Tag: Vegan

Weleda Arnica

beauty, cruelty-free, Fitness, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, health, Sport, Vegan

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

I have been fan of natural beauty brand Weleda for years and their Skin Food is one of my favourite beauty products as it has a multitude of uses. Weleda harness the vitality of nature and all their products work in harmony with your body’s own restorative abilities, so it’s no surprise to discover that they have a range containing Arnica – a herbal remedy for bruises, aches and pains which is prized for its ability to ease muscle tension and aid recovery from over-exertion.

With a number of long walks and bike rides planned over the summer, it was the perfect opportunity to try them for myself and once I started using them I was left wondering how I have managed to overlook the Arnica range, when I have been purchasing Weleda products for years?  

There are few things in life more relaxing than a long hot bath, especially after a long bike ride or walk when my legs are aching. The Weleda Arnica Muscle Soak (£16.25) was a welcome addition to my post exercise bath and the wonderful blend of arnica, flowers, birch leaves and rosemary and lavender essential oils helped not only my muscles to relax but my mind too. I came out of the bath feeling relaxed and using it before bed definitely helps me sleep better.

As a keen cyclist I couldn’t wait to use the massage oil (£18.95) on my aching legs after a gruelling 50 mile ride. After a hot bath it was just the thing to soothe all my aches and pains away. The pump dispenser made it easy to dispense just the right amount of oil and I found I only needed a small amount to massage my weary legs. It glides onto skin nicely and as soon as I applied it, I could feel the warming and soothing ingredients getting to work. My skin felt nourished and it helped my tired muscles relax. The lavender fragrance isn’t overpowering, just nice and calming.

The Weleda Sport Arnica Energising Shower Gel (£8.25) is perfect to pop in your gym bag for a refreshing post exercise shower. With an invigorating organic rosemary and lavender scent it revitalises both  body and mind, whilst the arnica gets to work on tired muscles. It’s also one of the very few sports shower gels available that is also 100% certified natural.



When I’m cycling, I always end up with bruises on my legs where the pedals have caught them so the Arnica Cooling Gel (£8.95) has come in very handy. The tube is small enough to fit in my bike bag giving instant relief to my legs.  

It’s important to relax and unwind after any sporting activity and these are just the products you need to aid recovery. Available from Weleda here

Clean Co Gin Alternative 

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Drinks and Mixers, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Home, Home & Garden, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

Not everybody likes to drink at Christmas, and some people can’t. There’s always the gift giving ritual which some employers especially don’t sanction having alcohol around.  Thankfully, there are more companies on the market nowadays who product non or low alcohol drinks like Clean Co. Clean Co produce a range of Alternative Spirits including whisky, rum and a selection of gins.  We were sent this bottle of Clean G Gin Alternative spirit to test out for the Christmas market. Was it up to the gin spirit?

Clean Co’s Gin Alternative, in this fetching Art Deco style bottle, holds 70cl of zero sugar, non-alcoholic gin. That means it’s made with a juniper source by a process which brings out the flavour more, and distilled into the Clean Go version of a London Dry Gin.  It even has the botanical flavours of a gin, just without the alcohol. It has a slightly cloudy look to it, which is part of the botanical method which gives it the distinct flavour.  There’s no sweeteners involved, absolutely no sugar and the distilling producing only 0.5% ABV which is a trace of alcohol.  It’s also vegan, lactose free and Gluten Free. You’ll also find just 14 calories per 50ml (single shot) serving.

As for the taste… this Alternative Gin is not meant to be consumed neat, so adding your favourite mixer will enhance the flavour as well as make it your own.  There really isn’t much difference between the Clean Co Alternative Gin and the standard, alcohol gin you buy in the shops.  It has a bitter taste, but not so much sugar flavour to it, and mixes well with a tonic and decorations such as lemon or lime.  The bottle arrived with a handy set of cocktail recipe cards which you can keep along side your Clean Co bottle for when you want to mix it up in the future.

Clean Co Alternative Gin is not only great for Christmas time, especially when you’re busy with everything else and need a clear head, but it makes a great gift for those who are doing Dry January and still want to feel like they’re drinking, but not cheating!

Available from £16.00 at: https://clean.co/collections/shop/products/cleang-non-alcoholic

Bold Bean Co Jars of Beans

Family Life, Food & Drink, health, Sustainable, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

Here’s a world you didn’t know existed – jars of beans! And we don’t mean baked beans; no these Bold Beans Co beans come in huge 700 gram jars of all sorts of beans to add to recipes, make fajitas, create sauces with and even ear raw if you want to!

Why are beans becoming such an important piece of our diets nowadays? Along with the vegan and vegetarian update since lockdown, beans are the unsung heroes of farming. Did you know that legumes are natural fertilizers?  The nitrogen nodules produced by the roots of beans actually put nutrients back into the soil without any work being put into them. This benefits future crops and other food being grown around them.  Beans are also an easy, cheap source of protein and fibre plus they can keep you full for longer thereby making meals go further.  The versatility of the bean means it can be added to lots of dishes, mashed up and used as a base or even turned into snacks.

The shear variety of beans available out there probably passes you by unless you are an avid bean gardener.  Think about all the different dishes available and cuisines from around the world; you probably know of more beans than you realise! Do you actively cook with these superfoods though?

Bold Bean Company have a range of beans available so sent us a selection of their bestselling beans which is also available online as part of their ‘Taste the Range’.  The 6 jars that were sent to us were;

Queen Red Beans

Queen Black Beans

Queen Chickpeas

Queen Butter Beans

Organic White Beans

Organic Chickpeas

I’d heard of most of them but didn’t really know anything about them nor how to cook with them. Thankfully, there are recipes available on the Bold Bean Co website, but we decided to try the Queen Butter Beans in this mince casserole (along with olives and a tomato sauce) and to roast the Queen Chickpeas in the oven with some oil and spices to make a snack.

The first thing I should note in reviewing these jars are that they are BIG! If you aren’t used to storing big jars or don’t have a fridge big enough, then I would suggest with the smaller varieties. I had to rearrange my fridge shelves for the opened jars and find a space for the unopened ones to use later. Secondly, some of the jar lids were very, very tight and required a trip to my neighbours’ house for them to open!

Each of the bean varieties have been sourced for their flavour. Once they are slow cooked to bring out the natural taste and preserve the nutrients as best as possible, they are seasoned and jarred. They’re not suspended in water though – this is bean stock, created so that the beans can marinate in a proper legume stock to keep in the flavour, nutrients and ensure the beans remain soft and don’t dry out.  The bean stock can be used in soups or stews after the jar is finished with, saving you time but probably adding nutrients and flavour to a dish you wouldn’t normally use.

I added the Queen Butter Beans to a mince meat stew I had stored in the freezer in order to make a quick meal. Adding the beans along with some olives made it not only healthier but tasty too. The Queen Butter Beans (which won a Great Taste Award in 2021) are surprisingly not like butter beans you’re used to on the salad counter. These giant sized beans are creamier, but not mushy and have a slightly sweeter taste to them than canned beans that have been saturated for too long. There’s a proper taste to them, and adding them to another dish means they soak up the flavours whilst adding a texture all of their own.  These Queen Butter Beans would be great for babies who are weaning onto solid food. They’re easily mashed!

The second beans I tried were the Queen Chickpeas. Bigger than the jar of Organic Chickpeas (which are great for salads, soups, broths etc) I chose these because of how I wanted to cook them. Forking a handful off onto kitchen paper, I dried them out slightly, put them in an oven dish with some oil and sprinkled them lightly with chilli.  As I was already cooking the mince meat stew, at the same temperature (180C) I roasted the chickpeas as a snack that can be eaten later.  35 minutes in the oven and they were lightly roasted, but not mushy at all, and had soaked up the oil and the chilli. Careful not to use too much chilli though because it goes a lot further than you think!

As there are 500 grams of beans in the whole jar (200 grams of the bean broth makes up the full amount of 700 grams) then I will be pacing myself on using the rest of the beans. The Queen Black Beans will be brilliant for fajitas (my favourite dish!) and tacos; the Organic Chickpeas for salads when I will be able to use them cold and the Queen Red and Queen White Beans can be used in stews and casseroles where I don’t normally use them, and give some lovely colour.

I’ve only had one meal and one snack from the beans so far… I suspect the giant 700 gram jars are a ploy to get me addicted to each of the beans slowly so that I become reliant on them in my every day cooking and the easy of just opening the jar and taking what I want but so far, I’ve enjoyed what I’ve tried and been nicely surprised by the texture, taste and quality of them.

I think once more people cotton onto the properties of beans and how healthy they are, Bold Bean Co will become a favourite for everyone!

Bold Bean Co have recently won a BOOM award from the Soil Association for being able to demonstrate their support for the organic industry.

Taste the Range set of beans available for £25 at:

Taste the Range

FFØR All:In Oil

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

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

Frizz can be one of the most frustrating problems to deal with when you have naturally curly hair so any product that can tame the dreaded frizz is a real winner for me. My curly hair has been a lot easier to manage since I discovered FFØR so when I heard they had launched a new weightless wonder oil called All:In Oil I couldn’t wait to try it.

FFØR stands for Free From, Original, Real and they are an ethical company who believe in Clean Beauty, both for you and the planet. Their products are vegan, cruelty free and free from nasties and they only work with likeminded, ethical suppliers who can provide verified information about their sourcing, and who share their important values. They are also winners of the Marie Claire 2022 Hair Awards and the Global Green Beauty Awards.

The new hair oil is packed full deeply nourishing ingredients – vitamins, minerals and antioxidants which not only add shine but helps to define my curls, leaving them lovely and smooth and frizz free.

The oil is incredibly lightweight, with quite a thin texture that barely feels like oil. There’s a very fine line between glossy hair and greasy locks and I found I didn’t need much to coat my shoulder length hair. I recommend starting with just one drop and adding more gradually, otherwise you can easily end up using too much. I found the best way to apply it was by putting a drop in the palm of my hands and then rubbing them together before distributing the oil through my hair. 

The formula creates maximum shine and hydration without feeling oily or greasy and like all the other FFØR products smells amazing. I have used it on damp and dry hair with equally good results. Used overnight it hydrates and nourishes my hair and used after styling it helps to banishe frizz, helping define my curls and leaves them looking in tip top condition.  

If you are going away this summer, then you really must put one of these in your suitcase, put it on your hair overnight or before you go to the beach to give your hair the chance to soak up every bit of the goodness contained within the oil. It will help keep your hair smooth and frizz free in the heat and protect it too.

All:In Oil is a hair taming gem and the perfect addition to your holiday haircare routine.  

RRP £28 available here

Read our other FFØR haircare reviews – Re:Vamp Spray, Show Off Leave In Conditioner and Super Shine Gloss Mist and Re:Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner and Re:Plenish Hair Mask

Italian Crisps and Snacks from Fox Nut & Snacks

Children, Family Life, Food & Drink, Lunchbox Fillers, Summer, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

We are in full swing of summer now, and I’ve lost count of the amount of places I’m meant to be, want to be or end up finding myself thanks to the beautiful weather.  With friends coming round too, there’s always a need for endless snacks to go with the wine, Prosecco or chats with the girls.

The Artisan Olive Oil Company sent us these crisps and vegetable chips to try, as part of their artisan Italian snack range, all of which are found on their website.  This was one of those times when I opened a box and kept delving to find more and more yummy treats; my mind whirling with how I was going to try all of them in such a short space of time… but don’t worry, the girls with the wine, Prosecco and chatter helped me out!

Included in the bundle was;

Vintage Truffle Potato Chips (120g)

Vintage Potatoes with Sweet Chilli (120g)

Vegan [vegetable] Crisps (150g)

Lightly Salted Tortilla (125g)

Blue Corn Tortilla (125g)                    

For anyone looking for summer snacks, this is only a small selection of what the Artisan Olive Oil Company offer, and you can see that there’s more than just your run of the mill crisps just in this selection.  The flavours are varied as well, which helps when you don’t know what everyone will be drinking.

It is surprisingly fast how quickly so many packets of crisps disappear when you open them! We did study them first though, noting how each of the crisps were of high quality. The potato crisps were sharp, fresh and there were no burnt edges or green crisps in the packet, and none of those monster crisps you used to find as a child! All of the vegetables were of high quality and were cooked in high quality oil.  The Vintage Potatoes with Sweet Chilli are not as hot (in taste) as some of the other brands on the market, but have more of a sweeter taste to them. The crisps are still precise though, and make for a lovely texture. 

The same goes for the Vintage Truffle Potato Chips, which have a subtle taste but are great with the flavour of the oil coming through and the quality of the potatoes. I really liked the Vegan Crisps which were vegetable chips of carrot, beetroot and parsnip. Not only are they some of my favourite vegetables but they have a taste all of their own once they’re cooked, and the added seasoning makes them irresistible.

Finally, the Lightly Salted Tortilla and Blue Corn Tortilla are more gritty, but flavoursome corn chips, with a tiny bit of flavouring to them but just as delicious. These went really well with white wine and their slightly sour tastes of Pinot Grigio and I think would be even better eaten with a dip or salsa, all of which are found on the Artisan Olive Oil Company’s website where you’ll find even more summer treats!

Crisps and snacks available online from £4.25 per 120g bag at:

Premium snacks

Happi Oat Milk Chocolate

Birthday Gifts, Children, Food & Drink, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gluten Free, Stocking Fillers, Sustainable, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

We’ve been munching our way through a lot of chocolate this week in preparation for World Chocolate Day on the 7th July.  As well as traditional chocolate we have been sampling some plant based brands as being Vegan or following a dairy free or gluten free diet no longer means you need to miss out on delicious chocolate treats.

Happi Choc was founded by Gavin, Lee & Rosie who spotted a gap in the market for top quality, healthier and FUN plant based treats that they were happy to share with their children and enjoy themselves.  Lower in sugar than other chocolate brands the chocolate is sustainably sourced with the cacao bought directly from a Columbian family owned business and co-operative called Luker.  The company are 100% ethically driven and work closely with a network of farmers, alliances and communities to improve social welfare, biodiversity and farming practices. (We recently tried FATSO chocolate which is sourced from the same Columbian business)

The Happi chocolate is made using single origin 47% Colombian cacao and oat milk and comes in a range of delicious flavours – Plain Milk, White Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Orange, Cacao Nibs Crunch & White Raspberry.

Happi chocolate is the very first oat milk chocolate I have tried and I have to say I’m really impressed, the chocolate is smooth and creamy and there is definitely no compromise on taste and with less sugar it’s better for my waistline too!

My favourite was the Cacao Nib Crunch, the rich flavour combined with the crunchy cacao nibs is simply irresistible and a chocolate lovers dream. For white chocolate lovers the White Raspberry bar is one to try, with plenty of freeze dried raspberries giving it a fruity boost this one is incredibly moreish!

The packaging is also recyclable with a cardboard box and a home compostable plastic inner. They also give 1% of their annual net sales revenue to good causes and mental health organisations so another good reason to try it.

Happi is available in 40g and 80g bars from Selfridges, Ocado, Amazon and local independent retailers.

FATSO Chocolate

Birthday Gifts, Christmas, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Mother's Day, Stocking Fillers, Vegan

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

I am a real chocoholic and don’t need much of an excuse to eat chocolate, so I am really enjoying the lead up to World Chocolate Day on the 7th July.

I love discovering new chocolate brands and one I hadn’t come across before is FATSO who use a Columbian family owned business and co-operative called Luker as their sole chocolate supplier. The company are 100% ethically driven and they grow delicious, sustainable cocoa that has been awarded the highest chocolate classification, FINO DE AROMA. They also work closely with a network of farmers, alliances and communities to improve social welfare, biodiversity and farming practices.

So with such great credentials the big question is, what does the chocolate actually taste like? Well, that’s very easy to answer. Absolutely delicious!!

We tried two different bars – the King’s Ransom (Mint Pistachio & Cocoa Nibs) and Home Run (Salted Pretzel, Whole Almond & Honeycomb).

One of the things that really surprised me about the King’s Ransom bar (and I really know it shouldn’t) is that it had such a wonderful minty flavour rather than the strong synthetic representation of mint we have become accustomed to in cheaper brands. The minty flavour together with the crunchy texture of the pistachio and cocoa nibs made this a delight to eat.

The Home Run bar is a 60% cacao bar with generous chunks of salted pretzel, whole almonds and honeycomb. This winning combination of flavours complement each other and it is easy to pick out all the flavours, the saltiness of the pretzel takes away some of the bitterness of the dark chocolate and sweetness comes from the honeycomb. Nuts add a satisfying crunch to this bar.

The quality of FATSO chocolate is exceptional and it’s definitely the best I’ve tasted in a quite a while.
One taste and you will see that their chocolate is a world apart from something you might pick up from the supermarket. At £6.50 for a 150g bar it is on the expensive side but you are paying for a quality product here – just keep it out of the way of the children and savour every piece!

RINGANA Summer Sunscreen and Light Legs

beauty, Family Life, health, Summer, Women

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

Summer often brings a need for different, and new, beauty products. RINGANA have sent us these 3 skincare products which are imperative for summer sun life, whether it be in this heatwave we have at home, or to take away on holiday with you.

RINGANA is an Austrian company that prides itself on the natural ingredients it uses for its skincare, beauty and supplement products. Unlike other companies, RINGANA, founded in 1996, use fresh ingredients to make the products from scratch and ship out worldwide to 34 countries, including many which they post products to for free. You won’t find RINGANA in the department stores or High Street, only online where their products are vegan and free from preservatives and additives.

With that in mind, their products are unlike any makeup you’d typically buy. We were sent three summer products to try, the RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Medium SPF 20 (for medium sun days), RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Face SPV 15 (face moisturiser for every day) and the delicious RINGANA Fresh Light Legs.

Starting with the RINGANA Fresh Light Legs, I didn’t know what it was so had to look it up on the website to find out what it was used for. Light Legs are for when your legs (or feet) are tired in the summer and need some rejuvenation.  Think about walking around on holiday, in the heat, probably wearing shoes which are totally inappropriate for the weather and terrain.  RINGANA Light Legs is for just this purpose!  I sprayed some on my calf as a test to see what it was like. The light spray sits on the skin and you rub it in slowly so that it penetrates into the muscle.  The feeling on your skin is a slight tingling as the ingredients work away to “pep up” your limbs.  Looking at the ingredients, it includes magnesium, which is a known topical tonic for tired muscles and is absorbed through the skin easily.  The fragrance is that of summer citrus, which also acts to boost your mood as you wear it.  The effect of the Light Legs was to keep my legs (I eventually used it all over) fresh and tingly, giving me some extra energy in the long run, relaxed my leg muscles.

The RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Face SPF 15 can be used in summer but with the SPF protection it can be used all year round too as your daily face moisturiser. Made with natural plant oils and fragrance free, it protects against UV rays, antioxidants and blue light.  The breezy formula is designed for sensitive skin and is COSMOS certified, leaving your skin matt and smooth.  I like this formula because it’s so light on your skin but gives you all-round protection and is easy to wear under make up, as well as on its own. My skin was super hydrated but not greasy and stayed that way throughout the day.

The final RINGANA product we tried was the Fresh Sunscreen Medium SPF 20. This product can be used daily, but is more for occasions such as holidays or being outside for long periods of time. It’s waterproof and nano-free and relies on the natural mineral that is zinc oxide as a sun protection filter. 

The formula is perfume free, except for the ‘fresh’ smell of the natural ingredients as you apply it, and absorbs with a little effort leaving no film on the skin.  It’s nice and rich but also cooling and leaves skin moisturised.  I like this Fresh Sunscreen Medium because it doesn’t smell of the synthetic sun creams you get in the pharmacy.

All of the RINGANA products feel so soft and luxurious as they are made with fresh ingredients and not kept in unfavourable conditions for months on end.  The whole range of products are designed for everyday living, and summer especially is a great time to start using them.  You won’t find many places that make your skin products with fresh, fragrance free, artificial ingredient free and vegan like RINGANA.

RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Medium SPF 20 (£38.45) https://www.ringana.com/produkt/fresh-sunscreen-spf-20/?lang=en

 RINGANA Fresh Sunscreen Face SPF 15 (£27.75) 

https://www.ringana.com/produkt/fresh-sunscreen-face/?lang=en

RINGANA Fresh Light Legs (£23.93) https://www.ringana.com/produkt/fresh-light-legs/?lang=en

Sponge Baby Brownies

Birthday Gifts, Father's Day, Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gifts for teachers, Vegan

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

Everybody loves cake and with Father’s Day just over a week away it is the perfect opportunity to treat your Dad to some delicious brownies from Sponge.

Sponge are an online cake shop who make the most fantastic cakes which are suitable for any occasion. They have a great selection which includes large cakes, sharing cakes, pinata cakes, brownies as well a range of letterbox cakes which fit nicely through your letterbox, removing the need to factor in a trip to the post office to collect your cake. The cakes from Sponge are incredibly well packaged in a sturdy cardboard box so there is no need to worry about the cakes arriving in less than perfect condition – very important when you are buying them as a gift.  

The Father’s Day Baby Brownie Gift Box contains 4 delicious brownies (choose from standard, gluten-free, or vegan) as well as gift wrap and a card.

The brownies are miniature versions of the popular full sized brownies and the gift box includes the following flavours

Raspberry & White Chocolate

Chocolate Orange

Triple Chocolate

Hazelnut Praline.

The brownies are nice and thick and are incredibly moreish! Soft and fudgy, they are full of flavour but not too dry like some brownies tend to be and the toppings make then just that little bit more special. Delicious hot or cold they have been a big hit in our house and just the thing to spoil Dad with on Father’s Day.

A pack of 4 costs £13.25 and cakes can be delivered all over the UK with next delivery if you place your order before 3pm.

Purchase them from Sponge here

Read our other Sponge reviews – Coronation Pinata Cake, Chocolate Cake, Mother’s Day Tea Hamper, Valentine’s Gift Box


Superfood Face Firming Serum Made by Coopers

beauty, Birthday Gifts, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, Vegan, Vegetarian, Women

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

We have had face creams for daily repair for a few decades now. Then there were night creams, designed to repair whilst you’re asleep and your skin is rejuvenating. Nowadays, we have serums to take care of your epidermis during the day, or in the case of the Superfood Face Firming Serum Made by Coopers, this serum works during the night to keep your skin soft and supple.

The Coopers Superfood Firming Serum is made with a blend of bio-active plant oils to instantly firm and regenerate cells. The vegan serum, which contains organic black cumin, pomegranate, chia, broccoli, baobab and passion flower also contains no parabens and isn’t tested on animals. The combination of all the plant extracts gives you a brighter, more youthful complexion. 

Although vitality serums are usually used at night, and under moisturisers, the Coopers Superfood Face Firming Serum can be used on clean skin during the day as well and on the neck. Just a few drops warmed in the finger tips and massaged into the skin gives extra moisturisation.  The serum is a rich, oily texture with a strong cumin fragrance which reminded me of the CBD oils, although this formula does not contain CBD.  It takes a while for it to soak into your skin but when it does, it leave the skin super hydrated thanks to its rich texture. The effects last over night until the morning when you can either apply it again, or use your usual daily skin routine.

This is especially good for vegans who want products made of plant extract but also not tested on animals but still has the same moisturising effect as High Street cosmetics.

Available from £35 at: https://madebycoopers.com/products/superfood-firming-serum-30ml?_pos=1&_sid=ed0b148ff&_ss=r

RINGANA Travel Sets

beauty, cruelty-free, Gifts for Her, Sustainable, Vegan, Women

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

It’s the start of June and thoughts are turning to holidays, whether you are planning on staying in the UK or heading for more exotic locations it’s even more important to look after your skin as the heat, humidity and long haul flights can play havoc with your skin.

Many beauty brands now have miniature versions, enabling you to stick to your favourite tried and trusted products whilst you are away. I don’t miss the days of decanting favourite products into travel sized bottles and then finding myself using body lotion instead of face cream as the pen has rubbed off the bottle and I can’t tell which is which – I’m sure I’m not the only one that this happens to!!

If your holiday plans involve a flight, travel-sized products are perfect as not only do they keep the weight down they are essential when travelling with only hand luggage. Airlines still have restrictions on liquids and containers must hold no more than 100ml and fit in a single, transparent, resealable plastic bag, which holds no more than a litre and measures around 20cm by 20cm.

RINGANA are an Austrian skincare brand and their products are vegan, natural, ethical, eco-friendly and aren’t tested on animals. We’ve tried a few of their products recently and they also have a fantastic selection of travel sized products to suit all skin types. They sent me a couple of sets to try and I have enjoyed discovering some new RINGANA products.

The WASH sample box contains a great selection of holiday essentials to keep your hair and body lovely and fresh.

FRESH BODY WASH 50ml which lathers nicely to clean and freshen my skin after a day on the beach.  

FRESH SHAMPOO 50ml this gentle shampoo leaves hair lovely and soft and shiny.

FRESH STAY FRESH 50 ml, a gentle foam that you spray onto toilet paper to leave your skin fresh and clean.

FRESH DEODORANT 5 ml, this handy bottle protects against unpleasant body odours and is small enough to keep in your bag to freshen up whenever you feel the need.

FRESH TOOTH OIL 15ml, used instead of toothpaste this oil-based tooth care is derived from the ancient practice where oil was swished in your mouth to remove bacteria and promote oral hygiene. It doesn’t foam like toothpaste and I wasn’t keen on the taste but I did find it left my teeth feeling surprisingly clean and fresh.

I loved all these products but I would have liked to see a conditioner in this set as my hair can get wild and frizzy on holiday and I prefer to use the same haircare brands for shampoo and conditioner to get the best results.  

€27.10

The BODY sample box contains smaller samples that are perfect for a weekend away.

FRESH BODY MILK 15 ml This rich body milk nourishes and soothes dry skin with high-quality plant oils, restoring its suppleness.

FRESH FOOT BALM 15 ml – Just what you need to soothe tired feet after all that sightseeing.

FRESH HAND BALM 15 ml – This hand and nail balm melts into my skin and doesn’t feel greasy. It leaves my hands beautifully soft and smooth.

€14.90

The FACE RICH Sample Box is ideal for trying out RINGANA’s skincare range, the samples are in now in handy sachets with a screw top lid which take up very little space in a wash bag. The set contains

FRESH CLEANSER 15 ml – Apply to damp skin, massage in and rinse with warm water, this cleanser is great at removing all traces of make up and leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed.

The FRESH TONIC CALM 15ml is gentle on skin and removes the final traces of dirt, grime and impurities after cleansing.

FRESH CREAM RICH 10ml – This rich cream is perfect for my perimenopausal skin, it sinks into my skin effortlessly and leaves it nice and hydrated.

FRESH ANTI WRINKLE SERUM 5ml – The highly-concentrated serum nourishes the skin and RINGANA claim that over time it will boost the skin, correcting and smoothing wrinkles.

€29.80

These are just a few of the RINGANA sample sets so whether you are looking for miniature versions of your favourite products or looking to change your skincare routine then I recommend taking a look at the RINGANA website. In time for the holiday season the popular RINGANA travel sets are now in the eco-friendly foil pouches which are 100% PCR – post-consumer recycled plastic. Mono-material is the ultimate pioneer in terms of recycling, and its 100 per cent recyclability makes it a real winner. Other improved sustainability features are a 20% reduction in the packaging weight, and they are much easier to empty so no wastage. Thanks to the oxygen barrier layer the high-quality formulations are protected even better than they were before. 

Good Gracious Shampoo and Conditioner

beauty, Family Life, Gifts for Her, Home, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

It’s no surprise to anyone who knows me to find out that my naturally curly hair is difficult to tame, frizzy if I don’t straighten it and the curls only stay in place when the hairdresser puts them in.  My curly hair is also exposed to extreme hard water in my area, which strips out all the oils and all the nutrients to leave my hair dry. Each time I wash it, if I don’t straighten my hair I have to add loads of products or else, I just tie it up and try and forget about it.

Good Gracious is a new brand available at Tesco, with a range of shampoos, conditioners and masks which are tailored to your needs to give you the best product combination for your hair. All of the products in the range are 97% natural and vegan friendly. The ranges are Purple (hydrating), Pink (colour care), and Orange (repair) which is the range I was sent to try for my poor, dry hair. There are masks available too, all of which are at Tesco in the haircare aisle.

The Orange range, meant for intense repair of hair, contains Argan oil, sweet almond oil and almond milk for a triple hit of intense treatment to hair. Working together, the ingredients have a repairing effect on hair, especially if used long term. When I opened each bottle, there is a lovely smell from the Argan oil and almond milk. The shampoo and conditioner work best when used together so I have been testing for a few days now and leaving my hair to dry naturally to give a better idea of how it repairs. My hair is becoming softer and the curls more defined, and over time I hope it becomes even more manageable with the more I use the Good Gracious products. Argan oil for the win with Good Gracious hair!

Follow Good Gracious on Instagram @goodgraciousbeauty and every time they reach a milestone following they donate to a different charity, starting with Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Available from Tesco from £5 at: https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/search?query=Good%20Gracious&icid=tescohp_sws-1_m-ft_in-Good%20Gracious_ab-226-b_out-Good%20Gracious

MyPura Baby Wipes

Baby, camping, Children, eco friendly, health, Plastic free, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

Thankfully, it has become well known in the last few months that all types of bathroom wipes aren’t good for the environment. They cause blockages in your own domestic plumbing but beyond that, the wipes cause devastation to the wildlife once they are released into the reservoirs, rivers and seas. They may say they’re disposable, but many are not.

MyPura Baby Wipes are NOT disposable via the toilets in homes and plumbing system across the UK. They are however, designed to be more environmentally friendly in many other ways, so there is less guilt about using them once you throw them away.  Made of 99% water and organic aloe vera, they don’t have any plastic content and therefore are 100% compostable and 100% biodegradable, so landfill isn’t a problem. 

Each pack contains a generous 24 wipes and perfect for baby, they are perfume and alcohol free. Alcohol often dehydrates the skin, so with the aloe vera, they help to hydrate baby’s skin and can be used by you too. Brilliant for taking off make up!  I was particularly pleased to see that the packaging is 100% recyclable and the wipes are verified vegan and Allergy Friendly too. 

Do they work though?  I particularly liked the MyPura wipes because they could be used on me as well as children, and they didn’t have any scent that put me off or made me feel self-conscious. Sometimes when you use wipes on your face, there’s the alcohol smell or a fragrance left behind that you’d rather not be smelling all day, and these MyPura ones don’t have that.  They’re also really efficient because they are made of aloe vera and a high content of water, so don’t dry out as soon as you take them out of the packet.  The packet is also really handy too as it seals up again quickly after use!

From £2.03 per pack (on subscription) at: https://mypura.com/products/eco-baby-wipes

Play in Choc Rabbits

Children, Easter, eco friendly, Food & Drink, Gifts for children, Gluten Free, Plastic free, Vegan

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

It can be hard to find delicious tasting chocolate that is suitable for children and adults with different nutritional needs so we were really pleased when @playinchoc sent a couple of their Rabbit ToyChoc boxes which are perfect as an Easter treat

These cute little boxes contain 2 allergen-free organic chocolates, a collectable rabbit 3D puzzle and a “fun facts” card about rabbits.

The chocolate is not only scrummy but is also vegan, organic, dairy free, nut free, and gluten free and it also has 1/3 less sugar than other leading chocolate brands. The delicious, creamy chocolate is made with a combination of 3 natural and organic ingredients – cacao, vanilla and coconut and is wrapped in a compostable wrapper.  The chocolate is nice and smooth and doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste like some dairy free brands have and it got a big thumbs up from our mini reviewers who munched on it whist building the rabbit models.

Once the puzzle pieces have been popped out of the thick cardboard and been assembled the carboard can also be used as templates for drawing cute bunnies and carrots, keeping the little ones entertained over the Easter holidays!

RRP £2.25

FFØR Haircare

beauty, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Women

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

We love trying new hair products so were very excited when FFØR sent us some new products to try. The Re:Nourish shampoo and conditioner and Re:Plenish hair mask has worked wonders on my dry frizzy hair (read our review here) so I had high hopes for these new products!

I have a bit of a love hate relationship with my curls, some days they look fantastic and others they go a bit wild and unkempt and the only way to look presentable is to tie them back so at least I look a little more presentable! Luckily there are so many amazing curl products available now and I always try to use products like FFØR which are free from nasties like sulphates, parabens and alcohol which tend to strip my curls of moisture.

FFØR stands for Free From, Original, Real and are an ethical company who believe in Clean Beauty, both for you and the planet. Their products are vegan, cruelty free and free from nasties and they only work with likeminded, ethical suppliers who can provide verified information about their sourcing, and who share their important values. They are also winners of the Marie Claire 2022 Hair Awards and the Global Green Beauty Awards.

I use a leave in conditioner to help moisturise my curls but have found that some can be quite heavy and leave my hair looking and feeling quite greasy. I was therefore pleased to discover that the FFØR Show off Leave In Conditioner is incredibly light and can be sprayed onto damp hair. After a couple of washes, I worked out the right amount for my curls and can honestly say my curls have never looked better.  It has made a real difference to the look and feel of my hair, it is now a lot softer and has certainly helped to tame the dreaded frizz! 

RRP £20

Designed to leave hair looking fuller & thicker, the Re:Vamp spray is the newest edition to the FFØR range,enriched with a blend of organic bergamont & vetivert  it not only smell amazing but gives plenty of bounce and volume to my curls. The light mist isn’t sticky and gives light, natural volume to my hair, and more definition to my curls. I also noticed that the volume I got from my freshly washed hair, didn’t drop and go flat by evening and even the following day I still had some volume which I was really pleased with.

RRP £21

The FFØR Super Shine Gloss Mist gives my hair the most lovely shine. You really don’t need a lot – a quick mist over dry hair is all you need for a fantastic shine. Infused with a ethically sourced ingredients including Bergamot, Vetivert and Bertholletia Excelsa Seed Oil (Brazil Nut Oil), the mist also left my hair feeling super soft.

RRP £19

I am really impressed with these products and can’t wait to try more products from them!

Mini U Cloud & Crayon Gift Set

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Children, Christmas, Gifts for children, Vegan

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

Mini U Cloud & Crayon giftset is perfect for bath time fun. Packaged in a beautiful orange gift bag this set contains a pack of bath crayons and three cloud bath bombs which turn bath water into a magical rainbow of colours.

The rainbow clouds start out as simple white clouds but when you put them in water the magic begins, and you quickly see them explode into a riot of rainbow colours. Whilst the colours are vibrant the bath bomb is actually gentle on the skin and you’ll be pleased to know that it doesn’t stain the bath.

The crayons were a huge hit with our mini reviewers as they brought out their creative and artistic side and they created some fantastic masterpieces on on themselves, the tiles and bath. The colours are bright and colourful and very easy to wash off – you can even encourage your children to wash them off although our mini reviewers did get a little over excited and water went everywhere!

All Mini U products are vegan, cruelty-free and free from gluten, soy and dairy and there’s no artificial nasties in them

We will definitely be trying out the other Mini U products as these are so much fun. With Easter fast approaching they will also make a great Easter gift.

RRP £14.95

Benecos Oat Repair Shampoo and Conditioner

beauty, Birthday Gifts, eco friendly, health, Vegan, Vegetarian, Women

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

Winter plays havoc with my hair and I am constantly looking for ways of repairing my locks. Benecos have a range of Oat Repair shampoos and conditioners which do just that – repair with the benefits of oats and the assets the oats contain. If you’ve ever had a baby with eczema, one natural remedy is to place a hemp bag filled with oats under a running tap and let the oat water fill the bath to sooth itchy skin, so oats are well known for their restorative properties.

An additional benefit of the Benecos Oat Repair Shampoo & Conditioners are that they are completely vegan, so will suit everybody. Along with oats, the shampoo contains olive oil (known for conditioning hair) and grapeseed oil too. 

I tried the Oat Repair Shampoo first. It doesn’t lather as much as High Street shampoos because it hasn’t got the sulphates but it does clean your hair. Both the shampoo and conditioners have a distinct aniseed fragrance, not what I was expecting from an oat-based product but it isn’t unpleasant. It was easy to get my hair squeaky clean from the shampoo and not use too much product either.

The Oat Repair Conditioner (called: My Oat Milk Brings All The Repair To My Hair) has a slightly different scent but still contains oat milk, along with organic jojoba oil and regional organic apple juice to provide the best nutrients to condition your hair.  As with other conditioners, you just leave in for a few minutes after shampoo, and rinse off completely afterwards.

My hair was left in better condition after just one treatment, so I’m sure that if I keep using it I will see more of an improvement over time.  At £13.95 per bottle, there is 500ml of each shampoo and conditioner which gives you weeks worth of washes, which means ample time for your hair to get repaired, and in time for summer too.

Available online from £13.95 each at:

https://benecos.uk/shop-1/p/oat-repair-shampoo
https://benecos.uk/shop-1/p/oat-repair-conditioner

Ben & Anna White Toothpaste with Flouride

beauty, Children, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Family Life, Gluten Free, health, Home, Home & Garden, Plastic free, Sustainable, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

I am a big fan of sustainable health and beauty products. Unfortunately, they are not easy to find on supermarket shelves so you have to look online and find what you’re looking for.  Toothpaste packaging is particularly bad for not being able to be recycled properly and the ingredients are not always what you want to be putting in your body, especially if you’re vegan. Thankfully nowadays, there are a lot more products on the market.

Ben & Anna started their vegan beauty product business with the aim of using organic ingredients and plastic-free packaging. Starting with aluminium-free deodorants, they progressed onto sodium bicarbonate based toothpaste in a glass jar, with essential oils to help with fighting germs and bacteria.  The resulting White Toothpaste range was sent to us to review this week and we’ve been loving it!

The 100ml toothpaste arrived in a glass pot and with a wooden spoon to be able to spoon it onto your toothbrush! The spoon actually fits into the pot which I found quite handy.  When you open the toothpaste pot, there is a beautiful, overwhelming menthol smell from the toothpaste. The paste is similar to toothpaste and a white colour so children won’t find any difference but the biggest change is that it’s completely vegan with all vegan and organic ingredients.

It was easy to place the toothpaste on the toothbrush with the spoon, and is actually easier to control the amount you use. The White Toothpaste cleans brilliantly and I didn’t find any difference in cleaning compared to my normal toothpaste.  The aroma is lovely too! The only difference I found was that there is no foaming because it doesn’t contain sulphates or agents which create the bubbles. 

Like most sustainably products and especially in healthcare, the actual packaging is very aesthetic and looks great on a shelf! It can either be recycled or reused for something else, perhaps a homemade remedy.  The Ben & Anna White Toothpaste with Flouride was certainly a refreshing change to the medicinal High Street offerings, had a much better fragrance and was just as good at cleaning. For anyone who is vegan or only uses organic products, there is no reason not to try Ben & Anna, and not just for their toothpaste. There’s deodorant, hand care and even haircare to try too.

Available at the Ben & Anna website for £8.95:

https://benandanna.uk/shop/p/toothpaste-with-fluoride

Keto8

Food & Drink, Gluten Free, Vegan

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

We’re two months into the new year and I’ve really been struggling to find the motivation to change my diet and eat more healthily. When Keto8 offered to send me their Keto Starter Kit it was just the kickstart I needed, especially when I discovered following a Keto / low carb diet didn’t mean I needed to give up cake!

Cru8 started back in 2014 in founder Alexi’s own kitchen and over the last 9 years has grown into a successful business, now supplying Wholefoods, Planet Organic, Revital and Selfridges. In 2021, Keto8 was launched with new packaging, a new website and new Keto8 products.

The Keto Starter Kit costs £42.80 and contains a selection of products, nicely packaged in a cardboard hamper.

– 1 Vegan Sesame Bagels, 240g  
– 1 Vegan Cinnamon Bagels, 240g  
– 1 Cacao Morsels, 120g
– 1 Almond Morsels, 120g
– 3 Caramel Slices, 40g 
– 3 Kale Crisps, 30g  

As I am new to the Keto / low carb diet it was good to have a selection of products to try , the bagels, Cacao Morsels, Almond Morsels and Caramel Slices were surprisingly tasty but the Kale Crisps were definitely an acquired taste and a bit cheesy for me.

I found the bagels were really nice toasted and went really well with cream cheese making a nice breakfast or a mid morning snack. With a dense chewy texture they were more like traditional bagels than I expected and with only 3g carbs per bagel are perfect for a low carb diet.

The Cacao Morsels were my favourite product – the coconut based snacks are nice and chocolately and incredibly moreish! They are moist and high in prebiotic fibre meaning they good for your gut health too. The almond Morsels tasted more of coconut than almond but they were still a nice treat.  I have been taking the morsels on bike rides and walks as they are easy to slip into my rucksack providing a tasty snack when exercising.  

Millionaires Shortbread is one of my favourite cakes so I was really pleased to discover a keto version. Low in sugar and carbohydrates it tasted delicious and was the perfect treat at the end of a busy week.

I’m still at the start of my Keto journey but it has been made much easier since discovering Keto8

.

NOMO Chocolate Easter Eggs

Children, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gifts for children, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Gluten Free, health, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

If you’re unable to eat chocolate due to being lactose intolerant, have an allergy to nuts or are vegan, you used to struggle to find chocolate on the High Street. Nowadays, there are a lot more options available to you though including NOMO chocolate.  No More Missing Out? That’s their slogan. Does their chocolate live up to it though?

We were sent a selection of different flavoured chocolate Easter Eggs and Easter character chocolates. Although not necessarily aimed at children, anyone can enjoy them but we are also treated to an Egg & Lolly character egg for very young children. All of the chocolate are vegan and free from egg, nut, dairy and gluten.

The adult Easter egg flavours included Cookie Dough, Orange Crunch and Caramelised biscuit.  Each Egg weighs 160 grams and has an extra Bunny included in the egg.  The chocolate is listed as ‘an alternative to milk chocolate’ which is slightly darker than conventional milk chocolate but not bitter like dark chocolate is.  We particularly enjoyed the Orange Crunch chocolate which had a distinct flavour of orange with a slight texture to it which added an interest to the confectionary.  The Cookie Dough flavour is similarly textured and very sweet whilst the caramelised biscuit is as grown-up as it sounds with crunchy biscuit pieces and the sweetness of the caramel.  The added bunnies (a character chocolate, each one weighing 30 grams) are similar milk chocolate substitutes but just as tasty! 

The Egg & Lolly character Easter Eggs are also vegan and free from egg, nut, dairy and gluten.  The 92 grams cute little eggs are perfect for younger children who won’t know the difference between milk chocolate and these free from eggs. Inside the egg there’s a chocolate lolly to enjoy, as well as some fun activities for children to do over the Easter holidays.

You can also buy the NOMO Easter Bunny separately. At 30 grams, the chocolate bunnies are also vegan, dairy free, gluten free etc and are filled with flavoured truffle in either Orange Crunch or Cookie Dough like the Easter Eggs. 

Dairy free, Gluten free and egg free chocolate has come a long way in the last few years, and for anyone who needs a ‘free from’ diet, NOMO Chocolate Easter Eggs and Bunnies are so similar to the real thing, you won’t know the difference! 

NOMO Easter Eggs are available at: https://nomochoc.com/collections/nomo-easter-range and health food shops.

NOMO Chocolate

Children, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gluten Free, Lunchbox Fillers, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

For those who don’t know, NOMO stands for ‘Never Miss Out’ again! NOMO make chocolate which is vegan and free from dairy, gluten, eggs and nuts, so there’s no nasties in there for anyone who might be sensitive or indeed has a known allergy to what you might find in other chocolates this Easter.

NOMO have a range of chocolate products available now, and sent us a delicious box for us to try. The range isn’t just bags or bars, there’s a selection of different ways in which you can enjoy their chocolate. For instance, there’s 110gram grab bags of giant buttons which come in Caramel & Sea Salt flavour or Creamy Choc. There’s also a 89gram bar of deliciously creamy chocolate in Choc Orange Crunch Bar flavour and 38gram bars in Hazelnut Smooth Choc and Caramel Choc. Is your mouth watering yet?

The array of different flavours and textures means anyone in the family can enjoy NOMO vegan chocolate and take it with them anywhere, including picnics, lunchboxes to work or school, whilst watching TV or even the cinema.  The website has a huge range of chocolates and flavours available, including Easter Eggs: https://nomochoc.com/collections/all-products?gclid=Cj0KCQiAorKfBhC0ARIsAHDzslvaBs66kpN9UXWQG5fCJn_EEfpRdFdmJicO8h3HObiInMkzxUvo-pYaAianEALw_wcB

What does the chocolate taste like?  There isn’t much difference between NOMO chocolate and the well known High Street brands. NOMO is still creamy, smooth and has a chocolatey taste to it, but it’s not greasy or oily at all, nor does it have an aftertaste. If you’re vegan, gluten free or looking for an alternative chocolate, you won’t miss your usual chocolate when snacking on NOMO.

As an added bonus, NOMO is also certified Rainforest Alliance to protect the people and nature.

NOMO products are available at: https://nomochoc.com/pages/our-flavours and health food shops.

Ohso Chocolate and Livia’s Vegan and Gluten Free Chocolate for Easter

Children, Family Life, Food & Drink, Gluten Free, health, Lunchbox Fillers, Vegan, Vegetarian

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

If you’re vegan or gluten-free, Easter doesn’t have to be miserable without descent chocolate. We were sent a selection of chocolates from Ohso and Livia’s to try as an alternative to the usual Easter treats.

Ohso chocolates differ to usual High Street brands due to their healthier aspects. Not only are they nut free, have no added sugar and contain only naturally occurring sugars, but also have added live cultures which work with your gut health. You can’t taste the live culture in the chocolate so it’s a hidden benefit, but the ‘good’ bacteria helps feed the bacteria in your gut to give you a better chance of building your immune system. Sugar often destroys gut bacteria in healthy people, so the added goodness is probably very welcome for most of us.

We were sent two flavours of Ohso Chocolate; 70% Dark Raspberry and 54% Dark Orange. Each box has 7 little bars of 13.5g, individually wrapped and presented in an oh-so-cute tiny little square mould, as if they are shrunk down into miniature size! Ohso Chocolate may contain live culture, but it doesn’t detract from the taste of each of the bars as the raspberry or orange taste is definitely there, as is the dark chocolate taste.  The bars don’t taste much different to ‘normal’ dark chocolate, they’re just a bit richer on the chocolate and with only natural sugars and no added sugar, they aren’t sweet either.

Livia’s Free-From Treats, apart from being free from lactose and vegan are 100% natural and plant based. We were sent some 35g Nugglets in Raw Cookie Dough and Choc Brownie flavour and the Livia Millionaire Squares in Salted Caramel and Chocolate Orange. Both are excellent for either snacks or lunchboxes and their size makes them easy to pack too. The Nugglets are chocolates about the size of a Malteaser with the centre more like the consistency and texture of a cake, coated with chocolate. They’re not overwhelmingly ‘chocolate’ but they still don’t taste as if they are made of gluten free or dairy free chocolate and the raw cookie dough makes a change from the usual chocolate fillings. They do give you the certain chocolate hit you sometimes need though which is reassuring!

I was pleasantly surprised by the Livia Millionaire Squares which are also Vegan and Gluten/dairy free. They are packaged in little cardboard trays which make them easier to pick up especially on car journeys. The squares are exactly like Millionaire shortbread squares with the chocolate on top and a crispy biscuit base underneath. Again, they taste and have the texture of any other chocolate and you forget that they are gluten and dairy free!

Between Ohso and Livia, these are great additions to lunchboxes or snacks and can be enjoyed by the whole family!

Ohso chocolates available online from £4.99:

The Flower Shop Valentines Handbag from Vendula

Birthday Gifts, cruelty-free, Fashion, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan, Vegetarian, Women

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

The most perfect Valentine’s gift, a handbag which you can use again and again, is even more perfect when you realise its vegan leather!

Vendula London celebrate 20 years in business this year, and are planning some new collections to celebrate the achievement. The Flower Shop Pink Heart handbag is one of them and we road tested it this weekend to see how it fares. 

The 15cm by 16cm bag comes with two straps, one shoulder strap and one jumbo pearl strap to make it a clutch. The heart-shaped bag is covered in fluted pink fabric with a single brass clasp fastener. Inside, there is one compartment and it’s lined with the iconic Vendula London lining. The details on the front of the bag are hand stitched pink and white hearts with pink rose details.

Although a great Valentines gift, this handbag could be used all year round especially to match a pink dress, or to dress up a plain black or white number.  Going to a summer wedding? This would be ideal for a friend-of-the-bride, or even as a gift for a Matron of Honour!  It’s also a great prom accessory, to go with a long gown and the talk of the town. I can really see this Vendula London handbag making an appearance at Ascot this year too!

The fine detail on the bag is really tactile, but well made. It really looks like leather but is actually completely vegan.  As it comes with two different straps, it’s more versatile for going out but the straps can be taken off completely and used as a hand clutch. The bag is quite wide at 8cms but can’t fit too much in so you either need someone else to carry your phone for you or to have good pockets in your outfit!  It would carry a cash card and keys easily though. It is great for packing though as it doesn’t crush easily with its metal frame and all the decorations are flat. You can fit each of the straps inside as well if you need to transport it in luggage.

The Vendula Flower Shop Valentines handbag makes a very cute gift and a lovely accessory to a night out or wedding. It looks and feels like a collection piece which you’ll keep for ever and ever and won’t go out of fashion.

Even better, Vendula were voted the Most Innovative UK Vegan Accessory Brand 2022 by Life Lux Magazine too!

Available from £108.00 at: https://www.vendulalondon.com/uk/the-flower-shop-pink-edition-heart-evening-bag

Look out for other bags in the Vendula London Lookbook for Spring/Summer 2023: https://www.vendulalondon.com/uk/ss23lookbook

FFØR Hair Products

beauty, Birthday Gifts, Christmas, cruelty-free, eco friendly, Gifts for Her, Mother's Day, 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.

It can feel quite daunting choosing a new shampoo, there are so many different ones available for every hair type, so whether your hair is short, long, curly, coloured, oily, dry or anything in between there is a product for you. Whilst we are spoilt for choice when it comes to the haircare market it can start to get expensive trying new products, and it’s quite frustrating spending hard earned money on new products only to find they don’t suit your hair. We’re all feeling the pinch at the minute, so The Review Studio have been trying out a selection of hair products and sharing our favourites with you.

FFØR stands for Free From, Original, Real and as you’ve probably guessed from the name are an ethical company who believe in Clean Beauty, both for you and the planet. Their products are vegan, cruelty free and free from nasties and they only work with likeminded, ethical suppliers who can provide verified information about their sourcing, and who share their important values. They are also winners of the Marie Claire 2022 Hair Awards and the Global Green Beauty Awards so with such impressive credentials I was keen to see how the products performed on my dry frizzy hair.

The Re:Nourish shampoo lathers up nicely into a rich foam and rinses out very easily.  My hair felt very clean and well hydrated after use. The shampoo is perfect for dry and damaged hair and is infused with organic orange and cinnamon giving it a lovely fragrance which is subtle but very pleasant.

The Re:Nourish conditioner is rich and creamy and easy to apply to my hair, before rinsing I scrunched it into my hair which helps add moisture to my curls. It rinsed out easily leaving my hair tangle free.

I use a hair mask weekly so was pleased to find a Re:Plenish hair mask in the gift set.  It is thicker than the conditioner and once applied I combed it through from root to tip to ensure that it was applied evenly. The instructions say to leave it on your hair for 3-5 minutes before rinsing so as my hair needs lots of moisture, I left it on for the full 5 minutes so that it could penetrate my hair properly. Afterwards my hair was soft, smooth, nourished, frizz free and smelt lovely too.

After using these products for 2 weeks I can see a huge improvement in my hair, it feels nourished and moisturised, and the frizz has gone, it also looks a lot shinier than it was before. My curls look great, even without extra styling products and they are defined and bouncy.

The Re:Nourish gift set costs £39 so why not give the gift of great hair this Galentine’s Day with FFØR.

Sponge Valentine’s Gift Box

Food & Drink, Gifts for Her, Gifts for Him, Valentine's Day Gifts, Vegan

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

It’s the 1st of February today – which means Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! All the shops are currently full of cheerful displays of gifts and flowers and it’s the perfect excuse to treat your loved one and bring a little joy to the gloomy February days.

Food gifts are a popular Valentine’s gift and your Valentine is bound to be impressed with the Valentine’s Gift Box from Sponge.

When I opened the box, I was delighted to find a nicely wrapped parcel containing a lovely selection of treats. The top layer contained four baby sponge cakes, each in its own little box and sealed in plastic to keep it fresh. We received Red Velvet, Chocolate Orange, Sticky Toffee and Carrot cakes and each cake was lovely and moist and incredibly delicious. Sponge Cakes cater for all types of dietary requirements, and you can request standard, gluten free or vegan cakes in your giftbox.

Underneath the cakes were even more treats

Valentine’s cocktail & a mini bottle of Prosecco (or a non-alcoholic cocktail & ginger beer)

A single white rose

6 heart chocolates (vegan fudge instead of chocolates included in vegan option).

A Pukka love tea bag

A Valentine’s Card

Considering there were cakes and a real rose in the box everything was packaged really well and arrived in perfect condition. I also liked the little touches like the organza bag containing the chocolate heats, this simple touch makes the gift even more special.

This is a lovely, thoughtful gift and now I know how delicious the cakes are I will definitely be ordering from them again. I had a look on their website and have my eye on the sharing cakes, these are such a fantastic idea and are perfect for families like ours where everyone likes a different type of cake.  

Sponge online cake company make all their cakes from scratch, using only high quality ingredients and deliver all over the UK so if you want to treat your special person on Valentine’s Day I would take a look now!

RRP £24.95