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 item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
If you’re looking for a healthier drink this summer, or something that’s just that bit different compared to what you normally summer on, then have a look at the Lo Bros Kombucha Cola and drinks. Kombucha is fermented tea (green tea and black tea fermented with sugar) to produce a drink with live cultures. Lo Bros have taken this a step further and produced a canned drink with a cola taste and just as much fizz and bubble as you would assume. Oh, and they’ve produced two other versions that they’ve sent us to try too! Meet Ginger & Lemon and Passion Fruit too!
Each of the drinks are made with natural ingredients and are naturally low in sugar. The 250ml cans replace plastic bottles too, so you’re doing your bit for the environment as well as using the most efficient way of keeping the fizz in with the carbonated drinks. It’s low in calories too – just 6 calories per can.
What do they taste like though? I was surprised that the Lo Bros Kombucha Cola tasted like cola. It has that slightly sweet taste but isn’t too effervescent nor overly sticky in taste. The can was just the right amount for a glass to have with lunch and certainly doesn’t feel like a ‘health drink’ because it’s not heavy nor is it really synthetic.
The Ginger & Lemon was very refreshing! It’s like a fizzy cordial without the sugary taste, just the energising citrus and spicy ginger taste. It works well with ice and is probably best when straight out of the fridge. I also liked the Passion Fruit flavour, which like the other flavours is low in sugar, natural and has live cultures. It’s more of a fruity taste, with a slight sweetness to it. I think it would appeal to children more than the other drinks and can be drunk either cold from the fridge or slightly warmer and in a lunchbox.
Over time, the effects of the kombucha are more beneficial than the sugary shop-bought cans we are used to seeing advertised everywhere so I hope that these Lo Bros Kombucha drinks become more popular and appeal to a wide variety of people who prefer these flavours and reach for the kombucha rather than the brands!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
by Amazon has launched it’s first collection of wines from the finest vineyards across the world including South Africa, Argentina, Chile, France and Australia. The selection of 10 wines are very reasonably priced, costing between £6-£10, have been selected, tried, and approved by a master of wine. Available from Amazon they are available in 75cl, 3L or a case of 6 bottles.
They sent me a bottle of the Australian Chardonnay to try and as it was National Cheese & Wine Day it seemed the perfect opportunity to open it and try it.
The white wine is lovely and crisp and alive with a myriad of fruity flavours, with citrus and white peach as the dominant flavours combined with a zesty fresh acidity. We drank it with roast pork and it went down a treat!
This Chardonnay presses all the right buttons for taste, value for money and food friendliness and is available to buy from Amazon so you don’t even need to leave the house to purchase it! I really enjoyed this wine and will certainly be purchasing some more as it will be perfect for summer barbeques.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
“Play, pause and crank up the volume…”
I was so excited to be receiving a Marshall Bluetooth speak to review, but until it arrived, I had no idea that Marshall speakers were as legendary as their amps, nor did I know why.
Impressive isn’t the word. This isn’t just a speaker but a whole solution for anyone who loves music. Let’s start with what it can do as a speaker first.
Setting up on Bluetooth is so easy I didn’t need instructions. Just turn on the Marshall speaker with the brass button and after the introduction sound, press the Bluetooth button on the top of the unit to make it discoverable. My laptop Bluetooth found it immediately and connected. Easy as that, and I just played my music from my desktop straight onto the speaker. There’s a Bass and Treble control on the Marshall too, so you can adjust how you want to hear your favourite music. The main button allows you to skip, pause or rewind a tune as well and there’s an LED to tell you the battery level. On the back, it connects with AUX or a power cable which is included in the box and how you power it up, giving 20 hours overall.
“Middleton sound… built for the road.”
Marshall are one of those classic brands which last forever in folklore and until you own one, you don’t see the benefit. Much like how Apple users and Tesla drivers were mocked back in the day, once you start using the Marshall products you don’t ever want to switch back. Instead, you just find fault with all the other Bluetooth speakers out there and compare them to ‘your’ Marshall to anyone who is near you, whether they want to know about it or not!
The speaker boasts, two 3/5” tweeters, two 3” woofers and two passive radiators. In all, these are all speakers placed on each side of the Middleton speaker to create 360 degree sound. It’s not just the speaker surround sound which leads to its versatility, but other ‘nice to haves’ are in there too. For example, it can be used indoors and outdoors thanks to the water resistant casing and can last 30 minutes under water. It’s dust resident too, so it’s perfect for the beach, but if you have kids around in the summer, the odd splash, tipped over drink or falling in the dirt isn’t going to harm your Middleton. In fact, with the extra tough casing, not much is going to damage it at all. The casing is made of 55% post- consumer plastic, so it’s not all materials and it’s 100% PVC free.
Are you sold yet?
It’s perfect for festivals too. The battery holds 20 hours of charge but takes only 4.5 hours to fully charge. However, with only 20 minutes of charge you get 2 hours of solid music time – perfect if you need to charge in the car quickly before you go out. It can work as a battery pack as well, allowing you to charge up your phone or appliances using the USB-C cable. It has the most up-to-date Bluetooth 5.1 too, so you can play music from 10 metres (that’s 30 feet) with no problem. So charge your phone in the car, and you can still play your music on your Marshall. It weighs just 1.8 kilograms (that’s 4lbs) so you can carry it on as hand luggage too if you really want… but makes it great and compact for the car too.
Multi host functionality allows you to connect to two devices at once. I didn’t know what this meant, so playing around with the controls and reading the instructions I realised it meant you can connect the speaker to two different devices at once. This means it can be connected to another speaker, phone or Bluetooth device to be able to share the music. If you’re worried about plugging it in to get updates, then don’t fear as the speaker does this remotely over-the-air or you can use the Marshall app on your phone to control the music and updates.
It had never occurred to me to have more than one speaker, but for festivals, this is a great feature. You can literally play the same music across as many Marshall speakers as you like, using a multi-speaker Stack session. It’s like looking at a wall of Marshall amps across a festival stage but in miniature form!
I’m sure once you use it several times and find out how easy the controls are, there are lots of different uses for it. How about Bluetooth-ing the soundtrack to movies on your tablet? Or keeping the children playing in the other room whilst controlling the music from your office as you work? It may seem pricy for one speaker, but with everything it can do and it’s durability, it’s an investment, especially if you love your music.
As time goes on, the Middleton is built for longevity as the updates and app will include new ways of using the Marshall speaker and the craftmanship of the speaker means it will last for a very long time. The only reason you’ll need a new speaker is to stack one in every room!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Yes Bebe are a family run online retailer who specialise in babies and children’s products and accessories. Founded in 2016, following the birth of their daughter, husband-and-wife team Charlotte and Ken Kong initially began selling cloth nappies and organic clothing, but quickly expanded into sustainable, hand-crafted wooden toys.
They recently sent us a fantastic Wheelybug Ride on Cow for our mini reviewers to try – one of our mini reviewers is just taking a few tentative steps so it’s the perfect time to introduce a ride on toy, which is not only great fun to play with but offers plenty of exciting new learning opportunities including
Gross motor skills – balance and co-ordination skills are learnt when working out initially how to stay on the toy and then how to scoot about on it.
Spatial awareness – as they ride around and navigate obstacles – will they fit through that gap and can they avoid the bricks on the floor?
Problem solving skills – learning how to get on and off the toy.
Being in charge of a toy that moves is a massive confidence boost for children and offers plenty of fun and excitement. They can decide how fast to go and which way to scoot around the house and if you have the space, you can even have races – my house has a very long hallway which is frequently used for this purpose!
Ride on toys also stimulate your child’s imagination – one day they might be going to the shops, another working on the farm or perhaps driving to Grandma’s or the beach.
Made with a sturdy wooden base with 4x 360 degree rotating castors, the Wheelybug has a padded body, handle bar and comes in a variety of different animal designs. We picked a cow as we live on a farm but there is also a pig, tiger, mouse, ladybird, bee, hedgehog, panda, lion, dog or even a unicorn to choose from. It’s lightweight, nippy and incredibly easy to manoevure and is small enough to pop in the car when visiting friends or family. The castors enable the Wheelybug to go backwards, forwards, sideways and round in circles and the cute little bug is low enough to the ground for little legs to scoot around or push. It’s good on carpet but even better on tiled or wooden floors and our mini reviewers have been having lots of fun with it.
One great thing about the Wheelybug is it comes ready to ride – there is nothing worse than getting a toy and then having to fit parts to it before it can be played with – let’s face it we’ve all been there on Christmas Day!
The Cow Wheelybug is a fantastic toy and whilst it’s small enough to fit in a cupboard it’s one of those toys that you want to have on display!
RRP small £69.95 & £79.95 for the larger version
Yes Bebe have a fantastic selection of children’s toys and accessories on their website and I know this is one website that I will be visiting again and again for birthday and Christmas presents over the coming months.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
We’re all going on a summer holiday…….and one of the most important things to pack in your suitcase is suncream. There’s such a lot of choice when it comes to sunscreen but the most important things to look at are the UVA star rating and SPF level, which indicate the level of protection the sunscreen offers. The higher the SPF the better the protection.
We tend to spend our holidays in this country and depending on the time of year I generally use sunscreen with SPF15 to SPF30. I’m not one for sunbathing but I do spend a lot of time walking and cycling so it is important to protect the parts of my body not covered with clothes – usually my face, arms and legs, from the powerful rays of the sun.
Malibu sent me a couple of bottles of their sunscreen to try, the SPF30 Lotion and the SPF15 Dry Oil Spray which both have a 4 star UV rating, are clinically proven to be kind to skin and are water resistant too. In addition, these products will protect you from UVA and UVB rays. The Lotion offers high protection and contains Vitamin E & Aloe Vera whereas the Dry Oil Spray only offers medium protection but is vitamin enriched, non-greasy and suitable for vegans.
I have used the SPF 15 Dry Oil Spray when overcast – just because the sun isn’t showing doesn’t mean you can’t get burnt! The oil is really easy to apply and doesn’t feel greasy on my skin. The handy 100ml bottle is small enough to fit in one of the pockets of my cycling jersey so I can reapply during the day. The thing I love about the oil is it doesn’t leave your hands feeling sticky after application. It also has a lovely coconut fragrance which always reminds me of summer holidays!
The lotion has a much more gentle fragrance and is a nice consistency. It rubs in very easily, absorbing very quickly and is non greasy.
Both products have protected my skin from the sun and I will happily use them on all my family. With its UVA, UVB and water resistant properties, Malibu sunscreens offer great all-round protection, whether you are on the beach, walking, cycling or just out and about.
Malibu products are available as lotions, sprays, SPF face creams, lip balms and hair & scalp protectors with SPF10 to SPF50, so there is something to protect everyone this summer.
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.
Have you ever tried gazpacho before? No? Not sure what it is? Well gazpacho is a summer soup; cold soup drunk in the warmer months when hot soup would be unbearable but made with summer vegetables (tomatoes, cucumber etc) it is a favourite of BBQs and dinner parties.
Re:Nourish have a huge selection of soups and a gazpacho available in the shops in an array of flavours which would suit anyone. We were sent a selection including;
Pea, Basil & Lemon (for Energy)
Tomato, Red Pepper & Cucumber (to Refresh) – their gazpacho
Roasted Carrot & Ginger (to Digest)
Kale, Spinach & Turmeric (for Immunity)
Each of the qualities of the soups and gazpacho (Energy, Refresh, Digest and Immunity) are written on the bottle labels so that you can see what they’re great for, as well as the fact that they’re all delicious. The labels also tell you their nutritional content up front too, so the Pea, Basil & Lemon flavour is great for high protein, whilst the Tomato, Red Pepper & Cucumber flavour has vitamins C, A & E.
If you’re put off by the fact that a gazpacho is a summer soup then think of it asa vegetable smoothie. It has the texture of a soup, thin enough to be eaten with a spoon or if you prefer, they can be poured into a glass or drunk straight from the bottle. It’s not designed to be heated up, so there’s no temptation in making it look homemade, but they are very easy to eat as a snack or for lunch. I like to eat mine with a spoon and add some crème fresh or eat with crisps or tortillas for lunch.
The first flavour I tried was Roasted Carrot & Ginger soup. I particularly like carrot soup, so this with the addition of ginger seemed like a good place to start! You can really taste the ginger in this flavour, but not so much that it becomes too tart to eat. The Tomato, Red Pepper & Cucumber is the only gazpacho so far in the range, and is so refreshing with the addition of cucumber, working well with the fresh crème fresh. It’s very easy to eat because it’s essentially a tomato soup with some added extra veggies for flavour. These flavours would be great for children in order to get their vegetable quota in each day.
The Kale, Spinach & Turmeric and Pea, Basil & Lemon soups are different flavours as they’re more savoury and lend themselves towards a lunch rather than a snack. The added lemon and turmeric add a certain ‘kick’ to what you might think are bland green vegetables, but also add extra vitamins and minerals to make the drinks more exciting. I wouldn’t suggest introducing these ones to younger children as they’re a distinct taste and it will probably put them off Re:Nourish completely!
In addition to the mixture of vegetables and their vitamins, Re:Nourish gazpacho and soups have no additives, no preservatives, no added sugar and are high in fibre. They’re also gluten free, dairy free and low in fat, which is obvious if you think about how they’re just made from lots of vegetables!
Re:Nourish is available on their website: https://renourish.co.uk/collections/bundles or from retailers including Waitrose, Ocado, Planet Organic, Whole Foods, Amazon Fresh and Co-Op among others!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
We are in full swing of summer now, and I’ve lost count of the amount of places I’m meant to be, want to be or end up finding myself thanks to the beautiful weather. With friends coming round too, there’s always a need for endless snacks to go with the wine, Prosecco or chats with the girls.
The Artisan Olive Oil Company sent us these crisps and vegetable chips to try, as part of their artisan Italian snack range, all of which are found on their website. This was one of those times when I opened a box and kept delving to find more and more yummy treats; my mind whirling with how I was going to try all of them in such a short space of time… but don’t worry, the girls with the wine, Prosecco and chatter helped me out!
Included in the bundle was;
Vintage Truffle Potato Chips (120g)
Vintage Potatoes with Sweet Chilli (120g)
Vegan [vegetable] Crisps (150g)
Lightly Salted Tortilla (125g)
Blue Corn Tortilla (125g)
For anyone looking for summer snacks, this is only a small selection of what the Artisan Olive Oil Company offer, and you can see that there’s more than just your run of the mill crisps just in this selection. The flavours are varied as well, which helps when you don’t know what everyone will be drinking.
It is surprisingly fast how quickly so many packets of crisps disappear when you open them! We did study them first though, noting how each of the crisps were of high quality. The potato crisps were sharp, fresh and there were no burnt edges or green crisps in the packet, and none of those monster crisps you used to find as a child! All of the vegetables were of high quality and were cooked in high quality oil. The Vintage Potatoes with Sweet Chilli are not as hot (in taste) as some of the other brands on the market, but have more of a sweeter taste to them. The crisps are still precise though, and make for a lovely texture.
The same goes for the Vintage Truffle Potato Chips, which have a subtle taste but are great with the flavour of the oil coming through and the quality of the potatoes. I really liked the Vegan Crisps which were vegetable chips of carrot, beetroot and parsnip. Not only are they some of my favourite vegetables but they have a taste all of their own once they’re cooked, and the added seasoning makes them irresistible.
Finally, the Lightly Salted Tortilla and Blue Corn Tortilla are more gritty, but flavoursome corn chips, with a tiny bit of flavouring to them but just as delicious. These went really well with white wine and their slightly sour tastes of Pinot Grigio and I think would be even better eaten with a dip or salsa, all of which are found on the Artisan Olive Oil Company’s website where you’ll find even more summer treats!
Crisps and snacks available online from £4.25 per 120g bag at:
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Popcorn has become the most fashionable snack nowadays, probably since lockdown and we’re all spending time at home watching on demand TV with better quality food!
Joe & Seph’s Popcorn has also gained in popularity not just for the convenience but for the quality of the kernels and the different flavours available. Not just content with the usual sweet flavours like Toffee or Sweet & Salty, but there’s the summer limited editions such as Eton Mess and White Chocolate & Raspberry. Don’t get me started on the savoury flavours too like Mojito or Goat’s Cheese & Black Pepper.
We were sent one of Joe & Seph’s specialty Chocolate Lover’s Gourmet Popcorn Selection boxes. Unlike the other bags, this 105 gram box is a mixture of four different chocolate flavours; Caramel & White Chocolate, Caramel & Belgian Chocolate and Double Chocolate Popcorn and our luxurious, rich Dark Chocolate Popcorn Bites. If you’re not familiar with the flavours already, then the first 3 are varieties of chocolate coating on the famous Joe & Seph’s popcorn, whilst popcorn bites are piece of popcorn set in chocolate cups. Not just ordinary chocolate cups, but cups of delicious dark chocolate where you can really taste the richness of cacao.
The box makes it the perfect shape for sharing, or for giving as a gift. If you have a friend or loved one who loves chocolate, popcorn or both, this is perfect because of the mix of flavours, all of which work together nicely to create a type of ‘dessert’ in the form of a box of snacks, thanks to the mix of sweet flavours.
The quality of the popcorn really is as gourmet as you would hope, with no unpopped kernels at the bottom of the box, no strange shaped, odd pieces that missed the delicious chocolate coating, just a box packed full of quality popcorn.
If you’re not keen on chocolate flavoured popcorn, have a look at the website for lots of other flavours, and different sizes of bags.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
It’s summer, the sun is shining and I’m sat watching Wimbledon on TV with a refreshing glass of Belvoir Farm Summer Spritz – life doesn’t get much better than this!
The limited edition Summer Spritz is a very refreshing drink, especially on a hot day like today. Sparkling spring water is mixed with strawberry, apple, elderberry and lime juices and finished with a hint of mint and it really does taste fantastic.
It is lovely on its own with a few strawberries or it works well as a mixer for your favourite tipple.
As it’s Wimbledon season it would be rude not to have a glass of Pimms, so I tried Belvoir Farm’s recipe for Strawberry Pimms. This fruity cocktail was was a big hit with my friends today.
It is nice and easy to make and if you want to try it this is the recipe.
150ml Belvoir Farm Summer Spritz 50ml Pimms 15ml Belvoir Farm Raspberry & Lemon Cordial Handful of strawberries Handful of fresh mint leaves
Method – Add 3/4 of the strawberries and mint to a high ball glass and muddle. Add the Pimms and Raspberry & Lemon Cordial then fill the glass with crushed ice. Top with the Belvoir Farm Summer Spritz.
Like the rest of the Belvoir range, Summer Spritz is made from the finest ingredients with no artificial flavours or preservatives. It is also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
Available from Ocado and look out for it in Aldi next week
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Everyone has a water bottle nowadays and knows to stay away from plastic which typically isn’t easy to recycle, nor is it very good for your health, especially if left to heat up. Hydro Flask produce a whole range of flasks and food storage items which keep your drinks and food cold, or hot, for longer.
Using stainless steel and their TempShield double wall technology, flasks such as this 32oz (946ml) water flask can keep your drinks cooler, or hotter for longer. The inner workings of the flask include a vacuum insulation between the layers of the stainless steel, ensuring the drink doesn’t transfer heat to the outside of the bottle. Hydro Flask 32oz keeps drinks cold for up to 24 hours or hot for up to 12 hours.
Think of all the ways that this is practical – not just for camping or days out where there is no hot water, but keeping water at least warm to heat up a baby’s feed, or cold drinks when you’re on the go for long distance exercise. For taking in your daily water allowance, this flask only needs to be filled up once a day on average with nearly 1 litre capacity. It also looks good with the powder coating colour and black and steel lid.
The wide mouth of this flask allows you to drink as you walk or run, but Hydro Flask also have alternative lids which suit all sorts of needs. There’s the Flex Chug Cap – ideal for when running or walking because it narrows the mouth of the 32oz flask so that you don’t spill it as easily (no guarantees that you won’t though, especially if you’re running!) and comes with the same flex strap for easy carry. The Flex Chug Cap is also BPA and toxin free and can be put in the dishwasher like all the other flasks.
The second attachment for the Hydro Flask 32oz is the Wide Mouth Flex Straw Cap. It fits all Wide Mouth Hydro Flask bottles and comes with two straws which can be cut down to size. It’s also insulated and like all the flasks and their lids, it’s leakproof when closed. It’s not for hot liquids though, but I’m not sure there is any hot drink you use a straw for nowadays anyway? The Wide Mouth Flex Straw Cap is also BPA free.
The Hydro Flask 32oz comes in a range of colours, including this green, called Dew, but other colours include white, black, Gojo (red) and Lupine (lilac). There’s a 100% customer satisfaction warrantee on each flask meaning there’s a limited lifetime warrantee against manufacturer defects.
Hydro Flask are quite possibly the future in insulated flasks, especially in the wake of anti-plastic.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts an opinions are our own.
It’s summer and the weekend but if you’re not a big drinker, pregnant or driving you can still join the party with these new non alcoholic martinis from Mavrik.
With Espresso Martini and Passion Star Martini added to their already great selection of canned cocktails, these non alcoholic cocktails have less than 50 calories per serving so they are perfect if you are watching the calories too.
The cans are nitro infused so all you need to do is simply chill the can, turn it over a few times, open and pour gently into a glass and wait for the head to develop. They can also be mixed in a cocktail shaker and shaken with ice in true James Bond style!
I put mine in the fridge and after allowing them to chill to perfection, I decided to try the Passion Star Martini first. Inspired by the popular Pornstar Martini, the Passion Star Martini is nice and fruity and the nitrogen-infusion gives it a nice head. Passion fruit, pineapple and vanilla along with rum flavouring give the cocktail the distinctive Caribbean taste and if you close your eyes you can pretend you are sipping cocktails in an exotic location!
The Espresso Martini is also nitro-infused, producing a beautifully smooth coffee flavoured cocktail that tastes absolutely delicious. Coffee and chocolate flavours blend together nicely giving the flavour of an Espresso Martini, just minus the alcohol.
These martinis feel much more grown up than a fizzy drink and best of all I can drink them all night knowing I can safely drive myself home at the end of the party and won’t wake up with a hangover the following morning.
Mavrik drinks are available from their website and a box of 8 Martinis (4 of each) costs £23.60
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Treat yourself this summer to a new Helly Hansen Stockholm Backpack, made with waterproof material and a laptop compartment, is it for urban, or rural?
Available in various colours including dark blue, black and the green which we were sent to try, the Stockholm Backpack holds 28 litres and has a front pocket for valuables, closing with a zip. The back pocket is padded for a laptop whilst the straps, no matter what you’re using the backpack for, are more comfortable for long wears because they’re padded.
The top of the Stockholm Backpack is a roll top and buckle – no zip here, so you can stuff it full of clothes or gadgets and the roll top is waterproof, like the rest of the polyester material which makes up the whole bag. The straps also have a cross-strap to hold them in place and distribute the weight across your shoulders, and the whole bag is wider than a normal backpack to add more volume and to even the load. The length of the bag is bigger than usual too so if you’re taking a lot with you camping, or travelling with more than usual this is for you. Anyone who is that big taller might find this a useful bag too as the dimensions mean it holds a lot more but is also more comfortable for wider shoulders and frame.
The base of the bag is re-enforced with a waterproof material which looks and feels like leather (but isn’t) to make it more hard wearing especially if it’s put down on the ground or used for travelling. Empty, it flattens down to almost nothing thanks to its square design, and the material is incredibly durable so is bound to last a long time. It’s easy to clean as well as there aren’t many components and it’s made of only a few materials which can all be machine washed.
Although pricy at £65, it is Helly Hansen so you know it’s well made, will last and is designed and made for the outdoor life. It works just as well for commuting though as it’s the size of a laptop (or bigger) and hold a computer safely with the added compartment. It’s a great bag for cyclists who are going into work with laptop, change of clothes and lunch all thrown in, and the slightly bigger size makes it easier to carry more. Thankfully the waterproof material and buckle roll top will save your work clothes for the British weather too!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
We all love a candle, and to receive a British made candle is an extra special gift when there is such choice out there.
Màzo Candles London is a London based company founded by two sisters, Màz and Zö as a luxury candle brand made with natural essential oils and all natural, vegan wax and pure cotton wicks. Like a fine wine, the candles were designed to have a range of aromas layered to create a unique fragrance unlike other candles on the market and to evoke a sense of well-being in your home.
The sisters, who founded the company in 2022, have created a range of luxury candles all of which are available on their website. The range includes Mystic (citrus notes Bergamot and Jasmine with myrrh and tobacco for a cosy atmosphere), Pink (fresh grapefruit and pink peppercorn), Chaparral (guava and eucalyptus to refresh the spirit) and Q, which was the candle which was sent to us.
Opening the parcel which arrived at my door, I could smell the tones of bergamot coming through the packaging. The scent also contains fig, Egyptian Jasmine, Oud and pure Frankincense. I think it was the frankincense which reminded me of the posh spas and boutiques that sell the higher end gifts in London’s West End.
The 220gram net candle is set in a gorgeous square glass frame, adorned with metal work on the outside which is unaffected by the flame. Once the candles starts to burn though, the light from the double wicks casts patters through the metalwork onto the floor, creating a shadow effect. Màz and Zö have thought of everything with these candles because there’s even little protectors provided to stick on the bottom of the metal feet so that you don’t mark the furniture as the candle burns! The double wicks, which are made of pure cotton, create a tandem glow but also means that the candle burns more evenly.
The scent is heavenly, as you’d imagine and you can tell that this isn’t synthetic wax with an added fragrance made with additives. The natural wax burns more slowly and is much smoother, plus the scents linger longer and you can detect the different layers of Jasmine and Frankincense especially. The candle has a burning time of around 40 hours, so for the size of candle it lasts much longer than High Street brands.
New candles are always exciting, and we love trying new brands at The Review Studio, so to find a local candle company who specialise in natural ingredients and also produce such high quality candles is a real treat!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
We love summer. Summer isn’t always great in this country for skin though, either the direct sunlight, which we’re not used to, or the dry temperatures which our skin hates. My skin is always dry in summer no matter the weather though, so I have to make sure that I not only wear sunscreen when I have to but that it’s hydrating.
The biggest threat to skin and the most common cancer is skin cancer. Altruist Sun Protection was developed by dermatologist Dr Andrew Birnie, Skin cancer is undoubtedly caused by exposure to sunlight, especially powerful sunlight if you’re not used to it throughout the year and get a blast of intense sun all in one go. As well as refraining from burning, using sunscreen, as well as a hat and shirt are the best way of preventing melanomas.
With a lot of research, Dr Birnie has developed the Altruist range of sun protection for the whole family. From bumper 200ml tubes of SPF 30 to a Face Fluid at SPR 30 (Dr Birnie admits to using this as an after shaving lotion!) and a handy invisible spray which is SPF 50 and PPD 42. There’s an even bigger range online so you can find what you need for yourself and your family.
All of the products in the range are fragrance – free and have UVA, UVB and broad spectrum protection. The Family Sun Spray is particularly useful because it packs away flatter than tubes and has the gun action which makes it easy to supply. It’s fabulous for holidays too because there’s a seal which prevents it from leaking in luggage and the shape doesn’t break easily either. It’s suitable for babies and children so at SPF 50 and 250ml it’s the only sunscreen you need to take on holiday!
The Face Fluid works great as a daily moisturiser as it contains vitamin E and it’s an anti-oxidant sunscreen too. It’s pretty rich, and takes a while to absorb into the skin so I wouldn’t recommend it under make-up but it’s great for the beach or by the pool.
The Invisible Spray works differently because it’s such a fine mist, but it’s also non-sticky. I would wear this in the evening so that my clothes and make-up don’t get ruined and it won’t show when you’re no doubt taking photos and in unnatural light.
No matter what you use Altruist Sun Protection for, there’s a product for you and the reassurance that you’re using the right kind of protection from a skin care expert.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
We were very excited to learn that it’s World Chocolate Day on 7th July, which gives us a perfect excuse to test out some chocolate, and what better than Artisan Coffee Company’s Chocolate Flight and Coffee Selection Box. Chocolate AND coffee!
If you’re not familiar with Tasting Experiences, there is a leaflet enclosed which explains it all; testing the individual coffee bags with their corresponding chocolates, each flavour of chocolate and coffee designed to bring out the richness in each other. For example, testing the coffee called The Genius (no 161) with the chocolate called Wonderously Complex, you should be able to taste the rich cocoa flavour, some pecan notes and a touch of raisin and malt.
Artisan Coffee began in 2019 after conversations about coffee between a coffee research scientist, an entrepreneur and a sommelier of coffee, known as a Q Grader in the business. It’s no wonder the company was named ‘Artisan Coffee Co’ when the team decided to concentrate on bringing the flavour of coffee to the masses and after a year of doing so, brought in Ashley Palmer-Watts; chef and coffee fanatic. He designed a range of flavoursome chocolates which harmonised flavours between the coffee and the chocolates.
The coffee in most cases on the Artisan website is in coffee bags – an ingenious way of getting a characterful cup of coffee without having to brew up beans and filter. Now that we’re all working from home, coffee bags make more sense, or even bringing in a few to the office when we have to makes better sense, but this Tasting Experience box also has coffee pods. So whether you’re working from home or commuting, there’s an option on how to enjoy your roast. The chocolates are individually wrapped and remind me of after dinner luxuries.
The tasting experience card explains exactly how to set up the coffee and what the pairing of chocolates are to the tastes. This is a great after dinner exercise, or date night fun as you try each coffee with each chocolate. I’m not a great coffee lover, so trying the coffees over a few nights, you really get a taste for the pairings and start to taste the differences. The idea of combining the coffees with gorgeous chocolates is really appealing, and makes the experience more fun.
It may be World Chocolate Day and a chance to try some top class artisan chocolate, but you’ll be forgiven if you want to use it as an excuse to taste some of the best coffees on offer too!
The Ultimate Coffee Selection Box is available from £34.99 at:
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Tuesday 27th June is National Ice Cream Day! To celebrate, Oppo Brothers have sent us a selection of their new flavours for 2023 to try, and they sent us some of their most popular ice creams too!
Oppo Brothers Caramelised Biscuit Swirl Ice Cream (475ml) is a tub of their newest flavoured ice cream, with the added bonus of only being 95 calories per 100ml. The caramel ice cream is adorned with pieces of biscuit to add to the Biscoff-style. Sweet but not sticky, the Caramelised Biscuit Swirl Ice Cream goes well with already sweet desserts such as sticky toffee pudding or jam roly poly. We ate this on its own though, with the lovely gold Oppo Brothers Spoon which we were sent too!
We also received the Opp Brothers Double Chocolate Brownie Ice Cream (475ml) which has pieces of chocolate in a chocolate ice cream. This flavour only has 90 calories per 100ml and is a good source of protein as well as a fantastic dessert all of its own, is lower in sugar than other ice creams and own the ‘Great Taste’ award in 2022. Although this could be eaten alongside a dessert, it’s a treat for the whole family and a tub of 475ml goes a surprisingly long way.
The third tub of ice cream was the Oppo Brothers Double Salted Caramel Swirl Ice cream (475ml). This flavour won a ‘Great Taste’ award in 2018 when it came out, and boasts only 82 calories per 100ml. This ice cream is REALLY sweet so I would only eat this on its own, with probably only a few spoonfuls needed in order to get a good ice cream ‘hit’. It’s very indulgent, and if you like trying new flavours of ice cream then this is a definite win, and isn’t offensive at all. No weird flavours here, just wholesome summer ice cream treats!
I had never tried ice cream snacking balls before, so the next two boxes were a treat. The Oppo Brothers Chocolate Hazelnut Snacking Balls (12 balls at 14ml each) make for great additions to desserts, small portions of ice cream for kids or as a snack for lunchtime when you’re working from home! You can see in the photo that they are bite sized, smaller ice creams covered in chocolate crispy shells. The Chocolate Hazelnut Snacking Balls have small hazelnut pieces in the shell, and come in at only 25 calories a bite.
We were also sent 12 Salted Caramel Balls, which only had 22 calories per ball – bonus! Both these and the Chocolate Hazelnut Snacking Balls are vegetarian friendly and made with fresh milk and cream and natural ingredients.
Summer isn’t the same without ice cream lollies and Oppo Brothers sent us two varieties; Vanilla Almond Caramel Swirl Ice Cream Sticks and Salted Caramel Biscuit Crunch Ice Cream Sticks. Each one is ice cream with a chocolate coating and they are only 130 calories each. The Salted Caramel Biscuit Crunch won a ‘Great Taste’ award in 2022 and the newer Vanilla Almond Caramel Swirls are both great for children a well as adults as they aren’t too sweet but are still cooling in this weather. They’re both graded as ‘C’ on the Nutri-Score too, and the packets fit neatly in the fridge so you can store them for a few months, or until they’re gone!
Oppo Brothers have lots of choice for Summer 2023 whether its ice cream, snacking balls or ice cream sticks, you’re bound to find something the family will love!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Summer often brings a need for different, and new, beauty products. RINGANA have sent us these 3 skincare products which are imperative for summer sun life, whether it be in this heatwave we have at home, or to take away on holiday with you.
RINGANA is an Austrian company that prides itself on the natural ingredients it uses for its skincare, beauty and supplement products. Unlike other companies, RINGANA, founded in 1996, use fresh ingredients to make the products from scratch and ship out worldwide to 34 countries, including many which they post products to for free. You won’t find RINGANA in the department stores or High Street, only online where their products are vegan and free from preservatives and additives.
With that in mind, their products are unlike any makeup you’d typically buy. We were sent three summer products to try, the RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Medium SPF 20 (for medium sun days), RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Face SPV 15 (face moisturiser for every day) and the delicious RINGANA Fresh Light Legs.
Starting with the RINGANA Fresh Light Legs, I didn’t know what it was so had to look it up on the website to find out what it was used for. Light Legs are for when your legs (or feet) are tired in the summer and need some rejuvenation. Think about walking around on holiday, in the heat, probably wearing shoes which are totally inappropriate for the weather and terrain. RINGANA Light Legs is for just this purpose! I sprayed some on my calf as a test to see what it was like. The light spray sits on the skin and you rub it in slowly so that it penetrates into the muscle. The feeling on your skin is a slight tingling as the ingredients work away to “pep up” your limbs. Looking at the ingredients, it includes magnesium, which is a known topical tonic for tired muscles and is absorbed through the skin easily. The fragrance is that of summer citrus, which also acts to boost your mood as you wear it. The effect of the Light Legs was to keep my legs (I eventually used it all over) fresh and tingly, giving me some extra energy in the long run, relaxed my leg muscles.
The RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Face SPF 15 can be used in summer but with the SPF protection it can be used all year round too as your daily face moisturiser. Made with natural plant oils and fragrance free, it protects against UV rays, antioxidants and blue light. The breezy formula is designed for sensitive skin and is COSMOS certified, leaving your skin matt and smooth. I like this formula because it’s so light on your skin but gives you all-round protection and is easy to wear under make up, as well as on its own. My skin was super hydrated but not greasy and stayed that way throughout the day.
The final RINGANA product we tried was the Fresh Sunscreen Medium SPF 20. This product can be used daily, but is more for occasions such as holidays or being outside for long periods of time. It’s waterproof and nano-free and relies on the natural mineral that is zinc oxide as a sun protection filter.
The formula is perfume free, except for the ‘fresh’ smell of the natural ingredients as you apply it, and absorbs with a little effort leaving no film on the skin. It’s nice and rich but also cooling and leaves skin moisturised. I like this Fresh Sunscreen Medium because it doesn’t smell of the synthetic sun creams you get in the pharmacy.
All of the RINGANA products feel so soft and luxurious as they are made with fresh ingredients and not kept in unfavourable conditions for months on end. The whole range of products are designed for everyday living, and summer especially is a great time to start using them. You won’t find many places that make your skin products with fresh, fragrance free, artificial ingredient free and vegan like RINGANA.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
It’s National Picnic week this week so the perfect opportunity to grab your picnic blankets and baskets and make the most of the good weather whilst enjoying some delicious food in the great outdoors.
We love a picnic and isn’t it funny how food always tastes much nicer outdoors? Our current favourite picnic treat is the new Peperami pizza buns from Peperami. Made with a zesty tomato herb sauce, succulent salami with a rich slice of cheese surrounded by a tasty bun they come in two flavours – Original and Hot.
I actually wasn’t expecting these pizza buns to be as nice as they are but after trying one I was hooked – they are surprisingly tasty and being individually wrapped they are so convenient to pop in your bag or lunchbox. The bun wasn’t too doughy and the tomato was tangy and tasty, complementing the thick slice of peperami nicely.
The good thing about these pizza buns are they don’t need to be stored in the fridge and can either be eaten at room temperature or heated up in the microwave if you prefer. They are available in single packs (75g) and multi-packs (4x40G) and are great to keep in the cupboard as a handy snack – but be warned they are incredibly moreish!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Summer is a traditional time for beauty brands to launch new products and when it comes to make up there is a plethora of summery, shimmery eye shadows, lipsticks and highlighters available to enhance your sun kissed skin.
Whilst I love summer and being able to try out lots of new make up products, there is always the risk that as the temperature rises the make up I carefully applied first thing in the morning will start to slip and slide off my face, leaving it looking patchy. So how do we stop this happening? Well, this is where a good primer comes in, applied after moisturiser and before foundation, adding this extra step to your routine means your make up will still be in place long after the sun has gone down.
Primers work by minimising/blurring the appearance of fine lines and pores and create a smoother surface for make-up, meaning your make up goes on smoothly and stays put for longer. It’s been really hot this last couple of weeks and the Skin Perfecting Primer from Super Facialist has kept my make up in place despite the heat. This innovative multi-tasking product not only looks incredibly summery thanks to the swirls of lavender, peach and green but also primes, colour-corrects, moisturises and brightens skin to create a flawless complexion.
The pump dispenser is really easy to use and a pea sized amount is ample for your face. It is a dream to apply, absorbing instantly into your skin and it doesn’t leave it feeling sticky or greasy. It left my skin super smooth and I definitely noticed an improvement in terms of a dewy finish. My foundation looked more even and didn’t go patchy by the end of the day, despite the heat. It made a real difference and from the second I applied it I could see my skin looking more awake and radiant.
It’s also great for days when you don’t need to wear foundation, it blurs, smoothes and gives a fresh glow to skin and once you’ve tried it you’ll wonder how you ever managed without it. A real make up bag essential!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Just Spices have been adding character to your mealtimes since 2012 with their spices, sprinkles and meal kits all of which can be found in High Street supermarkets now. This year, to celebrate Pride, Just Spices have released the Pride Edition Avocado Topping for the month of June.
What’s an avocado topping I hear you ask? This 60 gram pot of spices, seeds and salts is a blend of flavours to add to your avocado on toast, or just to add to your avocado! It has a whole host of other uses too, in omelettes, salads, sandwiches, on dips and in rice bowls. You could probably find a whole host of ways to use the topping, especially as it’s got such a versatile blend, and it’s colourful too!
I added it to avocado on toast one day for lunch. The topping consists of pieces of salt, different colours of peppercorn, sesame seeds, chili and some tiny tomato seeds. Picking up a pinch, you can definitely taste the salt (which goes well with avocado anyway) as well as the pepper. All the ingredients are natural with no artificial flavours, each pot sold donates 25% of profits to MindOut, a mental health charity for the LGBTQ+ community.
Just Spice’s Avocado Topping is one of their best selling products, with so many uses in the kitchen and it’s such a time saving way of adding flavour to any dishes, I think everyone will be able to find multiple uses for it, plus it lasts for ages!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
With these summer temperatures, everyone looks for new ways to stay cool especially if we’re spending time outdoors. Balmonds Cooling Cream is for that reason; to keep cool and sooth your skin with its aloe vera, menthol and lavender extracts.
A completely vegan recipe, Balmonds Cooling Cream helps moisturise dry or flushed skin, creating a barrier to dehydrated skin to prevent it feeling any more tired. The medicinal effects of lavender help heal skin that is mildly damaged from dehydration whilst the aloe vera soothes the top layers of skin. It’s ideal for the whole family as it only contains plant ingredients. The cooling cream is fragrance-free, paraffin free and cruelty free so also makes for a great gift.
The 99% natural cream is cool to the touch and takes a little while to absorb into the skin but when it does it gives a matt finish. It can be used as an after-sun lotion, hand or face cream, for hormonal hot flushes and for after chemotherapy or radiotherapy. It’s very gentle, very soft and can be taken anywhere with you, especially on holiday!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
This retro style portable speaker from Edifier is probably the easiest I’ve ever set up a speaker. With crystal-clear sound, it’s a brilliant addition to your household or as a gift to someone you love.
The Edifier MP230 Portable Bluetooth Speaker has a battery charge of up to 10 hours with a wooden casing and grill cover to give it a retro 50s/60s portable look. The operating keys on the front are piano-style for on/off, Bluetooth, play/pause and two volume buttons. Speaking of Bluetooth, it was incredibly easy to set up. All I had to do was turn on the speak with the button on the front, use the Bluetooth settings on my laptop, which found it immediately and press Connect. As soon as I played a track on my laptop, it came through the Edifier speaker; no need for any instructions or clicking buttons, adding settings etc, it was easy as pie!
The quality of the sound through the speaker is excellent. There are two 48mm driver units, which create stereo sound and an output power of 20W RMS. Along with Bluetooth, the input modes are AUX, USB-C port and even a TF Card. The size of the speaker also lends itself to being taken on car trips, or even packed in luggage. Measuring 16.4cm × 8.43cm × 10.8cm it can even fit in hand luggage, and weighs just 0.85kilorams (that’s just 1.9lbs!)
The Edifier MP230 Speaker can be charged with the USB port and doesn’t take long for a full charge, so can be connected to a laptop or a wall charging point. As it’s so portable, it can be taken with you anywhere, or left on the shelf in a room. The size would suggest it could go outside easily, which would be great for picnics but I don’t think the wood casing nor the grill would survive getting even slightly damp, and definitely not one for the beach! Set up in a baby’s nursery to play white noise or as background whilst in the garden, the Edifier MP230 would be really useful.
I can’t help but think it would be a great present too. The stylish look to it appeals to anyone who likes design or for grandparents who want something that fits in with their pre-IKEA furniture and is small enough to be discreet on a book shelf. Teenagers will love this though, as it doesn’t take up much room and you don’t even need to be in the room for it to connect to Bluetooth. It’s a brilliant addition to any household as well as being a perfect stereo sound for you online music!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
One of the side effects of living a more sustainable life is having more ‘stuff’ in the house. You can’t throw away reusable bottles, pots and boxes like you can plastic ones so you need somewhere to store them. Don’t get me started on pots and bottles that don’t have reusable lids, like the milk bottles the milkman brings…
Which is where Milk Topz and Pot Lidz come in! In a bid to support the comeback of the door-to-door milkman, the team at Milk Topz have developed re-usable milk bottle tops which fit on most delivered milk bottles. They’re made of food grade silicone in a multiple of colours to replace the foil lids which don’t last and can’t be airtight, so helping your milk last longer.
Each pack of 6 lids contains three different colours, so you can use the different colours for different types of milk (ie semi skimmed and full fat). The lids are designed to be re-usable so you can put them in the dishwasher and they’re even 100% leakproof. Tip them upside down and they won’t leak! There has been controversy on BBC Breakfast News this week with talk about keeping milk at the back of the fridge instead of in the door like most of us do… except most of us would have milk leaking all over the place if that happened. Not with Milk Topz. They fit over the top of the 1 pint bottle of milk snugly, keeping air out too so your milk lasts longer.
In addition to Milk Topz, Pot Lidz do much the same job. Still made of food grade silicone and dishwasher and fridge safe, these lids stretch over pots such as cream, yoghurt and soft cheese with a diameter of 95mm. They’re also 100% leakproof, which is great for me when I buy mascarpone and the water residue leaks everywhere in the fridge. Pot Lidz will be a huge help in preventing spillages from now on.
Both Milk Topz and Pot Lidz also support the local community by allowing you to use your local milkman, or local farm shop more effectively and prevent food waste with milk expiring quicker. They’re safe to use and after time, you can find a lot more uses for keeping food fresh!
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