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Time for tea with Adagio – Review and Giveaway

I love a cuppa, last thing at night and first thing in the morning you will find me with a cup of tea somewhere close by. Over the years I have tried many different brands and had phases of drinking different types of tea. As part of my own growth in how I enjoy different foods and wine, they too have matured. There’s much more importance to me in how something tastes, what benefits it might have for me and where it has come from. No longer just a drink to have for the sake of it.

Adagio teas have a great take on how to order your tea to be delivered to your home. Their site is divided into sections which help you to make your choice simple. There are sampler packs which you can order that give you a range across the type of tea you wish to try. Loose tea is spooned into the paper filters made of taste-neutral wood and hemp fibres. You make your own little… or big tea bag, how cool is that! I liked this as even though you get the suggested amount to put in you can adjust to your own taste.

Apparently tea is the most widely consumed drink second only to water. I can’t think of anything that is so versatile and has so many different flavours.

You can learn so much for the website such as how to make the perfect cuppa! That’s got to be high on my list of things to do. Like most things having a really good idea of how where why and how makes us all that little bit wiser.

Tea processing is five basic steps; some teas don’t utilize all of these steps, while other teas repeat them several times. Basic processing is Plucking, Withering (allowing the leaves to wilt and soften), Rolling (to shape the leaves and wring out the juices), Oxidising and Firing (ie: Drying).

I have been looking for warm drinks which my eldest son can have which don’t contain caffeine. There is lots of information on their blog which looks and explains caffeine in tea. My eldests health condition means that he has to have a chocolate, caffeine and yoghurt free diet as much as possible. A tough thing for someone reaching their teenage years. He wants to try so many new things and having a healthy warm drink after sports or a long walk are something he enjoys.

All real tea comes from the same plant, Camellia sinensis, which contains caffeine. Herbal infusions, such as Chamomile, Rooibos and Peppermint, are made from botanicals not related to Camellia sinensis, and they are naturally caffeine free. Adagio has a decaf range and a herbal range so there is a massive choice for us as a family and I can have one place to order from which is a plus point for me.

In addition to the teas you can also buy accessories such as cups, teapots, storage tins and filters.

The Giveaway

I have a great prize today which will be despatched by the fine people at Adagio Teas. It consists of 3 Sampler Packs of your choice and 1 Pack of Tea Filters so that you can start your new tea journey straight away!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Disclaimer: I was given a selection of teas and teaware to review for the purpose of the post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. See my Contact Us page for full t&c’s for giveaways.

Creative Ideas and Safety for Kids’ Room Makeover

Creative ideas and safety for kids’ room makeover

Decorating a child’s playroom can be demanding. You obviously want a design that will look new for long and something that you want to see in your child’s room every day. If you have enough space, it is important to give your kids their space where they can keep toys as well as a safe place to play. Many kids love to have a space of their own next to their sleeping rooms. There are several ways to renovate a kid’s room

Consider safety first.

During kid room makeovers, consider their safety first. It does not matter the age of your baby, give the safety of your child a priority. Check these tips to ensure the child is safe:

Little kids are at risk of carbon monoxide. Ensure to install a detector for carbon monoxide.
Use low VOC paints as well as other healthy construction materials when doing a remodel.
Enable parental controls for the teen room if you want to include internet and television. This is so that you are aware and in control of what they watch.
The furniture for kids’ room needs to be off over the knee. Ensure that dressers and cabinets are secured to the wall.

Choose bright colors

Children respond or react to bright colors and outsized outlines. Several contemporary color palettes can work well in kids’ room work and still work for adults that they don’t feel as if they spending time in the children room.

Update storage area

Kids love playing around. To ensure their room is neat all the time, ensure to update their play area for different activities. If they have toys and balls in the room ensure there is a place to store every one of them with labels. You might add open shelves that have baskets or bins if they were not there before to enable them to keep their things. As a result, this will be easy for them to access their belongings. It will also enable them to know where to put their playthings or items once they finish playing.

Makeover the creative corner

If the kids’ room did not have a show corner, ensure to put up. It does not take that much space. Get them some costumes that will match the respective activities the get involved in. If the kids love drawing, ensure they have all the drawing tools. Add a curtain a chalkboard wall and make the room unique. Provide the kids with colorful chalks that they can use for their creativity on the chalkboard.

Add furniture

Include furniture with attractive colors or theme to their homework area. If your kids are tutored at home, ensure to find chairs that can be comfortable for them during their tuition.

During kids’ room makeover, it is crucial to keep the safety of your child in mind. Include things that were not there before but you think will be essential for the kids to have in the room. Nurture your child’s talent by providing her with all the tools he needs for his creative tasks.

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Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines

These Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines biscuits are so delicious that I actually made two batches before I managed to get the pictures of the finished article because I forgot on the first night and by the next day they were nearly all gone!

If you have not had a Florentine before, then they are thin biscuits made with nuts and cherries and normally coated with chocolate on the flat underneath side. They are slightly crisp on the edges and then a fabulous chewy centre awaits!

I now coat half of the batch with chocolate and I leave half uncoated and I kid you not, they are both gorgeous.

The full recipe and directions are below and some handy photos here to reassure you of what it should look like at each stage.

Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines — The mixture as it should look just before baking.

It is best to temper the chocolate and I have written a quick reference post on how to do this the easy way if you are a home cook like me.

5 from 1 vote

Easy Bake Chocolate Florentines

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

15 mins

Total Time

20 mins

These super elegant Florentines are a perfect easy bake which produce the most delicious crispy, chewy, mouth-watering biscuits.

Course: Sweet Treat

Servings: 24

Author: mainy - myrealfairy

Ingredients

50 g Butter
50 g Demerara sugar
50 g Golden syrup
50 g Plain flour
50 g Flaked almonds
25 g Glacé cherries
200 g Dark chocolate

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4.
Prepare your baking trays with parchment paper/grease proof paper for baking
Add the butter, sugar and the golden syrup to a small saucepan and heat gently until the butter has melted.
When this has melted down, remove from the heat and add the flour, glacé cherries and flaked almonds.
Mix well with a large wooden spoon.
Using a teaspoon, put one level teaspoon onto the baking tray and space 6 spoonfuls evenly over the baking tray. Space well as the mixture spreads during baking.
Bake for between 8 and 10 minutes, or until golden-brown. Let them cool on the baking trays before transferring to a cooling rack to cool down completely.
Melt the chocolate and temper using the method from my link. On the flat side of the florentine, spread a little melted chocolate until it is evenly covered. Wait 30 seconds and using a fork or the tip of the teaspoon, create a zig zag engraved effect in the chocolate.

Recipe Notes

Only use a teaspoon per biscuit as they spread more than you think!

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How to Temper Chocolate the Easy Way

When I made my first recipe which needed me to temper the chocolate I was quite intimidated by the process and didn’t go too much further. Suffice to say that I had alot of split, grainy chocolate melting disasters!

So after doing some further research and trialing easy tempering methods I want to share the method that I use all the time now, with you.

Tempered chocolate has a glossy appearance to it and will have that snap to it that sounds just right. there is a science behind tempering chocolate which involves heating to the right temperature so that when the chocolate is heated and the fat molecules go out of alignment they need to be realigned correctly or the chocolate will ‘bloom’. This is when the chocolate looks grey and grainy and not as appealing as the glossy look we should go for. I’m sure there has been a time when you have left a chocolate bar in the car and it’s got warm and melted. The texture it then goes when it firms up is never quite the same is it? That’s because it has gone out of temper.

I use the method of heating in a heatproof dish over a pan of simmering water. I tried the microwave methods but I didn’t get on with it and prefer having more control by using the pan method.

Make sure the bowl can sit in the pan without touching the water. Also, the bowl must be kept very dry and not let any water inside.

Tempering Method

From a large bar of dark chocolate with a cocoa content of between 50-70%, break off three quarters of the bar and chop into small chunks.

Place these in the bowl and over the pan of simmering water.

Over the next 1-2 minutes these will melt.

When they have melted, take the bowl off the heat and stir quickly.

Put in the remaining chocolate.

Stir in continuously until it is all melted.

That’s it, you are now ready to dip or spread your chocolate onto your tasty treats.

If you love chocolate recipes as much as I think you probably do then have a look at my Ultimate Chocolate Brownie Recipe and my Chocolate Vegan Cake.

Enjoy and let me know what you think! I’d love to hear your ideas too.

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Fairy Pools

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Once again I have been overtaken by the sights and images I’ve been collecting. For the past few weeks I’ve been researching the fairy pools in Scotland at Glen Brittle, the Isle of Skye during my blogging time excursions.

The mysterious fairy pools have become one of the most talked about internet tales…

Amazing little havens with beautiful sparkly waters. There are tales of folklore creatures, small prickly backed, two legged imps, who inhabit the banks.

Legend has it that if you visit during the spring months when there is a ‘blue moon’, or second full moon in the month, which is the rarest of sights and believed to hold magical qualities. Then this feature will bring out the little magical creatures.

I haven’t found anyone who has put a name to them yet despite searching extensively. It got me to thinking that maybe we could name them here…. If you fancy a try, then pop your suggestion in the comments box. You may of already heard of the name and can enlighten me, or you can just join in the fun and offer your own suggestions. I’d love to hear how creative you can be…….

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4Play Pleasure Box Review & Giveaway

Are you ready for date night? Well I can help you to be super ready to enjoy some quality romantic time with that special someone. This post is for adults only so if you are reading with little ones around then to spare any blushes don’t read aloud!:)

When the 5o shades books came on the scene a few years ago I remember thinking that it was one of those times which changes the way that women view some of the more kinky and playful sides of a relationship. Talking about this with my girlfriends I knew that it was refreshing to discuss this side of what happened in the bedroom more openly.

The 4Play pleasure box is an intimate handpicked selection of fun sexual accessories to add that bit of fun into your relationship and enhance what you already have.

The brainchild of Sam and Ali, two mums and entrepreneurs who identified a gap in the market for a fun and empowering box of playful accessories that allow partners to reconnect with each other through foreplay.

Their first box is aimed at being sensual and romantic, even for those that have never dabbled into the exciting world of playtime before. After spending lots of time together shopping and exploring different products for the box, Sam and Ali decided to stick with items that every couple could enjoy today.

Lets see what the box contains:-

Black Satin Blindfold
Vibrating Cock Ring
Black Feather Tickler
Sex Gaming Dice
Edible Fruity Lubricant
Blow Job Mints
2 x Condoms

The box comes with a cute little ‘How 2play’ booklet which explains each item in more detail.

What did I love about it; well, it came in a pretty but discrete package which is good, no worries there about blushing in front of the postman or woman. The booklet is really good because even though I knew about most of the items I think this adds to the fun with your partner by reading it together and enjoying that intimacy too. I think it’s an ideal gift for a really close friend or for yourself.

The 4Play team said:

“In the world we live in, there are so many distractions that make us think the grass is greener elsewhere. The 4Play pleasure box is a tool that enables couples to focus on each other and water the grass together.”

How exciting then that you can visit their site to order and also enter here in the giveaway for your chance to win your very own box!

Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to over 18’s with a UK postal address.

You can check out the 4playteam on Instagram too.

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Disclaimer: Lucky old me, I was sent one of these boxes to review. All opinions are my own.

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Thought of the day…

If all else fails then bake some rocky road!

6 tips on how to support a friend through IVF with donor eggs

If a friend of yours has confided in you they’re planning to have fertility treatment, show them they can count on you from the start. The sheer fact that they told you about their plans for IVF with donor eggs is big news. This means she trusts you. Let your friend know you appreciate the trust.

If you’ve never dealt with infertility or are new to the concept of IVF with donor eggs, supporting an infertile person may seem tricky at first. Here’s what you can do.

Take it seriously

Don’t minimize the problem saying that “everything will be OK, you just need to relax and have treatment.” Infertility and egg donation are a big deal. IVF with donor eggs is highly successful treatment, however, the decision to have it needs to be well-thought-out and not hurried. Sit down together and have a look at the egg donation reviews online or egg donor profiles, if your friend is happy to do so. If she prefers to do it with her partner, you should respect her decision.

Ask them if they need anything from you

If you aren’t sure how you can get involved, simply ask. It’s better to voice your doubts than say something unnecessary. Ask them what you can do to help, if they want to talk about it and offer your time to just sit down, have a cuppa and listen. Just be there for her. However, don’t limit your conversations to IVF topics. Remember – you are still her friend. If you can, go out together and have some fun. If you prefer to stay in, have a girls’ night at home and prepare chocolate dessert.

Be kind and understanding

Kindness doesn’t cost anything. Be sensitive to the challenges your friend is currently facing. All in all, very few things are as painful and heart-breaking as the inability to conceive and carry your own child. It is a delicate topic – just give your friend a huge dose of love and care in this difficult moment in her life.

Don’t complain about your own children or pregnancy

If you have children or are currently pregnant, bear in mind that your friend would probably love to have sleepless nights or even a pregnancy heartburn if that meant she could easily become a parent. Try to save your kids and pregnancy updates for your other friends.

Back her up in all her decisions

Show your friend you support her no matter what decisions she makes. You can be sure that she and her partner have already spent countless days and nights discussing their options. If they plan to travel abroad to a more reliable clinic with better success rates, show her you are with her along the way. If she needs someone to look after her dog or cat, offer help. Such small gestures sometimes count more than the big.

Get Involved in advocacy

And, finally, spread awareness about IVF with donor eggs. Did you know that most advocacy efforts come from infertile couples and friends/family? What can you do? It is not a time-consuming commitment. Even advocating on a small scale helps. Overheard somebody speaking about test-tube designer babies or picky parents who choose their baby’s sex or eye colour? Speak up and refute the myths. In most countries gender-selection (family-planning) is legally banned and, in reality, infertile couples don’t care about the sex of their baby. They just want to become parents.

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London in the Wintertime

I love the winter and it was great to be in London recently with the London Eye sparkling in the winter sunshine.

London in the Wintertime

The day was hectic with work and a lot of rushing around and pre-speech nerves then the buzz of the presentation being over. To whiz over the bridge afterwards and to catch this view made me feel really happy and thankful.

I would’ve loved the time to walk along the Southbank but that will be for another day.

One of the many benefits and joys of having my blog is I can share this glimpses with you.

I’d love to see some of your favourite photos. You can always tag me in on Instagram as I’d love to visit and you can find me on Instagram at myrealfairyblog

For now I will leave you with this view. Even the reflection of the taxi window adds to the essence of the photo for me.

I’d love your thoughts 💭

Mainy

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For some more stunning scenery pictures have a look at my trip to Stourhead National Trust site.

Our home and building tales.

Since buying our home over three years ago now we’ve done lots of different renovations to the house. It’s been a great journey where I have learnt so many new skills and found out about an odd assortment of new terms that I wouldn’t normally of come across. It’s taken up lots and lots of time and of course the inevitable large chunk of our savings. The best part about our house was that it was one of those rare houses that needed doing up. When I viewed the house the agent even started by saying ‘oh you probably won’t like this one but I’ll show it to you anyway’. She wanted to show me something that needed loads of work and then another one which was the finished article and that you could just move into without doing a thing.

As soon as I saw my little house, as run down, smelly and in need of alot of tender loving care, I knew it was the one for me. I often hear people say that they know they loved a house as soon as they walked into it and this was exactly how I felt with this one.

The garden was huge in comparison with what we had been used to and the bigger the boys were getting, the more space they needed.

There was room for improvement and on the back of the house there was a rickety old lean-to that was being held up by cobwebs and not much else! There were old doors on the back and steps down into the lean-to. The ground floor was all pretty dark.

Our idea was to have this knocked down and build a conservatory on the back to massively increase the family space on the ground floor.

Our home and building tales. — Concrete floor poured and the plaster is up.

When we were planning to have the conservatory built there were so many different options when it came to areas like what type of roof we should have, should we go for our French doors or bi-fold doors, should we go for under floor heating or double radiators. The list seemed endless but we learnt so much from that process that we feel far better prepared for our next big project.

One of the key things I learnt was to be prepared! Prepare to invest in my property, prepare myself by researching products and prepare to have a certain amount of upheaval for the family while work is being carried out. No pain no gain!

There have been ways to reduce the cost of a lot of our items and that was by looking around to see the best deal we could get. I was so surprised by the difference in quotes from the sales people who came around.

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The patient part of our partnership has to be my other half, he has the patience to take in all of the little details whereas I tend to rush in and get over excited by the first good idea.

Our final design was great and had all of the elements we had on our wish list apart from one which was under floor heating! My other half still has to wear his slippers and if we had to do it all again and change anything then it would probably would be that.

We are moving on to looking at the loft next and moving upwards to converting it. I’ve started a pinterest board on it if you want to have a look at some of the ideas, also I would love some recommendations or ideas. If you have some I would love to hear from you.

Have you started any renovations recently or have experiences you’d like to share?