Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Whatever type of chocolate you love – be it dark, milk or white you can always rely on Thorntons to have an egg with your name on it! This year they have a fantastic selection of eggs to choose from which are bound to delight both young and old this Easter.
The white chocolate Bunny Easter Egg and Milk Chocolate Unicorn Easter Eggs will go down a treat with the little (and not so little) this year. The hollow 151g eggs are beautifully decorated with a moulded chocolate image, the white chocolate has a super cute bunny on the front whilst the milk chocolate egg has a fantastic pink and white chocolate unicorn. The chocolate tastes delicious, it’s lovely and thick and creamy and simply melts in your mouth.
RRP £4.25 at selected supermarkets and Thorntons.com.
The Happy Bunny (90g) is a great choice for smaller children and is available in both a white chocolate and milk chocolate version. The cute little bunny with white and green chocolate decorations was a big hit with our mini reviewers who despite loving the sweet faces soon demolished them!
RRP £2.74 at selected supermarkets and Thorntons.com.
Adults may prefer the Thorntons Classic Easter Egg (150g) which comes with 5 chocolates from the Classic collection – Gooey Caramel, Triple Chocolate, Strawberries & Cream, Crunchy Praline and Fudge Brownie. There’s a nice assortment of chocolates so everyone should get their favourite. The chocolate is smooth and creamy and this egg was a real winner with the Review Studio team.
RRP £5.48 at selected supermarkets.
If your budget stretches to double figures, then the premium Continental Easter Egg (257g) is the one to go for. Decorated with swirling loops of white and dark chocolate this large egg comes with 8 Continental chocolates – there are two of the Seville Caramel and Viennese Deluxe chocolates (to share or not is the question???) and one each of the Sicilian Mousse, Alpini Praline and Salted Caramel. The egg not only looks impressive, it tastes lovely too and with a mix of white, milk and dark chocolates they have all tastes covered.
RRP £11.77 at selected supermarkets.
Thorntons Easter Egg are a lovely indulgent treat for chocolate lovers young and old and with an egg to suit all budgets they are the perfect choice this Easter – and whilst you’re buying them as gifts treat yourself too – it is Easter after all!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
The TOZO Tonal Dots T12 Wireless Earbuds are some nifty headphones which for the price, do everything you expect them to do and more. We were sent a pair to review this week, which are perfect for the summer and those sports activities that are starting again soon.
The TOZO Tonal Dots T12 are wireless stereo earbuds which come in their own carry case which acts as a charger case too. The charge case has a digital display to show you how much charge the headphones have, so that you know to charge them or that you have up to 15 hours of full charge left- which is pretty much a whole plane journey or 2 weeks plus of running, gym or walking. I haven’t needed to recharge them yet, but judging by other TOZO earbuds, it shouldn’t take long with a USB cable fast connection.
The Tonal Dots are easy to connect with Bluetooth 5.3. Yes, you need a phone or appliance with Bluetooth 5.3 but most of us do nowadays, then connecting is easy because my phone (and laptop) could ‘see’ the TOZO headphones when they were in the charge case and kept the connection. There’s a great range to them too; I could walk all over the house and still be connected and the connection didn’t drop at all. Even going outside was no problem. These TOZO Tonal Dots T12 are great for sports because of the distance they connect over, but also because they are waterproof and sweatproof! You can wear these swimming, although I haven’t tested them yet, but with a long connection range it means you can be at the gym and still connected to your phone nearby, or at the pool and your phone be on a lounger somewhere.
There are 16 preset EQs with the Tonal Dots so that you get the sound you need with whatever music or even audio files you listen to, but you can personalise it too. I liked the quality of the sound with these TOZO earbuds, and how easy it is to change the presets. The Smart Touch control is a must on earbuds, and they work perfectly on these headphones, plus are quickly responsive.
The carry case and compact design make them perfect for travelling and for sports. The wireless charging also makes them easy to charge on the go, so that hotels and planes can charge for you whilst you are travelling or getting unpacked. The waterproof quality makes them doubly useful and at such a low price (and currently on offer at some places) means you can keep them for work or children are going to love them for their ease and quality but without such a high price. Perfect birthday presents too!
Spring is in the air and with the Easter holidays fast approaching it’s the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and explore the countryside. There are many forms of outdoor exercise that you can do but my favourite is hiking, a great all-round exercise that is suitable for everyone and best of all doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment.
If you are planning on starting walking then my advice is to invest in some decent socks, it really is amazing the difference a good pair of walking socks makes, having cushioning in the right places and wicking materials to draw moisture away from your feet is really important, helping to keep feet nice and comfortable and also prevent blisters – every walkers nightmare! I’ve been trying out a couple of pairs of HJ Hall socks over the last month and I’m really impressed, they’ve kept my feet incredibly warm and comfortable (and blister free) and I’m looking forward to covering many miles in them this year.
The Mountain Climb socks are a heavyweight sock with extra padding on the heel, toe and Achilles tendon areas. Made with an ultra durable, moisture wicking, scientific wool blend, the socks offer warmth and long lasting comfort and are the perfect choice for colder days. The socks are lovely and thick and keep your feet nice and toasty when the temperature drops. They are comfortable to wear, the arch support and ankle bracing keep the socks from moving about on your feet and they are a good length, coming up higher than the back of my walking boots. The socks are also long enough to tuck into trousers if you wish. This sock is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a heavy duty hiking sock, especially if you walk a lot in cold weather as they will keep your feet warm in sub zero temperatures.
The Adventure Trek are a middleweight sock, they are thinner than the Mountain Climb socks and are suitable for both boots or shoes. The breathability is excellent thanks to the mesh zones that run across the top of the sock and along with the cushioning underfoot they are very comfortable to wear in both warm and cold weather. The socks hug my feet nicely and I have worn them on both long and short hikes with no discomfort. Whether I’ve been on the fells, the park or a recent trip to London, when we walked an average of 12 miles a day, they’ve never slipped, sagged, or bunched up and my feet have been comfortable all day long.
I would highly recommend the HJ Hall socks for anyone who enjoys walking and hiking, they are good value for money and your feet will certainly thank you for putting them in socks as warm and comfortable as these are. So whether you’re exploring the local fells, conquering mountains or walking the dog make sure you have a pair of HJ Hall socks on your feet. Happy hiking!
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
If you’re wondering what wines to buy for the Easter weekend then we have a couple of suggestions that are bound to go down a treat, either as gifts or enjoyed with a meal with friends and family.
Rosé fans will love the Fleur de Lise 2022 rosé from the Saint Mont region of France. In a distinctive tall bottle with attractive label the fruity dry rosé has notes of raspberry and redcurrant and is lovely and crisp on the palate. Best served chilled, the wine is great as with grilled meat, fish and salads. It also goes surprisingly well with chocolate – it is Easter after all!!.
ABV 12% RRP £9 available from Ocado
The Ned Marllborough is a Sauvignon Blanc wine from the Marisco Vineyards in the Southern Valleys region of New Zealand. We enjoyed a glass with our roast chicken dinner, but it will go just as well with seafood. The wine is lovely and crisp with hints of lime, herbs and gooseberry and we found it to be nice and refreshing to drink. I’m hoping the weather warms up a bit by Easter as it will be nice to enjoy a glass or two with friends in the garden whilst the children are doing their Easter Egg hunt!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
NOMO want to ensure that Easter this year is available to everyone, so with their mantra, “No Missing Out” they are ready for anything! The NOMO range this year incudes chocolate which is dairy-free, gluten-free and egg-free plus plant based so there’s no excuses to buy something for everyone. We were sent a yummy selection to test before the big Easter Weekend… did we find something we all liked?
The NOMO Creamy Choc Egg and Mini Bars is a conventional Easter Egg with four mini bars of NOMO chocolates in flavours Choco Orange Crunch, Caramel, Mint and Caramel Sea Salt. All of them are usual flavours of NOMO chocolate and found in shops, but together they make a package of chocolate and eggs for Easter. The mini bars are just like the creamy chocolate (which is comparable to milk chocolate just without the dairy!) in that they all taste like you expect chocolate to taste, but without the dairy, gluten, nuts or egg and are plant-powered. They’re also all vegan too!
Next we tried the NOMO Choco Fudge Egg & Bunny. This is probably for older children or even dairy-free adults as the chocolate is much richer, more fudge filled and has tiny fudge pieces in it. The accompanying bunny is also a treat and filled of fudge too! Like the Creamy Choc egg, this too is dairy, gluten, nut and egg free with no palm oil and yes, it’s also vegan. Can you see where the theme, “No Missing Out” comes into play? No matter what you might be intolerable to or what you can’t eat, there’s a flavour of NOMO chocolate waiting for you.
Finally, the snack of grown-ups is the individually wrapped Choc Fudge Bunny. It’s part of the aforementioned Easter Egg combination but for 90 pence you can buy these on their own and enjoy a creamy chocolate hit. The outside chocolate is creamy choc with a filling of a rich fudge flavoured centre. At only 30 grams they are a sweet afternoon treat, or something to add to lunch to give you the chocolate hit but without the environmental guilt or having to think about what it might contain. Also great for friends if you want to get them something for Easter but not something they might be allergic to, or if you’re unsure if they are vegan or vegetarian!
The Choc Fudge Easter Egg and the Bunny are probably my favourite because I love richer chocolate and the fudge makes a nice change. You really can’t tell if they’re conventional chocolate or free-from chocolate because they’re so well made and have all the flavour and sweetness of High Street chocolate.
No matter who you’re buying Easter Eggs for, this year you have a lovely choice from NOMO and no matter what someone’s need, or taste in chocolate, there is no reason for anyone to miss out.
NOMO Creamy Choc Eggs and Mini Bars (154 grams) MRRP £6.50:
NOMO Choc Fudge Bunny (30 grams) MRRP 90p:
NOMO Choc Fudge Egg & Bunny (160 grams) MRRP £6.50:
Hot Cross Bun Gourmet Popcorn, Chocolate Popcorn Mini Eggs and Hot Cross Bun Caramel Spread
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Joe & Seph’s are known for their gourmet popcorn, but as these Easter treats show, they are branching out into more yummy treats year round. We were sent some Joe &Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn in Hot Cross Bun flavour to try, and the team added the delicious Chocolate Popcorn Mini Eggs and Joe & Seph’s Hot Cross Bun Caramel Spread. Can you tell it was an arduous week of testing this bunch?!
Starting with the Chocolate Popcorn Mini Eggs, we broke into the pretty egg-shaped packaging to find the treats inside. The packaging is in the form of an Easter egg which can be used as a decoration with a ribbon look at the top. They would make great grand prizes for Easter egg hunts on Easter Sunday! Inside there’s a packet of popcorn bites weighing 42 grams. Each Bite is half an Easter egg of chocolate with two pieces of salted caramel popcorn sitting inside. They make great bite-sized treats especially as the popcorn is part of the Joe &Seph’s gourmet range and one of their most popular flavours. Each popcorn piece is air popped and coated in salted caramel sauce and then placed in the milk chocolate cup to set, giving these delicious treats.
Next, we have their famous gourmet popcorn in Hot Cross Bun flavour. The popcorn is their usual air-popped (not fried) variety, which if you’ve ever tasted it before you’ll know it’s made in their London kitchens to the highest standard with no un-popped kernels or inedible pieces at the bottom! The flavouring on this variety is caramel with added sweet fruit and mixed spices flavours to replicate the hot cross bun which is so closely associated with Easter. The flavours really develop and give that tangy citrus aroma which you find in the best hot cross buns. It’s not too sweet though so you’ll find it easy to get carried away with this flavour! It’s also suitable for vegetarians, gluten free and has no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives.
Lastly, we tried the Hot Cross Bun Caramel Spread. This caramel spread is flavoured like a hot cross bun but it doesn’t mean that you have to spread it on one! This works perfectly on toast, or as part of a cake or even on scones if you’re not partial to the Easter treat. It’s made of natural ingredients but is very sweet, so probably something that you will want at weekends and not during the day. This would work perfectly on porridge though and the more you think about it, the more the possibilities of how you use it are endless. The sauce contains sultanas, zest peel and lots of spring spices to give a real Easter feel to it. It is very rich though, so I would test it out before giving it to small children!
Just when you think you have seen all the popcorn you possibly could from Joe & Seph’s, they bring out this delicious Easter range, complete with ingredients which will last long into the summer! We can’t wait to see what the coming months will bring…
Disclaimer : We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I’ve had an air fryer for a couple of years now and whilst I hear of people creating amazing culinary delights in theirs, I must confess that up until now ours has only been used for cooking chips and fishfingers! When I received the Official Tower Single Basket Air fryer Cookbook from Tower Housewares it was just the push I needed to liven up mealtimes and I have been enjoying experimenting with some of the delicious recipes – it’s fair to say my family have been thrilled with the meals and our air fryer has had a new lease of life!
With over 100 years of experience in manufacturing everyday kitchen appliances the new Air Fryer recipe books have been carefully created by the Tower development team to make the most of Tower air fryers. There are recipe books for all three styles of air fryer so whether you have a Dual Basket, Single Basket & Oven there is a recipe book for you.
With 249 pages the book is organised into the following sections, Breakfast, Starters & Light Bites, Midweek Dinners, A Taste of Takeaway, Meat Free, Sharing Snacks & Sides, Pizza & Savoury Bakes and Puddings & Sweet Treats. It contains a really good selection of recipes and there is something to suit every taste. Many of the recipes include “Top Tips” which suggest alternative ingredients or serving suggestions and they all show the Prep time, Cooking Time, Number of servings and difficulty level.
Each recipe spans two pages, one for the ingredients and method and the second for a colour photograph which shows you what the finished dish should look like.
The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and as we’re trying to save money at the moment we decided to create our own Chinese meal rather than going to the takeaway. The dishes were surprisingly easy to make and the whole family were really impressed with the air fryer versions of our favourite dishes.
The Sesame Prawn Toast was simple to make and tasted amazing – so good that we all agreed that we won’t be buying it from the Chinese take away any more!
Another favourite is Crispy Chinese Style Chilli Beef, this was a really easy dish to create and cost a fraction of what we normally pay at the Chinese take away.
With the Chinese dishes going down a treat we tried a mix of Indian dishes next, Tandoori Style Chicken, Onion Bhajis and Crispy Bombay Potatoes. As our air fryer only has 1 basket, in order to have everything ready together I did prepare the Onion Bhajis and Crispy Bombay Potatoes earlier in the day and then reheated them at the last minute and this worked really well. The Tandoori Style Chicken was much easier to make than I expected, only taking 5 minutes to prepare and was a real winner with my family.
This book contains an excellent selection of recipes which are easy to follow and actually turn out exactly like the pictures. It’s been fun experimenting with the air fryer and I’m looking forward to working my way through the recipe book. I’m so pleased I’ve upped my air frying game and whilst I might still cook the odd basket of chips and fish fingers our air fryer is now fully occupied cooking much more exciting cuisine!
RRP £19.99 but you can save 25% off by using promo code RECIPEBOOK
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
By Arunjay Katakam
Following Generation X and Millennials, the post-pandemic generation are starting to make their mark in terms of economics and we see in Generation Hope, but Arunjay Katakam how we have got to this point and where it is likely to go.
During the 1980s, the mantra was ‘greed is good’. No way would this saying be accepted in business any longer however the sentiment is still there with an uber-capitalist market out there except now there are 40 plus years of capitalist decisions, recessions and now a pandemic which have changed the face of finance across the world for good. What are the newest generation’s challenges now, and what area they likely to be?
Author Katakam takes us on a little journey through the history of the last century to the point now where as a world, we are under paid and over worked to a degree which we’ve never seen before. Things are looking to change though, as the new workforce, mostly working from home, seek more of a work/life balance but also appreciate working for a business or industry that believes in community and people, and not about just profits. However, undoing all those decades of greed is going to take some time and the book explores how old-school economists are being replaced by Inclusive Economics and how everyone can benefit from it.
Arunjay Katakam’s book is sliced into three parts; 1. The Scale of the Problem, 2. The Shape of Change and 3. The Scope of Impact. Each section has easy to understand chapters, complete with footnotes for anyone who isn’t an economist, and the odd quote or diagram to help explain along the way. Katakam takes the time to look at what the problems are and how they came about and then directs the reader to how things could look in the future, if change might happen.
The book is a modern day look at how we operate finance and economy nowadays, and essentially where it is going wrong. The speed of change which has been instigated by the internet and social media over the last 20 years means that the models that used to be applied are now no longer relevant and change is needed. For anyone interested in economics or studying the subject, Generation Hope adds seasoning to the commentary on wealth today and brings the reader up to date with how those Billionaire made it… and where they are likely to end up.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
The mornings are getting lighter, which means the evenings are too and as we approach summer, the nights aren’t as deeply dark. If your circadian rhythms are affected by the daylight then you’ll appreciate some darkness in order to sleep. I know I do.
Mavogel’s Sleep Mask is a handmade mask which goes over the eyes and fits over the nose to give a completely light-tight night time. The mask is designed with an adjustable strap at the back so that you can get a custom snug fit, and the bridge of the nose has a mouldable cartilage to fit over the nose and prevent light entering. The mask is made of black cotton with a sponge inner that makes it more comfortable to sleep in, and there’s no sharp bits that dig in or are too tight. The adjustable straps make it easy to fit and not be uncomfortable when you sleep.
The mask itself is very deep so can accommodate most faces and prevent light seeping in at the top or over the nose, where conventional sleep masks usually struggle to keep out light. This is great for adults and for older children because of how it adjusts. I think this would be excellent for travelling with too as the mask comes with a travel pouch and clip that you can use to keep on the plane seat in front or the back of the car. If you don’t know where you’re staying, it also makes a handy travel companion as it’s so light it can go into main luggage or hand luggage. No doubt a life saver if you need it and you won’t notice it’s there if you don’t!
It’s comfortable too. The nose clip is made of carbon steel and can adjust to nose bridge sizes but also be straightened out in case someone else needs to use it. I found the strap easy to adjust and fitted my head and nose easily. It absolutely blocks out all the light too! It was one of those moments when I woke up in the morning and didn’t know what time it was because it was so dark! If you’re a shift worker, this is also great for sleeping in the daytime.
Great as a travel companion or for anyone who finds it hard to sleep with the amount of light in the room.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
What is a bitter?
Bitters are flavourings added to spirits to make certain cocktails. Most of the cocktails are the famous ones like a Screwdriver, Cosmopolitan or a Bitter Martini, which is made from the Grapefruit & Elderberry Bitter which was sent to us by The Bitter Club.
Made with love in small batches and with natural ingredients that have no added sugars or flavourings, each of the bitters (they also create Hibiscus & Rose Bitter and Cinnamon & Orange Bitter) has a distinct taste which adds to spirits to create the perfect cocktail. Ro Murray, the founder, explains that the bitters were created by accident, after living in the US and sampling the finest bourbons and wanting to bring the cocktail lifestyle home to London. Ro took a course in distilling and found a fascination with the process which led to creating the Cinnamon & Orange Bitter in order to make a favourite cocktail – the Old Fashioned. From there more distilling flowed and the other flavours developed, including the Grapefruit & Elderberry Bitter.
If you’re looking for an addition to your drinks cupboard and don’t want to have to make all the mixers and flavours yourself, The Bitter Club has the perfect selection for you. Each 100ml bottle of flavours contains a pipette for ease of making so your cocktail making suddenly got easier. The Grapefruit & Elderberry tastes delicately fresh with the grapefruit bitterness coming through first, then the elderberry brightness. There are cocktail recipes available on the website for The Bitter Club: https://www.thebitterclub.co.uk/grapefruit-elderberry-cocktail-recipes or you can add the bitters to a gin and tonic to try them if you’re not a cocktail person. You can always invent your own cocktail from the bitters too!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Anyone with teenagers knows it is essential to keep your cupboards well stocked with food as no matter how much they eat at mealtimes, they are invariably hungry an hour or so later. My teenage sons are always raiding the cupboards for nibbles, so when we were given the opportunity to try some snacks from Tropical Sun Foods I certainly didn’t need to be asked twice! Fortunately the box arrived quickly and it contained a fantastic selection of snacks to feast on, which I hoped would keep the boys satisfied for at least a week!
The first snack we tried was the plantain chips, there were four different flavours in the box –Lightly Salted, Sweet Chilli, Sweet and Chilli and Lemon. Plantain chips have a flavour that is reminiscent of potato crisps but the thicker chips have a more exotic taste and unlike their counterparts, offer a hint of sweetness alongside the saltiness. Made from ripened plantain, they are hand-sliced and then batch-cooked following a traditional recipe with no added sugar. The standout feature of these plantain chips is their irresistible crunch and as they are thicker than potato crisps, they are also great with dips and salsa and with less fat they are a much healthier option. My favourite is the Lightly Salted, it has just the right amount of crunch and saltiness, making it the perfect snack to eat at my desk or whilst watching a film. My younger son who has a sweet tooth loved the Sweet chips, the sweet flavouring is very similar to sweet popcorn and again is a great snack when watching a film. Those who like a kick to their snacks will enjoy both the Chilli and Lemon and the Sweet Chilli chips. The Chilli and Lemon flavour is surprisingly mild, it’s not a flavour combination I have tried before but the lemon pairs surprisingly well with chilli and we all found them incredibly moreish. The Sweet Chilli plantain chips have more of a bite and were the first to disappear.
A 450g tub costs £4.49 and they get a big thumbs up from my teenage taste testers.
I love peanuts so was very intrigued with the selection in the box – Crunchy Coconut, Crunchy Coffee, Crunchy Sriracha, Crunchy Wasabi and Crunchy BBQ peanuts. The delicious nuts are roasted to perfection and have a very satisfying crunch when you bite them. They are great as a snack but can also work really well as ingredients in cakes and biscuits, the Crunchy Coconut peanuts were a tasty addition to both my peanut cookies and Rocky Road and my bakes didn’t last long when I took them into work. My sons loved the Crunchy Sriracha and Crunchy Wasabi peanuts best, but I found these a little hot – much to their delight as it meant there were more for them!
RRP from £0.99
The Crunchy Mixed Crackers were a big hit with everyone, an irresistible mix of seaweed, green peas, soy sauce, garlic, spices and more, these little snacks have a pleasant hot kick to them and look nice and colourful in a dish. They are perfect for parties or even a mid morning snack.
RRP £2.99 (150g)
The final snack we tried was the Cassava Chips, made with cassava root they are thinner than plantain chips and are a delicious alternative to traditional crisps. The thinly sliced chips are light and crispy and the 80g bags are the perfect size for sharing (or not!!)
RRP £1.49
Tropical Sun’s snacks are now a staple on my weekly shopping list and the winning combination of flavour and crunch is helping keep the hunger pangs at bay – no mean feat with teenagers. So whether you’re craving the tropical sweetness of the plantain chips, the crunch of roasted peanuts, the mix of heat and flavours of the mixed crackers, or the light and crispy crunch of the cassava chips, Tropical Sun have a snack for you.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Love is in the air and The Review Studio team have been spoilt rotten by our loved ones today. As well as the usual chocolates and flowers we’ve had a very special delivery from Lola’s Cupcakes who make the most amazing cakes. Their stores are mainly in London, but they do offer a nationwide delivery service, meaning everyone can enjoy their delicious bakes.
When sending cakes through the post they need to be well packaged to ensure they arrive in perfect condition and I was really impressed with the care that goes into the packaging. The cake sits in a carboard box with a protective layer of cardboard on the top and there is a cool block and thermal liner to ensure they arrive in tip top condition. Once opened the cake should be stored at room temperature in an air-tight container and is best eaten within 48 hours. It can be kept in the fridge for another 2 days – ours didn’t last that long!! The thermal liner and ice pack can also be returned to Lola’s Cupcakes and they will be cleaned and reused which is a great idea and to make it even easier there is a prepaid label so it doesn’t cost you a penny.
So, onto the important bit – the cake – the Valentine’s Postal Cake not only looks amazing but tastes fantastic too. The delicious chocolate sponge is beautifully decorated with pink vanilla buttercream with “Happy Valentines” iced in the middle. It won’t come as a surprise to hear that it is adorned with hearts – a couple even have “Love” written on them and there are plenty of Valentines sprinkles and a few rose petals to complete the Valentines theme. The cake has a nice thick layer of pink buttercream sandwiched between the two moist chocolate sponges and once we had cut into it, we discovered that the cake was light and fluffy, nice and chocolatey and incredibly tasty.
We were all really impressed with this cake, it has travelled a few hundred miles yet still looks like it has just been picked up fresh from the bakery. Lola’s Cupcakes make all their cakes daily by hand and from scratch, using only the very best ingredients and have a fantastic selection of cakes, cupcakes and brownies available on their website. The cakes make lovely gifts so next time you need a birthday, anniversary, get well soon, Mother’s Day, Easter or even a “Just Because” gift for a loved one then Lola’s Cupcakes is the place to go and I guarantee they will be well received by the recipient!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Valentine’s Day falls on a Wednesday this year so instead of going out we’re planning a cosy night in with a good film and plenty of popcorn. Since discovering Joe & Seph’s gourmet popcorn I must admit we’ve become “popcorn snobs” and supermarket popcorn doesn’t get a look in anymore! Joe & Seph’s have an amazing selection of flavoured popcorn and we eagerly await the limited editions that are launched throughout the year for special occasions. The latest flavours to land on our doorstep were the Valentine’s collection which consists of three delicious flavours, Rose Chocolate, White Chocolate & Strawberry and Caramel Macchiato & Whiskey.
Joe & Seph’s make their popcorn in small batches using only the finest, natural ingredients which means all their popcorn is packed full of flavour. All the popcorn is lovely and crispy and covered in a delicious indulgent coating which makes it the perfect choice for a Valentine’s Day treat.
The White Chocolate & Strawberry air popped popcorn is a real treat for the tastebuds, when you pop it in your mouth you first taste the smooth caramel before getting a white chocolate hit which is then followed by a delicious fruity strawberry taste. It is light in colour with pink flecks and incredibly moreish so be warned!!
The Rose Chocolate popcorn is perfect for chocoholics. The rose flavour works well with the chocolate and reminds me of Turkish Delight. The popcorn is light and crispy and goes incredibly well with a sparkling rose wine!
The Caramel Macchiato and Whisky Gourmet popcorn isn’t one I would have chosen myself as I’m not a whisky lover, but I was pleasantly surprised with this popcorn, the combination of smooth cream, Columbian coffee and Scotch whisky works incredibly well together and as it’s not as sweet as the other popcorn was my husband’s favourite of the three.
The 80g pouches contain 4 servings and the pouch is resealable, Once opened it’s recommended that the popcorn is eaten within 5 days – I’ve never been able to check out the freshness after 5 days though as it never lasts that long in our house!!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I love listening to music and podcasts so there is always a pair of headphones in my bag. You can’t go wrong with a pair of Edifier headphones and I’m currently using the new WH950 NB headphones which not only look great but are comfortable to wear and most importantly offer a great sound, especially when I’m out and about.
Available in black or ivory with rose gold the wireless headphones are very stylish and well made, the earcups and headband combine soft leather effect material with memory foam, giving a pair of headphones that are comfortable to wear, even after many hours of use.
That’s a good thing as the battery life of these headphones is quite impressive. Charging from USB-C for 1.5 hours gives up to 55 hours of use (34 with ANC on) and if you’re in a rush just 10 minutes of charging is good for another 7 hours!
The headphones use 40mm titanium film drivers to deliver the sound with a frequency response of 40kHz and the Edifier app gives plenty of options to tune your music with equaliser settings plus different sound modes to get the best from games and movies. With a compatible device the headphones support both Hi-Res Audio and Hi-Res Audio wireless with LDAC certification. Hi-Res audio provides a wide range of detail and clarity so whether you’re listening to music, podcasts, gaming or using them for calls the sound quality is excellent.
I’ve already mentioned how comfortable the headphones are, but the soft over-ear design also helps to block external noise too. When combined with the active noise cancellation it is a great way to listen to music when in noisy environments or travelling as you don’t hear background noise when wearing them. There are also ambient sound and wind reduction modes if needed.
Connection is made with the latest Bluetooth 5.3 so Android users will also benefit from fast pairing.
These headphones are great for travel, folding into the included hard case which also has room for charging and audio cables. They feel very well built, with all moving parts made of metal and I’m confident that these will last me for years to come. They even include an aeroplane headphone adapter so will be perfect for my holidays!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
LoveRaw started in 2013 with the crazy idea of founder Rini to create vegan chocolate that tasted like regular chocolate. In the 10+ years since then, the website has grown and the product line has exploded to include all sorts of varieties of chocolate, including the Nutty Choco Balls (milk chocolate) that we were sent this week to try!
LoveRaw chocolate is not only vegan but is completely plant based, has no palm oil and no added artificial ingredients either. LoveRaw product chocolate bars which are similar to commercial treats on the market, and are less about blocks or bars of pure chocolate or they type of chocolate you can cook with. The LoveRaw chocolate bars are the type of treats you’d buy for yourself for lunch, or as snacks for children. The fact that you can buy them in bulk (typically packs of around 16 bars) means you can keep them for lunchboxes or even use for children’s parties where anyone, even though with dairy allergies or who are vegetarian or vegan can eat them.
The Nutty Choc Balls are based on a famous commercial chocolate that the Ambassador would enjoy… each one is individually wrapped and contains a hazelnut surrounded by hazelnut cream, wafer then milk chocolate and finally a coating of hazelnut pieces. Guessed what it is yet? The pieces are easily eaten after dinner, during a meeting or as they were in our house, as a snack in the afternoon when you need just one or two for a quick sweet hit of sugar.
You really can’t tell the difference between the commercial chocolates and the LoveRaw variety. The chocolate still has a smoothness to it and tastes like chocolate should. The added hazelnut pieces and hazelnut cream are still silky and indulgent and the wafer adds the decadent touch we look for in these chocolates. The team at LoveRaw also sent me some Cream Wafer Bars in milk and white chocolate which I have tasted before, and the LoveRaw Peanut Caramel Bar in Milk Choc which is new to me, but I will make room for!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Granny always knew about cleaning. When I was little, there were so many different cleaning cloths, just in her kitchen that I could never keep up. As time went on though, all her cleaning equipment as well as the cleaning products in my parent’s house whilst growing up were plastic, non-recyclable and not good for the environment. We’ve come full circle though, with cleaning products now becoming more environmentally friendly and from companies other than the big corporations.
Seep (Sustainable, Everyday, Essential Products) is the only B-Corp certified cleaning product company which means they can be proven to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. They have an extensive and ever-increasing range of products too, and these Valentines Eco All-Purpose Sponge Cloths are one of their latest innovations.
The pack of 2 cloths are zero plastic and long lasting, made from sustainable wood pulp. That also means they are compostable! Each cloth measures around 15 centimetres square and is spongey to the touch. They soak up loads of water and are easily rung out. You can add them to the washing machine to give them a longer life but they dry really quickly on the side of the sink or over the tap. They’re hardwearing too, but when they are at the end of their life, they can be compostable. Just cut them up and add them to your compost or food waste bin.
Each of the designs is suitable for Valentines, but they can be used by anyone! If you’re like me and don’t particularly relish the thought of cleaning products as a Valentines present, then any of the Seep products can be used as part of a bigger present, or a hamper for your Mum, Nan or a friend at Valentines. I think the best use of these Valentines Eco All-Purpose cloths is to use them as a date marker – start using them on 14 February and you can easily tell how long they last before you need to buy new ones.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Probably not your first thought for the typical Valentines present, but let me explain She Grows Veg to you and it will start to make sense!
She Grows Veg is an online seed company with a very modern, yet traditional twist. They sell seeds online, but they are heirloom seeds. That means the seeds are cultivated from rare varieties of vegetables, fruits, flowers and trees and are typically not found in your usual garden centres. This means that the varieties often have different looks, taste different and grow differently to what you might be used to. It’s an expanding industry where so many people are now getting into gardening especially growing their own food since lockdown.
She Grows Veg sell singular packets of seeds, but they also sell gift bags, like the two that were sent to us; Chilli Trio and Tomato Lover’s Bundle (£22.50). If you or your other half are gardeners, you’ll know that this is an excellent selection of seeds for someone who loves growing, especially growing and eating!
The Chilli Trio contains 3 different chilli seeds; Biquinho Red, Chocolate Habanero and Machu Pichu. On the back of each pack are the growing instructions and key facts, along with a QR code to find out more on a You Tube video. You can see from the photos on the packets what you’re getting, and helpfully, the instructions on the back tell you what kind of flavour each chilli is and how to use it. The Biquinho Red chillis are from Brazil and take a little longer to geminate but are worth it. I’ve never grown chillis before but the instructions say to start sowing in January or February indoors, so these are perfect as Valentines gifts.
The Tomato Lover’s Bundle contain 5 packets of tomatoes, none of which I’ve ever seen before. There are three hanging varieties; Crazy Cherry (a sweet green tomato), Red Currant (small, early ripening and very sweet) and Hanging Prince (plum shaped and unusually last for months if stored correctly). The other two tomatoes are Black Beauty and Green Doctors, but of which are favourites of Lucy and Kate at She Grows Veg. Each of the gift bundles comes with a gift bag to keep your seeds safe but can also be used to store larger seeds later in the year.
These are lovely gifts for Valentines and if you harvest the fruit right, they produce can go on for weeks in the summer. The fact that these seeds are heirloom and not easy to find anywhere else if at all, makes them all the more special as a gift.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Clean Co, the drinks company started by TV personality Spencer Matthews in 2019 has been going from strength to strength. No doubt lockdown helped with the sales of the company’s non-alcoholic spirits, but the increasing product range has led to people talking about all of their products. We first tried Clean Co over a year ago when few people had heard about it, but without me prompting the conversation, Clean Co (and specifically their ‘gin’ in the green bottle) has come up in conversation recently with the moniker of ‘the best non-alcoholic gin.’
To explain, the Clean Co products all mock the high alcohol volume spirits you normally find on the shelves but are made alcohol-free and retain the same taste. The whole range extends to; Clean G Gin (green bottle), Clean G Pink Rhubarb Gin (pink bottle), Clean W Whisky (dark brown), Clean R Rum (light brown), Clean T Tequila (clear), Clean V Spiced Apple (also clear). There are new flavours arriving all the time, so check out the website to see new additions soon.
The award-winning and original Clean Co drink, the Clean G works exactly like gin. You can make a cocktail with it, drink it neat, or simply add tonic and lemon to re-create your favourite tipple. It tastes so close to gin that you won’t know the difference. It’s also sugar free with just 14 calories per 50ml serving. The design of the bottle (Art Deco, 1920s) also makes it more theatrical to drink at home, making it easy to forget that it’s not got alcohol in it. Most people who don’t know the brand would assume that it’s not alcoholic either.
The Clean Co Clean G non-alcoholic gin was a hit with my friends, some of whom had already heard of the brand and one in particular who already drinks it. It’s a winner in both worlds; non-alcoholic but with the taste of gin that allows you to enjoy your favourite tipple, guilt free.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Nowadays, everyone who drinks coffee LOVES drinking filtered, roasted, blended real coffee rather than the instant coffee we used to buy in jars. I noticed after coming back from lockdown that there are a lot more coffee brands out there, but that’s probably because there are a lot more ‘real coffee’ drinkers than there ever used to be.
Pact Coffee send packets of specialty coffee to your door as part of a subscription, but with the assurance that this is the very best coffee available. There’s an ever expanding range of coffee available from a company that is a Certified B Corporation – that means they act in a sustainable, ethical way and are using business as a force for good for their farmers, the planet and you.
As part of their changing range, Pact have brought out a new coffee called Cafeina, by Elenita Nogueira. This Brazilian coffee boasts hints of dark chocolate and strawberry. We were sent Cafeina in a Pact reusable tin, so it can be given as a gift or kept in the cupboard. For those interested, it was a coarse ground coffee, not the beans.
Elenita Nogueira is the first woman in her family to farm, aided by the Cafeina group; a cooperative in pursuit of gender equality for women in the Brazilian coffee industry. Her Arabica bean coffee is competition standard and grown at an altitude of 950 MASL. Upon opening the tin, the coffee is darkly rich with a strong almost earthy aroma, much stronger than the High Street varieties you buy off the shelf. When brewed, it gives berry tones and slightly bitter, deep chocolate flavours. This is a strong coffee for serious coffee lovers who don’t want the run-of-the-mill coffees but instead appreciate subtle flavours. It’s strong, so if you’re not used to coffee it might take a while to get used to the hit. On the plus side, if you like strong coffee then this will definitely wake you up!
If you’re not up for getting a subscription from Pact yet, then this Cafeina from Elenita Nogueira makes an excellent gift, especially for Valentines Day. At £13.95 for the tin as well as the coffee, it makes approximately 15 cups or more if you prefer it less strong. If you and your partner are coffee lovers, it’s the perfect gift to show you care – especially about the quality of your coffee together.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Organic biscuits, shortbreads and nibbles made in the Hebrides, Scotland.
Here at the Review Studio we never say no to trying something new but biscuits are a clear winner! Even better, the Island Bakery biscuits are organic and sourced with local ingredients where they are made on the Island of Mull. The team sent us 3 varieties to choose from their range of 11; Apple Crumbles, Chocolate Gingers and their savoury Cheese Biscuits. How quickly do you think we put the kettle on to test these…?
Island Bakery Cheese Biscuits
Starting with the Cheese Biscuits, these are flavoured Harissa & Cumin. The cheese is sourced locally in Tobermory, where the Island Bakery is situated on the Isle of Mull and the cheese comes from just one herd of Friesian, Holstein and Brown Swiss cattle. Each biscuit is made with real butter and the harissa warms the texture of the biscuit along with the cumin. You’ll notice other spices in there, which work brilliantly with any of the cheeses you choose to pair with the Island Bakery Cheese Biscuits. A fabulous savoury offering that if you’re clever, you might even be able to pass off as homemade!
Onto the sweeter biscuits, suitable for tea or coffee or just as a snack on their own. The Apple Crumbles are oaty biscuits, made with real, dried apple piece and apple juice, complete with sprinkles of cinnamon. The biscuits are snappy, not soft and chewy and work exceptionally well dunked in tea, although they’re far better as a biscuit on their own. In fact, they were more like a snack than a biscuit because I had intended to eat two (purely for testing reason you understand!) but one was enough. They’re very filling which is probably because they are made with real products and not with additives and synthetics. They’re great for after Sunday lunch and remind you of grandma’s homemade cookies.
Sharp, spicy and wickedly delicious, these Chocolate Gingers pack a punch after you bite into them and start to chew. Made with stem ginger, and lashings of it by the taste of them, they are also half coated in dark chocolate. They’re very hearty and much like the Apple Crumbles, they don’t need a second one (unless you really want to!) to fill you up. I think I loved these the most because of both their texture, and the juxtaposition of the ginger and the sweet sugar taste. The added chocolate is a welcome bonus and its generous chocolate too. I was still savouring the chunks of ginger with my tea long after the biscuit was devoured and the tingling sensation was still in my mouth from the ginger. These are much better than the High Street variety where they go soggy if left out for a few days. The Island Bakery Chocolate Gingers are a biscuit lover’s dream and so moreish you’ll be buying these as gifts too.
All of the biscuits are delicious, and that was only a small selection from the website. Other flavours include Lime Melts, Lemon Melts, Blonde Chocaccinos (coffee and cinnamon) and other savoury biscuits such as Onion and Thyme Cheese Biscuits. There’s also biscuits in tins available on the website shop, which are great for giving as gifts. Delivery is £5 in the UK only but if you order more than £30 worth, delivery is free.
Disclaimer: We received a complimentary stay for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
There is nothing better than escaping from the stresses of everyday life to a beautiful hotel in the countryside and whether you just want to relax and recharge your batteries, enjoy a foodie break or explore the local area, Gibbon Bridge, situated in the picturesque village of Chipping, ticks all those boxes and needs to be on your list of places to visit this year.
Situated in the Forest of Bowland, the hotel is in a real walker’s paradise with both rolling countryside, woodland, rivers and the spectacular Bowland Fells on the doorstep. If you’re not familiar with the area, you can expect wild moorland walks with stunning views but without the crowds you find in more well known destinations. History lovers will enjoy visiting the nearby village of Ribchester, a significant Roman site and the market towns of Longridge and Clitheroe (with a Norman castle) are well worth a visit with a fantastic selection of independent shops to browse. Although perfectly situated to explore the delights of the Forest of Bowland and the Ribble Valley, you could be forgiven if you never left the hotel, instead simply enjoying the food, hospitality and beautiful views the hotel offers!
We have just spent a fantastic night there and from the moment we entered the hotel we knew this was a special place. After receiving a very warm welcome we were immediately struck by the character of this old building which began life as a family farm and was converted into a hotel in 1982 by owner Janet Simpson. The warm fire in the reception area was a welcome treat coming in from the sub zero temperatures outside and once we had warmed up we were shown to our room.
Opening the door we discovered a spacious room with a king sized bed and a couple of very comfortable armchairs. The room was spotlessly clean and incredibly comfortable with everything you might need for a relaxing break. It was very modern and tastefully decorated and the large bathroom contained a jacuzzi bath with an overhead rainfall shower. The bed was very comfortable and I’m not sure whether it was the long walk we did earlier in the day or the complete absence of road noise but I had one of the best night’s sleep I have had in a very long time.
The room had all the extras you would expect in a luxury hotel, cosy bathrobes, fluffy towels, complimentary toiletries and a tea tray with a good selection of teas and coffee. There were also some delicious biscuits, made in the on-site bakery, not only giving our tastebuds a treat but offering a taster of the culinary delights awaiting us later in the day.
Venturing downstairs the roaring fire in the bar area looked very inviting so we decided to enjoy a drink in the cosy bar area whilst waiting for dinner. There is a good selection of mouth watering dishes on the menu with ingredients sourced from local suppliers. Two courses cost £30 or three for £37.50. After much deliberation we settled on the Crispy Pork Belly with Black Pudding and the Gin Cured Salmon followed by Sirloin Steak (£5 supplement) and Slow Cooked Shin of Beef. The food was not only beautifully presented, it was absolutely delicious and we didn’t need much persuasion to look at the dessert menu! Spoilt for choice we settled on the Warm Sunken Chocolate Cake and the apple pie and custard. The staff were attentive and friendly and as the tables were well spaced out you didn’t feel on top of the other guests.
The following morning, we headed back to the restaurant for breakfast – cereal, juice, fruit and yoghurt was served buffet style and the waitress took orders for cooked breakfasts and toast. We both went for a full English breakfast which was perfectly cooked and was just what we needed to set us up for the day ahead, exploring the beautiful Forest of Bowland.
Gibbon Bridge has large mature gardens offering many places to sit and chat or simply enjoy the breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. The gardens, although not at their best in January, are stunning and offer a perfect backdrop for the many weddings that are held at the hotel. With a large terrace overlooking the garden and beautiful ceremony room it makes for a perfect venue for a special celebration.
The hotel has a number of outdoor eating areas plus a function suite and can accommodate both large and small gatherings. These are often used for corporate functions and family celebrations and the hotel also holds a variety of events throughout the year such as musical afternoon teas, concerts and recently partnered with a local distillery to hold a gin tasting evening. You don’t need to be a resident to enjoy the delicious food so I’m sure it won’t be long before we’re visiting again!
Throughout January and February you can take advantage of their Winter Warmer offer where you can stay in a double or twin room for £149 and includes tea or coffee on arrival, served in front of a roaring fire with syrup flapjack made by the onsite bakery as well as a delicious breakfast.
We really loved our stay at Gibbon Bridge, we were made to feel very welcome, the food was wonderful, the scenery fantastic and the hotel has so much more to offer than we realised. Living locally we’re sure to return and will be keeping our eyes on their website for news of their next events. We have already recommended the hotel to our friends and family as a brilliant location for family celebrations and look forward to our next visit.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Aldi’s Greyson’s Premium Pink Gin is not just gin, but flavoured gin! It’s not a cocktail as such, but it is infused with strawberry, raspberry and cranberry. It’s light and fruity and doesn’t need any other mixers to make it a perfect evening treat.
At 37.5% ABV it’s potent stuff and specially made for Aldi. The gin, which is triple distilled, is similar to Gordon’s Pink Gin which is obviously pricier. Adding tonic to it though, you have a perfect after dinner drink or something to sip with friends after work at home. The sweet, light taste separates it from heavier spirits but makes it more fun especially as the berries are evident and there’s a hidden, more subtle flavour which I’m told is from the juniper berries.
I tried this as a straight gin and although it’s got a very pleasant flavour, I didn’t like how strong the alcohol is. Much better to add some tonic, ice and a lemon (or I’m told an ice cube with a frozen strawberry inside is also nice!) and sip it all night to make the flavour last and enjoy the alcohol longer. I’ve not tried Greyson’s Premium Pink Gin in a cocktail yet, but as it’s a 70cl bottle, there’s plenty left for us to try out something special!
One last note – Greyson’s Pink Gin is also vegetarian, so if you’re not doing Dry January but you are veggie, this one is for you!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Daily life nowadays means you are running errands, looking after children and/or parents and probably juggling that with a full-time job and adding in a social life of your own. Oh, and don’t forget you need to get exercise too, and lots of it! We look for gadgets and life hacks nowadays to make life easier but to also improve the quality of life.
Carrying water around is essential nowadays, and especially for children. Brita have a range of water bottles for everyday use but they also contain filters to make the water extra clean. The Brita Water Filter Active Bottle is a clever 0.6 litre bottle which includes a filter in the top so you can filter tap water when you’re out and about and not have to worry about the nasties.
The bottle is made of 100% BPA free material with a sports cap (so you can use it when exercising or to prevent it falling over and spilling) and has flexible sides so that you can squeeze it to direct through the sports cap. The filter is made of natural carbon and originates from coconut shell material so it’s more sustainable too. The Brita filter cartridge used in the Brita Water Filter Active removes chemicals found in tap water such as chlorine and some herbicides, pesticides and hormones but leaves the useful elements like Magnesium and calcium. So if you’re out of the house without your Brita filter, any tap in a café or restaurant, or even at the gym will fill the Brita Active Bottle and the water will be cleaner than just taking out of the tap.
The bottle is also multipurpose because it’s adapted for sport. Not just squeezy sides but there’s a sports loop to attach it to your belt as you’re working out or to pick it up and hold it, and it comes with a cup that fixes to the base snugly so that you don’t lose it. The same cup works as a lid to protect the spout. Taking this out with a pram where you can attach it to the handle bars with the loop or put it in the cup holder, it can also help a toddler drink from a cup as you dispense it into the attached beaker. If you’re going to the gym and don’t want the attached cup, it’s easy to leave behind and 0.6 litre capacity is probably enough for an hour’s session.
The Brita Water Filter Active Bottle comes with a cartridge already but when you need to replace it, it only takes taking off the top screw cap and placing the filter in the neck of the bottle. No fuss, and easy to carry around with you if you’re on holiday for instance. The whole bottle with filter and full of water is light to carry too, so it fits into hand luggage. If you can’t take a bottle of water onto a plane, you can take a Brita Water Filter Bottle when it’s empty, then fill it up when you’re airside or on the plane and you’ll know you have filtered water for the journey. Think how great this would be for camping too!
The more you use this Brita Water Filter, the more uses you have for it and realise how versatile it is for everyday life. It’s a great gift item too for new mums, sports lovers or commuters alike. Have fun this summer with Brita Water Filter Active Bottle!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Welcome in the New Year with your new favourite snack – Joe & Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn! Made in artisan kitchens, Joe & Seph’s Popcorn uses the highest possible standard ingredients to bring you not just all your usual flavours but some of the more exotic ones as well!
We were sent a selection of favourite flavours to try – Salted Caramel, Double Chocolate Caramel, Coconut & Cacao and one of the Joe & Seph staples – their Milk Chocolate Popcorn Bites. If you’ve never tried these before, then they’re a treat you’re missing out on. They are decadent milk chocolate cups containing one piece of Joe & Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn in Salted Caramel flavour. Each ‘bite’ melts in your mouth with the combined texture of chocolate and popcorn and the added kick of a little bit of salted caramel to give you a chocolate pick-me-up with a difference. These are probably my favourite snacks at Joe & Seph’s and I keep them in the fridge so that I can pop a few whenever I’m at the fridge! The chocolate is the scene stealer here, and the caramel popcorn is stunning dialogue to the best snack ever.
Coconut & Cacao is just as chocolatey but has that slight hint of coconut to it, which adds not just flavour but a bit if texture too. The popcorn is expertly air-popped and coated with this vegan caramel and added coconut and just a pinch of cacao. It has a taste combination that you don’t find anywhere else (but should) and reminds me of when you have both coconut and chocolate ice cream in the same bowl and it brings out the flavour in each.
Salted Caramel is the leader of the pack because everyone loves this taste combination that once used to turn up noses. The ‘salted’ element isn’t that strong but the smoothness of the caramel takes this flavoured air-popped popcorn into gourmet range. This is definitely a snack you can share with other people or even have as a dessert instead of puddings; it’s got a sweetness to it and a texture that’s really decadent and appeals to everyone. I reckon even children would eat this!
Lastly, we have the Double Chocolate Caramel. Yes it has caramel, but it also has DOUBLE CHOCOLATE which frankly is what you’re actually buying this for! The rich chocolate taste is what comes across most in this flavour, with the caramel giving the golden texture. They’re very more-ish, which makes them quite filling, plus they fulfil the chocolate hit you might be craving as a snack or after dinner.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Indulge yourself in 2024 with the Mindful Extracts Deep Relief CBD Massage Oil with the sweet aromas of juniper berry, Capalba and Full-Spectrum CBD.
CBD is relatively new to the market and lots of people are using it for a whole host of reasons. It has relaxing properties, which are helped absorbed into the deeper dermal layers of your skin to bring your body back into balance. Users often report that their sleep is improved after using CBD oils and muscle conditions are relaxed with the use of CBD massage oil. Other ingredients include Copaiba Balsam, a resin found in trees in the Amazon and are believed to contain anti-inflammatory properties. Organic Black Cumin Seed Oil is thought to also contain anti-inflammatory properties for both the skin and joints whilst ginger is great for the recovery of stiff muscles and joints. Lastly, juniper berry also contains anti-inflammatory products and has been used by ancient civilisations for millennia.
The Mindful Extracts Massage Oil has an aroma of CBD oil so if you’re not familiar with the smell, it might take a while to get used to. The oil base is sweet almond, apricot kernel and avocado oils along with the medicinal compounds. It only takes a small amount of the massage oil to rub into your hands then apply to the area that needs treating. Within a few minutes of working the oil into your skin and muscles, the ingredients are absorbed and get to work.
The CBD oil smell takes a while to get used to but when you do, you hardly notice it. The oil absorbs in remarkably quickly and the scent from the seed and flower extracts are released and you get a completely different fragrance. It doesn’t leave a residue on your skin either, but does leave it softer and hydrated!
The effects of the Mindful Extracts Massage Oil take a few minutes to work but I found they lasted much longer. Before bed, it creates a relaxation that puts muscles to rest before sleep and during the day it dulled the inflammation in my back as I moved around and was walking. As the day went on, the fragrance of the oil stayed with me and seemed to change again, presumably as the different extracts were released and at work. It may be a small bottle (50ml) and quite expensive, but it goes a long way as you only need a tiny amount at a time. It’s a fabulous alternative to taking a pain relief tablet or having to buy the over-the-counter creams!
The Review Studio 