Darn Tough Lifestyle Socks

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

Is there such a thing as a sock snob? If there is then I’m definitely one of them! Where I used to just pick up any old socks when out shopping, I now have more discerning tastes and I’ve discovered it really is worth spending money on a decent pair of socks – I’m on my feet a lot and the difference between a good pair of socks and a bad pair is quite astounding.

If you’re not a hiker the chances are that you won’t have heard of the American sock brand Darn Tough. Made in America the seam free socks are made from merino wool and are unbelievably comfortable to wear, I have a couple of pairs that I wear when hiking and it’s no exaggeration when I say it’s like walking on air when they’re on my feet. As well as being incredibly comfy the socks are very hard wearing, in fact Darn Tough are so confident about the durability of their socks that they offer a lifetime guarantee. Yes you heard that right, if they wear out you can send them back and they will be replaced free of charge without a receipt and no questions asked!

As well as the popular hiking socks they also make everyday socks called the Lifestyle range. These crew socks are thinner than hiking socks and are the perfect choice for everyday wear, whether that’s in shoes, trainers or boots. Made from a mix of 61% merino wool, 36% nylon and 3% lycra the socks are moisture wicking and more breathable than your average pair of socks and once you’ve worn a pair, I guarantee you won’t go back to those supermarket socks! The animal designs are cute and I especially love the ones with ducks wearing blue spotted wellies.

The Darn Tough Lifestyle socks are available in small, medium and large which will fit  feet between sizes 2.5 to 9. They sit nicely above the ankle and are ideal for wearing in trainers or casual boots. The merino wool is not only soft against your feet but is also perfect for helping to regulate body temperature and won’t lead to smelly feet.

The socks are an excellent fit, sitting nicely on my foot and they don’t slip down when walking, the ribbed cuff is a comfortable fit and not too tight around my leg. I have worn these socks a few times now and they are lovely and comfortable both in trainers and casual boots, fitting snugly on my feet. They wash well, even on cooler washes and they are still soft to the touch and have not lost their shape.  

So if you’ve run out of inspiration for all those hard to buy for friends and family members then a pair of Darn Tough socks are the ideal choice. With many different designs you are bound to find a pair to suit everyone and with the lifetime guarantee it it’s gift that will last forever!

RRP £27

Harry Potter Waffle Maker

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

With Christmas only a week away, if you are still struggling for ideas here is a last minute offering that is perfect for Harry Potter fans both young and old.

The Harry Potter Waffle maker is a handy little gadget that enables you to make waffles imprinted with Harry Potter’s famous lightning scar and glasses, adding a touch of fun to a standard waffle.

The waffle maker is incredibly easy to use, I found the instructions straightforward and it was really handy having a recipe for delicious Belgian waffles, meaning I didn’t need to search for a recipe and could try it out straight away. The waffle maker makes one large, round, fluffy waffle which is the perfect size for a tasty breakfast or snack. You can make the batter as you need it but as I have two teenage sons who are always hungry, I find it handy to keep a jug of batter in the fridge so they can make waffles whenever they like.

Mess is a bit of an occupational hazard when making waffles and it did take a few attempts before we got the right amount of batter in the waffle maker – too much and it erupted everywhere and too little and it was a little on the thin side but once we got the hang of it the waffles were delicious. The waffle maker may be a little gimmicky but you can’t fault the waffles, it makes nice thick, tasty waffles that are crunchy on the outside and soft and airy on the inside and a delicious breakfast treat.

Now onto the boring bits – the waffle maker was easy to clean, the non stick plates had very little batter left on them and what little was there was easy to remove with a damp cloth once the plates had cooled down. 

Overall we are really impressed with this waffle maker, it got a big thumbs up from my sons and we all agreed it would make a lovely gift this Christmas.

RRP £29.99 available from Amazon