Category: Summer

Swizzels Sweet Shop Favourites for Father’s Day

Birthday Gifts, Children, Days Out, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Halloween, Lunchbox Fillers, secret santa, snacks, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Vegan

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

Think back to the sweets you had when you were young. Were Refreshers among them? What about Drumsticks and Love Hearts?  Swizzels Sweets have a treat for Dads this Father’s Day with a bumper selection perfect for Dad; or Grandad to keep him occupied during the weekend. We were sent a huge assortment of Swizzels sweets to test before the big Father’s Day onslaught of chocolate, sweets and treats so we hope you get some inspiration from these for your Dad!

First up is the big box of Swizzels Sweet Shop Favourites. At 650 grams net it’s a pot pourri of favourites including Parma Violets, Refreshers, Double Lollies, Fizzers, Fruity Pops and Love Hearts. There’s also Drumsticks and Drumstick Squashies which are the same flavour but the Squashies are obviously softer on the teeth! Each of the sweets are as you remember them as a child and in this enormous round box, you can share them out within the family too.  They’re great for dipping into when you need to get a sugar rush or to give out after dinner. Dad will love them for the memories too.

Also in the review package were variety packs with a packet of another favourite – Swizzels Luscious Lollies.  There’s 16 lollies in this 176 gram pack which include Drumsticks, Fruity Pops and Double Lollies. Yes, there are some repeats here from the box of Sweet Shop Favourites but they are delicious and you probably don’t want to be taking a whole box out with you when you picnic or go on days out so 16 in a pack is ideal. All the lollies featured in this pack are also vegan and free from artificial colours.

There’s two more similar packs of sweets with the Swizzels Curious Chews at 171 grams and Swizzels Scrumptious Sweets at 173 grams.  The Curious Chews contain Drumsticks (again), Refreshers, and then Sour Refreshers, Puds (sticky toffee pudding flavour) and Fudg-eee Fudge Chews. None of those are recognisable to me so I’m guessing they’re new in the last few decades. They are indeed very chewy! I would stick to one at a time for these if you have anywhere near loose fillings but they are very addictive and the Fudg-eee and Puds really do taste as they’re supposed to.  The Scrumptious Sweets are some of our familiar Swizzels favourites including Drumsticks, Refreshers and Fizzers which again, are universally liked.

Finally, we have the Love Hearts! Everyone knew these sweets growing up so it’s only right that Dad gets them on Father’s Day too. The messages are slightly changed from the less-politically correct ones we might have had but the sentiments are the same. Love Hearts are vegan and free from Artificial Colours and this pack weighing 127 grams has approximately 12 little packs of sweets included, each with love messages on each sweet.

If you’re looking for a fun treat for Dad for Father’s Day, Swizzels Sweets are definitely going to be a favourite for any sweet tooth Dad!

Available from Ocado and other supermarkets: https://www.ocado.com/products/swizzels-sweet-shop-favourites-tub-456465011?ds_rl=1291426&ds_rl=1290929&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw0YGyBhByEiwAQmBEWjC2y6gjspdSz9BGgxRlILm2GTFhSTK2j7tZBBr6UK68eS0CDAGBNhoCUosQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Just Spice BBQ Seasoning

Food & Drink, Home, Summer

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

It is finally BBQ. Well, for the fire lovers amongst us who love to fire up the BBQ but even if you can’t BBQ this weekend, Just Spice have a new BBQ flavouring which can be used on any foods, not just those outdoors!

The New BBQ Allrounder is a smoky barbeque seasoning which can be used on almost anything including meat, fish or vegetables.  You don’t have to BBQ the food for the flavour to come out. Instead, spread it liberally on meats and fish to cook them in the oven or grill, and the same with vegetables such as peppers and onions.  Why not try adding BBQ Allrounder to mashed potatoes?  You could add them to boiled potatoes too or jackets with lashings of cheese if you’re cooking indoors and for outdoor BBQing, adding butter and BBQ Allrounder to sweetcorn will have it popping with taste with the mix of flavours.

You could also try it in the air fryer.  The dry BBQ Allrounder seasoning works really well with vegetables that might have some moisture to them already like tomatoes or squash.  I tried it on avocado though, with seasoning on top of the avocado on toast to give it more of a deep, smoky flavour.

As another seasoning in the Just Spice flavour rack, there are endless items of food you can add BBQ Allrounder to, and you don’t have to get the BBQ out in order to do it!  BBQ Allrounder is found on the herbs and spices section of the supermarkets, or you can buy from the Just Spice extensive range online.

Available at Waitrose from £4.00 https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/products/just-spices-bbq-seasoning/624786-824829-824830

Kalme Day Defence Cream SPF25

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

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

No matter what the weather this summer, a good SPF face cream is needed and it’s true that even dull, overcast weather can damage the skin.

Kalme Day Defence Cream SPF25 is the down to earth daily face cream for all seasons, but best of all, the richness and smoothness of Kalme keeps your skin hydrated and feeling soft too.  The added bonus of SPF25 means you don’t have to put on daily sunscreen too when you’re walking around, which is a bonus in saving time and money.

During the summer months when you’re on the beach, by the pool or out playing sports and walking, the sun isn’t your only enemy. All the elements work together to evaporate moisture away from your face.  Walkers and sports men and women find it especially hard to wear a SPF cream to protect their skin without it sliding off. Kalme Day Defence Cream SPF25 is exceptionally rich and takes a while to rub in so you know it’s not going anywhere in any weather! I really liked how thick it was so that I only had to use a small amount most days, but when I needed a denser layer, it was easy to apply and blend in.  It’s great for night time too to give a deeper moisturising level and as it’s a daily face cream, you can use it anywhere including your hands.

There are more expensive day creams out there especially with SPF25 but for a deep, moisturising cream, Kalme Day Defence Cream SPF25 gives all the Department Store protection without the need for the price tag!

Available from £23.95 at:

https://www.skinshop.co.uk/kalme/kalme-day-defence-cream-spf-25

Peptide Dry Shampoo, Scalp Foam and Hair Mask from Hair Gain

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Family Life, Gifts for Her, health, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Vegan, Vegetarian, Women

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

We all need a bit of help with our hair sometimes.  I love the ritual of hair masks, conditioners and then using products to fix my hair once it’s washed and styled.  Hair Gain sent us the Peptide Puff Dry Shampoo, Hair Gain Hair Mask, Hair Gain Scalp Foam and a lovely Hair Gain Comb to try out!

Starting with the Peptide Puff Dry Shampoo, it’s not an aerosol and isn’t like a mousse so it’s easier to use and will last longer too.  The dry shampoo is more of a powder, administered by a soft pad which prevents the powder from going everywhere and also helps direct it to the roots.  I was particularly happy to find that it doesn’t leave a white residue on your hair, nor does it leave a residue on your clothes. Instead, it’s clear and just takes the edge off of the oil in your hair. You can use as much or as little of it as you like so that it takes off more of the greasy shine but you get used to how much you need to use with time.

The Hair Gain Scalp Foam is a fairly new concept for women but men have been using enhancers for years. The foam is absorbed into the scalp and helps grow fuller, thicker hair. It reduces hair breakages from the roots and strengthens hair over time to prevent long term breakages.  This is a product you need to keep using and it’s probably best to use after you’ve washed your hair but before you completely style it. The formula makes your hair fuller anyway so it makes hair styling easier if you like big curls or lots of volume.  Over time, this should have more of an effect so I would go with using it every wash until it’s used up and then you’ll see how good it is!

The Hair Gain Hair Mask is probably my favourite.  It’s a luscious treatment to nourish your hair and is intently hydrating. You only need to use it in your hair for 10 minutes whilst hair is towel dry and then wash out, and once or twice a week is enough. Again, over time this works even better but with just one application you will find that it starts to work on making hair softer and fuller. In combination with the Hair Gain Scalp Foam, it creates thicker locks and less breakages.  It’s also a vegan formula but it does contain alcohol, sulphates and parabens.

The Hair Gain Comb was a nice treat to send to us along with the hair care products! I love a chunky comb so this is great for any hair type whilst you’re in the shower and trying to get the product through your hair as well as smoothing down the cuticles, especially if your hair is long and thick. It looks like plastic but it’s actually made from materials which are 100% biodegradable.

The Hair Gain product package creates an all-round treatment for your hair, from dry shampoo through to hair mask as well as the handy comb!  I’m looking forward over time to seeing the long term results on my hair and how it’s changed in thickness and strength too.

Peptide Puff Dry Shampoo for £15.00: https://www.hairgainnow.com/products/dry-shampoo

Hair Gain Scalp Foam for £25.00 (on sale): https://www.hairgainnow.com/products/hair-gain-scalp-foam?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=4203a01fe&pr_rec_pid=7706678526122&pr_ref_pid=7903145492650&pr_seq=uniform

Hair Gain Hair Mask £25.60 (on sale): https://www.hairgainnow.com/products/hair-gain-hair-mask?pr_prod_strat=e5_desc&pr_rec_id=4203a01fe&pr_rec_pid=6598552125610&pr_ref_pid=7903145492650&pr_seq=uniform

Hair Gain Hair Comb £11.95: https://www.hairgainnow.com/products/hair-gain-wide-tooth-comb?pr_prod_strat=jac&pr_rec_id=4203a01fe&pr_rec_pid=6851814752426&pr_ref_pid=7903145492650&pr_seq=uniform

Clean G Rhubarb Non Alcoholic Gin

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

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

On a sunny afternoon there’s nothing better than sitting in the garden with a good book and a refreshing G&T but the downside is the hangover that one too many glasses bring!  Fortunately, there are some excellent non alcoholic gins available and we have been enjoying this Clean G Rhubarb from Clean Co which has all the deliciousness of a rhubarb gin but doesn’t leave you with a groggy head the next day.  

If you’re not familiar with the brand Clean Co they were founded back in 2019 by Spencer Matthews and they create premium non-alcoholic spirits which taste just like the alcoholic versions. Their drinks are in lovely art-deco style bottles that would look stylish on any drinks trolley and unless you read the label you would be forgiven for thinking they are regular spirits.  

Distilled in copper pot gin stills the Clean G Rhubarb non-alcoholic fruity gin is infused with an array of fruit and botanical flavours, creating a well-balanced, complex spirit that has the beautiful taste and fresh dryness that you expect from a premium gin. I mixed it with an unflavoured light tonic to get the full flavour, adding the recommended wedge of lemon and found it to be a really refreshing drink. I was really impressed with the taste and it was so like a traditional rhubarb gin that my friends were amazed when I told them it was actually non-alcoholic!

With less than 0.5% ABV, no sugar or additional sweeteners and only 14 calories per 50ml serving it’s the perfect choice when you want something special that isn’t alcoholic. A party taste without the hangover – what’s not to like!

A 70cl bottle costs £16 and is available from Clean Co and supermarkets.

TermaBurn Post-Sun Aloe Wrap

beauty, Days Out, Family Life, health, Home, Summer

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

If you’ve ever had sunburn you know what it feels like to have burning skin and your underlying fear of what comes next once the skin dries out. It inevitably isn’t pleasant and isn’t healthy either.

If you find yourself burned this year, especially whilst on holiday, TermaBurn Post-Sun Aloe Wrap combines the healing properties of aloe vera with a revolutionary wrap format which makes it easy and much quicker to apply than aloe vera gel.  The 100% organic aloe is combined with Vitamin E, and Green Tea for anti-inflammation to create a moist web which when placed over the sun burnt skin can help healing. It can also prevent further burning as the aloe and ingredients take away the damaging heat and also leave your skin moist to prevent peeling too.

The whole roll is 52 inches (1.32 metres) which you can cut to any size. So if the burn is on your face, across your back or chest or even on your hands, you have plenty TermaBurn to use liberally to cool your skin. It can be worn under clothes and doesn’t leave a residue and doesn’t need to be refrigerated first. 

Even if you’re not going on holiday, many people find TermaBurn great for grazes and household burns, itches and allergies and generally keeping cool in the summer especially for children and the elderly.  There are no drugs involved so you can use as much as you need and keep it on your skin for as long as needed. Rashes and insect bites are often soothed as well, especially if you put any ointments on underneath and let the TermaBurn do the cooling and sealing on top. 

Whoever came up with this brilliant idea has obviously had some serious sunburn in the past, but hopefully it won’t be as serious anymore with TermaBurn around.

Available from £19.95 at: https://termaburn.co.uk/products/termaburn-aloe-wrap

Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce

Birthday Gifts, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Summer

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

Dads beware! This is a novel Father’s Day Gift you won’t be expecting, unless you’re an award-winning hot sauce lover looking for another challenge!

The Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce is made with the famous Carolina Reaper peppers, known for being the fieriest, hottest peppers in the world and as if you didn’t need any more evidence, even the packaging has black and yellow, “Warning Extremely Hot” written across it! I love the box it comes in too, which adds to the drama of the World’s Hottest Sauce.

Brought to you by Tropical Sun, the international foods experts, Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce is part of a range of international food sauces and lots of other foods you can’t always find in the supermarkets.  It may be a novelty to most people, but if you’re passionate about your hot sauces, this is one to try.  I would recommend trying a small, very small amount with food first and having water to hand.  Not only is it hot but there’s a fiery flavour to it too so you might not like the taste. However, if you are a seasoned hot sauce eater, you won’t need telling how to sample a Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce, but you will enjoy the thrill of trying it!

A brilliant idea for Father’s Day, the Carolina Reaper Hot Sauce will certainly make a gift that will have you talking for years to come. Just remember to take the photos as Dad tries it!

From £1.99 at: https://tropicalsunfoods.com/products/carolina-reaper-hot-sauce?_pos=1&_sid=dc1b14d4c&_ss=r

My Little Sudocrem

Baby, beauty, camping, Children, Days Out, Family Life, health, Home, Sport, Summer

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

It’s that time of year again, when we start to think about the summer beauty products we need. Probably best not to rely on what’s left of last year and instead start anew with some beautiful, yet practical summer products.

My Little Sudocrem 22 gram pots are great for summer, family, taking to work and even better for taking on holiday!  The hand-held pots are filled with Sudocrem but their size makes them so much easier to carry around and to use. Not only for children, I use my Sudocrem as a hand cream when I’m sitting at my desk, or after a bath or shower on any skin area but particularly on hands and feet when they’re dry. You can rub it into knees and elbows too and with a bit of work, any area of skin to create a barrier as well as deep hydration.

If you’ve never used Sudocrem before, let me explain. Sudocrem includes zinc oxide which helps reduce the loss of moisture from the skin. It’s incredibly rich, not like a face cream, but this richness which eventually works into the skin will create a barrier to reduce fluid loss but also create a barrier. Great for the child who loves to amble through the long grass or bracken.  Sudocrem also contains benzol alcohol, which has local anaesthetic and antiseptic properties so if you are out in nature, it allows for the odd scrape or irritant to touch the skin. It’s also packed with Anhydrous hypoallergenic lanolin to both soften and soothe skin, which is great for outdoor life, children and even in the kitchen.

The small 22 gram pot might not sound like much, but as it’s so rich and so powerful, it’s the perfect size for a small area of skin because it goes a long way. Just a tiny dab on the back of the hands needs real effort to work in but when it does, it covers both hands and leaves them smooth and mega hydrated.

I’ve currently got my office using the My Little Sudocrem pots as we are in our busiest time of the year for paperwork.  The dry fingers and chapped thumbs from using so much paper is much soothed by Sudocrem, and even a super dry face enjoys a little hydration, although I use it sparingly as it leaves a bit of a film on softer or more delicate skin!

There are other Sudocrem items available online, but the My Little Sudocrem pots are all-rounders in the summer when virtually anyone can use them from day to day.From £5.95 each at: https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOSARA-PHARMA-My-Little-Sudocrem/dp/B07MXR26G3/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3BISM2WA5U3J&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Hp2noYSexjFvxATmJJ5Oxo4NcP2ZtCRH7KtFl-goMRlSYm4MvY0Rs-cKYa5GBQDfRK9o0YXHQlL8okbLJX_Pcjh6GT0O0yOz7POfdx1E-8yrs_sfoWji1BwRAp7J_GpqdPjFY4d5Iae3RyHxLYuFMlxBfufoPxLKky_y3-lfWf2vat1FvIS6qgfeR2mDdFaP7zdt-L_f6zIHrsjTIcp7RbTiEimreILQdVdRy8BOhjkpNkQaLhGm1qzLLj0E95ZIPdeKZPRqwYm8g7C12qRx0DDiuhWv8e1YJmKiSz3SO40.j4p4X5gH_-WvHSOQ-xA77BZjesaxN3jG02f4Y8ZC2cQ&dib_tag=se&keywords=my+little+sudocrem&qid=1715275193&s=drugstore&sprefix=my+little+sudocrem%2Cdrugstore%2C157&sr=1-1

AA 2024-25 Walking Guides

Birthday Gifts, Books, camping, Days Out, Family Life, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, National Walking Month, Sport, Stocking Fillers, Summer

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

May is National Walking Month and is the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and explore our beautiful countryside. If you’re new to walking or just on holiday, then a guide book is a great way to discover the best routes in the area. The AA have recently launched a new series of walking books covering some of the most beautiful areas of England, each featuring 50 walks to suit all abilities. The walks are numbered and it is easy to see their locations on the handy map at the start of the book. As well as being numbered they are also colour coded according to the difficulty of the walk – easy (green), intermediate(orange) and hard (red).

Each walk has information about the distance, time, gradient, type of surface and accessibility, landscape, dog friendliness, parking, and public toilets as well as the OS map that covers the area. They also give useful information about the area, a little of the history of the area and things to look out for. There is a map of each walk with the route clearly highlighted making it easy to follow the written instructions. As the guide is meant to be taken out on a walk with you it fits perfectly in a map pocket or rucksack, making it easily accessible when walking.  

There are two books covering Yorkshire and there is a great selection of walks in them, some we already know like Malham, Pen-y-Ghent and Grassington and lots for us to discover over the coming months.

Whether you want to explore country lanes, the coast or the fells these handy guides offer plenty of walks for novices and experienced walkers alike.

The new 50 Walks In guides are £13.99 and feature Devon, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire and Worcestershire, Oxfordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, North Yorkshire, and West Yorkshire.  

Available from Amazon and all leading bookstores.

Bodega Continental Snack Packs

camping, Children, Family Life, Lunchbox Fillers, snacks, Summer

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

Snacks with a difference, this time with some protein and grown-up toast crisps, Bodega Snack Boxes are for lunch, snacks or even handy for picnics.

Each pack has under 250 calories and are ready-to-eat with either Smoky Salami or Chorizo plus creamy Cheddar slices and crisp toast pieces fashioned like little pieces of toast! They’re high in protein too and Bodega pride themselves on making all their snacks tasty and varied. The savoury snacks are low in sugar so you won’t get the sugar high, or low, during the afternoon in the office.

Bodega’s Chorizo Snack Pack combines paprika seasoned chorizo with slices of Cheddar cheese and 8 pieces of crisp toast.  You can eat them together, building a sandwich or open sandwich or as individual pieces. I stared by eating them as pieces but realised some butter on the crisp toasts or some pesto or tomato purée would add an extra bit of flavour too. There’s texture with the crisp toasts as well as chunk with the meat. 

The Bodega Smoky Salami Snack Pack is the same set up but with Salami from the North Rhine Westphalia region. Seasoned with pepper and paprika then beechwood smoked, it’s a softer flavour than the chorizo and blends with the Cheddar slices. This is especially good for children who aren’t used to flavoured meats and might want to be introduced slowly to the smoked flavours.

Either pack can be used as ingredients in larger meals such as sandwiches, a buffet or adding to spaghetti Bolognese or with a jacket potato. Students will love these as an easy way to snack that isn’t sugar, and as they last a few weeks in the fridge, you’ll find a use for them soon enough – if the rest of the family don’t raid them first!

Available from Sainsburys and Spar with more information here: https://www.mybodega.co.uk/ 

Woodwick Linen Large Hourglass Candle

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Father's Day, Fragrance, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, Home & Garden, Mother's Day, secret santa, Spring, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Valentine's Day Gifts, Winter, Women

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

Scented candles are an easy way to create a cosy and relaxing ambiance in your home and I find lighting one in the evening really helps me unwind after a busy day at work. I have lots of candles around my house and I love to change the scent to match the seasons. Fresh scents like linen are perfect for Spring so I was really pleased to receive a Woodwick Linen Large Hourglass Candle which not only looks stylish but smells fantastic too – just like freshly washed linen blowing in the breeze.

The candle has Woodwick’s exclusive, patented wooden wick, Pluswick®Innovation which creates the sound of a crackling fire which helps create a cosy ambience when the candle is lit. The wicks are handcrafted and produce a generous wax pool which helps release the beautiful fragrance into the room. Our lounge is very high and sometimes it takes a while for the fragrance to permeate around the room but I found that once lit it didn’t take long for the sublime fragrance to diffuse around the room.  The linen fragrance is nice and fresh and is perfect anywhere in the house, creating a welcoming feel in your hall or a tranquil oasis of calm in a bedroom or bathroom. The fragrance is lovely and not too overpowering and it fragranced my room beautifully, lasting long after the flame had been blown out.  

The candle weighs 610g and whilst there isn’t a burn time given it’s such a big candle I know it will last a good while. The scent is nice and consistent and so far the candle has burned nice and evenly. It is advised to burn the candle for 3-4 hours at a time and trim the wick to 1/8” before each use.

The candle is in a tall, solid glass jar and looks very elegant, the simple design will suit any style of décor and not look out of place whether it’s in the hallway, lounge, bedroom or bathroom.

Woodwick candles are beautiful to look at, smell absolutely gorgeous and as they have such a great selection of fragrances they make perfect gifts for any occasion whether that’s a wedding, housewarming, birthday, Christmas or why not just treat yourself ??

To view more of their range, or find out more about Woodwick candles head over to the Woodwick website.

RRP £32.99

SJCam C200 Pro Action Camera

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

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

What’s better than taking up a new action hobby or sport in 2024? Making a movie of it! Father’s Day has cranked up a notch this year with the high definition SJCam C200 Pro Action Camera.

This camera is absolutely tiny! At less than 7 centimetres tall, it fits inside your pocket, let alone in your hand luggage to go on holiday, or even to take on days out. The 20 MP quality can record in 4K at 30 fps and has an impressive average of 120 minutes battery time. The field of vision is 135 degrees and records in jpeg with features such as time lapse, slow-mo and can even be used as a webcam.

Less of the technical details though and more about what fun you can have with the camera!  The small size makes it easy to adapt to different environments and because it’s waterproof and has a touch screen, you can use it for all sorts of activities. On holiday, it can be used at the beach or by the pool, or you can attach it to one of the enclosed mounts and put on a bike or take on a hike with you. Inside the box is a waterproof case, back clip, frame mount, base mount, curved and flat mount and other accessories including a cleaning cloth, adhesive stickers and USB cable. Everything you need. In case you were worries about how much room this takes up as a box, everything packs into a box which is smaller than the size of a brick!

The SJCam C200 Pro has a built-in stabiliser, giving you anti-shake video thanks to gyro technology and it has automatic face recognition so that you can focus on the action, and not just randomly filmed footage. This makes sense when you realise this is a camera that you don’t look through the view finder, it’s very much a ‘stick it up and go’ type camera where you rely on the settings and view the content later.  The controls are all from the 1.3” touch screen which is easy to use, but it’s not obvious by looking at the camera that it’s also waterproof to 30 metres (98 foot).  It’s excellent for all adventures, but imagine taking it on a high-speed boat ride? Or even surfing or sailing? 

You can share all the footage via Wifi too, so anyone with a phone or device can see a copy of what you’ve captured. I prefer to remove the SD card from the device though and put the card in a computer to transfer the data faster. I wish I could say I was an expert at editing film, but with the right software, you can have some expert level editing going on with really high quality movies from the SJCam C200 Pro.

There are more features to the SJCam C200 Pro but they’re all a bit high tech for a beginner like me. What I will say though, is that taking this camera out and playing with it has really encouraged me to try out some different sports that I wouldn’t normally, just to see how good it can look on camera. It’s also made me explore my video editing software on my Mac so that I can start to use the video I do have and learn how to use the more advanced features of SJCam S200 Pro. So if you’re looking for a project this summer, or want motivation to get into a new sport and keep your hand in photography, this is an excellent way of discovering a world I hadn’t even thought of.

Even better, if you want to get your teenager off their phone and outside more, you could do worse than buy them an SJCam C200 Pro and tell them to go out and explore, just to get the camera working for them. For less than £130, you never know what Kelly Slater or Bode Miller it might inspire.

Available from £129 at: https://shop.sjcam.com/product/cameras/action-cameras/c200-pro

Chantic Home Lip Balms

Autumn, beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Winter, Women

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

Founded in 2020 the mission of Chantic Home is “to create impactful and premium handcrafted gifts whist upholding the highest sustainable and ethical values.” Based in Harrow they offer luxury fragrance and skincare products that are both eco friendly and reasonably priced too.  

I’ve been trying out their 100% natural lip balms this week, which are handmade and available in in four fruity fragrances –  Wild Cherry, Watermelon, Sweet Orange and Passionfruit. Packaged in handy screw top tins they are the perfect size to pop a handbag or pocket, to keep lips moisturised when out and about.

I could tell from the minute I opened the tin that these lip balms are much better quality than an off the shelf lip balm. They smell lovely and fruity and have a silky smooth texture which glides easily onto lips, The balm is quite solid in the tin but quickly warms up with the warmth of a finger and once on your lips it doesn’t feel greasy or sticky and it leaves my dry lips feeling soft and hydrated.

My ideal lip balm is one that pampers and nourishes my lips, keeping them soft and hydrated no matter what the conditions are and these lip balms tick all these boxes. Whether I’m out walking, on the beach or on the top of a windy mountain a quick application of this lip balm is all I need to keep my lips in tip top condition.

Chantic Home have a lovely selection of gifts on their website and they are all very reasonably priced. If you need a gift for a loved one or just want to treat yourself then it’s definitely worth taking a look – there’s even free shipping to the UK so even more of a reason to shop with them!

RRP £4

St Michel Choco Snacks

Children, chocolate, Family Life, Home, Lunchbox Fillers, snacks, Summer

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

The St Michel Muffin, Waffle, Burger and Donut Choco snacks have recently been launched in the UK and we were sent a sample of each to try for this summer.

Made completely free from palm oil with no preservatives, interestingly they are made with cage-free eggs, giving a better life to the hens.  St Michel is France’s premiere cake and biscuit brand, in business since 1905 and very proud of how they select the best quality ingredients.

St Michel Choco Donut
St Michel Choco Burger

Each box has 6 individually wrapped cakes, each one weighing around 30 grams each. Each variety has a different shape and use of the chocolate, so you’ll soon have a preference as to whether you like your chocolate in the middle (Choco Burger) or a Choco Donut, dipped in chocolate instead. The Choco Muffins are just as tasty and probably more suited to adults wanting a snack in the office or on the go and the Choco Waffles make a fun treat for anyone. 

They’re made in France with French ingredients including French wheat with each sponge cake in a different shape or formation and topped or filled with smooth chocolate. They certainly have that chocolate-y taste which gives you the sweet hit when you need it. The sponges are feather light and contain sunflower oil instead of palm oil to not only save the palm oil forests but the sunflower gives a different hit to the texture of the sponge.  The chocolate, which is made of hazelnut paste, is deliciously decadent and just what you would imagine from French patisseries. Just keep them less than 25 degrees centigrade otherwise you’ll end up with a sticky mess this summer!

St Michel Choco snacks are a fabulous snack idea for anyone who loves cake, needs a snack or wants something with a bit more goodness than sweets during the day. Perfect for chocolate lovers too.

Available from £2.00 at Tesco, Waitrose and online at Ocado: https://www.ocado.com/products/st-michel-doomino-chocolate-584037011

Clean G Rhubarb Flavoured Non-Alcoholic Gin

Birthday Gifts, Drinks and Mixers, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Spring, Summer, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

Gin and tonics are becoming more sophisticated these days, especially with home-grown gin from the British Isles.  Not only is Clean G a non-alcoholic gin though, but it has the botanical flavours you’d expect of a rhubarb gin, plus none of the sugar.  Oh, and it’s vegan too!

Clean G Rhubarb won 95 points in the IWSC Awards 2021 and is becoming a favourite amongst those who love gin, rhubarb gin and particularly people who are not drinking alcohol. Think post-lockdown, where everyone is trying to give up alcohol, save money and still work from home.  There’s no harm in a 2pm G&T if it’s made with Clean G non-alcoholic gin but it still feels like you’re celebrating or winding down because of the flavour.

Let’s talk about the flavour.  It’s a take on a London Dry Gin, so it has the flavour of rhubarb by with a dryness that makes it more like a grown-up drink.  Added perfectly to a tonic (we were sent a set of Fever Tree tonics to try it with!) you can still add lemon or any of your favourite garnishes and the flavour of a gin and tonic is still there.  The texture of a London Dry Gin is also there, with the tangy aftertaste of the rhubarb to remind you that it’s still got spirit, if not any sugar or alcohol.

There’s no reason why you couldn’t use Clean G Rhubarb in cocktails as well.  The Clean G website has some fantastic cocktail recipes based on well known bar cocktails at: https://clean.co/blogs/clean-cocktails?spirit=clean_g_rhubarb  We particularly like the Clean Applepolitan which includes apple, cranberry and lots of ice along with the Clean G Rhubarb of course!  

Available in supermarkets and online for £16 at:

Clean G Rhubarb

Clearspring Japanese Condiments

Family Life, Food & Drink, Gluten Free, Home, Spring, Summer

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

Clearspring produce authentic Japanese fine foods and have recently added five new condiments to its offering: Organic Shichimi, Organic Irigoma Whole Sesame and Black Sesame, and Organic Gomashio Whole Sesame and Black Sesame flavour. Of course, we were eager to try them ourselves so the team sent over a batch of them, including some gluten free Soba noodles and Brown Rice noodles to make a proper meal of it!

The box of treats also included some recipe cards, so I had a go at making Zaru Soba with cold dipping broth.  Using the Buckwheat Soba Noodles, Clearspring Organic Irigoma Sesame Seeds, Shichimi Togarashi Seven Spices and Clearspring Sushi Nori and Clearspring Organic Instant Noodle Broth Tsuyu (both not shown) I got to making the quick lunchtime recipe. All it took was boiling the noodles as instructed on the pack, diluting the noodle broth and adding the sesame seeds and the sushi nori with some radish and spring onion. Literally just 10 minutes and you have a lunch, or snack, which you can add to chicken, beef or any other main dish. The noodles themselves were a lovely meal though and I’d happily have them as a snack too.

The different types of sesame seeds can be used for sushi, rice, noodles, salads or tofu. All of the condiments featured here are staples in Japanese kitchens, so why haven’t we seen them before? Clearspring are bringing us these new flavours, and textures, to your cooking to make a difference to every day meals or helping you try something new – have you ever made your own sushi before?  

One example is Shichimi, or Seven Spices.  Containing chilli, citrus notes and complex umami rich flavours of nori and sesame, it’s quintessentially Japanese but also flavoursome enough that you can use it anywhere. This was a great addition to the Soba noodles I made, but actually, it goes well with meats too and I found it to be a lovely addition to salads. It’s ready made with all the mix of flavours so you can add it straight from the bottle with no thinking. Like all the Clearspring ingredients, it’s organic too.

You’ll also find similar uses for the different types of sesame seeds which were included in the pack sent to us; Gomashio and Irigoma in both toasted black and whole sesame seeds.  These are traditionally used in noodles and some are used in sushi and tofu too but mixed with sea salt, they give a different flavour to any dish. Try mixing it in rice to give a different blend, or adding to sushi too.  The noodles are a great cupboard stash for you to go to whenever you need a quick meal, and the Clearspring condiments are your secret power to be able to add an extra flavour element to not only Japanese meals, but to any meals you make.

Which Clearspring flavour are you going to experiment with this spring?

Available online from £3.99 at: https://www.clearspring.co.uk/collections/condiments

The Garden of Eva Relish and Chutney from the American South

Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, Lunchbox Fillers, Summer

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

You know it is summer when your neighbours start advertising on WhatsApp that they’ve got a free BBQ to give away, which is what happened to me this morning… and I realised that it probably is outdoor weather from now on.  The Garden of Eva have a lovely array of condiments which are made of garden products you probably wouldn’t have ever thought of making relishes out of!  I’m all for trying new flavours and new ingredients so the lovely team at Garden of Eva sent us some to try.  Any excuse to get the posh cheese out!

Chili-Watermelon Jam
American Southern Chow Chow

The Garden of Eva array include American Southern Chili-Watermelon Jam, American Southern Chow Chow and American Southern Pickled Watermelon Rind.  Starting with the Chili-Watermelon Jam, this watermelon heavy relish contains garlic, ginger, chili peppers and cinnamon with a generous helping of Jalapeno chili to give a beautiful rich flavour.  You can taste the watermelon in it because the juicy sweet flavour comes through, but the hot Jalapeno gives it a beautiful kick that certainly makes you remember it! I tried it with a very strong Cheddar cheese and the two flavours hit it off.

Inspired by the use of watermelon, I then tried the Pickled Watermelon Rind. These are chunks of watermelon rind which have been marinated in sugar and vinegar with only a little salt and cinnamon. They’re absolutely delicious though! They’re not hot to taste, but you can taste the watermelon in them and the slight cinnamon. They’re not tough either, which is what I was expecting from a rind. Instead, they’re really soft and like marinated garlic pieces you get with sushi.  The sweet watermelon taste is there and I can totally see these being eaten straight out of the jar although I’m thinking on a salad to give a different taste, or definitely in a sandwich.  

Lastly, the American Southern Chow Chow contains tomato, cabbage, bell peppers onion and spices with some mustard and celery seeds too.  This again wasn’t too hot, so children could have it, but it does have a tang to it from the vinegar. It was again wonderful! It would go really nicely at a BBQ or with a burger. I’ve never tried Chow Chow before but Garden of Eva makes it taste like it’s homemade.  The flavours of the mustard and spices are all there, and the different textures really make it stand out. Delicious!

If you’re making up a charcuterie board or a hamper for someone who loves food, I guarantee that these are going to be a winner! They’re unusual ingredients but exquisitely put together with just the right amount of vinegar and time to make them a new addition to your fridge this summer. I’m already planning my BBQ around which relishes I want to use up first!

Chili Watermelon Jam £4: https://www.gardenofeva.co.uk/products/chili-watermelon-jam

Pickled Watermelon Rind £6.49 : https://www.gardenofeva.co.uk/products/pickled-watermelon-rind-coming-soon

Chow Chow £5.99: https://www.gardenofeva.co.uk/products/southern-chow-chow

Annabelle Minerals Pressed Powders

beauty, Birthday Gifts, eco friendly, Fashion, Gifts for Her, Home, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Women

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

Spring is here! Which is another excuse to start looking at your make up collection and trying out some new pieces from Annabelle Minerals. We were sent some pressed powders (which I’ve never tried before) to see how we like their summer shades and award winning foundation.

Annabelle Minerals work to the theory of natural make up to bring out your own natural beauty. The ingredients nourish the skin and help prevent clogged pores, inflammation and excess sebum.

The Annabelle Minerals Pressed Powder Foundation comes in a beautiful metal compact with mirror and a separate sponge applicator.  The Pressed Powder Foundation is a concentrated powder which has a slightly different colour to their loose counterparts so it’s worth trying it out first – I put too much on the sponge and found that I had applied the foundation too thickly so I had to reverse the coverage. With a bit of time though, you can soon get the coverage as well as the colour. This is why it’s won the Global Green Beauty Awards in 2023!

No make up…
With Annabelle Minerals Pressed Powder Foundation

The photos show my face without any make-up and then half my face with the Pressed Powder Foundation. As my skin is very light and it’s the beginning of spring, I have the shade Natural Light but with refills online and 20 shades available at Annabelle Minerals’ shop, you can change your shade throughout the year.  You can see the coverage that just one application of the Pressed Powder gives, and with some blending and a proper base (I didn’t use any primer or foundation this time) you can see that the age spots and some of the blemishes are evened out.  The make-up itself feels really light especially as you don’t need much of it to make a difference.  Having the second colour (I was sent a refill of Natural Fair) you can blend both colours together to match your skin tone or the tone of the contour look you’re trying to achieve.

The Pressed Powder is a really good idea because of how concentrated it is and how easy it is to apply. It’s not a liquid foundation so you can take it on a plane with you but it’s so light that you don’t need much and can apply it quickly, in the knowledge that it gives great coverage.  It allowed my skin to breath as well, giving a lovely glow as all Annabelle Minerals products too.  A lovely new product to add to the handbag this year!

Pressed Powder Foundation (in Natural Light colour) £23.90 at:

https://www.annabelleminerals.com/en_gb/face/1387-1923077-pressed-powder-foundation.html#/486-options-metal_compact/501-foundation_shade-natural_light

Hay-Band for Hay Fever suffers

camping, Children, Family Life, health, Home, REUSABLE, Spring, Summer, Theatre

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

I wish I could tell you that I tried out the Hay-Band in some tropical climate, in the middle of summer when all the pollen is in the air and the humidity is a scorcher, but alas, it’s only March here in England and the pollen is only just getting started! However, I am a hay fever sufferer and it does start around this time of year for me, probably with tree pollen from the blossoms. 

I am not good with medications; antihistamines make me drowsy even if they’re the non-drowsy type, so I have to reply on lots of other methods to keep the pollen out, including air purifiers indoors and washing my hair daily to keep levels low. Hay-Band works on non-medical principals – the acupressure points from Chinese Medicine.  The pressure point is called LI-11 and is on either arm, and works to alleviate allergy symptoms.  

The Hay-Band is an elastic double band with a plastic pressure button in the middle. The acupressure point is at the end of the elbow crease when you bend your arm, so it’s at this point you need to slide the band onto your arm and position the button in the right place. There’s a really clear video on the Hay-Band website here: https://hay-band.co.uk

You can wear the band discreetly at all times, and it can be preventative or used when symptoms start.  There are no side effects, so you can use it all times, even in bed at night but it is not advised to be used when pregnant.  If the symptoms aren’t waning, then you can make little adjustments to where the button lays on your arm to hopefully help. The Hay-Band can be re-worn over and over and is washable too – it won’t affect the button position if you put it through the washing machine!

I found that putting the band on was a bit tight as I have quiet muscly arms and the band is only available in one colour and one size so far (15cm – 40cm circumference). Once it sits on your arm, you hardly notice it’s there but I think once the button hits the right place when your allergies are flaring, you suddenly feel it. It would be perfect for children or people who have to work without having to take drowsy medication and of course, as soon as you take it off the effect will stop working so if you don’t get on with it, there’s no harm done.

I can’t wait to use it when summer is finally here, and in conjunction with other non-medical methods it should work perfectly especially when out and about or needing to work. Just pay attention to the tan lines it may create if you wear it on holiday…

Available online for £13.09 at: https://hay-band.co.uk/buy

TOZO Tonal Dots T12 Wireless Earbuds

Birthday Gifts, Children, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, Summer, Tech

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

The TOZO Tonal Dots T12 Wireless Earbuds are some nifty headphones which for the price, do everything you expect them to do and more.  We were sent a pair to review this week, which are perfect for the summer and those sports activities that are starting again soon.

The TOZO Tonal Dots T12 are wireless stereo earbuds which come in their own carry case which acts as a charger case too.  The charge case has a digital display to show you how much charge the headphones have, so that you know to charge them or that you have up to 15 hours of full charge left- which is pretty much a whole plane journey or 2 weeks plus of running, gym or walking.  I haven’t needed to recharge them yet, but judging by other TOZO earbuds, it shouldn’t take long with a USB cable fast connection.

The Tonal Dots are easy to connect with Bluetooth 5.3. Yes, you need a phone or appliance with Bluetooth 5.3 but most of us do nowadays, then connecting is easy because my phone (and laptop) could ‘see’ the TOZO headphones when they were in the charge case and kept the connection. There’s a great range to them too; I could walk all over the house and still be connected and the connection didn’t drop at all. Even going outside was no problem. These TOZO Tonal Dots T12 are great for sports because of the distance they connect over, but also because they are waterproof and sweatproof! You can wear these swimming, although I haven’t tested them yet, but with a long connection range it means you can be at the gym and still connected to your phone nearby, or at the pool and your phone be on a lounger somewhere. 

There are 16 preset EQs with the Tonal Dots so that you get the sound you need with whatever music or even audio files you listen to, but you can personalise it too. I liked the quality of the sound with these TOZO earbuds, and how easy it is to change the presets. The Smart Touch control is a must on earbuds, and they work perfectly on these headphones, plus are quickly responsive.

The carry case and compact design make them perfect for travelling and for sports. The wireless charging also makes them easy to charge on the go, so that hotels and planes can charge for you whilst you are travelling or getting unpacked.  The waterproof quality makes them doubly useful and at such a low price (and currently on offer at some places) means you can keep them for work or children are going to love them for their ease and quality but without such a high price.  Perfect birthday presents too!

Available from £39.99: https://www.amazon.co.uk/TOZO-T12-Headphones-Cancelling-Waterproof-Black/dp/B0C8NNCWGL/ref=sr_1_3?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZiSbXPGeasQZix3NSt-dCoSV0TYrPr5_RFgDTIrue3r0xNMQ4v9cRQrcLO-dJa1G7BplSvG5Y8yzzcqzSeFDd66dWqNgjUA9NIs06yPPqkPzgp-tBG22WG46R2Ce3Nlidqpk6tZnDicuCEJF7KZo3Q.reyIJ45G6hWblS4_hEZaHAypzEL7pFgOVfszDcE42Ic&dib_tag=se&keywords=TOZO+tonal+dots&qid=1710172852&sr=8-3

HJ Hall Pro Trek Socks

Autumn, Birthday Gifts, camping, Christmas, Days Out, Easter, Family Life, Fashion, Father's Day, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Summer, Winter, Women

Spring is in the air and with the Easter holidays fast approaching it’s the perfect opportunity to get outdoors and explore the countryside. There are many forms of outdoor exercise that you can do but my favourite is hiking, a great all-round exercise that is suitable for everyone and best of all doesn’t require a lot of expensive equipment.

If you are planning on starting walking then my advice is to invest in some decent socks, it really is amazing the difference a good pair of walking socks makes, having cushioning in the right places and wicking materials to draw moisture away from your feet is really important, helping to keep feet nice and comfortable and also prevent blisters – every walkers nightmare! I’ve been trying out a couple of pairs of HJ Hall socks over the last month and I’m really impressed, they’ve kept my feet incredibly warm and comfortable (and blister free) and I’m looking forward to covering many miles in them this year.  

The Mountain Climb socks are a heavyweight sock with extra padding on the heel, toe and Achilles tendon areas. Made with an ultra durable, moisture wicking, scientific wool blend, the socks offer warmth and long lasting comfort and are the perfect choice for colder days. The socks are lovely and thick and keep your feet nice and toasty when the temperature drops. They are comfortable to wear, the arch support and ankle bracing keep the socks from moving about on your feet and they are a good length, coming up higher than the back of my walking boots. The socks are also long enough to tuck into trousers if you wish.  This sock is the perfect choice if you’re looking for a heavy duty hiking sock, especially if you walk a lot in cold weather as they will keep your feet warm in sub zero temperatures.

The Adventure Trek are a middleweight sock, they are thinner than the Mountain Climb socks and are suitable for both boots or shoes. The breathability is excellent thanks to the mesh zones that run across the top of the sock and along with the cushioning underfoot they are very comfortable to wear in both warm and cold weather. The socks hug my feet nicely and I have worn them on both long and short hikes with no discomfort. Whether I’ve been on the fells, the park or a recent trip to London, when we walked an average of 12 miles a day, they’ve never slipped, sagged, or bunched up and my feet have been comfortable all day long.

I would highly recommend the HJ Hall socks for anyone who enjoys walking and hiking, they are good value for money and your feet will certainly thank you for putting them in socks as warm and comfortable as these are. So whether you’re exploring the local fells, conquering mountains or walking the dog make sure you have a pair of HJ Hall socks on your feet. Happy hiking!

Mountain Climb Socks RRP £16.50 available in sizes 4-7, 6-11 and 11-13

Adventure Trek Socks RRP £15 available in sizes 4-7 and 6-11

The Ned Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Fleur de Lise Rose Wine

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

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

If you’re wondering what wines to buy for the Easter weekend then we have a couple of suggestions that are bound to go down a treat, either as gifts or enjoyed with a meal with friends and family.

Rosé fans will love the Fleur de Lise 2022 rosé from the Saint Mont region of France. In a distinctive tall bottle with attractive label the fruity dry rosé has notes of raspberry and redcurrant and is lovely and crisp on the palate. Best served chilled, the wine is great as with grilled meat, fish and salads. It also goes surprisingly well with chocolate – it is Easter after all!!.  

ABV 12% RRP £9 available from Ocado

The Ned Marllborough is a Sauvignon Blanc wine from the Marisco Vineyards in the Southern Valleys region of New Zealand. We enjoyed a glass with our roast chicken dinner, but it will go just as well with seafood. The wine is lovely and crisp with hints of lime, herbs and gooseberry and we found it to be nice and refreshing to drink. I’m hoping the weather warms up a bit by Easter as it will be nice to enjoy a glass or two with friends in the garden whilst the children are doing their Easter Egg hunt!

ABV 13% RRP £11.99 available from Waitrose

Bare Addiction Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF30

beauty, Family Life, Gifts for Her, health, Summer

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

Acne can be damaging to the self-esteem as well as the skin, even in the summer when UV damage can make skin worse, or when our lifestyles change and can play havoc with the condition of the skin. There’s no getting away from the acne though, it’s there for everyone to see.  Bare Addictions specialises in acne skincare, from serums and cleaners to the Daily Defence Moisturiser which we were sent to test. It may not be summer yet but you can still be prepared!

Formulated for teens and twenties who have the most acne-prone skin, the Daily Defence Moisturiser both protects and moisturises in the sun.  With an SPF30, that’s enough for daily life in the UK and may places in Europe (you’ll need something stronger in the summer and if you’re out in direct sunlight). The Bare Addictions Daily Defence Moisturiser protects against UV rays, shine and spots by targeting excess oil. There’s also the added advantage of protecting against blue light stress – blue light comes from appliances like laptops, tablets and phones which so many of us use daily for both work and home. 

Daily Defence Moisturiser SPF30 contains several active ingredients including Indian Ginseng Root extract which is for the protection against blue light stress, and Vitamin B3 to combat hyperpigmentation and uneven skin tone.  The specialised UV filters give a level of protection against both UVA and UVB rays too.

The 50ml pump tube is easily carried in a handbag and won’t spill thanks to the pump design.  It’s very light weight and absorbs into the skin easily with a very light fragrance that is neither perfume nor medicinal and doesn’t linger long.  I felt that it was very hydrating whilst giving a matt finish when it dries. The directions say to put on 15 minutes before sun exposure, so either during the summer whilst you’re at home and moisturising for the day before you go out, or on holiday before a day in the sunshine, make sure you give your skin some time to absorb the Daily Defence Moisturiser.

It doesn’t matter if you have acne or not, this day moisturiser still works, but also has the added bonus of having UV protection, being easily absorbed and has SPF30.  The richness of the cream makes it super hydrating too, which is never a bad thing and as summer approaches we all need a bit of help!

Available from £14.95: https://bareaddiction.com/products/daily-defence-moisturiser

Delph and LotilHigh Protection Sun Lotion

beauty, camping, Children, Family Life, health, Sport, Summer

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

Get ready for summer! Yes, I know it’s raining today but spring is the time of year when you either have your holiday booked, or are booking in and getting essentials together for the big trip away. Judging by the rain out there today, I think most of us are planning on some sun overseas this year so Delph Sun Lotions are definitely going to be needed. 

The range we were sent included two sun lotions, one at SPF30 and one at SPF50+ and an after sun lotion, all in handy 150ml tubes. Delph pride themselves on being of the highest quality, so much so that their products are available on prescription on the NHS for those with sensitive skin and other skin issues thanks to their 4-star rating from Diffy & Robson. Delph is also used by the Ministry of Defence, so you can imagine the types of scenarios Delph sun lotion comes in handy!  Additionally, each of the sun lotions (SPF30 and SPF50) are “very water resistant” so you can swim in both the sea and swimming pools whilst still getting a high level of protection.

Each of the SPF30 and SPF50 sun lotions can be applied directly to the face, in generous amounts (approximately ½ a teaspoon amount just for the face alone) and then a teaspoon to each arm, more for each leg and 2 teaspoons amount to the back and chest. The lotion must dry before going into water and be reapplied every 1-2 hours especially after swimming or towelling. Remember, using the recommended dosage gives the highest possible protection from the sun.

The Delph After Sun is designed to provide deep moisturisation and contains Aloe Vera and Vitamin E for their anti-inflammatory properties. The Vitamin E helps prevent peeling and prolongs the life of your tan too.

We were also sent the Lotil Lip Care stick with SPF30. This is a great addition to the range to protect your lips along with your face. It also moisturises your face whilst you’re out in the sun, keeping them soft especially against beach weather.

Each of the Delph Sun Lotions are Dermatologically Tested, and have a very light fragrance to them.  There are elements of the scent that remind me of ‘holiday’, presumably because of the sun protection ingredients and there is a very light citrus smell too. The lotions blended into my skin very easily though, so it’s easy to apply to wriggling children who don’t want to have to wait before they get into the pool or the sea! The After Sun is also almost fragrance free and very light, making it easy to absorb.

I can’t wait for the summer and the holidays to begin so that I can finally test the Delph range on some proper sun!

Delph Sun Lotion SPF50+ 150ml from £4.69:

https://www.weldricks.co.uk/products/delph-sun-lotion-spf50-150ml

Delph Sun Lotion SPF30 150ml from £5.09:

https://www.weldricks.co.uk/products/delph-sun-lotion-spf30-150ml

Delph After Sun Lotion 150ml from £1.49:

https://www.weldricks.co.uk/products/delph-after-sun-lotion-150ml

Lotil Original Lip Care Balm from £1.49:

https://www.weldricks.co.uk/products/lotil-original-lip-care-balm-4g

Just Spices Discovery Spice Box for Mother’s Day

Birthday Gifts, Children, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for teachers, health, Mother's Day, Summer

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

If you’ve never heard of Just Spices (and if you ever go to the supermarket and look at the spice and herbs section, they’re everywhere!) then let me tell you a little secret. You no longer have to blend a whole heap of expensive spices together to make savoury meals or even desserts because Just Spices has an enormous range ready-to-use which does all the work for you.

This Just Spices Discover Spice Box contains 8 ready spices including; Sandwich Seasoning, Potato Allrounder, Pizza Topping, Chicken Seasoning, Pasta Allrounder, Vegetable Allrounder, Avocado Topping and Egg Topping.  Each of the sachets contain a mix of herbs, dried vegetables and spices which can be added to food especially the ones recommended on the packet.

For example, the Sandwich Seasoning contains salt, onion, leek, black pepper, cumin and lemon myrtle among other ingredients. It doesn’t matter what sandwich filling you’re using, you can add the Just Spices Sandwich Seasoning sachet to it and enhance the flavours. Alternatively, you could make the same sandwich every day and use different sachets to create different flavours. Your cheese sandwich will taste completely different with the Pasta Allrounder seasoning with the added paprika, chilli and rosemary.

If you usually cook pasta once a week, or have avocado on toast anytime, then the seasoning sachets make a pleasant departure from your usual cuisine.  Without Just Spices, you’d have a cupboard full of tons of opened spices and herbs, all past their sell by date and all in different quantities that you’re never going to use anyway!  I’m not sure I’d even think of adding a different herb to my egg on toast let along a whole host of the Just Spices ones…

The Just Spices Discovery Spice Box is not only for popping in the post to your Mum or Grandma, but it could introduce your household to the range of Just Spices available in the supermarket without the cost of having to buy a whole jar.  The Discovery Box is also easy to post to a student who is just starting out cooking or doesn’t have a lot of room to store anything in a kitchen. It’s the perfect gift for a teenager learning to cook as well as something homely for Mother’s Day.

Available from £9.99