Christmas – The Review Studio

GNAW Handcrafted Chocolate

Birthday Gifts, Children, chocolate, Christmas, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers

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

Chocolate has always been a popular treat, and gift, but nowadays it’s taken on a life of it’s own with the new phenomenon of handcrafted chocolate. Combine that with the new novelty flavours and higher quality ingredients which are available, and you have a completely new genre of food connoisseur, similar to wine or coffee experts. GNAW Handcrafted Chocolate sent us a box of chocolates to review, and by box, I don’t mean your supermarket box for Granny on a Sunday, but a box that can be delivered through your door and contains 6 slabs of chocolates, each of them weighing 80 grams and of all different flavours, we couldn’t resist!

The GNAW chocolates arrived in a letterbox sized box and contained 6 bars; Dark Chocolate 70%, Dark Chocolate with Raspberry, Milk Chocolate New York Cheesecake, Milk Chocolate Honeycomb & Caramel, Milk Chocolate Popcorn & Peanuts and Milk Chocolate Lemon Drizzle. The bars are wrapped in paper labels with a ‘foil’ inside cover in an old-fashioned style, but all the packaging is actually recyclable. The chocolates don’t contain any palm oil and the packaging tells you if they are single origin ingredients too, which in the case of the Lemon Drizzle, the single origin is Colombia.

You might be thinking that these are unusual flavours for a chocolate? Well, they are! They represent a small selection of all the flavours that are available online in their shop; https://www.gnawchocolate.co.uk/collections/milk-chocolate-bars which has a lot more dessert-inspired flavours as well as everyday milk chocolate and dark chocolate bars. They are especially good if you like something slightly different to just chocolate, or if like me, you skip dessert and instead have a piece of chocolate instead.

How do they taste? Well, of course, I had to taste a piece of every chocolate bar we were sent, purely for research purposes… the dark chocolates are 70% so they are darker in colour and taste but still sweet enough to eat as a snack. The added raspberry is a treat because it sweetens the dark chocolate a little bit. The milk chocolate bars are a little less traditional but all have a theme of being slightly sweeter than the chocolate itself. The Lemon Drizzle has a hint of lemon but the added texture of tiny biscuit pieces. New York Cheesecake also has subtle biscuit pieces but you can taste the cheesecake filling as the flavour develops. Honeycomb & Caramel reminds me of a famous triangular brand of chocolate, so it’s a more familiar taste but I love having the chewy texture in a chocolate bar. Finally, the Popcorn & Peanut is a strange combination which is more about the consistency than the taste, until it evolves after a few moments.

I think my favourite chocolate was the Dark Chocolate Raspberry because of the juxtaposition of sweet raspberry and the dark chocolate. I don’t think there are any that I wouldn’t buy again, but I am very tempted by the other flavours on their website too!

Available online at: https://www.gnawchocolate.co.uk/collections/chocolate-bars

JLab JBuds Mini Wireless Ear Buds

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Tech

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

“The smallest fit ever” is what the packaging on the JLab Mini JBuds claims and we’d have to agree! Even the casing is smaller on these diddy earbuds, which are perfect for children or those with smaller ears. The ear buds are 30% smaller but the case is 50% smaller than other ear buds, which also makes them easier to carry, especially in pockets. They’re so small in fact, that at just 3.3 grams each and a total of 18.5 grams for the case, they make an ideal keyring or can be worn as a charm on your phone.

The JBud ear buds pack a punch though with a 6mm dynamic driver speaker for audio and an output of 103 ± 3dB. The battery life is around 20 hours when fully charged, which is impressive amount of play time with such small headphones. It takes between 1.5 and 2 hours to charge depending on how you charge the case, which is a USB-C port and comes with the C to C cable. The ear buds connect to Bluetooth 5.3 (the most recent version) and have approximately 30 foot range.

These are especially great for children because of their size and they also connect really easily to devices when in ‘find’ mode. There’s not very many settings on them either, and the 4.5cm length case is easy to handle and keep on children in their pockets, rather than having to hand them to someone else or carry a bag with them. They’re a great price too, either as a gift or as a stocking filler and they’re currently on sale at £29.99 on the JLab website below!

JLab JBuds Mini Wireless Ear Buds for £39.99 at: https://www.jlab.com/en-gb/products/jbuds-mini-true-wireless-earbuds-teal

JLab Pop Party Ultra-Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, Summer, Tech

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

Here’s a great gift for the teenagers or when you’re travelling – a portable Bluetooth speaker that lights up and connect to other JLab speakers to create a wall of sound!

Imagine being out on a picnic, or camping, and having a team of these JLab Pop Party Bluetooth speakers all playing the same music at the same time from the same device. Each of the speakers lights up so that not only can you find them easily amongst all your stuff, but as night falls, you can see each other in the glow or red, green and blue lights. They each have 8 hours of power in them; enough for a whole day outside or a night time party. The JLab Pop Party Ultra-Portable Bluetooth speakers are only £24.99, and make excellent birthday gifts, stocking fillers or gifts for children and teenagers.

With 5 watts power and a 2 year warranty, the speaker is only 7.55 inches tall and has a 2 inch driver and 2 inch woofer. It has various mounting options and a detachable magnetic loop, which you can hold in one hand or mount on a bicycle handle or in the backseat of a car. It has IP55 waterproofing so you can take it outside (it’s rain protective, not water protective so you can’t submerge it!) It’s lightweight so you can carry it in hand luggage or just over your wrist.

Charging is with a C to C cable in the USB-C port and takes around 3 hours to fully charge. Syncing is with Bluetooth 5.3. There’s approximately 30 foot range of connectivity. You get the most out of t he RGB lights if you use the JLab App to control the frequency, pattern and create the light show from it.

This is the first time I’ve seen these ‘Pop Party’ speakers and ever got to use them. They’re really useful for just taking out for the day and for children to play with in the garden or for teenagers to take out with them. The sound quality is excellent and connection to my phone was super easy one I turned on the speaker and it was ‘findable’. The JLab Pop Part Ultra-Portable Bluetooth speaker is ultra-easy to get along with and use, making it a perfect gift for anyone!

JLab Pop Party UltraPortable Bluetooth Speaker for £24.99 at: https://www.jlab.com/en-gb/products/pop-party-ultra-portable-bluetooth-speaker-black?srsltid=AfmBOoqK6kuF00xfCjWpXLHOKF0Unr3Tr9WJdnI1K9qK1ksBeALP11zW

Eyeam Daily SPF NoTox Daily Face Cream

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Fashion, Gifts for Her, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Women

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

I’d never heard of the company Eyeam before, so when they offered to send us some SPF NoTox face cream, I had a look at their website to see what it’s all about. Turns out, this is a British company with an holistic approach to beauty through using pure products, small batches and using the body’s connections. Their Four Pillar approach bridges the mind, body, spirit and skin to bring out the best in women. Even more interesting, is that Eyeam is run almost completely by women FOR women. Their website is fascinating to find out more about the science and spirit behind their approach to wellness and skin care.

We were sent the Eyeam Daily SPF face cream. Boasting a SPF of 20+, it’s called NoTox because it has pure ingredients and is non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog your pores. As a daily cream, it can be worn under make-up, is free from fragrances and protects against UVA and UVB rays. It also gives Polyphenol-rich antioxidant peptide protection and actives. As we’ve had a lot of very sunny weather recently, it was easy to try this daily moisturiser in very direct sunlight!

The Eyeam Daily SPF 20 cream is very thin when you dispense it. It’s only slightly less thin in consistency than single cream, but it’s very rich so you don’t need too much. I found that it takes a while for it to blend into the skin. It leaves a slight white gloss over your skin until you rub it in and settle. I believe this is to do with the SFP and creating that barrier between your skin and the sun’s rays. Once it’s blended into your skin, it has a tiny bit of sheen to it, which give a nice glow in the sunshine, with the knowledge that your skin is protected. It can be used as a primer though, where you can apply make-up on top and it acts as a base.

It lasted all day during the summer heat. It left my skin plumper all day, with a slightly waxy texture but not anything that meant my make-up slid off. It felt like a barrier cream that moisturised at the same time, but not like a film, more like a base. It certainly worked as a SFP as well, with no colour getting to my face the whole time I’ve worn it, and I’ve been wearing it daily for a few weeks now.

There are lots of other items available on the Eyeam website, all of which are made in the UK in small batches to ensure quality.

Available online for £59 at: https://eyeamworld.com/products/daily-spf-notox?_pos=1&_psq=Notox&_psid=a47aaa7c1&_ss=e&_v=1.0

TrueStart Ground Coffee Cafetière & Coffee Gift Set

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, coffee, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, secret santa

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

There are some sacred things in this life, and the first cup of coffee in the morning is probably high up on most people’s wish list! What better gift to buy a caffeine lover than a whole set of coffee and a cafetière too, all in this pretty presentation box, ready to wrap and hand over.

TrueStart have a range of coffees available by both strength (strong, smooth, decaf, half cafe) and type (instant, coffee bags, ground, beans etc). They also have a starter packs, gifts packs and accessories, so a natural progression at Christmas time is to have a Coffee Starter Pack. You can create your own starter pack too, which is what we were sent when we received this cafetière (in grey but blue is available too) and two coffees. I chose the TrueStart Super Blend coffee with a strength of 8, and the TrueStart Energising Colombian ground coffee with a strength of 7. I can’t stress how cute it is to have the box arrive with the handle of the cafetière as the handle to the gift box, making it easier to carry!

The glass cafetière has 1 litre capacity, which is enough for 8 cups of coffee and has a stainless steel finish. It needs to be hand washed because the glass is delicate, so not suitable for the dishwasher nor the oven. It’s a lovely, classic design which comes in both grey and dark blue so suits many kitchens. I have a pet peeve with cafetières that they’re either too small and you can’t get enough cups out of them, or they’re too big and therefore just functional and don’t look pretty enough for modern kitchens. This one looks lovely though, and would sit nicely on any worktop.

We tried both coffees (multiple times!) in our house. We chose stronger coffees with more aromatic tastes so the Super Blend and Energising Colombian were perfect for us. They both had a strong, bold taste which lasted throughout the whole cup of coffee, and because you can make up to 8 cups in one cafetière, we were able to drink a second cup quite quickly afterwards and each cup kept it’s integrity. Delicious!

If your’e not used to a cafetière, this is a great starter pack, and they’re really easy to use and keep clean. In fact, I would say it’s the most fun way of making coffee, and you can alter the strength of the coffee easily depending on how much you add to the jug. I loved the coffee, which is carefully selected and curated by the TrueStart coffee company since 2015 who take coffee very seriously. It’s a great size for a gift as well, or for students going off to university and needing the whole kit that’s the right size for their room. The ability to choose which coffee you want also makes it perfect for gifting and I will be looking at these as gifts at Christmas too!

Available from £30.00 at:

https://www.truestartcoffee.com/products/ground-coffee-starter-pack

Hozo NeoSander

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Tech

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

HOZO was founded in 2021 and they are an innovative technology company that designs and develops smart measuring and creative tools for professionals and DIY enthusiasts. Their product range included digital measuring devices, modular rulers, laser measurement tools and creative workshop equipment. With users in more than 65 countries, HOZO continues to redefine precision, creativity and efficiency in modern tool design. We recently tried out both the HOZO NeoBlade Wireless Ultrasonic Cutter – Creator Combo Set and the NeoRuler Go – 41 Piece Premium Gift Combo and now we’ve had the opportunity to try out another of their smart tools – the NeoSander.

My husband is a keen model maker and often need to use sandpaper or a rotary tool to smooth off plastic or wooden parts so he was more than happy to take a look at The NeoSander.

The small reciprocating detail sander is a small handheld device that vibrates a sanding head at up to 13000 strokes per minute. The controls are simple, just a power switch and then a sliding control to vary the stroke length. It is charged using a USB-C cable and is not too heavy so fits easily into your hand. It’s difficult to say how long the battery lasts as I haven’t used it enough yet but if it was to run out when you’re in the middle of sanding you can simply plug it in and carry on using it rather than having to wait for it to re-charge.

The base model NeoSander (RRP £53) comes with a set of 8 different heads and 8 sheets of pre-cut self-adhesive sandpaper in a range of grits from 180 to 1500. To use, simply peel off a piece of sandpaper to suit the head and fit the head to the sander. The heads come in different shapes and sizes so there is always one to suit the job.

My husband has found it really useful for sanding down wooden parts and plastic, it’s particularly good at removing the plastic mould marks that you get when you pop out the plastic from the sprue. We also think this would be brilliant if you do a lot of 3D printing as it would be invaluable for cleaning up the 3D prints.

There are other accessories available, my husband now has his eye on the set of 64 colour coded heads which would mean he could have every head available in every grit and would save him a lot of peeling and swapping paper between different jobs.

My husband is really impressed with the performance especially compared to a rotary tool. As the sander uses a linear motion rather than rotary it is much easier to keep control and sanding marks are reduced. The detail heads make getting into the smallest parts simple and the other heads are good for curved parts or corners. The stroke length can be reduced to less than a mm so there is little danger of overunning onto the wrong part.

The NeoSander may be small enough to disappear into a drawer, but don’t let its size fool you. This little powerhouse makes the tedious business of sanding remarkably satisfying, tackling fiddly corners, awkward curves and tiny details with the sort of precision that would have most rotary tools waving a white flag. Whether it’s model making, 3D printing projects, crafting or general workshop tinkering, it takes much of the effort out of achieving a professional-looking finish. And with Father’s Day fast approaching, it’s the kind of gift that will delight any dad who loves building, fixing or creating things. Practical, clever and genuinely useful, it’s a tool that’s far more exciting than another pair of novelty socks!!

Trapiche Pure Malbec

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, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Women

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

If your dad enjoys a glass of red wine, a good bottle is guaranteed to go down well on Father’s Day. Better still, for those last minute shoppers, Trapiche Pure Malbec is readily available from the Co-op so you can pick a bottle up on your way to see him!!

Produced by Argentina’s most awarded winery, this Fairtrade-certified Malbec is packed with juicy fruit flavours and is wonderfully smooth and easy to drink. At just £10 a bottle, it’s also excellent value for money, proving that you don’t have to spend a fortune to give a special gift.

The Trapiche vineyards are in Mendoza, one of Argentina’s most famous wine regions which are nestled at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The winery was founded by Argentine politician and businessman Tiburcio Benega back in 1883 and over the years the business has grown to be one of Argentina’s leading wine producers. The vineyards are planted higher up in the mountains, where the cooler air helps keep the grapes fresh and balanced, despite the intense Argentinian sunshine.

The “Pure” in the name refers to the fact that this is an unoaked Malbec. Rather than being aged in oak barrels, the wine is made in stainless steel and concrete tanks. While I’m no wine expert, I find this style lets the fruit do the talking, bringing out the cassis, blueberry and plum flavours without the vanilla or smoky notes that oak can sometimes add.

The rich purple wine is smooth and easy to drink and it goes really well with both steak and cheese.

By choosing Fairtrade wine, you are supporting farmers and ensuring that they have access to fairer working conditions. Fairtrade also makes sure that producers receive a fairer price for their grapes and provides extra funding that can be invested back into workers and local communities. It also supports growers in adopting more sustainable farming methods and promotes fair treatment and opportunities for everyone working in the vineyards.

Available from the Co op

Dad’s Dram Selection Whisky Tasting Set

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Stocking Fillers

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

For any Dad or Grandad who loves whisky, a dram selection is always a good idea on Father’s Day! For anyone who likes whisky and wants to try a selection without having to buy a whole bottle at a time, the Dad’s Dram Selection from Drinks By The Dram is an excellent choice to try yourself. The six drams included in the set are:

Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old
Teeling Small Batch
Islay Whisky 8 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
Tobermory 12 Year Old
Talisker Skye
Darkness 8 Year Old

Each of the drams are 3cl and although they come in identical bottles, the logos on their labels is faithful to the companies’ brandings. There’s a mixture of different whiskies too, which all come from Scotland. They arrive in this smart presentation box which can be posted or handed over without even any gift wrap!

The glass-sized samples of whisky are all of excellent quality. Depending on how Dad drinks whisky, they can be kept for special occasions or tried every night for a week. I especially like the idea of this being a birthday present for Dad, so that his birthday can last longer than a week and be able to sample the different whiskies in isolation on different days.

Available from £24.95 at:

https://www.masterofmalt.com/tasting-set/master-of-malt/dads-dram-selection-whisky-black-tasting-set/?sku=143113

Faith In Nature Seaweed & Citrus Range

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, Vegan

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

If you’re struggling to come up with the perfect gift for Dad, this year why not skip the predictable beer or chocolate and go for something he’ll use and enjoy every day like these Seaweed & Citrus products from Faith In Nature. These are a great practical gift, especially for Dad’s who take pride in their appearance.

Faith In Nature has been around since 1974, long before natural, cruelty free and vegan products were a thing. Founded by Rivka Rose, the brand has stuck to its guns for more than 50 years, making straightforward products with as few ingredients as possible and none of the unnecessary stuff like silicones, parabens or SLS. These days it’s sold in more than 40 countries, which is quite an achievement.

If your dad’s got hair that soon gets greasy, the Seaweed & Citrus range is well worth a look. The shampoo and conditioner (£13.99 for the set or £7.99 individually) are made with rock wrack seaweed that’s hand-harvested off the coast of northern Scotland. Seaweed is packed with nutrients that help keep hair and scalps in good condition and with the addition of citrus oils these products will leave your hair feeling clean and fresh.

The vegan shampoo and conditioner are 99.5% natural origin and are cruelty-free. The ingredients include rosemary oil, nettle which helps add shine and chamomile, which is known for it’s calming properties.

Faith In Nature are passionate about using only the best quality natural ingredients and the rock wrack seaweed in these products is sustainably harvested in Scotland by trained specialists who follow strict environmental practices, ensuring the surrounding ecosystem remains healthy and allowing the seaweed to regenerate naturally for future harvests.

The coastal inspired theme continues with the Seaweed & Citrus Body Wash (£6.49). With the same fragrance as the hair products this body wash creates a creamy lather which leaves your skin feeling clean, refreshed and invigorated.

The formula is enriched with oat extract which gently soothes and soften the skin along with limeflower extract which has calming and antioxidant properties. It also contains Elderberry extract which brings a wealth of naturally occurring bioflavonoids that help support healthy-looking skin and contribute to an overall feeling of wellbeing.

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Him, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts

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

Finding the perfect Father’s Day gift isn’t always easy, especially with the cost of living still squeezing budgets. Aftershave is always a good present to buy and with so many different fragrances available it’s easy to find one that suits both your dad’s personality and your budget. Superdrug have some brilliant offers on at the moment, so whether your Dad likes something classic, fresh and clean or a little more sophisticated there’s plenty to choose from without spending a fortune. These two are a couple of my favourites and both are currently reduced – which is even better!

The Artiscent Male Gift Set (usually £10 and currently £5) contains three 20ml fragrances Cedar Blanc, Musk Dore and Vettiver Arome, all created in Paris, the home of prestige perfumery. They come in smart dark blue glass bottles and are surprisingly good dupes for Paco Rabanne Invictus, Paco Rabanne 1 Million and Bleu de Chanel. The fragrances are fresh, wearable and ideal for everyday use and while they don’t quite have the staying power of the designer versions, they’re a fraction of the price. The smaller bottles are also perfect for chucking into a washbag or gym bag, making them ideal for travelling too. Whether your dad prefers crisp and sporty scents or something slightly warmer and muskier, this set gives him a few different options to try without the designer price tag attached.

If you’d rather go for a recognisable designer fragrance, then Versace The Dreamer is a really good buy. Ordinarily the 100ml bottle retails at £78, but it is currently on offer at Superdrug for only £21.84, which is an absolute bargain. With fresh notes of juniper, tarragon and artemisia, balanced with softer floral hints of iris and lily and a warm amber and tobacco base, Versace The Dreamer is one of those really easy fragrances to wear because it feels fresh and masculine without being too heavy or overpowering. Whether Dad wears it for work, weekends or going out for dinner, it’s the kind of classic scent that never really goes out of style,

CUKTECH 15 Power Bank Air

Birthday Gifts, camping, Children, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, Home & Garden, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Tech, travel

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

I love a gadget, and this power bank is perfect for a Father’s Day gift!

The CUKTECH 15 Power Bank Air holds enough power to recharge your iPhone 17 by 1.6 times or a Samsung S25 Ultra about 2.2 times over. That’s only for phones, it can power laptops too with 65W Fast Charging, which is enough to power a Mac Book Air from zero to 48%.

The slim design is deceptively heavy though! It’s enough to carry all that power but is about the size of a phone just fatter. It does mean that it fits into a pocket or hand luggage, and it would comfortably fit into a handbag too but it comes with a cosy bag to keep it in, along with the USB-C cable. The front of the power bank has a display which tells you the percentage charge already on the power bank, plus how long it will take to charge fully or how much charge it has left through each of the ports. Speaking of which, you can charge to and from the CUKTECH 15 with a Type-C2, Type-C2 and USB-A1 ports. The screen goes dark when not in use but the button at the side lights it up again so you can see the stats as it charges. The three different ports mean you can power up to three appliances all at once too.

You can charge up the CUKTECH with the provided cable. To change the direction of charge, click the side button twice and the display changes. Keep clicking and it allows you to change the display and setting so that the screen stays on and it shows you which port is being used to charge in or out of the power bank, and how long it takes to charge and the percentage. You can even change the display to be upside down so that you use it on the go or if it’s in a pocket!

At around £50, it’s not a bad price for a power bank on the market, as there are a lot out there which aren’t as compact or as useful, and having the ability to charge 3 appliances at once is definitely a benefit. The cable is a bit short though, especially if you have the charger in your pocket and you’re trying to walk and text at the same time, and you would have to source other cables for the other ports if your appliance didn’t already come with one, but they can all be poppled in the supplied bag so that you can carry them with you. Although it’s heavy too, it’s not any heavier than other power banks, and that’s because of the nature of the battery it contains.

The CUKTECH 15 Power Bank is a really useful gift and a great surprise for Father’s Day as something that is actually helpful to everyday life.

Available from £49.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FNQK3VHZ?ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_P8ESV8CN44BP0FR26YKP&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_P8ESV8CN44BP0FR26YKP&social_share=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_P8ESV8CN44BP0FR26YKP

Tessan PD20W Universal Power Adaptor

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, Stocking Fillers, Tech

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

For the Dads who travel for work, or just those Dads who are always prepared, the Tessan PD20W is a travel adapter for almost everywhere in the world, allowing him to plug in to a socket and use any appliance he’s taken with him.

The small, palm sized adaptor has 3 plugs to fix into a wall socket throughout the world; the sockets included are for the USA or Japan, Australia and the UK, meaning you can use it in Britain too if you have sockets or cables from elsewhere in the world. The front of the adaptor has 4 sockets in total. The first one is the AC socket which is commonly used in the US. Underneath, you have the USB-A, USB-C2 and USB-C1 sockets for cables. This is usually for charging phones and small appliances such as cameras and tablets. The three different sizes means it works on most modern appliances so there’s no need to bring anything else when you’re abroad.

The small, lightweight design has retractable plugs which pack away nicely, and can be turned out when ready to use. They are designed so that when one plug is being used, no others can be utilised so as not to interfere with the supply. They’re a bit clunky and all open in different ways but once you work out that one them slides, one of them flips and other one has to be prised out, you get the gist of it!

Charging is fairly quick on the Tessan PD20W Power adapter, given that it’s not a charger just an adapter. I could plug in my phone and it gives about 10% charge in 30 minutes, but that isn’t what the adapter is for. It’s mainly for being about use foreign sockets and plug in USB plugs but if you do need to charge a phone or appliance, you can charge overnight.

The Tessan PD20W is small enough that it can be packed away in your luggage or hand luggage and used anywhere abroad. For going on holiday or for the Dads in your life, it’s a nifty gadget that will be used again and again but will benefit everyone.

Currently available for £17.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0C1NRTR81/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=b0b68efcc7ecaa3dbd3e6bcea53d4618&hsa_cr_id=0&qid=1770721697&sr=1-2-e0fa1fdd-d857-4087-adda-5bd576b25987&aref=pJEjmdvY48&ref_=sbx_s_sparkle_sbtcd_asin_1_title&pd_rd_w=E5nIF&content-id=amzn1.sym.7d8787df-7d4c-460d-ab31-21b0ba272b2f%3Aamzn1.sym.7d8787df-7d4c-460d-ab31-21b0ba272b2f&pf_rd_p=7d8787df-7d4c-460d-ab31-21b0ba272b2f&pf_rd_r=MTEFXKDHG0PHPCRVZ25S&pd_rd_wg=TbzsW&pd_rd_r=9ab1dc17-2e36-4d8a-b08f-50f8737b3f5c&th=1

JLab JBuds Open Sport Earbuds

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, National Walking Month, Tech

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

May is National Walking Month so I’m taking every opportunity I can to get outdoors and walk as much as I can. When I’m walking alone, I quite often catch up on podcasts or listen to music and wear a pair of open-ear headphones rather than standard ones so that I am still aware of my surroundings. I do prefer earbuds to earphones so was really pleased when I received the JLab JBuds Open Sport Earbuds which fit over the ear with a flexible earhook and I have to say I’m really impressed with them. They are very comfortable to wear and are surprisingly light and as they are sweat and dustproof they’re ideal for sporty people. As a glasses wearer, I wasn’t sure if the hook would interfere with my glasses but there was no problem, even when I wore them for a full day.

Setting up the earbuds was simple, my Android phone automatically offered to pair with them and the Bluetooth Multipoint feature allowed me to pair with my Laptop at the same time. The JLab app has all the usual options, I can setup different equaliser configurations or change the touch controls (or turn them off) and check for updates for the firmware. Once setup though there is little need for the app and they could be used without ever opening it.

Because they don’t block outside sounds, they are also perfect to wear at work. Ordinarily I wear a headset for Teams meetings and phone calls, but it can get uncomfortable after a few hours so wearing these is a lot better. I can hear what the callers are saying and still pick up the chat from the rest of the office. My only criticism is that the clarity of my voice isn’t quite as clear as with my normal headphones and a couple of colleagues have mentioned that my voice sounds a little tinny, but they are more comfortable to wear and hopefully this is something that can be addressed in a future firmware update.

The battery life on them is good, I’ve been wearing them all morning, putting them into the charging case over my lunch break and then wearing them all afternoon but they do have an impressive 26 hour battery life so if I’m out on a long walk I don’t need to worry about the battery running out.

The JLab JBuds Open Sport wireless earbuds are perfect for those with active lifestyles, offering a whole new way to tune into your favourite music whilst exercising.

RRP £79.99

Moderato Alcohol-Free French Wine

Christmas, Days Out, Drinks and Mixers, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, health, Summer

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

The French (wine) Revolution is here! Moderato wines are all alcohol-free but are still French beauties with Cuvee, Colombard white wine and the Gros Manseng Merlot. We were sent a bottle of each to try this summer and to sample how good alcohol free wine can be.

We started with the La Cuvée, a light sparkling wine with a slightly acidic taste from the Merlot grapes. It has less than 0.5% of alcohol (they have to give it a slight alcohol rating due to the way it’s fermented) but it doesn’t have the alcohol taste to it. Instead, it’s an effervescent glass which is excellent for summer. I would drink this with a main meal or on its own. It also has fewer calories than wine, so if you’re not drinking it for the low alcohol, it’s perfect for a low calorie diet!

The Colombard is a traditional-tasting white, with citrus flavours and the sharpness that can only be found with white wines. This is also <0.5% alcohol and 7x fewer calories than other white wines and has the white wine fragrance to it too. I would drink this on its own, after work or in the garden in the summer.

The Gros Manseng Merlot is rosé with a softer fruity flavour compared to its Merlot cousin. It’s definitely a summer drink with lots of energy and a beautiful red fruit uplift. This is great with food or on its own but lives in summer thanks to the fruity nature of the wine. It doesn’t taste alcohol free either which is a brilliant achievement, even if it is made by the French experts!

All three of the wines are part of a larger range by Moderato to have alcohol free (or sans alcool in French, as the bottles proclaim) that add to your summer without needing alcohol. Delicious!

Gros Manseng £14: https://le-moderato.com/en/products/alcohol-free-rose-revolutionary-cuvee-merlot-gros-manseng-1

Colombard £14: https://le-moderato.com/en/products/alcohol-free-white-wine-colombard-revolutionary-cuvee

La Cuvée £14.50: https://le-moderato.com/en/products/the-sparkling-revolutionary-cuvee-blanc-de-noir-without-alcohol

Cuvée Révolutionnaire

Joe & Seph’s Shortbread Biscuits and Neapolitan Chocolate

Children, chocolate, Christmas, snacks

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

Joe & Seph, the famous gourmet popcorn makers, are branching out into new gift treats this year, bringing out more goodies for Christmas and beyond. Not just popcorn, but gifts including these shortbread biscuits and Neapolitan chocolates, suitable for a whole range of events, not just when Santa arrives!

Both the biscuits and chocolates arrive in large packets, set for the mass market of party bags, wedding favours and even offices where guests are greeted by the Joe & Seph favourites. Popcorn has been popular as a snack whilst watching TV for years, but it has now found itself in mainstream snacking with weddings using popcorn as favours at the end of the day. Well, the Joe & Seph chocolates work just as well with the gifting opportunities. I was sent some to try, and they reminded me of the chocolates you get in pillows of posh hotels! The shortbreads biscuits are reminiscent of afternoon meetings with clients where you bring out the cups and saucers at work and have a proper cup of tea!

The Neapolitan chocolates come in packets of 100 and are individually wrapped. They’re great for sharing at home or at parties and the milk chocolate is made with cocoa and premium ingredients to give a smooth, silky texture and chocolatey taste! The shortbread biscuits are very light – lighter than some of the biscuits on the market. They’re not gritty either, which some shortbread biscuits are and they break rather than crumble, making them easy to eat.

I’m looking forward to seeing whatever treats Joe & Seph come up with next in time for Christmas!

Shortbread Biscuits (40 packs of 2) £20 at: https://www.joeandsephs.co.uk/gifts/butter-biscuits-pack-20

Neapolitan chocolate (100 pieces) for £28 at: https://www.joeandsephs.co.uk/gifts/neapolitan-gift-pack

Faith In Nature

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, haircare, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Vegan, Women

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

If you’re looking for affordable, natural and eco-friendly skin and haircare products , then Faith In Nature is a brand that deserves a place in your bathroom. Founded in 1974 by Rivka Rose, long before natural, cruelty free and vegan products were a thing! Today, Faith In Nature products are stocked in over 40 countries and all their product are still made with as few ingredients as possible and free from silicones, parabens and SLS.

I’ve been recycling long before the council started the colour coded bins, and I’ve always tried to use eco-conscious beauty products where I can. Faith In Nature makes this commitment even easier with their refillable 5-litre and 20-litre bottles which mean less waste, fewer trips to the shop, and the feeling that you’re doing your bit for the environment.

I’ve used Faith In Nature shower gels for many years, but until recently, hadn’t ventured into their haircare range. With my curly hair feeling particularly dry and resembling a ball of frizz most days the arrival of their Shea & Argan Shampoo, Conditioner, and Nourishing Hair Mask was most welcome.Blended with organic shea butter and nourishing argan oil, the range is designed to hydrate, boost shine, and reduce breakage. And does it works – absolutely! The shampoo lathers nicely and cleans my hair without stripping moisture from it, while the conditioner glides through my hair leaving every strand silky and tangle free. The hair mask, meanwhile, is a weekly treat for my hair, restoring softness and definition to unruly curls with impressive efficiency.

Each formula also contains a blend of organic rosemary, nettle, and chamomile which soothe the scalp, enhance shine, and nourish the hair. Since using them, my curls have become softer, bouncier, and significantly less frizzy. Whether I leave them to air dry or dry with a diffuser, they hold their shape much better than before.

Not a morning person? You will be if you start using the Grapefruit & Orange Body Wash, it is not just a shower gel- it’s a citrus-fuelled wake-up call! Powered by 99.5% natural-origin ingredients and a 100% natural aroma, it leaves my skin feeling soft, refreshed, and delicately scented long after the steam has cleared. This shower gel is proof that you don’t have to spend loads of money to get a quality body wash.

if you’re looking to upgrade your hair and skincare routine and indulge in some expertly crafted natural products, Faith In Nature is the brand to try. With shower gels from £6.49 and haircare from just £7.99, these brilliantly formulated essentials are as kind to your bank balance as they are to the planet.

SMUG

beauty, Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Easter, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, travel, Women

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

The Easter holidays are in full swing, and whether you’re hopping on a plane, train or jumping into the car one thing’s for sure… we all want to look and feel our best when we’re away.

I always hate sleeping in a strange bed, different pillows, unfamiliar noises, a lumpy mattress they all affect my sleep. So when a parcel from SMUG landed on my doorstep, I thought these could be a game changer for my Easter travels. And honestly? They really are.

Cloud Padded Satin Sleep Mask (RRP £20)

This sleep mask blocks out every bit of light, feels unbelievably soft, and crucially… stays put all night. It’s nicely padded and being made of satin is great for your skin. The gently curved shape sits nicely on my face and it really seems to help prevent sleep creases. There’s lots of different designs to choose from, so you can pick one that matches your pyjamas. It also comes in a little pouch, making it perfect to pop in your hand luggage. An essential for your Easter getaway? Definitely

Satin Sleep Turban (RRP £15)

If you have curls, this is the sleep aid you didn’t know you needed! Say goodbye to the pineapple bun that never quite survives the night. This satin turban keeps your hair smooth, protected, and hydrated while you sleep. When I wake up, I no longer look like I’ve had my fingers in a socket and my normal mop of frizz is history. The turban is comfortable and stays on all night, whether you’re in a hotel, on a plane, or in a friend’s spare room. It can be washed, ideally by hand but it can be put in the washing machine on a delicate 30 °C cycle and I’d advise popping it in a mesh bag to protect it.

Soft Satin Pillowcases (RRP £15)

Now, we’ve all heard about the benefits of silk pillowcases, but they can be eye-wateringly expensive. These give you that same luxe feel without the splurge, which is great. They’re brilliant for both skin and hair and I’ve found since I started using them that my skin stays hydrated, and my hair is less likely to turn into a mop of frizz overnight.

The pillowcases were a good fit on my pillow, well-fitting but loose enough to easily take on and off. They wash well on a delicate 30 °C wash and I’ve been drying them outdoors which helps reduce creasing.

With a good choice of colours and designs you should easily find one to match your bedding. I’m going to be taking one away with me this Easter as they’re easy to pack, and will instantly make any bed feel a bit more like home.

Bamboo Scalp Massager (RRP £12)

Small and easy to hold, this scalp massager fits nicely in my hand and gives a gentle, soothing massage that helps boost circulation to help keep my scalp in good condition. I have been using it in the shower to work conditioner through my hair and I’ve noticed an immediate improvement in how well my hair is conditioned over the comb I normally use and it moisturises my hair without pulling the curls. The rubber nubs give a really good massage and exfoliate my scalp, removing dry flakes and reducing itchiness.

Crafted from high quality bamboo it comes with its own bag, so it’s perfect for popping into your suitcase when you’re travelling.

Pillow Mist & Shower Mist Set (RRP £24)

Mornings now start with the shower mist, which wake me up gently with gorgeous essential oil vibes, perfect when you’re dragging yourself out of bed on holiday. Then in the evening, a quick spritz of the pillow mist transforms even the most basic hotel room into a calm, cosy sleep haven.

All these SMUG products are ideal for Easter getaways when your routine is all over the place and will help you reset, relax, and actually switch off.

Contouring Glow Wand from Scented Aromas

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, travel, Vegan, Women

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

Here’s a treat for you! The Contouring Glow Wand from Scented Aromas combines both Gua Sha and ice therapy to give your face a glow-up like never before. What’s Gua Sha I hear you ask? And what is ice therapy? Gua Sha is a technique used to push the lymphatic fluid around the body, and in this case the face, to drain out through the lymph nodes and leave skin’s appearance smoother and less swollen-looking. Gua Sha also brightens up the skin by increasing blood flow, which along with the ice therapy also relieves headaches and tightens open pores.

The Contouring Glow Wand is made of silicone and comes in two parts. To use, you fill the inside of the wand up to 80% with water then pop it in the freezer to freeze solid. When it’s solid, it’s ready to use at any time of day but can be used anytime depending on the need. The wand defrosts slowly giving you enough time to use it and then return it to the freezer. Of course, you can let it defrost too, in case you need to store it, or travel.

How do you use it though? The frozen wand combines ice therapy with Gua Sha to give all the benefits. Examples of Gua Sha massage can be found on Instagram or YouTube but the principle is to massage away the stress, lines, underlying toxins and relax the muscles of your face by applying pressure across the contours of your face. This can be in the direction of the muscle, away from the face and into the lymphatic nodes or simply through the scalp if it’s a headache you’re trying to stave off. With time, you find more techniques, but I already carry out a lymphatic drain on my face every morning before LED red light therapy. I used the Contouring Glow Wand to massage under my eyes by applying medium pressure from the nose, out to the temples and down to the lymph nodes under the ears. I also used it across my forehead, from the middle of my face out to the edges to reduce puffiness.

How did it feel? It’s freezing at first and in warmer weather it melts a little bit too! The sharpness of the ice takes a while to get used to and probably speeds up the Gua Sha at first but once you get used to it, it’s both cooling and soothing. I’m sure the ice cold helps with inflammation too, as well as the benefits of brightening skin and reducing redness.

I would recommend taking this on holiday with you in case of sunburn or to reduce redness from hot climates. As it’s so cooling it’s great for children too, where they can play with it safely to cool down. Most hotel rooms have fridge freezers or ice machines which will allow you to keep the Contouring Glow Wand frozen in your room and handy at all times. It lasts for as long as the ice asks, so you can just fill it up again and start over as early as a few hours later.

I think this is a really good tool as well as a good gift for someone who loves beauty and especially beauty gadgets. It’s non-toxic plus it doesn’t interfere with any aesthetics such as botox or surgery.

Available from £13.99 at: https://www.scentedaromas.uk/products/2-in-1-ice-therapy-gua-sha-contouring-glow-wand-hot-pink

JOMO Club

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Macellaio Italian Steak House, Soho London

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

https://www.macellaiorc.com

Neve’s Bees Beeswax Tinted Lip and Cheek Balms

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RRP £9.95

Suite Spaces Modular Dolls House Sets

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Gifts for children, Learning, Toys

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

The moment December arrives, parents across the land descend into a familiar state of mild panic. There’s a list, it’s long and of course it’s non-negotiable. And somehow, you’re expected to source everything whilst juggling work, life and the madness of Christmas itself. So, if you’re currently hunting for a dolls house and furniture, allow me to save you some time by pointing you in the right direction.

The Suite Spaces Modular Dolls House Sets are designed for 8 to 10cm dolls. There’s five different rooms available, a Deluxe Bedroom, Living Room, Kitchen, Bathroom and Game Room set plus the Style Surprises Blind Boxes which contains five surprise décor pieces to help children style and personalise their Suite Spaces rooms.

The clever bit is the flexibility, each room can easily be joined to the others to form one large house but as each room is modular you’re not locked into a single layout. When boredom inevitably strikes, the whole thing can be pulled apart and rebuilt in a completely different configuration. It might be kitchen on top one day with the bathroom at the bottom and on the next day it’s been swapped around – the layout is entirely up to the child’s imagination. Even the wallpaper and flooring are reversible, allowing for yet more rearranging and redesigning.

The attention to detail is just brilliant and it’s easy to see that a lot of thought has gone into every room. In the bathroom there’s soap, sponges and candles and the game room has a very modern feel complete with selfie light! The living room comes with a vase of flowers and candles, and the kitchen even has its own little fried egg for the frying pan.

I was also very impressed by the quality, the oven opens, the computer chair swivels, and when the rooms are stacked together they feel sturdy and well made. These are definitely built to stand up to the kind of enthusiastic play a child aged six and over will give them. This is not a flimsy, fall-apart-by-New Year sort of toy.

The smaller sets include 20 accessories and the larger ones come with 30, so there’s no shortage of home accessories to ignite budding designers imaginations. The sets encourage storytelling, creativity and hours of happy play, with endless scenarios to act out.

The Suite Spaces sets would make a wonderful Christmas present for any child who loves playing with dolls houses. We absolutely loved everything about them and I’ve no doubt they’ll be a big hit under the tree this year.

Standard rooms RRP £15 & Deluxe Bedroom set RRP £20

Blind box RRP £6 Avaiable from The Entertainer

Original Squishmallows Micromallows Plush 10 Pack

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Gifts for children, Stocking Fillers, Toys

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

If you have young children you are bound to have heard of Squishmallows. These super cute stuffed egg-shaped cuddly toys are available in a wide selection of characters and have a habit of quietly taking over bedrooms and sofas. Fortunately, they’re nice and soft so when you accidently sit on them it doesn’t matter!

Micromallows are a smaller version of Squishmallows and have all the softness and charm of the originals, but are much smaller and a lot more portable, meaning they can be stuffed into pockets, bags, and glove boxes and taken on lots more adventures. Designed for collecting, displaying, and imaginative play, Micromallows allow children to construct entire plush-based worlds without needing an extension on the house!

The Micromallows plush 10-pack contains a selection of favourite characters including Hans the Hedgehog with his cute green bobble hat, Natnat the Alien who brings a touch of intergalactic fun to playtime while Puff the Penguin looks prepared for either a polar expedition or a well deserved nap. Malcolm the Mushroom, a Squishmallows celebrity is there too.

Compatible with all Micromallows Accessory and Storage Display sets, these tiny plush characters are easy to display, carry, or include in elaborate imaginary scenarios. They fit neatly into display cases, backpacks, or play scenes dreamed up by collectors of all ages.

The set makes a lovely gift, but you can also split it into stocking fillers or why not use them as a cute name place holders at the Christmas table?

Whilst officially aimed at children aged three to ten, they are also adored by older children and teenagers.

RRP £19.99 and available from Smyths Toys where they are currently available for £12.99

Egg Free Cake Box – Red Velvet Dubai Chocolate Cake

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Winter, Women

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

With Christmas just around the corner, the shops are full of festive treats. While there will always be a place for a traditional Christmas cake or pudding, it’s rather lovely to discover something a little different – and this Red Velvet Dubai Chocolate Cake from Egg Free Cake Box is just that.

The cake is a beautifully light and moist red velvet sponge, generously layered with a silky pistachio cream and Egg Free Cake Box’s signature Dubai mix, which brings a gentle nuttiness and a pleasing sweetness. The sides are neatly finished with classic red velvet crumbs there’s also the option to personalise your cake; ours simply read “Enjoy”, but you can choose your own message when ordering.

On top of the cake is delicate creamy piping, adorned with a light sprinkle of suter pheni and crunchy pistachio pieces, while fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries add a cheerful splash of colour. It’s decorative without being fussy and my husband especially enjoyed the lighter topping as he finds cakes full of buttercream much too sweet.

I must confess I hadn’t come across Egg Free Cake Box before, so I was surprised to discover several shops within a short distance of home. With over 250 locations nationwide, their impressive Click & Collect service means you can order a cake and collect it within just an hour – perfect for last-minute get togethers. The company started back in 2008 with a single shop in East London and has grown steadily, always placing an emphasis on quality ingredients and careful craftsmanship.

All of their cakes are completely egg free, reflecting the founders’ strict lacto-vegetarian diet. When I was eating the cake I really couldn’t tell that it was egg free – there’s certainly no compromise when it comes to flavour or texture – which also makes these cakes a reassuring choice for parties where egg allergies may be a concern.

Our cake was delivered by a man in a car and it was well packaged in a large cake box. When I opened the box, it looked even more delicious than I’d hoped! The red velvet sponge had a lovely depth of flavour and wasn’t too sweet, while the pistachio and Dubai cream brought a luxurious nuttiness that worked incredibly well and make the cake incredibly moreish!

While it’s at its best within 24 hours, we popped it in the fridge for an extra day and the sponge stayed beautifully light and soft and was just as tasty as it was on the first day.

This is the sort of cake that would sit proudly on a Christmas Day table, perfect for sharing with family, and it makes a cracking alternative to the usual Christmas pudding – or a very good excuse to have both. We all thought it was absolutely delicious and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Egg Free Cake Box. With my birthday landing at the end of December, I can already tell you where my cake will be coming from this year.

RRP from £32.99 for a 6” cake

Beauty & the Beast – The Grand Theatre Blackpool

Children, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Gifts for children, Theatre

It’s December and the panto season is in full swing and there’s nowhere better to soak up this Christmas tradition than in Blackpool. Nothing says festive fun quite like a good old-fashioned pantomime, and in Blackpool, where the humour is gloriously cheeky and the double entendres glide in quicker than a seagull after chips – it’s family entertainment at its finest.

Betty Legs Diamond, the original Funny Girl herself, strides on as Dame Polly La Plonk, resplendent, outrageous and armed with a wicked glint that suggests she could reduce a grown man to helpless giggles with nothing more than a raised eyebrow.

Belle, played by Kitty Harris is exactly how a fairytale princess should be. She’s beautiful and kind and you can easily see that she sees past the horns, fur and claws to spot the prince within.

Leading the all-star cast is Coronation Street baddie Marc Baylis as Hugo Pompidou. He strides across the stage with the perfect mix of danger, drama and irresistible charm, making it impossible not to boo the moment he appears.

But the real heart of a Grand Theatre panto is, as ever, Steve Royle. Having earned the title of the UK Pantomime Awards’ Best Comic, he bounds onto the stage like a child who’s had too many fizzy drinks. His energy, perfectly timed slapstick and razor-sharp adlibs had the audience in stitches from the moment he appeared on stage.

The costumes this year are an explosion of colour, big, bold and bursting with personality. The Beast’s costume is particularly impressive and with his swishing cloak he cuts quite the imposing figure. The transformations from prince to beast and back again are especially impressive, they are so quick that you half expect to find Doctor Who lurking in the wings with a malfunctioning time vortex! Maybe one to include next year!! Elsewhere, the French theme justifies a profusion of red, white and blue. The dancers seem to have a new outfit for every scene, while Dame Polly’s costumes… well, let’s just say they’re that little bit more daring. Would we expect anything less?

The show is peppered with brilliant scenes, from classics like the Ghostbusters routine to wonderfully funny adlibs when the balloon scene went deliciously off-script.

Choreographed by Katie Hill, the talented dancers from The Barbara Jackson’s Theatre Arts Centre were excellent, wowing the audience with a variety of different dance styles. We especially enjoyed the Can Can which added a typical French flourish to the show.

Beauty and the Beast runs until Sunday 4th January, giving you plenty of time to catch this magical, laugh-out-loud production. If you love pantomime – and honestly, who doesn’t at Christmas? – this is one you absolutely won’t want to miss.

Tickets start from £15 and are available from The Grand Theatre here