Gifts for Her – Page 23 – The Review Studio

Super Facialist Skin Perfecting Primer

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

Summer is a traditional time for beauty brands to launch new products and when it comes to make up there is a plethora of summery, shimmery eye shadows, lipsticks and highlighters available to enhance your sun kissed skin.

Whilst I love summer and being able to try out lots of new make up products, there is always the risk that as the temperature rises the make up I carefully applied first thing in the morning will start to slip and slide off my face, leaving it looking patchy. So how do we stop this happening? Well, this is where a good primer comes in, applied after moisturiser and before foundation, adding this extra step to your routine means your make up will still be in place long after the sun has gone down.

Primers work by minimising/blurring the appearance of fine lines and pores and create a smoother surface for make-up, meaning your make up goes on smoothly and stays put for longer. It’s been really hot this last couple of weeks and the Skin Perfecting Primer from Super Facialist has kept my make up in place despite the heat. This innovative multi-tasking product not only looks incredibly summery thanks to the swirls of lavender, peach and green but also primes, colour-corrects, moisturises and brightens skin to create a flawless complexion.

The pump dispenser is really easy to use and a pea sized amount is ample for your face. It is a dream to apply, absorbing instantly into your skin and it doesn’t leave it feeling sticky or greasy. It left my skin super smooth and I definitely noticed an improvement in terms of a dewy finish. My foundation looked more even and didn’t go patchy by the end of the day, despite the heat. It made a real difference and from the second I applied it I could see my skin looking more awake and radiant.

It’s also great for days when you don’t need to wear foundation, it blurs, smoothes and gives a fresh glow to skin and once you’ve tried it you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. A real make up bag essential!

RRP £17 available here

Edifier MP230 Portable Bluetooth Speaker

Birthday Gifts, camping, Children, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, Summer, Tech

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

This retro style portable speaker from Edifier is probably the easiest I’ve ever set up a speaker. With crystal-clear sound, it’s a brilliant addition to your household or as a gift to someone you love.

The Edifier MP230 Portable Bluetooth Speaker has a battery charge of up to 10 hours with a wooden casing and grill cover to give it a retro 50s/60s portable look. The operating keys on the front are piano-style for on/off, Bluetooth, play/pause and two volume buttons. Speaking of Bluetooth, it was incredibly easy to set up. All I had to do was turn on the speak with the button on the front, use the Bluetooth settings on my laptop, which found it immediately and press Connect. As soon as I played a track on my laptop, it came through the Edifier speaker; no need for any instructions or clicking buttons, adding settings etc, it was easy as pie!

The quality of the sound through the speaker is excellent. There are two 48mm driver units, which create stereo sound and an output power of 20W RMS. Along with Bluetooth, the input modes are AUX, USB-C port and even a TF Card. The size of the speaker also lends itself to being taken on car trips, or even packed in luggage. Measuring 16.4cm × 8.43cm × 10.8cm it can even fit in hand luggage, and weighs just 0.85kilorams (that’s just 1.9lbs!)

The Edifier MP230 Speaker can be charged with the USB port and doesn’t take long for a full charge, so can be connected to a laptop or a wall charging point. As it’s so portable, it can be taken with you anywhere, or left on the shelf in a room. The size would suggest it could go outside easily, which would be great for picnics but I don’t think the wood casing nor the grill would survive getting even slightly damp, and definitely not one for the beach! Set up in a baby’s nursery to play white noise or as background whilst in the garden, the Edifier MP230 would be really useful.

I can’t help but think it would be a great present too. The stylish look to it appeals to anyone who likes design or for grandparents who want something that fits in with their pre-IKEA furniture and is small enough to be discreet on a book shelf. Teenagers will love this though, as it doesn’t take up much room and you don’t even need to be in the room for it to connect to Bluetooth. It’s a brilliant addition to any household as well as being a perfect stereo sound for you online music!

Available from £99.99

MoGo 2-Pro Portable Projector from XGIMI

Birthday Gifts, camping, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, Home & Garden, Tech

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

Disclaimer – The MoGo 2 Pro was sent as a review sample for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

What’s a great Father’s Day gift Dad isn’t expecting? Or what kind of gift could you get him that he doesn’t know he wants yet but when he tries it, will wonder why he hasn’t bought one for himself before!

The MoGo 2 Pro Portable Project from XGIMI has so many feature that I can hardly write them all, but for an overview of what it does, it’s a portable projector and speaker all in one!

With a 120 inch screen, the projector can be used for movies, online content (for example, You Tube) or gaming. It’s compatible with power banks too so you can even take it outside or use it whilst camping. I told you Dad didn’t know he needed it!

As for the technicals, the MoGo 2 Pro Portable Projector supports HDR 10 with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. With an auto focus of ISA 2.0 and an aspect of 1:2:1 it also has Intelligent Screen Alignment and Intelligent Obstacle Avoidance.

The system contains 16GB of storage and 2GB of RAM with a system of Android TV™ 11.0. There’s an impressive 3 different ports (USB type-C, USB type-A and HDMI 2.0) and an AU 3.5mm output port. Bluetooth 5.0 is also included and it works on a Wifi 5 Duel band of 2.4/5GHz.

The whole kit includes a power cable as well as a remote control. It only weighs 1.1kilograms (2.42lbs) which makes it even more portable and I liked the cube shape which also makes it easy to pack if you’re going away. The possibilities are endless with this projector so having never owned one before, I was excited to get it set up and see how it works!

There are instructions included with the projector, but as you take it out of the box you realise it’s actually pretty simple to set up and the screen takes you through it. Start by connecting the power with the power pack provided, then press the on button. The MoGo 2 Pro starts playing music as it asks you how you want to set up, starting with the wifi network and password, then going through the different type of screen adjustments. The pages take you through each option before you get to the Apps page. There’s even an explanation of how the screen adjustment works on the projector too.

The last page of set up already has a TEX app and you can download other Adroid (Google) apps. There’s no need to hook it up to a computer or network, it’s simply connected to the internet, you log into your Google account (which includes You Tube) and you can view any of your saved videos, or go and search for more.

The whole time I was setting up the projector, it was adjusting to the distance from the wall so that it stayed in focus, as well as the horizontal. It didn’t matter how far the projector was from the wall, it adjusted the size of the screen, knew when it was out of focus and kept adjusting so that it was completely clear. As I was thinking of all the movies and programmes I could now watch on the big screen thanks to this projector, it was really exciting to think how it could change how anyone watches TV, especially as I don’t have a projector already. It was like having my own personal cinema!

The picture remained sharp the whole time my movie played, as well as the audio being pitch perfect throughout. If you have a really good internet connection too it helps, and there was no buffering or loss of sound throughout. I also like how you can play it against any wall, curtain or makeshift movie screen no matter where you are, and the sound of the fan is very quiet so doesn’t detract from the soundtrack. The remote control is super easy to use as well and makes life much easier rather than trying to fiddle with buttons on the machine.

The MoGo 2 Pro Projector changes the way you watch TV and videos, especially if you’ve never had a projector before, and is much easier to use than a TV! Perfect picture, perfect sound and so, so easy to set up that anyone can use it and the whole family can enjoy it. Even Dad…

Video to show the MoGo 2 Pro features: https://uk.xgimi.com/pages/mogo-2-pro?gclid=Cj0KCQjwjryjBhD0ARIsAMLvnF-jlS0VT-o2VOsZ79C22jjQYth6bDMBpZPVGylBW6VL4VNmLr_PpoQaAoy_EALw_wcB

Link to MoGo 2 Pro online:

https://uk.xgimi.com/pages/mogo-2-pro?gclid=Cj0KCQjwjryjBhD0ARIsAMLvnF-jlS0VT-o2VOsZ79C22jjQYth6bDMBpZPVGylBW6VL4VNmLr_PpoQaAoy_EALw_wcB

Available from £529 upwards: https://www.amazon.co.uk/XGIMI-Portable-Projector-Automatic-Alignment/dp/B09MD5YM1P?maas=maas_adg_AA8418F13B9FA3969B7CB325343050E3_afap_abs&ref_=aa_maas

myFUJIFILM Photobook

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home & Garden, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts

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

Father’s Day will soon be here, and you may (or may not!) have started thinking of a gift for your Dad. Beer and chocolate always go down well but sometimes it’s nice to find a gift that means a little more and photo gifts are great as anyone receiving one is bound to appreciate the thought that has gone into creating it.

myFUJIFILM have a fantastic selection of products on their website that would make a superb Father’s Day gift including #photobooks, mugs, water bottles and #prints. The website is simple to use with a page dedicated to Father’s Day gift ideas. Each gift has plenty of images so you can get an idea of what the finished product will look like, and prices and delivery times are clearly indicated. Once you have selected your gift it is easy to create your masterpiece, simply choose the photos you love and myFUJIFILM will transform them into a personalised gift that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.

I created a photobook which was very easy to do – there are plenty of different options on the size, shape and look of your book, you can choose rectangular or square, hard or soft cover, matt or gloss paper and there are different size options too. Everything about the book can be edited, there is the option to add backgrounds, change the layout and add text to personalise your photobook.

I found it very easy to add photos and once the photos are uploaded you can either use the “Auto Fill” option to add the photos to your book in one go or add them manually. The “Auto Fill” is much quicker and you can still alter the layout but it does make it harder if you wanted to group certain photos together on one page.

Once you are happy with your design it is time to place your order, the process is nice and easy and you can add multiple copies of the same gift which will be great at Christmas. Once the order had been placed I received a confirmation email and a second email once my products had been dispatched, which also including tracking information.

myFUJIFILM have gifts for all budgets so take a look at their website where you will be able create a gift of precious memories, use the code LOVEDAD40 to get 40% off all personalised gifts.

Sponge Baby Brownies

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

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

Everybody loves cake and with Father’s Day just over a week away it is the perfect opportunity to treat your Dad to some delicious brownies from Sponge.

Sponge are an online cake shop who make the most fantastic cakes which are suitable for any occasion. They have a great selection which includes large cakes, sharing cakes, pinata cakes, brownies as well a range of letterbox cakes which fit nicely through your letterbox, removing the need to factor in a trip to the post office to collect your cake. The cakes from Sponge are incredibly well packaged in a sturdy cardboard box so there is no need to worry about the cakes arriving in less than perfect condition – very important when you are buying them as a gift.

The Father’s Day Baby Brownie Gift Box contains 4 delicious brownies (choose from standard, gluten-free, or vegan) as well as gift wrap and a card.

The brownies are miniature versions of the popular full sized brownies and the gift box includes the following flavours

Raspberry & White Chocolate

Chocolate Orange

Triple Chocolate

Hazelnut Praline.

The brownies are nice and thick and are incredibly moreish! Soft and fudgy, they are full of flavour but not too dry like some brownies tend to be and the toppings make then just that little bit more special. Delicious hot or cold they have been a big hit in our house and just the thing to spoil Dad with on Father’s Day.

A pack of 4 costs £13.25 and cakes can be delivered all over the UK with next delivery if you place your order before 3pm.

Purchase them from Sponge here

Read our other Sponge reviews – Coronation Pinata Cake, Chocolate Cake, Mother’s Day Tea Hamper, Valentine’s Gift Box

Superfood Face Firming Serum Made by Coopers

beauty, Birthday Gifts, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, Vegan, Vegetarian, Women

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

We have had face creams for daily repair for a few decades now. Then there were night creams, designed to repair whilst you’re asleep and your skin is rejuvenating. Nowadays, we have serums to take care of your epidermis during the day, or in the case of the Superfood Face Firming Serum Made by Coopers, this serum works during the night to keep your skin soft and supple.

The Coopers Superfood Firming Serum is made with a blend of bio-active plant oils to instantly firm and regenerate cells. The vegan serum, which contains organic black cumin, pomegranate, chia, broccoli, baobab and passion flower also contains no parabens and isn’t tested on animals. The combination of all the plant extracts gives you a brighter, more youthful complexion.

Although vitality serums are usually used at night, and under moisturisers, the Coopers Superfood Face Firming Serum can be used on clean skin during the day as well and on the neck. Just a few drops warmed in the finger tips and massaged into the skin gives extra moisturisation. The serum is a rich, oily texture with a strong cumin fragrance which reminded me of the CBD oils, although this formula does not contain CBD. It takes a while for it to soak into your skin but when it does, it leave the skin super hydrated thanks to its rich texture. The effects last over night until the morning when you can either apply it again, or use your usual daily skin routine.

This is especially good for vegans who want products made of plant extract but also not tested on animals but still has the same moisturising effect as High Street cosmetics.

Available from £35 at: https://madebycoopers.com/products/superfood-firming-serum-30ml?_pos=1&_sid=ed0b148ff&_ss=r

Modibodi Basics Period Pants

beauty, eco friendly, Family Life, Fashion, Gifts for Her, health, Plastic free, REUSABLE, Sustainable, Tech, Women

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

Period products have come a long way in just a few short years, not just because of the environmental impact of throwing away disposable pads and plastic but because the materials which can be used for more innovative products has greatly improved as well.

The company Modibodi.co.uk have created a range of products for everyone, from pregnancy pants, incontinence clothing and period knickers. We were sent a sample of the Basic Mid-Rise Brief Period Pants (in pink!) to try as part of their bigger range.

The briefs come in 6 different colours including black and various shades of skin-colour plus sizes from UK 8 (extra small) up to UK 24 (5XL). These pants are different to what you buy in the clothes shops for one particular reason – you don’t need to use pads or tampons when you are on your period because there is built-in technology to prevent you from needing them. You can of course, still wear them but just use the Modibodi Period Pants for insurance!

These Modibodi period pants have a moderate to heavy absorption, which is good to know if you find that other brands aren’t good at keeping up with your needs. There are other varieties which are light to moderate absorption available too, also in a range of colours. At present, there’s an online deal on of 5 pairs of briefs for under £80 in a mix-and-match offer. One pair costs £15.50 without postage so it’s worth buying 5 pairs or more so that you have the choice of colours. Bearing in mind how much you’ll save on tampons and pads over the next few years, it’s an economic save in the long run too.

As for using them, I loved the colour of these Modibodi mid-rise briefs, and was very pleased to see where the absorptance technology was. Other brands don’t re-enforce in the right areas so you’re still prone to leaks, or the threat of a leak because you’re not sure how well they fit. These lasted as long as any pads would, and in conjunction with a tampon worked really well especially as I was wearing an evening dress and didn’t want to be uncomfortable. When it comes to washing, I try and soak them as soon as possible as well as put them in a cool wash as soon as I could – 20 Centigrade would be ideal but 30C works just as well. The pink colour comes up well in the wash and they do keep their shape and absorbency over time.

I would take advantage of the 5 for Under £80 deal online, with different colours and different types of brief so that these last a long time and can also be used in a variety of ways with different outfits. They work brilliantly and give you peace of mind as well as help to save the planet and a lot of fuss with remembering what to bring with you when you go out! The Modibodi online site also has period bikinis for holidays and new products coming out all the time.

£15.50

RINGANA Travel Sets

beauty, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Sustainable, Vegan, Women

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

It’s the start of June and thoughts are turning to holidays, whether you are planning on staying in the UK or heading for more exotic locations it’s even more important to look after your skin as the heat, humidity and long haul flights can play havoc with your skin.

Many beauty brands now have miniature versions, enabling you to stick to your favourite tried and trusted products whilst you are away. I don’t miss the days of decanting favourite products into travel sized bottles and then finding myself using body lotion instead of face cream as the pen has rubbed off the bottle and I can’t tell which is which – I’m sure I’m not the only one that this happens to!!

If your holiday plans involve a flight, travel-sized products are perfect as not only do they keep the weight down they are essential when travelling with only hand luggage. Airlines still have restrictions on liquids and containers must hold no more than 100ml and fit in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures around 20cm by 20cm.

RINGANA are an Austrian skincare brand and their products are vegan, natural, ethical, eco-friendly and aren’t tested on animals. We’ve tried a few of their products recently and they also have a fantastic selection of travel sized products to suit all skin types. They sent me a couple of sets to try and I have enjoyed discovering some new RINGANA products.

The WASH sample box contains a great selection of holiday essentials to keep your hair and body lovely and fresh.

FRESH BODY WASH 50ml which lathers nicely to clean and freshen my skin after a day on the beach.

FRESH SHAMPOO 50ml this gentle shampoo leaves hair lovely and soft and shiny.

FRESH STAY FRESH 50 ml, a gentle foam that you spray onto toilet paper to leave your skin fresh and clean.

FRESH DEODORANT 5 ml, this handy bottle protects against unpleasant body odours and is small enough to keep in your bag to freshen up whenever you feel the need.

FRESH TOOTH OIL 15ml, used instead of toothpaste this oil-based tooth care is derived from the ancient practice where oil was swished in your mouth to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene. It doesn’t foam like toothpaste and I wasn’t keen on the taste but I did find it left my teeth feeling surprisingly clean and fresh.

I loved all these products but I would have liked to see a conditioner in this set as my hair can get wild and frizzy on holiday and I prefer to use the same haircare brands for shampoo and conditioner to get the best results.

€27.10

The BODY sample box contains smaller samples that are perfect for a weekend away.

FRESH BODY MILK 15 ml This rich body milk nourishes and soothes dry skin with high-quality plant oils, restoring its suppleness.

FRESH FOOT BALM 15 ml – Just what you need to soothe tired feet after all that sightseeing.

FRESH HAND BALM 15 ml – This hand and nail balm melts into my skin and doesn’t feel greasy. It leaves my hands beautifully soft and smooth.

€14.90

The FACE RICH Sample Box is ideal for trying out RINGANA’s skincare range, the samples are in now in handy sachets with a screw top lid which take up very little space in a wash bag. The set contains

FRESH CLEANSER 15 ml – Apply to damp skin, massage in and rinse with warm water, this cleanser is great at removing all traces of make up and leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed.

The FRESH TONIC CALM 15ml is gentle on skin and removes the final traces of dirt, grime and impurities after cleansing.

FRESH CREAM RICH 10ml – This rich cream is perfect for my perimenopausal skin, it sinks into my skin effortlessly and leaves it nice and hydrated.

FRESH ANTI WRINKLE SERUM 5ml – The highly-concentrated serum nourishes the skin and RINGANA claim that over time it will boost the skin, correcting and smoothing wrinkles.

€29.80

These are just a few of the RINGANA sample sets so whether you are looking for miniature versions of your favourite products or looking to change your skincare routine then I recommend taking a look at the RINGANA website. In time for the holiday season the popular RINGANA travel sets are now in the eco-friendly foil pouches which are 100% PCR – post-consumer recycled plastic. Mono-material is the ultimate pioneer in terms of recycling, and its 100 per cent recyclability makes it a real winner. Other improved sustainability features are a 20% reduction in the packaging weight, and they are much easier to empty so no wastage. Thanks to the oxygen barrier layer the high-quality formulations are protected even better than they were before.

Edifier W820NB Plus Headphones

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

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

I have been using a pair of headphones from Edifier for a few weeks now and I’m really happy with their performance.

The Edifier W820NB Plus headphones are a pair of lightweight (221g) bluetooth headphones with USB-C charging and connection. Made completely of plastic they are available in a range of 5 colours (Blue, Grey, Green, Ivory and Black) and are lightweight and very comfortable to wear. I have worn them for several hours at a time without any discomfort or sweaty ears! The headband and ear cups are soft and the headphones are adjustable so will fit pretty much any size head. The build quality is good and whilst lightweight, they have a quality feel to them.

Most of my listening is done whilst working in the garden so noise cancellation is important to me, I was mowing the grass the other evening and was really impressed with how well they coped, my podcasts were easy to listen to and whilst I could still hear the petrol mower it wasn’t a problem at all. If you want to know the figures, Edifier’s website claims “upgraded noise cancellation with ANC depth of up to -43dB”.

I’m no audiophile but I can tell you that the sound quality through the 40mm drivers was very good, I couldn’t fault it. The frequency range is listed as 20Hz – 40kHz which is way more than my ears would hear! If you choose to install the accompanying app then you can select some different equaliser settings, but it isn’t something I would make use of so just left the settings at default. The headphones are Hi-Res Audio & Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified for those who have a Hi-Res device and a special game mode can be selected with a couple of presses of a button which offers a latency as low as 0.08s.

Controlling the headphones is done with the usual combination of single and double taps of the various controls. I’m never good at remembering all the different options but the basic controls are easy to use although the buttons could be a little bigger and more spaced out for me.

Answering a phone call is a single tap of the main button as is ending the call and noise cancellation can be turned off with a single tap too.

So far I haven’t had to charge the headphones, Edifier suggest they have a battery life of between 33 and 49 hours depending on how much the noise cancellation is used and a 10 minute charge should give 7 hours of use. More than enough capacity for me.

£79.99 available from Amazon

MooGoo Travel Pack

beauty, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Women

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

I suffer with very dry skin and eczema and when it flares up it my skin becomes red and itchy and the skin on my hands and feet starts to crack which can be incredibly painful. I grew up on a dairy farm and remember my mother using the cow udder cream on her hands as it really helped her eczema, so when I heard about MooGoo, whose first ever product was based on cow udder cream, I knew I had to try it.

MooGoo is a Australian company which came about by accident after the founder, Craig Jones noticed his Mum using cow udder cream on her hands. Udder cream is quite thick and hard to apply so he decided to reformulate the cream, creating a lighter, non-greasy version which was a big hit with family and friends – so much so that he ended up going into business with this new cream which was aptly named MooGoo. Initially they only made one product but over the years the range has expanded to include 40 products.

If you haven’t tried MooGoo products before then the travel pack is perfect to start with as it contains four different products in a handy travel bag.

Milk Shampoo 100ml – Made using a combination of gentle Coconut and Glucose based cleansers it is designed for people with sensitive scalps, itchiness or flakiness. The shampoo lathered well and left my hair lovely and clean and after a couple of washes I noticed my scalp wasn’t as flaky.

Conditioner 100ml – This conditioner contains Jojoba Oil which moisturises hair leaving it soft, hydrated and free of tangles. It left my hair lovely and soft and it helped hydrate my curls leaving them shiny and bouncy.

Milk Wash 100ml – Made with a combination of 6 gentle, natural, low-irritant cleansers and designed to be used for the face and body. It is nice and gentle on my skin and a little goes a long way.

Skin Milk Udder Cream 100g – This is the original product that Craig first created. It is designed to hydrate skin using the natural ingredients and oils that contain the types of fatty acids needed for healthy skin. I have been using this on my hands and feet and it has really improved the condition of my skin in only a couple of weeks.

All the bottles have handy pump action dispensers, and they are just the right size to pop in my bag when I go away this summer.

RRP £19.50 Available here

Qwick Hose Starter Set

Birthday Gifts, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home & Garden

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

Summer is most definitely here and like a lot of people I’m spending much more time in the garden, both gardening and relaxing with my friends and family. Like it or not, the hotter weather does mean plants need more watering and with a large garden, a hose pipe is the simplest way to do this.

A few weeks ago, I discovered that my hose was not in the best of shape, leaving it out in all weathers certainly doesn’t do it any good, so with lots of plants to water I decided it was time to invest in a new one. After purchasing a new coil of hose, I was intending to use my existing fittings but then the starter set from Qwikhose arrived so the timing couldn’t have been better! QwickHose are a new style of fitting made from extra-robust, UV stabilised, premium-grade plastics that are designed to last longer than typical models and won’t keep popping off when the water is on full pressure.

The starter set costs £39.99 and contains a Wing-Lock Connector, Nozzle Spray End, Tap Connector, No-Flow Wing-Lock Connector along with a handy wall mount to keep everything together. The hose connector itself is fully compatible with other fittings but the QwickHose is so much easier to fit to the actual hose than traditional fittings and gives a more reliable fit. So what is different about the QwickHose fittings – well instead of a ring of short, fiddly teeth, which are prone to coming apart or leaking, the QwickHose fitting opens up wide to reveal a long inner tube over which the hose is inserted. You then simply clamp down the outer wings and secure the wings with the nut and you are ready to go. With a double row of teeth and 50mm of hose inside the clamp, these fittings feel very secure and are very easy to fit.

At £40 for the set, they are more expensive than other hose fittings but they work incredibly well and the proof is when I water the garden, ordinarily the hose pops of at least twice but since I started using these fittings it hasn’t happened at all.

I am very impressed with the quality of the fittings and it’s good to know that they are made in the UK and run by a Hampshire based family business. They were the winners of the 2022 GIMA Innovators Seed Corn Fund (GISCF) at Glee Birmingham and it is easy to see why.

With Father’s Day coming up the starter set would make the perfect gift for garden lovers – my Father in Law is a keen gardener so one of these will be perfect for him!

The starter set is available from QwickHose here

TOG24 Glasson Womens Waterproof Jacket

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Days Out, Family Life, Fashion, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Sport, Summer, Women

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

National Walking Month is coming to a close now and we have certainly covered some miles. We normally go out walking a couple of times a week but at the start of the month we challenged ourselves to go out for a walk every day in May and the miles have been quickly totting up. I have really enjoyed exploring our local area and walking along the public footpaths that cross the fields as well as doing a few higher level walks on the fells. We have seen plenty of wildlife too, my favourite was seeing a beautiful barn owl fly around the fields one evening and we have also spotted deer and hares.

Living in the North West we are used to wet weather and a walk in the rain is certainly a lot better with the right gear so I was pleased to receive the TOG24 Glasson Women’s Waterproof jacket – especially as my current waterproof coat has seen better days and tends to leak. It’s bad enough walking in the rain but it it’s a million times worse if the rain gets through your coat leaving you wet and cold.

Available in either navy or faded pink in sizes 8-18, the coat is made from a 100% waterproof, breathable fabric with a DWR coating to repel water. The coat is also windproof so will keep me warm and dry no matter what the weather throws at me.

I normally wear size 14 clothes, but I do like to go up a size for waterproof coats as I like to be able to move about easily and on colder days have room for a fleece or jumper. The size 16 coat fitted me perfectly – the elasticated waist toggles meant I could easily adjust the fit, pulling in the waist for a smooth fit when wearing thinner layers and loosening them when I am wearing more layers.

Designed with two-way zips and magnetic fasteners (which are a dream to fasten) the coat has two roomy angled pockets that fasten with the same magnetic fasteners. This is the first time I have come across a coat with this type of fastener, and I really love it, they are so easy to open, especially if you have cold and wet hands and they fasten easily with a satisfying snap. It also has a zipped internal pocket which is perfect for keeping my phone safe.

The coat is a very flattering shape and I love the longer length with the fishtail hem. I was really pleased with the length of the arms, I am 6’ tall with long arms and find sleeve lengths in women’s waterproofs do tend to be too short. I was therefore pleasantly surprised when I put the jacket on and found the sleeves were just the right length. Another feature of waterproof coats that I look at are the hood, it needs to fit nicely on my head and stay up when the weather is bad. The hood on the Glasson coat was an excellent fit and with the zip fully up stayed in place nicely. The peak helped prevent the hood from flopping in my face and is deep enough to keep rain off my face and glasses. There is also enough room to wear a woolly hat when it gets colder and still be able to put the hood up.

The lovely, longer-length Glasson coat performed brilliantly when we tested it with the hosepipe (it’s not rained here recently so we had to create our own weather conditions!) This was way more intense than any rain shower I’ve ever been in and although the coat was absolutely soaked, I stayed nice and dry. I am really pleased with this coat, it is comfortable to wear and looks great too. It’s also smart enough for work so whilst the coat is on sale I’m thinking of buying the faded pink version to keep me warm and dry on my daily commute.

RRP £130 but currently on sale at £80

Manchester Gin

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Johnsons Lawn Seed Celebration Wildflower Tins

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anita Air Control Padded Sports Bra

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Yankee Relaxing Summer Candles

Birthday Gifts, Family Life, Fragrance, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, Home, Home & Garden, Mental Health Awareness, Mother's Day, Summer, Women

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Martha Hill Marshmallow Eye Make Up Remover

beauty, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Women

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

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

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

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

30ml tottle – £5.95

Yoga Anatomy Made Simple and The Anatomy of Yoga – books

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Good Gracious Shampoo and Conditioner

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Environ Focus Care Youth+ Night Serum

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kikkerland Seed Sprouters

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

RRP £21 from Kikkerland

Bumbles and Boo

Baby, beauty, Children, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Women

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

1000 Mile Fusion Walk Sock

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Royal British Legion Coronation Champagne

alcoholic drinks, coronation, Days Out, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Summer

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

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

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

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

The trio, fit for a King, includes;

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

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

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

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

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

Annabelle Minerals Serums

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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