of June, then rake over them slightly and water in to ensure the birds don’t get them! Wildflowers don’t need to be deep in the ground to be able to grow well. The wildflowers should start to bloom from mid-June onwards until the first frosts of the autumn (mid October) as long as you keep them watered, especially at the germination phase.

The tins, which are the same type of pull-cans as supermarket beans, contain 17 different seed types including California Poppy, Cornflower, Cosmos, Painted Daisy and Pot Marigold. Each of the different wildflowers grow to different heights and at different times so over the course of a summer you get a tumbling array of different flowers, scents and foliage. With each tin, the 15 square metres of soil space will probably provide a few wildflower bouquets over time as well, but the variety of different seeds will attract all sorts of butterflies, bees and even moths to the garden over the course of the season. Children will love to help plant these as well as watch them grow as they are quick to geminate and wildflowers by their nature are able to grow in all sorts of soil and spaces. If you don’t have a soil bed anywhere, a pot or window sill will also accommodate the blossoms if you keep them well watered.

The Celebration Wildflower seeds we planted this week haven’t germinated yet and it will be a few more months before they do, and we are looking forward to seeing what comes up, and what wildlife is attracted into the garden.

Available from £7.99 at most garden centres. See details at Johnsons seeds here: johnsonslawnseed.com

Anita Air Control Padded Sports Bra

Birthday Gifts, camping, Family Life, Fashion, Fitness, Gifts for Her, health, Sport, Summer, Women

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

May is National Walking Month and a brilliant time to start walking as a new hobby with the spring flowers out and summer just about to begin. What clothing do you need though? Apart from the obvious walking gear, it’s prudent to have a good quality sports bra and the Anita Air Control Padded Sports Bra is just that.

This is the first padded sports bra Anita have ever launched. It’s padded but not wired so it’s an easier fit but I particularly like how modest it is with not showing much cleavage, and there is minimum movement. It’s a very, very firm hold so your shape doesn’t change much no matter the exercise. The design is very appealing too with three colours available. The design sent to me was the snakeskin pattern, and along with the modesty and hold, it works perfectly as a sports bra either under a top or if you are in the gym, you could wear this alone especially in the summer.

Speaking of bras in summer, the Anita Air Control Padded Sports Bra has exclusively designed air-permeable Delta Pad foam cups which acts as coolants to the chest and allow your skin to breathe and keep a constant, cooler temperature. The sealed seams in the straps mean they don’t chaff as you move, especially with more vigorous sports and they help create a perfect fit. The bras are sold in individual sizes too (as opposed to small/medium/large) to give a better overall fit which makes them more effective at minimising movement too.

I tried the bra for a weight lifting session, which also happened to be my first ever Anita bra! If you’re not familiar with weight lifting, then there is a lot of jumping with heavy weights so there’s a potential for a lot of movement. Thankfully, the super control of the Anita Air Control Padded Sports Bra meant that there was very limited movement! The bra fits very firmly, although I did find that stretching the straps to the back for the first few times was difficult. However, it is fastened with 4 rows of hook and eye fasteners so there’s extra support there. The wide back strap also makes it more comfortable and the breathable material meant I had no problem with sweat! The straps are adjustable too, so if you need that extra bit of comfort, or are walking all day and start to feel tired, it’s easy to change the fitting to suit your needs, especially if you’re carrying something heavy on your back.

The designs are lovely and very versatile, I’m glad I had the chance to try a whole new brand of sports bra, and I’m so happy with the way they work for me!

Available from £50 (currently in the sale but otherwise priced at £67) at: https://boobydoo.co.uk/anita-air-control-padded-sports-bra/

Yankee Relaxing Summer Candles

Birthday Gifts, Family Life, Fragrance, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Home, Home & Garden, Mental Health Awareness, 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.

Whether you’re going on holiday this summer or relaxing at home, your mood can be seriously enhanced with some gorgeous candles, especially if they’re Yankee Candles! The famous luxury candle company have sent us these seasonal beauties to try out, in the hope that we bliss out and pretend we are on a Mediterranean yacht somewhere…

The first Yankee Candle we tried was the Cucumber Mint Cooler 368gram (medium size). This size has two wicks to light, so it burns more easily and fills the room with scent as it does so. The fragrance certainly comes across as very cooling, with the fresh cucumber smell taking hold first, then the mint is more subtle afterwards. The whole candle perfume is light and crisp, much like a white wine on a sunny day and doesn’t overpower a room at all. It could be used outdoors as well as indoors as the size of glass protects it somewhat, although I haven’t tried it yet myself.

The second candle is the Hand Tied Blooms Candle, which is a lilac/pink colour and this larger size weighs 567gram. A much more floral smell, this candle is rosier, with petal tones to the fragrance and a bit stronger when it burns. It’s a very even, consistent scent with the lavender tones coming through, and a vanilla tone to it. I think it’s more of a feminine smell, unlike the Cucumber Mint Cooler which is more universal, but the Hand Tied Blooms candle would be great for celebrations or a family gathering over the summer. It reminds me of summer a lot, so it’s perfect for when the sun is out!

Both candles, like everything from Yankee Candles, are in sturdy glass jars, complete with lids so you can extinguish them safely if you need to, or keep them until they’re needed again. They make gorgeous presents and arrive in a lovely box which is ideal for gifting. Anyone who buys from the Yankee Candle online shop earns Fragrance Family Rewards which you can redeem later on – perhaps for another treat for yourself?

Cucumber Mint Cooler (medium size £24.99) https://www.yankeecandle.co.uk/yankee-candle/shop-by/new-arrivals/cucumber-mint-cooler/ORCL_1728904E.html

Hand Tied Blooms (large size £29.99) https://www.yankeecandle.co.uk/yankee-candle/candles/shop-by-type/signature-large-jar-candles/hand-tied-blooms/ORCL_1734800E.html

My Little Sudocrem 22g Travel Pot

Baby, beauty, camping, Children, Days Out, Family Life, health, Home, Sport, Summer

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

Cycling weather is upon us and if you need to take provisions, any cyclist knows there’s not much that can be carried on a bike when you go out and about. There’s also not much you can buy in shops or rely on the local amenities so something like the My Little Sudocrem for minor ailments is ideal. Sudocrem is also excellent for chaffing especially on really long rides!

The My Little Sudocrem tubs are petite circular screw top pods which weight only 22grams. Durable and able to be kept in pockets or tucked into the smallest of rucksacks or handbags, they pack a punch with the full benefits of Sudocrem, just delivered in smaller vessels so that you can transport them anywhere. Cyclists will love My Little Sudocrem because of the size, and because it’s so handy to prevent, or relieve chaffing. If you’ve never had little children around or ever used Sudocrem, then I can tell you it’s a dream for so many purposes. As a rich, scentless cream it can be used on almost anything on the skin, from grazes to allergies or even just to keep you skin soft. I use it as a body moisturiser for the summer months when my legs are dry and I’m wearing skirts and dresses, and on my face for outdoor sports when my visage is chapped, such as out cycling or on the water.

The My Little Sudocrem is also brilliant for taking on holiday, or keeping in your car for when out with the children or after outdoor sports. There’s something very soothing and medicinal about a cold cream on your face after a day out in the wind, rain or sun and Sudocrem has the soothing effect like an aftersun cream, only with a thicker, richer moisturising effect. Also great for the playground when the children have grazes on the swings, there’s a whole host of uses for My Little Sudocrem this summer.

Three available for £8.99 at Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Little-Sudocrem-Barrier-Multipurpose-Family/dp/B088RJF58C/ref=asc_df_B088RJF58C/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=435764429196&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6858848114809714868&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045873&hvtargid=pla-931863630238&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=101204935637&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=435764429196&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=6858848114809714868&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045873&hvtargid=pla-931863630238

Martha Hill Marshmallow Eye Make Up Remover

beauty, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Women

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

The skin around your eyes is very delicate and it is often the first area where you notice fine lines and wrinkles appearing. As the skin is so fragile it is important to avoid rubbing the eye area so a good eye make up remover that dissolves eye make up and mascara with minimal effort is a must.

Martha Hill Marshmallow Eye Make up Remover is a lightweight cream gel which feels lovely on your skin. I have been using it on a reusable bamboo pad and I love the ease with which eye make-up is removed, one of two wipes and mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow simply melt away with no rubbing required. It also leaves skin feeling nice and fresh and clean too.

The Marshmallow Eye Make Up remover is free from parabens, artificial colour & fragrance and is cruelty free and made in the UK.

30ml tottle – £5.95

Yoga Anatomy Made Simple and The Anatomy of Yoga – books

Birthday Gifts, Books, Family Life, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health

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

I have dabbled in yoga for around 20 years and more recently got back into regular sessions. With age comes the knowledge that you aren’t flexible forever and any yoga session from this point on shows that to me time and time again. What I wasn’t ready for was the need to know how and why I wasn’t flexible any longer, and the thirst for knowledge of yoga, not just from the physical aspect but the spiritual aspect too.

We were sent 2 new yoga books to review, both of which go into a lot more detail than you can glean from a weekly session with an expert tutor. The Anatomy of Yoga by Jo Ann Staugaard-Jones and Yoga Anatomy Made Simple by Stu Girling both go into a lot of depth about the anatomy of yoga with excellent illustrations and diagrams of the human body.

Yoga Anatomy Made Simple (by Stu Girling) starts with Part 1 looking at the Key Concepts of Yoga including Posture, Movement Basics, Muscles and Fascia and Breath. The final chapter in the first part is Other Considerations, which includes Environment and Psychology which go into depth about considerations around what impacts us now and in each yoga practice and how as a yoga teacher or expert, the holistic approach is always necessary.

Part 2 looks at Body Bits, which is literally going into parts of the body (Foot and Ankle, Knee, Hip etc) and giving the science behind each of the bones, muscles and workings of the body plus how they relate in yoga practices. The final part of the book is the Postures, complete with illustrations and helpful hints. There’s an Appendix too, which details more about terminology and Stu’s (the author) notes. It’s an interesting book ordinarily but if you’re into yoga, it becomes captivating as you recognise poses, and then yourself trying to fit into the pose and see where you’re going wrong!

The Anatomy of Yoga by Jo Ann Staugaard-Jones is called a ‘Colouring Book’ but it is really another detailed book about yoga just with line drawings. Looking first at the body with the muscles and fascia plus each of the bones, Jo Ann goes into minute detail about how everything works and how it related to yoga. Again, it’s a trap to think you can just read one part of a chapter, you end up getting completely involved and reading more and more. There are not just line drawings in this book but illustrations and the science behind the physics of the body too. There are tons of drawings to relate to, and I can’t help but think this looks like a text book, or could be used as a text book to further your understanding as well as teach about yoga as a separate subject.

Both books are fascinating and the fact that they come from a yoga background means they work together really well to flesh out the rudimentary knowledge you gain in studio classes. If you’re interested in studying yoga further or going into teaching, these are both excellent books which have slightly different ways of teaching the same anatomical information. The different diagrams and illustrations work in tandem between the two books and you might find one style of writing is better to learn from than the other, but both are excellent resources for yoga enthusiasts, or teachers alike.

Yoga Anatomy Made Simple available from £18.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Yoga-Anatomy-Made-Simple-Illustrated/dp/1913088359/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1TMICRSG4LQQ&keywords=yoga+anatomy+made+simple&qid=1684161092&sprefix=yoga+anatomy+made+simple%2Caps%2C66&sr=8-1

The Anatomy of Yoga available from £14.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anatomy-Yoga-Colouring-Book-Biomechanics/dp/1913088278/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=1M55MTI1WBS77&keywords=the+anatomy+of+yoga&qid=1684161143&sprefix=the+anatomy+of+yoga%2Caps%2C86&sr=8-2-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1

Good Gracious Shampoo and Conditioner

beauty, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Home, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

It’s no surprise to anyone who knows me to find out that my naturally curly hair is difficult to tame, frizzy if I don’t straighten it and the curls only stay in place when the hairdresser puts them in. My curly hair is also exposed to extreme hard water in my area, which strips out all the oils and all the nutrients to leave my hair dry. Each time I wash it, if I don’t straighten my hair I have to add loads of products or else, I just tie it up and try and forget about it.

Good Gracious is a new brand available at Tesco, with a range of shampoos, conditioners and masks which are tailored to your needs to give you the best product combination for your hair. All of the products in the range are 97% natural and vegan friendly. The ranges are Purple (hydrating), Pink (colour care), and Orange (repair) which is the range I was sent to try for my poor, dry hair. There are masks available too, all of which are at Tesco in the haircare aisle.

The Orange range, meant for intense repair of hair, contains Argan oil, sweet almond oil and almond milk for a triple hit of intense treatment to hair. Working together, the ingredients have a repairing effect on hair, especially if used long term. When I opened each bottle, there is a lovely smell from the Argan oil and almond milk. The shampoo and conditioner work best when used together so I have been testing for a few days now and leaving my hair to dry naturally to give a better idea of how it repairs. My hair is becoming softer and the curls more defined, and over time I hope it becomes even more manageable with the more I use the Good Gracious products. Argan oil for the win with Good Gracious hair!

Follow Good Gracious on Instagram @goodgraciousbeauty and every time they reach a milestone following they donate to a different charity, starting with Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Available from Tesco from £5 at: https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/search?query=Good%20Gracious&icid=tescohp_sws-1_m-ft_in-Good%20Gracious_ab-226-b_out-Good%20Gracious

Joe & Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn

Birthday Gifts, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Him

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

With Father’s Day less than a month away we will be sharing some great gift ideas to help you find the perfect Father’s Day gift for your loved ones. First up are some great treats from our favourite popcorn brand Joe & Seph’s

The Budweiser gourmet air popped popcorn is coated in smooth buttery caramel and infused with 17% real Budweiser beer. It is light in colour and incredibly moreish so be warned!! It is best eaten in handfuls to get the full effect of the flavour. If you are polite and only put one piece in your mouth at a time then the main flavour tends to be caramel but once you start eating a few together the Budweiser flavour really starts to come through. The combination of popcorn, smooth caramel and Budweiser is such a genius idea and this sweet gourmet treat is perfect for anyone who enjoys popcorn and beer.

Marmite is one of those flavours that you either love or hate – I’m well and truly in the hate camp but as I love popcorn I decided it was worth a try. The Marmite air popped popcorn is darker in colour than the Budweiser one and is coated in smooth caramel and marmite. Despite being covered in caramel it really doesn’t taste sweet, the Marmite gives it a meaty taste which was actually quite a nice change. Like Marmite you’re either going to love or hate this popcorn but if you have a Marmite lover in your family it makes a great quirky gift.

RRP £4

Best of the Royals

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, coronation, Family Life, Games, Gifts for children, Learning, Stocking Fillers, Toys

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

Whilst the Coronation is still fresh in our minds it’s the perfect time to introduce a new game from Drumond Park. Best of The Royals is part of the popular LOGO brand and the theme of this version of the game is the Royal family, who are probably the most well-known family in the world.

With 200+ Royal-themed questions it is not only a fun and entertaining game for all the family it is also a history lesson too!

Played with 2 teams (age 12+) rather than a traditional playing board, the players race to complete a royal themed jigsaw puzzle. Setting up the game is very simple, all you do is take the cards and jigsaw pieces out of the box, place the cards in the middle of the table and give each team their 22 jigsaw pieces.

Game play is nice and easy, the team with the youngest player starts first and the oldest player from the other team becomes Question Master. He takes the top card and asks the question or shows the picture to the other team (whilst hiding the answers from his own team as they might be able to win a bonus jigsaw piece if the other team answer incorrectly). If the team get the answer right, they select a corner piece and place it on the table, if they are wrong the other team have the opportunity to answer and win an extra piece. Play continues with the same team answering the remaining three questions on the card before play is passed to the other team. One jigsaw piece is awarded for every correct answer and the winner is the first team to finish the jigsaw with the large centre piece.

This is a great game to play at family parties, the questions are varied with the classic LOGO picture, theme and pot luck question cards. The questions cover the present day and life during the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II and we learnt quite a lot when playing. I do wonder how many times we can play it without remembering the answers but with 200+ cards and different players I don’t think it will be too much of a problem just yet.

RRP £20 and available from The Entertainer , Selfridges, The Range, or Amazon

Environ Focus Care Youth+ Night Serum

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

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

As a perimenopausal woman, the hormonal changes that my body is currently experiencing are really playing havoc with my skin. My normal skincare products don’t seem to be as effective as they once were, and my skin has become incredibly dry and dull looking. Looking in the mirror I see fine lines and wrinkles appearing and with so much choice in the skincare market it can be difficult to know where to start. Luckily Environ were on hand and kindly sent me the Environ Focus Care Youth+ Malachite NP-Complex Seriénce™ Night Serum to try.

The serum has been developed to target the effects of stress-induced ageing so perfect for menopausal women like myself. It is also the top aestheticians choice and according to Environ focuses on the power of award-winning overnight skin science to counteract the negative effects of stress-induced ageing and inflammation.

I have been using the serum every evening for the last month and can honestly say that my skin feels transformed. I apply after I have cleansed and toned my skin and massage it in, concentrating on those areas where I have lines (and unfortunately there are plenty of those!). The lightweight gel formula seems to just melt into my skin and feels hydrating without being heavy on my skin. After a month my skin feels softer and has a radiance that wasn’t there before. I have also noticed that the fine lines around my eyes seem to be fading which I am really pleased about. I haven’t changed any other elements of my “beauty” regime, so do believe these benefits are from using the night serum.

It isn’t cheap ( £45 for 30ml), but then nor are many of the similar serums on the market. You only need a small amount so a bottle will last a long time and I would say it is worth every penny.

Enertor Socks and Insoles

Father's Day, Fitness, Gifts for Him, health, Sport

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

Walking is such a good form of exercise, not only is it free but it is also good for wellbeing too. May is National Walking Month so we’ve been going for a walk every day and it’s been a great opportunity to try out some new gear.

Decent socks are crucial if you want to keep your feet comfortable and blister free when out walking, they provide a buffer between your foot and shoe, preventing rubbing and chafing. It’s worth buying a pair of dedicated walking or running socks rather than just grabbing a pair out of the drawer as they have been specially designed to increase ventilation, wick moisture and offer support to your feet in all the right places.

The Energy Run socks from Enertor contain advanced Nilit® Innergy energy return fibre, EnergyKnit™ band and NanoGLIDE® anti-blister technology. The socks are made in Italy and are really comfortable to wear. They fit nice and snugly and the double layer of fabric around the ankle helps to prevent rubbing and blisters. I have worn them for a 10 mile walk and they were comfortable and not too hot in my shoes.

The socks cost £13.99 and are available in small, medium, large and extra large (size 2.5 to 15) so you will easily find a pair to fit your feet.

Enetor also sent me a pair of their Shock Absorbing Insoles which I have tried in both my walking shoes and fell running shoes. The insoles have shock absorbing PX1® technology which Enetor claim has up to 89% more shock absorption than their competitors. This helps to spread the load on your feet helping to reduce the impact on your feet, knees and hips.

I hadn’t tried an insole before but now I have been using them for a couple of weeks I am finding them very comfortable. I soon got used to them after starting with shorter walks and runs and I find them especially good for fell running where my foot gets thrown about on the uneven ground. They really do help cushion the feet and whilst I am only a casual fell runner, my times have started to improve which I have put down to the insoles – they are used and recommended by Usain Bolt so watch out for me sprinting on the fells!!!

£39.99 available in sizes 3-14

Both products are available from the Enertor website here

LIPQ Liquorice Lip Balm

beauty, health, Women

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

With summer comes the need for a change in our beauty routine. Lips are prone to be dry when we’re out in the sun so a lip balm is always a good idea, but if you’re prone to cold sores, the LIPQ Liquorice Lip Balm is especially helpful, thanks to liquorice’s unique properties.

The virus which causes cold sores lies dormant in the body until it is activated by stress or by being in direct sun and heat. Cold sores are itchy before they start to show, usually around the lips and under the nose and give you some warning before they start to show. Rather than use harsh prescription medicine, or before you do, LIPQ Liquorice Lip Balm helps prevent the severity of the Herpes virus and the length of time it takes for the sores to heal. Especially during periods of increased sun exposure, the Herpes Virus Association trialled LIPQ Liquorice Lip Balm and found that regularly using it increased the time between outbreaks, making it an effective preventative measure.

The liquorice ingredient (and the lip balm does not overwhelmingly taste or smell of liquorice if you’re wondering!) is what does the trip with the virus which causes cold sores. All of the ingredients are 100% natural and the balm is free from MI, SLS, parabens and perfumes.

The 30gram balm is bigger than what you usually buy on the High Street, but is still handbag sized, and I think it would be useful to take on holiday with you too. The balm might include liquorice as an ingredient but there isn’t an overpowering aroma to it, just a slight hint so if you’re not a fan of liquorice, it won’t affect you. The balm is surprisingly light so you can use it without make up, or I found it will glide on over lipstick to create a light gloss effect. I might prevent cold sores, but the make-up properties of it are just as good as any other lip balm and left my lips moisturised.

I don’t normally suffer with cold sores so I can’t say that the balm prevented them, but I did have soft lips and enjoyed using it with the slight liquorice fragrance.

Available for £9.50 at: https://www.skinshop.co.uk/lipq/liquorice-balm

CCS Footcare Products

beauty, health, Sport

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

You may recall that I set myself a challenge for National Walking Month and planned to do a walk every day. We’re almost 2 weeks in now and I’ve managed to fit in a walk every day, they haven’t all been long walks, but it has been great to get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful countryside on our doorstep. Walking is fantastic for both physical and mental health but it can take a toll on our feet so it is very important to care for them so that you can enjoy many miles of pain free walking.

I’m certainly guilty of not looking after my feet as well as I should and since my feet have been wrapped up in socks and boots all winter, they have become quite dry with hard skin on the heels and soles of my feet. A parcel of footcare products from CCS and National Walking Month was just the motivation I needed to give my feet some much needed TLC.

The Foot Care Cream is a rich cream that simply melts into my feet and doesn’t leave them feeling greasy or sticky. It feels lovely and hydrating and leaves my feet feeling soft and refreshed. It is great as an overnight treatment too – apply before bed, put a pair of cotton socks and you will wake to beautifully soft feet. I have been using this twice a day for the last 2 weeks and I am so impressed with the results, the dry skin has gone and my feet are lovely and soft again.

RRP £7.99

The Warming Foot Cream is an interesting product, it’s not as rich as the Foot Care Cream and easily melts into my skin. It has a lovely citrus fragrance and once you have rubbed it in you feel your feet begin to warm up. It doesn’t feel unpleasant or tingly, just a gradual warmth spreading over your feet. It’s lovely to use after a long walk and I think it will be brilliant in winter when I always suffer from cold feet. It’s a lovely product and is a real treat for my feet.

RRP £11.99

The Cracked Heel Repair foot balm is specially formulated for very dry feet with cracked heels and hard skin. It contains Cabamide (25%) and Lactic Acid which exfoliates, softens, moisturises and strengthens the skin barrier. I have been using it twice a day and I started to see an improvement in the hard skin on my heels in about 3 days

RRP £8

Now that my feet have been well and truly pampered they will be good for many more miles this month – Happy hiking!!

The products are available from Boots, Amazon and Superdrug

Purely Plantain Chips

Food & Drink, Gluten Free, Mental Health Awareness, Summer, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

Whenever I am invited to a picnic I to take something a little different and these Purely plantain chips were a real hit this week. Founded by Stefania Pellegrino and Mark O’Sullivan Purely’s aim is to save the world from boring snacks and spread the love for the awesome power of the plantain!

A staple food for many in South America, plantains are members of the banana family, but whilst they look like large bananas, they are starchier and lower in sugar and aren’t usually eaten raw.

The chips are available in three different flavours, Sea Salt, Nice & Spicy and Wild Garlic and they all taste delicious. My favourite is the Sea Salt, it has just the right amount of crunch and saltiness, making it the perfect snack for picnics or sat watching a film.

So what do plantain chips taste like – well they are thicker than normal crips, have a satisfying crunch and are incredibly moreish. As they have 30% less fat than potato crisps, they are a much healthier choice too.

The chips are available in a 75g sharing bag (although they are so moreish you may not want to share!!) as well as 28g bags which are perfect for lunchboxes.

Purely Plantain Chips are available to buy directly from Purely and you can also find them in Selfridges, Holland and Barrett and Ocado.

Kikkerland Seed Sprouters

Birthday Gifts, Children, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home & Garden, Spring

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

Now Spring has arrived I have been spending more time in the garden. I have been planning some new flower beds and I also want to try growing some vegetables so the Terracotta Seed Sprouter from Kikkerland is going to be very useful this spring as it is just what I need to help seeds to germinate before I plant them in the garden.

Consisting of three terracotta seed sprout plates they are really easy to use, you simply fill a glass with water and then sit the plate on top so the bottom of the plate is partly submerged in the water. You can then put your seed or seeds on the top of the plate and leave it to germinate.

The roots grow in the water and when they are ready you simply transfer the seedlings into soil.

The small hole sporter has multiple 2mm holes which is perfect for sprouting small seeds like vegetable seeds. I’ve been growing radish seeds which germinate in around 10 days, and I’m looking forward to some tasty salads in the next few weeks.

The medium hole sprouter has 11mm holes for larger seeds like hazelnuts, acorns, beans and citrus seeds and the large one can be used for succulents, avocado, cacti, sweet potato, tulip, hyacinth and mango.

Watching the seeds sprout and seeing the roots and green shoots appear is also a fun and educational experience for children. Growing seeds teaches them all about nature and it is fascinating seeing the seeds grow day by day.

RRP £21 from Kikkerland

Bumbles and Boo

Baby, beauty, Children, Family Life, 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

I love discovering companies that have incredible gifts so was really pleased when we received a gift from Bumbles and Boo. They have a magnificent range of baby themed gifts all beautifully packaged in baskets and mini suitcases (which are perfect for storing keepsakes and photographs afterwards) and are the perfect gift to welcome a new baby.

Bumbles and Boo was founded by two mums, both called Emma back in 2018. They became friends through their sons love of football and found themselves sharing the ups and downs of parenthood whilst holding down corporate jobs. Wanting a change from their careers they decided there was a gap in the market for baby and new parent gifts that not only looked beautiful but were practical too, containing all the essentials that they loved from their parenting journeys. The business is named after the nicknames of their young daughters – Bumbles and Boo

I always think a hamper is such a lovely gift to give (and receive) for any occasion and was thrilled with the “You’re One in a Melon” Treat trunk which is packed full of lovely pampering treats. The two mini suitcases were tied together with beautiful white ribbon and the addition of a gift card and an artificial rose took the gift up to a whole new level, it not only looked impressive it made me feel incredibly special to be receiving such a delightful gift.

When I opened the suitcases, I discovered that the beautiful packaging continues inside the gift, the contents are covered in tissue paper and nestled in shredded paper and it was really exciting lifting the top items to see what treats were underneath. The little artificial roses were a lovely touch and I especially liked how the exfoliating glove had been folded, making an everyday item look really special.

I was really impressed by the variety of items in the hamper, it contained the following which are all perfect gifts for any mum-to-be or new mum.

Candle.
Make a wish bracelet.
Box of You’re One in a Melon Sour watermelon
Hard backed Journal & Pen.
JoJoBa, Vanilla & Almond Oil hand cream.
Exfoliating glove

Hampers are a great gift for new mums, as you get lots of little presents and Bumble and Boo have some lovely pampering products in their hampers. Being pregnant or a new mum can be exhausting and receiving some special treats to help relax and have some me/pamper time is very much appreciated.

I also think this would make a lovely gift for a baby shower, I really don’t like giving gifts for babies before they arrive so this is the perfect solution. With a lovely selection of gifts for the mum to be it is bound to put a smile on the recipients face and be treasured for many years to come.

The hampers start at £15.95 and there is one to suit every budget, you can even design your own too!

1000 Mile Fusion Walk Sock

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Fitness, Gifts for Her, health, Mental Health Awareness, Mother's Day, Sport, Winter, Women

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

May is National Walking Month and is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and explore the countryside. I have set myself a challenge to do a walk every day in May as walking is not only a good form of exercise it is a great way to destress after a busy day at work. We are fortunate to live in a beautiful part of the country with plenty of good walks on our doorstep, so I am hoping that it won’t be too difficult a challenge!

When you are going hiking it’s amazing the difference a good pair of walking socks makes and this pair of Fusion Walk socks from 1000 Miles are going to be doing plenty of miles this month.

The socks are a double layered 3 /4 season sock with extra padding on the heel, toe and Achilles tendon areas. Combined with the high volume Merino wool, the socks offers warmth and volume, making the socks ideal for wearing from Autumn right through to Spring.

As soon as I put the socks on my feet I noticed how comfortable they are, and that’s before I even started walking! The Merino wool and Tactel mix gives a comfortable, breathable sock that wicks moisture away from the foot and elastane ensures a close fit that doesn’t slip or bunch in your boots The ribbed cuff is a comfortable fit and not too tight around my leg and the socks are a mid-calf length and they fit nicely in both my walking boots and trail shoes meaning I can wear them for both hiking and fell running.

I was especially pleased when I saw the sizing of the women’s socks, the medium size is for UK sizes 6 to 8.5 and it’s nice to find a company who recognises that women do have feet bigger than a size 7!

The socks come with 1000 Miles’s blister free guarantee and they will give you your money back or a replacement pair of socks if you experience either blisters or the socks wear out within 1,000 miles – provided that the socks have been cared for following their guidance and are returned with the receipt.

The socks are mid length and easily cover the bottom of my walking trousers, the heel padding comes up the back of the heel and finishes slightly higher than the back of my walking shoe, meaning the backs of my ankles are protected and comfortable. Available in Ladies (3 to 8.5) they cost £18.00 but don’t be put off by the price, given the excellent warranty they really are a worthwhile purchase

Sponge Coronation Pinata Cake

coronation, Food & Drink, Gluten Free

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

With the whole country looking forward to the Coronation on the 6^th May we’re planning a fantastic long weekend of celebrations. With a street party, a family party and a community event in our village it’s certainly going to be a fun packed weekend and one we’ll remember for a very long time! The Union Jack bunting is ready to go up and we’re going with a red, white and blue theme for both decorations and food.

If like us, you’re looking for a patriotic touch for the food, then you need to look at Sponge – the online cake company – they have the perfect showstopper cake for any coronation celebration. The Coronation Pinata chocolate cake looks just like any normal chocolate cake, but this rich and indulgent chocolate sponge cake is hiding a patriotic surprise in the middle! Four layers of delicious chocolate sponge are sandwiched together with chocolate buttercream and when you cut into it you will discover red, white and blue chocolate beans and edible golden crowns. The cake is covered with flakes of chocolate and is lovely hot or cold with a pouring of cream or ice cream. It is light and fluffy and the chocolate beans were a hit with both children and adults. It would make a lovely centrepiece on the table of any Coronation party and is perfect to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III.

The cakes from Sponge are incredibly well packaged in a sturdy cardboard box with bio-degradable film so there is no need to worry about it getting squashed in transit. Once opened the cake should be stored at room temperature in an air-tight container and any leftovers can be frozen – although there’s not much chance of that at my house!!!

Sponge caters for all types of dietary requirements, and the Pinata Chocolate cake is also available as a gluten free cake. They make all their cakes from scratch, using only high-quality ingredients and they deliver all over the UK.

There is still time to order one of Sponge’s show-stopping pinata cakes – so what are you waiting for???

RRP £26.50 (serves 8)

Love Hearts Coronation Gift Box

Children, coronation, Food & Drink, Gifts for children

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

With the Coronation only a week away have you given any thought to buying any Coronation memorabilia? The Swizzels Love Hearts Coronation gift box makes a lovely keepsake and once the sweets are eaten the box can be kept as a souvenir of the day – something to show the grandchildren in years to come! With the official Coronation logo on the top and a strong magnetic fastener the box is the perfect size to be used as a trinket box.

Inside the box is a commemorative coin along with 5 mini packs of Love Hearts, each with a blue heart and coronation themed wording, either Charles, King, congrats or an image of a crown. The gifts are nestled in patriotic red, white and blue packaging.

I think these are a great little gift and will be very well received by children and adults alike.

The limited edition box is available from www.swizzels.com/shop/ and costs £5.99 + p&p.

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Royal British Legion Coronation Champagne

alcoholic drinks, coronation, Days Out, Family Life, 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.

Raising a glass of the Royal British Legion Champagne to a Coronational New Era

Decorations are in full swing and the celebrations for the Coronation are starting this week. Most of us have never seen a Coronation, but we have all heard what it was like in 1953 and how the world has changed since then.

The Royal British Legion have released three champagnes in partnership with Eminent Wines to celebrate the King’s Coronation. As the King is the head of the Armed Forces, there is no better time to release the Champagnes with 10% of each bottle sale going towards the charity.

The trio, fit for a King, includes;

Reveille (Brut) – A name inspired by the music which follows The Last Post and Two Minute Silence at Remembrance services. £45.00 per bottle. Recommend accompanying smoked salmon blinis.

Centurion (Blanc de Blanc) – A name, quite simply, in reference to one hundred years of the Royal British Legion. £55.00 per bottle. The top of the range, fit with all coronation food!

We were sent a sample of the third Champagne, a rose named Champs de Fleurs – translates from French to ‘fields of flowers,’ in reference to the fields of poppies that flourished on the Western Front following the First World War, which lead to the red poppy becoming a symbol of Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. £55.00 per 750ml bottle. Fantastic with strawberries dipped in chocolate! This is a slightly sweeter champagne and suitable for anyone with 12% vol. Produced in France, it is 75% Chardonnay, 12.5% Pinot Noir and 12.5% Pinot Meunier.

The label itself looks lovely on the table with the poppy design and soft blush colours. This would be an amazing addition to the Street Party table, especially with the Royal Legion connection and knowing that there is also a contribution towards the charity to benefit more people.

Bottles are priced at between £45 and £55 each and can be found at: https://www.eminentwines.com/rbl

Annabelle Minerals Serums

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Vegan

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

I have reached the age when looking after my skin has become a lot more important. Since hitting the perimenopause my skin is drier and the fine lines and wrinkles are becoming more and more noticeable so I was really pleased to be given the opportunity to try a selection of serums from the new skincare range from Annabelle Minerals

Facial serums are an essential step in any skin care routine, they are lightweight and easily absorbed and offer concentrated key ingredients. Annabelle Minerals have three serums – Glow Juice (20% Vitamin C) Repair Juice (0.3% Retinol) and Clarity Juice (5% Niacinamide) and the serums are designed to work alongside moisturiser. Used twice a day they will make a noticeable difference to how the skin looks and feels.

It takes around 4-6 weeks to start seeing benefits from new skincare products so with three serums to try I decided the best way to test them was to use each serum on a different part of my face. It’s been 6 weeks since I started using them and I am amazed at the difference they have made to my skin.

The Glow Juice Serum is my favourite of the three, after a couple of weeks the fine lines around my eyes were noticeably softened and as the weeks went on they continued to fade. This was a very pleasing result and it was also good to see that my skin is looking brighter too.

The Clarity Juice provides nourishment to my skin and it has really helped with the visible pores on my forehead, it has minimised their appearance and I am hoping with continued use I will continue to see an improvement.

The Repair Juice contains retinol which is a real wonder product. It stimulates skin renewal processes, improves elasticity, reduces the visibility of pores, evens out skin tone and texture, and reduces inflammation. Anyone new to using retinol should start by applying the serum twice a week to build tolerance, gradually increasing application to daily. I have been using this at night and my skin is clearer and the fine lines at the corner of my mouth are becoming less noticeable. I also noticed that my skin looks and feels smoother.

Annabelle Minerals products are 100% organic and it’s good to know that as well as doing a great job fighting the visible signs of aging these serums are good for your skin too. The silky serums are a very effective addition to my daily beauty regime and I was surprised to discover that they are only £27.90/bottle – a lot cheaper than other serums I have tried and much more effective.

If you want to read more about Annabelle Minerals products you can read our review of the lip and eye pencils here

LINDOR Limited Edition King’s Coronation Milk Chocolate Box

coronation, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for children, 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.

Continuing with the celebrations around the King’s Coronation, LINDOR have released and excellent Limited Edition Coronation Milk Chocolate Box, fit for a king!

The 200 gram box of pure milk chocolate LINDOR truffle chocolates are found in a Union Jack box, perfect for sharing whilst watching the ceremony, or to adorn your table at your Coronation street party.

LINDOR have been making chocolate since 1845 and pride themselves on making any moment a LINDOR moment. Each chocolate is a shell of finest pure milk chocolate, encapsulating a similar chocolate truffle which upon reaching room temperature, melts ever-so-slightly to create a rich filling. Alternatively, you can keep the LINDOR truffle chocolates in the fridge and create a whole new experience when biting into them! If you’re partial to a LINDOR truffle, then try one of their other flavours including new LINDOR Blood Orange, LINDOR Strawberries & Cream or LINDOR Salted Caramel, all priced at £6.00 for 200 grams and available in shops or online.

I’ve always been a fan of good quality chocolate so trying these LINDOR Limited Edition Coronation truffle chocolates wasn’t a chore. Sure, they are the same milk chocolate truffles you can buy in the shops but they aren’t branded for the Coronation like these ones are! If you’re looking for more to share with your loved ones for the Coronation, then LINDOR also have the Lindt LINDOR Pick & Mix tin with a Union Jack design which is also available online or in shops. At £25.00 for the tin, it contains flavours such as Pistachio, Stracciatella and Raspberry & Cream.

The Lindt LINDOR Limited Edition Coronation Milk Chocolate box is available for a limited time from the end of April for £6.00 from Sainsbury’s, WH Smith, Tesco and www.lindt.co.uk.

Tyrrells

coronation, Food & Drink, Lunchbox Fillers, Spring, Summer, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

Crisps are the staple savoury snack for buffets, parties and family get togethers. With Coronation parties being planned up and down the country you can guarantee that the nation will be chomping on crisps throughout the festivities. Crunchy and packed full of flavour they go with pretty much everything from sandwiches, cheese or even a pint.

I’m in charge of the buffet for The Review Studio Coronation party so was really pleased to receive a couple of bags of Tyrrells crisps, the regal sounding Coronation Chicken and the Tomato & Chilli Chutney flavour.

The Coronation Chicken crisps have been relaunched as a limited edition to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III. Packaged in celebratory packaging featuring plenty of colourful Union Jack flags, the crisps are made with the finest potatoes and hand cooked & spun for exquisite taste. Combining roast chicken with a subtle curry kick these crisps are nice and crunchy and incredibly moreish! I’m not always a huge fan of spicy crisps as I find that they can be a little strong but the bite of the curry was perfect and really complemented the roast chicken flavour without being overpowering.

With a RRP of £2.75 the 150g bags are currently available in Booths, Waitrose, Tesco, Asda and WHSmith Travel and will be available at BP from 2nd May.

The brand new Tomato & Chilli Chutney flavour crisps have a warm chilli flavour with a hint of smokiness. These crisps are packed full of flavour with a perfect crunch and are the perfect addition to any picnic or Coronation party this summer.

The 150g bags have a RRP of £2.75 and are currently available from Asda and Waitrose and look out for them in Tesco from 21^st March.