gifts for mum – Page 4 – The Review Studio

Galen Leather Lunar Make up Bag

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Fashion, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

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

If you’re stuck on what to buy for Valentine’s Day, then look no further – a leather makeup bag is the answer! It’s a gift that’s stylish, practical, and luxurious and is guaranteed to make the recipient feel extra special.

Galen Leather Co are a Turkish family business based in Istanbul with a real passion for handcrafted leather, wood, and stationery. All their products are handcrafted making every piece unique.

They recently sent me one of their make up bags and believe me this is isn’t your average makeup bag. Made from premium leather, it has a lovely texture and a timeless, classy finish that oozes sophistication. And the magic of leather? It only gets better with age! Over time, it will develop a stunning patina, becoming more gorgeous the more it’s used. Unlike synthetic alternatives that crack and fade, this is a bag built to last, a true keepsake that will be cherished for years to come.

But it’s not just about looks; this makeup bag is as practical as it is pretty. Inside, you’ll find a zipped pocket, two slim fabric pouches, and a larger compartment – ideal for keeping everything neat and organised. The slim pockets are perfect for smaller items like mascara, eyeliner, or lipstick, while the larger section is spacious enough for eyeshadows or blushers. The main compartment is also roomy enough to stand bottles of foundation or perfume upright so no more spills or leaks!

One thing I love about this make up bag is how wide it opens. It’s wide enough to see everything at a glance, so there’s no need to tip all your products out onto the bed or dressing table to find your favourite lipstick. Everything’s right there, ready to grab, making it a dream to use.

And as for gifting? Pair this beautiful bag with a couple of makeup treats – maybe a new lipstick or their favourite skincare item and you’ve got a personalised, thoughtful Valentine’s present. With a range of gorgeous colours to choose from, including classic black and eye catching purple, it’s easy to find the perfect match for their style.

Trust me, this is a gift that will leave them smiling long after Valentine’s Day has passed!

Lifestyle Gift Card

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Easter, Father's Day, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Valentine's Day Gifts

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

When it comes to last-minute gifting, a gift card always saves the day, especially when you’re short on time. Whether your recipient is halfway across the country or just up the road, this is the no-fuss, no-panic option that everyone loves.

The beauty of a gift card lies in its utter simplicity. Once upon a time, a last-minute gift meant frantically rushing from shop to shop grabbing whatever looked remotely presentable. Those days are over, now with just a few clicks, you can hop online and buy a Lifestyle e-gift card add a personal message and send it directly to your recipient’s inbox. No queues, no hassle and best of all – it’s delivered instantly so no need to feel guilty for leaving it so late!

For those that are thinking that a gift card is just a lazy cop-out. Oh no, a Lifestyle Gift card is anything but. It’s a golden ticket to over 300 top brands – think high-street shops, hotels, restaurants, cinemas, theatres, and even supermarkets and charity donations. The hardest bit is choosing what to spend it on! Fancy a spa day? Done. Dinner at a fancy restaurant? Easy. A new gadget, some groceries, or a night at the movies? All covered. This isn’t just a gift; it’s an entire world of possibilities.

Now, for those who still want something physical to hand over – don’t panic. Lifestyle Gift Cards can be printed at home or you can receive a gift card by post. Just be sure to order before 1 pm on December 20^th to make sure it arrives in time for Christmas. But if you’ve missed that deadline, don’t worry. The e-gift card rides to the rescue once again, bypassing postal delays and landing in the recipient’s inbox in mere moments.

And let’s not overlook the brilliance of giving people what they actually want. A gift card removes all the guesswork. There’s no chance of buying the wrong size, colour, or model, no duplicates and no awkward returns. Instead your recipient gets the freedom to choose something they really want – whether it’s something indulgent, practical or fun.

So, if you find yourself in a gifting pickle, don’t despair. Reach for a Lifestyle Gift card. It’s quick, versatile, and utterly foolproof. A few clicks, and you’ve turned your last-minute scramble into a thoughtful gesture. Trust me, the recipient won’t just be pleased, they’ll be impressed.

Hoover Robot Vacuum Cleaner HG4

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home & Garden, Tech

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

Sometimes you don’t realise how much you need something until you have it. For me, vacuuming was a daily chore, thanks to my two sons who constantly trail dirt into the house and whilst I knew robot vacuums existed, I just didn’t think that they would be up to the challenge, but I’m very pleased to say I have been proved wrong!

As a fan of smart home technology I already had a few smart appliances around the home, so setting up the Hoover HG4 robot was pretty simple. The instructions were easy to follow and within minutes it was connected to our WiFi and the app was up and running. Before we could start though we needed to make sure that the floors were clear so a bit of a tidy up was necessary to get the loose cables and abandoned shoes out of the way and once done the robot was ready to tackle the floors. On it’s first trip it carefully mapped out the layout of our home, tracking the walls and identifying where the furniture is. The app shows the robot’s progress and I was fascinated to see how the laser was able to “see” the walls and features of our home, even down to individual chair and table legs.

The following day I scheduled the hoover to clean the entire downstairs floor whilst I was at work. I couldn’t resist checking it’s progress on the app but I was astonished when I came home and saw just how noticeably clean the floors were! Every room had been thoroughly vacuumed and the robot had returned to the charging point ready for the next cleaning session.

Once the mapping is complete the app allows you to name individual rooms and to create cleaning schedules. Now the robot cleans the hallway and porch every morning while the rest of the house is tackled througout the week. Although most rooms are carpeted, a few rooms have hard floors and different options can be chosen for these rooms, for example I’ve chosen a lower power vacuum for the tiled kitchen floor.

While we’ve made an effort to keep floors clear, there were some early hiccups, shoelaces in the hall caused a tangle and the robot has been stuck under a table. Fortunately, these issues were easily resolved by using the app’s virtual wall and no-go zone features to restrict access to trouble spots.

The robot’s cleaning performance has genuinely impressed me. Even the edges of the carpet are cleaned thanks to the side brush that sweeps dust toward the centre. It’s easy to maintain with a spare brush, extra filter, and a handy cleaning tool included to keep everything running smoothly. Emptying the dustbin is quick and easy too, there’s a small bin at the back of the robot that lifts out and can easily be carried to the bin.

After seeing how clean my house is I can confidently say I won’t be going back to a manual vacuum cleaner ever again – the Hoover HG4 robot has certainly earned it’s place in our home!

RRP £249

Annabelle Minerals

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Women

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

The festive season is the perfect excuse to indulge in some new beauty goodies, with endless fantastic products and irresistible offers to choose from. We’ve been trying out some fabulous makeup and skincare products from Annabelle Minerals and these vegan-friendly products, made with natural ingredients have been a big hit with the Review Studio team.

Let’s start with the Sheer Shine Lipstick – available in five stunning shades, Apricot, Brown Fig, Coconut, Dragon Fruit, and Strawberry, these lipsticks are creamy, moisturizing, and packed with natural oils, butters, and vitamin E. They’re like a lipstick and lip balm rolled into one giving you a gorgeous pop of colour and soft, hydrated lips. Plus, they come in a super chic golden magnetic case, so they look as posh as they feel. Oh, and if you’re into sustainable beauty, you’ll love the refill option – what’s not to like? RRP £12.90, with refills at £9.90.

If you prefer a lip pencil then check out the Jumbo Lip Pencils, available in five fab shades – Cranberry, Clover, Marigold, Dahlia, and Maroon, they glide on like a dream. Whether you’re going for a subtle daytime vibe or full-on glam, these pencils can do it all. And let’s be honest, who doesn’t love a multitasking product?

Now, if you fancy adding a bit of glow (and who doesn’t this time of year?), the Pressed Powder Bronzer is a must-have. Available in five coffee-inspired shades – Café Au Lait, Cold Brew, Ginger Coffee, Latte, and Mocha, it blends beautifully for a natural, satin-matte finish.

Whether you want a soft sun-kissed look or a sharper contour, the bronzer is buildable and will last all day. Plus, with a refill option it’s as sustainable as it is gorgeous.

RRP £19.90, refills at £15.90

Skincare fans, this one’s for you! The Soft Cream Moisturiser is a game changer, especially if you’re a fan of mineral make up. This ultra light cream is the perfect base for your foundation, keeping your skin hydrated and fresh.

Made with 95% natural and 100% vegan ingredients, it’s packed with skin-loving goodies like shea butter, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E. It absorbs instantly, leaving your skin soft, smooth, and perfectly prepped for makeup.

From their sustainable ethos to their high-quality, skin-friendly formulas, Annabelle Minerals is giving us serious Christmas gifting inspiration. Lipsticks, bronzers, skincare—you name it, they’ve got something for everyone.

So, whether you’re pampering yourself or spoiling someone special, these beauties are sure to put a smile on anyone’s face this Christmas.

Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto and Savoia Vino

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

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

If you’re looking to bring a touch of Italian elegance to your Christmas celebrations this year, then the charming tradition of Italian aperitivo is just the thing. This pre-dinner ritual not only awakens the palate and sets the stage for a delicious meal but also encourages guests to relax and socialise. At Christmas, aperitivo comes into its own, picture your friends and family gathered before dinner, sipping on sparkling cocktails whilst chatting and snacking. It’s easy, elegant and brimming with the festive buzz we all love.

But Aperitivo is more than just a drink, it’s a great gift too as it generally comes in bottles so stunning you’ll barely need to wrap them. A simple gift tag and a contrasting bow are all it takes to create a show stopping present. They’re the perfect choice for anyone who loves a bit of sophistication and let’s be honest, the brightly coloured bottles look great in a drinks cabinet or on a kitchen shelf. Pair one with some cocktail glasses, a cocktail shaker or some gourmet nibbles and you’ve got a great Christmas gift.

ITALICUS Rosolio di Bergamotto has been created by Giuseppe Gallo and is inspired by the amazing flavours of his Amalfi Coast childhood. This aromatic liqueur delivers a perfectly balanced taste of Italy, with refreshingly bright citrus flavours from bergamot, a fruit best described as a cross between a sour orange and a lemon.

Grown, harvested, and distilled in Turin, ITALICUS features notes of ripe bergamot orange, light bitterness, and subtle floral spices. The bottle itself is a work of art with the design inspired by Italy’s architectural heritage and resembling the columns of ancient Rome. The marbled black and white stopper taking inspiration from Northern Italy’s gothic cathedrals. The aquamarine hue? It’s a clever trick of yellow liquid in blue glass, evoking the sparkling tones of the Amalfi Coast.

Drink it with Prosecco or Champagne for a ITALICUS Spritz and garnish with green olives for a touch of saltiness. Or shake things up with the ITALICUS Cup, blending tonic and grapefruit soda for a zesty twist on a classic Margarita.

RRP £31.75 available from The Whisky Exchange

Savoia is a certified vegan vino aperitivo that boasts a complex blend of 24 botanicals, including bitter orange, gentian root, pink grapefruit, and warming winter spices like cardamom and ginger. It is available in two flavours, Rosso and Orancio.

Savoia Rosso, includes a touch of Marsala wine while Savoia Orancio channels the exotic flavours of saffron and pomegranate, drawing from Marco Polo’s Silk Road adventures. Both are ideal for classic cocktails like a Negroni, Spritz, or Garibaldi, or why not try inventing a few of your own? You can find a selection of recipes on their website, casa-savoia.com.

Like the Italicus Rosolio Di Bergamotto the design of the Savoia bottles pays homage to Italy’s royal heritage, with nods to Turin, the first capital of unified Italy. The wooden stopper evokes the Mole Antonelliana building, and the horizontal infinity symbol represents the countless ways Savoia can be enjoyed. With an ABV of 18.6%, the Rosso’s design even marks 1861, the year of Italian unification.

RRP £20 Available from Italspirits

These bottles make great Christmas gifts, whether it’s for the cocktail enthusiast ready to shake things up on Christmas Day or for Granny looking to try something a bit different. Either way, they are sure to be a festive hit!

Christmas Beauty Round Up

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Winter, Women

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

The winter months can be harsh on your skin so it’s worth investing in some good skincare products to ensure you’re glowing and party-ready for the festive season. Begin with a high-quality cleanser to remove impurities and prep your skin for the rest of your skincare routine. The COSRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser is an excellent choice thanks to it’s gentle, yet effective formula that improves skin texture, clarifies and removes impurities whilst maintaining a balanced pH. Applied to wet skin and massaged in before rinsing it’s tea tree oil infused formula provides a refreshing, medicinal scent that helps wake you up in the morning! It lathers nicely and cleanses e without leaving skin feeling dry.

RRP £15.99 150ml

Next, apply a rich, hydrating moisturizer to combat the drying effects of colder weather, keeping your skin plump and radiant. The Embroyolisse Lait Crème Concentrate moisturiser is a lovely rich moisturiser which is suitable for all skin types. This multipurpose product doubles as a body moisturiser, face mask, primer makeup remover and even a post shave soother. Enriched with essential fatty acids and vitamins it nourishes, hydrates and protects your skin. It’s creamy non-runny consistency is easy to apply and is an excellent base for make up while keeping skin hydrated all day.

RRP £24.99 100ml

For your night time routine add a retinol cream to boost cell renewal and smooth fine lines for a youthful, refreshed complexion. COSRX The Retinol 0.3 is designed to target visible signs of ageing so will help those wrinkles and fine lines, loss elasticity, uneven skin tone and visible pores, making it a must have addition to your winter skincare line up.

RRP £32 20ml

Having looked after your skin throughout November, you’ll be ready to dazzle at every festive party. To take your look to the next level, a pair of false eyelashes are just what you need to add an extra touch of glamour. The Ardell Wispies Lashes (RRP £5) are a fantastic choice, they’re lightweight, easy to apply, and beautifully enhance your eyes with their fluttery, natural design. If you prefer a glue-free option, the Ardell Naked Press-On Lashes (RRP £14.50) are ideal. They’re quick and hassle-free, providing the same eye-enhancing effect with minimal effort. Whether you go for a dramatic or subtle look, these lashes will perfectly complement your radiant, party-ready skin.

Swan 1.5 Litre Digital Kettle

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home & Garden

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

Imagine waking up on a chilly morning and without leaving the comfort of your cosy bed, being able to turn your kettle for the all important first brew of the day. That’s now a reality with the Swan Digital Kettle which boasts the title of the world’s first Alexa-compatible kettle. As someone who appreciates home automation, I was intrigued yet sceptical – did I really need to turn my kettle on with a voice command?

Design-wise, the kettle has a sleek, modern look, finished in glossy black with a LED touch panel. At first glance, it resembles a standard cordless kettle, but the illuminated display reveals advanced features like a temperature indicator and a “set” button, allowing you to choose the temperature of the water. With five temperature options ranging from 40°C to 100°C it’s perfect for everything from green tea to coffee. It even keeps the water warm for a couple of hours too which is ideal when you need a top up.

Now, let’s talk Alexa integration. Connecting it to WiFi via the app was very straightforward and within minutes it was under Alexa’s control. I’ve also linked it to custom Alexa routines which turn the kettle on when I say, “Alexa, I’m home,” or when I turn my alarm off in the morning. While you can’t check if there’s water in the kettle remotely, it does have a boil-dry protection feature, which turns the kettle off if there isn’t enough water in it, which is lucky as getting the family into the habit of refilling it is proving to be a challenge!

Overall, the Swan Digital Kettle is a stylish, functional addition to any kitchen, blending tech-savvy innovation with everyday practicality. A smart kettle might not be essential, but it’s undeniably a luxury that’s nice to have.

RRP £79.99 but currently on offer at £59.99

Jack & Orla Origami Notelets and Bookmarks

Birthday Gifts, Books, Christmas, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

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

I’m a self confessed stationery addict so was really pleased when Jenny, the founder of Jack & Orla got in touch to share her gorgeous origami inspired gifts. Named after her children, Jenny founded Jack & Orla out of a wish to create unique prints for her children’s bedrooms and her fantastic designs quickly became popular with likeminded people. Soon, her sister Claire joined the team and together they have grown Jack & Orla into a brand loved for its high-quality designs.

The latest collection features these fantastic origami notelets, I think the animal print ones are really cool but there’s eight other ones to choose from if you prefer something a little more subtle.The paper is beautifully thick with a smooth finish that’s a pleasure to write on and each notelet feels like a mini work of art, showcasing Jenny’s creativity and style. There’s plenty of space to write but the cleverest feature is that these cards are designed to fold to create their own envelopes! After writing your note simply fold it up again, seal it with one of the adhesive labels that is included in the set, add the address and a stamp and then just pop it in the post box.

Whether you’re sending a thank you note, a birthday message, or just a quick “thinking of you,” these notelets make every occasion feel a little more special. They’re a joy to write on and an even bigger joy to receive. In today’s digital age these are such a lovely way to bring back the art of letter-writing!

RRP £12 for a set of 6 notelets

In addition to the delightful notelets Jack & Orla also offer origami bookmarks which are just a dream for anyone who, like me, can’t stand folded page corners! These charming bookmarks come in packs of four, each featuring a unique origami design that’s as stylish as it is practical. With four different designs to choose from, they’re ideal for marking pages in recipe books or your current novel, making turned down corners a thing of the past!

Jenny’s put so much love and creativity into these designs and whether you gift them together or on their own, they’re perfect for Christmas stockings, Secret Santa gifts, or even a little treat for yourself!

RRP £6 for a set of 4

If you want to purchase them Jack & Orla are offering 10% off if you use the code THANKYOU at checkout.

Afternoon Tea at The Imperial Hotel, Blackpool

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Days Out, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, Restaurant, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

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

Opened in 1867, The Imperial Hotel in Blackpool is a charming Victorian establishment steeped in history, having hosted notable guests such as Charles Dickens, Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth, Princess Anne, and even the Beatles. This grand hotel, with its impressive entrance, sits proudly along the seafront, a true reminder of Blackpool’s Victorian heyday when visitors flocked to enjoy the therapeutic seawater and Turkish baths.

The moment you step into the Imperial Hotel’s magnificent foyer, you are transported away from the bustle of daily life. The wood panelling and grand staircase set a refined atmosphere, promising an experience of timeless elegance.

We enjoyed afternoon tea in the Palm Court Restaurant, where the restaurant manager warmly welcomed us and led us to a table with a stunning view of the sea. After introducing us to the menu, he brought us each a glass of prosecco and a pot of tea. Once the tea had brewed, a classic three-tier cake stand appeared alongside a savoury plate featuring a small cup of delicious soup, a mini tomato and mozzarella quiche with beautifully crisp pastry and a homemade sausage roll with cranberries and thyme, served warm with wonderfully flaky puff pastry which was absolutely delicious.

The bottom tier of the cake stand was arranged with a selection of finger sandwiches on white and brown bread, with fillings of maple-cured ham with grain mustard, egg mayonnaise with watercress, mature cheddar with spring onion and roast turkey with smoked bacon, red onion, and mayonnaise. The sandwiches, served on soft, fresh bread, were full of flavour and very tasty. They weren’t sparing with the fillings either, which always gets a tick in my book.

The middle tier presented freshly baked scones with an array of accompaniments -clotted cream and strawberry jam for the cherry scones, and onion jam and chive butter for the Lancashire cheese scone. This savoury twist was a welcome change, particularly enjoyed by my husband, who doesn’t have a sweet tooth and really enjoyed his cheese scone. The scones were excellent with the perfect mix of crisp outer shell and soft (but not dense) centre.

On the top tier, a beautifully arranged selection of bite-sized pastries and cakes awaited. We were treated to a lemon Madeira drizzle with raspberry gel, a banoffee tart garnished with crisp banana and chocolate shavings, a mixed berry mess topped with mini meringue, and a mini-Eccles cake with candied orange. Each was delightful, with the Eccles cake emerging as our favourite.

By the time we had sampled all three tiers, we were pleasantly full and content to linger and soak in the elegant surroundings. And, for those who can’t quite finish, the hotel thoughtfully offers to box up any remaining treats for you to enjoy later.

We really enjoyed our afternoon tea at The imperial Hotel and being in such lovely surroundings made this afternoon tea experience that little bit more special.

With Blackpool Illuminations in full swing, now is the perfect time to experience this iconic seaside resort. Treat yourself to a delightful afternoon tea, then stroll through the world-famous Illuminations – you won’t be disappointed! To add a festive touch, a Christmas-themed afternoon tea will be available starting November 25th. Or, make a weekend of it by booking a stay in one of The Imperial Hotel’s charming rooms.

Afternoon Tea is served daily from 14:00 – 16:30 and costs £20.50 for adults and £12.00 for children. If you are in the mood for something fizzy then a glass of prosecco can be added for an additional £5.00 per head.

Prezzee Gift Card

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, secret santa, Stocking Fillers, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

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

The Prezzee digital gift card is the perfect solution for those “hard-to-buy-for” family members – let’s face it we all have a few! It takes the guesswork out of gifting by giving recipients the freedom to choose from over 200 popular brands including high-street stores, hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, cinemas, and theatres. With so much choice the recipient is going to be spoilt for choice!

Purchasing is quick and easy via the Prezzee website and there is the option to personalise your gift by adding a photo, video, or voice message. With gift cards starting at just £5 and going up to £500 it will suit any budget.

The gift card can be sent instantly or you can schedule it for a specific date which is great for birthdays and special occasions. The gift card is delivered by text or email and when the recipient opens their email, they’ll see a digital “parcel” that they need to click to open – it will then reveal the gift, complete with any personalized message or video you included.

Redeeming the card is secure and simple – just enter the PIN from the email, create an account and then swap the Prezzee card for a digital gift card from the many retailers on the site. There’s also an app which is great for accessing your gift card if you have chosen a restaurant or venue to redeem it at.

Should you need any help, Prezzee offers support through a 7-day helpline, online chat, and email

I’ll definitely be choosing Prezzee cards again – the recipient gets to pick something they really want and I skip the hassle of finding that “perfect” gift!

Marshall Minor IV Earbuds

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Mother's Day, Tech, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

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

If you’re starting to think of Christmas gifts then you can’t go wrong with a pair of earbuds, especially a cool pair like the Marshall Minor IV earbuds. First off, let’s talk about looks, because when you’re dealing with Marshall gear, you know they’re going for that whole rockstar on tour vibe—even if your tour is mostly the supermarket and the occasional jog. These little guys are oozing with Marshall aesthetic, and you’ve got that iconic logo on the charging case. Classic black with brass accents? Check. Textured case that makes you feel like you’re holding a mini guitar amp in your pocket? Double check. It’s like they took the essence of a stage amp and shrunk it down into something you can pop in your ears.

Now, here’s the thing about design: they’re open-fit. Which is just fancy talk for “they don’t have rubber tips jamming into your ears like you’re getting an ear exam.” Depending on who you are, that’s either a win or a dealbreaker. Me? I wasn’t sure but after wearing these for a week or so have found them comfortable and secure. It’s like getting that smooth, carefree sound without the deep-pressure sensation of in-ears. One thing to bear in mind, the open fit lets a lot of the outside world in and there is no background noise reduction.

For tiny earbuds, the Minor IVs hold their own. Marshall’s really got the mids and highs dialled in – vocals come through super clear, and the treble’s crisp enough that you’ll notice those delicate high-hats or twangy guitar riffs. The bass isn’t exactly bone-rattling, though. I’d say it’s more tastefully understated. Not the kind of bass that you’ll feel in your teeth, but it’s balanced, not too muddy. If you’re a basshead, you might be left wanting a bit more thump, but for everything else – rock, jazz, podcasts it’s solid.

Marshall claims 7 hours of playtime, and an extra 24 hours from the charging case. In my field test – by which I mean doing normal human things and listening to music while pretending to be productive – the battery held up pretty close to that. And let’s face it, if you’re listening to music for 7 straight hours and not stopping, either you’re on an epic road trip or your hobbies are way more intense than mine.

Touch controls are simple to use and can be changed using the Marshall App which also gives you access to firmware updates, battery management settings and equaliser options. Connectivity is good, they’re Bluetooth LE ready and I had no problems connection them to my phone.

The Minor IV has wireless charging, which is great but if, like me, you’re yet to embrace the latest technology you can fall back onto USB-C (cable included) when you need to juice it up old school.

So, what’s the verdict? The Marshall Minor IV aren’t your “I need absolute isolation and my skull to rumble” earbuds. They’re more your “I want to look cool while listening to Led Zeppelin and still hear the barista call my name” earbuds. They’ve got style, decent sound, and comfort—if you like the open-fit feel—and that classic Marshall attitude that says, “Yeah, I rock. But, you know, casually.”

Would I recommend them? If you’re a Marshall fan and like your earbuds with a side of swagger, absolutely. They won’t replace your high-end over-ear headphones or some fancy active noise-cancelling buds, but for daily casual listening with a splash of rockstar flair? Yeah, they’ll do just fine.

RRP £119.99

Omnilux Mini Skin Corrector

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Fashion, Gifts for Her, health, REUSABLE, Summer, Tech, Women

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

What I’m about to show you is a new gadget that is revolutionary in skincare. You might have heard of infrared LED light being used to correct flaws on facial skin, but the Omnilux Mini Skin Corrector takes it to a new level with the ease and versatility of this new product.

At first, I wondered where the actual Skin Corrector was. In this tiny box, a round, malleable disk with a tiny 2-pin charge point was in a box all on its own, with a USB 2-pin charger and a box of hydrocolloid Skin Corrector patches. I struggled to see where the actual appliance was but if you watch the video online (link below), you not only see how the device works but what it can do.

The Omnilux Mini Skin Corrector is a portable, very lightweight device which emits near infrared LED light onto your skin. It doesn’t need a lead, it charges from a USB port using the lead provided then once the charge light goes green, it’s ready to use. By placing one of the Skin Corrector patches over the 6 LED lights on the back, it attaches to your skin to emit healing light to work on the layers of your skin. You don’t plug it in, you don’t need to sit still with it. The light does its thing and all you have to do is sit with it on!

You only need between 3 and 5 treatments a week, with each treatment lasting 10 minutes. The lights work on the layers of your skin to boost collagen and reduce fine lines, inflammation, redness and pigmentation. The red wavelength (633nm) reduces inflammation, pigmentation, and redness and helps prompt cellular repair and circulation for a more vibrant complexion. The near-infrared wavelength works on the deeper layers of your skin to help produce new collagen and elastin products to help lump and firm the skin.

It’s completely painless and has no side-effects and gets to work straight away. I sat with it on in a targeted area under my eyes whilst I was typing or watching TV. It’s very slightly warm from the LED lights but that’s it, you don’t even notice it. The Omnilux Hydrocolloid Patches keep the device adhered to the skin so that you can move around easily (no one wants to sit there holding it!) but they also feed the skin with the infused Vitamin C and azelaic acid. Once the 10 minute session is up, it turns itself off so you don’t even have to worry about how long you’re using it for.

The Omnilux Mini Skin Corrector is 100% natural, using the power of light waves to generate collagen in the skin. Safe to use, it’s been cleared for use by the FDA (in the USA) and is brilliantly portable and able to be used by all skin types. I particularly like how small and lightweight it is so that it can even go on holiday with you or you can wear it without having to worry about the weight on your skin, which no doubt would damage the elasticity over time.

How did it work? Well, I’ve been trying it for a few weeks now and I can see plumper skin! There’s a luminosity to my skin that I wasn’t expecting and I really enjoyed being able to sit and have this painless, intervention free method to help me feel like I’m doing something productive with my skin care. Once I took the device off, there was a little redness from the adhesive, but I’m aware that it was also penetrating products into my skin. The area felt slightly warm, like I had been sleeping on that side of my face and turned over but underneath you could see the skin was plumper. Using it several times a week, you can see a slight difference after just 4 or 5 sessions and you feel a difference when you touch your face. It can be used under eyes, for pigmentation and for fine lines, so I have been moving it around and getting my mini-facials in whenever I’m sitting indoors. It’s genius!

More Hydrocolloid Patches can be bought on the Omnilux website as they’re one time use only, but the Omnilux Mini Skin Corrector works a treat, and feels like a real treat on the skin too. I can’t wait until the winter months when I can brighten my skin even without a holiday!

Available from £96.80: https://omniluxled.com/products/skin-corrector

Lola’s Cupcakes Mother’s Day Cake

Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Home, Mother's Day, Vegetarian, Women

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

You can never spoil your Mum enough on Mother’s Day, but you probably struggle to find enough in the way of presents. Lola’s Cupcakes have the perfect Mother’s Day Cake which Mum can enjoy, or you can enjoy with the whole family with their range of sponges, fillings and sizes. Lola’s Cupcakes sent us this special delivery today and we can’t get enough of it!

This cake, which is available for delivery nationwide, is the lemon and elderflower version in size medium. There is the option of three different cakes; lemon and elderflower, chocolate sponge with chocolate buttercream filling and vanilla sponge with buttercream and raspberry jam filling. The wording on the top is either “Happy Mother’s Day” or you can leave it blank to personalise yourself later. This lemon and elderflower version is lemon curd and buttercream filling with an all-over lemon buttercream icing and delicate, edible real flowers. It’s a pretty pink board and well fitted into a Lola’s Cupcakes box so it’s easily deliverable.

The lemon sponge is incredibly light and fresh, with the hint of lemon which only comes from using real lemons as a flavouring and not artificial flavourings. The lemon curd filling is evenly matched with the buttercream filling so that the lemon taste isn’t overpowering but it’s definitely there. The elderflower mascarpone makes a nice change to the usual flavours and overall, the combination make for a light, tangy taste. The flowers, including daisies, also add some flavour to the icing. Even better, this cake is vegetarian so more people can enjoy it!

Mothers Day gift, mothers day cake, cake delivery, gifts for mum, gifts for Gran, gift ideas, mothers day gift idea, last minute mothers day, mothering Sunday, perfect cake, cake ideas, lolas cupcakes, lolas cakes,

This medium sized cake, which is about 4 inches tall (10 centimetres) has 14 generous sized portions so could easily be used for a meal on Mother’s Day this Sunday. It’s available from today (6 March) to be delivered over the weekend and can be ordered online or over the phone – details are available on the Lola’s Cupcakes website: https://www.lolascupcakes.co.uk

I’ve never tried Lola’s Cupcakes before and certainly not a home delivery service for cake but I was overly impressed with this. This cake is beautiful, and huge, and is delivered in perfect condition. The taste is exquisite, with a stunning combination of flavours that really work together to create a memory for Mum on Mother’s Day. It looks straight out of an Instagram page as well, but rest assured, it didn’t stay looking like that for long once my family all had a piece!

Available from £27.50 (£40.00 for the medium size shown) at: https://www.lolascupcakes.co.uk/Web/Sites/Cupcakes/OrderingPage.aspx?ID=1529

RapidLash and RapidBrow Enhancing Serum

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

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

I will confess now that I love these products. As a woman of a ‘certain age’ I realised that my eyebrows and eyelashes were starting to thin and not be as long as they used to be. Lashings of eyebrow pencil and mascara were my only option, or something really drastic like make-up tattoos were going to be needed but I didn’t want to go down that route. RapidBrow and RapidLash came to the rescue though.

If you haven’t guessed what RapidBrow and RapidLash are yet, they are both serums for enhancing eyebrows and eyelashes without the use of make-up but instead work overnight to build up strength and therefore thicken brows and lashes.

The statistics on the front of the packaging tell the story of how well loved RapidLash and RapidBrow really are. 93% of people experienced improvement in the appearance of brows and 88% experienced improvement in the appearance of lashes with each respective serum. 91% experienced thicker, fuller and healthier looking brows whilst 86% experienced thicker, stronger and longer looking lashes. This information was gathered after just 8 weeks, but the serums last a lot, lot longer so you can expect the treatment to carry on for several more months.

Each of the RapidBrow and RapidLash serums are applied once a day, preferably in the evening, to clean lashes and brows that have had all traces of make-up removed. RapidLash should be applied to the base of the eyelashes on the top lid, and RapidBrow is applied to the full length of the brow. That’s all you have to do. The serum works its magic overnight and in as little as a few weeks you start to see a difference.

This is why I love these products. Within a couple of weeks, my eye lashes were stronger plus they were able to hold more mascara whenever I did wear make-up. My brows, which are starting to thin with age, were stronger and didn’t come out as easily. It may be my imagination but the colour was deeper too, meaning I didn’t have to add pencil to them. Within 4 weeks, I did a double-take in the mirror where I swear my eyelashes looked longer BEFORE I put mascara on, and my eyebrows looked like they had already had the eye brow fixer on them, or at least a little pencil colour.

Over time, I hope that the serum keeps working and keeps strengthening my eyebrows and eyelashes so that I have more of a base to add make up to, but also to give a more natural look. The serums are much cheaper than having any cosmetics done, and don’t have the initial ‘look’ that tattooing or permanent make-up have when they’re first done. It looks so much more natural having the lashes built up over time and gets you to a level where you can keep the hair strength. These serums last forever too, so are very cost effective plus they make great gifts!

From £37.00 – £40.00 at: https://rapidlash.co.uk

The Official Tower Single Basket Airfryer Cookbook

Birthday Gifts, Books, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, Home & Garden, kitchen appliances, Mother's Day

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

I’ve had an air fryer for a couple of years now and whilst I hear of people creating amazing culinary delights in theirs, I must confess that up until now ours has only been used for cooking chips and fishfingers! When I received the Official Tower Single Basket Air fryer Cookbook from Tower Housewares it was just the push I needed to liven up mealtimes and I have been enjoying experimenting with some of the delicious recipes – it’s fair to say my family have been thrilled with the meals and our air fryer has had a new lease of life!

With over 100 years of experience in manufacturing everyday kitchen appliances the new Air Fryer recipe books have been carefully created by the Tower development team to make the most of Tower air fryers. There are recipe books for all three styles of air fryer so whether you have a Dual Basket, Single Basket & Oven there is a recipe book for you.

With 249 pages the book is organised into the following sections, Breakfast, Starters & Light Bites, Midweek Dinners, A Taste of Takeaway, Meat Free, Sharing Snacks & Sides, Pizza & Savoury Bakes and Puddings & Sweet Treats. It contains a really good selection of recipes and there is something to suit every taste. Many of the recipes include “Top Tips” which suggest alternative ingredients or serving suggestions and they all show the Prep time, Cooking Time, Number of servings and difficulty level.

Each recipe spans two pages, one for the ingredients and method and the second for a colour photograph which shows you what the finished dish should look like.

The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and as we’re trying to save money at the moment we decided to create our own Chinese meal rather than going to the takeaway. The dishes were surprisingly easy to make and the whole family were really impressed with the air fryer versions of our favourite dishes.

The Sesame Prawn Toast was simple to make and tasted amazing – so good that we all agreed that we won’t be buying it from the Chinese take away any more!

Another favourite is Crispy Chinese Style Chilli Beef, this was a really easy dish to create and cost a fraction of what we normally pay at the Chinese take away.

With the Chinese dishes going down a treat we tried a mix of Indian dishes next, Tandoori Style Chicken, Onion Bhajis and Crispy Bombay Potatoes. As our air fryer only has 1 basket, in order to have everything ready together I did prepare the Onion Bhajis and Crispy Bombay Potatoes earlier in the day and then reheated them at the last minute and this worked really well. The Tandoori Style Chicken was much easier to make than I expected, only taking 5 minutes to prepare and was a real winner with my family.

This book contains an excellent selection of recipes which are easy to follow and actually turn out exactly like the pictures. It’s been fun experimenting with the air fryer and I’m looking forward to working my way through the recipe book. I’m so pleased I’ve upped my air frying game and whilst I might still cook the odd basket of chips and fish fingers our air fryer is now fully occupied cooking much more exciting cuisine!

RRP £19.99 but you can save 25% off by using promo code RECIPEBOOK

Lola’s Cupcakes Valentine’s Postal Cake

Birthday Gifts, chocolate, Easter, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts

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

Love is in the air and The Review Studio team have been spoilt rotten by our loved ones today. As well as the usual chocolates and flowers we’ve had a very special delivery from Lola’s Cupcakes who make the most amazing cakes. Their stores are mainly in London, but they do offer a nationwide delivery service, meaning everyone can enjoy their delicious bakes.

When sending cakes through the post they need to be well packaged to ensure they arrive in perfect condition and I was really impressed with the care that goes into the packaging. The cake sits in a carboard box with a protective layer of cardboard on the top and there is a cool block and thermal liner to ensure they arrive in tip top condition. Once opened the cake should be stored at room temperature in an air-tight container and is best eaten within 48 hours. It can be kept in the fridge for another 2 days – ours didn’t last that long!! The thermal liner and ice pack can also be returned to Lola’s Cupcakes and they will be cleaned and reused which is a great idea and to make it even easier there is a prepaid label so it doesn’t cost you a penny.

So, onto the important bit – the cake – the Valentine’s Postal Cake not only looks amazing but tastes fantastic too. The delicious chocolate sponge is beautifully decorated with pink vanilla buttercream with “Happy Valentines” iced in the middle. It won’t come as a surprise to hear that it is adorned with hearts – a couple even have “Love” written on them and there are plenty of Valentines sprinkles and a few rose petals to complete the Valentines theme. The cake has a nice thick layer of pink buttercream sandwiched between the two moist chocolate sponges and once we had cut into it, we discovered that the cake was light and fluffy, nice and chocolatey and incredibly tasty.

We were all really impressed with this cake, it has travelled a few hundred miles yet still looks like it has just been picked up fresh from the bakery. Lola’s Cupcakes make all their cakes daily by hand and from scratch, using only the very best ingredients and have a fantastic selection of cakes, cupcakes and brownies available on their website. The cakes make lovely gifts so next time you need a birthday, anniversary, get well soon, Mother’s Day, Easter or even a “Just Because” gift for a loved one then Lola’s Cupcakes is the place to go and I guarantee they will be well received by the recipient!

Small (serves 8) £25

Large (serves 14) £40

Annabelle Minerals Lipstick, Jumbo Lip Pencil and Refill

beauty, Birthday Gifts, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Fashion, Gifts for Her, health, Home, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Women

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

What beautiful Mother’s Day gifts! Annabelle Minerals have been around since 2012 and founded in the UK to provide handpicked ingredients that are both minimalist and natural. The idea is that the ingredients pamper your skin so that you don’t have to suffer unnecessary layers of heavy chemicals just to look your best. The theme of the ingredients being natural also carries across into the style of make up – natural and understated but still with a flare for style.

We were sent some lovely lip make up for Mother’s Day. Annabelle Minerals have both lipsticks (with refills available online) and jumbo lip pencils which can be used as both lip liners and as a lipstick. There’s several colours online too, including these shades; Apricot for the lipstick you can see and Brown Fig for the refill.

The Shear Lipsticks are presented in these gorgeous gold swizzle sticks and come in Apricot, Brown Fig, Coconut, Dragon Fruit and Strawberry. The names of the colours give away the type of natural ingredients Annabelle Minerals strives for! The Apricot colour I received is a slightly darker shade of my lips, so it’s very natural and glides on superbly. The colour stays all day too, as I discovered when I went out one Friday night wearing it. Only a small amount of the middle of the lips was missing at the end of the night, and probably as a result of drinking.

Once you’ve bought one lipstick, you can buy refills in either the same colour or a different one, and saving not just the packaging but also a bit of money! I was sent my second choice of Brown Fig, a slightly darker shade with a touch of red in it. This was a great colour for when I was wearing a darker outfit and wanted my lips to pop.

The Annabelle Minerals Jumbo Lip Pencil is probably my favourite of all the lip products. I was sent the Marigold colour which compliments all the other lipstick colours in the range. I used it as a lip liner, then you can fill in your lips with that colour, or dab it on as a base before you add a lipstick on top to vary the colour. You can also do the opposite and put the lip liner on top of your lipstick and seal it in and also change the colour.

With each of the lipsticks and the lip liner, they glide on perfectly, don’t come off easily and keep a constant colour. I didn’t notice them on my lips as they’re not greasy at all and in fact, I didn’t even need to blot with each application. They travel really well too, with a pencil lid to the liner and magnetic locking lipstick cases. I’ll be exploring more of the range at Annabelle Minerals, and looking at what Mum would like for Mother’s Day.

Annabelle Minerals Lipstick: £12.90 (Apricot)

https://www.annabelleminerals.com/en_gb/lips/1368-sheer-lipstick.html

Annabelle Minerals Jumbo Lip Pencil: £11.90

https://www.annabelleminerals.com/en_gb/lips/1268-1922590-jumbo-lip-pencil.html#/364-jumbo_lip_pencil-marigold

Annabelle Minerals Lipstick refill: £9.90: (Brown Fig)

https://www.annabelleminerals.com/en_gb/lips/1368-1922976-sheer-lipstick.html#/478-lipstick-brown_fig/485-options-refill

Avon Hydramatic Iconic Red Lip Giftset

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

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

A cheery red lipstick is just we need to bring a flash of colour to these dreary January days and Avon have come up trumps with the Hydramatic Iconic Red Lip Giftset. The set contains a lovely creamy lipstick and a matching lipliner in a vibrant red that can’t fail to set your day off on the right foot. Beautifully packaged in a striking red fabric drawstring bag this set contains everything you need to add a spot of glamour to your working day.

The Hydramatic Matte Lipstick in Siren red glides on nicely with no bleeding or feathering, leaving my lips plumped and hydrated. The colour remains vibrant, even after eating and drinking and stays fresh and bright for about 5-6 hours.

The Glimmerstick Lip Liner in Ruby Shock complements the lipstick perfectly and the creamy texture is a dream to apply, outlining lips effortlessly. The twist up style means there’s no need for a sharpener and the fine tip allows you to line lips with total precision.

The drawstring bag is ideal for keeping the products together in your handbag or you can use it for for storing small items like hairclips or bobbles.

At £12.50 it is excellent value for money and a great way to blow away those winter blues!

Josh Wood Miracle care for Dry, Damaged Hair Set

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

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

Josh Wood is a world leading colour expert and has developed a great range of hair products to keep your hair in fantastic condition. As my curly hair is currently very dry and frizzy – a result of all this cold, wet weather and a bit too much straightening over the Christmas period – I was really pleased to receive the Josh Wood Miracle Care for Dry, Damaged Hair set with the hope that they would be able to work a few miracles on my unruly mop of curls!

The Miracle Shampoo and Conditioner are designed for dry damaged hair and being sulphate free are great for curly hair. The duo are full of natural active ingredients as well as Josh Wood’s signature Colour Shine Complex of Quinoa Extract, Green Walnut and UV filters. The products worked really well together, adding moisture to my curls and helping reduce the dreaded frizz. The shampoo lathers beautifully leaving my hair feeling lovely and clean. The conditioner is rich and creamy and easy to apply, I used a couple of pumps on my shoulder length hair, leaving it on for a couple of minutes before scrunching it into my hair and rinsing with plenty of water. It rinsed out easily, leaving my hair tangle free.

The Miracle Mask can be used once or twice a week and as well as helping to protect colour from fading it gives a much needed hydration boost to my curls. It’s easy to use, a couple of pumps were enough and after leaving it on for the recommended 5 minutes it was easy to rinse off. The creamy consistency felt like it was doing my hair the world of good and my hair felt lovely and moisturised after only one application.

I have been using these products for a couple of weeks now and I am really pleased with the results, not only does my hair look nice and shiny, but it also feels a lot more nourished. After a couple of washes my hair was noticeable less frizzy and the curls are now a lot less straw like and are defined and bouncy again. These products have transformed my dry, frizzy locks and each time I use them I feel as though I’ve just walked out of the hairdressers!

RRP £44

⁠

Haier Multi Air Fryer Series 5

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home, Home & Garden, kitchen appliances, Mother's Day

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

Haier are well known for their large kitchen appliances but did you know they now have a range of small appliances? This new range consists of 7 small appliances – a kettle, air fryer, blender, hand blender, compact food processor, toaster and a multi functional hot drink maker. They recently sent me their new air fryer and much to the delight of my family I have been creating some mouthwatering culinary masterpieces that they have all enjoyed.

Air fryers have certainly taken the world by storm, revolutionising the way we cook and saving both time and money in the process. As a busy working Mum anything that saves me time is a real winner, so with 9 different functions – air fry, bake, roast, grill, defrost, reheat, slow cook and a yogurt and dried fruits option I was keen to see just what the new Haier Multi Air Fryer Series 5 was capable of.

The air fryer measures approximately 30cm wide, 35cm high and a depth (including handle) of 435cm). The oven has a removable basket to put your food in and a touch screen display to set your temperature and cooking time. The crisper basket inside the drawer allows air to circulate around the food ensuring even cooking and it also allows excess fat and oils to drain away. There’s even an integrated window and LED light to allow you to check on your food meaning you don’t need to open it up when cooking and using this air fryer also helps save up to 70% energy, 50% time and 90% calories.

The air fryer comes with a selection of accessories, a rack that allows you to add an extra layer of food, a shallow tin and a deep tin, these all fit nicely in the basket when not in use. The air fryer has a range of temperature between 40° and 200° meaning you can cook a wide variety of foods using the slow cooking, baking or even the yogurt setting.

Whilst the air fryer can be used in many ways, I decided to start with something simple – chips. After peeling some potatoes and cutting them into chunky chips I mixed them in a tiny bit of oil before placing them in the basket. It recommends shaking the basket a couple of times during cooking to help crisp them up and after 18 minutes I had the best home made chips I’ve ever made. The chips were a beautiful golden colour with nice crispy edges and were instantly devoured by my family! The whole process was so quick and easy and after only a day I was beginning to wonder why I hadn’t bought one before!

I love croissants and even if I had time I couldn’t justify warming up the oven for a couple of croissants so I’m loving the air fryer, pre-baked croissants and Danish pastries are warmed in just a four minutes and are a great start to my day. My sons are loving that they can cook sausages and bacon for breakfast, I’m pleased too as my kitchen is a lot cleaner as like most teenage boys they don’t see the fat splatters on the cooker! When you cook fattier food in the basket the grease drains through the basket so as well as being a lot less messy it’s much a healthier way of cooking too.

It’s great for making quick toasties or cooking fishfingers for a late night snack and we have also found a new love of herb and onion roast potatoes, they are so easy to make and taste amazing. The air fryer is so easy to use and my teens love it as they can now cook a quick snack when they get in and as it turns itself off automatically I don’t need to worry about the electric bill when they’ve forgotten to turn it off!

Cleaning the airfryer is simple, the non-stick baskets and accessories can all go in the dishwasher making it perfect for busy families.

The Haier Multi Air Fryer Series 5 is undoubtedly an incredibly versatile addition to any kitchen, the range of functions make it an excellent choice for busy households. It won’t replace my oven, but it is a very welcome addition to my kitchen, cutting down the number of times I use the oven and ultimately saving me money. All too often kitchen gadgets get used a few times before collecting dust on the worktop but I can guarantee that won’t happen with this – it’s one gadget that has certainly earned its place on our worktop!

RRP £229.99

Available from

Danilo Calendars

Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, secret santa, Stocking Fillers

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

Now Halloween is over thoughts are turning to Christmas and buying gifts. Calendars make great stocking fillers and Secret Santa gifts and here are a few of our favourites from Danilo, Europe’s number one publisher of licensed calendars, that are bound to be well received on Christmas morning.

Despite all the electronic options available I still like a paper calendar in the kitchen as it’s easy for the whole family to see at a glance what’s going on – whether that’s birthdays, appointments, holidays or reminders for insurance and MOT’s. There are lots of different wall calendars available but I especially like a calendar that has columns for each family member as it makes it easy to see at a glance who is doing what.

The Great British Bake Off 2024 Official Family Organiser has 5 columns to keep all the family organised along with a seasonal recipe to try each month. It also has over 200 stickers which are perfect for highlighting important dates such as birthdays, school holidays, dentist and doctors appointments helping them stand out on the calendar.

As you would expect from Danilo it is very good quality and the images of the cakes and pastries all look absolutely delicious. There is a handy pouch at the back of the calendar to store the stickers, receipts and all those important bits of paper that you accumulate as a family.

RRP £9.99

Perfect for the home or the office these Harry Potter calendars make great stocking fillers or even Secret Santa gifts.

The Harry Potter Desk Postcard Desk Calendar is spiral bound and has the dates down the right-hand side alongside a colourful graphical image from the eight Harry Potter films. The calendar is designed to be flipped over and each image is actually a postcard that can be removed along the perforated edge and kept or posted to a friend.

RRP £6.99

The Harry Potter Desk Block Calendar is a page-a-day calendar designed to sit on a desk. It has a hard cover and has a separate page for each day featuring fun quotes, trivia and images of characters from all the Harry Potter films including Harry, Ron and Hermione along with others. It can laid flat on a desk or use the cover to stand it up.

RRP £10.99

Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia Giftset

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Fragrance, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Women

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

You can’t go wrong with a fragrance gift and lots of women will be thrilled to discover a Gucci perfume gift set under the tree on Christmas morning, especially if it is the gorgeous Flora Gorgeous Gardenia by Gucci. The floral fruity women’s fragrance was launched back in 2012 and is inspired by the House’s renowned Flora pattern. With fruity top notes of pear and red berries, middle notes of gardenia and frangipani and base notes of patchouli this perfume is light and feminine and perfect for everyday wear.

The Gucci Flora Gorgeous Gardenia gift set is packaged in a stylish cream and black box, nestled inside the gift box are two bottles of perfume, a 50ml and a very handy travel sized 5ml bottle. The hexagonal glass bottles with black bows look very striking and will look good on any dressing table or bathroom shelf. The lids of both bottles fit snugly so they won’t come off in your handbag and both bottles give a good strong spray.

The perfume is very much like the bottle, chic and stylish and perfect for anything from work, a day out shopping with the girls or a date. It is a very versatile fragrance and I feel it could be worn by anyone, young, old and by both dress and heels or trainers and jeans type of girl!

I found the perfume lasts really well, I first sprayed it in the morning before work and could still smell a hint of the fragrance by the end of the day. If you are out all day and want to refresh the fragrance the handy 5ml handbag sized bottle is perfect to pop in your bag for top ups.

You can always tell if a perfume works well on your skin by the number of people asking what perfume you are wearing and since I started wearing this perfume, I have lost count of the number of people asking me what the fragrance is.

I love floral and fruity fragrances, so Flora Gorgeous Gardenia is a real winner for me. From the very first spray I loved it, the fruits and floral notes work so well together creating a beautiful fragrance that is perfect for all ages.

Currently costing £82.99 the 50ml perfume gift set is available from Perfume Direct and would make a lovely gift for any woman this Christmas.

Audio Pro Addon C5A Speaker

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Family Life, Father's Day, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Home & Garden, Mother's Day

Disclaimer: We received this product as a review sample but all thoughts and opinions are our own.

Friday night is music night, a chance to sit down and listen to a favourite album or just a random mix of new music on Spotify. This week, I had the opportunity to try out a new speaker – the Addon C5A from Swedish brand Audio Pro.

The Addon C5A is a network connected speaker with Amazon’s Alexa built in. The setup was pretty simple, connect the speaker to power then download the Audio Pro app and follow the instructions,I soon had it connected to my Spotify account and started listening to my playlists.

The sound quality was really impressive, far better than a standard smart speaker can manage. I actually switched between the C5A and my Echo Dot (which to be fair is a fraction of the price) and the difference was amazing. Each instrument was much clearer and more defined and it was a real pleasure to listen to.

We use Amazon’s Alexa a lot in our house, an Echo Dot sits in most rooms and we find them really useful for setting timers, checking the weather and controlling other smart devices. We also use them for playing music and listening to the radio but whilst convenient, the sound isn’t what you’d call high quality, so having the quality of the Addon C5A, together with the functionality of the smart speaker is fantastic and has been appreciated by my whole family who have played a real mix of music this week – we’ve discovered rock,pop, heavy metal and classical music all sound so much better through the C5A!

In addition to the network connectivity you can also connect via Bluetooth (v4), line in on the rear and aux in via a 3.5mm jack on the top of the speaker. A subwoofer connection is provided for those wanting a fuller sound. If you’d rather not use wifi, there is an ethernet connection on the back of the speaker too.

Styling is discrete and modern, a simple panel on the top of the speaker gives access to the main functions along with four presets and a volume control. The microphone for smart functionality is also on the top. At 250mm wide and 150mm high it sits easily on a bookcase and comes in three colours, black grey and white.

Setup is performed in the app but there is little need for it after that. Extra functions that are available are timers, treble and bass control etc. It is also possible to group multiple speakers into stereo pairs or into groups that enable music to be played around the whole house.

Overall, I am really impressed with the Addon C5A it is a premium speaker in both sound and looks. Whilst it’s not the cheapest, with a list price is £170, it’s certainly a worthy investment if you like quality sound and build.

Belledorm Cocoonzzz Silk Pillow Cases

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Gifts for Her, Home, Home & Garden, Plastic free, Sustainable, Women

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

We often ask for gifts at Christmas which we wouldn’t normally buy for ourselves, but an even better gifts is one which we hadn’t even thought of!

Silk pillow cases are one such present. I’d never really thought about buying them for myself, thinking that they were not what they cracked up to be or a bit cliché. Given the chance to review them though, I was pleasantly surprised. I was sent two pillow cases, one in Ivory and one in Powder Pink. Each pillow case measures 52cms by 76cms (housewife size) and is made with 100% pure mulberry silk.

Opening the delivery, I found each individual pillow case was housed in a beautiful presentation box with ‘Cocoonzzz The Secret In Silk’ elegantly detailed on the box. If you’re buying Cocoonzzz pillow cases as a gift, this is the perfect way to present them as it’s not obvious that they’re silk pillow cases at first, but they do look classy and the word ‘silk’ is very intriguing! The pillow cases inside are wrapped in paper and sealed, so when you open them, the soft fabric falls out into your lap and you immediately feel the quality.

As for putting them on the bed and sleeping with them… they’re really easy to put onto the pillows as you can imagine because the pillows just glide in so easily! When you sleep on them at night, they’re lovely and cool and stay reasonably cool all night. Just like the claims on the website, they prevent creases forming in your face and your hair doesn’t go static or lose it’s shine because the silk keeps the moisture in your skin and hair, not soaking it away like cotton fabric does. It takes 20 minutes to get used to the frictionless surface though and stopping your head falling off the pillow! I would suggest only having your top pillow as the Cocoonzzz Silk Pillow Case whilst you get used to the texture then increasing your accessories.

The pillow cases are washable by hand only, as you would imagine with silk, and only ironed on a low heat. Each case is 100% real mulberry silk and reduces the likelihood of allergic reactions.

I’d never tried real silk pillows before but these are revolutionary! They do indeed prevent the moisture from leaving your skin, and they make bedtime even more luxurious and look fantastic on the bed!

Available in various colours for £108 each (but on sale at £54 at the moment) from Belledorm at:

https://www.belledorm.co.uk/product/cocoonzzz-silk-pillowcase

Edifier TWS1 Pro 2 Earbuds

Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Family Life, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, Home & Garden, Tech

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

Edifier have a huge range of headphone and earbuds available for all budgets, so this Christmas you’re bound to find a pair that are a suitable gift, or perfect for yourself!

The Edifier TWS1 Pro 2 Earbuds are among the cheaper headphones (RRP £69.99) but still have all the features you’re looking for. The in-ear buds are Bluetooth and able to pair with phones, laptops or gaming computers. They’re especially good for gaming (or watching TV) because of the low latency connection between sound source and ears.

That’s not the only feature the Edifier TWS1 Pro 2 Earbuds have. Students will love these for studying or listening to lectures because they have active noise cancellation and environmental noise cancellation. If you’re not used to headphones which cancel out surrounding noise, then it comes a quite a shock when you can’t hear the traffic outside or the TV in another room. The sturdy earbuds are dust and splash proof, so work excellently in the gym or out for a run.

The earbuds come in a presentation box (as seen in the photo) where the charging cable, instructions and different sized spare earpieces are stored. The actual Edifier earbuds are in their own carry case which is where the charging happens. Each earbud ‘click’s into place by magnets in the case and you charge them using the USB cable provided. 10 minutes of charging gives an hour of play on the headphones, and a full charge gives 24 hours of play with the ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) switched off, or 16 hours with ANC turned on. Long enough for a long haul flight or train journey from one end of the country to the other!

Connecting the headphones is easy. There’s a QR code on the back of the packaging or in the Instructions that allows you to download the Connect App to your device, or on my laptop they just connected when taken out the carry case and my laptop Bluetooth mode was switched to “Discover Mode”. The earbuds have a really useful feature whereby they can tell if you are taking them out, they automatically pause what they’re playing, the start again when you put them back in your ears.

Buying the Edifier TWS1 Pro 2 Earbuds won’t break the bank and you don’t need any extras with them such as a case or spare sets of ear pieces. The different size ear pieces make it easy to adapt them to any size ear whether for children or adults. The carry case fits nicely into a pocket so the only problem I would see with these earbuds is if you lose one!

The sound quality is excellent, so it’s surprising that they cost as little as they do, plus they’re on sale at the moment on Amazon for £49.99. As with all Edifier headphones, they’re not just a one trick pony whereby they deliver sound, but they have extra features that make them more comfortable, less frustrating and easily adaptable.

Available online for £69.99 (£49.99 at Amazon on sale):