Win The Seascape Island Apothecary Soothe Range worth £60

Sometimes you want something special at bath time and Seascape Island Apothecary products certainly fit the bill. Even more so because they are a British brand offering all the chic and stylish appeal of products from their neighbouring France.

In case you are not familiar with the brand, Seascape is based in Jersey and their products are an 100% natural essential oil-based collection of 7 different ranges of bath and body treats for the whole family.

Their collections include products for hand care, hair care, babies and children, sensitive skin and men's products.

They use local products and extracts from herbs distilled on the island in each of their ranges.  Two of these are specifically formulated to be safe for mums-to-be, whilst their children's range - les Petits - has been tested and certified by dermatologists as being safe for daily use on sensitive skin.

All Seascape products are made with 100% natural essential oil based formulae with no parabens, silicone, petroleum or SLS.  The products are suitable for vegetarians and there are no artificial colours or fragrances.

Beautifully packaged, ethically and sustainably produced, Seascape's products have already won several awards and they are against animal testing.

We were sent several products to try.

Les Petits Bubble Bath and Les Petits Body Lotion are beautifully fragrant, yet gentle children's products which grown-ups will love too.

The bubble bath has lavender, chamomile and Jersey honey whilst the body lotion combines lavender, chamomile and Jersey beeswax.  Both the kids loved the bubble bath and Caitlin felt very grown up with her own body lotion.  "It's like being in my own spa" she announced.

The Soothe Body Wash has Neroli, Lavender, Ylang Ylang and Jersey honey. Lavender calms whilst Ylang Ylang is said to balance the mind and the honey locks in moisture to the skin.  The entire Soothe range (which you can win!) contains pregnancy safe essential oils.

The body wash lathers up nicely whilst the fragrance is subtle and not overpowering.












The Peppermint Oil Lipbalm contains 100% natural Peppermint Oil with Jersey Beeswax, Jersey Honey and Jojoba Seed Oil.  I found it very soothing with a delicate Peppermint flavour - guaranteed to encourage frequent re-application!

This one appeared on ITV's This Morning back in April in Bryony Blake's Spring Make-up Masterclass too.

Mine is already in my make-up bag.

Seascape Island Apothecary products are reasonably priced (around the £10 - £16 mark) with beautifully packaged gift sets, should you already have Christmas on your mind.  You can find them online at www.seascapeuk.com or at The Perfume Shop. Delivery is free on orders over £20.

If you would like to try Seascape products for yourself, then I have a lovely giveaway for you.

I have an entire Seascape Soothe range to give away – Soothe Body Butter, Body Mist, Body Wash and Sleep Oil worth £60.00 - to one lucky winner. Simply enter via the Rafflecopter in the usual manner.

The giveaway ends on Sunday 20th August at 11:59 pm.  UK entrants only and terms and conditions apply which you can find on my 'Win' page.


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Win An Indulgent Box of Brownies From The Sweet Reason Company

Afternoon tea is a bit of a tradition in this country, isn't it - everything stops for tea as they say - and there's no doubt in my mind that a decent brew and a sweet treat (or two) has restorative powers when you hit the 4 pm slump and wine o'clock is rather a long way on the horizon. 

And what could be nicer than sharing the benefits by sending someone you love an afternoon tea in a box? 

The Sweet Reason Company is a luxury gift company which has this all sorted by offering a delicious selection of gift boxes containing treats such as handmade brownies, bakes and Teapigs teas. These are all a little bit special - for a start you can have Millionaire's Shortbread topped with gold glitter and the Salted Caramel brownies just ooze soft squidgy caramel chocolatey-ness into your mouth.  

You can have an afternoon tea box for up to four people or send a mini gift box with a couple of brownie bites.  If you're throwing a party you can even have a tower of brownie bites.  This would have found greater favour with Ieuan than the Batman cake he had (again) for his 8th birthday.

There are gluten free treats, wedding favours and even a monthly box on a 3, 6 and 12 month subscription containing a selection of brownie bites and teas.

The Sweet Reason Company has been featured in Vogue, Delicious Magazine, Stylist and Sheer Luxe so I was expecting a luxurious treat box - and I wasn't disappointed.

I was sent an Afternoon Tea For Two Box (£14.50) which contained two lovely gooey brownies, two pretty sugar swizzle sticks (one brown sugar, one white) and two Teapigs teabags to match the bakes - Salted Caramel Brownie and Chocolate Chunk Orange Brownie.

Each brownie is a pretty decent size by the way although I did the altruistic thing (or made the grave mistake) or sharing mine with the Husband and kids.  Why did you think?  I asked.  Is there more, they said.  I'll be hiding my next box.

If you would like to try The Sweet Reason's brownies for yourself, then I have an Indulgent Box Of Brownies to be won by one sweet toothed reader of this blog.

Worth £34.90, the Indulgent Box has 15 bites in their popular Salted Caramel, Chocolate Orange Chunk, Peanut Butter, Honeycomb, Mojito and Oreo & Coconut flavours.

The brownies are presented in a luxury box and everything is hand wrapped and packed.  The outside of the box is personalised with your box name and there is a personalised greeting card inside.

To enter you MUST visit The Sweet Reason Company's website and sign up for their newsletter on their home page.  This will also give you a 10% discount off your first order. 

You can either sign up via the link below or via the Rafflecopter widget where you can earn extra entries towards this lovely prize.

https://thesweetreasoncompany.co.uk/

The usual terms and conditions apply which can be viewed on my competitions page.  UK entrants only.  

The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 18th August.

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Win A Samsung Galaxy Tab In The Bloggers Summer Giveaway

I have an absolutely fabulous giveaway for you from 9 of my fellow bloggers and me.

As we head towards the long summer holiday, anything that helps keep the kids occupied, or me with a glass of wine in the garden for that matter, has to be a real asset!

So we have teamed up to celebrate the start of summer by offering one of our lucky readers the chance to win a Samsung Galaxy Tab E 9.7.

For those who are new to collaboration giveaways, they offer us bloggers a chance to giveaway a bigger and better prize than we could alone, with each blogger contributing to the prize fund to offer you an amazing gift.

So who has teamed up to bring to you this prize:

Melanie's Fab Finds | Just Average Jen | The Mighty Duxburys | Mrs MummyPenny | Missing Sleep | Boxes & Swatches | Mother Distracted | EmmaDrew.info | Precious Little Worlds | Futures

So how can you be in with a chance of winning the Samsung Galaxy Tab E 9.7?

Well all you need to do is let us know:

What is your top tip for keeping cool in the summer heat?

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and make sure you pop your answer to the question above in the comments box below this blog post. Terms and conditions apply. UK entrants only. The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 21st July.

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This prize is being administrated by Sarah of UK Bloggers / Life in a Break Down for any issues please contact her at sarah@uk-bloggers.co.uk. For full terms and conditions please view the Rafflecopter widget.

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Win Summertime Natural Healthcare Essentials From Indigo Herbs of Glastonbury

There are lots of common health conditions that can pop up unwanted and ruin your summer fun, but from sunburn, to tummy bugs, skin irritations and travel sickness, Mother Nature has a cure for everything.

Taking a natural approach to your health during the summer means you can reduced unwanted side effects, feel empowered and treat your body and your environment with the gentle kindness it deserves. 

I've recently discovered Indigo Herbs, based in one of my favourite places, Glastonbury. They offer a wide range of premium quality nutritionally rich organic superfoods, herbal powders, aromatherapy oils and loose herbal teas - all ethically and sustainably sourced.

Here are just some of their products worth adding to your summer medicine chest - and read on because you can win the lot, worth over £25.

Organic Spirulina Tablets x 100 £4.99 – COMPLETE MULTI VITAMIN & MINERAL ALL ROUNDER

Blue-green edible algae Spirulina is packed with complete nutrition covering all the essential amino acids, all the B vitamins and anti-oxidants and it is also detoxifying. These tablets can work wonders to prevent ill health along your travels and keep you on top form. They are also great for lining the digestive tract and alkalising the whole system so are also helpful at guarding against holiday tummy.

Organic Coconut Oil 500ml £7.99 – SUMMER SKIN & HAIR CARE 

This 100% pure cold pressed oil is not only the best oil to cook with in the kitchen but it’s also a precious ingredient for hair and skin care. It’s naturally anti-bacterial so can aid the healing of any skin sore or wound. It can also be very protective against sun damage for the hair and skin, and it has achieved popularity as an oral hygiene agent by the method of oil pulling. It’s well worth having a jar of this around to take care of your natural health needs. 

Tea Tree Oil 10ml £3.99 – ANTI-BACTERIAL 

This essential oil has anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties and this makes it a No 1 first aid kit must have. It can be used in place of an anti-bacterial agent for cuts, sores, fungal infections and more. Can be used when needed.

Lavender Oil 10ml £4.99 – HEALING SUNBURN 

This essential oil is a No 1 healer for burns, including sunburn. It is also extremely calming and can aid a good night’s sleep or help control anxiety. Again this little oil is a must for the first aid kit. Can be used when needed.

Peppermint Oil 10ml £4.49 – CALMING TO NAUSEA 

This essential oil is very good for calming nausea and indigestion. It can be used to relieve travel sickness. A third must have for the first aid kit both at home and when travelling. Can be used when needed.

You can find more on the Indigo Herbs website where you'll find a natural health guide, healthy recipes and even a directory of alternative therapy practitioners.

Indigo Herbs Summer Healthcare Essentials Prize Bundle

Entry to the giveaway is via the Rafflecopter widget and the usual terms and conditions apply, which you can find on my competitions page.  UK entrants only.  

The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 16th July.

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Win A Pamper Hamper From Ace Stain Removers

It has to be said that with the increased amount of sunlight comes an increased awareness of the sheer level of dinginess that abounds in Chez Hobbis.

Those of us with kids (or sports playing partners) know only too well that battling laundry stains, smelly trainers and sinks covered from car part grease or bicycle chains can be a tad tiring.

A fabulous pamper hamper is up for grabs

Not only that but Ieuan has just started Allstars Cricket for the Under 8's and we're mulling over tennis lessons for Caitlin - grass stains a plenty on the horizon!

But with a bit of help from ACE and their sustainable stain removal products, at least you can do battle with the grime in an environmentally friendly way.

Ace For Whites, Ace For Colours & Ace Multi-Purpose

ACE have designed laundry products to reduce the impact on the environment and they say the most important things we should be doing are:-

- Washing at lower temperatures
 - Using concentrated products
 - Using the right amount of product
 - Washing with full loads

Of these, washing at lower temperatures is the single most important thing we can do to lower our C02 emissions while doing our laundry.

I tried three Ace products.

Ace For Whites 

This is a laundry bleach with a fibre protection system which has been specifically formulated to work better on lighter fabrics.  It helps to brighten dull whites while still being gentle on delicate clothes.  It did the job nicely on Ieuan's Tae Kwon-Do whites.

Ace For Colours

As with Ace For Whites, this is designed to be as gentle as possible on your clothes.  It is fine for everyday use and gets rid of stains such as mud.  At the moment Ieuan needs a clean pair of school trousers every day due to his new found love of footie.

Ace For Colours will also help to prevent fabric colours bleeding or transferring to other fabrics and you can use it with silk, wool and even cashmere.

Ace Multi Purpose Spray

You can use ACE Multi-Purpose Spray around the home and on coloured clothes and it's great for tackling germs, grease and stubborn stains.  It did a lovely job of degreasing my kitchen sink.

To find out more about Ace products, have a look at their website www.acecleanuk.co.uk. There's also lots of advice on stain removal and some helpful videos to show you exactly what to do.  Great for housekeeping duffers like me.

You can also connect with them on Facebook and Twitter.

I also have an Ace Pamper Hamper worth £50 up for grabs (pictured above).  Entry is via the Rafflecopter and the usual terms and conditions apply which you can see on my competitions page.

The hamper contains:-

· Fresh white fluffy towels
· An embroidered white bedding set from Kensington Cotton
· Scented candles from Kenneth Turner
· Some ACE for Whites to keep everything sparkling white 

The giveaway is open to UK entrants only and ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 9th July.

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Review: Robins & Sons Luxury Handmade Chocolates & A Giveaway

Who doesn't love chocolate?  I've written before about how this product of the cacao bean has held us all in thrall for centuries.

Robins & Sons Dipped Oranges in Chocolate

But all chocolate is not the same.  These days I find some commercial chocolates have such a high, cloying sweet taste that it's hard to taste the chocolate for the sugar.  No surprise then that even Nestle is reducing the sugar content of bars such as KitKat to see if we can cope.

I prefer my chocolates to be a little more challenging, taste-wise and if they are beautifully packaged, so much the better.

I was recently invited to sample luxury handmade chocolates from Robins & Sons and they are a cut above many of the others I have tried (and there have been a few!).

The one that started it all off - Robins & Sons Mint Crackle

Robins & Sons is a family business run by Andrea Robins, her husband and their two young sons and the company has an interesting origin.

In late 2012 Andrea was employed as a Clinical Scientist within the NHS and a visit to New York during ‘Thanksgiving’ led her to discover what she describes as "a wonderful ‘minty concoction' unlike anything I’d tasted before, thinly layered milk and white chocolate topped with crushed candy cane (aka Peppermint Bark)."

Being unable to find anything like it back home, Andrea decided to make her own and a slip up with recipe quantities led to her giving lots of her chocolate away - to a great reception.  This, the creation of the company's signature Chocolate Crackle and Mint Chocolate Crackle, led to a full time career as a chocolatier.

Now Robins & Sons have over 25 products, all of which have been meticulously sourced from around the globe for superiority in taste, texture and appearance.

Very Berry Chocolate Heart

They insist upon natural colours and flavours throughout, using only natural peppermint and Valencian orange oil extracts in their Robins and Sons Signature ‘Chocolate Crackle’, and fragrant Sicilian lemon oil in their Sicilian Lemon Crunch.

We tried a number of lovely Robins chocolates including:-

Available in Milk or Dark

Salted Caramel Nibble
Mint Chocolate Crackle (with peppermint oil and peppermint candy cane)
Dipped Oranges (whole candied orange slices dipped in milk or dark chocolate)

Available in Dark (70% cocoa solids)

Orange Chocolate Crackle (with orange oil and fruit candy cane nibs)
Sicilian Lemon Crunch (dark chocolate with lemon oil, lemon sugar crystals and meringue)

Available in Milk

Fruit & Nut Clusters (with almonds, cranberries & oranges)
Very Berry (white chocolate with dried Strawberries, Raspberries & Meringue)

The 'crackle' adds a great texture and little bursts of flavour on your tongue. We loved the natural fruit flavours and pieces of fruit and meringue which give a depth of taste and make you want to linger over each chocolate.

You can find the full range of their website at www.robinsandsons.com.  Sold in bags, bars and boxes, there's free delivery on orders over £30.  Even better, Robins & Sons chocolates are made just outside my university city of Swansea so it's great to keep the Welsh flag flying so to speak.

On the website you'll find a range of gift ideas, including gifts for Father's Day, all beautifully packaged and just begging to be hidden from the Husband who had to be forcibly restrained from munching his way through all the samples Andrea kindly sent.

And, if you would like to try them for yourself, I have a selection gift box (RRP £30) to give away to one lucky chocoholic.

A selection gift box is up for grabs

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the usual terms and conditions apply which you can find on my competitions page.  UK entrants only.  The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 9th July.

Entrants must sign up to the Robins & Sons newsletter to be eligible to win the prize.  You can either sign up on the link below (just scroll down to the bottom of Robins & Sons home page) or via the Rafflecopter widget.

www.robinsandsons.com

Note: prize may contain traces of nuts and is not suitable for milk or soya allergy sufferers.



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Win Krombacher Beer - Beer With A Great German Heritage

Now that summer is here and barbecue season is upon us (weather permitting), we've been trying some new beers from Krombacher.

Krombacher is a beer with an impressive heritage. 60 glasses of Krombacher are drunk every second in Germany and it has been produced by the biggest family owned and operated brewery in Europe since 1803.

55 master brewers are involved in its production and the beers have 100% natural ingredients including the finest two row summer barley, Siegel hops from Hallertau and a specially cultivated yeast.

Krombacher beers are made with the local Felsquellwasser® found in 48 wells within 3 km of the brewery and the range includes the Pils, Hell, Dark, Weizen, Radler, Low Alcoholic Pils and low alcohol Weizen.
 
We tried three beers from the range - the Pils, the Dark and the Weizen (wheat beer).

The Pils is light and refreshing with a delicate taste whilst the Weizen has a delicate wheat flavour with no cloying after-taste. It's one of the most subtle wheat beers I've tried.

My favourite is the Dark, smooth, sweet, malty and almost dark chocolatey and we added it to a spicy beef curry for an extra kick.

Here's Mat's recipe.

Spicy Beef Curry with Krombacher Dark

Ingredients:

500g minced beef 

1/2 pint beef stock 1/2 pint

1/2 pint Krombacher Dark Beer 

1 tablespoon medium curry powder (or more if you want a hotter curry)

1 tin chopped tomatoes

1 chopped onion

1 teaspoon of salt

Method

Fry the minced beef till brown

Drain the fat from the meat and remove from the pan

Chop and fry the onion

Add the beef, chopped tomatoes, beef stock and beer

Cover and simmer for approx 40 minutes until the liquid has reduced to form a rich sauce

Mat kept everything simple with this dish so it would be suitable for a family tea but you could obviously ramp up the taste with more spice - or more beer.

The Krombacher Dark added an extra depth to the curry with a slight hint of treacly sweetness.

Mat's Spicy Beef Curry With Krombacher Dark

Or, if you've a sweet tooth, what not try a Krombacher Tiramisu?  The dark sweetness of the beer is a great substitute for the coffee or liqueurs in this recipe.

Tiramisu (adapted from www.prima.co.uk)

Ingredients:

About 15 sponge fingers

300 ml (1/2 pint) Krombacher Dark Beer

600 ml (1 pint) double cream

250g (9oz) mascarpone

5 tbsp good quality chocolate shavings (I love Green & Blacks)

2 tbsp icing sugar

Method:

Lay the sponge fingers in a flat 1 litre serving dish and pour over 200 ml Krombacher Dark Beer. Leave them to soak.

In a separate dish, whip half the cream, half the mascarpone, 4 tbsp chocolate and 1 tbsp icing sugar until the mixture forms soft peaks.

In another bowl, whip the remaining cream, mascarpone, beer and icing sugar to soft peaks.

Remove the sponge fingers from the dish.  Spoon the chocolate cream mixture into the dish then layer the sponge fingers on top, followed by the remaining Dark Beer / Cream mix.

Dust with the remaining chocolate to serve.

Image credit: Kurosawa Michiyo

Lest you're wondering which beer goes best with what, here's a brief food matching guide to allow you to explore Krombacher Beer fully!  There's a great giveaway too, at the end of this post.

Krombacher Pils

Krombacher’s Pils is light and golden, with a thin ribbon of sweetness running through a crisp, dry body which crackles with peppery spice and bitterness. It’s a great beer for barbecues and goes best with juicy burgers and steaks.

Pilsner is a very versatile beer which goes as well with Thai and other Asian foods as it does with subtle dishes such as shellfish.  Whilst it's great with burgers and perfect with pizza, it can also be an interesting accompaniment to light desserts.

It also works well with a cheese sarnie, or how about a combination of mature Cheddar with apple and a good British ham or a baked Brie with cranberries and Walnuts?

Krombacher Hell

This is another golden lager but with fewer bitter and spicy hop notes.  A delicate beer, this one goes well with lighter foods from the grill such as vegetable kebabs or chicken.

Krombacher Dark

The prominent treacly sweetness of this beer makes it an ideal complement to desserts such as grilled bananas and chocolate, but it also works well with meats slathered with sweet, sticky coatings, such as spare ribs with BBQ sauce.

Krombacher Weizen

The best complement for this one's crisp tangy notes is the great British banger (or the Bavarian weisswurst - if you're close to a well stocked Deli). The banana and clover aroma of this particular beer works well with pork.

Wheat beers also work well with Mexican Food such as cheesy quesadillas, spicy sweetcorn and chunky guacamole, or brunch dishes such as eggs Benedict, ham and cheese omelettes, sausages, gammon or ham, perhaps with a sweet or spicy glaze.

We used the Krombacher Dark for our curry but if you want something lighter, you can match your wheat beer with a chicken curry or even a vegetable curry.

Krombacher is available via Majestic www.majestic.co.uk, www.beersofeurope.co.uk, and www.noblegreenwines.co.uk and it's highly praised non and low alcohol range is available from www.drydrinker.com.

If you would like to try a tasting box of Krombacher beers comprising 2 Pils, 2 Dark and 2 non alcoholic beers, then enter my giveaway via the Rafflecopter below in the usual manner.

Terms and conditions apply which you can view on my competitions page.  UK entrants only and you must be over 18 years of age to enter.

The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 2nd July.



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Review & Giveaway: It's Not You, It's Your Hormones By Nicki Williams

Having celebrated my 53rd birthday on Sunday, I can tell you that the last year has been somewhat of a rickety ride, healthwise.

Image credit: By Monik Markus (Flickr: Wet Hair Strands Face Turned) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)

Yet I couldn't tell you precisely what is wrong.  I am obviously in the 'menopausal ballpark' and a recent blood test indicated that I had arrived with all flags flying. I already have a dodgy thyroid which has given me all sorts of strange symptoms but recently I have found myself sporting a middle tyre which won't shift.  

My sleep pattern has also changed.  I regularly see 3 am, 4 am, 5 am and wake up fully alert whereas in the past I could just turn over and go back to sleep.  I find myself mulling over all sorts of oddities, making lists, worrying about minutiae and generally being neurotic.

And let's not talk about mood swings.  Up one minute, down the next and although I've never been a particularly patient person, nowadays I don't want to wait for anything.

It's timely then that I've come across a brilliant book by nutritional therapist Nicki Williams DipION, mBANT, CNHC, called "It's Not You, It's Your Hormones" which explains clearly and concisely what your hormones are, what they do and how to regain some sort of balance lest you think you are going to become a kind of mumbling wild woman beset with skin breakouts and a temperature that would warp metal. 

I'm exaggerating.  A little.

And lest you think Nicki's book is solely for those of us approaching or embracing menopause, it is targeted at women over 40 who may have peri-menopausal symptoms which make their life equally miserable.

What I particularly like about Nicki's book is that she makes you think about WHY you want to improve your hormonal balance and the cost of just putting up with it.

Nicki's own moment of clarity was when her daughter called her a grumpy mum (a daily occurence in this house) and she felt that that's not who she was.

This, I think, must resonate greatly with lots of us going through a state of hormonal chaos because we don't really understand what is happening to us, nor who we have become, or are becoming.

With total honesty I have to say that when I am under the cosh of the latest barrage or irrational, hormonally charged behaviour, I don't like myself very much - and that in itself is a source of great fatigue and not a great place to be when you already suffer from depression.

Says Nicki:  “As I researched more into this topic, I was shocked at just how many issues can be traced back to easily-fixable hormone imbalances. The truth is that for many women their hormones are in control of them after the age of 40, and the weight, mood and energy problems creep in. By regaining control through diet, lifestyle and natural supplements, women can get back to their best – slimmer, energised and in full control of their hormones as they go through menopause and beyond".

Nicki's goal was to write a book that every woman can understand and take positive action on, even if they’re in a time of crisis.

In the book, Nicki explains what our hormones are and what they do, then introduces us to the 'feisty four' - those particular hormones which can cause us so much trouble - Cortisol, Thyroid, Insulin and Oestrogen.

We are shown how these affect us and given useful tips to take immediate action to get them under control.

The book then offers a four step hormone balancing plan - Eat, Rest, Cleanse and Move.  Each step has its own chapter with practical solutions and advice.  

There is even an eating plan at the back of the book with some great recipes.  The basis of the diet is gluten free with a limit on the usual baddies, sugar and alcohol but Nicki recommends good fats and upping your protein intake.

This is a really comprehensive guide to taking back control over your hormones and I had several 'a-ha' moments - for example that spare tyre won't go if we are constantly secreting cortisol due to stress.

I plan to use Nicki's tips over the coming months to see if I can feel more like my old self again. The book also discusses the various options surrounding HRT and the importance of getting yourself tested to identify exactly which hormones are giving your problems.

I am already taking Thyroxine to balance my hypothyroidism but I know there is more I can do. Nicki also includes a guide to supplements which may help.

To find out more, go to Website; www.happyhormonesforlife.com or connect with Nicki on Facebook or Twitter.

The giveaway

You can find "It's Not You, It's Your Hormones" on Amazon but I also have 2 copies to give away. The giveaway is open to UK entrants only and ends at 11:59 pm on Friday 30th June.  Terms and conditions apply which you can find on my competitions page.


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Win A Pair of Funky Wolky Shoes From Their Blazer Collection

Now summer is almost here I have to put my trusty Uggs away and wear something a little more, well, summery.

Not being able to do the school run on foot wearing heels, I need something durable, comfortable and anything but dull.

Luckily Wolky Shoes meet the bill.  A new brand to me, they specialise in the kind of funky footwear that you can't fail to notice.

Wolkyshop has been making shoes since the early 80's and are designed by a Dutch designer, Charles Bergmans. Their shoes are sold through the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and the United Kingdom, where we have our first shop in Brighton.

Wolkyshop sent me a pair of their Dusky boots from their new BLAZER collection to try.

Dusky comes in a 5 colourways (mine are grey printed suede) from size 35 to 42. The boot has a thick sole which is extremely comfortable and is fully leather lined and adjusted with laces.  The wedge heel gives you a little extra height whilst still being comfortable to walk on.

The reason these boots are so comfy is because they have, like all Wolky shoes, an anatomically formed footbed.

I found my Dusky boots incredibly comfortable and the size 42 (UK size 8) generous. Wolkyshop do not do half sizes and when I asked whether I could try the smaller size, Sam in the Brighton shop sent me out a size 41 to compare the same day - together with a free returns label to send the ones I didn't want back.  How's that for service!

As it was, the bigger size was the best for me.  I wish I had smaller feet!  And, should you have the problem of odd sized feet with two different sizes, Wolkyshop have their Odd Sized Shoe Programme.

Rather than having to buy 2 pairs of the same shoe style, for an extra £22.99 Wolkyshop will custom make you  a pair of shoes from the same piece of leather.  This only applies to certain styles so you have to check the website to see which ones are available.

The Giveaway

I can see my Wolky Shoes becoming a permanent part of my comfy shoe wardrobe, along with my Uggs and FitFlops.

You can find out more at www.wolkyshop.co.uk.

I have one pair of Wolky Shoes from the Blazer collection to give away to one lucky winner.  The Blazer collection has five styles - four sandals and one boot - to choose from.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget and the giveway ends at 11:59 pm on Saturday 24th June.  UK entrants only and the usual terms and conditions apply which can be viewed on my competitions page.

Please make sure you complete ALL the mandatory entries, including following Wolkyshop on Facebook and Twitter.



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Win A Pair Of Eyejusters - Reading Glasses With Adjustable Strength

Being both a glasses and a contact lens wearer brings a unique set of challenges when you need a varifocal lens.

To date, there seem to be no varifocal toric lenses to meet my prescription on the market which means that if I wear my contact lenses I still need reading glasses for close work.

Olive & Cream Multilayer Eyejusters

Which rather negates the point of having contact lenses in the first place.

Still, despite this bugbear, I am assured that a varifocal lens to meet my needs is coming so I just have to soldier on with my cheap pair of shop bought readers which will allow me to do useful things like read labels on the back of tins and menus in restaurants.

Each pair of these has a fixed strength which means that I may still occasionally struggle to read things in small print and, of course, if my prescription changes, I have to buy a new pair of reading glasses.

Eyejusters, on the other hand, are British invented and manufactured adjustable reading glasses that allow you to change the focal strength of your reading glasses by adjusting two little black dials either side of the lenses.

Discretely placed, by simply twiddling them together you slide back a kind of inner lens which alters the strength of your lenses with a certain tolerance - this is known as Slidelens Tech.

Because your vision in each eye varies, Eyejusters can be adjusted to suit each eye separately.  And you can't see the little black dials from most angles either.

They are great for people who need to see the small stuff, for example when doing DIY or computing, hobbies like jewellery making and sewing or reading your mobile device. They would make a great Father's Day present too as you don't need to know the wearer's prescription.

I was surprised to find that I could alter mine to not only see my PC screen close up but I could almost adjust them to my distance prescription - that is to say matching the prescription of the contact lenses I wear.

They are not, it must be said, a substitute for a proper optical examination and properly prescribed lenses, particularly for driving but they are a definite step up from the cheap and cheeful reading glasses you can buy over the counter in a number of shops these days.

Available on line, Eyejusters are unisex and there's 17 different styles and colours to choose from. They are priced at either £69 or £79 but they should last a lot longer than my over the counter readers because they will last through more than one or two minor prescription changes.  They are suitable for someone who requires a positive prescription up to 3 dioptres.

They also come with a money back guarantee.  Try them at home for 30 days and if you don't love them simply send them back. There's free delivery and free returns.

The frames are sturdy and pleasantly coloured (mine are olive and cream) and they come in a a strong grey case with a cleaning cloth.  I was impressed to discover that the lenses have an anti-scratch coating which often attracts an additional charge from an optician.

The only downside is that because there is a kind of double lens, I did look a little 'Joe 90' (retro reference there) but if it means I can choose my own restaurant food without having to hiss 'I can't read this' at the husband then I really don't mind.

The frame, being plastic, is heavier to wear than the cheaper readers but still quite comfortable. 

If you would like to try a pair for yourself. I have one pair of your choice to give away.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget below and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 18th June. Terms and conditions apply which are to be found on my competitions page. UK entrants only.



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Get ready for the great outdoors this summer with Milton (giveaway)

Festival and camping season is approaching as is, hopefully, the warmer weather. And if you are taking your little ones with you, hygiene is even more important.

Milton, the UK's number one sterilising and hygiene expert has a great range of travel essentials and read on because there's a giveaway coming up.

It can be a nightmare ensuring that your kids' feeding equipment is properly sterilised but it's easy to use the trusted Milton Cold Water Method even away from the safety of your own home. Milton is clinically proven to kill 99.9% of germs, including bacteria, fungi and viruses, leaving items sterile, and keeping nasty bugs at bay.

Here's what you can use.

The Milton Solo Travel Steriliser is 2-in-1 microwave or cold water steriliser, ideal for sterilising when on the go. It cleans and sterilises bottles, teethers, plastic toys, breastfeeding equipment and other small baby equipment from 2 minutes in the microwave and in 15 minutes for cold water. RRP: £10.99.

The Milton Combi Microwave or Cold Water Steriliser - not only will this clean and sterilise bottles from 2 minutes in the microwave, you can also take it camping because it can be used for cold water sterilisation, killing up to 99.9% of bacteria in just 15 minutes.  Back home, it's small enough to fit into most microwaves but will take up to 5 bottles from any brand. RRP: £24.99

Practical and portable, Milton Sterilising Tablets are ideal to use when travelling. Made up with regular tap water, items are sterilised in just 15 minutes and stay sterile in the solution for 24 hours – meaning you can sterilise baby’s feeding equipment again and again. RRP: 2.46/ 28 tablets.

Milton Sterilising Fluid (500ml/£2.35) is a camping essential, as not only can it be used to sterilise baby’s feeding equipment, but you can also use it to clean the following:

· Outside of tents and gazebos

· Caravans inside and out
· Camp kitchens, even the outside kind exposed to all weathers
· Paddling pools

Camping is tremendous fun but let’s face it, it can get pretty messy so keep you family safe and well with Milton’s range of hygiene products.

Banish mucky fingers with Milton Antibacterial Hand Gel. Ideal for keeping hands clean and fresh when you are on the go and even when in the middle of a field! Kills 99.9% of germs in seconds, non-sticky and dries quickly. With an added moisturising agent to protect the skin, the gel is gentle, with a pleasant fragrance. RRP £2.20/100ml.

New and improved Milton Antibacterial Surface Wipes with ‘no rinse’ & food safe formula means parents can use them to wipe clean soothers, teats, teething rings plates and cutlery without worrying about the need to rinse afterwards. The formula is bleach free, preservative free and fragrance free, they kill germs quickly and leave no residue or odour so they are perfect for disinfecting babies’ small accessories as well as their general environment including high chairs, potties, changing mats, car seats, and buggy chairs/handles. RRP £2.19.

The Giveaway

If you would like to try a selection of Milton products for your next family camping trip or a solo festival adventure, enter my giveaway to win the following:-

Milton Combi Steriliser 

& a Milton Hygiene Kit comprising 

*Milton Antibacterial Surface Spray

*Milton Antibacterial Surface Wipes

*Milton Antibacterial Hand Gel 

*Milton Washing Up Liquid

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget below and the giveaway ends on 14th June at 11:59 pm.  Terms and conditions apply which can be found on my Competitions Page.

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Win An Amazon Fire HD 8 Tablet & Fire Kids Edition Tablet in this Fab Bloggers' Giveaway

As we head into summer, there's always a wealth of new fiction to catch up with on those lazy beach days (or for those of us with kids, the odd 20 minutes snatched in the back garden).

And if your tablet or Kindle have seen better days read on to win a fabulous prize which should help brighten up any less than sunny days we might have here in the UK.  As I type, the rain is torrential!

Once again a whole host of amazing bloggers have teamed up to offer you the chance to win a great prize (something we couldn't do individually), but who are this group of amazing people; well check them out:

Mother Distracted | The Rare Welsh Bit | Renovation Bay-Bee | Pretty Big Butterflies | Probably Busy | Mums Wine HQ | Tantrums to Smiles | Cats and Contours | Hubby Helps | Really Missing Sleep | Bump and Beyond | The Reluctant Traveller | The Diary of a Jewellery Lover | Mum Dad Plus 4 | Ickle Pickles Life and Travels | Helerina Blogs

Melanie's Fab Finds | We Made This Life | Precious Little Worlds | Sparkles at Midnight | Spanish Mummy | Our Bucket List Lives | Boxes and Swatches | Testing Time Blog | Ladies Pass It On | EmmaDrew.info | Being Tilly's Mummy | Mrs MummyPenny | Me, My Life and the Tardis | Tilly's Travelling Telegram | Lotty Earns | Just Average Jen

Beautiful Things | Hex Mum Plus 1 | Life in a Break Down | UK Bloggers

Joining forces together has meant we can bring you the chance to win not only a Fire HD 8 Tablet (8GB) but a Fire Kids Edition Tablet (in pink or blue) alongside some accessories (think screen protector and a case for the Fire HD 8). Now that's going to make for one lucky winner!

So how can you be in with a chance of winning? Well all you need to do is let us know: What do you have planned for this summer? Anything exciting?

The only mandatory entry is to answer the above question, all following entries are optional.

However, we would, of course, love it if you could give the bloggers behind this giveaway some support.

Full T&C can be found within the Rafflecopter widget and the giveaway ends on 12th June.

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Win Football Artwork T-Shirts For Dad & Child From Art of Football

If you are looking for something a little bit out of the ordinary for Father's Day (Sunday 18th June), take a look at www. art-of-football.com, a unique clothing and artwork site which offers a range of t-shirts, sweatshirts, prints and canvases featuring your favourite football stars in artwork painted by a number of designers.

The boys enjoying a friendly game

Art of Football has a very interesting philosophy. All of their designs have been thoughtfully made primarily as a piece of art to do justice to those moments of high energy and elation which mean so much to fans.  The designs aim to capture all the raw emotion and energy felt during those seconds of celebration and to capture these with style.

They want to move away from the majority of football T-shirts that feature generic, screen-printed images of footballers like Luis Suarez to create something really unique.

You can even send in those sporting moments that mean the most to you via a contact page to suggest a new design they might like to feature.

Football isn't the only sport they feature, however, there's also boxing and rugby.  It's easy to choose your favourite as you can pick your favourite team using a drop down box.

We were sent two t-shirts to try.  Mat's features the legendary Ronaldinho.

Both the names of the garments and their descriptions are rather special too.  Here's the description of the Ronaldinho t-shirt / sweatshirt.

Art of Football Ronaldhino T-Shirt - £25

“No one can compare to Ronaldinho. I remember his plays, his dribbles. I remember him winning every title at the Camp Nou. He made history at Barca, he made history with Brazil and he’s still making history.” — Neymar Jr

“I’ve worked with some great players in my time and all at a very interesting period in their careers, nineteen to twenty years old. But, with due respect to the others, Ronaldinho was a cut above the rest.” — Celso Roth, Ronaldinho’s coach at Gremio, his first club"
Ieuan's t-shirt is called Enter The Dragon which celebrates Wales qualifying for the Euros last year. Here's the description and there's even a YouTube link to relive the moment captured on the t-shirt. This particular design is also available as a print.

Enter The Dragon Kids' T-Shirt - £14.99

"After a superbly exciting campaign Wales reached the finals of a major tournament for the first time since 1958 as they head for France and Euro 2016. Here the superstars Bale and Ramsey celebrate but this was a team effort from the boys in red. Having beaten one of the favourites Belgium along the way, they fear no-one. History beckons.

Relive it : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OaWTEoYGIM"

Made of soft and good quality cotton and beautifully packaged in retro football paper, these would make a great Father's Day gift for the football obsessed dad which is really something quite special.

The Giveaway

I have one adult t-shirt and one child's t-shirt of your choice to give away - a perfect gift for a footie mad dad (or mum!) and their son (or daughter!).  Great for Father's Day or just to celebrate your love of The Beautiful Game.

Entry is via the Rafflecopter and the usual terms and conditions apply which can be viewed on my competitions page.  The giveaway is open to UK entrants only and ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 11th June.

Entrants MUST answer all the mandatory questions - and yes, I do check.



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Win A Frenzy FR145 Recreational Scooter For Dad This Father's Day

If you're looking for something a bit different for your dad on Father's Day (Sunday 18th June), I have just the thing to not only get him mobile but get him to work a bit quicker too.

The lovely people at Skates.co.uk are offering a fabulous big foldable scooter, just the thing for getting around on - the Frenzy 145mm Recreational Scooter worth £80.

The brand new Frenzy FR145 145mm Recreational Scooter is a perfect choice for anyone who wishes to make their commuting life easier!

The scooter folds down for easy storage, has a kick stand and a carry strap for easy transportation and feature 145mm wheels for speed and comfort.

The maximum rider weight is 100kg and the maximum bar height is 97.5 cm.

You also get a free bonus pack which includes:

Full Scooters Stickers Sheet with 36 stickers (including the top brands: Apex, MGP, River, Roots, Drone, Supremacy, Elite, Fasen, Raptor, AO, Dare, Tilt, Proto, Hellagrip, Ethic, Flavor, Blunt/Envy, Dare, Logic, Scooter Jam Series, Skates.co.uk) and a multicoloured Skates.co.uk wristband.

There's no doubt that dad will look a lot cooler than the husband did last year on my lovely Skates.co.uk skateboard.

But if skateboards are dad's thing, he might want to relive his youth on his own skateboard such as the Enuff Logo Model or how about a pair of men's inline skates?

Skates.co.uk also have a great range of scooters, skates and Heelys.  There's free UK next day delivery for orders over £40 and a Price Match Promise to boot (or skate).

If you would like to win your dad this scooter, simply enter via the Rafflecopter below.  The giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 11th June. UK entrants only. Terms and conditions can be viewed on my competitions page.

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Quick Ways To Upgrade Your Home This Spring (& A Giveaway!)

It's Spring and there's nothing like the reappearance of sunlight to make everything in your home look a little, well, drab.

All those DIY jobs you've been putting off start to gain an urgency - painting the skirting boards, fixing that leaking tap, repainting, mending curtains. Our list is already quite long - and that's without including the garden!

But there are some quick ways you can freshen up your space without spending a fortune and add some of those finishing touches that make a house a home.

Read on because I have a great giveaway at the end of this post!

* Repaint - but if you are renting you might want to follow these tips to avoid upsetting your landlord!

* Display family photos - you could create a photo wall or mix and match frames.

* Change the curtains - perhaps ring the changes by swopping to a roller or venetian blind.

* Create a cozy corner to read in by adding an armchair to your bedroom. 

* You can also add character to your bedroom with bedding in different textures, colours and fabrics.

* Hang String lights -  pretty at any time of year. Stuff strings of battery operated lights into glass vases to add a cozy glow to corners and mantle pieces or drape over the kitchen or your bed to add some atmosphere.

* Match soft furnishings - it’s amazing how soft furnishings such as cushions, throws, rugs, lampshades and curtains can brighten a room and complement the interior design of your property. While vibrant colours such as red, green, pink, purple and light blue work well against plain décor, blacks, greys and creams can also look stunning in a minimalist environment.

Once you’ve got an idea of what colours work well together, you can then start getting creative in each room giving each part of your home a different style and twist. You don't have to spend a fortune. You can make such a difference with soft furnishings such as throws and cushions. 

We recently discovered the Yorkshire Fabric Shop, an online retailer of upholstery fabric, where we selected this lovely plush large cushion in a soft shimmering grey - Geneva Luxury Fabric Crushed Velvet Cushion In Silver Colour. It's a great size and beautifully made.

I suspect Caitlin has laid claim to my new cushion!

Based in West Yorkshire, Yorkshire Fabric Shop has a warehouse full of upholstery fabrics suitable for sofas, chairs, cushions, boats, beds and whatever else you can imagine. They have 1000's of fabrics rolls in stock and also offer free samples to help you decide on what type or shade of fabric you need before you commit to buy anything. You can also visit their warehouse if you are nearby.

As you can see there is a wealth of fabric choices available.

and we liked the helpful cushion finder.  You can choose from pre-made cushions or select your own fabric and have them hand made.

  

I tell the Husband regularly that you can never have too many cushions.  He doesn't believe this but I am working on him.

Cushions come in 4 sizes - small (28cm x 28cm), medium (43cm x 43cm), rectangle (50cm x 30cm) and large (55cm x 55cm). Prices are around £45 for a small and £65 for a large.

Each cushion has a handmade reversible cover with a zip and a cushion insert filling made from hollow fibre.  You can have up to 6 free fabric samples before you order and you can also buy the same fabric by the metre.

If you want to change the look and feel of your home's soft furnishings, you'll definitely find some new ideas here.

The Giveaway

Now to the giveaway.  Yorkshire Fabric Shop are kindly giving away one large (55cm x 55cm) cushion in the fabric of your choice worth over £60 (the same size pictured above).

Entry is via the Rafflecopter widget below and the usual terms and conditions apply which can be viewed on my competitions page.  UK entrants only and the giveaway ends at 11:59 pm on Sunday 30th April.  

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