Gifts for Her – Page 24 – The Review Studio

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

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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

LINDOR Limited Edition King’s Coronation Milk Chocolate Box

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

Continuing with the celebrations around the King’s Coronation, LINDOR have released and excellent Limited Edition Coronation Milk Chocolate Box, fit for a king!

The 200 gram box of pure milk chocolate LINDOR truffle chocolates are found in a Union Jack box, perfect for sharing whilst watching the ceremony, or to adorn your table at your Coronation street party.

LINDOR have been making chocolate since 1845 and pride themselves on making any moment a LINDOR moment. Each chocolate is a shell of finest pure milk chocolate, encapsulating a similar chocolate truffle which upon reaching room temperature, melts ever-so-slightly to create a rich filling. Alternatively, you can keep the LINDOR truffle chocolates in the fridge and create a whole new experience when biting into them! If you’re partial to a LINDOR truffle, then try one of their other flavours including new LINDOR Blood Orange, LINDOR Strawberries & Cream or LINDOR Salted Caramel, all priced at £6.00 for 200 grams and available in shops or online.

I’ve always been a fan of good quality chocolate so trying these LINDOR Limited Edition Coronation truffle chocolates wasn’t a chore. Sure, they are the same milk chocolate truffles you can buy in the shops but they aren’t branded for the Coronation like these ones are! If you’re looking for more to share with your loved ones for the Coronation, then LINDOR also have the Lindt LINDOR Pick & Mix tin with a Union Jack design which is also available online or in shops. At £25.00 for the tin, it contains flavours such as Pistachio, Stracciatella and Raspberry & Cream.

The Lindt LINDOR Limited Edition Coronation Milk Chocolate box is available for a limited time from the end of April for £6.00 from Sainsbury’s, WH Smith, Tesco and www.lindt.co.uk.

Justice Smooth & Grow Hair Products

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

I have curly hair and looking after it can be quite troublesome. At the moment it is dry and frizzy and I am certainly having more bad hair days than good so I was really pleased to receive a couple of Smooth & Groom products from Justice Haircare to see if they could transform my wild, frizzy locks.

Justice Haircare is an Australian brand which was founded on the sun-kissed beaches of Sydney Australia back in 1990. Inspired by nature their philosophy is to harness the very best elements of Australia – nature, authenticity and fun – and create haircare products that can be enjoyed by everyone no matter what type of hair you have. They have a fantastic range of products including, shampoos, conditioners, anti-dandruff and dry scalp products, leave-in treatments as well as styling products and hair colours.

I love their simple, yet stylish packaging, the vibrant pink looks stunning against the white bottle and definitely brightens up the bathroom.

The shampoo smells lovely, very sweet and floral and is a nice consistency, it lathers well leaving my hair feeling fresh and clean.

My curly hair tends to be dry, frizzy and dull so a hydrating conditioner is an important step in my haircare routine. The Smooth & Groom Deep Conditioner is rich and creamy and contains Pro-Keratin formula, plant stem cells and marine collagen which has really helped give my curls a healthy dose of hydration, nourishment, and protection and has left them noticeable shinier and softer. It was easy to apply to my hair and after combing through I left it on for the recommended 5 minutes before scrunching it into my hair to help add moisture to my curls. It rinsed out easily and left my hair tangle free.

These products leave my hair feeling super soft and nourished and my curls are shinier and more defined. I usually leave my hair to dry naturally, and I have noticed that my curls are a lot less frizzy now. I occasionally use a hairdryer with a diffuser and when I dry it this way my hair is easier to style and has a lot more bounce and volume.

My curls really adore this duo, the dry frizzy mop has been transformed into glossy, defined curls.

If you are looking for a product that smells lovely and gives quality results at a very reasonable price then I recommend that you give Justice Professional a try, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!

The 300ml shampoo and conditioner bundle costs a very reasonable £20

Ryman’s Royal Coronation Range

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

First with the Platinum Jubilee and now the Coronation, there have been lots of Union Jack products around to help us celebrate. For the Coronation this year, Ryman have a whole range of items to both help celebrate and commemorative items to remember this year. We were sent some lovely Coronation decorations and souvenirs to review from the team!

For the big street party, there’s the fabric bunting (£1.99). At 3.6 metres long, it’s enough to tie between two lampposts or adorn to the front of the house. As it’s fabric, it will be more durable in the British weather should you choose to keep it outside for longer than just the Coronation day, and can also go in the wash afterwards for you to use again.

The Union Jack 3 tier Cupcake Stand (£2.99) arrives flat packed but fits together easily. It’s made from cardboard but you can use it again and again for either cupcakes or it would suit sandwiches and scones too if you are going for the full afternoon tea. The Union Jack design makes it very photogenic for the Coronation Street Party, standing 34cm high and 39cm wide. After using it, you can easily dissemble it and pack away for another day.

We were also sent a 1000 piece Charles III jigsaw and water bottle. The Charles III jigsaw (£19.99) depicts His Majesty The King over his lifetime from boy to King, and some of the events of his life such as becoming the Prince of Wales in 1969 and his military uniforms. 1000 pieces is a family sized jigsaw, suitable for adults as well as teenagers, and makes for a fabulous pastime during the long weekend. Don’t forget that there are 3 Bank Holidays in May alone this year so you’ll have plenty of time to play with it!

The final item was the Coronation Water Bottle (£13.99). The 500ml bottle has the official Coronation crest on the front, and you have the option of personalising it for up to 20 characters, just below the logo, or you can leave it blank. The screw top bottle can be kept cold in the fridge although it can’t go in the dishwasher and is hand wash only. It’s a really useful keepsake of the Coronation as well as a lovely present for someone.

The whole Ryman range of Coronation items is available online, with a mixture of decorations, mementoes and lovely items for the street parties like Union Jack paper plates and straws. Most of the items are reusable and environmentally friendly too!

Items available from the Ryman online store at:

https://www.ryman.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=coronation

King’s Ransom Chocolate from FATSO

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

The Coronation is the perfect time to bring out the best in treats. If you’re having a street party, or even just a gathering over the Coronation weekend, why not try something different?

The chocolate company FATSO have created the King’s Ransom Chocolate bar for the Coronation in the special flavour of mint, pistachio and cocoa nibs. I’ve never tried that combination before so along with the fact that the Big Bar chocolate is single origin, Columbian 60% dark chocolate this was going to be an education.

I’m not a fan of pistachio so I wasn’t expecting to like this, but actually, the combination of the flavours means you don’t taste the pistachio or mint on their own, and the texture you normally have with pistachio flavoured chocolate is not the same. There are no ‘chunks’ to work your way through, and the flavours are subtle so you won’t be overpowered by the mint, for instance. The main texture and taste that comes through is from the chocolate, which at 150g per bar is dense and very rich, but not bitter like some dark chocolate. If you’re into the more refined chocolates, rather than the traditional ‘candy’ chocolates you used to buy as children, then this is a gourmet variety which adults will enjoy tasting.

It is worth pointing out here that the quality of the chocolate makes a big difference to your experience. You can taste that it’s better excellence of ingredients, especially with the chocolate which is so smooth that you can’t eat more than a mouthful at a time. It’s very satisfying as both a snack and for the flavours that come through as you eat it, making it something which you can enjoy and yet still don’t need much of to get the full effect.

I hadn’t seen FATSO chocolate before, but the website has a range of flavours including Morn’n Glory (cornflake, toast and marmalade), Nan’s Stash (peanut, toffee and Digestive biscuit) and Home Run (salted pretzel, whole almond and honeycomb). There’s also a bundle of bars available, all online!

Available online from £6.50 at: https://sofatso.com/paytheransom/

Dark Chocolate Malt Loaf with Orange from Lovingly Artisan

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

Lovingly Artisan produce home delivered sourdough bread, and like the name suggest, the bread is not your run-of-the-mill baker’s lot. Their sourdough loaves are created with organic ingredients near Kendal, in the British Lake District. Their slow fermentation method with heritage flours and unique flavours create some delicious breads which can be posted to your home.

For the King’s Coronation this year, the Dark Chocolate Malt Loaf with Orange. This unique malt loaf is made with Mediterranean orange peel, Belgian Chocolate and chocolate malt. Marbled into a loaf shape, it’s a hybrid of bread and malt loaf with a deep crust and soft, almost gooey centre which is sweet, chocolatey and punctuated with citrus lemon.

I had a one loaf delivered early on Saturday morning, fresh from the Kendal bakery and beautifully presented! Cutting a piece for myself, I could either eat it as it was or slather it in butter, which is my preferred method. Eaten on its own, it tastes more like a cake, but with butter and the thick crust, it makes for a tea-time treat when you add butter. You could add jam as well but I think it would detract from the taste and become too sweet. You can really taste the Belgian chocolate pieces and candied orange peel with each bite and it’s not heavy either. It has a texture more like a patisserie than bread, probably due to the lighter flour used and good quality ingredients.

I don’t usually eat bread and when I do, I make it at home so it’s a treat to have artisan bread delivered that I didn’t have to work for! I would never be so adventurous as to make a sourdough bread with added chocolate and orange but it really works. Even children would love this bread, and with the added advantage of the sourdough being good for tummies, especially with organic, heritage flour used for baking.

If you’ve never seen the Lovingly Artisan website before, have a look at the other sourdough breads including their artisan range, all of which is delivered to your door.

Celebrate the Coronation with the Lovingly Artisan Dark Chocolate Malt Loaf with Orange this May and discover the perfect sourdough you’ve been missing.

Joe &Seph’s Limited Edition Coronation Popcorn Range

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

Most of us have never seen a Coronation in the UK so this year is special. Joe & Seph have launched a range of limited edition popcorns to commemorate the Coronation in a few weeks, and we’ve been reviewing them to find out what they’re like!

The two flavours which were sent to us are Bakewell Tart and Salted Caramel. Bakewell Tart, the very British dessert cake made from almond and jam is a British classic, notably from Derbyshire originally. As a lover of popcorn as well as desserts, this was an easy win for me to try and I wasn’t disappointed! The popcorn has a slight almond flavour to it, very similar to the Bakewell Tart which also has the slightly sweet, nutty flavour of almonds but without the marzipan power. I’m not a fan of marzipan so this was a fair test of how well the popcorn would favour. There’s also the sweet cherry jam flavour to the coating too, which blends in well as a delicious dessert-like taste.

The second flavour is Salted Caramel. Probably one of the most popular flavours for cakes and desserts these days, this flavour translates well into popcorn. It’s slightly sticky, and the caramel flavour comes through first, followed by the savoury sea salt. This flavour appeals to those who prefer the sweeter tasting popcorn, and this would work really well with salted caramel ice cream or in place of a dessert.

Both flavours are iconic, and popcorn has come a long way from the cinema-type of buckets we had growing up. If you’re a fan of popcorn or know anything about the Joe & Seph then these are lovely flavours to add to your store cupboard, and I think you’ll be impressed with how likeable they are, as well as different to the normal High Street shelf flavours. As ever, they are very addictive though, so stock up on these flavours whilst they’re still available!

The handmade popcorn is gluten free, has no artificial colours or preservatives and is suitable for vegetarians. Popped in London artisan kitchens, the Joe & Seph’s team have toiled to create the best popcorn they possibly can. Check out their website and social media to find out more about the flavours available, and the snacks they have which can be found in a range of stores or online.

These two flavours of popcorn are great snacks or after dinner instead of a dessert. They would be PERFECT for around the Coronation party table though, it’s just a shame that they are limited edition!

Available from £4 per packet: https://www.joeandsephs.co.uk/popcorn/coronation-salted-caramel-popcorn

iWALK Magnetic Wireless Power Bank for iPhone 12/13/14

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

Available for Apple iPhones 12 and up, without a case.

Adding extra battery life to your iPhone is a must if you can’t be near a charging socket anywhere. Festival season in particular is a difficult time for charging phones, so any extra help for your iPhone battery is needed!

The iWALK Magnetic Wireless Power Bank is specifically designed for iPhones 12 and up, which have magnetic casings which allow wireless battery charging. The iWALK Magnetic Wireless Power Bank is designed to attach itself via its magnet to the back of your iPhone and add to the battery life. The front of the battery pack shows the percentage charge remaining, so you know how much you have available to charge your phone, and a finger ring at the back to make holding the phone easier and for the removal of the battery pack.

Each full charge of the iWALK Magnetic Wireless Power Bank gives approximately 1 full charge of your iPhone, but this can vary depending on the health of your battery and which model iPhone you have. I found that it gave roughly 1 full charge for my iPhone 12, which in addition to the 24 hours+ charge I have when I plug the phone into the wall, it gave me an extra day that I wouldn’t normally have!

To use the iWALK Magnetic Wireless Power Bank, you need to remove any extra cases on top of the iPhone then attach to the back by the built-in magnets. The battery pack with automatically start charging when you press the power button, which is located on the side. The LED display will show you the amount of charge on the battery pack and the front of the phone shows that it’s being charged. You can remove the battery pack easily and charge it up again using the provided USB cable, which doesn’t take long. You can use the LED display on the front again to see when it’s been fully charged.

It’s slimline, less than 1 inch thick and fits onto the back of your iPhone easily. The finger ring makes removing the battery easier but also works as a handle when using the phone, and as a rest for propping the phone up to read from it or to video hands-free.

As Apple iPhones move towards having magnetic cases, more chargers like the iWALK Magnetic Wireless Power Bank will become available and be handy for charging all appliances, not just iPhones. I also love that it’s available in 5 different colours too (black, white, white, red and mint green) to match your phone casing! It also has an intelligent temperature control so that it doesn’t overheat whilst charging or whilst you’re using it, which is also a safety feature.

The iWALK Magnetic Wireless Power Bank is not just a handy charging gizmo for your iPhone, but an investment for all of your future Apple products which will need magnetic charging sooner than you think.

iWALK Portable Charger for iPhone

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

Any iPhone user will know that their phone battery doesn’t last long at the best of times, but the more you use it and the older the phone, the quicker the battery runs out. That’s not great if you’re on holiday, out at a festival or running around after the kids and you can’t put your phone on charge. iWALK have the solution in a very handy, small and portable battery pack which plugs into your phone and charges, even whilst you’re still using it!

The iWALK Portable Charger Power Bank comes in a range of colours (we were sent the colour pink to review) and is accompanied by a USB cable so that you can charge it from any computer or socket with a USB attachment. The Portable Charger is diminutive in size at approximately 3 inches long and just over 2 inches high, it can fit into pockets, handbags and purses or even be kept attached to your phone. The USB cable is approximately 1 metre long so you can attach to your other devices, or if in travel, to the nearest USB socket. The charging plug is protected with an attached cover, so you can just snap it back and charge straight away, then put the power bank away again without damaging the charger.

The iWALK Portable Charger Power Bank delivers a full battery charge quickly (it depends on your phone battery and how much charge you already have as to how long it takes to fully charge) and can also be used on other Apple appliances which have Lightening plugs such as iPads and Apple Watch. I found that the iWALK Portable Charger Power Bank took a little over an hour to charge my phone fully, but that was when I already had about 18% charge to it. There’s a handy LED display on the front giving you an idea of how much charge the Power Bank has left.

The biggest plus of having the iWALK Portable Charger Power Bank to hand is that it’s so compact and easy to carry around, lightweight and fast too. I didn’t notice it when I went out for the day and knew I would use up all the battery on my phone, and with the charger plugged in, I was still able to use my iPhone as normal. The different colours available will match your phone case colour.

Please note, the iWALK Portable Charger Power Bank is only available for iPhones 6 – 14, including most X models.

I’m more than happy with this iWALK Portable Charger Power Bank which is a company I’d never seen before, but they have a range of products available for iphones, some of which we are reviewing later!

Available in various colours from £31.99:

Edifier W820NB Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Stereo Headphones

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

Being a bit behind with the times, I don’t own any Bluetooth headphones. I’m still on the wired earphones which came with my iPod, even though I know I could use wireless headphones on any of my gadgets! Edifier sent us the W820NB Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones from their extensive range for us to try this week, and so far, I’m impressed!

The first thing you notice about the headphones is the noise cancelling. I put them on around the house and the ambient noise from the road outside and the planes overhead was eliminated – they really are noise reducing, even without anything playing on them!

The controls on the headphone are on/off switch, volume up/down and a Bluetooth button. With such simple controls, it was very easy to set them up to sync with my laptop, so much so that I didn’t actually need to read the instructions. All I had to do was turn on the headphones and press the Bluetooth button until the light flashed. My laptop found the headphones within a few seconds of being set to ‘discoverable’ so it didn’t take much effort at all. I was able to play anything from my music online, streaming or YouTube onto them.

The sound quality is excellent. With the headphones also being noise reducing, it was a surprise to hear how good they were with stereo sound and I couldn’t fault them. I had to use a combination of the laptop sound as well as the headphone volume buttons to get the volume as high as I wanted it, but that’s only a matter of practice. The range was also excellent with there being no disconnection on the Bluetooth wherever I was in the house which made a difference. The headphones are nice and lightweight as well so can be taken on holiday (they’re perfect for flights or working out) and have a titanium diaphragm for longevity.

To skip to the next song or ahead in a podcast for instance, you hit the volume button up/down and hold, the Power button is for pausing. The headphones can also be used for taking calls by Bluetooth although I haven’t tested this yet. Using the Multi-function button (with the Bluetooth symbol next to it) you can change between noise cancelling, gaming mode and use it for Bluetooth pairing.

My only gripe with the headphones are that they don’t come with a bag or pouch of some kind so that you can transport them easily or put them in an overhead locker on a flight. There is a cable which comes with them for charging, but you won’t need to charge them very much as there’s a 49 hour playtime on each charge. The cable is a USB connection so will charge from most sockets if not your computer.

The more I play with these Edifier headphones the more I like them, and am surprised by how good they are. I have found several times when I can walk around the house with them connected via Bluetooth and still listen to my laptop, tune into a radio station or eventually be on a call and not lose any of the quality I’m used to with more expensive, wired headphones.

https://www.edifier.com/product-w820nb.html

Currently on sale at Amazon for £69.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Edifier-W820NB-Hybrid-Cancelling-Headphones-Black/dp/B09FF244QP/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2T9TA5A4TJKYB&keywords=w820nb&qid=1681726589&sprefix=w820nb%2Caps%2C68&sr=8-3&th=1

Manchester Gin Mystical Unicorn Pink Gin

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

This is an alcoholic drink and is not suitable for children.

You don’t often find the words ‘unicorn’, ‘marshmallow’ and ‘gin’ in the same sentence, so when they’re all combined to create the Manchester Drinks Co Mystical Unicorn Gin Liqueur, there has to be some kind of pink magic involved too!

You are not hallucinating, and it is not every day that I get to try gin with added glitter, but the Manchester Drinks Co have created a range of gins with flavours like Bubble Gum, Toffee Apple and this enchanting small batch gin which is infused with candy floss and marshmallow to create a sweet, fruitful liqueur. There really is glitter in this concoction, which you can see when you shake up the bottle.

The Mystical Unicorn Gin Liqueur has a 20% alcohol volume and can be drunk on its own or with lemonade and ice. You can try it with other mixers or as a substitute in cocktails, which the bright pink colour and sparkly glitter texture lends itself to very well. When drinking this on its own though, it’s strong! The sugary taste really goes to your head quick so I would suggest drinking it with a mixer, or having just one before you go out one night! It looks particularly good on the table after dinner, and girls will love this for Hen Nights or Girls’ Nights Out.

Have a look at the range of other gin liqueurs from Manchester Gin Co available online, and I can guarantee you’ll be adding them to your cocktails soon.