Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Joe & Seph’s are a gourmet popcorn company with a range of over 80 different flavours of popcorn. With both sweet and savoury options, they have something to suit every taste and occasion and with National Prosecco Day just 2 weeks away we have been sampling some of their Prosecco treats.
Some sweet popcorns are coated in such thick caramel to the point that you lose the popcorn flavour, Joe & Seph’s popcorn isn’t like this, their popcorn is hand made in small batches, using the finest natural ingredients and their light, fluffy popcorn is packed full of flavour.
The Prosecco popcorn is available in either a 75g re-sealable pouch or a 30g gift box. The gift box is pyramid shaped with a gold ribbon on the top and makes a lovely gift for friends and family.
The popcorn is more sophisticated than standard popcorn and just the thing for a girls night in – with or without Prosecco!
Pouch RRP £4
Gift box RRP £5
We also tried the Prosecco Caramel Sauce, which we drizzled over vanilla ice cream and also bowls of strawberries. The sauce is lovely and rich and the caramel flavour is heavenly, the prosecco flavour isn’t especially strong but it is there and it made a simple pudding feel incredibly indulgent! It is best to heat the sauce a little in the microwave make it easier to pour – or you can just eat it straight out of the jar!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Dobble by Asmodee is one of our favourite travel games and travels everywhere with us. The handy tin is small enough to fit in my bag and has entertained our mini reviewers in many different locations over the years including trains, restaurants, hotel rooms, and campsites. When I heard that Dobble had launched a Scouts version I was quite excited as my whole family are involved in Scouting, so this version has a special significance for us.
Available directly from the Scout Store (where all profits are returned to the Scouts) this new version uses symbols associated with Scouting – you’ll find hiking boots, canoes, rucksacks, tents and many more outdoor adventure symbols on the game cards in Dobble Scouts.
With 5 different games to play this game will keep everyone entertained, both young as old as the good thing about this game is everyone is on a level. There’s always a matching symbol on any two cards but with 8 symbols on a card in different sizes and orientation it is more challenging than you would think and sometimes you will find yourself staring at your card for ages and still not see it!
A game doesn’t take long to play, around 5-10 minutes, but it is such good fun that you’ll find that everyone wants to play it over and over again. It’s a great game for 2 but equally as fun in a larger group.
In the words of the Scout motto – “Be Prepared” and put this in the pocket of your rucksack when you go off on an adventure – it’s great to play with friends old and new around a campfire in the evening once you’ve finished adventuring!
As well as the game the new Dobble Scouts collection will also include hoodies, badges and keyrings in the famous Scout colours and will make great gifts for Scouts young and oldCubs,
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Frizz can be one of the most frustrating problems to deal with when you have naturally curly hair so any product that can tame the dreaded frizz is a real winner for me. My curly hair has been a lot easier to manage since I discovered FFØR so when I heard they had launched a new weightless wonder oil called All:In Oil I couldn’t wait to try it.
FFØR stands for Free From, Original, Real and they are an ethical company who believe in Clean Beauty, both for you and the planet. Their products are vegan, cruelty free and free from nasties and they only work with likeminded, ethical suppliers who can provide verified information about their sourcing, and who share their important values. They are also winners of the Marie Claire 2022 Hair Awards and the Global Green Beauty Awards.
The new hair oil is packed full deeply nourishing ingredients – vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which not only add shine but helps to define my curls, leaving them lovely and smooth and frizz free.
The oil is incredibly lightweight, with quite a thin texture that barely feels like oil. There’s a very fine line between glossy hair and greasy locks and I found I didn’t need much to coat my shoulder length hair. I recommend starting with just one drop and adding more gradually, otherwise you can easily end up using too much. I found the best way to apply it was by putting a drop in the palm of my hands and then rubbing them together before distributing the oil through my hair.
The formula creates maximum shine and hydration without feeling oily or greasy and like all the other FFØR products smells amazing. I have used it on damp and dry hair with equally good results. Used overnight it hydrates and nourishes my hair and used after styling it helps to banishe frizz, helping define my curls and leaves them looking in tip top condition.
If you are going away this summer, then you really must put one of these in your suitcase, put it on your hair overnight or before you go to the beach to give your hair the chance to soak up every bit of the goodness contained within the oil. It will help keep your hair smooth and frizz free in the heat and protect it too.
All:In Oil is a hair taming gem and the perfect addition to your holiday haircare routine.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Salama was born and raised in Syria with her brother, who was newly married to her best friend. The Syrian war breaks out and changes everything Salama knew about, including her job. Originally a pharmacist, we soon learn that her one year education suddenly propels her to becoming a surgeon in the local hospital. To us this sounds like a bizarre promotion, but during war, needs must.
The book is beautifully written by new author Zoulfa Katouh. Although she is Canadian, Zoulfa has Syrian roots, which really shows in the detail she goes to to describe life in Syria at the time of the war newly breaking out. The language is descriptive and gentle even if some of the scenes are not, and the story flows as the characters develop.
Part of the character of the book is how it so far removed from our own Western lives as you could imagine. Becoming an unqualified surgeon at age 18? Living without water and electricity whilst the only city you have ever known in the country you love is ripped apart by war? Losing all the members of your close family at such a young age and having to look after your pregnant sister in law? The cultural differences are an education but the emotional side of what the Syrians had to go through are heart breaking, touching and so thought provoking.
The book is a modern classic, with attention-grabbing plot twists and soothing language that rarely find in anything but best sellers, especially not in the storytelling of a first time novelist. I loved sitting down to read this book, delighting in the imagery and not able to guess what was going to happen next, and that wasn’t just because I was unfamiliar with the culture and enjoyed learning about it. For anyone who commutes, this is also a good book because the chapters are bite size and the text is easy to follow if you get disturbed. It’s a long book at 464 pages but it’s an easy read.
You’ll want to find out more about Syria when you read til the end. You’ll also learn a lot about the war and about what the Syrian people went through and in some cases, are still going through. It’s a book that will stay with you for a long time and one which you can read again and again.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
There can never be too much chocolate in this house, and not only have I never tried Montezuma’s chocolate before, I don’t think I’ve ever tried this array of flavours either. Let me explain…
Montezuma’s sent us a box of chocolates containing a bag of Giant Dark Chocolate Buttons (74%) and a box of small bars of Montezuma’s chocolates, known as a Mini Chocolate Library, containing 12 bars of 25 grams each in five flavours; Milk Chocolate Butterscotch, Dark Chocolate Lime & Sea Salt, Milk Chocolate Peppermint, Organic Milk Chocolate and Dark Chocolate.
The bars are individually wrapped and presented in a handy (and very cute) little handbag-shaped box which boasts, “A perfect selection of our favourite chocolate bars, in the perfect size’ which it very much is. This box appeals to both children and adults, especially as adults are more likely to enjoy the different flavours of chocolates. However, with the peppermint, milk chocolate and dark chocolate bars too, it’s great for the whole family or for after dinner watching TV. I particularly like dark chocolate, so this was a great one for me, but the Lime & Sea Salt was a really interesting flavour. It reminded me of when Salted Caramel became popular and you had to get used to the taste of the salt and sweet caramel together, but once you do, the flavour stays with you and you start to enjoy it more. This is a Montezuma’s flavour which I’ll definitely be looking out for in the shops!
If you’re looking at Christmas gifts already, then this is a good one to keep for families, or to break up the whole library and use as part of an advent calendar. I think it would also make a fabulous present for a teacher at the end of the school year too, and it’s easy to wrap up or for you to give to a child to take into class on the last day of term.
The Montezuma’s Dark Chocolate Giant Button grab bag is 180 grams of organic chocolate, nicely pressed into easy-to-eat buttons for your convenience. This is great for picnics, sharing or taking somewhere like the theatre or cinema because of their size and ease of eating. The chocolate, like all Montezuma’s chocolate, is of high quality, using all the best cocoa which is ethically sourced from South America and beyond. Helen and Simon (founders and makers of Montezuma’s Chocolate from 2000 onwards) pride themselves on building ‘Britain’s Greatest Little Chocolate Company.’ We all know about the very biggest chocolate confectionary companies in the world, but if you’re looking for local, more ethically focused chocolate, Montezuma’s is for you. A lot of their products are organic too, plus there’s a massive range on their website of chocolates suitable for both adults and children, and all sorts of occasions.
I can’t speak highly enough for the quality of the chocolate too. It’s not over sweetened, there’s no gritty texture to it and no horrible bitterness to the dark chocolate that leaves you thirsty. Just good quality, old fashioned chocolate that leaves you with that cocoa ‘hit’ any chocoholic craves.
In the words of the Montezuma’s team, ‘A balanced diet is chocolate in both hands!’ and I agree!!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Ritter Sport are a German chocolate brand who make distinctive square chocolate bars that come in a wide range of fillings and flavours. In celebration of World Chocolate Day they sent me a box of their delicious nutty chocolate bars to try, with instructions to keep them squirreled away as the nutty treats are just too tempting for the local squirrels!
With the trademark Ritter Sport logo in the middle, the 100g bars feature images of chocolate coated nuts along with the green 100% certified Sustainable Cocoa Sourcing logo. On the reverse is the ingredients and nutritional information.
Opening the packaging, I was presented with a chunky bar of chocolate with 16 segments, each imprinted with the Ritter Sport logo. When I turned over the bar, I was pleased to see plenty of whole nuts, each segment had a least 1 and some even had 3!
Naturally sweet and with a satisfying crunch, hazelnuts and chocolate are a winning combination. All three varieties – Whole Hazlenuts, Dark Whole Hazlenuts and White Whole Hazlenuts – were absolutely scrumptious. I enjoyed the creaminess of the milk chocolate with the hazelnuts but my favourite was the dark chocolate bar as the bitterness of the dark chocolate contrasted nicely with the nut creating an incredibly moreish treat.
The Honey Salted Almond bar offered a satisfying crunch and the sweetness and saltiness created a real explosion of flavour in my mouth.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Walkers, hikers, runners, athletes and casual sock fans are discovering Darn Tough socks… but if you’re any of the above you probably know something about the Vermont, USA based company already.
Darn Tough socks are made from merino wool to be, well, darn tough. Their main selling point apart from being so hard wearing is that they are seam free so don’t rub and wear away over time, and if you’re a walker, that’s a big problem. They have additional features which make them so durable too. The shin areas typically have extra cushioning for wearing under boots (if they’re longer socks) thanks to the way the socks are woven. There’s added measures to prevent boot bite too. The extended toe box allows for wear and tear inside boots and shoes with a flex zone over the front of the foot so that you can rest assured that there isn’t the wear there from laced up shoes.
The heels are particularly well engineered to allow for lots of walking. Some of the snow socks (of which there are lot more new styles) have added weight to them for extra durability. There’s some new running socks this coming season which are shorter but allow for the same durability, but with the added bonus of being so pretty as well! If you look at the catalogue online, you’ll see that there’s a massive range of socks for men, women and children, but also a complete kaleidoscope of patterns. This hiking/trekking pair of women’s socks have a bear design on them! There’s plenty of other socks to choose from, not only for different activities but in different colours and even landscape designs on them. It makes them much easier to pair up after washing too!
The bonus of all Darn Tough socks is that no matter how they wear out, there is a lifetime guarantee on each pair that means they will replace your socks, no questions asked, whenever a hole appears or they wear down. What better promise of quality is that?
Disclaimer: we received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
It’s World Chocolate Day today – our favourite day of the year and we have been celebrating with some of our favourite chocolate treats from Joe & Seph’s
Joe & Seph’s are a family business and began making popcorn back in 2010 in their family kitchen. After taking the popcorn to a food show they sold out in 2 days and the rest is history. They use the finest, natural ingredients and now have a range of over 40 exciting flavours which include both sweet and savoury flavours.
The White Chocolate & Raspberry Popcorn Slab costs £8 and believe me is worth every penny. Combining Caramel and Raspberry popcorn and smothering them in delicious white chocolate, Joe & Seph’s have come up with the most amazing indulgent treat. I would like to say that we ate this over a couple of nights but that would be a complete lie! It was so good we demolished the whole slab in one sitting!!
The Caramel & White Chocolate Gourmet Popcorn costs £4 and is a real treat for the tastebuds, especially if you have a sweet tooth. The air popped popcorn is coated in smooth caramel and white chocolate and has a satisfying crunch when you bite into it. Once you’ve tasted this I guarantee you won’t go back to cinema popcorn again!
The Milk Chocolate Popcorn Bites are pieces of salted caramel popcorn in a creamy milk chocolate cup. The creaminess of the chocolate and the crunch of the popcorn go so well together and are a real decadent treat. They say each bag contains 4 servings – I think their servings are much smaller than mine!! RRP £3.50
We’ve really enjoyed celebrating World Chocolate Day with Joe & Seph’s and I can’t wait to find out what their next popcorn flavours are going to be.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
It’s holiday time and we’re off exploring the beautiful countryside in Somerset. We’ve got everything packed, including all our tech – it’s surprising just how many items need charging. A quick look shows two phones, two smart watches, earbuds, a camera, the GPS for my bike and a couple of rechargeable bike lights. That’s a lot of charging cables and there are only two USB sockets in the motorhome.
To make things easier, I’m trying out a USB power bank from iWALK. The PowerSquid has a capacity of 9000mAh and offers quick charging to compatible devices. Its name comes from the fact that it has three built-in charging cables that are permanently attached, looking like the legs of a squid. With micro USB, USB-C and Lightning, many devices are covered but for complete coverage there is of course a standard USB socket too. Charging is via USB-C and a USB-C cable is included.
Mine is white but black and pink models are also available, it weighs 200g and feels really well made. A small LED display gives the percentage charge and also shows if fast charging is being used.
With multiple outputs the PowerSquid is able to charge a number of devices at the same time and it can also take on a charge at the same time, this was perfect in the motorhome where USB sockets are limited. It is also capable of offering fast charge to compatible devices with 5v, 9v or 12v offered on the USB-C and USB-A connector. It can charge a Samsung S22 up to 50% in 30 minutes and was able to charge my phone around one and a half times on a full charge so it will be great for weekends away. The cables all clip neatly into the casing so no more tangled cables in your bag.
It is compatible with iPhone 14/14 Pro Max/iPhone 13 Pro Max/13 Pro/13, Samsung Google Pixel & Apple HomePod devices.
I am really happy with this power bank, it is going to be indispensable when travelling both in the UK and abroad. My teenage sons have already been eying it up so that’s their birthday presents sorted too!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
We’ve been munching our way through a lot of chocolate this week in preparation for World Chocolate Day on the 7th July. As well as traditional chocolate we have been sampling some plant based brands as being Vegan or following a dairy free or gluten free diet no longer means you need to miss out on delicious chocolate treats.
Happi Choc was founded by Gavin, Lee & Rosie who spotted a gap in the market for top quality, healthier and FUN plant based treats that they were happy to share with their children and enjoy themselves. Lower in sugar than other chocolate brands the chocolate is sustainably sourced with the cacao bought directly from a Columbian family owned business and co-operative called Luker. The company are 100% ethically driven and work closely with a network of farmers, alliances and communities to improve social welfare, biodiversity and farming practices. (We recently tried FATSO chocolate which is sourced from the same Columbian business)
The Happi chocolate is made using single origin 47% Colombian cacao and oat milk and comes in a range of delicious flavours – Plain Milk, White Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Orange, Cacao Nibs Crunch & White Raspberry.
Happi chocolate is the very first oat milk chocolate I have tried and I have to say I’m really impressed, the chocolate is smooth and creamy and there is definitely no compromise on taste and with less sugar it’s better for my waistline too!
My favourite was the Cacao Nib Crunch, the rich flavour combined with the crunchy cacao nibs is simply irresistible and a chocolate lovers dream. For white chocolate lovers the White Raspberry bar is one to try, with plenty of freeze dried raspberries giving it a fruity boost this one is incredibly moreish!
The packaging is also recyclable with a cardboard box and a home compostable plastic inner. They also give 1% of their annual net sales revenue to good causes and mental health organisations so another good reason to try it.
Happi is available in 40g and 80g bars from Selfridges, Ocado, Amazon and local independent retailers.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I am a real chocoholic and don’t need much of an excuse to eat chocolate, so I am really enjoying the lead up to World Chocolate Day on the 7th July.
I love discovering new chocolate brands and one I hadn’t come across before is FATSO who use a Columbian family owned business and co-operative called Luker as their sole chocolate supplier. The company are 100% ethically driven and they grow delicious, sustainable cocoa that has been awarded the highest chocolate classification, FINO DE AROMA. They also work closely with a network of farmers, alliances and communities to improve social welfare, biodiversity and farming practices.
So with such great credentials the big question is, what does the chocolate actually taste like? Well, that’s very easy to answer. Absolutely delicious!!
We tried two different bars – the King’s Ransom (Mint Pistachio & Cocoa Nibs) and Home Run (Salted Pretzel, Whole Almond & Honeycomb).
One of the things that really surprised me about the King’s Ransom bar (and I really know it shouldn’t) is that it had such a wonderful minty flavour rather than the strong synthetic representation of mint we have become accustomed to in cheaper brands. The minty flavour together with the crunchy texture of the pistachio and cocoa nibs made this a delight to eat.
The Home Run bar is a 60% cacao bar with generous chunks of salted pretzel, whole almonds and honeycomb. This winning combination of flavours complement each other and it is easy to pick out all the flavours, the saltiness of the pretzel takes away some of the bitterness of the dark chocolate and sweetness comes from the honeycomb. Nuts add a satisfying crunch to this bar.
The quality of FATSO chocolate is exceptional and it’s definitely the best I’ve tasted in a quite a while. One taste and you will see that their chocolate is a world apart from something you might pick up from the supermarket. At £6.50 for a 150g bar it is on the expensive side but you are paying for a quality product here – just keep it out of the way of the children and savour every piece!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
The past 12 months has been a royal whirl with the late Queen’s Lying in State, Funeral and now the Coronation of King Charles in May. Hellen Jay Rhind has written a children’s book about the day King Charles III was crowned and what the different parts of the ceremony mean.
The 30 page book is aimed at children aged 6 to 12. Starting with the details of Prince Charles (as he was when he was born) and how the late Queen was crowned in 1953 at Westminster Abbey, the story tells the Royal Family up until 6 May 2023 when the King is crowned. The day is explained with illustrations on one side and details on the opposite page. However, the drawings are not accurate to the members of the Royal Family, nor are the illustrations that of Westminster Abbey nor Buckingham Palace, but they are fairy palaces which will appeal to young children.
The book goes into detail about the types of carriages that were used, the Household Cavalry, the ceremony route and the types of jewels used as symbolic gestures. At the very back, there are photographs of the state crowns, The Royal Robes, The Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross and The Sovereign’s Orb, making them easy for children to identify.
This is a great bedtime book, or a book for children interested in royalty, kings and queens and princess castles! The book takes about 15 minutes to read and would act as a prompt for children to ask more questions about the monarchy and what happened at the Coronation in May. It’s also a nice keepsake for the Coronation for anyone who was there on the day or wants to remember it!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Father’s Day will soon be here, and you may (or may not!) have started thinking of a gift for your Dad. Beer and chocolate always go down well but sometimes it’s nice to find a gift that means a little more and photo gifts are great as anyone receiving one is bound to appreciate the thought that has gone into creating it.
myFUJIFILM have a fantastic selection of products on their website that would make a superb Father’s Day gift including #photobooks, mugs, water bottles and #prints. The website is simple to use with a page dedicated to Father’s Day gift ideas. Each gift has plenty of images so you can get an idea of what the finished product will look like, and prices and delivery times are clearly indicated. Once you have selected your gift it is easy to create your masterpiece, simply choose the photos you love and myFUJIFILM will transform them into a personalised gift that you and your family can enjoy for years to come.
I created a photobook which was very easy to do – there are plenty of different options on the size, shape and look of your book, you can choose rectangular or square, hard or soft cover, matt or gloss paper and there are different size options too. Everything about the book can be edited, there is the option to add backgrounds, change the layout and add text to personalise your photobook.
I found it very easy to add photos and once the photos are uploaded you can either use the “Auto Fill” option to add the photos to your book in one go or add them manually. The “Auto Fill” is much quicker and you can still alter the layout but it does make it harder if you wanted to group certain photos together on one page.
Once you are happy with your design it is time to place your order, the process is nice and easy and you can add multiple copies of the same gift which will be great at Christmas. Once the order had been placed I received a confirmation email and a second email once my products had been dispatched, which also including tracking information.
myFUJIFILM have gifts for all budgets so take a look at their website where you will be able create a gift of precious memories, use the code LOVEDAD40 to get 40% off all personalised gifts.
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Some men are notoriously difficult to buy presents for, a lot of my family are farmers and with no time for hobbies and days out this tends to rule out a lot of traditional Father’s Day gifts. The one present I know will go down well is a tractor and whilst I can’t stretch to a real one, a Britains tractor from Tomy is definitely the next best thing. Britains 1:32 die-cast replica models are incredibly well made and I haven’t met a farmer yet who doesn’t have at least a couple on the shelf.
Farmers tend to prefer a particular brand of tractor and in my family it’s New Holland, the T7.300 LWB Blue Power tractor is a favourite, it is designed for high power yet is still compact sized. It has a power output of 280hp which can be boosted up to a maximum of 300hp so it certainly packs a powerful punch. The new flagship model from Britains captures every detail of this impressive machine, we have the removeable Horizon Ultra cab which allows you see the intricate details of the interior, big soft feel tread tyres along with a working steering wheel and detailed die cast body. The front wheels turn easily and pivot up and down so they can be driven over uneven ground and it has a front A frame hitch and rear tow hitch, which is compatible with other 1:32 scale models so you can attach whatever trailer or implement you need.
Currently priced at £34.45 on Amazon I know plenty of farmers who would love to receive one of these on Father’s Day!
For younger farmers the John Deere Kids 36 piece giant floor puzzle is a great activity to do with Dad on Father’s Day. Measuring 3’ x 2’ this jigsaw features a fantastic countryside scene and the large pieces are nice and sturdy and easy for little hands to pick up without bending or tearing. The pieces slot together nicely and the picture is bright and vibrant. Our mini reviewer loved this jigsaw completing it three times in a row before I dragged them away to have tea!
As well as being great fun to do jigsaws are a great way to develop hand eye coordination and fine motor skills and conversation too, our mini reviewer talked nonstop about what each character was going to do on the farm!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
I suffer with very dry skin and eczema and when it flares up it my skin becomes red and itchy and the skin on my hands and feet starts to crack which can be incredibly painful. I grew up on a dairy farm and remember my mother using the cow udder cream on her hands as it really helped her eczema, so when I heard about MooGoo, whose first ever product was based on cow udder cream, I knew I had to try it.
MooGoo is a Australian company which came about by accident after the founder, Craig Jones noticed his Mum using cow udder cream on her hands. Udder cream is quite thick and hard to apply so he decided to reformulate the cream, creating a lighter, non-greasy version which was a big hit with family and friends – so much so that he ended up going into business with this new cream which was aptly named MooGoo. Initially they only made one product but over the years the range has expanded to include 40 products.
If you haven’t tried MooGoo products before then the travel pack is perfect to start with as it contains four different products in a handy travel bag.
Milk Shampoo 100ml – Made using a combination of gentle Coconut and Glucose based cleansers it is designed for people with sensitive scalps, itchiness or flakiness. The shampoo lathered well and left my hair lovely and clean and after a couple of washes I noticed my scalp wasn’t as flaky.
Conditioner 100ml – This conditioner contains Jojoba Oil which moisturises hair leaving it soft, hydrated and free of tangles. It left my hair lovely and soft and it helped hydrate my curls leaving them shiny and bouncy.
Milk Wash 100ml – Made with a combination of 6 gentle, natural, low-irritant cleansers and designed to be used for the face and body. It is nice and gentle on my skin and a little goes a long way.
Skin Milk Udder Cream 100g – This is the original product that Craig first created. It is designed to hydrate skin using the natural ingredients and oils that contain the types of fatty acids needed for healthy skin. I have been using this on my hands and feet and it has really improved the condition of my skin in only a couple of weeks.
All the bottles have handy pump action dispensers, and they are just the right size to pop in my bag when I go away this summer.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
Gin has become incredibly popular over the last few years with plenty of small distilleries starting up, each with their own unique gin flavours. Being a gin fan myself, I do enjoy sampling all the different types and when it comes from a city close to my heart it’s even better.
Manchester Gin was created back in 2016 by Jen Wiggins and Seb Heeley who met in a Manchester bar. They both shared a love of gin so decided to take the plunge and create their own starting distilling in their dining room. Fast forward to 2019, the couple opened a brand new distillery, bar and restaurant under railway arches in the centre of Manchester, where you can not only sample the gin but see it being made too.
Made in the heart of Manchester the aptly named Manchester Gin Signature is distilled in a copper still and is one of the most awarded gins in the country. It is a citrus-led gin with 12 botanicals including orange, lemon and dandelion and burdock. The gin is spicy and sweet and makes a very refreshing G&T.
I served the gin with a premium Indian tonic water and plenty of ice, adding lemon and lime slices to make the perfect G&T. This is a very refreshing crisp flavoured gin, having a real juniper punch and a delicate sweetness from the liquorice.
Once I had tried a traditional G&T it was time to hit the cocktails and I found it worked well in the classic Gin Fizz or add fresh lime juice, homemade lime syrup and mint for my favourite – the zingy Gimlet cocktail.
If you are heading up to Manchester any time soon you can book a distillery tour where you can see the process and taste their gin for yourself. For gin connoisseurs you can even create your own gin. If you can’t get up to Manchester then the 42% proof gin is available from The Whiskey Exchange at a very reasonable £34.95.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
Whilst the Coronation is still fresh in our minds it’s the perfect time to introduce a new game from Drumond Park. Best of The Royals is part of the popular LOGO brand and the theme of this version of the game is the Royal family, who are probably the most well-known family in the world.
With 200+ Royal-themed questions it is not only a fun and entertaining game for all the family it is also a history lesson too!
Played with 2 teams (age 12+) rather than a traditional playing board, the players race to complete a royal themed jigsaw puzzle. Setting up the game is very simple, all you do is take the cards and jigsaw pieces out of the box, place the cards in the middle of the table and give each team their 22 jigsaw pieces.
Game play is nice and easy, the team with the youngest player starts first and the oldest player from the other team becomes Question Master. He takes the top card and asks the question or shows the picture to the other team (whilst hiding the answers from his own team as they might be able to win a bonus jigsaw piece if the other team answer incorrectly). If the team get the answer right, they select a corner piece and place it on the table, if they are wrong the other team have the opportunity to answer and win an extra piece. Play continues with the same team answering the remaining three questions on the card before play is passed to the other team. One jigsaw piece is awarded for every correct answer and the winner is the first team to finish the jigsaw with the large centre piece.
This is a great game to play at family parties, the questions are varied with the classic LOGO picture, theme and pot luck question cards. The questions cover the present day and life during the reign of the late Queen Elizabeth II and we learnt quite a lot when playing. I do wonder how many times we can play it without remembering the answers but with 200+ cards and different players I don’t think it will be too much of a problem just yet.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
As a perimenopausal woman, the hormonal changes that my body is currently experiencing are really playing havoc with my skin. My normal skincare products don’t seem to be as effective as they once were, and my skin has become incredibly dry and dull looking. Looking in the mirror I see fine lines and wrinkles appearing and with so much choice in the skincare market it can be difficult to know where to start. Luckily Environ were on hand and kindly sent me the Environ Focus Care Youth+ Malachite NP-Complex Seriénce™ Night Serum to try.
The serum has been developed to target the effects of stress-induced ageing so perfect for menopausal women like myself. It is also the top aestheticians choice and according to Environ focuses on the power of award-winning overnight skin science to counteract the negative effects of stress-induced ageing and inflammation.
I have been using the serum every evening for the last month and can honestly say that my skin feels transformed. I apply after I have cleansed and toned my skin and massage it in, concentrating on those areas where I have lines (and unfortunately there are plenty of those!). The lightweight gel formula seems to just melt into my skin and feels hydrating without being heavy on my skin. After a month my skin feels softer and has a radiance that wasn’t there before. I have also noticed that the fine lines around my eyes seem to be fading which I am really pleased about. I haven’t changed any other elements of my “beauty” regime, so do believe these benefits are from using the night serum.
It isn’t cheap ( £45 for 30ml), but then nor are many of the similar serums on the market. You only need a small amount so a bottle will last a long time and I would say it is worth every penny.
Disclaimer: we received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
I have reached the age when looking after my skin has become a lot more important. Since hitting the perimenopause my skin is drier and the fine lines and wrinkles are becoming more and more noticeable so I was really pleased to be given the opportunity to try a selection of serums from the new skincare range from Annabelle Minerals
Facial serums are an essential step in any skin care routine, they are lightweight and easily absorbed and offer concentrated key ingredients. Annabelle Minerals have three serums – Glow Juice (20% Vitamin C) Repair Juice (0.3% Retinol) and Clarity Juice (5% Niacinamide) and the serums are designed to work alongside moisturiser. Used twice a day they will make a noticeable difference to how the skin looks and feels.
It takes around 4-6 weeks to start seeing benefits from new skincare products so with three serums to try I decided the best way to test them was to use each serum on a different part of my face. It’s been 6 weeks since I started using them and I am amazed at the difference they have made to my skin.
The Glow Juice Serum is my favourite of the three, after a couple of weeks the fine lines around my eyes were noticeably softened and as the weeks went on they continued to fade. This was a very pleasing result and it was also good to see that my skin is looking brighter too.
The Clarity Juice provides nourishment to my skin and it has really helped with the visible pores on my forehead, it has minimised their appearance and I am hoping with continued use I will continue to see an improvement.
The Repair Juice contains retinol which is a real wonder product. It stimulates skin renewal processes, improves elasticity, reduces the visibility of pores, evens out skin tone and texture, and reduces inflammation. Anyone new to using retinol should start by applying the serum twice a week to build tolerance, gradually increasing application to daily. I have been using this at night and my skin is clearer and the fine lines at the corner of my mouth are becoming less noticeable. I also noticed that my skin looks and feels smoother.
Annabelle Minerals products are 100% organic and it’s good to know that as well as doing a great job fighting the visible signs of aging these serums are good for your skin too. The silky serums are a very effective addition to my daily beauty regime and I was surprised to discover that they are only £27.90/bottle – a lot cheaper than other serums I have tried and much more effective.
If you want to read more about Annabelle Minerals products you can read our review of the lip and eye pencils here
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review. All thoughts and opinions are our own.
I have curly hair and looking after it can be quite troublesome. At the moment it is dry and frizzy and I am certainly having more bad hair days than good so I was really pleased to receive a couple of Smooth & Groom products from Justice Haircare to see if they could transform my wild, frizzy locks.
Justice Haircare is an Australian brand which was founded on the sun-kissed beaches of Sydney Australia back in 1990. Inspired by nature their philosophy is to harness the very best elements of Australia – nature, authenticity and fun – and create haircare products that can be enjoyed by everyone no matter what type of hair you have. They have a fantastic range of products including, shampoos, conditioners, anti-dandruff and dry scalp products, leave-in treatments as well as styling products and hair colours.
I love their simple, yet stylish packaging, the vibrant pink looks stunning against the white bottle and definitely brightens up the bathroom.
The shampoo smells lovely, very sweet and floral and is a nice consistency, it lathers well leaving my hair feeling fresh and clean.
My curly hair tends to be dry, frizzy and dull so a hydrating conditioner is an important step in my haircare routine. The Smooth & Groom Deep Conditioner is rich and creamy and contains Pro-Keratin formula, plant stem cells and marine collagen which has really helped give my curls a healthy dose of hydration, nourishment, and protection and has left them noticeable shinier and softer. It was easy to apply to my hair and after combing through I left it on for the recommended 5 minutes before scrunching it into my hair to help add moisture to my curls. It rinsed out easily and left my hair tangle free.
These products leave my hair feeling super soft and nourished and my curls are shinier and more defined. I usually leave my hair to dry naturally, and I have noticed that my curls are a lot less frizzy now. I occasionally use a hairdryer with a diffuser and when I dry it this way my hair is easier to style and has a lot more bounce and volume.
My curls really adore this duo, the dry frizzy mop has been transformed into glossy, defined curls.
If you are looking for a product that smells lovely and gives quality results at a very reasonable price then I recommend that you give Justice Professional a try, I guarantee you won’t be disappointed!
The 300ml shampoo and conditioner bundle costs a very reasonable £20
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Anyone looking for chocolate gifts will love the PLAYin CHOC organic chocolate range. Made from Peruvian Cacao it has no dairy, no gluten, no nuts and is totally vegan. The business was started by Maya back in 2016 when she wanted to create dairy-free chocolate using the simplest ingredients; cacao, coconut and vanilla. Maya also wanted to promote awareness about the planet’s biodiversity and offer an ethical alternative, so all of the PLAYin CHOC products are plastic free.
Beyond how award winning this chocolate is (It has won the Great Taste Award in 2022 for both their dark and milk chocolates, among other accolades), the range is something to behold in terms of fun. Just a quick look at their website and you can see the chocolate gift boxes available, all of which include their winning chocolate, but also have models which children can build based on the theme of the gift box. There’s Endangered Animals, Woodland Animals, Dinosaurs, Rabbits and a Christmas box. There’s some lovely 12 and 24 day advent calendars available at Christmas time too!
For the adults, PLAYin CHOC also have 60gram tablets of 6 pieces of chocolate. We were sent the Peruvian Cacao Milk Chocolate and Peruvian Cacao Dark Chocolate to try. Each chocolate is wrapped in compostable material (it looks like plastic but it’s not) so you can store them easily or even add them to a lunchbox for a quick chocolate treat.
My favourite was the Dark Chocolates. You can really taste the cacao in them, and there’s a strong flavour from the coconut as well. I really enjoyed the fact that there were no added extras to the chocolate, it’s a chocolate lover’s worse nightmare to be deterred from the real chocolate by additives, preservatives and unnecessary flavourings. The dark chocolate has a stronger chocolate flavour,, but the milk chocolate is milder if you’re not a big fan of dark.
If you’ve never tried PLAYin CHOC, have a look at their website for chocolate for both chocolate for the kids, as well as yourself!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
If you are looking for a last minute Mother’s Day gift then the Rituals The Ritual of Ayurveda Gift set needs to be top of your list, it is beautifully wrapped (always a bonus when you have left your gift buying to the last minute!) and contains a lovely selection of products for your mum to pamper herself with.
From the moment I unwrapped the origami designed packaging and discovered the sturdy floral designed cardboard box I could tell that this was going to be a special gift set. On lifting the lid of the gift box, I discovered four travel sized products – foaming shower gel 50ml, rich body oil 30ml, body cream 70ml and hair & body mist 20ml – everything you need to bring a little luxury into your bathroom.
The Ritual of Ayurveda products are designed to help you achieve inner harmony and are based on the aromas of Indian rose and sweet almond oil. These products all smell amazing and are a real sensual treat.
The foaming shower gel lathers nicely and when used alongside the body cream helps carry the delicious scent around with you all day. The body oil is wonderful to apply, it glides on like silk and supercharges my skin with moisture. The oil is light and absorbs quickly, leaving behind the most gorgeous scent and leaving my skin smooth, soft and with a healthy sheen. The hair and body mist has the same beautiful fragrance and the handy sized bottle is perfect to keep in your handbag.
The Ritual Of Ayurveda giftset makes a lovely Mother’s Day gift – pure luxury & the ultimate indulgence for that special person in your life.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
Sleeping on silk has many benefits and lots of my curly haired friends have switched to silk pillowcases since discovering they help to reduce frizz. Sleeping on silk is also good for your skin as silk absorbs less moisture and dirt than cotton meaning your night cream will stay on your face and keep your skin hydrated, rather than ending up all over your pillowcase.
Although silk bedding sounds incredibly luxurious I was pleasantly surprised when I looked at the Jasmine Silk website and discovered that silk bedding doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. With pillowcases starting at £16 it is definitely worth considering, as not only is it lovely to sleep on, the added health benefits add to the attraction.
They kindly sent me one of their Ultimate Silk Pillowcases to try and as soon as I took it out of the packaging I could feel how luxurious this product was. Made from 100% Mulberry silk I love the feel and softness of the pillowcase and when I went to bed it was a delight to sleep on. It was also lovely and cool which is a huge benefit as now I am perimenopausal I am suffering from the dreaded hot flushes which are invariably worse at night, and I don’t sleep very well anymore. After a few good nights sleep I am considering getting the matching sheets too as I am so impressed with the pillowcase. When I woke up my curls were still nice and bouncy and noticeably less frizzy so not only do I sleep better my hair looked better too.
The pillowcase was a good fit on my pillow, well-fitting but loose enough to easily take on and off. With an envelope closure it looks neat on my bed. The pillowcase was easy to wash, it can be washed in a machine at 30 degrees and tumbled dried at a low temperature. I dried mine outdoors which helped reduce the creases and a cool iron quickly removed the rest.
Jasmine Silk have silk pillowcases in a variety of styles and a choice of 11 different colours and they also have silk bedding so you can sleep in luxury every night. With Mother’s Day fast approaching why not treat your Mum and give the gift of sleep this year?
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
Whilst an Alfa Romeo car may be way out of your price range you can buy your loved one a taste of Alfa Romeo style with a bottle of Alfa Romeo fragrance from Agence de Parfumerie
This fragrance is packaged in a bright red box emblazoned with the Alfa Romeo logo. The deep red bottle is chunky and modern and with the chrome lid is a stylish addition to any bathroom or bedroom.
When my husband tried the fragrance the first thing I noticed was the freshness, with top notes of pink pepper, pineapple and citrus they sharpen the senses without being overpowering. With fruity middle notes and base notes of amber and tonka bean the fragrance settles down to be a more earthy scent which is very pleasant and appeals to all ages – my 21 year old son liked it just as much as my husband does.
It doesn’t have a heavy scent so is perfect both as a day or evening fragrance and it lasts well – a couple of spays will last all day.
With a RRP of £19.95 for the 100ml bottle it’s also very reasonably priced and the perfect gift this Valentine’s Day.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own
There’s still time to pick up a Valentine’s gift for a loved one and we have some lovely fragrances to share with you. Lasting longer than roses (and cheaper too!) Agence de Parfumerie’s Cabotine Rose EDT is a delightfully fresh perfume that looks and smells like a luxury perfume but without the hefty price tag. With top notes of cherry blossom, mandarin and pear, heart nots of mimosa, peony and pikake flower and base notes of vetiver, sandalwood and plumeria petals this floral perfume is light and feminine and perfect for every day wear. I found that I only needed to apply this perfume once during the day as the perfume is quite long lasting. I received many comments from my friends and colleagues who said how nice it is and wanted to know what the fragrance was.
The box is very pretty with a raised floral design which is also picked up on the lid of the perfume bottle which is a lovely pink floral design and looks stunning on my dressing table.
This is a lovely perfume and is suitable for all ages, at £14.95 for 100ml it is very reasonably priced for such a lovely, long lasting fragrance. It is perfect as a gift or why not treat yourself!
The Review Studio 