Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Posted on March 10, 2015 by Frostie

Mother’s Day is on the 15th of March this year and It is time to spoil the most important women in your life. Here is our handy guide to gift-buying for Mother’s Day.

Ringtons loose tea and infuser gift box

We love this. The tea is absolutely amazing and the infuser is easy to use and looks great.

The fantastically presented loose tea infuser sets come in a stylish Ringtons cream and gold gift box, decorated with the famous Ringtons crest. The sets include a Ringtons tea infuser – a simple device designed to take the fuss out of preparing loose tea and bring out the full flavour of the leaves – and three full size packet of expertly selected loose teas as well as three x 30g sample blends.

The Luxury Great British Tea Infuser Gift Box (top image) • £22.99

Includes: Traditional English Breakfast loose tea (125g), Afternoon Blend loose tea (125g), and Classic 1907 loose tea (125g), and 3 x 30g samples.

The Luxury Taste the Exotic Tea Fuser Gift Box

• £22.99

Includes: Bird of Paradise loose tea (50g), Samavor Orange Spice loose tea (125g), and Mint Marrakech loose tea (125g), and 3 x 30g samples.

The Ringtons Signature loose teas featured and Ringtons gift boxes are available via mail order at www.ringtons.co.uk or via customer care on Freephone 0800 052 2440.

Some Flowers.

Try The Fantastic ‘Summer Memories’ Bouquet – Fresh Flowers with free Delivery

The Notebook on DVD

Mother And Daughter Message Bangle from notonthehighstreet.com

Personalised Thank You Print by Rosie Robins from notonthehighstreet.com

Mum’s Measure Wine Glass by Becky Broome from notonthehighstreet.com

Personalised Family Tree Cushion by A Type Of Design from notonthehighstreet.com

Cocktails are always a good idea….

Quintessentially Vodka Rhubarb Rickey

35ml Quintessentially Vodka

12.5ml Rhubarb liqueur / syrup

12.5ml Fresh lime

Soda (top up)

Method: place the Quintessentially Vodka, rhubarb syrup and fresh lime in a tall glass, adding ice and a spritz of soda.

To finish, stir a few times before adding a wedge of lime.

What will you be doing for your mother?

Cuddledry Review | Parenting

Posted on February 26, 2015 by Catherine Balavage

The Cuddledry is something that immediately caught my eye. Reason? Because it is so damn cute. It would take a hard person indeed to look at the pictures of the cute baby wrapped in this towel and not go ‘aw’. But we can’t be worn over on cuteness alone (mostly). Does it work? Is it convenient? Read on…

First of all, it looks good. It is obviously high quality. It is very soft and feels great. Perfect for baby’s skin. If you don’t already know what the Cuddledry is; it is an apron style towel that lets you dry your baby hands free. This is not to be underestimated. Anything that stops you dropping your baby is a good thing. The baby bath towel also keeps you dry and it has a hood which makes baby look adorable and keeps the water away from baby’s skin and hair. We love this apron towel. It makes life with a newborn significantly easier. A brilliant, yet simple invention.

Made with natural bamboo fibre and pure cotton, the Cuddledry is much softer than a normal towel, and stays that way after washing – ideal for snuggling and drying your little one’s soft skin.

Cuddledry designers, Helen Wooldridge and Polly Marsh, were inspired to create the Cuddledry after they and their husbands struggled at bath time with slippery babies, and realising this was a challenge every new parent faces:

“We asked hundreds of parents and found that mums and dads everywhere battle with baby towels held awkwardly under their chin, or in their teeth, or put crying babies onto towels on cold bathroom floors, to get over the need for an extra hand to hold the towel at bath time,” explains Polly Marsh, one of Cuddledry’s creators. “It is of course impossible to safely lift a baby without two hands, but you also somehow have to hold a towel and wrap them in it!”

“Cuddledry have thought of everything, it clips around the neck to free up your arms for picking up your bubba and drying them in a flash, before you know it baby is all snuggled up in the cuddly side. Fantastic invention, why didn’t I think of it first” – Zoe Ball

“I’m so glad my mum bought a Cuddledry for me, it’s the best thing anyone can buy for a new parent.” Denise Van Outen

Helen and Polly were asked by the BBC to take the Cuddledry apron towel onto Dragons Den. They amazed the dragons by turning down three offers of investment. Since the show, the entrepreneurial duo has secured private investment and the business has expanded beyond all expectations. The Cuddledry is now used by tens of thousands of parents, endorsed by celebrities and recommended by midwives and maternity nurses worldwide. It has won over 40 prestigious awards and is recommended again and again as the number 1 baby bath-time essential.

The Cuddledry apron is available to buy for £29.99 here or from Boots.com, John Lewis.com, JoJoMamanBebe.com and Mothercare.com as well as the Cuddledry website www.cuddledry.com

New Social Shopping Site Launched For New And Expecting Parents

Posted on February 6, 2015 by Frostie

Parents need all the help they can get. Which is why we think BerryClever, a brand new social shopping site for new and expecting parents is great. It aims to make online shopping more fun and interactive by giving parents the power to discover and choose the perfect parenting products by reading and sharing honest advice from the people they can trust the most, their friends. BerryClever has had over 7,000 members joins since it launched 3 months ago.

Online shopping has revolutionised our lives and the range of product choices available to parents for their little ones has never been greater. But with this overwhelming range of choice often comes more questions than answers, especially for first time parents who are under pressure to buy all sorts of baby essentials that they often know nothing about. BerryClever’s research found that an incredible 91% of people surveyed admitted that they had wasted money buying the wrong products for their babies. What’s more 86% of people surveyed wanted their friend’s recommendations when making purchasing decisions. So where do you start when it comes to choosing the right products for your baby? That’s where BerryClever comes in.

BerryClever has created a unique online environment, which allows you to connect with existing friends and new like-minded ones to discover the products they love, regret or simply can’t live without. Kristi Flax and Emma Kafton, who are both mums themselves, recognise that parents in particular prefer recommendations from people they know and trust when it comes to buying products for their babies. Because the reviews on BerryClever are written by friends in your network, you know they have no vested interest in promoting certain products and that they are just sharing their own honest and experienced views. Emma explains that “the idea is to make online shopping for your baby feel intuitive rather than the transactional and anonymous experience you get on many other ecommerce websites. With so much online content being disingenuous, the ability to read information from people you trust is ever more valuable”.

BerryClever’s reviews, known as ‘tips’, are no longer than 150 characters making them quick to write and read on mobile devices and ideal for busy mums on the go. As parents overwhelmingly prefer reviews from people they know, BerryClever’s unique algorithm ranks reviews based on their social profile so they will always be shown the most relevant products reviewed by their friends and the people they are most similar to first.

Users can also upload Pictips – a product photo review, watch recommended videos from the web and create lists of favourite or most wanted products for themselves or to share with others. The ability to explore friends’ lists provides a simple way for experienced parents to help their newly pregnant friends find everything they need for every stage of their birth and child’s development, from weaning and feeding to potty training, playing and learning.

Not only does BerryClever help parents make the important decisions on what to buy, it also quickly and easily links directly through to their Amazon account or the retailer’s website to allow them to make the purchase. There is even a ‘demand a lower price’ feature to help parents, who on average spend £5,000 in the first year of their child’s life alone, save money on expensive items like buggies and car seats. If a lower price can be found, the user will be sent an email within 48 hours confirming an offer which they can choose to either accept or decline, with no hidden small print.

Every feature is intended to make BerryClever a place where shopping can become a fun, social and resourceful experience.

Christmas Beauty Gift List

Posted on December 20, 2014 by Frostie

Christmas is here and decorations are up, it is a time for joy and happiness. To spread a little joy of your own we have put together a Christmas Beauty Gift List. If you haven’t finished your Christmas shopping yet then buy one of these beauties for your nearest and dearest.

Chanel No 5

This is a classic perfume which tends to be a huge hit whether as a present for someone else or yourself. Add it to your list or buy it for someone who has been very good indeed.

Available hereand from boots.com and debenhams.com

Nails Inc Nail Set

This Winter Wonderland Collection is gorgeous. A limited edition trio of full size, special effect polishes from Nails Inc. Very Christmassy and cool. Includes: Trafalgar Square – full coverage red glitter polish, St George’s Square – white and silver shimmer polish and Buckingham Square – rose gold glitter polish

Available hereand from Selfridges.com, johnlewis.com and debenhams.com

Benefit Cutie Cravings Christmas Gift Set

Benefit make amazing makeup, and this gift set is stunning. Full of classics.

Available from Selfridges.com, johnlewis.com and debenhams.com

Elizabeth Arden Lipstick Color Christmas Gift Set

Ultra-conditioning and hydrating, this glamorous lipstick set is gorgeous with a good selection of colours.

Available from Selfridges.com, johnlewis.com and debenhams.com

Clarisonic

Loved by beauty editors the world over, a good high-end present for one of the amazing women in your life. This limited edition Clarisonic Aria is cute but you can also get the normal one.

Available from harrods.com, johnlewis.com and debenhams.com

Playmobil Advent Calendar Santa’s Workshop Review | Christmas Gift Guide

Posted on November 15, 2014 by Frostie

Playmobil Advent Calendar Santa’s Workshop is a great gift for children. The play scene is built up and complete after 24 days. More permanent and healthier than chocolate, it provides a good amount of entertainment for any little ones in your life.

The Playmobil Santa’s Workshop Advent Calendar has 24 boxes for kids to excitedly count down to Christmas. As each box is opened it creates a wonderful scene, with Father Christmas and his elves helping to load the sleigh with toys, pulled by his trusty reindeer. The set also comes complete with a matching pairs card game for your little one to enjoy.

Suitable for ages 4-10 years.

Available from Boots.com, tesco.com and Amazon.co.uk

Quick Tips Before You Buy Any Beauty Product

Posted on November 4, 2014 by Frostie

Being a woman, you exactly know what type of product will suit your look. But when a new product arrives in the market or a product that has never been used by you, what should you do?

Here are some quick tips to help you buy the right product so that you don’t end up slathering your skin.

Check for the ingredients: If you are allergic to something, you know it better. Check for the ingredients and search online if there are any allergic reactions of the same. For example, if you have dry hair, benzoyl peroxide is not good for you. Benzoyl peroxide causes excessive dryness and should be avoided in that case. On the other hand, it is a great resort for acne. So, check for the ingredients and choose the product accordingly.
Similar products: If you are unable to get the detail of every ingredient, check out for similar products. It can be a life saver.
Online reviews: When a product is launched, people love to post a review about it. Good, bad and ugly; every review is posted. See what you make out of it. Is there someone who shares her story, and you connect with her review? Check what she notes for the noted product.
Importance of Undertones: If you know your skin’s undertones, you can shortlist colors accordingly. For cool undertones, neutral or pink-based foundation is the best. For warm undertones, yellow or peach based foundation will do the trick. So, know your skin tone and shortlist the colors accordingly.
Get the opinion of the stylist: A stylist knows what product will suit your skin. Taking their advice can help you buy the perfect product without harming your skin. So, if you are planning to book an appointment with a stylist, here is a nordstrom coupon code to cut down your costs significantly.
Ask your friends: Having a lot of friends, you are at an advantage. Ask them about the product and they will ask their sources. The chain will be big enough to get you a handful of reviews. This is one of the best sources to get a review about a beauty product.
Physical Stores: If you are visiting a beauty store, use the salesperson’s knowledge to make a better choice. Ask them about the difference between a product you have used and one you have not used. If you are visiting the store without makeup, you can test more products before buying them. Also, there are companies who are happy to send samples on request. So, don’t hesitate to ask them for it. Give it a try. You might walk back with a sample so that you can decide whether the product is worth buying or not.

Concluding, there are a number of beauty products that have never been to your makeup bag. If you are planning to buy them, here is a nordstrom coupon. With this coupon, you can buy more and pay for less.

Christmas Gift List For The Fashion Lover

Posted on November 1, 2014 by Frostie

We have a beautiful selection for the fashion lover in your life.

Clockwise from left:

Gorgeous Firetrap Tiger T-shirt is an excellent gift for a girlfriend or sister. It fits very well and the material is gorgeous, very soft and of high quality. http://store.firetrap.com

This gorgeous blue lace shirt from Closet is stunning. The high collar and sleeves make it look conservative but it is lacy and see-through so is also a little bit naughty. Very high quality and sits beautifully. From closetclothing.co.uk

An almost vintage-looking floral dress from Closet. Has pockets, looks beautiful on and is very high quality. The A-Line skirt is also flattering. Is designed and made in London so what more could you want? From closetclothing.co.uk

Perfect for a hint of pure glamour: this fiery red peplum top from Closet is flattering because of its flare but also sexy and has a V shaped back. This will be a much appreciated present. From closetclothing.co.uk

These Women’s Cotton Twill Shorts in Navy Red check From Jockey not only look great, but are also very comfy. They are well made. They have pockets which are very underrated in women’s clothing and if you are a very close couple you can even get a matching mens pair. Awesome. http://www.jockey.co.uk

Marie Meili – the newly stocked brand in houseoffraser.co.uk features prints and playful colours for women in a B – J cup. The sets are available in a variety of designs (balcony to t-shirt and soft cup to plunge), with a corresponding knicker or string. Christmas collections also include basques, so a more glamorous gifting feel. From £8 at houseoffraser.co.uk

Other clothes we loved from Closet

All available from http://www.closetclothing.co.uk

Rocket Dog is the ideal brand for footwear for any woman. With on trend boots for Christmas, the Rocket Dog collection makes luxury looking footwear affordable (from £34.99) All available from rocketdog.co.uk

What will you get?

Christmas Gift List For Mum

Posted on October 31, 2014 by Frostie

Mums, not many people are as deserving of a good present. They put up with us, gave birth to us and love us no matter what. Where would we be without our mothers? Here is our top picks for this very special lady.

Cornishware Mug

Cornishware do these beautiful mugs which can be personalised and come in bespoke stripy boxes which make marvellous presents or stocking fillers. Last day of personalisation for Cornishware is 13th December for Christmas delivery. All products are exclusively online from Cornishware www.cornishware.co.uk

Aromatherapy Associates Bath Jewels

These look beautiful and smell divine. Perfect for stressed-out mums. The packaging looks great and these oils really work. 100% natural blends. The trio of bath and shower oils include Deep Relax with vetivert and camomile to help achieve deep relaxation and a peaceful night’s sleep, De-Stress Mind with frankincense and rosemary to clear a hectic mind and focus the thoughts and Revive Morning to invigorate and awaken body and mind.

Available from feelunique.com, aromatherapyassociates.com and lookfantastic.com

Silver Orchid Silver Elephant Ring Holder

One of our editors favourite things EVER. This silver plated baby elephant is a great place to keep your rings as an elephant never forgets. Has strikingly beautiful blue diamante eyes. From orchid-designs.co.uk

Mitoq Power Antioxidant Rejuvenation

MitoQ Power Antioxidant Rejuvenation contains only 8 ingredients and is purportedly 1,000 times stronger than coenzyme Q10, MitoQ’s signature molecule is said to revive skin cells and prevent fine lines and wrinkles. We have been trying it and it really works. We love it.

From http://www.mitoq.com

Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Channel 4 TV presenter and food producer Jimmy Doherty, has teamed up with South Africa’s award winning wine, Nederburg, for their new campaign, sharing his passion for quality produce. He has tips for cooking with wine below so you can also cook for mum. Nederburg also share their wine tips.

Winemaster’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, £8.99
Aromas of blackcurrants and cherries with violets and nuances of vanilla oak spice in the background.

Cabernet Sauvignon is known for its depth of flavour and aroma. It’s excellent served with heart-warming roast lamb, coq au vin, red meat steak, venison, mature cheese and pizza and pasta dishes.

Nederburg’s top wine tips

Only chill white wine, like Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Chardonnay, before you plan to drink it as extended storage in the fridge will affect its taste and aroma.

The quickest way to chill a white wine is in iced water, which only takes 30 minutes versus 2 hours in the fridge.

Always give a bottle of quality red wine, like Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Shiraz, time to breathe. If you can’t wait, decant it into a glass jug first to give it chance to mix with the oxygen in the air to release the flavours.

The correct measure to pour for all wines is a third of the glass; this gives the wine room to swirl in the glass, allowing the flavours to develop.

When pairing wine with cheese, think balance – strong wine, strong cheese. The Nederburg Winemaster’s Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is great with cheeses like Cheddar or Gouda.

Jimmy’s tips on how to use wine in cooking

Cooking with wine can add depth and flavour so try these simple recipes for your dinner.

Red wine gravy

Ingredients:
6 onions, peeled and chopped
700ml red wine (Winemaster’s Reserve Cabernet
Sauvignon works well)
560ml hot water
2 beef stock cubes
Freshly ground black pepper

Method:
Place the chopped onions and red wine in a large saucepan
Bring to the boil and cook uncovered until reduced by two-thirds, around 20 minutes
Cooking it down in this way reduces the acidity and intensifies the flavour
Add the hot water to the reduced wine, add the stock cubes and stir well until thoroughly dissolved
Simmer, stirring for 3-4 minutes, until the gravy thickens
Season to taste

Salad dressing
Ingredients
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Dash of white wine (Winemaster’s Reserve
Sauvignon Blanc)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Method:
In a small bowl or jam jar, whisk the balsamic vinegar with the olive oil and white wine
Season with salt and pepper.

What will you get your mum?

Frost Magazine

Books and Lifestyle

Tag Archives: what to buy

Mother’s Day Gift Guide

Cuddledry Review | Parenting

Playmobil Advent Calendar Santa’s Workshop Review | Christmas Gift Guide

Quick Tips Before You Buy Any Beauty Product

Christmas Gift List For Mum

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