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.
Summer brings dry lips, and not just because of the weather but hay fever is a big cause too – I know because I have it! LipQ’s Liquorice Lip Balm is not like other balms though, thanks to the liquorice which helps prevent cold sores too. Liquorice extract weakens the virus before it can take hold, effectively lessening the impact that the cold sore can have on your lips.
LipQ Liquorice Balm also protects against UV. The 30 grams tub, which is small enough to take with you anywhere or pack into a handbag, is made with almond and beeswax with added avocado and sunflower oil to create a hydrating seal. It’s free from parabens and perfumes and in trials, 83% of users reported faster recovery.
Each pot lasts for ages, even if you use it every day. It seals in moisture and prevents sunburn but also helps with hay fever. If you rub a small amount on the tip of your nose, pollen sticks to it instead of being inhaled which helps prevent pollen allergies in the first place!
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.
As summer approaches, trips on boats, cars and planes often get dogged by travel sickness. Medication aside, there is a natural way of preventing it that doesn’t include drugs and is safe even for morning sickness. Sea-Bands use pressure points on the inside of the wrists to alleviate the symptoms and in some cases, the sickness goes altogether. We were sent a pair to try out and we discovered they’re not just for cruises!
There are two bands in the pack, and they come in their own plastic box to keep them clean, or to have on hand in a handbag or travel luggage as and when needed. To use, just place them over your wrists (you need to use both bands for them to be effective) and have the button in the inside of your wrist, over the Nei-Kuan point. This acupressure point can be found by placing your middle three fingers on the inside of your wrist, with the third finger just below the first wrist crease. The Nei-Kuan point is found under our first (index) finger. If you’re placing the Sea-Bands on children, use their fingers to find the same point.
You can place the bands on before a journey or as you start to feel sick, although it can take 2-5 minutes to start taking effect so it’s best to place them on before travelling. Extra pressure on the buttons gives more relief so sleeping with them on and your palms faced down has a greater effect. If you’re wearing them for morning sickness, you can put them on the night before and wear them all day too.
Sea-Bands have no side-effects and can be used all day to prevent relief, just be sure to adjust them if they come out of place. They’re re-usable too, so you can take them off and store them for another day and wash them gently under water. They’re also used for the symptoms of nausea resulting from anaesthesia and chemotherapy.
We go on cruises frequently, and if you’ve ever travelled through the Bay of Biscay or the North Atlantic, then you’ll know that anti-nausea relief is a MUST! The Sea-Bands really help with the nausea feeling. They don’t always prevent all of the sickness but they do relieve it, and depending on the cause and severity, can give complete instant relief.
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.
Coming into holiday season, you’re thinking about where to go, where to eat and what to do but probably not thinking too much about packing yet. I know I hate forgetting something and it’s probably the charger I’ll leave behind!
Canyon has a solution with this magnetic charging stand. Plugged in via a USB-C cable (included) the Qi2 can charge both your iPhone and Air Pods at the same time. The phone attaches to the magnetic disk whilst the base of the stand charges your Air Pods when you place them on the tray. It works on all Air Pods and iPhones from version 12 and newer (these are the versions which have magnetic casings where you can charge them).
Setting up is easy and straight out of the box. The cable is USB-C each end so you can add it straight into your Mac or you can use a USB adaptor if you’re using a wall socket. The other end of the cable goes in the back of the Canyon Qi2 stand and it’s ready to use. I had to take my iPhone out of its casing though as I use a rubber case and it wouldn’t magnetically stick otherwise! It starts charging straight away. For Air Pods, you take them out of the case and place them on the base of the stand and they start charging too. If you have more than one set of Air Pods, or you’re using this for the family, you can place them all on the base and they’ll charge.
The Canyon 2-In-1 Qi2 Charging Stand doesn’t have an on/off button and no light to tell you that it’s got power, so you have to test it with your iPhone to see if it’s working. The iPhone will display ‘charging’ in the top right corner. I don’t have any other wireless ear buds or any other make of mobile phone in the house to see if it works on other makes, so for the time being I’m sticking with the Canyon 2-In-1 only charging Apple products but if you look on the website, there are other appliances which are compatible. It does charge quickly. I’d say it charges about as quickly as the Apple charger does, and I was cabled through my laptop to charge the iPhone.
Priced at £44.99, it costs about as much as other charges but with the advantage of being able to charge your phone and earbuds at the same time. The stand is also really handy because it’s at the right angle to watch videos, or to reply to messages and if you are on video calls a lot, it’s the perfect angle for the front camera to see you!
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Give the kids something different this Easter instead of chocolate, but also get them off their screens! Gen X will remember the Rubik’s Cube from the 1980s and how many hours of fun we had trying to solve it. Most of us didn’t (my brother just removed the stickers and replaced them back in the right order!)
This full sized Rubik’s Cube, which is available at Smyth’s, is the original design at 55 millimetres square. The record for completing the Rubik is 3.47 seconds, but if you’re looking for tips on how to solve it, there are tons of videos on You Tube. For the same price as an Easter Egg, the Rubik, which comes already completed, can be set up so that children can solve it in as few moves as possible. Once solved, it can be reset again and again to provide more practice until children inevitably learn how to solve any configuration!
The Rubik Cube isn’t just for children. Teenagers and adults with the knack can enjoy this too, and it’s an excellent way of keeping adult minds occupied whilst still being social. No screens are needed, just problem solving and some lateral thinking which is never a bad thing in the days of video games and smart phones.
The Rubik Cube is very robust, yet even at the full size is small enough to be able to be added to a laptop bag or luggage, or even a picnic bag. It’s aimed at ages 8 plus and has a difficulty rating of 3 out of 5, but anyone who has ever tried to solve one, knows that it feels like it’s a lot harder! This edition of the Rubik’s Cube is to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the game. The Rubik is a brilliant way of spending some downtime, and remembering your childhood at the same time!
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.
Sit back, enjoy summer and know that the Collagen Beauty Water from Tide is doing you good as well as being refreshing.
Tide have two flavours of collagen water; Natural Lemon & Lime and Natural Raspberry, started by Louise of Tide who wanted to make nutritional beauty an effortless part of the daily routine.
Tide Collagen Water contains 3.5g of MSC-certified marine collagen and both flavours contain only 27 calories. Collagen is great for skin, hair and nails and especially good as we get older and lose collagen naturally. Marine collagen is especially good for absorption and helps promote the structure of skin so that it doesn’t lose its elasticity. As I’ve got older, I’ve actively sought out collagen products so that I can replace some of what is naturally lost.
The Tide Collagen drinks sparkling water with a twist of flavour. The Lemon & Lime flavour is slightly bitter, but still sparkling and refreshing. For a sweeter flavour, try the Natural Raspberry, which is just as effervescent and also contains 3.5g of collagen. I think I prefer the sweeter Natural Raspberry flavour to have as a pick-me-up in the afternoon and an alternative to caffeine and snacks.
As with all supplements, collagen takes a while to see the effects so don’t expect a youthful miracle overnight! If you enjoy a fizzy can of drink anyway, then Tide Collagen Water is a great way of getting your collagen supplement in whilst still enjoying the flavoured water.
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.
Artists’ Journeys That Shaped Our World is a fascinating book that traces 30 different artists’ lives and examines how travel has resulted in some of the most iconic artwork of our time. From Paul Cezanne to David Hockney, the book starts each artist’s chapter with a brief biography, how they ended up in the given city and a map before going on a more detailed journey which explains the culture, architecture and people of the time that led up to the artwork being completed. There are, of course, examples of the completed artworks by the artists as well.
The range of artists featured gives a broad background to most of the planet with very little overlap of geographies. The artists are more contemporary but there are some that go back into the 19th Century and the use of photographs is breath taking. The detail in each biography is also a beautiful gateway into a history of modern art, making this a handsome book for young art lovers who might be thinking of studying art, or as a reference for the future. The insight to the places as well as the background to the artwork make for an interesting coffee table read as well as informative for art lovers.
This is a lovely book for travellers, artists and even photographers as you wind through the city lanes and across landscapes to join up the dots of your favourite artists, and learn about new ones too. Happy travelling!
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+.
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 serious athletes out there, the new PF60 Chew Bar provides delicious energy in the form of protein. Trialled by the Lotto Cycling Team, this is the second product produced by Precision Hydration, and we’ve been sent them to try in both the Original flavour and Mint & Lemon.
Firstly, I’m going to be honest and assumed (wrongly) that this was a chocolate protein bar. When you open it and look, it’s evident that there’s no chocolate in sight, and that this is in fact a completely different kind of snack. It’s much more like a Turkish Delight bar, even down to the sugar frosting. It weighs 68 grams which is pretty hearty for a snack, but when you realise that it has 60 grams of protein in it, this is a super charged protein bar! It might not have any chocolate, but it is very sweet and hits the spot as a snack or even a dessert.
Containing no artificial ingredients, it is independently tested for no banned substances. The Original flavour has no specific taste, just the sticky texture and powdery sugar coating. The Mint & Lemon has a refreshing taste that’s also sweet and dense, and the combination of both make for an easy way to sort snacks for the weekend. The individually wrapped snacks pack a punch for their size, don’t squash easily and add a welcome treat to a workout or ride.
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.
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!
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?
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!
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.
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.
As the long Bank Holiday approaches for Easter, many of us are looking to spring clean and update our homes, and BHS (yes, the British Home Stores of old!) have some fantastic items available. Starting with this Hotel Collection 5 Starr Goose Down Pillow, available for only £40, you can add some luxury to your bedroom and take advantage of the natural goose feather feel.
The premium duvets and pillows are all made of goose down, that is 60% goose feather and 40% down, to give the ultimate soft feel. The white colour is made of 300 thread count 100% cotton to allow air to flow and also reduces the changes of allergies. The pillow is completely washable (but follow instructions!). If you’ve only ever had synthetic pillows then you are in for a treat! Unlike synthetic material pillows, the goose feathers keep the shape of your head as you sleep, allowing air to circulate but doesn’t get bunched up and lumpy. After you’ve vacated the bed, the pillow plumps up again to give the even shape, ready for when you next lie on it.
The quality of the goose down filling can be felt as soon as you squeeze it. The feather give a light resistance to pressure whilst remaining soft. When you lie on the pillow, it’s firm but you soon realise that the feathers are taking the weight of your contours and changing shape as they do so.
Once you try goose down, you won’t want to go back to anything else!
The Hotel Collection 5 Star Luxury Goose Down Pillow can be washed at 40 degrees centigrade and tumble dried, but not dry cleaned. Measures 74 centimetres length, 48 centimetres width. It is not bleach safe.
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 Mother’s Day, give a gift which is both thoughtful and useful with the Jartoo Heated Blanked.
Not just a blanket that heats up, the Jartoo Heated Blanked uses Carbon Nanotube Technology to convey heat via the blanked which is more efficient and doesn’t involve lots of wires. It also promotes blood circulation and muscle relaxation with far infrared heating, and uses 60% less energy than other heated blankets.
With the cost of heating being extortionately expensive now, the mantra in most households is ‘heat the person, not the room’ to save both money and energy. The Jartoo Heated Blanked buys into this ethos with the heated blanked that has 6 different heat settings from 35 degrees centigrade up to 55 degrees (95F to 131F) at the touch of a button.
The blanket measures 50” by 60” and has a clever mesh inside that you can’t feel through the soft fabric. To heat it, there’s a connector concealed in a corner which connects to a corded plug which goes into the wall socket. On the blanket is a Jartoo button in one corner which starts the heating process when you press it. You know which temperature you’re at because the button changes colour from blue (lowest temperature) to red (highest). Amazingly, there’s also a remote control also included which is already paired through wifi to you your blanket allowing you to turn up the heat from a distance!
The Jartoo Heated Blanket also has a timer, which can be adjusted with the remote control. Cleverly, the blanket will also turn itself off if there is no movement detected, so that it doesn’t become a hazard if you fall asleep. However, it only has an output of 24V so it is well below the safety threshold of 36V. Despite the wires, the cord can be detached and you can put the blanket in the washing machine and it’s safe for animals to use, even if they try and destroy it!
I found it very easy to set up, and the size of the blanket is well beyond what I would expect as it went from my neck right down to my feet. The material is incredibly soft and the colour, although boring, fits in with existing décor (it’s a dark grey colour) and you don’t see marks on it easily. When I fitted the plug, it started working straight away and I could feel it heating up. I timed it as taking 6 minutes before I was toasty, so I’m presuming that was including the time for it to get to its maximum temperature and warm me enough that I could feel a marked difference. Pressing the Jartoo temperature button was fun too as I cycled through the different temperatures to get to where I was comfortable.
I’m really impressed with the blanket so far and can’t find anything to improve! It’s really efficient, easy to use and safe too. You can warm yourself up with it and feel safe on a timer or simply leave it on knowing that it won’t overhead. Great for older people and children, I also thought that this would be good for pets who like to snuggle especially when it’s freezing out there!
It may be pricy (currently listed on US Amazon at $259.99 which is approximately £200) but the quality of the materials should last you a few years especially with the included warranty. Think about the amount of money you’ll be saving though when you don’t need the heating on so much!
I’m going back to snuggle down in the warm again now…
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.
Belvoir have some Mother’s Day gifts for Sunday Roast at Nan’s house or just to celebrate Mum as she opens her presents and gets pampered. Pink elderflower and raspberry lemonade drinks from Belvoir can be the perfect alcohol replacement, or used in cocktails all day without the worry of not being able to drive later! We were sent the Mother’s Day pink drinks selection of Sparkling Elderflower Rose, Elderflower & Rose Cordial and Raspberry Lemonade.
The Sparkling Elderflower Rose can be consumed on its own or with a white wine to make a spritzer, but I preferred this light, bubbly elderflower taste on its own. The rose flavour comes through later and as it’s sparkling, it makes it feel like you’re drinking something alcoholic and sweet but without the hangover! The Elderflower & Rose Cordial is similar in that the elderflower taste is there with the rose behind it, and the concentration means you can have as much or as little of the taste as you desire, plus you can mix it! The ratio stated is 1:10 but you might want to change this if you’re adding it to a cocktail, or if you prefer more of a fruity taste to a Prosecco.
Lastly, the Raspberry Lemonade is a particularly effervescent drink with the raspberry flavour making it taste more like a cocktail. It’s a grown-up version of a lemonade though which makes it even more enjoyable when you know the children won’t want it! Keep it in the fridge to drink on its own or as a mixer with a spirit and its great fun, especially for summer.
Belvoir have a range of drinks available, not just for Mother’s Day but for the summer too.
Available at Ocado, Waitrose, Booths, Sainsburys and Tesco from £3.25.
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.
With the upcoming Easter weekend and Bank Holidays, this spring weather is for looking towards DIY and decorating! Nordfarg are a Swedish paint company who bring more to the party than just pretty wall and woodwork paint. We were sent a sample of their decorating paint and some background on how their company operates to show how sustainable paint is the way forward.
This new breed of paint from Sweden strives to cover all bases when it comes to need, nice to have and environment with something like decorating paint. Awarded the Nordic Swan accreditation (awarded only when the highest standards are met with manufacturing), Nordfarg prides itself on using the Swedish renewable power and Iceland’s geothermal heat. Nordfarg’s paint is APEO and MIT free (as well as boasting minimum VOC levels) which not many paint companies can say they do, so the paint is quite special in this respect. Nordfarg’s paint comes in several formats; Tra for interior wood and metal, Grund for interior wood survaces and Vagg for interior walls and ceilings, which is what we were sent to try!
The ultra-high quality, water-borne interior matt paint is particularly suited to high traffic areas because of its durability. With a cover of 7-9 metres squared per litre, it becomes touch dry in 2-3 hours with a recoating time of 4 hours. Obviously, it’s best to leave longer than 4 hours but for professionals that might not be possible.
We used the Nordfarg Vagg paint Number 220 called ‘Orngott’ which is a light blue colour to paint a bedroom that gets a lot of light in the morning but none at all by evening. Complimenting the blue in the stained glass windows, the colour went on smoothly and surprisingly, it only needed two coats. The bright yellow of the old paint underneath didn’t even need covering; the Nordfarg paint covered it completely. It did indeed touch dry in a few hours and we painted the second coat the next day, with the 2.5litre pot covering all three walls of this large double bedroom. There wasn’t the usual paint smell that you get with commercial paints – there was a scent but it wasn’t overpowering and wasn’t unpleasant. The colour went on slightly darker than we anticipated but once it dried (we kept the door open for a while to get the air flowing) then the colour calmed down. The few paint fumes we experienced were only there for the day, by the next morning they were gone!
We’re really pleased with the matt finish of the paint and how it went on seeing as there was already paint underneath and the wall wasn’t sanded first. The colour is really nice as well, as you can see where it meets the wallpaper and under different light it reflects beautifully. This room will get daily traffic so we’re excited to see how it wears but so far, no need to top up any scuffs, just bright baby blue walls and some spring sunshine!
We sat down to play Patchwork expecting a simple tile placement game but found a fun and engaging puzzle of creation. This game has you softly competing with another player to build a quilt with random sized tiles on your own grid. The satisfaction of placing just the right piece to fill a gap… amazing!
In Patchwork, you take turns but not in the conventional manner. The player behind on the time board plays, so if you stay behind your opponent you can take multiple turns in a row. On your turn you will pick from 3 different shaped quilt tiles, all with beautiful patterns. Then move a sweet little sewing machine token to replace the taken token and now your choice of tokens changes, giving each turn a new challenge to get just the right tile, or work with what the fate of the game gives you.
So what’s the catch for placing tiles? Each one costs a certain amount to play and takes you time to add to your quilt, which will have you and your opponent leapfrogging across the time board, staring down the other player as their hand hovers over the piece you want, and looking at that all too expensive piece that would fit perfectly but you don’t have the buttons for!
This game is quick, engaging, and has a cozy feeling as you build your quilt alongside your opponent. Patchwork really nails the pace, simplicity of its rules but gives so much replay value – my wife immediately wanted to play this with her mum when she finished. It is a game for any level of boardgamer.
The one part we found a little dissatisfying was the scoring at the end but this may have been due to our gung ho way of playing! We found the -2 points for blank spaces harsh and it led to one of us getting negative points. I would have it only remove 1 point or -2 per a certain amount of blank spaces to give a bit more of a good feeling at scoring. But we enjoyed the journey of the game and look forward to playing again.
Patchwork is a great game to pick up for a couple or to play while catching up with a friend. It requires just enough attention that you can play, chat, and enjoy! The satisfaction of the quilt you can build and fitting that perfect piece will have you wanting to play again and again to see what form of Patchwork you make next time!
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.
As hair and beauty products seem to be advancing at an exponential rate recently, there are new gadgets on the market all the time. The OneBrush takes the humble hairbrush and upgrades it to something tailored to what you need it for that day. It’s the world’s only adjustable hairbrush.
If like me, you have several hairbrushes (and combs!) for different reasons, then the OneBrush replaces all of them. With a dial on the back of the brush face, you can change the firmness of the brush in 7 iterations and anything in between. From ‘Soft’ to ‘Firm’, the dial changes the direction of the bristles on the face so that they have different effects. The brush bristles are plastic (the whole brush is recyclable and already made from recycled plastic) and shaped like aeroplane wings. They’re wider at the base than at the top and they taper towards the end. This gives the advantage of changing the firmness of the brush stroke when the dial is changed, thanks to the direction of the fin. The pattern of the bristles also causes the brush to be firmer or softer as it pulls in different directions.
Yes it sounds technical! However, when you play with the brush and try it against your scalp and hair it feels different so you start to get an idea. As it’s easy to change the dial each time you use it, you can start with the firmness in one direction for the scalp, then change again as you brush towards the ends. Likewise, you can change it when you are in the shower and might need a softer brush to run conditioner through your hair, or need a firmer brush for when you have shorter, fly away hair.
It takes a while to get used to the different settings, which is understandable as it’s a whole new concept. I’m not a fan of plastic but it does mean that this brush is more versatile and can be used in the shower, taken on holiday (it’s probably indestructible!) and kept in a handbag if you need to. I found that the firmer end of the dial was very good at massaging my scalp as well as brushing, which made me wonder if using OneBrush helps with stimulating better hair growth. It’s not just great for getting the right stroke in your hair brushing, but for massaging your pressure points after a long day too. Mum will love it!
This Mother’s Day, OneBrush have a special pink version on their website, along with the original version.
As a special deal for Review Studio readers, you can use discount code MD20 for 10% off for Mother’s Day!
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.
Finally, we have the beginnings of summer here in the UK with some beautiful spring weather. With a few weeks left until Mother’s Day, Yankee Candle have brought out some beautiful summer candles in a new range called Hello Italy.
Featuring Mediterranean inspired scents such as Capri Glow, Azure Sky and two fragranced candles sent to us called Lemon Gelato and Olive & Cypress. Can you feel the warm Italian sun already?
The Lemon Gelato Yankee Candle evokes that late morning ice cream from the local gelato where you stroll along the beach or amongst the dusty lanes after breakfast. The Lemon Gelato starts off as a sweeter scent, with the lemon citrus tones coming afterwards. The double wick makes it quicker to burn but more even, and the glass jar looks not just pretty but keeps the smoke at bay once you replace the cap and take away the oxygen. The scent of lemon lingers in the room longer than the sweet smell.
The Olive & Cypress Yankee Candle reminds me of waking up with the sun shining and the scent of the countryside. The woody effect of the cypress tree is the first fragrance to hit but I really like the joint, musky tone of the olive coming through. This is more of an evening scent for me. Something to burn over dinner or after dinner with drinks compared to the sweet Lemon Gelato candle.
Both candles are 368 grams which is the medium size in the Hello Italy range. The other sizes are Signature Jar (567 grams) and Mini at 37 grams. These medium jars have a burn time of 35-50 hours and you can make them last longer and have a less strong fragrance if you only burn one of the wicks. That’s effectively burning the. Candle for 2-3 hours every evening for 2 weeks! What isn’t there to like for a Mother’s Day gift?
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.
Everyone needs tweezers. Yes, that’s what I’ve said! It doesn’t matter how old you are, they’re needed for eye brow shaping, taking splinters out of little fingers or for the dreaded whiskers. Blunt, not meeting tweezers are a pain though and if you’re not used to using a well-made, sharp pair, then you’re missing out.
Rubis make hand crafted tweezers in Switzerland, relying on the eye for the final cut to make sure they work properly. The stainless-steel material means they have the perfect spring to them and last forever, with very few sharpenings needed. They may seem an expensive extravagance at first, but when you realise how precise they are and how long they last, it’s an investment.
The Rubis Classic Slant Tweezers are ergonomically made to fit a woman’s hands, with a safety clasp on them and in a zip-up folder for safe transportation. This also keeps the blades safe and stops them from blunting. They are both sharp to a point but also sharp bladed so you can get the right angle against your skin. I love these for not only travelling (because of how well packaged they are) but for shaping eye brows with the right angle on the blades.
For anyone who wants to update their make-up kit or wants to give them as part of a bigger beauty hamper or gift, the Rubis Classic Slant Tweezers are a must!
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 had never heard of WONDERBALM before, but this pillar of the Korean beauty industry seems to do it all when it comes to beauty and healthcare, so I was intrigued to find out how well it works and what it can do!
This vegan ‘wonder cure’ is made of olive oil with shea butter, candellia wax, orange peel oil and vegetable oil with added antioxidants and vitamins. The name WONDERBALM presumably came about because this elixir can do almost anything – it can be uses as a moisturiser, salve for first aid on the skin, burns and scrapes and for keeping lips and dry skin soft and protected. It’s also useful as a hand cream and cuticle softener, conditioning hair mask, make up remover (or make up primer) and for after tattoo skin care.
The combination of the wax and the oil. Gives an ultra rich texture. I had to work it into my (dry) hands but what hit me was the lovely orange peel aroma that you don’t get with other products on the market. Just a small amount of WONDERBALM was enough to keep my hands hydrated. With hair mask ( or conditioner) I used it when my hair was still damp, and sparingly too. You don’t need a lot because it’s so dense but the warmth of your hands turns it softer and I was able to work it into the dryer ends of my hair to give more volume. Over time you can work out how much you need for your hair length and texture, but this is a nice (and fragrant!) way of using the product.
With so many uses, this is a great gift for Mum at Mother’s Day and I can’t help but think that WONDERBALM is a great product to take on holiday for not just the beauty aspect, but as a moisturiser, hair conditioner and all round super product.
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 may look like it’s a set for children with the Disney theme, but adults can use this hair curling kit too! All over Instagram, there’s demonstrations of how to get curly, yet frizz-free hair from different styling methods. These heatless hair curlers are probably the easiest, and least damaging of all the methods and you’ve probably seen how some of the influencers have used similar methods to get luscious curls.
The idea is to wrap your hair around each of the bendy curlers and fix them in place either whilst you sleep or whilst your hair is still wet and let it dry. There’s no heat involved (although in time you could blast your hair with a diffuser hair dryer to get a different effect) but as there’s no heat and there’s no small parts, this is great for children to either sleep in or use themselves. The ribbon secures around the head and then you just undo it and let your hair fall out into curls the next morning.
These heatless hair curlers are also lightweight so can be taken on holiday or camping to give you an easy way of styling your hair with minimal effort.
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.
No woman in your life would refuse a hot bubble bath, and to add to the Mother’s Day pampering, this Wild At Heart bubble bath from Mad Beauty will do just the trick!
At £4.99, it’s a great gift for pocket money to buy or to add to a bigger hamper for Mum or Gran on Mother’s Day. The fragrance is rich wild cherry, which is actually very potent so cherry lovers will adore this scent. It lathers up nicely and the 300ml bottle will last for at least 5 baths. The retro style of the bottle and the wild cherry flavour are reminiscent of the 80s Body Shop styles, which Mums are sure to enjoy!
Have a look at our other Mother’s Day items to get more ideas.
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’s an abundance of ingredients available out there nowadays, so anyone needing plant based hair care and beauty products has a lot of choice. Luxuriant has a range of hair care including shampoo, conditioner and serum which is not only plant based, but actively works to increase the thickness of your hair and combat hair thinning. Many of the harsh chemicals on the market aren’t great for your overall health and equally, aren’t great for the planet and marine life either.
Luxuriant’s products are gentler, using highly effective ingredients but all derived from plant life. Their Hair Nutrient Shampoo contains Litsea Glutinosa to nourish follicles, Houttuynia to combat dandruff, and Ginger to boost circulation. Their Hair Nutrient Conditioner also contains ginger and other products to boost circulation, and as you can imagine, both smell amazing too! We were sent the Hair Growth Serum too which complete the trio for all you need to keep your hair in top condition and promoting growth.
These are fabulously smelling shampoo and conditioners which take several months to show a huge improvement when you use them regularly, but in the short term they are great as everyday shampoo and conditioner. The serum is also lovely because it gives a lovely feel to the hair with only a small amount. After a few washes, you can feel an improvement in texture and the aroma is wonderful. I’m looking forward to seeing how the long term hair growth goes.
We also had the lovely facial soap sent to us which includes some of the same herbs as the haircare, but you’ll be pleased to know that doesn’t promote any hair thickening!
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