Lily O’Briens Chocolate Luxury Collection

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Lily O’Brien’s is an Irish chocolate company. You wouldn’t think that most of the ingredients are locally sourced but Mary Ann O’Brien, who started the company in the 1990s, wants to keep it as local and indigenous to Ireland as possible.

The Chocolate Luxury Collection box is a firm favourite of chocolate lovers and available all year round, but especially at Christmas. The box contains the flavours Zesty Lemon, Crispy Biscuit Crunch, Dart & White Duet, Gianduja, Truffle Decadence, Coffee &Almond Biscotti, Rapturous Raspberry, Sea Salted Caramel and Caramelised Biscuit Bliss. 

As a family, we can all enjoy this box because it has such a range of flavours but they’re also child friendly.  The Sea Salt Caramel flavour is a particular favourite of mine because of the flavour, but I also like the Zesty Lemon, which has the texture of the little lemon meringue pieces on top, which pop in your mouth as you eat them!  You can taste the quality of the chocolate as you eat them, they’re very more-ish and easy to eat, but not too rich that you can’t enjoy more than a few at a time.  You may find that you are fighting with other family members over them though…

Available for £12.50: https://lilyobriens.co.uk/luxury-collection-270g

Lily O Briens Chocolate Christmas Desserts Collection

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

We love having some chocolates after Christmas lunch, sitting in the living room and watching TV. It’s amazing how much chocolate you can eat even though you’ve had the biggest meal of the year…

Lily O’Brien’s bring you chocolate by the box year round, and especially at Christmas you can sample their festive range. The Lily O’Brien’s Christmas Dessert Collection contains 8 different dessert flavours in their selection which includes dark, milk and white chocolate. The flavours included are; Key Lime Pie, Lemon Posset, Hazelnut Torte, Black Forest, Orange & Cranberry Panettone, Festive Carrot Cake, Spiced Latte and Creme Brûlée.

Each flavour is subtle, with an added texture such as dried cranberries on top, or a soft flavoured centre. The Lemon Posset has crunchy meringue pieces on top whereas the creme brûlée has caramelised sugar on top, to mimic the crunch when you dive into a full sized dessert creme brûlée with the back of your spoon.

The little cup-like chocolates are easy to eat, and there’s several of each variety in the box.  These are great as presents or to add to a hamper, but I think the Lily O’Brien’s Christmas Dessert Collection is best saved for Christmas Day with the family. Which one is your favourite?

Available from £15 at: https://lilyobriens.co.uk/gifts

Lily O’Briens Chocolate Elf Berry Bites

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Here’s a lovely festive chocolate gift from Lily O’Briens.  These Chocolate Elf Berry Bites are gorgeous, individually wrapped chocolates have a berry filling, with the texture of cheesecake pieces. Each bite is both chocolatey and refreshing and reminds me of Christmas with the berry flavouring.

These would be great as after dinner chocolates, sitting on the dining table or whilst watching TV after dinner. At £5 each though for the festive looking 8 chocolate bites, they could be excellent stocking fillers or Secret Santa gifts. I’m not sure how you would wrap the box though, the triangular shape makes it impossible to wrap paper round it!

Available from £5 at: https://lilyobriens.co.uk/gifts

Lonely Planet – A Kid’s Guide to Japan – book

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

You don’t have to visit a place to be interested in a Lonely Planet Guide, and the Kid’s Guide to Japan is no exception. The culture in Japan is so unique, it’s worth just buying the book for children to pique their interest, but if you have Japan on your bucket list and are thinking of going, you’ll want to take a peek at this book and get some ideas. It’s not just for children!

The book is full of photos on every page, with stories, history, facts and information such as transport, art (including animé and Hello Kitty), food and geography. There’s a section on Tokyo, and details on cultural references like Geishas, snow monkeys, origami and sumo. At the back of the book, there’s some ‘What’s the Difference?’ Puzzles for children to complete, using photos relevant to Japan.

The whole book is bright and colourful with lots of photos on each page and just as much to read.  I would say that this book is aimed at children aged 7-10 years old as there’s a lot of topics to get into and a lot of interesting facts. It would take a while for a child to read the whole book, but if they’re interested in Japan, it’s something they could read over and over and learn all the facts.  I learned a lot!

The Lonely Planet Kid’s Guide series also includes books on New York City, London, Paris, Rome and Italy.

Available from £10.95 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lonely-Planet-Kids-Guide-Japan/dp/1837587736

Lonely Planet Travel Tarot

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Have you ever had your tarot cards read? If you have, then you’ll know that travel features highly in many of the cards.  Lonely Planet have combined the original tarot card deck with their travel destinations to give a second dimension to readings. 

The Lonely Planet Travel Tarot cards are all of the usual 78 cards you find in a tarot deck, and with the same name but the symbolism is for a place in the world which is named on the card. So the Nine of Cups is Lisbon, Portugal and has a drawing of a Portuguese street. The Justice card is The Hague, Netherlands and The World card is, predictably, Planet Earth! There seems to be a play on the cards and places – for instance, the Devil is Las Vegas and Judgement is New York City.

The set comes with an explanatory book which gives a background to tarot and how it works, how these cards work and some common spreads to do with travel. You can use the tarot cards in the conventional sense, or you can take the places and the pictures of places as a different way of reading them, with the travel theme as a background to each card.

The set is beautifully illustrated and has a very comprehensive guide book to help you understand the cards and how to read them in different spreads. I like how Lonely Planet has related a hobby like tarot cards to something as wholesome as travel, allowing users a way of reading the cards or to learn about the travel destinations. It’s a really fun way to learn the cards or to pass an afternoon reading your own cards or those of your friends.

Available from £16.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Lonely-Planet-Travel-Tarot-Hinshaw/dp/1837586969/ref=sr_1_1?crid=ABYKWDKKMQX4&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AsobIEq9SL3q1RV47PEj7Bn4b4_dViTTNR-2Ik4y4MTXgEbJ2tZSiPxB3ZLxp5z6E3MzY5XbkmlCROZHAoRj_GAC2Ok2ytaC3sks6LJGMb35m2t8SLNbAD0VmMl3KUAGjfJwez9bcRnTbYchzcoF-VCLP4U65avukJltSl5dSgEikS0gUvu3vwY0JWSKR9e3.P8VHaINOyGocXIENgIi-Eunef69XbOrI3j88haLVmls&dib_tag=se&keywords=lonely+planet+travel+tarot&qid=1787777549&sprefix=lonely+planet+travel+tarot,aps,179&sr=8-1

 Easymark Bookmark

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Do you read a lot? Or pick up a book to read and then put it down without marking the page? How about returning to chapters to re-read them? With any of these scenarios, the Easymark Bookmark can help you.  The Thinking Gifts page marker sits on the corner of a page unnoticed as you continue to read, but allows you to return to that page later, thanks to the design of the bookmark corner. This design is of a cactus, but Thinking Gifts have lots of designs to choose form, and you can purchase multiple Easymarks for lots of different reading books, or if you want to mark lots of different pages within a book. They’re easily transportable too, and if you leave them in a book and put them back on the bookshelf, they stay exactly where they are but don’t take up too much space or damage the spine of a book.

At only £3.99 they’re a great stocking filler or Secret Santa plus you can stock up on them and make up a gift from a range of items, especially if it’s for a book lover who would want a set of books and something like the Easymark Bookmark to finish it off. There are some lovely other designs for all ages too.

Available for £3.99 at: https://www.thinkinggifts.com/products/easymark-bookmark?option_values=6998825782e9b570bdbce5e0 

Flexilight Classic Book Light

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

This is a brilliant gift for anyone who reads, and not just book lovers. The Flexilight is a bookmark and book light in one, allowing you to read anywhere thanks to the built-in light at the top of the page marker. 

The Flexilight Bookmark is ultra slim to be a bookmark, but the neck can be tilted towards the pages so that you can angle the light at the top to be able to read whatever size book you are looking at.  The LED light has 8 lumens of bright light and comes with the 2 batteries needed, but you can change the batteries in the future if you need to.

This is a great Secret Santa gift , especially as it’s only £8.99 at the moment, and it’s great for children who like to read in the back of the car, or under the bed covers at night.  Imagine having this in a sofa cushion den under a blanket and being able to read in secret? This is a great stocking filler, and any age can use it!

Available from £8.99 at: https://www.thinkinggifts.com/products/flexilight-original-book-light?option_values=6674d2bac7b00e129da33980

Penmark Ruler Bookmark

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

The Penmark Ruler Bookmark caught my eye because it’s multifunctional.  Not only is it a pen, but it’s thin enough that it can be a bookmark too. Additionally, the decoration on it is that of a 10cm or 4 inch ruler. Not only that, but the Penmark comes with two refills and already comes with an ink cartridge. 

I know I would use this in the office when I’m running about and trying to find a pen for my notebook – this fits into the pages nicely and won’t get lost.  If you’re in an industry where you need a ruler too, this is an exceptionally good gift. It’s brilliant for a stocking filler or Secret Santa, or just for putting in your handbag because it’s so light and easy to carry around. 

Available for £4.99 at: https://www.thinkinggifts.com/products/penmark-pen-bookmark?option_values=6877767922f3c885a0ca472b

Plusheez Phone Holder

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

I have the perfect P|usheez gift for you!  This ocean-inspired clown fish is not only a desk toy, but it is designed to prop up your phone too.  Whether you’re charging your phone, on a call or trying to read something, the Plusheez Phone Holder can prop up your phone either vertically or horizontally.

I kept the Plusheez on my desk at home, so that I could take a call on my mobile and have it facing me and the microphone could pick up my voice whilst I was on my laptop. It works just as well with video calling too, so that you’re hands free. The fact that Plusheez is a soft toy is also great for phones because it doesn’t mark or damage them in anyway with grippers or anything that secures phones in place like a tripod does. If you’re like me and need to have something on the desk to distract your hands when you’re on a long, boring call, the Plusheez toys are great for that too, and they don’t make a noise when you drop them or play with them!

The Plusheez are really great toys that have a use, anyone can use them. Fabulous Secret Santa or stocking filler gifts too.

Available from £10.99 at: https://www.thinkinggifts.com/products/plusheez?option_values=66790eb201bc075225ebaaed

Tile Wireless Phone Charger

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

This pretty tile is more than just for decoration, and it’s not a coaster either! The Tile Wireless Zip Charger from www.thinking.gifts uses a USB-C cable to connect to either your laptop, a plug or any compatible device (which could even be your car if it has a USB-C plug). If you place your phon over the centre of the tile, the light changes to red and charging starts. It even works through a phone cover, depending on the material. Once fully charged, the red light turns blue.

The Tile Wireless Phone Charger works with Apple iPhones, Samsung and many major phone brands, and also works with Apple Airpods. The Tile is really light weight, and uses a normal USB-C cable so if you’re packing for work or for travel, you don’t need that many cables. It’s really lightweight too, and is only 12cms by 9cm in size. 

This is a brilliant Secret Santa gift or a Stocking filler for teenagers or anyone who spends a lot of time on a laptop and needing to charge a phone on the go. It looks so pretty too!

Available from £14.99 at: https://www.thinkinggifts.com/products/zip-charger-wireless-phone-charger?option_values=6717a072ed44ba45f5ca297b

Two Farmers Lightly Salted Crisp Drum

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

For lovers of crisps, you can’t beat a drum, literally, of crisps this Christmas! Two Farmers, the Herefordshire based farmers, use local potatoes to create these local, lovely and sharp crisps in a 500 grams tin. It opens like a paint pot, with the lip having to be prised open (I used the back of a spoon) but it can be sealed up again when not in use. That’s handy, because 500 grams of crisps is a lot!  It’s the equivalent to more than 4 of the big bags of potato chips you get in the supermarket, but this isn’t a brand that you would find in the supermarket, nor the format that you’re used to.

The Two Farmers Herefordshire Crisps which we were sent from Sous Chef are lightly salted and ooze a cleaner flavour than other crisps. These are prefect for sharing, thanks to the size of the tin, plus they can be used with dips, thanks to their light flavouring. The tin also means that they don’t get crushed in transit, so I found that the crisps were bigger and there was less ‘dust’ at the bottom of the tin. They stay nice and fresh too thanks to the metal container and resealable lid.

These are great for watching TV on Christmas Day, and after the festive season, you can clean out the tin and use it for storing Christmas decorations!

Available from £15.00: https://www.souschef.co.uk/products/two-farmers-lightly-salted-potato-crisps-in-sharing-tin

Osprey Daylite Hanging Toiletry Kit

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

I’m a big fan of wash bags with plenty of pockets and compartments because there’s nothing more annoying than rummaging through a dark, messy washbag looking for your toothbrush, when you’re already late for breakfast! The Osprey Daylite Hanging Toiletry Kit is my kind of washbag, offering plenty of storage without turning the whole thing into an unnecessarily complicated piece of luggage.

With a 4-litre capacity, there’s enough room for everything you need for several days away, while the zipped compartments keep your toiletries neatly separated and easy to find. There’s also a washable liner, which is particularly welcome because, sooner or later, something in a wash bag will leak. It’s one of the immutable laws of travel, somewhere between forgetting your phone charger and discovering the hotel hairdryer has the power of a tired mouse.

As soon as I started filling the Osprey Daylite Hanging Toiletry Kit for my holidays, it was obvious that it had been designed by people who actually travel. There are plenty of different sized pockets so that everything has its place, and there’s enough flexibility to accommodate a decent collection of toiletries without having to play Tetris every time you pack.

The hanging loop is one of my favourite features. Bathrooms in hotels, hostels and campsites aren’t always blessed with acres of useful worktop space, so being able to hang the bag from a shower rail, hook or door handle is incredibly handy. It also means you can see everything at a glance rather than balancing your toiletries precariously on the edge of the sink.

There’s a deep zipped pocket at the top, with a smaller zipped mesh pocket in front of it, while the lower section has another large zipped compartment and two open mesh pockets. These are particularly useful for shower gel and shampoo, keeping them easily accessible when the bag is hanging up in a shower cubicle.

This is also a washbag that can take some abuse. I stuffed it to the point where common sense suggested I should probably stop, then subjected it to the sort of aggressive tugging normally reserved for a stubborn tent zip. It coped brilliantly. There was no strain or fraying on the stitching or fabric, while the zips glided smoothly throughout testing.

The Osprey Daylite Hanging Toiletry Kit is a simple piece of kit, but it’s one that gets the important things right. It has plenty of storage, keeps everything organised, takes up relatively little space and can be hung wherever you need it. Whether you’re heading off for a weekend camping, travelling around the country or simply escaping to a hotel for a few days, it’s a very useful addition to your travel kit.

Why we like it

  • Plenty of pockets and compartments without becoming unnecessarily bulky or complicated
  • 4-litre capacity gives you enough room for toiletries for several days
  • Hanging design is perfect when bathroom space is limited
  • Adjustable strap can be looped over hooks, shower rails, doors or drawer handles
  • Washable liner makes cleaning up inevitable leaks considerably less painful
  • Robust construction stood up well to being stuffed and tugged during testing
  • Made using bluesign® APPROVED, 100% recycled materials

Available in Black and Tan Concrete and has a RRP of £30

JLab JBuds Mini Wireless Ear Buds

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

“The smallest fit ever” is what the packaging on the JLab Mini JBuds claims and we’d have to agree! Even the casing is smaller on these diddy earbuds, which are perfect for children or those with smaller ears.  The ear buds are 30% smaller but the case is 50% smaller than other ear buds, which also makes them easier to carry, especially in pockets. They’re so small in fact, that at just 3.3 grams each and a total of 18.5 grams for the case, they make an ideal keyring or can be worn as a charm on your phone. 

The JBud ear buds pack a punch though with a 6mm dynamic driver speaker for audio and an output of 103 ± 3dB.  The battery life is around 20 hours when fully charged, which is impressive amount of play time with such small headphones. It takes between 1.5 and 2 hours to charge depending on how you charge the case, which is a USB-C port and comes with the C to C cable. The ear buds connect to Bluetooth 5.3 (the most recent version) and have approximately 30 foot range.

These are especially great for children because of their size and they also connect really easily to devices when in ‘find’ mode. There’s not very many settings on them either, and the 4.5cm length case is easy to handle and keep on children in their pockets, rather than having to hand them to someone else or carry a bag with them.  They’re a great price too, either as a gift or as a stocking filler and they’re currently on sale at £29.99 on the JLab website below!

JLab JBuds Mini Wireless Ear Buds for £39.99 at: https://www.jlab.com/en-gb/products/jbuds-mini-true-wireless-earbuds-teal

Eyeam Daily SPF NoTox Daily Face Cream

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

I’d never heard of the company Eyeam before, so when they offered to send us some SPF NoTox face cream, I had a look at their website to see what it’s all about. Turns out, this is a British company with an holistic approach to beauty through using pure products, small batches and using the body’s connections. Their Four Pillar approach bridges the mind, body, spirit and skin to bring out the best in women. Even more interesting, is that Eyeam is run almost completely by women FOR women. Their website is fascinating to find out more about the science and spirit behind their approach to wellness and skin care.

We were sent the Eyeam Daily SPF face cream. Boasting a SPF of 20+, it’s called NoTox because it has pure ingredients and is non-comedogenic, meaning it doesn’t clog your pores.  As a daily cream, it can be worn under make-up, is free from fragrances and protects against UVA and UVB rays. It also gives Polyphenol-rich antioxidant peptide protection and actives. As we’ve had a lot of very sunny weather recently, it was easy to try this daily moisturiser in very direct sunlight!

The Eyeam Daily SPF 20 cream is very thin when you dispense it. It’s only slightly less thin in consistency than single cream, but it’s very rich so you don’t need too much. I found that it takes a while for it to blend into the skin. It leaves a slight white gloss over your skin until you rub it in and settle. I believe this is to do with the SFP and creating that barrier between your skin and the sun’s rays. Once it’s blended into your skin, it has a tiny bit of sheen to it, which give a nice glow in the sunshine, with the knowledge that your skin is protected. It can be used as a primer though, where you can apply make-up on top and it acts as a base.

It lasted all day during the summer heat. It left my skin plumper all day, with a slightly waxy texture but not anything that meant my make-up slid off. It felt like a barrier cream that moisturised at the same time, but not like a film, more like a base.  It certainly worked as a SFP as well, with no colour getting to my face the whole time I’ve worn it, and I’ve been wearing it daily for a few weeks now.

There are lots of other items available on the Eyeam website, all of which are made in the UK in small batches to ensure quality.

Available online for £59 at: https://eyeamworld.com/products/daily-spf-notox?_pos=1&_psq=Notox&_psid=a47aaa7c1&_ss=e&_v=1.0

Benecos Natural Tinted Lip Balm and Lavera Travel Size All-Round Cream

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

As summer approaches, let’s look at some of the products out there to make your life easier. We’ve been sent the Benecos natural tinted lip balm and the Lavera Travel Size All-Round Cream for sensitive skin. Each of them are in small packaging which is easily kept in a handbag or flight luggage and both are vegan, and under 100 mL in volume.

The Benecos natural tinted lip balm has UVA and UVB protection. This sample in the ‘Coral Breeze’ colour is SPF 15 and glides on just like a lipstick. The texture of this lip balm is also very much like a lipstick and leaves a subtle tinted colour which can either be applied and blotted like a lipstick, or blended in like a lip balm. It has a lovely natural colour to it, making it easy to wear weather without make-up. When the weather is particularly good in the summer, you can wear it instead of lipstick.

The Lavera Basis Sensitive Cream is 100% vegan and contains bio aloe vera oil. It comes in this handy 25 ml tin which is small enough to fit into a handbag or an overnight toiletries bag. The cream is foil wrapped for freshness and when you open it, you can see how rich the Lavera cream is. You can see that it’s oil based because of the texture of the cream which is quite thick. It is suitable for anything from a face cream to body cream and the richness of this cream means that it can be used before applying make-up or in the evening as a night mask. It’s incredibly silky and very very moisturising when it is applied. It also has a really lovely sent to it.

I was quite surprised by both of these products in how handy they are as well as how luxurious they feel when being worn. These are great for summer because everybody needs a bit of extra help with either SPF or highly moisturised products at this time of year. These will be staying in my handbag for months to come!

Benecos Natural Tinted Lip Balm £5.95:

Lavera Travel Size Basis Sensitive All-Round Cream £2.00: https://www.lavera.co.uk/shop/p/travel-size-basis-sensitive-all-round-cream

Trapiche Pure Malbec

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

If your dad enjoys a glass of red wine, a good bottle is guaranteed to go down well on Father’s Day. Better still, for those last minute shoppers, Trapiche Pure Malbec is readily available from the Co-op so you can pick a bottle up on your way to see him!!

Produced by Argentina’s most awarded winery, this Fairtrade-certified Malbec is packed with juicy fruit flavours and is wonderfully smooth and easy to drink. At just £10 a bottle, it’s also excellent value for money, proving that you don’t have to spend a fortune to give a special gift.

The Trapiche vineyards are in Mendoza, one of Argentina’s most famous wine regions which are  nestled at the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The winery was founded by Argentine politician and businessman Tiburcio Benega back in 1883 and over the years the business has grown to be one of Argentina’s leading wine producers. The vineyards are planted higher up in the mountains, where the cooler air helps keep the grapes fresh and balanced, despite the intense Argentinian sunshine.

The “Pure” in the name refers to the fact that this is an unoaked Malbec. Rather than being aged in oak barrels, the wine is made in stainless steel and concrete tanks. While I’m no wine expert, I find this style lets the fruit do the talking, bringing out the cassis, blueberry and plum flavours without the vanilla or smoky notes that oak can sometimes add.

The rich purple wine is smooth and easy to drink and it goes really well with both steak and cheese.

By choosing Fairtrade wine, you are supporting farmers and ensuring that they have access to fairer working conditions. Fairtrade also makes sure that producers receive a fairer price for their grapes and provides extra funding that can be invested back into workers and local communities. It also supports growers in adopting more sustainable farming methods and promotes fair treatment and opportunities for everyone working in the vineyards.

Available from the Co op

Dad’s Dram Selection Whisky Tasting Set

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

For any Dad or Grandad who loves whisky, a dram selection is always a good idea on Father’s Day! For anyone who likes whisky and wants to try a selection without having to buy a whole bottle at a time, the Dad’s Dram Selection from Drinks By The Dram is an excellent choice to try yourself.  The six drams included in the set are:

  • Singleton of Dufftown 12 Year Old
  • Teeling Small Batch
  • Islay Whisky 8 Year Old (That Boutique-y Whisky Company)
  • Tobermory 12 Year Old 
  • Talisker Skye 
  • Darkness 8 Year Old

Each of the drams are 3cl and although they come in identical bottles, the logos on their labels is faithful to the companies’ brandings. There’s a mixture of different whiskies too, which all come from Scotland. They arrive in this smart presentation box which can be posted or handed over without even any gift wrap!

The glass-sized samples of whisky are all of excellent quality.  Depending on how Dad drinks whisky, they can be kept for special occasions or tried every night for a week. I especially like the idea of this being a birthday present for Dad, so that his birthday can last longer than a week and be able to sample the different whiskies in isolation on different days.

Available from £24.95 at: 

https://www.masterofmalt.com/tasting-set/master-of-malt/dads-dram-selection-whisky-black-tasting-set/?sku=143113

Charles Worthington Scalp Restore Range

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

When it comes to holiday beauty prep, most of us have our skincare routine down to a fine art. Vitamin C? Packed. SPF? Non-negotiable. Hydrating sheet masks? Already in the suitcase. But while we’re diligent about looking after our skin it’s surprising at just how often our hair gets overlooked.

From chlorine-filled pools and salty sea swims to long days in the sun, holidays can put a surprising amount of stress on  our hair and scalp. The result? Hair that feels greasy more quickly, product build-up, visible flakes and an overall lack of freshness, just when you’re trying to look your best

A healthy scalp is the secret behind great-looking hair, think of it as the haircare equivalent of a good primer or facial serum, so if you want to have glossy, healthy-looking hair this summer, then it’s time to start looking after your scalp. In preparation for my holidays I’ve started using  the new Scalp Restore range from Charles Worthington. The three-step routine is now available in Boots and includes Shampoo (£9.99), Conditioner (£9.99) and a Reviving Scalp Scrub (£14.99). All three products contain niacinamide and a sustainable biotech microalgae active and are  designed to gently cleanse, refresh and rebalance the scalp while helping hair stay fresher for longer between washes.

The Reviving Scalp Scrub is particularly satisfying after a day spent in the sun, it gently removes excess oil, flakes and product build-up, leaving your scalp feeling refreshed and cared for. The shampoo lathers very easily, lifting away all the dirt, oil and product build up and the conditioner is rich and hydrating and my curls loved it.  

Whether you’re jetting off on a city break, lounging on the beach or embarking on a far flung adventure these are the haircare essentials you need to have in your suitcase.

Glowing skin may get all the attention, but great holiday hair starts at the root.

Yankee Candle Serenity Stone and Spa Inspired Gift Set

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Yankee Candles have long been the standard for candles at home, or as gifts especially with their beautifully presented Signature range.  If you’ve ever been into a Yankee Candle shop, then you’ll know that there are not only a huge range of scents available, but different sizes as well.  Yankee Candle sent us this Signature edition of their scent Serenity Stone and a gift box of three tealight candles.  Who wouldn’t want to give, or receive candles like these?

The Serenity Stone Yankee Candle is seen here in the large jar version, but other sizes are available. Large Jar means it’s a glass jar with lid, which is not only better for transporting but the glass lid allows you to extinguish the flame easily by just placing the lid on top and removing the source or oxygen. There are two wicks to light too; meaning it burns more evenly with a 65-80 hour, soy wax burn life. It’s quite heavy too at over half a kilo (567 grams to be precise) so I wouldn’t recommend sending this in the post!

The second set sent to us was the spa-inspired tealight set of candles with the scents Slow Bloom, Lavender Bliss and Serenity Stone. Each of the candles have their own distinct fragrance and undertone; the Lavender Bliss for instance is a Floral fragrance whereas Slow Bloom is a Woody fragrance.  You don’t burn all three of these fragranced candles at once, more like one after the other to create a long term ambience.  The Gift set is called Spa-Inspired for a reason, and these candles would be perfect for a relaxing bath or in a room where you want some more peace. With the burn time on each of these candles being around 7-10 hours, that’s a lot of baths, or a full day of candle time!

If you’re looking for a gift too, these are all perfect to send. The Serenity Stone Large Jar may be heavy, but it’s no lightweight in the gifting arena. The gift set is much smaller but great for posting or giving as an individual present or to add to a hamper of bigger treats.

Serenity Stone available in Large Jar size for £29.99 at:

Jolene Nipple Covers

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

I don’t know about you, but one of the few things that I don’t like about summer is having to wear a completely different wardrobe. That wardrobe invariably includes sheer fabrics, tight fitting tops and dresses and fewer layers.  If you’re adverse to wearing a bra in the summer or want something less visible, then Jolene Nipple Covers might be your go-to.

I’ve never tried nipple covers before. I’m definitely in the “bra” camp when it comes to playing safe, but it also holds me back on the type of clothes I can wear.  The Jolene Nipple Covers are suitable for all sizes, so you don’t need to worry about getting the sizing right to replace whatever your usual bra size is.  Jolene’s were kind enough to send us both Nipple Covers in their range; with adhesive, and without adhesive.

Both sets come in presentation boxes as you can reuse them.  The boxes themselves are really sturdy so they can go into luggage if you are taking them on holiday. Both products come in a choice of colours; ivory, almond, caramel and mocha. The Adhesive Nipple Covers come in the smaller box and are the smaller of the pair. They are already glued so all you have to do is take the backing off, but keep the backing in the presentation box as the covers can be reused! 

The Non-Adhesive Nipple Covers are larger and don’t need to be stuck to your skin. This might be a better option whilst on holiday and it’s hot! They are backed in a plastic covering too to keep them clean. Both the sets of covers have an almost Latex, skin-like texture which is matte in finish and slightly cool to the touch. As there is no adhesive, the inside of the covers has a slightly grippy texture to keep it in place.  

The covers actually work! I think the Adhesive Nipple Covers are great for dresses and thinner materials, so work great for summer evenings when you might be wearing more revealing clothes. The Non-Adhesive Nipple Covers are larger, so fit well under T-shirts and even swimwear. There’s no seams, and they are both sweat proof and swim proof, which is a relief when you can’t wear a bra under a bikini anyway!

I’m really happy with the Jolene Nipple Covers. I wish I could show you photos that do it justice but for me, it’s more about the comfort of being able to wear covers and have peace of mind rather than the aesthetics. If a bra isn’t possible, you can bring these with you in your handbag and use them over and over, and they don’t need extra adhesive, if any at all, so there’s nothing fiddly to use when you go out. If you’re wondering too, they don’t hurt and aren’t difficult to remove at the end of the evening too!

Adhesive Silicone Nipple Covers £16.95: https://www.jolenebody.com/products/premium-silicone-nipple-covers

Jolene Silicone Nipple Covers Adhesive Free £24.95: https://www.jolenebody.com/products/premium-silicone-nipple-covers-adhesive-free

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

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

Finding the perfect Father’s Day gift isn’t always easy, especially with the cost of living still squeezing budgets. Aftershave is always a good present to buy and with so many different fragrances available it’s easy to find one that suits both your dad’s personality and your budget. Superdrug have some brilliant offers on at the moment, so whether your Dad likes something classic, fresh and clean or a little more sophisticated there’s plenty to choose from without spending a fortune. These two are a couple of my favourites and both are currently reduced – which is even better!

The Artiscent Male Gift Set (usually £10 and currently £5) contains three 20ml fragrances Cedar Blanc, Musk Dore and Vettiver Arome, all created in Paris, the home of prestige perfumery. They come in smart dark blue glass bottles and are surprisingly good dupes for Paco Rabanne Invictus, Paco Rabanne 1 Million and Bleu de Chanel. The fragrances are fresh, wearable and ideal for everyday use and while they don’t quite have the staying power of the designer versions, they’re a fraction of the price. The smaller bottles are also perfect for chucking into a washbag or gym bag, making them ideal for travelling too. Whether your dad prefers crisp and sporty scents or something slightly warmer and muskier, this set gives him a few different options to try without the designer price tag attached.

If you’d rather go for a recognisable designer fragrance, then Versace The Dreamer is a really good buy. Ordinarily the 100ml bottle retails at £78, but it is currently on offer at Superdrug for only £21.84, which is an absolute bargain. With fresh notes of juniper, tarragon and artemisia, balanced with softer floral hints of iris and lily and a warm amber and tobacco base, Versace The Dreamer is one of those really easy fragrances to wear because it feels fresh and masculine without being too heavy or overpowering. Whether Dad wears it for work, weekends or going out for dinner, it’s the kind of classic scent that never really goes out of style,

CUKTECH 15 Power Bank Air

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

I love a gadget, and this power bank is perfect for a Father’s Day gift!  

The CUKTECH 15 Power Bank Air holds enough power to recharge your iPhone 17 by 1.6 times or a Samsung S25 Ultra about 2.2 times over. That’s only for phones, it can power laptops too with 65W Fast Charging, which is enough to power a Mac Book Air from zero to 48%. 

The slim design is deceptively heavy though! It’s enough to carry all that power but is about the size of a phone just fatter. It does mean that it fits into a pocket or hand luggage, and it would comfortably fit into a handbag too but it comes with a cosy bag to keep it in, along with the USB-C cable. The front of the power bank has a display which tells you the percentage charge already on the power bank, plus how long it will take to charge  fully or how much charge it has left through each of the ports. Speaking of which, you can charge to and from the CUKTECH 15 with a Type-C2, Type-C2 and USB-A1 ports. The screen goes dark when not in use but the button at the side lights it up again so you can see the stats as it charges. The three different ports mean you can power up to three appliances all at once too.

You can charge up the CUKTECH with the provided cable. To change the direction of charge, click the side button twice and the display changes. Keep clicking and it allows you to change the display and setting so that the screen stays on and it shows you which port is being used to charge in or out of the power bank, and how long it takes to charge and the percentage. You can even change the display to be upside down so that you use it on the go or if it’s in a pocket!

At around £50, it’s not a bad price for a power bank on the market, as there are a lot out there which aren’t as compact or as useful, and having the ability to charge 3 appliances at once is definitely a benefit.  The cable is a bit short though, especially if you have the charger in your pocket and you’re trying to walk and text at the same time, and you would have to source other cables for the other ports if your appliance didn’t already come with one, but they can all be poppled in the supplied bag so that you can carry them with you.  Although it’s heavy too, it’s not any heavier than other power banks, and that’s because of the nature of the battery it contains.

The CUKTECH 15 Power Bank is a really useful gift and a great surprise for Father’s Day as something that is actually helpful to everyday life. 

Available from £49.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0FNQK3VHZ?ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_P8ESV8CN44BP0FR26YKP&ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_P8ESV8CN44BP0FR26YKP&social_share=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_dp_P8ESV8CN44BP0FR26YKP

Tessan PD20W Universal Power Adaptor

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

For the Dads who travel for work, or just those Dads who are always prepared, the Tessan PD20W is a travel adapter for almost everywhere in the world, allowing him to plug in to a socket and use any appliance he’s taken with him.

The small, palm sized adaptor has 3 plugs to fix into a wall socket throughout the world; the sockets included are for the USA or Japan, Australia and the UK, meaning you can use it in Britain too if you have sockets or cables from elsewhere in the world. The front of the adaptor has 4 sockets in total. The first one is the AC socket which is commonly used in the US. Underneath, you have the USB-A, USB-C2 and USB-C1 sockets for cables. This is usually for charging phones and small appliances such as cameras and tablets. The three different sizes means it works on most modern appliances so there’s no need to bring anything else when you’re abroad.

The small, lightweight design has retractable plugs which pack away nicely, and can be turned out when ready to use. They are designed so that when one plug is being used, no others can be utilised so as not to interfere with the supply. They’re a bit clunky and all open in different ways but once you work out that one them slides, one of them flips and other one has to be prised out, you get the gist of it!

Charging is fairly quick on the Tessan PD20W Power adapter, given that it’s not a charger just an adapter. I could plug in my phone and it gives about 10% charge in 30 minutes, but that isn’t what the adapter is for. It’s mainly for being about use foreign sockets and plug in USB plugs but if you do need to charge a phone or appliance, you can charge overnight.

The Tessan PD20W is small enough that it can be packed away in your luggage or hand luggage and used anywhere abroad. For going on holiday or for the Dads in your life, it’s a nifty gadget that will be used again and again but will benefit everyone. 

Currently available for £17.99 at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B0C1NRTR81/?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_plhdr=t&aaxitk=b0b68efcc7ecaa3dbd3e6bcea53d4618&hsa_cr_id=0&qid=1770721697&sr=1-2-e0fa1fdd-d857-4087-adda-5bd576b25987&aref=pJEjmdvY48&ref_=sbx_s_sparkle_sbtcd_asin_1_title&pd_rd_w=E5nIF&content-id=amzn1.sym.7d8787df-7d4c-460d-ab31-21b0ba272b2f%3Aamzn1.sym.7d8787df-7d4c-460d-ab31-21b0ba272b2f&pf_rd_p=7d8787df-7d4c-460d-ab31-21b0ba272b2f&pf_rd_r=MTEFXKDHG0PHPCRVZ25S&pd_rd_wg=TbzsW&pd_rd_r=9ab1dc17-2e36-4d8a-b08f-50f8737b3f5c&th=1

Father’s Day Gifts at Popcorn Shed

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

Yes, Father’s Day is notoriously difficult to buy gifts for Dad! He has everything, but suddenly there are more items available in the shops but they are all either whiskey flavoured, or have some element remodelled in leather.  Don’t get me started on the amount of beers on the shelves at this time too.  Popcorn Shed has a massive range of popcorn all year round, so we were sent a selection of popcorn flavours which are available on the website and can be sent as a bundle.  We had the Popcorn Shed flavours Pop ‘n’ Choc, Salted Caramel and Say Cheese! Sent to us to try. Before you ask, they didn’t last long…

Each ‘shed’ (ie packet of popcorn) is 80 grams of popcorn.  The Salted Caramel and Say Cheese flavours are both bestsellers and winners of the Great Taste award.  80 grams doesn’t sound like a lot but if you remember that popcorn is very light, it makes sense to say that each shed is about big enough for 2 people to share for a movie night, or the equivalent of a small mixing bowl size.

My favourite of the flavours was Pop ‘n’ Choc, and not just because I love chocolate! You can taste the chocolate easily but it isn’t too sweet and the popcorn, although a bit sticky, isn’t too difficult to eat because it’s stuck together or gets stuck in your teeth. The Salted Caramel flavour was probably the easiest to eat out of all three because it had a strong flavour without being overpowering and was still sweet, as you would expect popcorn to be. Finally, the Say Cheese flavour was the last one I tried. I’m not used to savoury popcorn but this is the most popular of savoury flavours after the plain salted variety and I was surprised. It’s not a very strong flavour, thankfully, as although I love cheese I couldn’t imagine it on popcorn. However, as it’s a savoury taste, it goes better with wine or spirits rather than sugary cocktails. It’s a light, delicate cheese flavour rather than the processed type. I also noticed that all of the popcorn is ‘popped’ so there are no un-popped kernels in the bottom of the bag. 

Popcorn Shed is a lovely gift for Dad, or Grandad, that they don’t have to pretend to like! With all the flavours available online you will surely be able to find something that’s delicious!

Popcorn Sheds available from £4.75 at: https://www.popcornshed.com/collections/gourmet-popcorn-sheds

Lee Stafford Hyaluronic Hydration Hair Mask

Disclaimer – We have received this item for free or on a loan basis for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.

The Hyaluronic Hydration Hair Mask from Lee Stafford is part of a larger range of Lee Stafford products for moisturizing hair.  The hair mask uses hyaluronic acid to enrich your hair and prevent it from breaking, plus giving a sleeker look, and in turn, making it more manageable. 

The instructions recommend that you cover your hair from root to tip and work in the formular using a comb to ensure overall coverage, leaving it for 5-10 minutes. I prefer to leave in for a bit longer and massage the mask into the ends, especially if it’s been a while since your last haircut (like mine is now!) and in need of TLC.  You add the mask after shampoo (Lee Stafford also have Hydrating shampoo and conditioners at Boots) and then rinse off, using the Lee Stafford conditioner too.

It smells wonderful – like a summer fruit fragrance that reminds me of the 1990s Body Shop products! It left my hair softer and with the fruity scent too. Over time, the repair should build up so that hair is stronger and longer.  I found that on hair with dry ends, it made all of the length of hair softer after just one treatment, then when I got my hair cut, it was great at hydrating my hair enough to get the soft curls back in.  It’s perfect for summer too, with the light fragrance giving your hair an additional impact!

Available from £7.49 at: https://www.boots.com/lee-stafford-hyaluronic-hydration-treatment-mask-250ml-10377507