Category: Easter

Project 173 Chocolate Rum

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, chocolate, Drinks and Mixers, Easter, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him

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.

Grown ups and Easter don’t normally mix, but if you throw in some rum, and a Chocolate Rum at that, you are probably going to enjoy this time of year more!

Project 173 from Atom Lab is a rum-based ‘Rumbow’ with a range of flavoured rums. There’s Black Cherry, Pineapple, Coconut, Banana, Mango, Watermelon and now the Chocolate Rum for Easter.

Sold in a stylish 50cl brown glass bottle (reminiscent of a medicine bottle, which I don’t think is a mistake) the 42% proof rum has a distinct chocolate taste. It’s for chocolate lovers more than rum lovers as it’s a departure from the usual but you can really smell the sweetness of the chocolate as soon as you open the bottle.  The rum itself is rich and doesn’t have an aftertaste. The finish is definitely chocolatey though with a smooth taste too.  It can be consumed on its own or with a mixer. A particularly good idea is to drink it out of an Easter egg, or as my colleague has just noted, you could add it to a tiramisu to give both chocolate and rum vibes. Perhaps a good Easter Sunday dessert?

The rest of the Rumbow from Project 173 looks just as interesting with flavours which you could easily add to cocktails and seem fitting for a rum.  They also have a new Hot Buttered Popcorn flavour which looks just as delicious!

Available from £20.95 at: https://www.masterofmalt.com/rum/project-173/project-173-chocolate-rum/

Smirnoff Miami Peach Vodka

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

#Over 18s Only

Out for summer, the new Smirnoff Miami Peach vodka is the Miami makeover to vodka that you never know you needed.

Available in either ready-to-drink cans or a 700ml bottle, Smirnoff Miami Peach is vodka (35%) with a peach flavouring.  Based on the Miami beach lifestyle, the spirit can be consumed as regular vodka with either lemonade or a soft drink, or added to a cocktail. Try a Smirnoff Miami Peach Sunrise or Smirnoff Miami Peach & Iced Tea to bring out the flavour.

Smirnoff Miami Peach has the familiar taste of vodka with the sweeter taste of peach flavoured within.  If you’re not used to the taste of vodka because you find it too harsh, then Miami Peach is a great way to ease yourself into the cocktail season. The fruity, sweet flavour of the peach makes this easier to drink, and as with all spirits, you can dilute it as much as you need to in order to get the flavour and alcohol mixture right.

Vodka is becoming more popular now, hot on the heels of the trendy gins, so expect to see Smirnoff Vodka all over the summer festivals this year.  If you can’t make it to Miami this year, Smirnoff Miami Peach brings Miami to you!

Available from Morrisons for £19.00 at: https://groceries.morrisons.com/products/smirnoff-miami-peach-70cl/114834089?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjws-S-BhD2ARIsALssG0Zy7iMH0PodJNoFrrI5w8oAHGz3VDVavOOqgmjnsVosD1eYOnKq2ggaAtCJEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

Airbrush Plush Hair’iffic Mini

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Easter, Family Life, Gifts for children, Stocking Fillers, Toys

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.

Easter doesn’t have to be about chocolate and the Airbrush Plush Hair’iffic Mini is not only a great gift, but will keep the children occupied during the Easter holidays!

This washable toy comes with fun accessories including 15 stencils so that your little ones can colour in the wild Plush hair and create their own look! The kit includes two coloured pens and a clever accessory that when added to the coloured pen, creates an ‘air brush’ effect to use over the stencil and create effects. You can mix the colours too, and use the accessories to comb and create styles, tie up the hair and add bows.  When they get bored, you just have to wash it under the tap and they can start again!

A new hobby for Easter, this is great for outdoors when the sun is out. It’s only about 21 centimetres tall and can fit in luggage if you go on holiday. There are three of these Minis to collect too. For ages 6+.

Available for £7.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Airbrush-Hairiffic-Decorate-repeat-colourful/dp/B0DPJ6KMHV/ref=sr_1_3?crid=FBWKJ3NUWM2T&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.to0AJLcJwnmRJZqOa9B5kl3z7uLM6VwKvdSjh7ZgGyETM0TPgmeeR00Ew8YPPT6dWdbxlR7ps30_n2u5Z2vy-tzPaEbbXGAadPgeI7dibnpJAZ1jJXE47_cxbq6uJ_y7ZFnVWy-TVu-2S8X7Fk4dyy9uFLLKn54Hl0VWb_NnMQm-lQ134JE1VX4SJKWYdr9z.btEN29WWrDzocU0IcwUMEsCyxfi1wRfcKxGh8be5dyE&dib_tag=se&keywords=Airbrush+Plush+Hair’iffic+Mini&qid=1744473054&sprefix=airbrush+plush+hair+iffic+mini%2Caps%2C57&sr=8-3

Darn Tough Hiking Socks

Birthday Gifts, camping, Easter, Family Life, Fashion, Fitness, Gifts for Her, National Walking Month, Summer, Women

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

Easter Sunday has always been about more than just chocolate in our house. We love to get outside, go for a walk, and roll our Easter eggs down a hill – it’s a great family tradition that everyone looks forward to. This year, I’m be upping the fashion stakes and hopping along in my Critter Club Micro Crew Lightweight socks from my favourite sock brand – Darn Tough!

With their cute little bunny design, the Eclipse socks are the perfect choice for Easter. But they’re not just cute though, they’re unbelievably comfortable and once you’ve tried a pair of Darn Tough socks you’ll be hooked!  Made in the USA from merino wool, they’re seam-free, breathable, and the most comfortable hiking socks I’ve ever worn – and I’ve tried many over the years! What really sets them apart though is their durability and  Darn Tough are so confident in their quality that they offer a lifetime guarantee. If your socks wear out, simply send them back for a free replacement, no receipt needed, no questions asked.

There are four fun designs in the Women’s Critter Club Micro Crew Lightweight hiking sock range: Eclipse (bunnies), Bark (for dog lovers), Canyon (with a mountain goat), and Moss with a cheeky raccoon. Available in small, medium, and large, they’ll fit feet from size 2.5 to 9. Sitting just above the ankle they’re perfect for walking shoes, boots and trainers.

What I love most, aside from how cute they are, is how well they fit. The ribbed cuff stays up without being tight, and they don’t slide down when you’re walking. They feel soft against my feet and even after several wears and washes, they’ve held their shape and still feel comfortable.

So, if you’re looking for a fun and practical Easter gift, why not treat someone to socks that are made for adventure? They’re perfect for spring time strolls, Easter egg rolling, and everything in between.

RRP £28

Silver Bunny Charm from Jeremy Hoye

Birthday Gifts, Children, Easter, Fashion, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Jewellery, 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.

This beautiful silver charm makes an exquisite gift for your loved one at Easter.

Not only to mark Easter, but for anyone who loves wildlife, nature and pets or wants to have something slightly different to wear as jewellery, the Silver Bunny Charm from Jeremy Hoye is hand crafted to be worn on either a chain or a charm bracelet.  With a slight Disney-look to his face, it would also be a perfect gift for Bambi and Thumper lovers, with his big eyes, full cheeks and cotton tail.  You can’t see it in the photos very easily, but up close, his left ear is bent over to accommodate the hanging loop! The inner ears, tummy and face whiskers are also visible.

The photos don’t do this charm justice. In natural light, the polished surfaces reflect the sunlight and you can see all the rabbit features, glistening. It stands about 2 centimetres tall with the look included and is actually very heavy as it’s sterling silver. Teenagers will love this, but I think it’s a great gift for a wife or girlfriend who doesn’t want chocolate or flowers at Easter, but a memorable token of an Easter getaway or maybe a first Easter together.  It lasts a lot longer than flowers or chocolates and is certainly a talking point whenever you wear it, Easter or otherwise!

Available for £90 at: https://www.jeremy-hoye.co.uk/products/silver-bunny-charm

Kinetic Sand Scents Ice Cream Treat Set

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

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.

Kinetic sand is the perfect example of a toy that didn’t exist when my generation was young – but should have done. If you’re not familiar with it, kinetic sand is simply soft sand that’s been treated so that it sticks together easily, can be fragranced and dyed a colour (as in this toy) and can be mixed up to make different colours. 

The Kinetic Sand Scents Ice Cream Treat Set is perfect as an Easter gift or to keep children happy over the Easter holidays. Aimed at age 3 years plus, it can be enjoyed by the whole family. The kit contains three different colours of sand which are also scented to smell like the ice cream!  Chocolate, vanilla and strawberry sand make up the Neapolitan colours of an ice cream parlour.  It also contains a fabulous waffle maker, sundae glass and cone and a toy ice cream scoop to remove the kinetic ice cream from the container. There’s some cute little accessories too, including a spoon and toppers, just as if you were making real ice creams!

It’s a brilliant set for children to be able to play with on their own, or use their imagination together. Either creating pretend ice creams for the family, setting up an ice cream shop as imagination play or experimenting with shapes and textures, it’s a fabulous learning tool as well. The sand sticks together so that you can create shapes that don’t fall apart. It doesn’t really dry out but if it does, just a touch of water makes it mailable again.  You can mix the colours to create new flavours or you can buy extra bags of kinetic sand to add to the kit over time and make different creations.

Just a note, it’s obviously not edible sand! It is one of those compelling toys that adults can get involved with too and it’s a line of toys that can grow and grow with both age and ability.  Completely wholesome and addictive at the same time!

Available at Smyths for £11.99: https://www.smythstoys.com/uk/en-gb/toys/arts-crafts-and-music/crafts/kinetic-sand/kinetic-sand-scents-ice-cream-treats-set/p/195159

Freddie’s Farm Fruit Snacks

Baby, Children, Easter, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for children, Gluten Free, Lunchbox Fillers, Plastic free, snacks, Vegan, Vegetarian

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 an alternative to chocolate this Easter, Freddie’s Farm have some delicious snacks made of fruit and vegetables.  We were sent some to try in flavours Apple, Raspberry and Blueberry.

The Freddie’s Farm snacks are dehydrated, 100% British fruit made which have no added sugar but all of the benefits of fruit. There’s no concentrate or puree and are made on Freddie’s Farm, packaged in paper packets.  Each pack is part of your 1-A-Day quota, and is both Dairy Free and Gluten Free. They contain more than just their fruit flavours though, with added beetroot, carrot and spinach to not only make the shapes work, but to add extra nutrition. You can’t taste the flavour of the vegetables though!

I think my favourite was the Apple flavour. Each one tastes of the fruit though, with the raspberry being the sweetest, apple being the most recognisable and the blueberry had a fruity taste at first then the flavour of the berry came through after a few seconds.  I like the idea of having these as snacks for little hands because it helps with motor skills as well to have them pick up the little shapes, which look (and taste) a lot like sweets, but are more wholesome, and of course, have no unnatural sugars.

Each pack weighs 20 grams and can fit into pockets, or are great for picnics or lunchboxes and they make great baking ingredients, especially if you’re looking for some ideas over the Easter holidays of nutritious snacks to cook with.  How about using the snacks for an Easter Egg hunt instead of chocolate? 

A box of 12 packets can be bought online for £8.49 at: https://freddiesfarmsnacks.co.uk/product/mixed-fruit-shapes-12/

Lola’s Cupcakes Easter Postal Cake

chocolate, Easter, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Spring, Women

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

Easter’s just around the corner and the shops are absolutely bursting with all sorts of seasonal treats. As well as the classic chocolate eggs there are loads of gorgeous Easter goodies too and this week, we got to try something really special, a chocolate Easter Cake from Lola’s Cupcakes. If you’re after a beautiful centrepiece for your Easter table, then this is the one. And don’t worry if you’re not near one of their London stores as they’ll deliver it straight to your door if you’re in the UK.

The cake itself is a luscious double chocolate sponge – lovely and light – layered with a generous helping of smooth chocolate fudge buttercream. The top is covered in a pretty pale yellow buttercream with glossy chocolate ganache, topped with mini eggs and a scattering of colourful sprinkles. There’s even space for a personalised message. We went with the classic “Happy Easter”, but you can choose your own wording.

It’s always a bit of a worry when ordering cakes online, but this one was packaged so beautifully – snug in a sturdy box, with cool blocks and a thermal liner to keep everything just right during its journey. When it arrived, it looked as fresh as if it had just come out of the bakery that morning. Once opened the cake should be stored at room temperature in an air-tight container and whilst it is best eaten within 48 hours any leftovers can be kept in the fridge for another 2 days – although I can guarantee there’s no chance of that happening in our house!!! I was also pleased to find that the thermal packaging and ice packs can be sent back to Lola’s for reuse and there’s a prepaid label so there’s no cost either.

As for the taste – as a self confessed chocoholic it was absolutely perfect. The sponge was moist and airy, with a rich chocolate flavour and the buttercream was wonderfully smooth and rich. The decoration is charming without being over the top – appealing to children but with a lovely touch of elegance for the grown-ups too.

We all thoroughly enjoyed it, and there wasn’t a crumb left by the end of the day! If you’re looking for a thoughtful gift or something special to share with family and friends, I wholeheartedly recommend Lola’s Cupcakes. Their cakes are handmade daily with care and quality ingredients, and it really does show.

The Easter Postal Cake is available for delivery until the 21st of April, so do pop over to their website if you fancy treating yourself – or someone you love – this Easter.

RRP £29 available here



Grace & Stella Weekend Reset Edit

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Easter, Fashion, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, 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.

When it’s time for some pampering, Grace & Stella have a range of award-winning products including pamper kits like this Weekend Reset Edit (324.95) which we were sent to try.  Who doesn’t like some pampering at the weekend?

The Grace & Stella Weekend Reset Edit includes Eye Masks, Hyaluronic Acid Serum, Rose Water Spray, Berry Lip Mask and the Dead Sea Mud Musk. Everything you need to relax after a week at work, or your weekend gym session, ready for going out on a Saturday night!  The best thing about a kit like this Weekend Reset is that you don’t have to use all of it in one go, you can pick and choose which items you want to use depending on your weekend.

I started with the Dead Sea Mud Mask. After a run, I like a bath on a Saturday morning and a face mask is perfect for relaxing the muscles as well as letting your face relax and rejuvenate.  The Dead Sea Mud Mask doesn’t need much to cover your face and dries within 10 minutes and there’s enough in the 30ml tube that you can have several face masks over time.  Don’t let the ‘mud’ appearance and garden aroma put you off – this left my skin exfoliated and plump after taking it off with a damp cloth (hence being in the bath is best!)

Next, I tried the eye masks. There are two types included and three packets of each. The pink eye patches moisturise whereas the blue are for illuminating and although you could wear one after the other, I prefer to choose my times and have them work separately.  Once you place them on, try and squeeze some of the liquid from the packet on them and around your eye too so that you get the full effect.  They’re very soothing and great for making you slow down and relax.

Out of the bath and the Grace & Stella Say Hyaluronic Acid Serum seals in the goodness from the Mud Mask and Eye Masks. Its rich, translucent formula sits on the skin and starts off shiny until it blends in and leaves skin soft. I like to let it settle in for a while before I put make-up on top. The Rose Spray can be used on top of the Hyaluronic Acid Serum to give a fresh, dewy glow and it has a soft rose scent as well.  It’s richer than you might imagine so you could wear this as a type of moisturiser if you’re not out in the sun and want to have a bit of a glow.

Lastly, I’ve been using the Berry Lip Mask at night.  It has that berry flavour you remember from childhood lip gloss but don’t let that put you off. It does leave your lips soft by morning and I wear it as a balm around the house so that my lips don’t dry out with central heating.

The Grace & Stella Weekend Reset Edit works as a gift for someone else, or even a gift to yourself especially at just £24.95.

Available online at: https://www.graceandstella.com/collections/shop-all

Bespoke London Woman Jasmine & Chocolate Berries Fragrance

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Easter, Fragrance, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

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

Easter’s just around the corner and the shops are currently full of Easter eggs. I’m a big fan of chocolate eggs, there’s something about the shape that makes the chocolate taste so much better! But let’s face it, they don’t last long – one minute you’re unwrapping it, and the next, it’s gone – leaving you with a sugar rush and maybe a tiny bit of guilt! This year, I’m trying to be good, so I was delighted to discover Bespoke London’s Jasmine & Chocolate Berries Eau de Parfum, the perfect way to enjoy that indulgent, chocolatey note without a single calorie!

The fragrance opens with lovely, bright top notes of mandarin, bergamot, and pink pepper, before blending beautifully into sweet jasmine and red berries followed by base notes of vanilla, sandalwood, tonka bean and a hint of dark chocolate. The jasmine adds a touch of elegance, while the chocolate berries bring a hint of indulgence. And unlike an Easter egg that vanishes in a flash this fragrance will last long after Easter.

So, why not spoil yourself or treat someone special this Easter and at just £6.99, it won’t break the bank!

Available from Superdrug

Disney Bambi Elasticated Headband and Lip Balm Duo

Baby, beauty, Birthday Gifts, Children, Easter, Family Life, Fashion, Gifts for children, Toys

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.

Surprise your little ones this Easter with something other than chocolate! Mad Beauty’s Disney themed Bambi gifts include this Bambi Elasticated Headband and Thumber Lip Balm Duo; perfect for your Disney Princess!

The Beauty of Bambi Elasticated Headband gives your child the fun of dressing up as Bambi, complete with soft Bambi ears. This can be used as a headband to go out to an Easter party, for beauty pampering at home to hold back Princess’s hair, or for adorable photos at an Easter Egg Hunt!  The ears are soft but remain high when the band is put on, with the whole headband being soft so that there are no tears when it’s taken off or whilst out to play. It’s hand wash only, but it actually looks really cute on and your child won’t even notice they’re wearing it.

The Disney Thumber Lip Balm Duo are two 12 gram lip balms of coconut and vanilla fragrance. Princesses will love this mock-lipstick pack where they can pretend they’re putting on grown up make up but also enjoy the flavours.  They’re high quality balms as well, mostly petroleum oil (similar to Vaseline) but with the added scents. They will actually keep lips moisturised as well as looking like lip gloss!

See the other Disney inspired products at: https://www.madbeauty.com/disney-c157

The Beauty of Bambi Elasticated Headband £7.99: https://www.madbeauty.com/disney-c157/beauty-of-bambi-c206/disney-bambi-thumper-headband-p2045

Disney Thumper Lip Balm Duo: £7.99: https://www.madbeauty.com/disney-c157/thumper-c215/disney-thumper-lip-balm-duo-p2293

Lavender Lux Anti-Blemish Lavender Balm and Lavender Lip Balm

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Easter, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, health, Mobile Phone, Spring, 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.

Lavender has long been used for medicinal purposes, not just to aid sleep but it has healing properties that help the immune system, anxiety, stress and depression. Lavender Lux are a Czech company who grow the lavender in the Lavender Valley in the Czech Republic and turn them into beautiful products to benefit health as well as happiness.  We were sent the Anti Blemish Roll On and the Bio Hemp Balm with Lavender (along with some lovely lavender tea bags too!)

The Anti-Blemish Roll On can be used on acne prone skin or on areas which need some TLC.  Simply shake the bottle, roll on and the lavender’s anti-inflammatory and anti bacterial properties sooth the skin and help reduce the bacteria that cause acne.  It ca be used several times a day, and the scent of the lavender can also help with anxiety and sleep.  Only a small amount is needed, it massages into the skin easily.  This is a lovely alternative to a perfume too, especially if you aren’t getting dressed up to go out but need something convenient.  

The Bio Hemp Balm is used on cracked or dry skin, eczema and minor skin legions. The combination of hemp and lavender nourish the skin, especially lips which can become chapped and sore.  The lavender fragrance really comes through when you use it and the 30ml size is enough to take on holiday or leave in your handbag for minor cuts, grazes or dry areas.  I love this for when my skin is dry during the day and for my lips at night before I go to bed. It’s hydrating and medicinal at the same time.

The lavender tea bags come in slightly different flavours (they’re written in Czech though so I can’t tell you which flavours they are!) and they give an indication of the type of other lovely products available online at Lavender Lux.

Anti-Blemish Roll On available online at £26.95: https://lavenderlux.co.uk/product/bio-anti-blemish-roll-on-10ml/Bio Hemp Balm with Lavender £13.95: https://lavenderlux.co.uk/product/bio-hemp-balm-with-lavender-30ml/

PLAYin CHOC

Children, chocolate, Easter, Gifts for children, Gifts for teachers, Gluten Free, Plastic free, Toys, Vegan, Vegetarian

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.

Easter is big business now, or for the children expecting chocolate it is at least!  PLAYin CHOC accommodate all children with their Great Taste Award Winning (2019) chocolate toy boxes which are all dairy, nut, gluten and plastic free.

There’s a whole range of PLAYin CHOC toys.  Most of them are boxes of self-assembly, cardboard toys that are part of a range of animals, dinosaurs or a seasonal range which children can collect and put together themselves.  With no small moving parts (unlike other toys) they are great for travelling or sitting quietly to play with.  There’s the whole box of PLAYin CHOC Organic Chocolate and Surprise Toys which comprises of 6 box toys, in this case, rabbits for Easter!  Perfect as part of an Easter Egg Hunt or to give as gifts at an Easter party or birthday favours around Easter.

We also had one each of the Dinosaur and Endangered Animals toy boxes. Inside there’s the toys, set in parts in a cardboard pop-out, an information card and two PLAYin CHOC chocolate nuggets, individual wrapped.  The boxes themselves make great building boxes to collect and play with!

Grown-ups aren’t left out with the dairy, nut and gluten free chocolates.  We were also sent some boxes of organic dark and ‘milk’ chocolate, all which are made with the same high quality ingredients as the toys.  The chocolates are individually wrapped inside the boxes so can be eaten as one big snack or as tiny mid-afternoon treats as a pick-me-up.  Can you tell I’m enjoying both types of chocolate on a rainy afternoon?  

The dark chocolate is made with Peruvian Cacao and has that dark, intense taste but unusually, isn’t bitter like other chocolates. It doesn’t have any added refined sugar, just the 70% cocoa solids, coconut sugar, creamed coconut and vanilla pods. I think it’s the vanilla pods that make it feel like it’s sweeter and the creamed coconut which gives it the creamy texture. The ‘milk’ chocolates (and the word milk is highlighted here because it doesn’t contain any milk as it’s dairy-free) is a softer chocolate flavour but sweeter than the dark chocolate. The coconut sugar really comes through in this flavour, with both the sweetness and the coconut taste. It’s also nut free and gluten free plus soy free too but has the added vanilla pods and creamed coconut to add the familiar texture and taste of chocolate.

The PLAYin CHOC range is not only great for every day treats, but the more adult selections are fabulous for those of us who like a treat as a grown-up, and even better for those with allergies.

https://playinchoc.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooBy0YYsXixbws8NH18r-zCPpSGBENxccxbeVrVbghov1STUgjC

Lifestyle Gift Card

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Easter, Father's Day, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Valentine's Day Gifts

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

When it comes to last-minute gifting, a gift card always saves the day, especially when you’re short on time. Whether your recipient is halfway across the country or just up the road, this is the no-fuss, no-panic option that everyone loves.

The beauty of a gift card lies in its utter simplicity. Once upon a time, a last-minute gift meant frantically rushing from shop to shop grabbing whatever looked remotely presentable. Those days are over, now with just a few clicks, you can hop online and buy a Lifestyle e-gift card add a personal message and send it directly to your recipient’s inbox. No queues, no hassle and best of all – it’s delivered instantly so no need to feel guilty for leaving it so late!

For those that are thinking that a gift card is just a lazy cop-out. Oh no, a Lifestyle Gift card is anything but. It’s a golden ticket to over 300 top brands – think high-street shops, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, and even supermarkets and charity donations. The hardest bit is choosing what to spend it on! Fancy a spa day? Done. Dinner at a fancy restaurant? Easy. A new gadget, some groceries, or a night at the movies? All covered. This isn’t just a gift; it’s an entire world of possibilities.

Now, for those who still want something physical to hand over – don’t panic. Lifestyle Gift Cards can be printed at home or you can receive a gift card by post. Just be sure to order before 1 pm on December 20th to make sure it arrives in time for Christmas. But if you’ve missed that deadline, don’t worry. The e-gift card rides to the rescue once again, bypassing postal delays and landing in the recipient’s inbox in mere moments.

And let’s not overlook the brilliance of giving people what they actually want. A gift card removes all the guesswork. There’s no chance of buying the wrong size, colour, or model, no duplicates and no awkward returns. Instead your recipient gets the freedom to choose something they really want – whether it’s something indulgent, practical or fun.

So, if you find yourself in a gifting pickle, don’t despair. Reach for a Lifestyle Gift card. It’s quick, versatile, and utterly foolproof. A few clicks, and you’ve turned your last-minute scramble into a thoughtful gesture. Trust me, the recipient won’t just be pleased, they’ll be impressed.

Galt Card Craft

Children, Easter, Family Life, Gifts for children, Learning, Toys

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

It’s a good job our mini reviewers enjoy crafts, as the weather at the moment is absolutely dreadful and we’re having to spend more time indoors than we normally do in the school holidays. With a couple of family birthdays coming up, a card making session with the Galt Toys Card Craft set kept our mini reviewers occupied and they have made some lovely cards, some of which currently have pride of place on their grandparents mantlepiece!

The set contains 10 cards and envelopes and a variety of patterned and plain papers and stickers, you can either follow the enclosed guide and use their designs or come up with your own creations. Wavy scissors, a heart punch and a couple of stamps allow you to personalise your cards and our mini reviewers especially loved using the heart punch to make lots of mini hearts to put inside the cards which fell like confetti when the envelope was opened, much to the girl’s delight!

The set is aimed at children aged 8+ and our mini reviewers aged 7 and 10 were able to make the cards with minimal assistance. With 10 different cards to make it kept them busy all afternoon and they both really enjoyed making them.

This set is a great introduction to card making and now we have the scissors, heart punch and stamps I’m sure all my family will be getting homemade cards for all future celebrations!

RRP £14.99 available here

Hey Doodle Toot Toot Honk Colouring Mat

Children, Christmas, Easter, eco friendly, Family Life, Gifts for children, REUSABLE, Stocking Fillers, Sustainable, Toys

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

We’re half way through the school holidays and it’s never stopped raining! Luckily our mini reviewers love colouring so have spent a good half hour or so each day quietly colouring in the vehicles on the Toot Toot Honk Hey Doodle MiniMat.  

The reuseable silicone mat comes with three coloured pens and unlike paper it doesn’t move about when you’re colouring it. The pens are lovely to use, they glide smoothly on the silicone and don’t bleed into one another when the colours are used next to each other. All the colours are nice and bright and when the mat is coloured  in it looks quite  impressive. If they do make a mistake it doesn’t matter as they are easily erased by wiping them away with a damp cloth.

 There are 5 different Minimats available – Toot Toot Honk, Dinoroar, Aussie Animals, Sugar & Spice and Into the Wild and each one is printed with illustrations that fit the theme along with either letters from the alphabet or numbers that can be traced over.

Once the mat has been coloured in the ink is easily removed with a damp cloth and you’re ready to start again. I did find you do need to apply a little pressure when removing the ink, especially if it has been left for a couple of days, so you may need to help younger children do this.

As well as being great fun, Hey Doodle colouring mats are better for the environment as they remove the need for endless sheets of paper that get thrown away afterwards.

Aimed at children aged 2- 7 these are a great way to keep the children (and adults) entertained during the school holidays. They also make great birthday gifts too!

RRP £14.99 available here

Pabobo Mimi Bunny Musical Stars Projector

Baby, Children, Easter, Gifts for children, Toys

If you are looking for a gift for baby’s first Easter then the Mimi Bunny Musical Stars Projector from Pabobo is the perfect choice. As well as being super cute, Mimi Bunny is a great addition to nap or bedtime as she not only plays a gentle lullaby but lie her on her back and she projects a pretty starry sky onto the ceiling which babies and toddlers love to watch, it certainly had the desired effect with our mini reviewer who nodded off in no time at all!

Mimi Bunny can either be set to a single colour of star or can cycle through the 3 colours (green, blue and orange). The light display is quite impressive and certainly captured our mini reviewer’s attention. As well as the light display there is a lullaby button with two different volumes to choose from. The stars and lullaby don’t have to be played together, you can choose projections or lullaby or both together. The lights and sound turn off automatically after 22 minutes which is really handy when settling a baby or toddler as you don’t want to go back in the room and risk waking them!

Mimi Bunny is lovely and soft and perfect for cuddling, close up the lights are more of a soothing glow than a bright light which allows a child to still fall asleep whilst cuddling the bunny. Don’t worry about it getting grubby you can easily remove the projector part and the plush toy can be put in the washing machine on a gentle cycle at 30°.

As Mimi Bunny is the size of a standard cuddly toy she can easily be taken on holiday or when visiting family or friends this Easter, enabling you to keep your bedtime routine even when away from home.

The projector does require 3 x AA batteries which aren’t included.

RRP £36 available from Matalan

MGA’s Mini Verse Make It Sets

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Easter, Gifts for children, 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

If you are looking for a non-chocolate Easter gift for an older child or even an adult that enjoys making dolls house accessories, then these MGA’s Mini Verse sets are a great choice.   

The range of pocket-sized miniatures are packaged in plastic balls that are cracked open just like an Easter egg. Once opened you discover a selection of miniature ingredients and accessories along with a step by step guide of how to make them. The sets use a resin which makes the items look more realistic and this needs to be set under UV light – if you have a nail lamp you can use this otherwise just leave it in a sunny spot until the resin has hardened. Once finished you can display the items on a shelf or Iike us, you can put them in a dolls house.

Whilst the contents are mini the attention to detail is amazing, from the working appliances to the detailing on the food and even mini wicks to add to the candles.

Whilst we’ve enjoyed making the food and lifestyle items the Mini Appliances range is our favourite as you actually use the plastic appliances to make the mini drinks. Each machine has working features enabling you to dispense coffee from the coffee machine into the mini cups or dispense mini ice cubes from the Soda and Juice mini machines prior to setting the resin under UV light.

Each package is a surprise, so you won’t know which set you have until you open it but with 60+ Make It Mini Lifestyle sets, 70+ Make It Mini Food Sets and 8 Make It Mini Appliances available it’s unlikely you’re going to end up with duplicates any time soon but if you do you can always swap with friends.

The recommended age is 8+ which is about right as some of the sets can be a little fiddly.

Mini Food RRP £7.99

Mini Lifestyle £9.99

Mini Appliances £12.99

Available from Smyths

Baileys  Easter Eggs

Easter, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Women

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

Easter Eggs aren’t just for children and when I’m choosing eggs for adults, I like to buy something more luxurious like these Baileys Easter eggs which not only look stunning but are scrumptious too.

The Baileys Salted Caramel Easter Egg is a hollow creamy milk chocolate egg that is flavoured with Baileys and crunchy caramel pieces. The chocolate is nice and thick and the salted caramel pieces go really well with the chocolate. The egg comes with 5 salted caramel truffles which are absolutely delicious, the thick chocolate and the Baileys caramel filling are a winning combination – it’s just a shame there’s only 5!

RRP £8 available from Ocado and selected retailers.

The Baileys Strawberries and Cream Easter Egg is made of white chocolate with strawberry pieces and has a lovely speckled appearance. The chocolate is lovely and creamy and the hints of strawberry prevent it from being too sweet and sickly. There are 5 Strawberries and Cream Truffles which have a milk chocolate shell and a soft strawberries and cream centre with a hint of Baileys.

RRP £8 available from Ocado and selected retailers

The Baileys Easter eggs make a great gift or why not treat yourself – I won’t tell!!

Thorntons Easter Eggs

Children, chocolate, Easter, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him

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

Whatever type of chocolate you love – be it dark, milk or white you can always rely on Thorntons to have an egg with your name on it! This year they have a fantastic selection of eggs to choose from which are bound to delight both young and old this Easter.

The white chocolate Bunny Easter Egg and Milk Chocolate Unicorn Easter Eggs will go down a treat with the little (and not so little) this year. The hollow 151g eggs are beautifully decorated with a moulded chocolate image, the white chocolate has a super cute bunny on the front whilst the milk chocolate egg has a fantastic pink and white chocolate unicorn. The chocolate tastes delicious, it’s  lovely and thick and creamy and simply melts in your mouth.

RRP £4.25 at selected supermarkets and Thorntons.com.

The Happy Bunny (90g) is a great choice for smaller children and is available in both a white chocolate and milk chocolate version. The cute little bunny with white and green chocolate decorations was a big hit with our mini reviewers who despite loving the sweet faces soon demolished them!

 RRP £2.74 at selected supermarkets and Thorntons.com.

Adults may prefer the Thorntons Classic Easter Egg (150g) which comes with 5 chocolates from the Classic collection – Gooey Caramel, Triple Chocolate, Strawberries & Cream, Crunchy Praline and Fudge Brownie. There’s a nice assortment of chocolates so everyone should get their favourite. The chocolate is smooth and creamy and this egg was a real winner with the Review Studio team.

RRP £5.48 at selected supermarkets.

If your budget stretches to double figures, then the premium Continental Easter Egg (257g) is the one to go for. Decorated with swirling loops of white and dark chocolate this large egg comes with 8 Continental chocolates – there are two of the Seville Caramel and Viennese Deluxe  chocolates (to share or not is the question???)  and one each of the Sicilian Mousse, Alpini Praline and Salted Caramel. The egg not only looks impressive, it tastes lovely too and with a mix of white, milk and dark chocolates they have all tastes covered.

RRP £11.77 at selected supermarkets.

Thorntons Easter Egg are a lovely indulgent treat for chocolate lovers young and old and with an egg to suit all budgets they are the perfect choice this Easter – and whilst you’re buying them as gifts treat yourself too – it is Easter after all!

HJ Hall Pro Trek Socks

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Days Out, Easter, Family Life, Fashion, Father's Day, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Winter, Women

Spring is in the air and with the Easter holidays fast approaching it’s the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and explore the countryside. There are many forms of outdoor exercise that you can do but my favourite is hiking, a great all-round exercise that is suitable for everyone and best of all doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment.

If you are planning on starting walking then my advice is to invest in some decent socks, it really is amazing the difference a good pair of walking socks makes, having cushioning in the right places and wicking materials to draw moisture away from your feet is really important, helping to keep feet nice and comfortable and also prevent blisters – every walkers nightmare! I’ve been trying out a couple of pairs of HJ Hall socks over the last month and I’m really impressed, they’ve kept my feet incredibly warm and comfortable (and blister free) and I’m looking forward to covering many miles in them this year.  

The Mountain Climb socks are a heavyweight sock with extra padding on the heel, toe and Achilles tendon areas. Made with an ultra durable, moisture wicking, scientific wool blend, the socks offer warmth and long lasting comfort and are the perfect choice for colder days. The socks are lovely and thick and keep your feet nice and toasty when the temperature drops. They are comfortable to wear, the arch support and ankle bracing keep the socks from moving about on your feet and they are a good length, coming up higher than the back of my walking boots. The socks are also long enough to tuck into trousers if you wish.  This sock is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a heavy duty hiking sock, especially if you walk a lot in cold weather as they will keep your feet warm in sub zero temperatures.

The Adventure Trek are a middleweight sock, they are thinner than the Mountain Climb socks and are suitable for both boots or shoes. The breathability is excellent thanks to the mesh zones that run across the top of the sock and along with the cushioning underfoot they are very comfortable to wear in both warm and cold weather. The socks hug my feet nicely and I have worn them on both long and short hikes with no discomfort. Whether I’ve been on the fells, the park or a recent trip to London, when we walked an average of 12 miles a day, they’ve never slipped, sagged, or bunched up and my feet have been comfortable all day long.

I would highly recommend the HJ Hall socks for anyone who enjoys walking and hiking, they are good value for money and your feet will certainly thank you for putting them in socks as warm and comfortable as these are. So whether you’re exploring the local fells, conquering mountains or walking the dog make sure you have a pair of HJ Hall socks on your feet. Happy hiking!

Mountain Climb Socks RRP £16.50 available in sizes 4-7, 6-11 and 11-13

Adventure Trek Socks RRP £15 available in sizes 4-7 and 6-11

The Ned Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Fleur de Lise Rose Wine

alcoholic drinks, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Easter, 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, 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 wondering what wines to buy for the Easter weekend then we have a couple of suggestions that are bound to go down a treat, either as gifts or enjoyed with a meal with friends and family.

Rosé fans will love the Fleur de Lise 2022 rosé from the Saint Mont region of France. In a distinctive tall bottle with attractive label the fruity dry rosé has notes of raspberry and redcurrant and is lovely and crisp on the palate. Best served chilled, the wine is great as with grilled meat, fish and salads. It also goes surprisingly well with chocolate – it is Easter after all!!.  

ABV 12% RRP £9 available from Ocado

The Ned Marllborough is a Sauvignon Blanc wine from the Marisco Vineyards in the Southern Valleys region of New Zealand. We enjoyed a glass with our roast chicken dinner, but it will go just as well with seafood. The wine is lovely and crisp with hints of lime, herbs and gooseberry and we found it to be nice and refreshing to drink. I’m hoping the weather warms up a bit by Easter as it will be nice to enjoy a glass or two with friends in the garden whilst the children are doing their Easter Egg hunt!

ABV 13% RRP £11.99 available from Waitrose

Thumper Soft Plush Toy

Baby, Birthday Gifts, Children, Easter, Gifts for children, Toys

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

Easter is just around the corner and our mini reviewers are going to love going on Easter Egg Hunts with their own Easter Bunny – this adorable plush Thumper the rabbit, from the popular Disney film Bambi.  

Measuring 25 cm tall, the soft toy looks just like the animated film character, with those huge eyes and floppy ears and is so soft and tactile that you can’t help but stroke and cuddle him.  He is the perfect size for little hands to hold and will make a great companion for little ones this Easter.

The toy is suitable from birth and when I examined the stitching it’s faultless so there’s no need to worry about curious little fingers playing with this toy.

Easter is the perfect time to buy a cuddly bunny as bunnies and Easter go hand in hand and is a nice alternative to chocolate eggs.

RRP £14.99 available from John Lewis

Honey Bun Jamaican Easter Bun

Easter, Family Life, Food & Drink, Spring

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

Widen your Easter horizons with the Jamaican Easter Bun from Honey Bun. Never heard of it? It’s a traditional bread from Jamaica, made of flour and enriched with spices and fruits such as raisins, papaya fruit, honeydew melon and pineapple.  It’s very similar to a hot cross bun but a bit denser, plus it has different fruit is a bit sweeter.  There’s a trace of rum too, but you can’t taste alcohol in the mixture. The Honey Bun Jamaican Spiced Bun is authentically Jamaican too, made in Jamaica to a traditional recipe. 

Glazed with honey to give an extra sweetness, it can be eaten on its own, with butter or jam or even toasted.  As a traditional Jamaican dish that is imported through Wanis, the UK’s largest world food wholesaler, the size of this bread is enormous as the photos show! It weighs in at 28 oz or 795 grams so it will feed the whole family on Easter Sunday morning or can keep you going for a week! I preferred this with some thick butter, but you can eat the slices on their own because of the flavours.  Traditionally, it is eaten at Easter with cheese though. If it does start to go a bit stale, make a bread and butter pudding from it. The rich fruits will bring out the flavour of the dish and you can add cinnamon or spices to the batter to help marinate the flavours as it cooks.

The Honey Bun Jamaican Easter Bun makes a nice change from a hot cross bun, even though they’re related, and uses a mixture of Caribbean spices and candied fruit to give Easter a more tropical feel. It’s delicious too, with so many versatile ways of eating it.  Will you try it with some cheese this year though?

Available from £4.65 at: https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/277551240

Easter Eggs and Treats from NOMO

Children, chocolate, Easter, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gluten Free, Lunchbox Fillers, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

NOMO want to ensure that Easter this year is available to everyone, so with their mantra, “No Missing Out” they are ready for anything! The NOMO range this year incudes chocolate which is dairy-free, gluten-free and egg-free plus plant based so there’s no excuses to buy something for everyone. We were sent a yummy selection to test before the big Easter Weekend… did we find something we all liked?

The NOMO Creamy Choc Egg and Mini Bars is a conventional Easter Egg with four mini bars of NOMO chocolates in flavours Choco Orange Crunch, Caramel, Mint and Caramel Sea Salt.  All of them are usual flavours of NOMO chocolate and found in shops, but together they make a package of chocolate and eggs for Easter. The mini bars are just like the creamy chocolate (which is comparable to milk chocolate just without the dairy!) in that they all taste like you expect chocolate to taste, but without the dairy, gluten, nuts or egg and are plant-powered.  They’re also all vegan too!

Next we tried the NOMO Choco Fudge Egg & Bunny. This is probably for older children or even dairy-free adults as the chocolate is much richer, more fudge filled and has tiny fudge pieces in it. The accompanying bunny is also a treat and filled of fudge too! Like the Creamy Choc egg, this too is dairy, gluten, nut and egg free with no palm oil and yes, it’s also vegan. Can you see where the theme, “No Missing Out” comes into play? No matter what you might be intolerable to or what you can’t eat, there’s a flavour of NOMO chocolate waiting for you.

Finally, the snack of grown-ups is the individually wrapped Choc Fudge Bunny. It’s part of the aforementioned Easter Egg combination but for 90 pence you can buy these on their own and enjoy a creamy chocolate hit.  The outside chocolate is creamy choc with a filling of a rich fudge flavoured centre.  At only 30 grams they are a sweet afternoon treat, or something to add to lunch to give you the chocolate hit but without the environmental guilt or having to think about what it might contain.  Also great for friends if you want to get them something for Easter but not something they might be allergic to, or if you’re unsure if they are vegan or vegetarian!

The Choc Fudge Easter Egg and the Bunny are probably my favourite because I love richer chocolate and the fudge makes a nice change. You really can’t tell if they’re conventional chocolate or free-from chocolate because they’re so well made and have all the flavour and sweetness of High Street chocolate.

No matter who you’re buying Easter Eggs for, this year you have a lovely choice from NOMO and no matter what someone’s need, or taste in chocolate, there is no reason for anyone to miss out.

NOMO Creamy Choc Eggs and Mini Bars (154 grams) MRRP £6.50:

NOMO Choc Fudge Bunny (30 grams) MRRP 90p:

NOMO Choc Fudge Egg & Bunny (160 grams) MRRP £6.50: