Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I’ve used many corkscrews over the years to open bottles of wine. Cheap ones (which have been known to break before we’ve even got the cork out of the bottle), more expensive ones and my trusty Swiss Army knife, with a very basic corkscrew which has saved us on many occasions! Ultimately though, what is important is being able to open a bottle easily so you can enjoy a nice glass of wine without bits of cork floating around in it.
I’ve no need for my Swiss Army knife this Christmas though – our house has gone high tech on the wine front with an electric wine bottle opener from Haier.
The rechargeable corkscrew is nicely packaged as part of a gift set, making it a great present for any wine lover. The black accessories are stylish and modern and inside the box is everything you need to enjoy a glass of wine at home.
Inside the box are the following wine accesories
USB Rechargeable Bottle Opener, this is a dream to use, simply hold the corkscrew over the bottle, press the button and hey presto the cork is removed. It will remove both natural and synthetic corks with ease and open 30 bottles from just one charge making it perfect for parties.
Tulip Wine Aerator Pourer – allows the wine to quickly obtain oxygen for a better tasting experience.
Foil Cutter – makes easy work of that tricky task, meaning you can get the bottle opened all the sooner.
I don’t always finish a bottle in one sitting so I’ll make great use of the vacuum pump and reuseable bottle stoppers. They fit snugly and even when I turned the bottles upside down there was no leakage.
Less high tech but just as useful is the Haier Wine cooler bucket. Just pop it in the freezer for an hour and it will keep the bottle perfectly chilled. Made of rustproof stainless steel there is plenty of room for ice and it can even be popped in the dishwasher.
As a wine lover myself, I know these items will make a lovely gifts and will come in very useful over the Christmas period!
There’s also 25% off the Christmas gifts if you use the code XMASGIFT25 (until 25 December)
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I love cocktails but unless you have a very well stocked drinks cabinet it can be expensive buying all the ingredients needed to make your own. It’s no surprise then that ready mixed cocktails have become increasingly popular, as they allow you to enjoy perfectly mixed cocktails in seconds.
Funkin Cocktails have a fantastic selection of ready mixed cocktails and we’ve been trying a couple from the new Double Shot range, the Passion Fruit Margarita and Pineapple Daiquiri. Both cocktails are available in 140ml cans and have an ABV of 14%.
The Passion Fruit Margarita is nice and fruity and the combination of the delightfully sweet passion fruit, zingy lime and agave spirit is extremely refreshing.
The Pineapple Daiquiri, made with juicy pineapple and rum has the ability to transport you to sunnier climes – a few sips bring back memories of summer holidays which is just what we need to brighten up these dull December days!
Both these cocktails taste amazing and as well as being great for parties and get togethers would also make lovely stocking fillers this Christmas.
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!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
One of our mini reviewers is a huge fan of the Tom Gates series of books and was thrilled to receive a personalised BEST EVER T-shirt. The grey T-shirt is perfect for both boys and girls and being a neutral colour will go perfectly with jeans or leggings. If you are familiar with the books you’ll know they have a very distinctive hand drawn style which is mirrored in the design of the t-shirt.
Taking it out of the packaging I found it to be lovely and soft and all the seams are stitched nicely with no loose threads. It is made from 100% cotton and can be machine washed at 30 degrees. It’s been washed a few times now and each time it comes up as good as new without any fading or stretching.
The T-shirts are available in range of sizes starting at age 5-6 and going right up to an adult XL, so if you are looking for quirky gifts this Christmas you could get a matching set for all the family! The sizing is spot on and it fits our mini reviewer perfectly, with room for when he has a growth spurt.
As well as the personalised T-shirt there is a whole range of Tom Gates merchandise available on the website, check them out on the Official Brilliant World of Tom Gates Shop. The bespoke range features an exciting mix of clothing, mugs, water bottles, bags, stationery and gifts, including some personalised items and colour-your-own kids t-shirts that can be decorated with their own doodles and designs. All of the products feature Tom’s distinctive hand-drawn style with the stamp of approval from the author and illustrator Liz Pichon.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I love Orchard Toys games and puzzles, the bright attractive boxes, chunky pieces (perfect for little hands to hold) and easy to play games are not only great fun but educational too.
Our mini reviewers are obsessed with dinosaurs so have really enjoyed playing Dinosaur Dig this week. The aim of the game is to find all the bones to build a 3D dinosaur – players take turns to dig in the mud for the dinosaur bones, there’s even cardboard pickaxes to help you pull the bones out. If the colour on the bone matches the colour of your pickaxe it is added to your dinosaur body. If it doesn’t match, it goes back in the mud. The other players need to pay attention and remember where the bones are so they can select their bone when it’s their turn. It sounds easy but there are 4 Terrible T-Rex cards in there too and if you find one of these you must return one of your bones to the mud. The winner is the first player to complete their dinosaur.
The children really enjoyed digging the dinosaur bones out of the mud and as well as being great fun this game also helps them develop both their matching and memory skills and fine motor skills. The bones can be placed in any of the slots so the game can be played again and again. Like all Orchard Toys games the pieces are nice and sturdy and will provide hours of fun for dinosaur fansboth young and old this Christmas.
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 for last minute inexpensive stocking fillers then I have a couple of ideas from Kikkerland that are suitable for both boys and girls.
Hungry Bouncy Balls are packaged in an animal shaped box with the bouncy ball being the tummy of the creature. The clear bouncy ball is filled with liquid, glitter and three things that the animals like to eat which bob around as the ball moves. We received the Hungry Frog bouncy ball and as well as being fun to bounce around it’s quite fascinating just moving the ball around in your hands and seeing the glitter and ladybirds bob around – our mini reviewers love it! With a choice of Hungry Frog with ladybirds, Hungry Rabbit with carrots and Hungry Monkey with bananas these balls will keep the little ones entertained this Christmas and if you get a couple you can have competitions to see who can bounce the highest!
RRP £6
Traditional toys are a lot of fun and children will love the Dizzy Monster Spinning Tops which are made from cherrywood. There are three monsters to choose from which spin beautifully, twirling and dancing across the floor or table in a colourful show.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
It’s incredibly cold at the moment, but that doesn’t stop us getting out on the fells and going for a brisk walk, we just need to wrap up warmer and my Buff Evo Dahlia neck warmer has been invaluable this weekend. I always think a Buff is an essential piece of outdoor gear as they are so versatile, I not only use mine as a neck warmer, but it can be a hat and balaclava too and is just what you need to keep you warm on a chilly day.
The cotton knitted neck warmer is so comfortable to wear, it’s a good length, so there’s plenty of fabric to bunch around your neck or pull over your face to protect you from the elements and it’s lovely and warm too. It was bitterly cold up on the top of the fells and I have been very glad of it this weekend, the wind was icy and with my hood up and my mouth covered, I could enjoy the walk despite the cold weather .
The neck warmer is 28cm long with enough material to bunch up on my neck, or it can be pulled up over my ears to keep them warm. It is easy to pull over my head and is made in a single tube so there are no seams to irritate. Once you warm up you can just slip it in a pocket.
It’s the perfect gift for anyone who enjoys walking, cycling or even walking the dog and is available in 8 different colours.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
The cold weather always plays havoc with my skin, so I was really pleased to receive a lovely selection of skincare products from Altruist. The Christmas Box contains four fantastic products, chosen to offer round the year skincare and the products are beautifully packed in red shredded paper, making them look very festive.
Altruist products have been developed by consultant dermatologist and skin cancer surgeon Dr Andrew Birnie and whilst they are suitable for all skin types, they are especially suitable for sensitive skin.
Inside the box are the following products
• Altruist SPF 30 Face Fluid – 50ml • Altruist Moisturising Fluid – 50ml • Altruist Primer SPF 50 – 30ml • Altruist Moisturising Body Lotion – 200ml
It can take a month to see improvements in your skin when you change your skincare routine and I’m pleased to say I am now seeing positive results – my skin feels more hydrated and now has a radiance that definitely wasn’t there before.
The Moisturising Fluid contains 0.5% Hyaluronic Acid and is enriched with glycerin, urea and shea butter to enhance the skin’s natural moisturising factors. It can be used as a both a day and night cream offering plenty of hydration for my dry, sensitive skin. The cream soaked into my skin without needing to rub too much and it felt instantly hydrating.
I always use a face cream with SPF protection no matter what time of year as even a sunny day in the winter or a cloudy day in the summer can have very damaging UVA & UVB rays. I spend a lot of time outdoors, so it is very important for my skincare products to have a SPF rating so was pleased to find that both the Face Fluid and the Primer are SPF rated. The SPF30 Face Fluid is nice and light and is easily applied on top of the Moisturising Fluid. Once applied it doesn’t feel greasy or sticky like some SPF creams tend to be and is perfect for everyday protection.
The SPF50 Primer is a light cream which is applied before foundation, as well as offering protection from UVA and UVB rays. It absorbs into my skin nicely, creating a soft, hydrated canvas for my makeup which now seems to last for longer.
The moisturising body lotion is a lovely rich consistency and is nice and easy to apply. The skin on my arms and legs is quite dry and this body lotion is very moisturising and smoothing and I have noticed that after using it morning and night for a month a persistent patch of dry skin on the back of my arm has cleared up too.
I am really pleased with the Altruist products, my skin is looking much better and is no longer dry and problematic. The Christmas Gift Set is a lovely set and is bound to be well received by anyone finding it underneath the Christmas Tree this year.
Altruist also donate 40p for every box sold, to charities that support children with albinism so when buying the giftset you are also helping a good cause.
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Who doesn’t enjoy a nice bottle of wine with their Christmas dinner, or cosied up in front of a roaring fire? We certainly do so were delighted to receive a selection of wines chosen by the experts at Kingsland Drinks, which as well as being lovely gifts are the perfect accompaniment to Christmas lunch.
Rosé fans will love the Tourmaline 2022 rosé from esteemed producers, Barton & Guestier. The wine is in a gorgeous tall bottle with a glass stopper and the dry wine has floral, citrus, pear, peach and red berry notes. Best served chilled, the delicious fruity wine is dry and crisp and great with food or drunk whist curled up in front of a fire with loved ones. With a beautiful pink hue this French wine is hard to beat.
ABV 12.5% RRP £26.99 available from Waitrose (currently £18.99)
The South Australian Sauvignon Blanc from The Hidden Sea is perfect for Christmas lunch, we enjoyed this zingy citrussy wine with chicken, but it will go just as well with turkey and if you are having a seafood starter even better as it pairs nicely with seafood. This is a delightful fresh wine and is very smooth and palatable and also works really well as a spritzer with ice and sparkling water. Another bonus is for every bottle purchased The Hidden Sea will remove the equivalent of 10 x 500ml plastic bottles from the sea and recycle them, so perfect for those who want to do their bit for the environment.
ABV 12% RRP £8 Suitable for vegans, available from Sainsbury’s and Asda
Champagne might be out of your budget this Christmas, so a bottle of Prince Alexandre Crémant de Loire is purse friendly. Made in France in the exact same method as Champagne, this sparkling wine is a subtle blend of Chenin Blanc, Chardonnay and Cabernet Franc and boasts a fresh elegant aroma of citrus and white stone fruit with hints of biscuity notes. When I poured it into a tall flute there was a multitude of bubbles that jumped and fizzed and popped satisfyingly on my tongue, served chilled it is perfect for a festive toast.
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I don’t leave the house without putting lipstick on so was very pleased to receive a selection of Sheer Shine lipsticks in the most gorgeous shades of nude, pinks and red from Annabelle Minerals.
Available in six shades, these lipsticks are a lovely creamy consistency which glides nicely onto your lips, enhancing as well as nurturing them. The colours are lovely and last well but the main benefit to me is how moisturised my lips now feel. Enriched with a blend of natural butters, oils, waxes, and vitamin E they have the moisturising qualities of a lip balm but in a lipstick formula – a winning combination which not only makes your lips look good, keeps them lovely and soft and hydrated too.
The shape of the lipstick enables a precise application, and it was easy to adjust the intensity of colour from a subtle wash to an intense full lip. We all know the packaging of lipsticks is important and these are available in a chic golden magnetic case, with a snug fitting lid and there is also a refill option too which is a great sustainable option.
The colours available are –
APRICOT – a fresh peachy nude shade that complements both warm and cool beauty types. A very versatile everyday colour that will suit most people.
BROWN FIG – a gorgeous pink caramel colour that can easily be glammed up if you are going out straight after work.
COCONUT – a warm brown hue, great if you have a tan.
DRAGON FRUIT – this fuchsia pink lipstick teamed with smoky eyes is a winning combination for Christmas party glamour.
GUAVA – a powdery pink shade that will suit all complexions.
STRAWBERRY – a stunning red lipstick that will add a touch of drama to any outfit.
As a user of more expensive lipsticks, I can honestly say that these lipsticks could easily rival any of my normal brands so are a great choice if you are looking to save a little money but aren’t prepared to compromise on quality. The choice of shades is great and they keep your lips lovely and moisturised which is very important now we are heading into the winter months.
From daytime to evening glamour, Annabelle Minerals have a great selection of makeup and skincare products that would make amazing gifts this Christmas, so whatever your budget you will easily find the perfect gift.
RRP £11.90 and the refill is £9.90 – available here
Disclaimer: we received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Have you started shopping for Christmas yet? These STABILO pens and pencils make great stocking fillers or why not add a colouring book to make a lovely gift for an artistic friend or relative?
With STABILO’S instantly recognisable striped pattern on the pens the metallic STABILO Pen 68 is perfect for creating masterpieces. With a firm tip the pens make crisp, smooth lines, and move effortlessly over the paper. The metallic colours are striking, and the pens are perfect for writing, doodling or colouring and look amazing on black card.
RRP from £14.33
Children will love the STABILO Trio DECO metallic pens, with 8 sparkling colours they liven up any picture. The colours are bold and strong with a metallic shine and are great for art projects or colouring.
The pens have an ergonomic triangular grip making them easy to hold in little hands.
RRP from £9.37
The STABILOaquacolour pencils are lovely to use and the colours are bright and vibrant. Soft with a rich pigmentation the pencils glide smoothly across the paper and when blended with a wet brush give an incredible wash effect. They are the perfect introduction to watercolours as they are much easier to use than paint and ideal for detailed work.
The pencils are the same colour as the barrel making it easy to find the one you need, and I also found they sharpen nicely too.
RRP from £6.71
These STABILO pens and pencils would make a lovely Christmas gift for any budding artist – both young and old.
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
There has been talk in this office this week of our annual Secret Santa and with a limit of £15 the Royale Garden Luxury Pamper Keepsake Tin Gift Set from Baylis & Harding fits the bill perfectly.
It is one of a number of gifts from the Royale Garden range that contain products scented with a beautiful Rose, Poppy & Vanilla fragrance. The products are beautifully packaged in a keepsake tin and all the products are all individually wrapped in tissue paper, making it feel like an extra special gift.
Inside the tin are
Soap 50g
Body Wash 50ml
Body Butter 50ml
Hand & Nail Cream 50ml
Body polisher
The soap and body wash lather up well and if you layer up the products it helps the beautiful fragrance linger on your skin all day. The body butter is nice and rich, melting into my skin leaving it lovely and soft and fragranced. The hand cream was a delight to use, it was just the right consistency, not too thick where you need to rub your hands a number of times to help it absorb and not too thin where it runs through your fingers. It left my hands feeling soft and smooth without any greasiness. The 50ml tube is perfect for keeping in my handbag too.
As well as being a great Secret Santa gift it is perfect as a stocking filler or a thank you gift for teachers.
Disclaimer: We received this game free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
We love going away in our caravan, it’s a great way to relax and it also gives us the perfect opportunity to get the children away from electronic devices for a few hours each evening when we get out a board game to play. Space is tight in the caravan so travel games like the Catch Phrase card game from Ginger Fox are great as they don’t take up much room.
Based on the popular TV show the game is very easy to play and doesn’t need a large table so it’s great to play in the caravan. You place the buzzer card and the blue edged Catch Phrase cards in the middle of the table and the oldest player turns the top card over. Once you think you know the Catch Phrase you put your hand on the buzzer card and shout out the answer. You can then turn the card over to check the answer – if you are correct you score 100 points but an incorrect answer means you are frozen out for that round. If no one guesses the Catch Phrase another card is turned over. After 6 cards have been played the Bonus Catch Phrase round (silver edged cards) is played and the player with the least points hosts the round. This round is played in the same way, but a correct answer now wins you 200 points and the opportunity to guess the bonus Catch Phrase. If you have internet access this is done by scanning the QR code on the card and tapping the screen to remove a random square to reveal a section of the picture. If they are correct, they win 500 points but an incorrect answer means you go back to the main Catch Phrase cards.
If you don’t have internet access then a Bonus Catch Phrase card is placed in the cardboard sleeve with the cover card on the top. The cover card is moved to the next line on the cardboard sleeve, revealing a small section of the card.
The winner is the player with the most points.
Being a rather competitive family the buzzer card tended to be hit rather than having hand placed gently on it but this added to the fun and it’s a good job we have a sturdy table in the caravan!
We all enjoyed playing Catch Phrase, it’s a fast paced game and great fun for all ages and kept us entertained all evening. At £12.99 it is the perfect stocking filler and will be great fun to play on Christmas day with the family.
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own.
I’m sure I am not the only one who finds applying eyeliner tricky – I struggle to apply it evenly and invariably end up poking myself in the eye in the process! Over the years I have tried lots of different eyeliners and now favour the pencil style ones like these from Annabelle Minerals which I find are much easier to apply.
They recently sent me a selection of Eyeliner Pencils and Jumbo Eye Pencils in the most gorgeous shades of purple, the pencils are extremely gentle to the delicate eye area and incredibly easy to use, the creamy texture glides onto your eyelid and lash line without dragging the delicate skin. The intensity of the colours is fantastic, they are very rich and vibrant and highly pigmented.
I especially like the Jumbo Eye Pencils as they can be used as eyeshadow, eyeliner and primer and I have been using all three shades – Catmint, Fuchsia and Midnight – to create both day and night looks. Fuchsia is a gorgeous deep purple which is the perfect colour for anyone who’s looking to make a change from traditional black or brown but doesn’t want anything too bright just yet.
I don’t have the steadiest of hands, but the eyeliner pencils are nice and soft and I found it easy to apply to my lash line, adding a little flick at the corner of my eyes to lift them and make them stand out more.
After applying for the first time I went to work and put the eye pencils in my makeup bag, fully expecting to have to reapply at some point during the day. I was therefore quite surprised when I found I didn’t need to as the colour lasted on my upper eyelid for the whole day. As well as being easy to apply the eye pencils were easy to remove too, a wipe with eye make up remover and the colour was gone.
Annabelle Minerals products are based on only 4 ingredients and are 100% organic. Their products are suitable for every skin type as well as vegetarians and vegans.
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Christmas has come early at The Review Studio as we’ve been trying a selection of fabulous APHRODITE gift sets that will make fantastic presents or Secret Santa gifts for loved ones this Christmas.
APHRODITE are a Greek skincare company who were founded back in the 90’s by George Zacharioudakis. George’s Greek heritage meant he was already aware of the benefits of olive oil for skincare and used this knowledge to cultivate an exceptional grade of organic extra virgin olive oil on his home island of Crete which he then used to create APHRODITE products.
When I looked at the APHRODITE website I discovered they have a fantastic selection of gift sets, so I guarantee you won’t have any problems finding the perfect gift for everyone this Christmas – these are a few of my favourites.
Happy Feet Gift Set €13.20 Containing a Sage & Lavender deodorant foot cream, Olive oil soap with lavender and a pumice stone this set contains everything you need to pamper your feet. After washing my feet with the soap and then leaving them to soak for 5 minutes I used the pumice stone to remove dry skin. The foot cream smells divine and it was a lovely relaxing self-care ritual rubbing it into my feet each night.
Donkey Milk Collection Hand & Foot Pamper Set €9.90 – Containing 30ml tubes of hand cream and foot cream this set is perfect as a stocking filler or Secret Santa gift. The hand and foot cream are lovely and hydrating and will keep hands and feet soft over the cold winter months. The handy sized tubes are perfect for travelling too.
Anti-age Face Care Treats €16.50 This set contains Day Cream, Night Cream and Face Scrub and is the perfect introduction to APHRODITE skincare. Specially formulated for mature skin types they offer round-the-clock hydration while fighting early signs of ageing such as fine lines and sagging skin. The creams absorb easily without needing to rub and the face scrub gently exfoliates leaving skin clean and refreshed.
Olive Oil & Donkey Milk Soaps €4.95 I am trying to be more sustainable and have switched liquid soap for a bar of soap so was pleased to see APHRODITE have some lovely soap gift sets. The Olive Oil & Donkey Milk soaps lather nicely creating a creamy foam that washes dirt and grime away leaving hands beautifully soft and gently fragranced.
So, if you have a friend or family member who loves beauty products, have a Secret Santa gift to buy or need a few thank you gifts for teachers then have a look at the APHRODITE website – I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Keeping children occupied with quiet toys often resorts to screen time. It’s not easy to carry around a bag full of toys as well as snacks, change of clothes and any other emergency items you might need, but instead of resorting to your phone, there are other options. Hey Doodle have a range of reusable and educational toys which are lightweight and easy to use, including these Hey Doodle A4 colouring mats.
Included in the tube of this ‘Into The Wild’ scene is a silicone mat, pre-printed with animals of the alphabet with the letters in traceable format. There’s also three colouring pens to be used with the toy, where children can trace the letters and then colour in the animals next to it. After it has been coloured in, you can wipe clean the mat and start again.
This is a great toy for going on holiday and especially for long journeys. There’s enough to do on the A4 sized mat that will take the average 3-5 year old enough time that they don’t get bored, and if they make a mistake, you can just rub it out and start again. Over time, you can see how well their colouring and letter skills improve if you take a photo of it each time they finish.
The mat is not only for learning about animals, the alphabet and colouring. Whether blank or drawn on, you can ask questions about the animals, ask children to point to specific letters or work on the mat together to create some bonding time too. This ‘Into The Wild’ mat is one of a series of topics including Dinosaurs and Aussie Animals which can also be purchased as a bundle for £39.99. If you’re more stationary, there’s also a range of bigger mats which are great for indoor play, but these A4 sized mats, which come in a tube to make them easier to carry with the pens, are fabulous for stockings. They can also be posted easily because of their very light weight.
If you’re conscious about the environment too, the Hey Doodle set of toys are completely re-usable so that not just one child but all the kids can make use of it again and again – no need to repeat buy colouring books or keep printing from the internet! It saves paper and cleaning the mats is super easy with just a household damp cloth. If you want to leave them overnight to soak in a sink of water, it also makes for a fun experiment with little ones the next morning to see how the water has eaten away the colours!
Hey Doodle have some lovely ideas for gifts, especially for Christmas and the A4 Silicone mats are brilliant for children aged 3+, and adults too!
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own.
Bank Holidays are a great opportunity to get together with friends and this weekend we have been reliving our youth and reminiscing about music of the time with the I Want My MTV card game from Ginger Fox Games.
The game covers music from the 80’s, 90’s and 00’s and is great fun to play, especially in teams. There are a good mix of questions with categories including In What Year?, MTV 80’s Party Anthems Compete the Title and the questions are a mix of trivia and music videos.
The aim of the game is to answer the music based questions to win pieces of a MTV jigsaw. There are two categories of question on each card and the player can choose which category they prefer. There are 4 questions on each card and if they answer them all correctly they choose one of 4 jigsaw pieces that make up the MTV logo. The winner is the team who completes the logo first.
If they pass or give an incorrect answer the other players can try and take control of the card by shouting “I WANT MY MTV”. It’s one of those games that is best played in teams and there’s a slight twist in the game to make it more fun.
There are questions for everyone in the box so whether your era is the 80’s, 90’s or 00’s and you love rock, pop or boybands there’s plenty of questions to challenge everyone. So, if you can remember who sang that iconic anthem in the 80’s? What was the name of the first album released by the popular 90’s band xxx? Or which music video featured a custard pie battle? then you’re well on your way to collecting your puzzle piece!
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Organic Chocolate and Surprise Toy!
Decision making time is here when it comes to Christmas presents! It’s always difficult to find toys and treats for children which are more sustainable, have less additives and preservatives and are hopefully healthier than some items in the shops.
PLAYin CHOC are the modern alternative to Kinder Surprises. They’re boxes of individually wrapped chocolates with a pop-out, make your own toy made of cardboard, and an information card with facts. Aimed at children aged 3+, they provide a treat as well as an educational toy which they put together themselves.
The PLAYin CHOC chocolate is organic, dairy free, nut free, gluten free and the toys and packaging are all plastic free. The chocolate is sweetened with coconut sugar (coconut is not a nut but actually a fruit) and the creaminess of the chocolate comes from creamed coconut. There’s only cacao solids and vanilla pods which make up the rest of the ingredients of the chocolates.
We were sent a selection box of 6 PLAYin CHOC ToyChoc boxes in a collection for Christmas. Each box contains two chocolates of 10grams each, individually wrapped in compostable film. The toy is a 3D puzzle which pops out from the cardboard pressing and is assembled with little hands, and all the toys are on a Christmas theme. There’s also a fact card with each box which relates to the puzzle your child has made, giving them that extra entertainment.
These are lovely presents for Christmas – either on the Christmas table to keep children entertained, in the car on long trips or even in crackers. As they’re all compostable and recyclable as well, they fulfil the environmental check list too. These PLAYin CHOC boxes would be great as stocking fillers too, in the knowledge that each box doesn’t contain that much chocolate that it will spoil Christmas lunch, nor will children get hyperactive because there aren’t any additives involved. Christmas morning, making toy puzzles out of cardboard cut outs is much more preferable to the sirens and bells of other toys and games!
Is the chocolate any good? Well, I’ve tried PLAYin CHOC before and even tested the difference between them other High Street chocolates. There is no coconut taste, but PLAYin CHOC is slightly less sweet than other brands, probably because there is no added sugar, just coconut sugar. There’s still the creamy texture of chocolate, and of course, the cocoa makes sure that you still get your chocolate hit!
Gift sets will be available for £13.50 for 6 at: https://playinchoc.com/collections
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own
My eczema has been especially bad over the last couple of weeks so receiving a bottle of Gentle Moisturising Lotion from The Goat Skincare came at just the right time!
If you have eczema and haven’t tried goat’s skincare products before you really should – goats milk products are great for people with eczema as the lactic acid combined with the natural fats and oils in the milk are a natural humectant and help keep your skin more hydrated which can prevent eczema flare ups.
The lotion comes in a 500ml bottle with a pump dispenser, it is very light and absorbs easily into my skin and doesn’t leave it feeling greasy or sticky. The fragrance is nice and gentle so perfect for everyone in the family.
Since I received the moisturiser, I have been using it both as a hand cream and a body moisturiser, applying it to my body and feet at night. My eczema is particularly bad on my feet, and they are usually quite red and itchy but since I started using this moisturiser I have seen a massive improvement and the redness and flakiness has pretty much gone now.
This is a very soothing and moisturising cream and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who suffers from eczema, psoriasis or itchy skin. It is suitable for all ages, including babies.
All The Goat Skincare products are free from sulphates, parabens and harsh chemicals and are not tested on animals
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are our own
Gin has become incredibly popular in recent years and being a big gin fan, I enjoy trying all the different varieties with their unique tastes. Being popular with all ages it also makes a lovely Christmas gift.
The first thing that struck me about the African Gin from Amarulawas the eye catching elephant on the front of the bottle, the turquoise and gold colours are stunning together and really make the bottle stand out.
This is the first African gin I have tried, and it is the only gin made from ‘marula fruit spirit’ giving it a distinctive and exotic taste. It might be snowing outside but this gin instantly transported me to warmer climates!
I’m sure I’m not the only one who hasn’t heard of or even tasted marula fruit before, so I had a look on their website to find out a little more about the fruit. The marula fruit grows in South Africa and is a favourite of the elephant herds who drawn by the scent of the ripe fruit, gather beneath the trees. This indicates to the locals that the fruit is ripe and ready to be harvested. The fruit is hand picked and the locals then wash destone, pulp and cool the fruit before it is distilled into marula fruit spirit. Premium botanicals (juniper berries, orange peel and blossom, and Ghanaian grains of paradise) are added and steeped for 24 hours in the spirit and later gently distilled in a pot still. The result is a uniquely complex, refreshingly balanced gin which Amarula recommend serving with Indian tonic, ice and with a slice of fresh grapefruit for an unexpected twist.
I normally like to try my first taste of a gin, with an unflavoured light tonic water which enables me to taste the full flavour of the gin and this Amarula tasting was no exception. The pure flavour, with a hint of floral and citrus tones came through first, followed by a bit of a kick which was unexpected but quite pleasant. Once I had tried it in the classic G&T it was time to test it in cocktails, so I looked on their website to find a couple to try. It worked really well in a Tropical Fizz, a pineapple based cocktail and brought a hint of the exotic to the cold north of England!
I was also pleased to discover that with every litre sold, £1 goes to the Amarula Trust who support elephant conservation and the local communities which harvest this special fruit once a year.
Amarula African Gin has an ABV of 43% and is available from Amazon (RRP £28)
A bottle of Amarula gin makes a perfect Christmas gift for your loved one this year, I highly recommend it and would certainly be happy if someone brought me a bottle!
Disclaimer: We received these products free of charge for the purpose of this review and all thoughts and opinions are our own
With Christmas just around the corner, we were delighted to receive three items of clothing from the Blade and Rose Christmas range. Blade and Rose are renowned for their funky, yet practical outfits, and our mini reviewer couldn’t wait to wear his new Santa clothes.
The Santa Leggings not only look wonderfully festive, but they will keep your little one warm and snug during the cold winter. The red and brown stripes paired with the green cuffed trouser bottoms give the leggings a really Christmassy feel and the jolly Santa face, which you find on the bum section of the leggings, is great for making you smile. Unlike other baby leggings, the bum section on the Santa Leggings is super stretchy meaning it easily fits over both nappies and the bulkier cloth nappies.
The leggings are comfortable and easy to move about in thanks to their non restrictive fluffy knit material.
Available in sizes 0-6m, 6-12m, 1-2yrs, 2-3yrs, and 3-4yrs.
No Christmas outfit is complete without a Christmas jumper, and the Santa top is a stunning piece of festive children’s wear and goes beautifully with the leggings
Made from 95% Cotton and 5% Elastine, it will keep your little one warm and comfortable but without feeling constricted.
Santa’s jolly face is delicately appliquéd on to the top, and his fluffy beard will certainly keep your children entertained whilst wearing it.
Available in sizes 0-6m, 6-12m, 1-2yrs, 2-3yrs, and 3-4yrs.
Finally, to finish this jolly Christmas outfit, we have the super cute Santa Socks
These delightful little socks are adorable and will keep tiny toes warm and snug. The socks match the leggings and top perfectly and are soft on your little ones’ feet.
The red and brown stripes with hints of green are the perfect Christmas colours, and the small fluffy santa face on the front of each sock is a very cute addition.
Made from 65% Cotton, 20% Polymide, 10% Polyester and 5% Elastine.
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for our honest review and all words and opinions are our own.
Now my sons are older it is much harder finding stocking fillers for them but Kikkerland have come up trumps yet again with their Terrific Tins range which are just the right size to fit in a stocking.
My eldest son has a beard so when I spotted the Gentleman’s Beard Kit tin, I knew it would be perfect for him. I’m no expert when it comes to beards, but I’m told a beard needs looking after to keep it in good condition and this kit contains everything you need to keep a beard in tip top condition.
Inside the Gentleman’s Beard kit, you will find the following essential items
Stainless steel trimming scissors 10 ml of beard oil Double-sided pear wood comb
The beard oil is perfect for moisturising and nourishing the beard and using the pear wood comb daily will prevent ingrowing hairs. Use the scissors for snipping straggly hairs and snipping around the mouth area.
With a securely fitting lid this kit is perfect to slip in an overnight bag to keep your beard looking neat and tidy even when you are away from home.
I think the tins are a great idea and will be warmly received on Christmas morning
RRP £13.50
Have a look at some of the other tins in the range
Disclaimer: We received this product free of charge for the purpose of this review but all words and opinions are our own
Christmas will be here before we know it so it’s time to get your thinking caps on to come up with some fab stockingfillers and Secret Santa gifts this year.
If you have a cactus fan in your life, then this Cactus Scrub sponge from Kikkerland will make a great gift. Shaped like a cactus, the scrubby surface has an iridescent shine which makes it look very Christmassy.
As well as looking great it is also practical too, it’s comfortable to hold, and the scrubby surface is gentle enough not to scratch your dishes, but rough enough to clean even the most cremated food from your cooking dishes and pans.
Washing up is probably the worst job to have on Christmas day but this set of 2 sponges are quirky and just the thing to bring a smile to the face of the person who has drawn the short straw for washing up!
Made of PU and nylon the Cactus Sponge Scrub has a RRP of £8 and is available from Kikkerland.
Disclaimer – We received this item free for the purpose of this review/feature but all words and opinions are our own.
Christmas at Aldi is always wonderful, and we’ve been working with the team there again this year to bring you the best in their products! We have been sent a hefty portion of their beauty products to show you what’s on offer this year – both in store and online, and introduce you to some new favourites.
Aldi make gift buying easy with their selection of items such as these three scents from the Hotel Collection. Each pyramid also doubles up as a bauble so can be used as gifts, decorations or even Secret Santa. The scents, which are 30ml each, are No 1 Lime, Basil & Mandarin (white box), No 16 Bergamot Oud (black box) and No 2 Blackberry & Bay (purple). Each fragrance is specially mixed for Aldi to be as contemporary as possible and similar to what you might find in the department stores this year. No more old-fashioned granny perfumes! At £2.99 each these are great #StockingFillers or #SecretSanta gifts.
For more extravagant gift sets, the Lacura Spa Rice Milk & Cherry Blossom Gift Set and Fizzy & Fabulous Bath Trio are both £7.99. Both very different gift box sets, the Fizzy & Fabulous set is three Christmas themed bath bombs. The Christmas Tree and Snowflake are both Lavender and Bergamot whilst the star bath bomb is chocolate orange flavour. It’s best to use one bath bomb at a time, but in this set you have two bombs which are relaxing and calming (lavender and bergamot) whilst the star bath bomb is more Christmassy with it’s chocolate orange scent. Suitable for any age, kids love these when they dissolve in the bath and they leave your skin soft too – plus smelling of the lovely scents! Great stocking fillers or #GiftsForTeachers and Secret Santa.
Aldi also have a beautiful range of make-up available this Christmas and this is only a small portion of it. We’ve previously featured the Lacura serums and Lacura foundation and they have so much more including this Quad Eyeshadow Palette. With four colours, two of which have a shimmery texture to them, they can be used alone or in conjunction with one another to create an effect for Christmas. The nude colours are great for all year round though, and easy to blend. Priced at £3.99 they’re another stocking filler idea! Why not round off the look with the Lacura Eyeshadow Primer as well, at £2.99. Use the primer as a base before you put on your eye shadow and it prolongs the look and feel of the Palette all day.
Lips don’t go unnoticed this Christmas either. This Perfect Nude colour for Lacura Lipstick (£2.99), Lacura Lip Liner (£2.99) and Lacura Lip Gloss (also £2.99) work together perfectly. You can either use all three to make a glossy, polished look, or use them individually for daytime or a quick fix. As they’re all the same colour but different textures, they work in combination to create the Lacura look. The Perfect Nude colour can be worn all day too, or dressed up for night. You won’t find many lipsticks for £2.99 on the market and especially won’t find the whole Lacura Lip Look for less than £10!
Skincare is a big part of Aldi’s Lacura range. We tested some items including the Pineapple Microdermabrasion Scrub. Containing pineapple enzymes (you can guess how they like to eat away at the impurities!) this scrub can be used several times a week. Just gently massage onto wet skin and rinse thoroughly. It really left my skin feeling softer and smoother, taking away dead skin and the remains of make-up. I loved this, and at £3.99 it seems incredibly good value for a 100ml tube.
I was intrigued by the Lacura Multi-Peptide Moisturiser (50ml, £6.99) not least because of the pump-action dispenser! The moisturiser boasts 7 peptide complex, stem cell extraction for hydrating and smoothing. It’s very much like a serum, and not heavy but does absorb into the skin easily. I used this after the Pineapple Microdermabrasion Scrub and it glided on effortlessly. It leaves skin soft, and more like a base to put a foundation or make up on top as it isn’t reflective like the Lacura Caviar products. Still, it lasts all day and I can’t believe that it’s only £6.99 compared to the extortionate costs of moisturisers available elsewhere.
Also in skincare is the Intensive Eye Cream. With vitamin A, B5, C and £ complex, and with grape seed extract, this is also for smoothing and hydrating the skin, but mostly around the eyes although you could use it for the mouth and bridge of the nose too if preferred. I thought this was even more hydrating than the Multi-Peptide Moisturiser, which it probably should be as it’s for the eye area but this cream left my skin feeling dewy fresh too. The 15ml tube will last a long, long time as you only need a tiny amount and at £3.99 it’s an absolute steal!
Read here to find out about the Aldi fragrances – there’s a lot of them and you won’t want to skip what’s on offer!
The Review Studio 