Category: Giveaways and Product Reviews

I really wanted to let you know about a great new subscription service that will deliver wine through your letterbox – no I haven’t been on the wine before writing this, it’s true…wine through your letterbox!

The service offers a selection of wines and Garçon Wines aims to revolutionise the way wine lovers across the UK source their favourite tipple!

Garçon Wines are going to be the next big thing. They have identified and removed the problems of missed deliveries, depot collection cards and having to wait in for hours on end for a courier.

By creating a unique alternative to traditional wine bottles, which are not only functional and aesthetically pleasing, but are also designed to fit through a conventional letterbox, the brand is opening up a refreshing new way to have wine delivered at home.

There will be more to come from me shortly when I hope to be able to offer you some tasters!! Stay tuned and check back soon….

 

Let others know about the new service...Click To Tweet

As a mum with children who use their various devices to listen to music and watch films, I have tried a couple of different headphones to see which suit them best. I was pleased to be able to review these EasySMX headphones to see how they shaped up. One of the best features of these headphones is that they have a built-in volume limiting feature to protect your kids’ hearing. The volume is pre limited to a maximum 85DB. This feature along with safe practices by the adults i.e. limiting time spent on devices can have a huge benefit for children’s hearing.

 

I loved the fact that they have the padded ear covers so they are protecting the little ones ears. They were shipped straight from amazon and were well packed and arrived without any dents or scrapes and I got next day delivery too so there wasn’t any waiting around.

As you can see here the recommended age is 3-12 and I had the willing assistant of my eldest son big M who has just turned 11 to try them out.

When we opened them up his first words were ‘oh cool!’ so that was music to my ears as I find that my boys are very sure of what they like and what they don’t like.

The jack which fits into the devices is 3.5mm which means it fits into most things, for example, ours fits into the mini iPad, iPad and kindle.

I have a great discount of 15% off a pair of these headphones in either pink or blue. Just follow the link by clicking here which will take you to the website and click buy on amazon where you can then enter your code which is: 490023OF

I am pleased to say they were a great success and big M soon zoned me out and carried on with watching his movie with his new headphones on. I can rest easy knowing that he cannot blast the sound up too high.

You can find out more and keep updated on their latest products by connecting to them at:-

Facebook: EasySMX

Twitter: @EasySMXofficial

Instagram: easysmx_official

I’d love to know your thoughts after seeing these. Please let me know in the comments section below.

Would you like to share the news with your friends? You can by clicking here!Click To Tweet

I was given one set of headphones for the purpose of this review, there are no affiliated links with this post and all views are mine and big M’s 🙂

As my eldest son big M has been growing up he has developed a taste for foods with a bit of spice in them. This has mainly come about because my OH loves hot and spicy and can often be seen sneezing and sweating over a curry as he defeats the chillies to become the ultimate hero. This was one of the reasons I came up with the pickled green chillies post as I had so many home-grown ones that I had to start preserving them just for him.

So, when I had the opportunity to test the new range of meals from The Shack, I jumped at the chance as I knew it would go down very well with the family.

‘The Shack’ has launched nine big and bold meals inspired by the flavours of America. They are available nationwide exclusively in Iceland, and are priced between £2 – £2.50.

The range includes these:

Penne Pepperoni and Chicken Melt, Smoky House Beef Burritos, Mac & Jack, Chicken & Buffalo Sauce Waffle, Smokey House Pulled Chicken Burrito, Smoky House BBQ Pork Wedges, Chilli Beef Wedges, The Chicken Fajita and The Ultimate Burger.

So when our delivery arrived there was much excitement about which one we would have first. Big M was going to have the first pick as he was eager to be let loose and try as much as possible. He eventually went for the Chicken & Buffalo Sauce Waffle and my youngest – little G went for The Ultimate Burger.

The meals are easy to cook and all have simple step by step instructions to follow. The burger comes with a little briosh roll and the burger is in a mild sauce with cheese and bacon. It’s an upmarket burger in a roll and went down a treat with little G. The chicken with waffle and buffalo sauce was really unusual; the chicken was nice and moist, the waffle pretty sweet and the buffalo sauce had a kick to it.

The next night I managed to get my hands on the Mac and Jack which is a luxury macaroni cheese with Jalapeno Chilli Peppers and Monterey Jack Cheese. Big M went for the pulled chicken burrito complete with dips.

The burrito was massive and a real feast for one! I also managed to share the macaroni cheese with little G. As you can see from the pictures, the boys enjoy their food!

Friday night saw big M chill out with Smoky House BBQ Pork Wedges by the tv. Just right after a hard week at school, feet up and his big bowl of wedges and pork in a smoky sauce. He gave me a thumbs up and curled up on the sofa. You don’t get much better than that from my grown up 10 year old!

My OH and I are going to be having the fajitas and the second chilli wedges when the kids have gone to bed and we will crack open a bottle of red. That’s one of the things that I like about this range, it’s suitable for the kids tea and fab for the grown ups tea or supper.

Iceland is really accessible and there are lots of them about so its easy to add to my shopping habits.

I am pleased to also be able to offer you a great giveaway from the lovely people at The Shack.

We have 10 selfie sticks to give away and you could be the winner of 1!

Great for the festive season when there is lots going on, here they are…

[metaslider id=2104]

Enter using rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to UK entrants. Prize supplied and delivered by The Shack. See contacts page for guidelines.

The Shack is available in 789 Iceland stores nationwide. Have a look over at The Shacks social media sites for more information.

Twitter @ShareTheShack

Facebook ShareTheShack

 

It’s that time of year again when it’s getting colder, the clocks have gone back and people are starting to ask me if I’ve begun to get my Christmas presents yet. Well the answer to that one is easy enough as I haven’t just yet but it’s very high on my to-do list!

Also around now it seems as if more and more people are getting some sort of sniffles, flu and other winter type ailments. I’ve been getting the flu jab done either in boots or Asda for the past few years and as part of the NHS keep well scheme I have been promoting it with the people I work with. My OH has also started to get it done too although he hadn’t done for many years previously. For the kids, I’m lucky that little G is in the catchment age which means that he gets the free nasal inoculation at school which is happening in November in our area.  I’ve had to start paying privately for big M as he’s not in the age group which qualifies at school as it only goes up to year 3. I couldn’t bear to leave out big M and have that nagging feeling that if he got a bad case of the flu it would be my fault for not sorting something out. My mum guilt would go into overdrive. So last week we popped down to a local private hospital and paid to get it done. It was pricey but the upside was that we got a nice hot chocolate to sip at we were waiting, oh wait…the real upside was that we we’ve all now had the flu jab in some form or other and I cross my fingers that we wont get a bout of some strain or other.

But of course it doesnt stop the general sniffs and bunged up noses that the boys and us will probably have at some point over the next few months. I’ve got my fail safe products in the cupboard of Vic in the bathroom for chests and honey to make the warm drinks in the kitchen. I also like to use the nasal sprays for really bunged up noses and remember really appreciating them when the boys were tiny and couldn’t get a good sniff in our out of their noses. Bless them, it’s gotten easier as they have got bigger but I still use the sprays now which makes them giggle more than anything and they appreciate the feeling when the congestion in their noses eases.

This year I have come accross a new product to me, you may well of heard of it, it’s called Stérimar and they have a range of products which can help to relieve congestion and blocked noses in adults, children and babies.

 

They have a great website with loads of information on how it works and who can benefit. If you have a few moments please have a look at the video below which shows how easy it is to use the sprays.

When it comes to using any sort of new product of my boys I like to really check it out to make sure that I am happy with what I am going to use. Sterimars website really does go into loads of detail and I found it very reassuring. That’s why I’ve included lots of links below so you can click around and have a look.

How to use Stérimar

Stérimar clinical studies

Frequently Asked Questions

They also have the online Stérimar Academy – which is an online educational resource. This is dedicated to helping healthcare professionals to develop their knowledge of the inner workings of the nose, specific nasal conditions, and the importance of maintaining nasal hygiene.

In my opinion nothing can take the place of going to the GP when I am worried and I’m not suggesting that anything can replace that. As parents we all do whats best and for me, when my boys get the sniffles a spray like this has worked well in the past and I’m so pleased that I now have some in the cupboard for the winter.

Stérimar have been kind enough to send me the products for review and have also made a bundle of products available which I’m very pleased to be able to offer you the 3 sprays in the range for babies, toddlers and adults in my rafflecopter giveaway below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Open to UK entrants only. Prize will delivered to the winners postal address directly from Stérimar. The winner will be randomly generated. Please see full policy on my contacts page. All entries will be checked to ensure they have complied with the entry requests. Good Luck!

Wow today was such a good day, first off, the sun is still shining even though we have just jumped into November and secondly and as a real bonus, my gorgeous new iPhone 7 leather case turned up courtesy of Casemade. I have teamed up with them to promote their #giftacasemade campaign which I am proud to be part of.

 

 

 

The cases came beautifully packaged which is always such a plus for me, I love to take my time over opening my new buys. It’s probably still the child in me but it does make a difference to how I feel about gifts by post.

For me I had chosen a brown iPhone 7 case as I have just upgraded and treated myself to the newest release. It’s one of my treats and it really deserves a great case. I had looked around but alot of the cases out there where pretty cheap looking and felt like they had been rushed into production. The casemade one is very different. It fits very well and the texture is very easy on the hands. It looks stylish and I think that phones now are worth looking after and this case pairs well with the feel of the iPhone.

As part of the #giftacasemade campaign I also have the iPad case for my OH as quality means alot to him and buying him anything is normally a real struggle. He will only have something if he has researched it and is satisfied it will fully meet his needs. Luckily this does so Christmas is now that bit easier!

The founders and designers are Toby and Alex and they are committed to providing great customer service and have the personal touch to their business.

Over time our range has grown. All cases in the range follow two core principles –  simplicity of design and the use of high quality materials. Toby and Alex

You can catch up with them over on twitter @CASEMADE

Please also check out their website case-made.com

As you can see here from their site they have made a point of making sure their customer service is spot on, feel free to contact them and say hi!

As part of this promotion I am delighted to be able to offer you a chance to win an iPhone 7 case in the colour of your choice in the giveaway. It’s a great prize – Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to UK entrants. No cash alternative. Please see full policy on the contacts page. Casemade will be responsible for sending the case direct to the winner within the UK. Thanks!

Look out for their sign:

 

 

Disclosure: I was gifted the products for the purpose of carrying out this review. All thoughts and words are my own.

We love our food and drink within our house and what’s better than great tasting food with that extra touch which makes it special.

You can only imagine how pleased I was to get the opportunity to taste and review the amazing Prosciutto di San Daniele & Grana Padano cheese. To be able to tell you about it is a real pleasure.

The great folks behind Prosciutto di San Daniele & Grana Padano have also been generous enough to provide a fabulous prize of a tray of Prosciutto di San Daniele & a large chunk of Grana Padano, this also comes with a special cheese knife. You can see how to enter this competition further down the post.

When the box arrived it looked great and I enjoy unboxing so much, I always take my time when I’m looking forward to something like this.

 

[easy-image-collage id=1891]

 

[easy-image-collage id=1892]

The Prosciutto di San Daniele and Grana Padano Cheese have been recognised by the European Union as Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) products since 1996. What this means is that they have to respect the strict Production Specifications to achieve the PDO designation. It is only reserved for products that come from a strictly defined geographical area and are produced using distinctive processing techniques steeped in the history and tradition of that place. A PDO logo guarantees high quality, authenticity and traceability.

[easy-image-collage id=1894]

There are so many great recipes to use Prosciutto di San Daniele and Grana Padano in. For our supper we sat round our table at home and as you can see from the photos above, we enjoyed the food in a simple clean manner which let the flavours come through naturally. We accompanied the meal with fresh tomatoes drizzled with balsamic vinegar and some basil from our windowsill plant and some fresh bread. It was delicious!

I have also devised this recipe which is for our meal this weekend which is here below and I cant wait to serve up…enjoy!

What you will need is:

100g Prosciutto di San Daniele

30g Grana Padano

200g Fresh pasta such as Pappardelle

45g Lightly toasted pine nuts

Olive oil

Saucepan, pasta drainer, large bowl for serving and finally, a good appetite!

This is an amalgamation of the ingredients so cook your preferred pasta until al dente or to your own personal taste. Drain and place in your large serving bowl. Tease out the strips of Prosciutto di San Daniele and gently work through the pasta. Sprinkle over your toasted pine nuts, trickle olive oil over to give a glossy finish and lastly be generous with the Grana Padano cheese. Serve up hot and steaming – Buon Appetito!

Enter here to be in win a chance to win the same package as you can see in the first photo of Prosciutto di San Daniele & Grana Padano.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow their traditions by going to visit them on their websites at:

www.granapadano.it

www.prosciuttosandaniele.it

Also on Facebook: Prosciutto di San Daniele & Grana Padano

[easy-image-collage id=1905]

Look for the stamps of authenticity.

You may of seen my recent review of The Wrapper the reusable sandwich and snacks wrapper. Well some fabulous news is that Shona the designer of The Wrapper has offered us 4, yes 4 tickets to attend the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair where she, along with lots of wonderful homes and interiors designers are exhibiting their products.

For the London Christmas show we have 2 tickets for the for either the 9th, 10th, 11th, or 13th November 2016.

For the Harrogate Christmas show we also have 2 tickets for either the 1st, 2nd or 4th December 2016

There is loads to do at the event where you can spend your day finding amazing unique gifts which include handmade decorations, homeware, and artisan food. There will also be organic beauty products, one off pieces of jewellery and fashionable winter wear for those who want something a bit special.

You can enter in each of our Rafflecopter giveaways below….Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The winner will be contacted within 24hrs of the end of the giveaway and must confirm their acceptance within 24hrs before the prize will be offered to the second person picked at random by Rafflecopter. This short timescale is due to the date of the shows. 

Please pop over to Shona to say hi if you are able to go, she will be at stall F15 at the London show and stall B107 at Harrogate.

For travel details to the London venue, click here

For travel details to the Harrogate venue, click here
                    

You can find your questions answered here  regarding planning your day.

Don’t forget to check out Shonas great designs on her website Re Wrap It she is very talented and her design is perfect for homes everywhere.

It looks to be a great event and one worth following.

 

I’m really pleased to be showcasing this great invention called the Wrapper. If you are like me and have to get together sandwiches at the drop of a hat, you’ll know that it normally involves wrapping the pesky cling film around the sandwich after grappling with it and peeling it off of every surface it touches! If not then its spending pound after pound on sealing sandwich bags. Well with the Wrapper you are not only avoiding those pitfalls but you are also being kinder to the environment.

Shona designed the Wrapper after having her children and wanting to do something that fitted around looking after them. She loved design and is a trained landscape architect.

As she says – “I employ a couple of friends to help out but manufacture is predominantly done by the inmates at Kilmarnock Prison. I felt very strongly that as a ‘green’ product they should be made locally not imported from overseas. The inmates learn a skill which hopefully helps with their rehabilitation and could lead to job opportunities in the future. The arrangement also allows me to be more flexible with my design ranges and I am always searching for new colours and materials.”

The Wrapper is plastic on the inside, fabric on the outside and just needs a wipe down when used. The Wrapper can be used in the washing machine at 30 degrees – you just have to keep the velcro bits kept together unless you want to catch a sock on it!! They are polycotton so don’t shrink and the LDPE lining is very flexible so it doesn’t go brittle.

You can buy your own Wrapper from Shona by visiting her site here. There are loads of designs to choose from – a couple of which are shown below:

          

 

 

 

 

Have a look at the full range links and if you are a winner in our giveaway you can have your pick of which one you would like!  These are also great for Christmas which is just around the corner. Full range includes:

• Checks and Spots
• Kids
• Patterned
• Scotty Dogs
• Tartan

The Dimensions are: Flat: 46cm x 36cm and Folded: 16cm x 17cm Another lovely design feature is that when laid out flat the Wrapper acts as a plate.

I’m pleased to be able to offer a Giveaway of one Wrapper to the lucky winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I will pass on the winners details to Shona who will contact them directly for delivery. Entry open to UK entrants only. All entries will be checked to ensure they have followed or commented where needed. Good luck!

You can connect with the Wrapper team on twitter and also on their facebook page.

I was given this wrapper in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own

We were so thrilled to be asked by the lovely people at bakerdays.com to review one of their letterbox cakes. So thrilled in fact, we have a review, giveaway and unboxing vlog for you to feast your eyes on today!

They must know how much we love cake in our house and considering how busy we all are as a family, to be able to order online and have it delivered is just perfect for us and I guess for many households.

Ordering is easy peasy, just pop to the website www.bakerdays.com where you can follow the 5 simple steps of:

As we were picking for Halloween it was great to see so many designs available and we took our time as we were spoilt for choice.

We were having vanilla sponge cake with buttercream filling! The Letterbox cake is 5 inches (12cm x 2.5cm) which is just right for for 4 portions.

I uploaded a picture of the boys that we had taken recently and we were nearly there. We couldn’t wait and on our delivery date here’s what came through the door.

[easy-image-collage id=1541]

It comes in a great little tin which keeps it nice and safe on its journey to you. All the cakes are made to order so are super fresh.

[easy-image-collage id=1547]

[easy-image-collage id=1544]

We were amazed! The packaging was perfect and there were lovely touches such as the card which was enclosed and there were balloons, some candles and a party blow out toy, perfect! I was really impressed and I hadn’t had to leave the house to have such a great personalised cake with all the trimmings.

There are 4 different sizes to choose from in the complete range and 5 different recipes. The sizes are:

Small Party Cake 10-12 portions 7 inch cakes (17cm x 5.5cm)

Medium Party Cake 18-25 portions 9 inch cakes (24cm x 6.5cm)

Large Party Cake 40-55 portions 12 inch cakes (30cm x 7.5cm)

The boys had wanted to be involved in the review as much as I did, especially when they had known that their photos were going to be on the front, boys will be boys! My youngest, Little G enjoys his vlogging and has made a great unboxing vlog which he would love you to see here:

We are also delighted to be able to offer a Letterbox Gift Cake as a giveaway prize! You can enter here for your chance to win…good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Please check out bakerdays Facebook and twitter accounts to see their great deals and news. You won’t be disappointed and I would recommend trying them out.

Finally, the cake was delicious!! If you look right at the end of Little G’s vlog you’ll see his reaction!

Disclaimer: We were given a letterbox cake to review. All thoughts and comments are my own. Postage will be free to mainland UK.