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!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
My make up and beauty regime changes drastically as we go from winter into summer, and when it’s hot summers like this (remember last year?) then there have to be even more changes. What I was not expecting though, was to have a full virus in June which left me off work for a few days and completely incapable of ridding myself of the dreaded summer sniffles.
I would have liked to tell you about my fantastic Mediterranean holiday where I perhaps got sunburnt, or had to slather myself with body lotion because of the amount of time I spent in the sea or the pool but no, the Balmonds Tea Tree Balm came in extra handy when my nose was a scaling mess, thanks to the amount of tissues I needed. It was not pretty. However, the balm arrived just in time and I could put it through its paces for less glamorous reasons.
Balmonds are a British brand who make all their products with natural ingredients. Their healthcare products are particularly good for people with eczema and other conditions which need more gentle apothecary. The Tea Tree Balm can be used on holiday for everything from bites, scratches and grazes and any dry skin, including skin on the heels. However, my nose and face were drier than a British summer… and looked it. So on went the balm, which is particularly rich but thankfully very smooth and glides on easily. It contains 100% natural products with organic tea tree and safflower and comes in an aluminium tin. Perfect for travelling, but the screw lid also means it doesn’t leak if it melts in the hot summer.
The balm itself has very little scent and isn’t offensive. It hydrated my skin instantly, causing a barrier and allowing the skin around my nose to dry. Applying it to dry skin on my eye brows too, and to my lips for added gloss as well as protection. I couldn’t feel the balm on my skin, it absorbed very quickly but it also allowed my skin to heal underneath. You can feel the texture of the beeswax in it too, which explains why it feels so rich.
The Balmonds Tea Tree Balm is a lovely addition to the holiday bag, and does so many things, including keeping dry skin hydrated, that it can be used at home too. The smaller size (there’s either 15ml or 50ml available) fits in your handbag too, or the baby bag for children from 6 months.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
No one misses out this Father’s Day with the Sinzero range of low and no alcohol wine. The range includes a Cabernet Sauvignon, a Chardonnay, a Rosé and a Sparkling Brut white wine which have only recently been launched in the UK. Whether you’re drinking alcohol or not, each of the Chilean bottles tastes of summer and you won’t notice the difference having low alcohol makes compared to what you find on the supermarket shelves. Each variety has a maximum of 0.5% alcohol.
Starting with the Sinzero Chardonnay, which is both vegan and alcohol free, the unmistakeable sharpness of Chardonnay is still there, with a slightly fresher, fruiter scent and after taste. This makes a great accompaniment to food especially white meat and fish and doesn’t have the acidic flavour you’re used to with some Chardonnays, probably because it’s from Chile. I’m reliably informed it only has 20 calories per glass too!
The Sinzero Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon tastes of vanilla but has a fragrance of strawberries, redcurrants and summer berries. I loved this one on its own, not with food but it goes particularly well with lighter meals like Italian pasta, it is a lovely lunchtime wine. The Sinzero Chliean Cabernet Sauvignon is also award winning, with 96 points and a gold medal in the IWSC.
Sinzero Chilean Rosé is a great wine for BBQs and works swimmingly with pasta, cheese and lighter dishes. I can also be drunk on its own and is also vegan and less than 25 calories per glass. It’s crisp, floral and fruity, just like a rosé should be!
Finally, there’s the Sinzero Chilean Sparkling Brut. We saved this for a family birthday as everyone could drink it, regardless of age or what medication they were on! The sparkling, crisp wine goes with anything or can be drunk on its own as the celebratory drink it is meant to be. Like all the other Chilean wines, it is light and fruity plus has less than 0.5% alcohol. Perhaps a good sparkling for family celebrations, especially as it’s got a slightly sweeter taste?
I didn’t know non-alcohol and low alcohol wines could be so tasty, let alone light and refreshing like the Sinzero line. I’m looking forward to seeing what other varieties they bring out in the future!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
National Picnic Week is 19th – 26th June this year, a time when the weather should hopefully be good enough for us to plan venturing outside to eat, or going on family trips to the seaside. When we do get the good weather, Brits are the best at planning the picnics and making the most of summer.
Joe & Sephs have sent us some delicious sharing bags of popcorn to try for this summer; Toffee and Sweet & Salty. Available on the website soon, they’re not there yet for you to be able to buy them but they are going to be available soon!
Joe & Sephs started making popcorn in 2010 from their artisan kitchen in London. Starting with the same few flavours, they have now grown to have multiple flavours, different sizes and types of bags and even chocolate covered varieties. During Christmas and Easter and at times throughout the year, there are limited additions and products such as presentation boxes and even a Christmas advent calendar!
The sharing bags of Toffee and Sweet & Salty flavours are your typical popcorn favourites, except this is gourmet popcorn so they’re not too sticky, don’t have annoying kernels which get stuck in your teeth and there are no un-popped corn pieces at the bottom of the bag! The 60gram bags are made in small batches to foster a better taste overall, and contain no palm oil, are gluten free and have no artificial flavours, colours or preservatives. The popcorn pieces are bigger than usual and coated with buttery toffee which is a light touch but still sweet enough to eat nearly the whole bag in one sitting! The Sweet & Salty bag is also lightly flavoured but you have the sugary coating juxtapositioned up against the slightly salty taste to give a less saccharine flavour compared to the Toffee variety.
Another hit from Joe & Sephs, these bags are great for going on picnics because they appeal to both adults and children and don’t have the preservatives and additives of other popcorns. There’s no wastage in these packets either, thanks to the way they are produced so you get the full benefit of the sharing bag and not just the sticky flavourings left in the bag at the end!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
I suffer with very dry skin and eczema and when it flares up it my skin becomes red and itchy and the skin on my hands and feet starts to crack which can be incredibly painful. I grew up on a dairy farm and remember my mother using the cow udder cream on her hands as it really helped her eczema, so when I heard about MooGoo, whose first ever product was based on cow udder cream, I knew I had to try it.
MooGoo is a Australian company which came about by accident after the founder, Craig Jones noticed his Mum using cow udder cream on her hands. Udder cream is quite thick and hard to apply so he decided to reformulate the cream, creating a lighter, non-greasy version which was a big hit with family and friends – so much so that he ended up going into business with this new cream which was aptly named MooGoo. Initially they only made one product but over the years the range has expanded to include 40 products.
If you haven’t tried MooGoo products before then the travel pack is perfect to start with as it contains four different products in a handy travel bag.
Milk Shampoo 100ml – Made using a combination of gentle Coconut and Glucose based cleansers it is designed for people with sensitive scalps, itchiness or flakiness. The shampoo lathered well and left my hair lovely and clean and after a couple of washes I noticed my scalp wasn’t as flaky.
Conditioner 100ml – This conditioner contains Jojoba Oil which moisturises hair leaving it soft, hydrated and free of tangles. It left my hair lovely and soft and it helped hydrate my curls leaving them shiny and bouncy.
Milk Wash 100ml – Made with a combination of 6 gentle, natural, low-irritant cleansers and designed to be used for the face and body. It is nice and gentle on my skin and a little goes a long way.
Skin Milk Udder Cream 100g – This is the original product that Craig first created. It is designed to hydrate skin using the natural ingredients and oils that contain the types of fatty acids needed for healthy skin. I have been using this on my hands and feet and it has really improved the condition of my skin in only a couple of weeks.
All the bottles have handy pump action dispensers, and they are just the right size to pop in my bag when I go away this summer.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
National Walking Month is coming to a close now and we have certainly covered some miles. We normally go out walking a couple of times a week but at the start of the month we challenged ourselves to go out for a walk every day in May and the miles have been quickly totting up. I have really enjoyed exploring our local area and walking along the public footpaths that cross the fields as well as doing a few higher level walks on the fells. We have seen plenty of wildlife too, my favourite was seeing a beautiful barn owl fly around the fields one evening and we have also spotted deer and hares.
Living in the North West we are used to wet weather and a walk in the rain is certainly a lot better with the right gear so I was pleased to receive the TOG24 Glasson Women’s Waterproof jacket – especially as my current waterproof coat has seen better days and tends to leak. It’s bad enough walking in the rain but it it’s a million times worse if the rain gets through your coat leaving you wet and cold.
Available in either navy or faded pink in sizes 8-18, the coat is made from a 100% waterproof, breathable fabric with a DWR coating to repel water. The coat is also windproof so will keep me warm and dry no matter what the weather throws at me.
I normally wear size 14 clothes, but I do like to go up a size for waterproof coats as I like to be able to move about easily and on colder days have room for a fleece or jumper. The size 16 coat fitted me perfectly – the elasticated waist toggles meant I could easily adjust the fit, pulling in the waist for a smooth fit when wearing thinner layers and loosening them when I am wearing more layers.
Designed with two-way zips and magnetic fasteners (which are a dream to fasten) the coat has two roomy angled pockets that fasten with the same magnetic fasteners. This is the first time I have come across a coat with this type of fastener, and I really love it, they are so easy to open, especially if you have cold and wet hands and they fasten easily with a satisfying snap. It also has a zipped internal pocket which is perfect for keeping my phone safe.
The coat is a very flattering shape and I love the longer length with the fishtail hem. I was really pleased with the length of the arms, I am 6’ tall with long arms and find sleeve lengths in women’s waterproofs do tend to be too short. I was therefore pleasantly surprised when I put the jacket on and found the sleeves were just the right length. Another feature of waterproof coats that I look at are the hood, it needs to fit nicely on my head and stay up when the weather is bad. The hood on the Glasson coat was an excellent fit and with the zip fully up stayed in place nicely. The peak helped prevent the hood from flopping in my face and is deep enough to keep rain off my face and glasses. There is also enough room to wear a woolly hat when it gets colder and still be able to put the hood up.
The lovely, longer-length Glasson coat performed brilliantly when we tested it with the hosepipe (it’s not rained here recently so we had to create our own weather conditions!) This was way more intense than any rain shower I’ve ever been in and although the coat was absolutely soaked, I stayed nice and dry. I am really pleased with this coat, it is comfortable to wear and looks great too. It’s also smart enough for work so whilst the coat is on sale I’m thinking of buying the faded pink version to keep me warm and dry on my daily commute.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
Gin has become incredibly popular over the last few years with plenty of small distilleries starting up, each with their own unique gin flavours. Being a gin fan myself, I do enjoy sampling all the different types and when it comes from a city close to my heart it’s even better.
Manchester Gin was created back in 2016 by Jen Wiggins and Seb Heeley who met in a Manchester bar. They both shared a love of gin so decided to take the plunge and create their own starting distilling in their dining room. Fast forward to 2019, the couple opened a brand new distillery, bar and restaurant under railway arches in the centre of Manchester, where you can not only sample the gin but see it being made too.
Made in the heart of Manchester the aptly named Manchester Gin Signature is distilled in a copper still and is one of the most awarded gins in the country. It is a citrus-led gin with 12 botanicals including orange, lemon and dandelion and burdock. The gin is spicy and sweet and makes a very refreshing G&T.
I served the gin with a premium Indian tonic water and plenty of ice, adding lemon and lime slices to make the perfect G&T. This is a very refreshing crisp flavoured gin, having a real juniper punch and a delicate sweetness from the liquorice.
Once I had tried a traditional G&T it was time to hit the cocktails and I found it worked well in the classic Gin Fizz or add fresh lime juice, homemade lime syrup and mint for my favourite – the zingy Gimlet cocktail.
If you are heading up to Manchester any time soon you can book a distillery tour where you can see the process and taste their gin for yourself. For gin connoisseurs you can even create your own gin. If you can’t get up to Manchester then the 42% proof gin is available from The Whiskey Exchange at a very reasonable £34.95.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
I love gardening, especially this time of year when all the plants start to really take off, it’s a joy to be outside and the wildlife is taking over our gardens. I plant a lot of seeds, take cuttings and every year promise myself to do something different to encourage nature in the garden.
Johnsons Lawn Seed are helping with that goal. They don’t just sell grass seed for lawns, but seed mixes too. We were sent some Celebration Wildflower tins to try for this summer, which incidentally coincides with #NoMowMay; the month where we are encouraged to not mow the lawn and let the wildflowers, weeds and therefore nature take over. It increases diversity and encourages the ecosystem to flourish.
Johnsons Lawn Seed Celebration Wildflower tins are 100% wildflowers which cover up to 15 square metres, which is about the size of a large room. The prepare the area to be sown, a bed of soil needs to be weed free (to decrease competition) and raked finely to give a medium-fine seedbed. Seeds should be sown from April to the end of June, then rake over them slightly and water in to ensure the birds don’t get them! Wildflowers don’t need to be deep in the ground to be able to grow well. The wildflowers should start to bloom from mid-June onwards until the first frosts of the autumn (mid October) as long as you keep them watered, especially at the germination phase.
The tins, which are the same type of pull-cans as supermarket beans, contain 17 different seed types including California Poppy, Cornflower, Cosmos, Painted Daisy and Pot Marigold. Each of the different wildflowers grow to different heights and at different times so over the course of a summer you get a tumbling array of different flowers, scents and foliage. With each tin, the 15 square metres of soil space will probably provide a few wildflower bouquets over time as well, but the variety of different seeds will attract all sorts of butterflies, bees and even moths to the garden over the course of the season. Children will love to help plant these as well as watch them grow as they are quick to geminate and wildflowers by their nature are able to grow in all sorts of soil and spaces. If you don’t have a soil bed anywhere, a pot or window sill will also accommodate the blossoms if you keep them well watered.
The Celebration Wildflower seeds we planted this week haven’t germinated yet and it will be a few more months before they do, and we are looking forward to seeing what comes up, and what wildlife is attracted into the garden.
Available from £7.99 at most garden centres. See details at Johnsons seeds here: johnsonslawnseed.com
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
May is National Walking Month and a brilliant time to start walking as a new hobby with the spring flowers out and summer just about to begin. What clothing do you need though? Apart from the obvious walking gear, it’s prudent to have a good quality sports bra and the Anita Air Control Padded Sports Bra is just that.
This is the first padded sports bra Anita have ever launched. It’s padded but not wired so it’s an easier fit but I particularly like how modest it is with not showing much cleavage, and there is minimum movement. It’s a very, very firm hold so your shape doesn’t change much no matter the exercise. The design is very appealing too with three colours available. The design sent to me was the snakeskin pattern, and along with the modesty and hold, it works perfectly as a sports bra either under a top or if you are in the gym, you could wear this alone especially in the summer.
Speaking of bras in summer, the Anita Air Control Padded Sports Bra has exclusively designed air-permeable Delta Pad foam cups which acts as coolants to the chest and allow your skin to breathe and keep a constant, cooler temperature. The sealed seams in the straps mean they don’t chaff as you move, especially with more vigorous sports and they help create a perfect fit. The bras are sold in individual sizes too (as opposed to small/medium/large) to give a better overall fit which makes them more effective at minimising movement too.
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I tried the bra for a weight lifting session, which also happened to be my first ever Anita bra! If you’re not familiar with weight lifting, then there is a lot of jumping with heavy weights so there’s a potential for a lot of movement. Thankfully, the super control of the Anita Air Control Padded Sports Bra meant that there was very limited movement! The bra fits very firmly, although I did find that stretching the straps to the back for the first few times was difficult. However, it is fastened with 4 rows of hook and eye fasteners so there’s extra support there. The wide back strap also makes it more comfortable and the breathable material meant I had no problem with sweat! The straps are adjustable too, so if you need that extra bit of comfort, or are walking all day and start to feel tired, it’s easy to change the fitting to suit your needs, especially if you’re carrying something heavy on your back.
The designs are lovely and very versatile, I’m glad I had the chance to try a whole new brand of sports bra, and I’m so happy with the way they work for me!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Whether you’re going on holiday this summer or relaxing at home, your mood can be seriously enhanced with some gorgeous candles, especially if they’re Yankee Candles! The famous luxury candle company have sent us these seasonal beauties to try out, in the hope that we bliss out and pretend we are on a Mediterranean yacht somewhere…
The first Yankee Candle we tried was the Cucumber Mint Cooler 368gram (medium size). This size has two wicks to light, so it burns more easily and fills the room with scent as it does so. The fragrance certainly comes across as very cooling, with the fresh cucumber smell taking hold first, then the mint is more subtle afterwards. The whole candle perfume is light and crisp, much like a white wine on a sunny day and doesn’t overpower a room at all. It could be used outdoors as well as indoors as the size of glass protects it somewhat, although I haven’t tried it yet myself.
The second candle is the Hand Tied Blooms Candle, which is a lilac/pink colour and this larger size weighs 567gram. A much more floral smell, this candle is rosier, with petal tones to the fragrance and a bit stronger when it burns. It’s a very even, consistent scent with the lavender tones coming through, and a vanilla tone to it. I think it’s more of a feminine smell, unlike the Cucumber Mint Cooler which is more universal, but the Hand Tied Blooms candle would be great for celebrations or a family gathering over the summer. It reminds me of summer a lot, so it’s perfect for when the sun is out!
Both candles, like everything from Yankee Candles, are in sturdy glass jars, complete with lids so you can extinguish them safely if you need to, or keep them until they’re needed again. They make gorgeous presents and arrive in a lovely box which is ideal for gifting. Anyone who buys from the Yankee Candle online shop earns Fragrance Family Rewards which you can redeem later on – perhaps for another treat for yourself?
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Cycling weather is upon us and if you need to take provisions, any cyclist knows there’s not much that can be carried on a bike when you go out and about. There’s also not much you can buy in shops or rely on the local amenities so something like the My Little Sudocrem for minor ailments is ideal. Sudocrem is also excellent for chaffing especially on really long rides!
The My Little Sudocrem tubs are petite circular screw top pods which weight only 22grams. Durable and able to be kept in pockets or tucked into the smallest of rucksacks or handbags, they pack a punch with the full benefits of Sudocrem, just delivered in smaller vessels so that you can transport them anywhere. Cyclists will love My Little Sudocrem because of the size, and because it’s so handy to prevent, or relieve chaffing. If you’ve never had little children around or ever used Sudocrem, then I can tell you it’s a dream for so many purposes. As a rich, scentless cream it can be used on almost anything on the skin, from grazes to allergies or even just to keep you skin soft. I use it as a body moisturiser for the summer months when my legs are dry and I’m wearing skirts and dresses, and on my face for outdoor sports when my visage is chapped, such as out cycling or on the water.
The My Little Sudocrem is also brilliant for taking on holiday, or keeping in your car for when out with the children or after outdoor sports. There’s something very soothing and medicinal about a cold cream on your face after a day out in the wind, rain or sun and Sudocrem has the soothing effect like an aftersun cream, only with a thicker, richer moisturising effect. Also great for the playground when the children have grazes on the swings, there’s a whole host of uses for My Little Sudocrem this summer.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
Whenever I am invited to a picnic I to take something a little different and these Purely plantain chips were a real hit this week. Founded by Stefania Pellegrino and Mark O’Sullivan Purely’s aim is to save the world from boring snacks and spread the love for the awesome power of the plantain!
A staple food for many in South America, plantains are members of the banana family, but whilst they look like large bananas, they are starchier and lower in sugar and aren’t usually eaten raw.
The chips are available in three different flavours, Sea Salt, Nice & Spicy and Wild Garlic and they all taste delicious. My favourite is the Sea Salt, it has just the right amount of crunch and saltiness, making it the perfect snack for picnics or sat watching a film.
So what do plantain chips taste like – well they are thicker than normal crips, have a satisfying crunch and are incredibly moreish. As they have 30% less fat than potato crisps, they are a much healthier choice too.
The chips are available in a 75g sharing bag (although they are so moreish you may not want to share!!) as well as 28g bags which are perfect for lunchboxes.
Purely Plantain Chips are available to buy directly from Purely and you can also find them in Selfridges, Holland and Barrett and Ocado.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Raising a glass of the Royal British Legion Champagne to a Coronational New Era
Decorations are in full swing and the celebrations for the Coronation are starting this week. Most of us have never seen a Coronation, but we have all heard what it was like in 1953 and how the world has changed since then.
The Royal British Legion have released three champagnes in partnership with Eminent Wines to celebrate the King’s Coronation. As the King is the head of the Armed Forces, there is no better time to release the Champagnes with 10% of each bottle sale going towards the charity.
The trio, fit for a King, includes;
Reveille (Brut) – A name inspired by the music which follows The Last Post and Two Minute Silence at Remembrance services. £45.00 per bottle. Recommend accompanying smoked salmon blinis.
Centurion (Blanc de Blanc) – A name, quite simply, in reference to one hundred years of the Royal British Legion. £55.00 per bottle. The top of the range, fit with all coronation food!
We were sent a sample of the third Champagne, a rose named Champs de Fleurs – translates from French to ‘fields of flowers,’ in reference to the fields of poppies that flourished on the Western Front following the First World War, which lead to the red poppy becoming a symbol of Remembrance and hope for a peaceful future. £55.00 per 750ml bottle. Fantastic with strawberries dipped in chocolate! This is a slightly sweeter champagne and suitable for anyone with 12% vol. Produced in France, it is 75% Chardonnay, 12.5% Pinot Noir and 12.5% Pinot Meunier.
The label itself looks lovely on the table with the poppy design and soft blush colours. This would be an amazing addition to the Street Party table, especially with the Royal Legion connection and knowing that there is also a contribution towards the charity to benefit more people.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Crisps are the staple savoury snack for buffets, parties and family get togethers. With Coronation parties being planned up and down the country you can guarantee that the nation will be chomping on crisps throughout the festivities. Crunchy and packed full of flavour they go with pretty much everything from sandwiches, cheese or even a pint.
I’m in charge of the buffet for The Review Studio Coronation party so was really pleased to receive a couple of bags of Tyrrells crisps, the regal sounding Coronation Chicken and the Tomato & Chilli Chutney flavour.
The Coronation Chicken crisps have been relaunched as a limited edition to commemorate the Coronation of King Charles III. Packaged in celebratory packaging featuring plenty of colourful Union Jack flags, the crisps are made with the finest potatoes and hand cooked & spun for exquisite taste. Combining roast chicken with a subtle curry kick these crisps are nice and crunchy and incredibly moreish! I’m not always a huge fan of spicy crisps as I find that they can be a little strong but the bite of the curry was perfect and really complemented the roast chicken flavour without being overpowering.
With a RRP of £2.75 the 150g bags are currently available in Booths, Waitrose, Tesco, Asda and WHSmith Travel and will be available at BP from 2nd May.
The brand new Tomato & Chilli Chutney flavour crisps have a warm chilli flavour with a hint of smokiness. These crisps are packed full of flavour with a perfect crunch and are the perfect addition to any picnic or Coronation party this summer.
The 150g bags have a RRP of £2.75 and are currently available from Asda and Waitrose and look out for them in Tesco from 21st March.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Edifier are known for their high quality speakers, I already own a couple of their products and like them so was pleased to be asked to try the MP100 bluetooth speaker which Edifier suggests is a “great outdoor companion”.
With a rugged waterproof construction the MP100 is ideal for use outside. It is covered in a dust proof fabric and has an IPX7 rating which means the speaker can be 1 metre underwater for 30 minutes without getting damaged – so there isn’t the same urgency to put it somewhere dry when it starts raining – as often happens in this country!
It is available in a choice of three colours, Forest Green, Lake Green and Black and has a single button to control calls. There is a large loop which can be used to hang the speaker up and I found it to be quite easy to hold whilst wearing gloves. It isn’t a small device, it has a 95mm diameter and is 50mm thick, and with a weight of 185g it weighs around the same as a mobile phone. On the bottom of the speaker is a circular rubber base which helps keep the speaker from sliding around on whatever surface it is put on. The USB-C charging port, which is covered with a small rubber flap, is on the bottom half of the speaker along with the control buttons.
Setting up the speaker is easy, turn it on by pressing the power button for a few seconds, until the blue light comes on, then search for Edifier MP100 Plus in the Bluetooth settings of your device. The speaker makes an audible sound when connected and then you can use it to listen to music/audio from your device.
Built around a 5W 43mm full-range speaker the sound is great and with a claimed battery life of 9 hours is good for a whole day in the great outdoors. Now, I have to say that I’m no fan of people who play music whilst out hiking – I much prefer the peace and quiet – but for other outdoor activities, like camping or a day at the beach, it would be great. I spend a lot of time in the garden and enjoy listening to music or podcasts whilst I’m working and in the past have worried about damaging my speaker – with the Edifier MP100 Plus I no longer need to worry, I just hang it up, relax and enjoy!
Should you wish to use it for calls it has a built-in microphone and I found the sound was very clear, with noise suppression to remove unwanted background noise.
So whether you are camping, caravanning, relaxing in the garden or hitting the beach this summer make sure you have the Edifier MP100 Plus in your bag.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
New Year, New Routine!
With New Year comes change, and many of us are looking to improve our self care. Image Skincare offers a whole range of options for all skin types, from moisturisers and serums to SPF sunscreens and facial cleansers.
Starting with the MAX Facial Cleaner, this luxurious cleanser is mild enough to be used morning and evening to take away impurities on the skin as well as any make-up. Work a generous amount into the skin and rinse off with warm water followed by a cool splash to brighten up your skin tone.
The MAX Facial Cleaner combines plant stem cell technology and botanicals to create a sumptuous, rich cream which provokes your sense of smell with citrus and floral tones. The peptides promote youthful looking skin and target the visible signs of aging but cleverly, don’t include traditional sulfates.
Trying this before my beauty routine and the rest of the Image Skincare products, it’s the heavenly fragrance that hits you first. The cleanser is effective but doesn’t dry the skin out with use. I particularly liked the richness of the formula which didn’t feel abrasive on me at all, and didn’t foam up and get in my eyes. It felt like when you have a facial and the steam and products are lathered on by your beautician and then gently exfoliated away to leave clean, crisp skin ready for papering.
Before moisturiser, Image Skincare have the Vital C Hydrating Anti-Aging Serum. A handy 50ml pump of morning and evening pre-moisturising serum to go under make-up and skincare. The Vital C promotes elasticity and signs of aging, softens wrinkles and combats environmental damage before it even hits the lower dermal levels.
Vital C Hydrating Serum contains many different forms of Vitamin C (hence the name) to impart brightness and glow to the skin, whilst hyaluronic acid helps with moisture control and antioxidants defend against skin stresses. It can be applied day or night onto cleansed skin, and works best when an moisturiser is applied on top, but is equally good on its own.
I loved this serum. With a similar scent to the cleanser, it really moisturisers deeply in the skin and exudes a richness that gives away the quality of Image Skincare. It does sit on the skin momentarily before it is absorbed in but once it does, it’s dewy and soft and leaves your skin feeling fresh. The citrus fragrance also helps, and reminds you of the lovely Vitamin C it contains!
In the same range is the Vital C Hydrating Repair Créme. Another of the Image Skincare products to fight the signs of aging and fine lines, it also contains Vitamin C and hyaluronic acid to add bounce and vitality to the skin. Any skin which is lacking nutrients will enjoy the benefits of the added nutrients of this Hydrating Repair Créme and the Vitamin A which refreshes skin texture and tone.
Once you open the pot, you’ll see there’s a tiny applicator to use instead of dipping in a finger! The créme itself is just as rich as the other Image products, and also has the Vitamin C kick that gives it the same citrus smell. Applied on top of the Vital Hydrating Serum this combination created the salon-like texture of new facial and the freshness of a spring spa break, just without the blossom! Once the hydrating crème sinks in, you can feel the texture of your skin smooth and elasticity is added where once was lost. Yes, it really does feel that poetic.
Lastly, we were also sent the Image Skincare PREVENTION+ Daily Ultimate Protection Moisturiser. My one gripe with modern moisturisers is that so many of them still don’t contain SPF despite us knowing about the cost of sunlight to our skin. The PREVENTION+ Protection Moisturiser is a very handy 50 SPF, so much higher than most moisturisers in this country but also useful for travelling abroad when you might need to wear a higher Sun Factor Protection.
The uniqueness of the PREVENTION+ is that it can be used as a sunscreen when needed, or as a daily moisturiser. If you’re using it as a sunscreen, then it needs to be applied 15 minutes before you go out in the sun. It needs to be applied every 2 hours as well. As a daily moisturiser with the added sunscreen factor, less can be applied. The more product you use though, the higher the sunscreen protection and longer it lasts. It also works best if applied to cleanses skin.
The PREVENTION+ Protection Moisturiser is another excellent skincare product from Image Skincare, with a richness which makes it easy to wear but not greasy enough for you to notice it. It also has a lovely fragrance to it, although not as citrus as the other products featured but works beautifully as either a moisturiser or a sunscreen.
All of the Image Skincare products are available online, and I can’t recommend them highly enough, especially for upcoming Valentines gifts.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own
It’s the weekend and even though we’re taking part in Dry January it doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy a cocktail or two – there are plenty of delicious non-alcoholic cocktails available now and Mavrik have certainly come up trumps with their exciting non- alcoholic cocktail range.
The Mavrik taster pack contains four 250ml cans and with less than 50 calories per can they are perfect for those watching the calories as well as those who prefer a non-alcoholic drink. Choose from
Aromatic G&T: A delicious version of the quintessential English favourite with a refined low calorie pink G&T.
Cuban Mojito: Zinging with mint and rum flavours, this indulgent alcohol-free Mojito is the very refreshing and will be lovely to drink with friends this Dry January.
Venetian Spritz: A refreshing, sparking orange drink, sweet with a hint of bitterness and is delicious with plenty of ice and a few slices of orange.
Storm & Spice: a fiery, tongue tickling, low calorie version of the classic spicy Bermudan rum cocktail.
My favourite of the four was the Cuban Mojito which was just as a Mojito should be, nice and refreshing with the taste of fresh lime and mint and with no sugar I can drink it all night guilt free.
I must say I was very pleasantly surprised with the non-alcoholic drinks, made with natural ingredients and carbonated New Forest spring water they are very refreshing and enable you to get into the party spirit without the hangover! They are vegan friendly, gluten free and contain less than 5 grams of sugar per 100 grams so what’s not to love?
Mavrik drinks are available from their website and the tasting pack costs £9.75
The Review Studio 