My feet do an awful lot of work and like most people I’m guilty of not showing them the care they should receive. Walking across hills, tucked into sturdy boots, squashed into heels over the Christmas period and constantly swaddled in socks and wooly tights they had become quite dry and a bit rough around the edges. So when a couple of footcare treats arrived from Footsie, a new footcare brand with a range of six new products designed to properly pamper hardworking feet, it felt like a gentle nudge to finally give mine the TLC they were desperately in need of.
First I needed to get rid of the dry skin so the Smooth Operator 2 in 1 Glass Foot File, (RRP £7) was quickly put to use. The dual-action file made light work of the hard skin on my feet, smoothing my heels and soles quickly and effectively. Made from 100% toughened glass, it feels nice and robust and being made of glass it is hygienic and will last a long time. The file can be used on both wet and dry skin and has two different textured surfaces, the coarse edge is designed to remove hard, thick skin and the finer side is used for gentle exfoliation.
Once filed and exfoliated it was time for a taste of the tropics with the Tropical Toes Coco Luscious Foot Butter (RRP £7). This rich, indulgent cream melted beautifully into my skin leaving my feet nice and hydrated and refreshed. It is also great as an overnight treatment, a generous application before bed then I pop a pair of cotton socks on and by morning my feet feel lovely and soft and ready for action. I’ve been using it every evening for the last couple of weeks and my feet are looking so much better. The dry skin on my heels has completely gone and my feet look and feel cared for again.
Now that my feet have been well and truly pampered, they’re ready to carry me across hill, dale and anywhere else I choose to wander.
I have curly hair which is currently very dry and frizzy and at the minute I am certainly having more bad hair days than good! I was therefore really pleased when a box of Cut By Fred landed on my doorstep and couldn’t wait to see what they would do to my dry mop of hair.
Cut By Fred is a cult haircare brand created by hairstylist Fred Birault and it officially launched in the UK in 2025. Fred’s whole ethos is making haircare feel like it does backstage or in the salon and he wanted his products to be effective, intuitive and a bit joyful and not to include harsh ingredients or overcomplicated formulas. The result is natural, vegan haircare that respects your hair, the planet and those little everyday rituals we all secretly love.
I’ve been using the Vegan Hydration Shampoo, the iconic Vegan Hydration Mask and the Vegan Serum for a couple of weeks now and I have to say I’m really pleased with all the products. The shampoo (RRP £29) is nice and gentle and lathers beautifully, cleansing my hair and scalp and most importantly giving my curls some much needed hydration.
Now let’s talk about the Vegan Hydration Mask (RRP £41) because this is where the magic really happens. My curls are naturally dry, frizzy and a bit dull, so a hydrating mask is non negotiable in my routine. This one is rich, creamy and packed with jojoba oil, coconut oil, sweet almond oil and aloe leaf juice. I applied it to my hair, combed it through and then left it on for the full 15 minutes before scrunching it into my hair to really lock in the moisture. It rinsed out easily leaving my hair tangle free and my curls noticeably softer, shinier and more defined.
Once my hair is dry a drop or two of the Vegan Serum (RRP £32) is all I need to smooth the frizz and add a touch of shine to my curls.
Most of the time I let my hair dry naturally and I have noticed that my hair is less frizzy and I have much better curl definition. When I take the time to dry it with a diffuser, I’ve found that my hair has more bounce and the curls are staying defined for much longer. Thanks to Cut By Fred in just a couple of washes my dry, frizzy locks have been transformed into glossy, defined curls and I am absolutely delighted.
The packaging is simple but stylish, with an elegant glass shampoo bottle and a generously sized mask jar with a wide opening that makes scooping out product easy and mess free. The serum has a pippette dispenser which makes it easy to dispense just the right amount and ther’s no wastage.
If you are looking to up your haircare game and give your curls some proper love, I really recommend giving Cut By Fred a try. I’m looking forward to trying out more of their products as they release more into the UK.
The products are currently available from Oh My Cream
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.
NecessaryGood is a portmanteau of the ideal skin cream. What does your skin need? And what is good for your skin? With thousands of skincare products on the market, NecessaryGood realised that there was no way of knowing what your skin needed, and what was available, so they decided to create a range which was just about good ingredients, mixed right, high quality and therefore the most effective. They pride themselves on not being in the top price range either. We were sent their Bright & Hydrated Moisturiser and their Protected & Hydrated SPF 50 day creams to try out.
The Necessary Good Bright & Hydrated Moisturiser prides itself on being able to hydrate, brighten and support your skin barrier all at the same time. It’s a really rich cream, much like a serum, which blends in with some work to create a deep barrier. It softened my skin first, which probably suggests that I needed more hydration by the end of the day! You can use this skincare more than once a day too, which is ideal as we go into summer. There’s no fragrance to this day cream, it can be used day and night and is ideal as an all-over base before make-up or for when you’re working from home and need some daily skin hydration.
The NecessaryGood Protected & Hydrated SPF 50 day cream is less rich than the Bright & Hydrate and takes a little more working into the skin, which is probably due to its SPF ingredients. It’s lighter too and has a tad more fragrance to it, which I put down to the cotton seed extract. There’s added vitamins E and B5 and contains both UVA and UVB advanced filters. I can’t test this one in the sun until the weather warms up, but SPF 50 is pretty high for this country, so you could use this on your summer holidays. It still hydrates your skin, even though it has the sun protection with it. With all the benefits of both day creams being the “Necessary Good”, they’re both great for taking on holiday this 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.
Award-winning Dr PawPaw have sent us their SPF Day Cream and Lip Balm to test before the summer holidays start in earnest, and based on the lovely fruity scents when opening the products, we couldn’t wait to get started!
Dr PawPaw is a British based company started in 2013 with most of the products made here too. Originally, the products were for soothing owners Pauline and Johnny Paterson’s young daughter’s eczema, but their following soon grew and they branched out into other products. The company pride themselves on using eco-friendly materials, which are recycled and biodegradable when possible.
The Dr PawPaw SPF Lip Balm and Day Cream are both vegan and cruelty-free, like all their products. The Lip Balm, which has added SPF 30, is targeted at keeping lips soft but also has the Dr PawPaw healing properties. It’s a very light application which can be used in the sun, or every day especially if you’re not wearing make-up. I like to use it at night to condition my lips as a I sleep. As you don’t need very much, it absorbs easily and has a lovely pawpaw taste to it which lingers when you put it on. It lasts enough of the night too so that your lips are still conditioned when you wake up.
The Dr PawPaw SPF 50 Day Cream is equally as fruity scented and a rich day cream, but it actually blends in very easily. My skin wasn’t oily with this day cream, but there was some light refraction to leave my skin looking like it had a glow. It contains hyaluronic acid and vitamin E for enriching the skin and the SPF 50 really helps when the sun comes out! This 45ml tube would be great for taking on holiday. I can’t wait for the day when the sun is out and I get to test out the SPF on both of these Dr PawPaw products!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
Love is in the air, and whether you celebrate it or not there is no denying that the shops all think that you should!! Walk into almost any high street store at this time of year and you will be met with a riot of pink, red and heart-shaped persuasion. Whether you’re buying for a partner, or simply treating yourself (and why not?), this is the season for romance.
Valentine’s Day gifts have a tendency to fall into two camps. On the one hand, there is the novelty end of the spectrum, amusing but short-lived. On the other, there are things that are made to be enjoyed long after the 14th has been and gone. Lingerie, when done properly, firmly belongs in the latter category.
Boux Avenue has clearly taken this approach with its latest Valentine’s collection, rather grandly titled Tunnel of Love. Available in all 27 UK stores and online from Monday 12 January 2026, the collection leans unapologetically into romance and drama, without tipping into parody. This is lingerie designed to be worn, enjoyed and admired, rather than put in drawer never to see the light of day again.
The range is available in sizes 6 to 18, with selected bras available up to an H cup, which speaking as a larger chested lady is really good news! Prices run from £14 to £55, placing it firmly in the “treat yourself or someone else without requiring a second mortgage” category. Boux Avenue has also really nailed that all-important balance – the pieces feel glamorous, confident and a little bit daring, but they’re also comfortable too.
According to Zoe Price-Smith, Boux Avenue’s Chief Design and Product Officer, the inspiration for the range came from high-drama catwalks, burlesque shows and the glamour of the Moulin Rouge. The result is something theatrical without being over the top with delicate eyelash lace, spot mesh, intricate heart embroideries and sumptuous satins. The romantic colour palette of classic black, deep reds, pinks and rich berry sees the designs exude sensuality and confidence, and is designed to make the wearer stand a little taller and feel entirely at ease in her own skin.
Boux Avenue kindly send me the Vivienne Lingerie Set with the soft blush pink set, intricate embroidery and raised red floral detailing striking the perfect balance between classic and chic, The red embroidered flowers edging the cups and knickers add just enough Valentine’s charm without shouting about it, making it a set I’ll happily wear when Valentine’s Day is nothing but a distant memory!
Unlike some other lingerie brands Boux Avenue haven’t forgotten those ladies with a fuller bust. All too often, brands either forget about us, stopping at at D or E cup or design bras with pure functionality in mind, leaving style firmly behind. Boux Avenue certainly don’t compromise on style with the bras feeling supportive and secure, yet still beautifully modern and flattering, proving that comfort and confidence can go hand in hand.
Foe ease of gifting the lingerie arrives in a gift box and free gift wrapping is available. Delivery costs £3.99 with free delivery over £50 and free returns. There is also 15 percent off for those who sign up by email.
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.
We all struggle for Valentines gifts especially if we want something that’s not mushy! Airy Fragrances were born in Japan, based on the Japanese art of Kōdō where fragrance is not a function, but a feeling. The company was started by two Japanese women in 2024 who realised that the Japanese way of scenting the home was not the same as in Europe, and so the Airy home reeds were developed.
We were sent the Airy Elegant Harmony Home Reed Diffuser to try out in White Tea scent. A beautiful presentation box arrived with a bottle of scent, five reeds and the round, glass bulb. Setting up the diffuser is easy with the lid of the bulb vase easily detached and then replaced before the reeds are inserted. The circle of the round glass represents the concept of ensō, symbolising harmony, impermanence and quiet beauty. The Elegant Harmony scent is very soft, floral, and a touch musky. I can detect the slight vanilla scent as well which is what carries most in the home.
Although expensive, the Airy Home Reed Diffusers make a great gift and last 2-4 months each. The fragrances can be bought separately so you can replace them without having to replace the bulb vase as well. They’re also alcohol free. The website is set up to send the diffusers as gifts so you can send them straight onto the recipient.
Unlike other diffusers, the Airy Home Reed Diffuser is much lighter in fragrance and feels like there’s equally less heavy ingredients. They make great gifts because they’re so beautiful and have a range of different scents which can be purchased online, and no doubt more scents will follow. They’re a beautiful fragrance for the house and the scent carries really quickly, making it a gift which will last.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Tiramisu, with its layers of sponge laced with coffee and alcohol, is my absolute favourite pudding. Our local Italian does a mean version, but I’ve struggled to find an authentic version in the shops, so I didn’t need asking twice when Cake Box asked if we would like to try their Nutty Pistachio Tiramisu Cake.
This is not your average cake – when you cut into it you find a beautifully light, moist sponge, generously layered with a silky tiramisu spread. The sides are decorated with tiramisu rich chocolate shavings and tiramisu cream, giving it an indulgent allure. The cake can also be personalised with a special message when ordering, making it perfect as a birthday or celebration cake.
The top of the cake is piped with velvety pistachio cream topped with mini flakes, a glossy drizzle of pistachio sauce, nibbed pistachios and extra chocolate shavings. It’s decorative without being over the top and would make a nice centrepiece at a birthday party.
Flavour-wise, it more than delivers – the sponge is perfectly soaked, striking the perfect balance of coffee and booze. The sponge is light, airy and very tasty and it’s the sort of cake where one slice is never enough!!
Although it’s best enjoyed within 24 hours, we kept ours in the fridge for a couple of days and the sponge stayed beautifully soft and light, tasting just as good as it did when first sliced.
We loved the Nutty Pistachio Tiramisu Cake, the addition of pistachio is a clever, indulgent twist on a classic dessert. If you love tiramisu and pistachio as much as I do, this one is well worth a forkful.
With over 250 locations nationwide there’s bound to be one near you and for those who need a cake in a hurry their Click & Collect service lets you order and collect a cake within an hour. Ideal for last-minute birthdays, celebrations, or sudden cake cravings. All of their cakes are completely egg free, reflecting the founders’ strict lacto-vegetarian diet.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
With Christmas just around the corner, the shops are full of festive treats. While there will always be a place for a traditional Christmas cake or pudding, it’s rather lovely to discover something a little different – and this Red Velvet Dubai Chocolate Cake from Egg Free Cake Box is just that.
The cake is a beautifully light and moist red velvet sponge, generously layered with a silky pistachio cream and Egg Free Cake Box’s signature Dubai mix, which brings a gentle nuttiness and a pleasing sweetness. The sides are neatly finished with classic red velvet crumbs there’s also the option to personalise your cake; ours simply read “Enjoy”, but you can choose your own message when ordering.
On top of the cake is delicate creamy piping, adorned with a light sprinkle of suter pheni and crunchy pistachio pieces, while fresh strawberries, blueberries, raspberries and blackberries add a cheerful splash of colour. It’s decorative without being fussy and my husband especially enjoyed the lighter topping as he finds cakes full of buttercream much too sweet.
I must confess I hadn’t come across Egg Free Cake Box before, so I was surprised to discover several shops within a short distance of home. With over 250 locations nationwide, their impressive Click & Collect service means you can order a cake and collect it within just an hour – perfect for last-minute get togethers. The company started back in 2008 with a single shop in East London and has grown steadily, always placing an emphasis on quality ingredients and careful craftsmanship.
All of their cakes are completely egg free, reflecting the founders’ strict lacto-vegetarian diet. When I was eating the cake I really couldn’t tell that it was egg free – there’s certainly no compromise when it comes to flavour or texture – which also makes these cakes a reassuring choice for parties where egg allergies may be a concern.
Our cake was delivered by a man in a car and it was well packaged in a large cake box. When I opened the box, it looked even more delicious than I’d hoped! The red velvet sponge had a lovely depth of flavour and wasn’t too sweet, while the pistachio and Dubai cream brought a luxurious nuttiness that worked incredibly well and make the cake incredibly moreish!
While it’s at its best within 24 hours, we popped it in the fridge for an extra day and the sponge stayed beautifully light and soft and was just as tasty as it was on the first day.
This is the sort of cake that would sit proudly on a Christmas Day table, perfect for sharing with family, and it makes a cracking alternative to the usual Christmas pudding – or a very good excuse to have both. We all thought it was absolutely delicious and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Egg Free Cake Box. With my birthday landing at the end of December, I can already tell you where my cake will be coming from this year.
Tucked away in North Oxfordshire, Neve’s Bees is a charming family run business, named after founder Julie’s daughter, Neve. Following a spot of experimentation with “lotions and potions,” – blending beeswax with pure, natural plant oils and butters, they soon realised they could create an entire range of skincare products using only genuinely natural ingredients – ones that felt far better on the skin than anything they’d bought before. And so, Neve’s Bees was born. Today, they offer a wonderful selection of natural products, including ten different lip balms, available individually for £6.50 or as a trio for £18. Whether you prefer something floral, zingy, minty or simply plain and gentle, there’s a balm to suit every taste. Each one is blended with 100% natural ingredients -organic wherever possible – bringing together nature and a touch of science to create a beautifully rich, premium product. All of the balms are made with natural beeswax from Neve’s Bees own bees along with organic apricot kernel, organic jojoba and coconut oils, plus natural vitamin E for extra nourishment. The lip balms are in little slide tins which are small enough to slip into a coat pocket or handbag to keep lips moisturised when out and about.
I always seem to get chapped lips in winter and much prefer natural lip balms as they seem to soothe my lips much better. Using them both morning and night has become second nature, so I was quite excited when the parcel of Neve’s Bees lip balms arrived and I could tell from the minute I opened the first tin that these lip balms are much better quality than an off the shelf lip balm. They smell lovely and have a silky smooth texture which glides easily onto lips, The balm is quite solid in the tin but quickly warms up with the warmth of a finger and once on your lips it doesn’t feel greasy or sticky and it leaves my dry lips feeling soft and hydrated.
I’ve been spending a lot of time outdoors this week, so I’ve been able to really put these lip balms to the test. My ideal lip balm is one that pampers and nourishes lips, keeping them soft and hydrated no matter what the conditions are and these lip balms definitely ticked all these boxes. Whether I’ve been out walking, cycling or when I was battling Storm Claudia, a quick application of this lip balm has helped to keep my lips protected and prevent them from drying out and I’m confident they’ll continue to keep my lips hydrated as the cold weather settles in.
The three balms I have been trying out are –
Honey Vanilla – this is Neve’s Bees least fragranced lip balm and has just a hint of vanilla to soothe lips and allows the natural honey take centre stage.
Rosey is my favourite of the three balms, it is made from thousands of crushed rose petals and scented with Rose Otto and Rose Geranium. It is rich in vitamins A and E and it’s really helped soothe my dry lips.
Buttermint is inspired by the classic sweets and contains a blend of vanilla and peppermint. This lip balm is great for the men in your life who need to protect their lips but don’t want a flowery or feminine fragrance. This nourishing lip balm is full of goodness and is ideal for restoring softness and moisture.
These Neve’s Bees lip balms make brilliant little gifts and are just the thing for popping into a Christmas stocking, adding to a Secret Santa bundle, or slipping into a card along with a money gift.
Neve’s Bees also donate 10% of their profits to wildlife causes, helping to restore precious wildflower meadows and providing vital habitat for bees and other pollinators so when you buy their products you’re also making a difference to the natural world.
The lip balms are available from the Neve’s Bees website here
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.
Tucked behind the Hays Galleria in London Bridge, Vivat Bacchus is a traditional steakhouse which serves South African dishes, cooked in the traditional South African style. This branch of Vivat Bacchus also contains an extensive wine cellar, which of course stocks South African wine, but there’s also something called a Cheese Room – yes, a room full of just cheese! We visited on a miserable evening before Christmas to sample the best South Africa has to offer.
The menu is not just African food, but contains well known dishes such as burgers, sea bream and steaks but some of the ingredients, like Springbok, aren’t what you would usually find elsewhere! Some of the spices are different too, and the cooking methods aren’t what we’re used to in the UK. However, this was a pleasant surprise as it’s nicely removed from the usual pizza places and fast food joints that are everywhere now, and the price of a pizza isn’t far off the price of the main meals at Vivat Baccus, plus you get more for your money here as the portion sizes are pretty huge!
We started with the Smoked Snoek and Pap Fishcake and 3 Sosaties – a dish of three mini kebabs of chicken, lamb and Boerewors served with baked apricots, pepper and onions. These were delicious little treats, with an oil sauce that brought out the flavour and made a nice change to the usual starters. The Smoked Snoek and Pap Fishcakes are obviously made with fish found in South Africa and not our usual British waters, so the flavour of these was a gorgeous surprise. We were also given a baked corn bread as a starter, which came in a piping hot skillet as an accompaniment.
For mains, we ordered the Pork Belly (my favourite!) and a side of creamed spinach, and Vivat Bacchus’ famous beef burger with fries. The beef burger was enormous; with a salad and the chunkiest chips I’ve ever seen! There was so much there, we could hardly touch the side salad. The Pork Belly comes with a delicious Rainbow Coleslaw which has a slightly tangy dressing to counter the pork belly savoury taste. The Pork Belly was divine… a descent slab of meat, cooked until tender and soft enough to be pulled apart, with a seasoned crackling on top which was very easy to cut through, unlike some arrangements. This was perhaps the best Pork Belly dish I’ve ever had, thanks to the seasoning and the tenderness of the meat through the cooking process.
We were then treated to dessert. Much like the rest of the menu, the desserts are a South African twist on the usual staples but there are also so completely unique items. I tried the Crisp Peppermint Tart, which sounded like nothing else I’d heard of before. A huge dish of cake was brought out to me and I was asked how much I wanted, which was a really nice touch when you’re completely full! Of course, I was given far more than I expected which I took to be part of the African hospitality.
The Crisp Peppermint Tart is a layered dessert with sponge, a mascarpone-type filling and peppermint on top. There’s crisp biscuits lining the top of the pudding too, giving it a juxtaposition of textures. This was divine! I really loved the peppermint flavouring after such a heavy meal, and the mascarpone filling was bubbly and light, making it easier to digest. The sponge was also firm enough to call a proper dessert in itself – think Tiramisu but with peppermint on top and sprinklings of chocolate and biscuit. This is one that I want to make for myself at home!
We didn’t venture too far into after dinner dessert wines or the extensive wines they have on site, but we did have the South African version of Champagne – a sparkling white wine with bubbles and a touch of acidity.
There’s a great atmosphere in the restaurant with wooden floor, chairs and tables, which I don’t think is particularly South African but the wine cellars and bottle presentation boxes are. It can get quite noise in there with the low ceilings and I noticed that there were a lot of couples at tables rather than bigger gatherings but that might just be because it was a Monday night. Incidentally, they do 2-for-1 on burgers on a Monday night too, which might explain how busy they are!
Having never been to any of the Vivat Bacchus restaurants before (there is another one in Farringdon) I was more than pleasantly surprised by the choice on offer, and with how removed it is from the usual chain restaurants on the market. The food was excellent, the wine was equally as good and the staff looked after us. In answer to your question, no, I did not manage to finish the Crisp Peppermint Tart in the end – maybe 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.
A little treat for yourself before the spring sunshine sets in or some nice cosy nights early to bed, the Silk Eye Mask from The Silk Club is useful to everyone. Made with 100% Mulberry Silk, it’s available in 5 colours and two sizes; Small- Medium and Medium-Large. As it’s made of pure silk, it’s also environmentally friendly and biodegradable. Does it work though?
The softness of the silk means it fits most faces with just the elastic band in place and covers the whole eye area. It’s not uncomfortable to lay on the mask to sleep either, and as the elastic band is covered in silk too, it’s very delicate on the skin. Silk means it’s kind to your skin microbiome and helps prevent pillow face. I know a lot of women who swear by silk pillowcases to help prevent wrinkles and the Silk Eye Mask is similar.
To block out light, the mask is padded to give maximum blackout. Once you get used to having something over your face all night, it becomes comforting especially in the spring and summer when the sun comes up. It’s particularly good for travelling too, when you need to sleep on planes or in a car. Sadly, it doesn’t do anything for noise but it does help you concentrate on sleeping! The combination of noise cancelling headphones and the Silk Eye Mask is an absolute winner. They look very stylish too, with the plain block colours in pale pinks and blues.
A lovely gift for a friend who travels or for those who have trouble sleeping – but like their bed wear stylish too!
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.
Ultimate confidence is something which is learned, not given. You aren’t born with confidence in the way that you’re not born to be able to project your voice when public speaking or to be able to handle stress, but it is something you can actively teach yourself.
Confidence comes from knowing yourself though, not from being brave and standing in front of a room of people and giving a PowerPoint presentation. That’s the first lesson that Ant Austen is teaching you in his book, “Instant Confidence.”
Starting with a heart-wrenching back story, the book sets the scene for what confidence is. Going through some simple exercises, Ant helps you to identify your limiting beliefs and where they come from using a series of questions. There’s a long section on being truthful with yourself, which is ultimately how those questions are answered and then worked on to be able to eliminate your limiting beliefs and grow.
Following these truths, the book goes on to deal with any guilt you hold, the fear of changing these limited beliefs, and the freedom that comes when you break through. Only after reading through the book and the exercises can you find out what that freedom means to you or how you want to achieve it to get instant confidence.
The book is a self-help, short read that you can pick up and put down easily and has just 61 pages. Great for commuting, you can come back to it and do the exercises all over again and pick up a different limiting belief before you work on yourself and move on to even greater levels of confidence.
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.
Hailed as the 21st Century’s answer to Riverdance, the Emerald Storm production by Adam Garcia returns to the West End again, and this time at the Emerald Theatre.
A fusion of Irish dancing, tap dance and urban street dance, the story is brought to audiences by The Boss, played by Tom Ball. A singer in a cabaret show, The Boss punctuates the story as Irish dancers take the stage, The Boss sings, and the immersive theatre happens around you. Watch out for the Mop Boy at this point… then the dancers blend away as tap dancers take the stage and finally singers take on the harmonies as they all take it in turn to bring the dance experience to you.
Every song in this musical extravaganza is accompanied by dance. The theatre is a cabaret-style, two tier theatre with cocktail tables, several bars and sofa seating to sit back and relax. There are actors walking around before and after the show, who then appear on stage as part of the story. Not only does Tom Ball need a shout-out for his talent, but principal dancers Olivia Graydon (Irish dancing) Bayley. Graham (tap) and Matt Walker (Mop Boy) also feature heavily in the dancing as well as the interactivity. There’s lots of stomping, clapping, audience echoing and the main show is book-ended with a house band to open, and audience tap dancing on stage afterwards.
There’s a fabulous energy to the show and lots of smiles – genuine smiles between the performers who all hail from performing schools across the country. The mix of different dance styles is really engaging and is heightened by some fabulous singers and cheeky to-and-fro between the cast and the floor.
It’s an energetic night out with lots of uplifting dance and music, close up and in a cocktail evening style that you don’t get in many places across London nowadays. Magnificent!
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
The super-sized SoleCup is a travel mug with no compromise. The cup is built from a toughened glass so it not only resists breaking but it keeps the taste of hot drinks fresh without the plastic sensation. If you know anything about saving the planet, then glass cups are much better all-round. The glass doesn’t leach plastic into any hot drinks either, which can be a problem with cheaper plastics and can cause health issues long term.
The lid of the SoleCup seal (which is in black in this sample) is a non-splash design which makes it easier to keep in the car. It’s a screw lid with a seal over the drinking lid so that you can keep it safe. There’s a cuff to protect your hands from the heat of the drink too, and all of it can go in the dishwasher. On the website, you can buy tea infusers and smoothy filters as additions, which is a nice alteration to the original purpose.
This is a solid travel mug and a chunky 18oz or 510ml size to be able to carry it around and make a meal of it. In fact, the size makes it perfect for a smoothie as a replacement meal, or if you’re on a long car journey and need a hot drink to keep you going. I love the glass design that’s sleek as well as practical and you can tell whose drink is whose – no more having to taste them to find out if you’ve picked up your partner’s one by mistake!
I love this as a gift idea too. Everyone needs another travel mug and most people love a hot drink most days. This is great for anyone going to work on public transport, and I would even say it’s great for long walks, running or exercise thanks to the non-spill design.
Disclaimer: we received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
There has been talk in this office this week of our annual Secret Santa and with a budget of £15, these Sanctuary Spa gift sets fit the bill perfectly. Sanctuary Spa is such a well-loved high-street favourite, with plenty of gorgeous sets available at a range of retailers this Christmas. With Black Friday and Christmas offers popping up everywhere, it’s well worth keeping your eyes peeled – you might just snap up a bargain!
Now, even if you don’t know your Secret Santa recipient terribly well, you simply can’t go wrong with a beauty gift set and we would love to discover these Sanctuary Spa sets under our Christmas Tree this year.
The Sanctuary Spa Discovery Body Cleansing Collection(£15) is available from Boots (and is in the 3 for 2 deal) and includes four 75ml body washes – Aqua Serenity, Lily & Rose, Golden Sandalwood and Signature – all neatly presented in a clear, reusable wash bag. The body washes are the perfect size for travelling and they are also a great way to try some of the other fragrances in the range.
The Sanctuary Spa Signature Restoring Spa Collection (currently £10 at Tesco with a Clubcard) includes a 150ml Signature Body Wash, a 150ml Signature Body Lotion and a 100ml Body Scrub. With a fragrance blend of jasmine, grapefruit and vanilla, this trio really does bring that “spa-at-home” feeling to life. Cleanse, buff and moisturise and step out with soft, beautifully scented skin.
So whether you’re hunting for a Secret Santa surprise, a stocking filler, a gift for teachers, or simply fancy treating yourself (and why not?) a Sanctuary Spa gift set is the perfect choice.
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Christmas is coming (yes, already!), and it’s the perfect excuse to treat your friends, your family…. or yourself! Beauty gift sets always feel special, especially at this time of year and at Christmas many include reusable wash bags or cosmetic pouches. I also find they are usually much better value than buying everything separately. If you’ve never dipped your toe into Weleda before, a gift set is a wonderful way to be introduced to their gorgeous natural products without committing to full sizes straightaway.
This year they have some lovely sets and here are two of my absolute favourites:
The Skin Food Essentials Gift Set (RRP £10) is a brilliant stocking filler. It contains a 10ml tube of Skin Food Original along with a Skin Food Lip Balm (8ml) which are the perfect size to keep in your handbag so you are always ready for winter emergencies. Skin Food is one of those iconic products that is loved by everyone, it’s been around since 1926 for a reason, and its fan club spans generations. I use it for soothing dry patches of skin, doubling as a rich night cream, even calming my eczema. It’s quite thick but it doesn’t feel heavy or greasy on my skin. The nourishing plant oils, protective natural waxes and Skin Food’s signature herbal blend make it nice and hydrating and perfect for my sensitive, eczema prone skin. It also contains rosemary to boost circulation, sunflower and sweet almond oils to feed the skin, and beeswax and lanolin to lock all that goodness in. Paired with the Lip Balm, you’ve got the ultimate winter rescue duo for dry or chapped lips.
If you want something a bit more indulgent, the limited edition Very Cherry Gift Set (RRP £19.95) is a very festive treat. Tucked inside the gorgeous velvety cherry-red make-up bag are three fantastic products – Cherry Shower Cream (200ml), Hand Cream (50ml) and a Lip Balm (4.8ml).
The limited edition Weleda Very Cherry is new this year, and I do hope that they decide to keep it on a permanent basis. The fragrance is fruity and uplifting and leaves my skin delicately scented. The Shower Cream is rich and creamy, lathering beautifully and leaving my skin feeling fresh, clean, and hydrated. The Hand Cream simply melts into my hands and doesn’t leave them feeling greasy. As someone with very dry hands, I use hand cream regularly and the 50ml tube is the perfect size to pop in my bag so I can keep my hands nourished throughout the day.
The Lip Balm has that subtle cherry scent and glides on effortlessly, giving a lovely hit of moisture. It feels protective and soothing, exactly what you want when the winter wind picks up.
Every product in the Very Cherry collection is made from 100% natural origin ingredients and certified by NATRUE, which only adds to the feeling that you’re treating your skin to something honest, gentle, and genuinely good.
This is one of those Christmas sets that not only looks great but is even better to use. Perfect for anyone who loves a bit of fruity freshness, or for the friend who needs a bit of everyday pampering
If you’re hunting for great-value Christmas gifts (or just fancy treating yourself ), these Weleda sets tick every box – natural, beautiful, practical, and perfect for newcomers and long-time fans alike.
Disclaimer: we received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Every family has its Christmas traditions, and in our house the stockings always have certain gifts stuffed in them. Yes, there’s the expected chocolate, socks, and underwear but every year, without fail, Father Christmas tucks in a bottle of shower gel. And more often than not, it’s Original Source. They slip neatly into a stocking, for one thing, and their bright, uplifting scents mean there’s a bottle to suit absolutely everyone.
I’m not what you’d call a natural morning person so I need something brisk and cheering to get me going which means my shower gel has to work hard to wake me gently but firmly. I’m a big fan of Original Source’s Zesty Lemon & Tea Tree, but this year I’ve tried their Crisp Apple Shower Gel which is fresh and crisp and is exactly the thing to nudge me into the land of the living. From the very first use my skin felt refreshed, hydrated, and – dare I say it – almost enthusiastic about the day ahead.
It’s vegan, made in the UK, and fragranced with 100% natural ingredients. The bottle itself is made entirely from recycled plastic and can go straight back into the recycling when you’re done.
A 250ml bottle is currently just £1 at Superdrug and Morrisons so at that price, it’s worth stocking up to guarantee a zingy start to Christmas morning and beyond.
Disclaimer: we received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Avoid that last-minute Christmas shopping panic this year! You know the feeling – searching high and low for something special for those “difficult to buy for” friends and relatives. Well, relax, because organic skincare experts Green People have Christmas all beautifully wrapped up for you.
With over 25 years of experience in creating luxurious, gentle, and eco-friendly skincare, this pioneering British brand knows exactly how to spoil the people you love — and maybe even treat yourself too!
Green People was founded by Charlotte Vøhtz, who began her journey after struggling to find natural products kind enough for her daughter’s sensitive skin. What started as a mother’s mission has become a global success story — the world’s very first certified organic skincare brand, no less!
Now, with 300+ awardsunder their belt, Green People continue to shine in the world of ethical beauty. Every product is cruelty-free, vegan, and brimming with natural, fairly traded ingredients — usually between 80% and 99% organic. They’re proudly recommended by the Vegan Society, PETA, and the Soil Association, and are completely free from parabens, SLS, and gluten — perfect for anyone with sensitive or allergy-prone skin.
The Age Defy+ Pure Luxe Duo is a lovely choice for anyone over 30 who want to give their skin a real treat. Inside the sturdy gift box you’ll find two products – Pure Luxe Hand & Body Wash and Pure Luxe Hand & Body Lotion. The box has a bright orange interior and the elegant black-and-white illustrations of sliced citrus on the box and bottle gives a big hint to the zesty fragrance of the products.
The hand and body wash and lotion are both infused with an uplifting blend of Citrus, Cardamom, and May Chang and they feel really luxurious but are gentle on your skin. The white minimalist bottles are definitely the ones style to keep on display rather than being tucked away in the bathroom cupboard!
The Pure Luxe Hand & Body Wash lathers nicely producing a rich, creamy lather whilst releasing a refreshing citrus aroma of orange and pink grapefruit which is just the thing to brighten up my morning routine. It leaves my skin feeling soft, clean, and hydrated and gently fragranced.
The Pure Luxe Hand & Body Lotionsinks in beautifully leaving my dry skin feeling silky smooth and hydrated. Layering both products helps that gorgeous fragrance linger longer – a little everyday luxury you’ll never tire of.
RRP £40
If you’re after something smaller for a Secret Santa surprise or a stocking filler, look no further than the delightful All Is Bright gift set (RRP £15)
Packaged in a festive cracker-style box, this set includes:
Gentle Cleanser & Make-Up Remover (30ml)
Vita Min Fix 24-Hour Cream (10ml)
These travel-sized treats are perfect for popping in your bag when you’re off visiting friends or family over the festive period. The Gentle Cleanser melts away makeup and impurities, leaving your skin fresh and comfortable, while the Vita Min Fix Cream delivers rich, lasting hydration and is perfect for winter skin that needs a little TLC.
Together, they make a radiant duo that keeps your complexion glowing, no matter how busy the Christmas season gets!
So whether you’re gifting to a friend, your Secret Santa recipient or simply treating yourself, Green People’s Christmas collection offers something luxurious for everyone.
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 whopping 200ml bottle of St Tropez is the latest formula from St Tropez to get you glowing in time for summer 2026!
The St Tropez self-tanning serum is made with 100% natural tanning active and scient backed skincare ingredients. That sounds very scientific, but if you’ve been a self tan fan in the past and been put off because of the smell, then rest assured that the St Tropez Self Tan of today does not have that odour. In fact, I don’t think it has any odour at all which is why I could put it on in the morning and then forget about it!
The St Tropez Self Tan is a clear serum that goes on with out streaks and then develops over 8 hours. You need to exfoliate and moisturise first, and you’re supposed to use a St Tropez mitt but I was able to put mine on in the morning and let it dry. There’s a slight shimmer to the serum that allows you to see where you’re applying it which is really helpful when you haven’t got the deep brown colour to guide you. It takes a while to blend in but once it’s dry you can neither see it nor feel it whilst it works its magic.
You can apply just once to get a week’s worth of glow or apply it over a few days to get a deeper tan. It never goes really dark though, it’s more of a gradual tan but that looks more natural. I’ve tried it for a one-off party and it gives a sin-kissed glow, much the same as you get over summer if you’re just in the garden, but building up over a few days you get a lot more depth. Could be a life saver for the Christmas period!
If you’ve fallen out of love with self tan, now is the time to get back to St Tropez and start the glow again…
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 is a brilliant stocking filler – a ‘pen’ which can be taken anywhere thanks to the click-down selection. Yes ,you do remember these from school! With the same format as a Biro, you can click to have an eyeliner (black), lip liner (pink), brow liner (light brown) or highlighter (white). The are all inter-useable in this lightweight pen style which can be put in a handbag or on holiday in a make-up bag where space is tight. Also brilliant for a night out when you don’t want to take many items!
The liners have different textures so I wouldn’t recommend mixing them together, but the eye liner could be used as a brow liner if the light brown colour isn’t a match for you. I personally wouldn’t use the highlighter that much but the light pink lip liner would be very well used by me daily. They’re all really good quality though, and there is a good supply there in the pen.
This is the type of product that would change how you do your make-up just because it’s so convenient to carry around, and it’s really easy to use. Teenagers would particularly enjoy this as a way of carrying make-up around but I know I’ll be taking this on holiday with me!
Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
The Rosalique beautiful gift set of Miracle Brush and the 3 In 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula SPF 50 combines a skincare concealer with a beautiful (and oh so soft!) brush to hide away those rosy cheeks. The 3 in 1 Anti-Redness Miracle Formula works by covering, treating the skin for long term redness and protects from outside irritants like pollution and the sun. The SPF 50 help protect on a UVA and UVB basis too.
Combined in this gift set, the 3 In 1 Miracle Formula has a brush for applying it daily. The two of them work together to create a long term anti-redness. The coverage works, and also feels very soft and light against your skin. It’s great for using instead of a standard foundation but also works if you’re not wearing make up at all for the day but still want some protection from the sun and elements, and something that gives you the even colour daily.
This is a great gift for Mum or Gran who might want to have some colour coverage as well as something more medicated for redness. I’d also recommend taking this on holiday with you in case you end up burnt or a bit red from alcohol too!
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.
By Terry have an excellent range of gifts this Christmas, including this Lip & Cheek Bliss Duo available at Sephora, Next and John Lewis for £39. The gift set contains a CC Liquid Blush and Lip Care, which is a lip repair gloss to condition lips.
The By Terry gift pack contains the 7 gram click brush liquid blush and 2.3 gram bottle of Lip Care (called Baume De Rose). The Liquid Blush clicks to reveal the colour which you can blend into your cheeks with ease, or if you’re creating a look, it can obviously blend into your contouring application too. It gives a bright, dewy look to your skin and lasts all day, although you might want to apply a second coat at night if you’re going out, just to finish off the look!
The Lip Care is a regenerating salve which cools, comforts and sooths lips. Perfect for cold weather, it hydrates rather than colours lips but works great in tandem with the liquid blush to create a look, especially if you’re on the go or on holiday, and there’s the added bonus that the Lip Care is hydrating and regenerating too.
These make great stocking fillers or gifts for teens who don’t want to be wearing too much make-up or all the 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.
Treat yourself at Christmas to a perfect foundation glow from McoBeauty.
Available in 10 different shades, the McoBeauty Flawless Glow is an all-coverage foundation which works like a photo filter. You don’t need a brush with this foundation either, there’s what’s called a ‘Doe Foot’ applicator which allows you to dab an exact amount of base to your skin. Once applied, I used my fingers to blend it in but you can use a brush at this point. It was a full coverage of foundation on my face which wasn’t waxy or powdery at all and didn’t take long to blend. I particularly liked how it has that ‘glow’ to it too. There’s a slight shimmer to the finish (which actually dried really quickly) that bounces the light and gives you that Christmas glow.
The McoBeauty Flawless Glow Foundation makes a great stocking filler too, it’s really versatile and suits all ages thanks to both its skin coverage and the shine to give a healthy glow instead of the winter pasty look that so many chalky foundations leave. I liked the generous size too, and it would fit perfectly in a Christmas cracker!
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 have become a big fan of facial oils in the last year. Facial oils are no longer greasy and pore-clogging, but contain added vitamins and minerals to repair and replenish your skin and make it feel smooth. Essentially, the oil works to keep moisture trapped and in your skins’ layers instead of evaporating away. Olverum Pure Radiance Facial Oil does just that, with a specially formulated combination which leave skin feeling soft. I tried it out this week as part of the Christmas gifts at Space NK and loved every minute of it!
Olverum Pure Radiance may be called an ‘oil’ but it’s very light in texture when you add it to your skin, and completely translucent. It smells absolutely divine as well so it’s a real treat to be able to apply it. It’s very light and absorbs easily but gives a light dewy glow. With the fragrance as well, it’s like a very delicate essential oils mixture when you wear it, so it’s perfect for days when you’re not wearing make up or if you put it on first thing in the morning before you apply make up later on. Within about a minute, there was no oiliness, just a light glow to my skin.
Olverum Pure Radiance Facial Oil contains high potency vitamins C and E to work together as an alternative to retinol. There’s also Bakuchiol, Cacay Oil and Rosehip Oil (which give it the fragrance) and Patchouli Extract which mimics the CBD properties. Finally, Cardamom Oil calms your skin, including fine lines so that your appearance is luminous. Suitable for all skin types, it’s light enough to not cause any acne (which I am usually prone to.)
I love facial oils now as a way of nourishing my skin without having to think about it. Used daily, it keeps fine lines at bay but doesn’t make your skin oily, and has the same nurturing effect as a facial but with less time. I did use Olverum Pure Radiance Facial Oil after a face mask to keep the moisture in and the germs out but you can happily use it daily as a base, or to cleanse your skin as it is an oil after all. My preference is to use it instead of a moisturiser when I’m working from home during the winter months and don’t need SPF, but I do get exposed to air conditioning or central heating which leaves my skin dry. It also works on lips and hands so there’s nothing that goes to waste when you apply it.
Disclaimer: we received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Have you started shopping for Christmas yet? If not don’t panic as we’ve some great ideas for creative minds of all ages. Stabilo pens make great stocking fillers for both children and adults and whether for school, work, or creative projects there’s such a wide variety of pens that it’s easy to find a set for everyone. Also you can add a colouring book or sketch pad to make a lovely gift for an artistic friend or relative.
With STABILO’S instantly recognisable striped pattern on the pens the pointMax Arty range is perfect for creating masterpieces. The robust nylon 0.8mm tip was designed for high volume use and makes crisp, smooth lines that glide effortlessly over paper. The bright colours are striking, and the pens are perfect for writing, doodling or colouring. The lid clicks nicely on the end when you are using it so it’s far less likely to end up on the floor. Available in over 40 brilliant colours and in multipacks of 15, 18, 24, 32 or 42 pens which will keep everyone busy over the Christmas period and beyond.
RRP from £15.90
The STABILO Cappi Arty felt tip range have clever caps with a small ring at the top which means they can be threaded onto to a ring to keep them together. You can clip them onto a bag with a carabiner which is ideal for keeping them all in one place, especially when you’re out and about. It also means no lost lids too! The triangular shape is comfy to hold and it stops them rolling about on the table too. The slighter larger 1mm fibre tip gives bold, vibrant colour and the ink holds well on different thicknesses of paper and card. These pens are great for children as they can be left uncapped for up to 24 hours without drying out. Available in packs of 12 or 18 colours.
RRP from £7.23
The moss green/oak STABILO GROWSingle pen is STABILO’s most sustainable ball pen with a shaft made from 100% FSC®-certified wood and an ergonomic grip zone made from almost 100 % renewable raw materials. It’s fully climate neutral, with all unavoidable CO₂ emissions offset through certified climate protection projects.
It’s refillable too, making it better from the environment and there are 6 different colours to choose from. The pen cap fits snugly and snapped into place with a satisfying click and it’s easy to swap the ink with the refill being easy to remove and replace. The medium weight pen is very comfortable to hold and is lovely to write with, It’s a great choice for friends and relatives that still write letters or who enjoy doing crosswords or puzzles.
RRP from £20.49
So, whether you’re shopping for a budding artist or a lifelong doodler, STABILO pens make a wonderful Christmas gift. They’re colourful, high-quality, and designed to last and will also fit nicely in a Christmas stocking.
The Review Studio 