Monthly Archives: November 2011

Vimto Limited Edition Hot Mulled Berry Punch

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Its the time of year where it’s getting cold and it’s dark outside early. There is nothing nicer than snuggling up watching a film with a nice hot drink on cold nights. Vimto have just launched a new limited edition seasonal spiced punch, which is perfect for keeping you warm and cosy this winter and a brilliant non-alcoholic alternative to mulled wine.

The Vimto Hot Mulled Berry Punch is based on the original Vimto recipe but has been blended with aromatic cloves, warming cinnamon and sweet nutmeg to give it those Christmas overtones. All you need to do is add hot water to make a lovely warming drink or it could also be used as the base of a hot winter alcoholic cocktail.

I was sent some to try and made it on a rather cold day. It has a lovely berry taste and you can definitely taste the undertones of the spices which reminded me a lot of mulled wine. It is a really warming drink, perfect when you have come in from the cold and fancy something different. My son was not very keen on the spiced taste, this is definitely one for adults.  I think it would be rather nice served at Christmas parties as a drink for the drivers among us.

You can get Vimto Hot Mulled Berry Punch exclusively in Tesco. It comes in 725 ml bottles. RRP £1.89

It has been available from the 21st November, but remember it is a limited edition so get it while it is there.

Other reviews you may be interested in:

Vimto

Bella Vie Cocktail recipes

Method Laundry Detergent

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Recently I was sent some Method Laundry Detergent to review which came in the scent of Peony Blossom. As I am a mum of an eleven year old boy I am constantly washing clothes, which have a variety of interesting stains on them. Once he managed to ride his bike down a slope into the ditch at the bottom which was filled with water and mud and really smelled horrible. I really need to use laundry products that work well.

The first thing I noticed about this laundry detergent was the small bottle. It is a really nice size, much easier to fit into your cupboard than some of the big boxes of washing powder you can buy. Even though it is small it is meant to be enough for 25 washes. It is an ultra concentrated formula (8 x more concentrated) and is 95% plant based so the ingredients are all natural and renewable which make it much greener.

The pump is really easy to use, you need to unscrew the top a little when you first get it to release the pump, but once that is done it is really easy to squirt what you need into your washing machine. It gives you guidelines on how many squirts you need for what sort of wash which is great. I always find I get washing powder on the floor when measuring it, or gel based products all over the side of the container but with this container it just squirts into the machine with no mess. Just four squirts is enough for a standard load of washing.

As well as having a handier sized bottle Method laundry detergent has a formula which seeks out dirt and stains, the cleaning agents get drawn to the dirt and stains and work quickly to remove them. I had visions of little people with sunglasses running around in the laundry detergent zapping the dirt and stains with guns but I am sure that is not what happens. It sounded brilliant and I decided to test it on a load of my son’s clothes.

I have to say that it works really well. The clothes really did get clean and they also had a lovely smell which was not too strong. I also noticed they felt soft as well, especially my towels.  I was very impressed by this laundry detergent and will definitely be looking out for it in the shops.

The other great thing about this product is that you can buy refill pouches as well. Once you have used all the detergent in your pump dispenser you just refill it using the refill pouch, which holds 85 washes.

Method Laundry Detergent  is available in Peony Blossom, Fresh Air or Free and Clear scents.

You can find Method products at Sainsburys, Tesco, Waitrose, Ocado, Homebase and Booths and also online at: http://www.methodproducts.co.uk/products.html

RRP: £5.99 for the pump dispenser and £14.00 for the refill.

For more information: http://methodlaundry.co.uk/

Other reviews you may be interested in:

Method Waterfall Handwash

Lilly’s Eco Clean Products

Create My Tweet

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Samsung Electronics have come up with a fabulous idea which shows off the full potential of the Samsung Galaxy Note, the new phone that has just been launched that is a mix of a tablet and a phone with a special S-Pen allowing you to use it as a notepad.

From 22nd November till 25th November between 9am and 9 pm GMT Samsung Electronics is teaming up with four of the UK’s most talented illustrators who will use a Galaxy Note to create original pieces of art from a 140 character tweet.

The four artists will use key features of the Samsung Galaxy Note to create a unique work, using the S-pen, S memo and a number of other applications optimised for running on the Note. You need to tweet @sumsungmobile using the hashtag #createmytweet for the chance to get your tweet made into a unique piece of art.

I tried it earlier and this was the result, I think it is really fabulous and shows off the potential of the Samsung Galaxy Note.

http://twitter.com/#!/SamsungMobile/status/139638315837165569/photo/1

The artists who are taking part are:

22nd November:  Steve Wilson, who is best known for his techniques using a pen, pencil and collage with tools like Photoshop,. He has worked with brands like Sony BMG, Universal Music, Nike and Vodaphone,  including his artwork featuring Amy Winehouse.

23rd November:  Rose Stallard – known for her street graffiti artwork and rock n roll ties, Rose was commissioned by The Guardian to illustrate their merchandise for this year’s Glastonbury festival and has also worked on projects for Urban Outfitters and Top Shop

24th November:  Danny Sangra – famous for his experimental approach to art using techniques such as design, film illustration and video. He has worked with brands such as Sony, BBC, Louis Vuitton and Nylon magazine.

25th November: Natasha Law – in high demand from the fashion world for her paintings and line drawings. Past commissions include Vogue, Mulburry, Harrods, Globe Trotter and Mr and Mrs Smith.

You can find out more on facebook here and see each artist discuss their work and the Galaxy Note here

Mu Cheddar Cheese Review

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We are great cheese eaters in our house, in fact you might be forgiven for thinking that we have mouse ancestry somewhere along the line as we eat so much cheese. I was delighted to be sent some samples of a new brand of cheese to try called Mu Cheddar. The cheese arrived in this fabulous box which made me think instantly of cows.

Inside the box were two of the different types of cheddar available in the range,the Mature Lighter Cheddar and the Mature Cheddar. If you are not keen on Mature Cheddar you will also find Mild Cheddar and Medium Cheddar and for convenience you can also get sliced Cheddar and grated Cheddar packs. As you can see the cow related theme continues though out the packaging which is rather fun.

So how does it taste? I have to report it has a lovely creamy taste and is easily as nice or nicer than the normal cheddar I buy. Normally cheese that is named lighter, which contains 30% less fat, does not taste as nice as the full fat variety. In this case I could not tell the difference, both were equally delicious.

In our house we use cheese in lots of different ways, cheese sandwiches, grated on top of pasta dishes, in cheese sauce and on toast. The Mu Cheese was equal to all these tasks, and I am sure it will be used for many more dishes. It would make an excellent pizza topping or used on top of baked potatoes, the list is endless.

Mu Cheddar has been sourced from well fed cows in the UK and Ireland in order to create the delicious taste, and explains the eye catching cow packaging.  You can find Mu Cheddar in Tesco RRP £2.49

For more information visit: www.mucheese.com

Other reviews you may be interested in:

Branston Peanuts and Crackers


 


Bodhi Body Moisturisers

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You may remember a while ago I did a review on the Botanical Therapies Range from Bodhi, which you will find here. At that time the range consisted of gorgeous bath and shower therapies in a range of lovely fragrances which combine aromatherapy with pampering. The range has now expanded to include a range of body moisturisers as well and I was delighted to be sent a couple of the products to try.

They arrived in this lovely net bag tied with brown ribbon which makes them look really special and is a nice touch. The bag can also be used for other things, like jewellery, at a later stage.  The body moisturisers come in four  different varieties; Jasmine Falls – a relaxing body moisturiser, Ylang-Ylang Incensia – a sensual body moisturiser,  Rosemary Chi – a reviving body moisturiser and Pep Noir – an energising body moisturiser. I was sent the Rosemary Chi and the Ylang-Ylang Incensia to try.

Bodhi only use natural ingredients in their products, and they make sure the ingredients are ethically sourced and from sustainable origins. It is also worth noting that their products are free from synthetic colours, synthetic fragrances or animal ingredients. Interestingly they are also free of palm oil, as apparently palm oil plantations have devastating effects on tropical rainforests and their ecology, which is something didn’t know.  None of the products are tested on animals.

Ylang-Ylang Incensia

The Ylang-Ylang Incensia has a gorgeous smell. It is a mix of Ylang-Ylang and Patchouli with hints of Honeysuckle and Pink Peppercorn. The smell is gorgeous, it whisks you away to a tropical beach, listening to waves lapping at the shore while watching the sun going down with a beautiful orange glow. The smell is strong when you first use it but fades after it has been on your skin for a little while. It does linger, just not as strongly.

The cream itself contains Organic Shea Butter, Kukui Nut and Coconut oils which act to moisturise your skin. The cream spreads nicely on the skin and sinks in well leaving your skin feeling lovely and soft.  This is a lovely moisturiser.

Rosemary Chi

I have to say that I saved the best for last. The Rosemary Chi contains Rosemary, Geranium and Cedarwood oils which are meant to help the body and mind restore its perfect equilibrium. I can’t describe the smell,  its really nice but it is also uplifting and rejuvenating all at once. This is a smell that drains all life’s worries away and leaves you feeling restored and able to cope. I really love the smell of this cream it is magical. Again it is strong when you first use it but it fades leaving a lingering hint on the skin after it has been applied.

The Organic Shea Butter, Kukai Nut and Coconut oil are also in this cream and again they leave your skin feeling really soft and well moisturised after use.

I really love this range and will be dropping some hints to Santa in the hope he listens.  You can get more information on the website: http://www.bodhi.uk.com/ and they are also available to buy in Harvey Nichols.

Other reviews you may be interested in:

The Botanical Therapies Range from Bodhi

Moa – The Green Balm

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I was recently sent a little pot of Moa, The Green Balm to try out. I had never heard of this balm before but it is meant to be an absolute wonder product which has many uses from soothing dry itchy skin, to being used as a facial cleanser. It is called The Green Balm simply because its a balm and its green. Its green in two ways, the balm has a green tint and also  it is made with 100% natural ingredients.

The main ingredient is yarrow, which is a herb that has been used for many years because of its healing properties. One of it’s old names is Soldiers Wound Wart and it was said that Achilles used it to heal his soldiers wounds after battle. It is also used in tea to reduce fever, aid a restful nights sleep and reduce melancholy.  The balm also contains tea tree oil which is known for its antiseptic properties.  Beeswax, coconut, sweet almond and soya bean oils have also been added to help to sooth and protect the skin. As well as having all these great ingredients, it does not have chemicals, artificial preservatives, perfume, alcohol, parabens or lanolin which is great if you have sensitive skin. It has not been tested on animals either.

The balm has a nice texture, it is quite thick when you scoop it out of the pot but when you apply it to the skin it melts in and feels really soothing. I tried it on a cold sore which instantly felt better and also very dry skin where it acted to stop the itching. It has a herbal smell which is hard to describe, it is not unpleasant and it is not over-powering. The soothing effect is lovely and makes it really nice to use.

Although I only tried it for a couple of things, it is worth mentioning the long list of things that the balm can be used for. It is really worth slipping a pot into your handbag to carry about with you. Some of the uses are:

  • Sooth dry itchy skin conditions, for example eczema and psoriasis
  • Treat cold sores and chapped lips
  • Use on sore noses when you get a cold
  • Mix with a little hot water and gargle for a sore throat
  • Use to calm sun burn
  • Use on grazes, cuts, bruises and burns
  • Use on insect bites
  • Use as a facial cleanser.

I am definitely carrying a pot around with me now in case I need it for any of these, I am definitely balmy about it and it’s well worth a try.

For more information see: http://www.thegreenbalm.com/

RRP £9.99 for 50 ml or £4.99 for 15 ml.

Other reviews you may be interested in:

Acriflex Cooling Gel

Chocolate Advent Calendar from Thorntons

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As a child I always looked forward to Christmas and counting down the days with an advent calendar. In those days the advent calendars were plain cardboard and all you had to look forward to when you opened it was a little picture. Now advent calendars have got much more exciting, they actually have chocolate behind each door and the chocolate comes in different chocolate shapes. My son always looks forward to his advent calendar every year and I always search to find a nice one.

I was sent this lovely advent calendar from Thorntons to review. I really like this calendar, it has 24 doors each with the normal chocolate shape behind it. It also teases you with the three large chocolate penguins and the milk chocolate bar at the bottom, which are obviously for Christmas day. The chocolate bar at the bottom can be iced with your child’s name for free which is a nice touch.

I also like the back of the calendar which comes with a crossword and spot the difference game which you can complete when you have eaten all the chocolate.  My son was very impressed with this calendar. He did want to eat it all at once, but I did manage to persuade him to save it to count down to Christmas.

The chocolate with milk chocolate, with a touch of white chocolate for the penguins scarves. It is free from artificial colours and flavours and also suitable for vegetarians.

RRP £5.99

For more information you can visit Thorntons website:  http://www.thorntons.co.uk/c/christmas_gifts.html. Be warned they have a fabulous selection of Christmas gifts as well as advent calendars so you may find yourself tempted!

Other reviews you may be interested in:

Mad Beauty Gifts

Celebrity Fast Card from Clintons Cards

The Fabulous Bakin’ Boys Christmas Cupcakes

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The Fabulous Bakin’ Boys are a family run bakery brand who try to add an element of fun to the art of baking. They have just brought out a new range of Christmas Cupcakes that are pretty fabulous.

The cupcakes come in boxes of six and are available in two sponge flavours, either Milk Chocolate or Chocolate Orange. Inside the box the cupcakes are individually wrapped and you have different flavoured toppings, dark, milk or white chocolate. You get two of each in the box.

A nice touch is that each cupcake has a joke printed on the wrapper, apparently these are Santa’s cracking jokes. It definitely makes them feel very Christmas like.  I also like the fact that they are in individual wrappings, this makes them perfect for popping into a lunch box or even a Christmas stocking.

Unwrapped, the cakes are a nice size, not too big and not too small. I was sent the chocolate orange ones to try and have to say they were very nice. The sponge was lovely and moist and had a nice orange tang to it, which was not over-powering. The chocolate topping was quite thick and delicious. I have to say I really liked these and they are definitely worth putting the kettle on for.

The cakes do not contain any artificial colours or flavours which is great news and they are baked in a guaranteed nut free bakery. At the moment there is a special introductory price of £1.00 for a box of six.

RRP £1.69

For more information see: www.bakingboys.co.uk

You can also find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FabulousBakinBoys

 

Mad Beauty Gifts

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If you are looking for something unique to give to your friends for Christmas this year, or stuck for the office secret Santa present it is well worth going to have a look at Mad Beauty. Mad Beauty is a lovely site which offers a range of cosmetics, cosmetic gifts and accessories, beauty products, woman’s skincare products and professional beauty products.  As the name suggests they are rather mad and unique products which would definitely brighten up a friends day. The great thing is that a lot of the gifts are under £10 so they would also make great stocking fillers.

I was sent a couple of examples of the gifts they offer on the Mad Beauty site to share with you.

Russian Doll Hand Cream

I love this cute hand cream in its little russian doll pot, it sits on my desk at work and really cheers me up. You can get it with either a blue, green base or red base so you can have one for every occasion.   It is a lovely size, perfect for popping into your handbag. The top unscrews so it will not fall off easily and I found that the hand cream was nicely moisturising and not too sticky.

RRP £6.99

Chocolate inspired gifts

As a confirmed chocoholic the range of chocolate inspired gifts on the Mad Beauty website really caught my eye. These gifts would be perfect for anyone who loves chocolate.

Chocolate Soap

How about this gorgeous soap bar which sadly is not good enough to eat.  It does smell good enough to eat though with a gorgeous chocolate fudge fragrance. This is a fabulous novelty item that would look great in any bathroom ( its probably best to warn your guests though!)

RRP £3.99

Chocolate Bar Vanity Mirror

I love this cute little vanity mirror which looks like a chocolate bar. I think this is lovely to slip into your handbag as its really novel.

RRP £2.99

Chocolate Fragrance Lip Balms

I love these lip balms that you can slip onto a key ring. They come in a little box shaped like a bar of chocolate and they are available in four fragrances, strawberry, milk chocolate, caramel or white chocolate.  The balm feels really nice on the lips and really helps with chapping. I love the fact you can add it to your keyring as lip balm is something that tends to get lost at the bottom of your handbag.

RRP £2.99

There are lots of other great products on the web-site, definitely a great source of ideas for Christmas. Go have a look and let me know what you find.

You can find the website here:  www.madbeauty.com

Other reviews you  may be interested in:

Celebrity Fast Cards

Snapfish – Personalised photo books and gifts