Christmas Gift Guide: Wavey Ice introduce their Boozy Winter Hamper

Posted on November 30, 2020 by Kesh

Who remembers ice pops…? Those icy sticks of goodness after school on a summers day was literally THE ONE. Hands up if you’ve ever tried a boozy ice pop? YES, they really do exist thanks to Wavey Ice, the original creators of alcoholic ice pops in the UK.

Wavey Ice known for their cocktail inspired ice pops have been making fresh treats est. summer of 2014. Distributing at various festivals and Notting Hill Carnival, they are now making sure we don’t have to miss out on all of the vibes this year by bringing a selection of icy cocktail gifts and hampers that you can buy for your loved ones this Christmas. Don’t worry about feeling chilly, these treats are designed to warm you up whilst paying homage to the old school London scene.

So, what’s on offer? Well through the website you can purchase a host of goodies from various Ice Pop flavours, branded merch and of course the hamper.

The hamper contains;

(RRP: £55) inc delivery

*10 Limited edition Kola & Spiced Rum ice pops.

*One ‘Dutty Wine’ Mulled Wine and White Rum pouch

*One bottle of ‘Kold Sauce’ hot sauce

*One pair of Wavey Ice socks

*Set of fun Christmas stickers to add to your festive decorations.

To get the full experience we recommend gathering your crew, (at a social distance), grab a Wavey Ice Pop, pull up your rave socks and turn Ms Dynamiteeeheee all the way up. Never has a Christmas hamper bought me so much nostalgia and joy and we guarantee anyone who loves UKG, Grime, Rap and just having a good time with your people in general, this will bring a smile to their face.

The Wavey Ice hamper is curated with heart and soul and it shows. Since this Summer, Wavey Ice has raised over £1500 for the NHS by donating £1 from every purchase made to them. This Winter will be no exception with £1 from every purchase donated to Crisis charity until Dec 20. So support Independent businesses this Winter. Support Wavey Ice.

…pssst there’s a sale on right now…

www.waveyice.co.uk

Things to do in Lockdown: Chocolate Making Kit by the Raw Chocolate Co.

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Kesh

We’re almost half way though lockdown part 2, weheyyy, and we wanted to find you something inspiring and creative to do as we start to run out of treats to make and things to bake. We promise it will be a truly scrumptious experience for all.

Thanks to the Raw Chocolate Co. we tried our hand at making our very own chocolates using the bumper chocolate making kit. What’s great about this kit is that the instructions are very easy to follow, the quality of the ingredients are high and you can add your own little twists to your chocolate and really make them as bespoke as you like. We tried adding a little chilli to the mix for a spicy kick and also added some coffee to another batch but believe me, the possibilities are endless. These little chocolates are not only a luxurious treat to indulge in but as we approach gifting season, these would make the best gift to any chocolate lover. The ingredients are organic and vegan so lots of attention has been paid to what goes in. We had to mention the smell of the Cocoa Butter which spills out of the tub as soon as you open it which is a treat for the senses. Whats more, it will definitely make you want to pay attention to what goes into chocolate and find out more.

What’s in the box;

2 x Organic Cacao Powder

2 x Organic Cacao Butter

2 x Organic Coconut Sugar

You will also need chocolate moulds.

The process itself is super easy. We recommend softening up the cocoa butter before adding in the other ingredients but once everything is melted in, you’re good to go!

The standard of the chocolate at the end will make anyone think you’re a top Chocolatier, as you can see above. The kit provides you with the essentials but you can be as creative as you like and make yourself a box of bespoke chocolates.

The kit is priced at £24.65 which will make you more than enough chocolates to dish out to all your loved ones this Christmas.

To find out more check out;

www.therawchocolatecompany.com

Festive Cocktail Guide Vol. 3 ft Black Cow Vodka

Posted on November 20, 2019 by Kesh

Here’s one for the vodka fans, presenting Black Cow Vodka; the only vodka in the world to be made entirely from grass-grazed cows milk. The result is a definitive and distinctive smooth, creamy vodka. Turns out Black Cow Pure Milk Vodka is a product of dairy farmer Jason Barber who along with Paul Archard wanted to create something from the left over milk when making cheese. This is a truly unique product and we think that this is the perfect vodka to serve up this Christmas. It’s rich, smooth and extra luxurious.

There are a number of cocktails that the smoothness of Black Cow compliment well but we highly recommend;

Black Cow; Espresso Martini

50ml Black Cow Vodka

40ml Fresh espresso, cooled

15ml Organic Maple Syrup

Pour all ingredients into a shaker filled with ice.

Shake well an double strain into a Martini glass.

Garnish with three coffee beans.

https://www.blackcow.co.uk

The Perfect Tea Gifts: Christmas at Mariage Frères

Posted on November 14, 2019 by Kesh

Stepping inside Mariage Frères is like being transported into a bygone era. Mariage Frères is exclusively one of France’s oldest tea shops and we are fortunate enough to have their flagship store open on our doorstep in the heart of Covent Garden. This is also the brands largest tea emporium to date, boasting five storeys of tea history. The ceiling to floor tea wall is filled with all the teas you can imagine and is definitely worth a visit just to marvel at the longest tea wall in the World featuring over 1000 varieties of tea. The shop also features a Tea Museum on the second floor showcasing tea antiques from around the World as well as providing you with a lowdown on the history of tea and of course, the pièce de résistance has to be the Salon de Thé. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner each dish is expertly created to feature, you’ve guessed it… tea. We heavily recommend their tea infused cocktails! There really is something for everyone here.

The emporium is a stunning addition to Covent Garden and like everywhere else at this time of the year, we thoroughly recommend paying this place a visit over the festive period. Tea lovers will be blown away by the quality of the products and we promise you will not be disappointed by their incredible collection of luxurious and stunning Christmas gifts and cakes to impress your guests!

Our personal favourites had to be…

Mariage Frères Gold Cake £66

Not only is this completely show-stopping, but the Gold Cake is scrumptious. Covered in shimmering gold, this chocolate marbled cake is infused with Marco Polo black-tea and flavoured with festive spices with a core of gianduja and hazelnut. The Gold Cake will serve around ten guests and if you’re in my house, will last about 5 minutes!

Noël Fruit Tea: £49

This stunning fruit tea comes packaged in a hand-blown glass bauble design. The tea itself is fruity and spicy and festive and can be enjoyed hot or cold and like any, would make a great infusion perfect for a Christmas cocktail.

Opera Musical Tea-Box £65

Now this really is a unique and extraordinary present. A beautiful, illustrated musical gift box is filled with four packets of tea and when opened, each plays a different operatic tune. This really is the kind of gift one would have been presented with many years ago and we are so thrilled to see that it is still possible to buy such a traditional gift.

Soho Bohème Teapot £299

For the tea-lover who has everything. We guarantee they won’t have such an exquisite teapot. This expertly hand-blown glass teapot is sculpted into a soufflè shape and can be bought with a gold or silver lid. This teapot really oozes class and sophistication.

NOËL SUBLIME® £39

Nestled in an elegant gift set, painted in black & gold and decorated with silver stars, this NOËL SUBLIME advent calendar beholds 25 tea-inspired Mariage Frères treats to make the countdown to the holidays all the more pleasant.
The clock, symbolised by a hanging Christmas ornament, ticks while imaginary windows, opening day after day, glimmer under the guiding light of the Star of Bethlehem.

All gifts are available to buy in Mariage Frères flagship store in Covent Garden or in Selfridges London.

www.mariagefreres.com

Last Minute Gifts:

Posted on December 21, 2018 by Kesh

So you’ve left it to the last minute but we still have time to get standard delivery on most websites so here’s what we picked out for you…

Vanilla Reindeer,

We simply loved their personalised gifts, with chocolate boxes or simply personalised gift wrap, give someone special something extra unique adorned with their face or yours or memories you share together. We picked out a personalised truffle set for someone this Christmas and we were totally impressed by the quality the speedy delivery and more importantly, they were delish! We also loved their bottle bags and range of personalised gift boxes which will impress all year round. They are currently running 30% off all Christmas Gifts and free delivery with a spend over £30.

www.vanillareindeer.com

Drinks in a Tube;

It is what it says on the… tube. As part of their Christmas collection, Drinks in a tube are providing customers with various spirits tubed as well as a selection of Vodka and Gin Christmas crackers. We tried the Premium Red Wine tasting set which comes with five premium French reds including St Emilion Grand Cru and Santenay Rouge to name a few. Each tube is 100 ml which makes it just the perfect size to travel with.

http://www.drinksinatube.co.uk

ScandiKitchen;

Their London bakery is serving up a host of Nordic goodies up until 23rd December and expect to find such things as, Beautiful Swedish and Norwegian Hampers filled with sweets, wines, beers, and chocolate. We recommend the Limoncello Mulled Wine. The Blossa has notes of rosemary, thyme and basil and evoke a typical Nordic Christmas. This year they recommend serving it with some sparkling wine as a delicious aperetif. We also need to mention the beautiful and unique bottle which would make a show-stopping gift and displaying the colours of the Mediterranean sea.

ScandiKitchen is located at

61 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7PP

Festive Foodies

Posted on December 3, 2018 by Kesh

Whether it’s foodie gifts you’re after, or just some fabulously indulgent additions to your kitchen cupboard this Winter, we’ve narrowed down our favourite yummy treats that we are pulling out this December.

Christmas Whiskey Bomb RRP £40

Konditor and Cook;

As well as producing some of the most delicious hampers and mince pies, (voted the best in the UK), why not purchase a show-stopping cake as a centrepiece for your Festive celebrations. Konditor and Cook have gone all out this year and have many tasty creations for you to try but we reckon the Whiskey Bomb is bound to wow your guests. Based on their original Whiskey Bomb the Christmas Whiskey Bomb is a festive blend of chocolate, orange and whiskey cake adorned with sugar paste stars and white chocolate balls. Because quite frankly, what says Christmas more than Whiskey and Chocolate Orange. This award winning cake.

Festive Scone Bake Kit RRP £25

The English Cream Tea Company;

If you fancy trying your hand at a little baking for your guests or want the perfect gift for a star baker, we simply loved the Festive Scone Bake Kit provided by The English Cream Tea Company. Supplying you with all the components you need to produce your own festive tea-time treat, the set is complete with decorations for your plump scones all in a handy tin to keep. As well as this, The English Cream Tea Company also have a Giant Xmas Tree Brownie for you to order online, because we all need a tree which is edible as well as beautiful.

englishcreamtea.com

Fine Food Specialist-White Truffle Oil. Prices from £8.55

Fine Food Specialist;

The foodie online shop of dreams, the Fine Food Specialist offer luxury food goods designed for a gastronomical feast of dreams. Specialising in luxury products such as Caviar, Wagyu beef and other specialist food items, they have you covered. If it’s gifts you’re after, they have a variety of goods including hampers both large and small. We love their own brand White Truffle Oil as a perfect stocking filler this year. This extra virgin olive oil is infused with the rich aroma of premium white truffles. Available in a variety of sizes, this special gift has a five star rating which will guarantee to make the recipient of this very pleased indeed. Check out their website for a host of other treats including their handy canapé guide which will be firmly saved into our favourites tab.

finefoodspecialist.co.uk

Christmas Roast Dinner Box RRP £21

Ross & Ross Food;

Focused on British flavours and fresh local produce, Ross & Ross have won multiple awards for their high quality and unique artisan products. Best known for their BBQ and curing kits, they have a passion for big and delicious food. Their Christmas shop this year features a host of meaty hampers including the I Heart Bacon Gift set which includes a bacon curing kit and I Heart Bacon apron. We also love their Christmas Roast Dinner Box. Winner of the 2018 Christmas Gift of the Year food award, the box contains a Roast Potato Oil, a Pigs In Blankets Dust, a Brussel Sprout Dust and a Roast Turkey Rub. This box is perfect for self-gifting if you want to impress your dinner guests! The box is also an amazing present to give to someone who loves Christmas dinner, and who doesn’t love Christmas dinner?!

rossandrossfood.co.uk

Sphero Mini App-Enabled Robotic Ball Review | Christmas Gifts

Posted on December 4, 2017 by Frostie

This robotic ball is hours of fun. It tilts, slings, and moves. All via the app on your device. Perfect for children and pets.

Sphero Mini packs tons of fun into a tiny, app-enabled robotic ball. Drive using the Sphero Mini app, or with your facial expressions in the wild new Face Drive™ feature. Use Mini as a controller to play different games, or program your robot with the Sphero Edu app. With almost an hour of play time, Sphero Mini is the next big thing.

Stockists: Sphero.com, Amazon.co.uk and Firebox.com

Toastie Toes for all the Family with Totes

Posted on December 17, 2016 by Tracy Baines

It still not too late to buy just one more stocking filler. Go on, you know you want to.

Take a look at Totes latest collection if you haven’t given a thought to slipper socks for a while. Everyone is loving the sentiment of Danish Hygge and Totes are totally on trend with their slipper socks for all the family.

Totes slipper sox are the perfect gift to slip in Santa’s stocking and well worth going over budget for.

Dads, sons, brothers and uncles will love the latest style and no need to worry about queuing for returns because you got the wrong size – one size fits all. The sherpa lined Fair Isle men’s chunky sox have the most fabulous design on the outside and are fluffy and warm on the inside. A gift that may well make its way from his drawer into hers. RRP £16.00

There are many great choices for the ladies too so it’s a win-win all round. Fair Isle Berry caught my eye and the bright jewel colours will cheer up the drab winter evenings. I love the fluffy linings that keep feet particularly warm. A brilliant asset if you suffer from cold feet and don’t want to wear slippers. RRP £15.00

Ones for the kids too – we don’t want to leave anyone out. Twin packs for boys and girls in a variety of designs that come packaged in a gift box so easy to wrap. RRP £8.00

Unisex Christmas slipper sox will go down a treat on Christmas Day. Bright, fun designs and with slip resistant tread, perfect for when they are racing around the kitchen chasing the dog. Three different sizes : ages 1-3, 3-6, 7-10 RRP £8.00

And, last but not least, how about these cute little slippers for the baby of the house. They come in four sizes and two adorable choices – zebra or lamb. They also have the same slip resistant soles and warm linings.

Plenty to choose from and if your order is over £30.00 you get free delivery.

So there’s no reason for anyone to get cold feet this winter.

Frost Magazine