Charmies Magic Beader *Review*

Being very creative and just starting to enjoy fashion and styling, Minxy has a passion for creating jewellery and the Charmies Magic Beader from Flair has been a huge success.

Charmies Magic Beader allows you to design, create and wear bracelets, necklaces and key chains and it features a variety of cute beads - the gingerbread character being a favourite! The set includes a Magic Beader, 2 metres of clear string, 2 key chains, 23 large Charmies, 28 small Charmies, 8 Charmies end beads and instructions. Minxy had no issues creating pretty pieces for herself, family and friends to appreciate and she proudly showed off her masterpieces to virtually everyone.

To make the bracelets you rotate the star handle in several directions, place the selection of beads you wish to use on the beader, and the threader places the string through the beads so you can remove and put on your creation. The instructions are very informative with pictures and a step by step guide to make everything included. There are refill packs available too if you run out but it's easy to undo them and start again if you wish.

The set is aimed at children aged 6+ although I feel younger girls may enjoy this too but they would probably need help with using the beader. It is a simple way to create jewellery and Minxy has really enjoyed using it so far.

You can buy Charmies Magic Beader from Amazon.

My 1st JCB On Site Charlie Crane Playset *Review*

Jamster loves digging in the garden with his trucks and transporting mud and sand, but when it's too wet outside the On Site Charlie Crane Playset from the My 1st JCB range provides great role-play and construction fun.

With a talking crane featuring 7 phrases, grab claw and wrecking ball your little one can enjoy working at the building site from the safety of their own home. The set comes with 5 loose bricks, barrels, Joey the JCB and a crane operator figure.

The playset is easy to assemble, although there are some stickers that are a little fiddly to apply, and requires 2 AAA batteries (not supplied). The winding claw is operated manually with ease and it moves up and down to collect the barrels before lowering them into the chute for the JCB to collect. It is spring loaded to hold them in place and it can be swung around and used to knock over both barrels and walls built with the loose bricks - much to Jamster's amusement!

The set has an office area for the crane operator to hide away and a garage to the rear to store the JCB. There is also a turntable which is compatible with not only Joey but all of the vehicles from the range.

Suitable for children aged 2+ the set is lightweight yet quite robust. It is a good size and there are lots of different areas of interaction making this the ideal toy for several children to play with and share.

Jamster loves vehicle related toys so he found this set particularly pleasing and he likes to combine it with other cars and lorries that he already owns. I feel that it is reasonably priced for what is included.

You can purchase this set from Amazon.

*We received the playset for the purpose of this review. The opinions given are honest and our own*

A weekend in Blackpool - Merlin

Blackpool is the first place the Mr and I went away to as a couple so it was nice to return there last weekend with the Mini Mes in tow and Merlin passes in hand.

The Big Ticket give you access to 7 top attractions that will keep you and your family busy for several days or a rather fun-packed weekend. The ticket includes the Blackpool Tower Eye, Circus, Dungeon, Ballroom and Jungle Jim's plus the Sea Life centre and Madame Tussauds which are all within walking distance along the sea front.

The Blackpool Tower Circus

Situated within the Blackpool Tower, the Circus is great for all of the family. We arrived early as seats are not allocated and we ended up on the front row with a fantastic view of all the action. There are snacks available at reasonable prices and clown face painting before the show and during the interval at £1.50 -  great value.

The show itself is very entertaining with varied acts including dancing, juggling, plate spinning, acrobatics and more. There are opportunities for audience participation with singing and booing the bad guys which the children particularly enjoyed!

We saw the Christmas show, Alice’s Adventures in Mooky’s Circus Wonderland, which runs until 20th January 2013. Featuring favourite characters from the story including the Mad Hater and The White Rabbit you can watch as the different performances try to impress The Queen of Hearts. The show is in two halves of around 45 minutes and we all really enjoyed it. The Mini Mes giggled along at the silly clown and they loved the daring skills of the rabbits.

You can see some action of the circus shows here:

Madame Tussauds

With several floors of wax figures that have taken over 800 hours of  moulding, measuring, painting and sculpting to create each one, you will feel as though you are with the real celebrities themselves - they are so life-like! Whether you are a movie lover or sports fan there is something for everyone with 7 categories of people to view including pop stars and comedians. You can have your photo taken with your family on a huge deck chair and at a police station with your chance to purchase the pictures at the end of your visit. There are some interactive parts to enjoy including the Who Wants to be a MiIlionaire game, ball throwing, golf and a mirror maze to work through.

We were the first to arrive Sunday morning and it was lovely and quiet to have a leisurely stroll around without queuing. We were there for around 90 minutes although we could of stayed longer and the gift shop has a great variety of products for the perfect souvenir on the way out.

Sea Life

We are big lovers of fish having a large tropical aquarium of our own and the Sea Life centre is an educational yet fun attraction to visit. With the huge tanks of colourful fish and plenty of information boards, the Mini Mes (and I) learnt quite a lot about different species, eating habits and living conditions that they didn't previously know. The trail and interactive wall displays allow little ones to explore and discuss what they see and there are several different areas to view. There is a section where you can pop your hands in the water to handle shrimp and star fish too which was really enjoyable.

The layout is well planned to allow lots of space to view the sea life without having to wait your turn and it is easy for small children or those in prams or wheelchairs to see too. There is a soft play area and cafe including several vending machines serving food, drinks and ice cream if you need to stop off for a break.

Blackpool Tower Ballroom

Situated on the first floor of the Blackpool Tower, the ballroom is stunning in appearance and a lovely location for a bite to eat and a dance with your partner. There is plenty of seating and combined with the music it provides a relaxing environment and a break for all the family.

Due to the high winds we were unable to access the Tower Eye so we decided to save the passes and visit again early in the new year to go to the Dungeons and Jungle Jim's also for a day trip. I really like Blackpool as a seaside break within the UK and I would highly recommend the Merlin passes while there to make the most of your holiday. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit and look forward to returning - Winter is the perfect time to go as despite being out of season all of the attractions are quieter and indoors so out of the cold.

We stayed at the Number One South Beach Hotel which provides 5 star luxury to both couples and families. Each guest room has it's own style to match your taste and mood and we were made to feel very welcome with friendly and helpful staff on hand. We stayed in the Drama room which was wonderful with a separate sleeping area for the children, whirlpool bath and plasma TV. The breakfast was delicious too!

*We received Merlin passes and a hotel stay for the purpose of this review*

What’s in a rose?

Roses have long been seen as the perfect gift to tell a loved one that you care.

Red roses symbolise romantic or passionate love, pink implies deep friendship and white says your love is pure. If you’re searching for womens gift ideas from Interflora to treat the special lady in your life then roses are exactly what you need.

Interflora are proud stockists of the brand new Vera Wang Floral Collection. A follow-up to the Wedding Collection, this selection of nine tasteful bouquets lets you show your love and devotion at any time of year.

The Vera Wang Pink Perfection arrangement is bursting with top-quality Heidi pink roses and makes the perfect anniversary gift. Let your partner know that they are not just your lover but also your best friend with this stunning bouquet. The premium roses are off-set with white limonium and salal to add colour and depth to the arrangement, and the whole thing will arrive beautifully presented in an exclusive Vera Wang gift box.

The Enchanting Innocence display features elegant, understated premium roses in creamy white, golden yellow and warm apricot. This gorgeous bouquet will brighten up any room in a tasteful manner and show your loved one exactly how much they mean to you.

There are a further seven arrangements in the collection, each more gorgeous than the last.

In true Vera Wang style, only the very best blooms are chosen and the taste, style and elegance that go into every dress she makes are also apparent here. The monogrammed gift boxes make a treasured keepsake long after the flowers have lived their lives.

Wang’s designs are famous for being the best around, with attention to detail, intricate designs and exquisite depth. Her haute couture clothing has long attracted the elite of both Hollywood and Manhattan high society.

A Vera Wang bouquet lets your loved one know that you think of them as being of the very highest class.

This post has been brought to you as an Interflora reminder

Christmas Crafts

A family Christmas is something we all aspire too. Beautifully decorated tree, the smell of mulled wine mingling with a turkey roasting in the oven, happy children playing with new toys and tuneful carol singers outside in gently falling snow. The reality can be somewhat different as winter weather is often of the wet and windy variety confining children to the house, which then leads to boredom, even with the new toys that Santa has brought for them

The run up to Christmas can be just as bad, as excitement reaches fever pitch, the bank balance is running on empty and the chance of peace and quiet is about as achievable as having botox in Edinburgh! It’s time to get the kids busy and creative leaving Mum the chance to at least have a short pampering session for the festive season parties.

Card and Present Making

Homemade cards can be very special to grandparents who will treasure them for years, so invest in some thin card, glitter and paint and let the kids express their creativity at the kitchen table. Printing off some photos of the children at the computer can give them hours of fun as they ‘photo-shop’ their own photos, drawing Christmas hats and festive decorations onto the cards and whilst this can be a messy exercise it will certainly occupy little fingers.

Speaking of little fingers, a lovely present idea is having a child’s handprint painted and varnished onto a decorative plate at one of the many pottery and craft workshops in the UK. It will serve as a special memento for years to come. Older children may enjoy decorating their own china Christmas decorations that can be proudly displayed on the family tree for years to come.

Natures Decorations

Taking the kids outdoors for a nature walk can be made more interesting by searching for holly, ivy and berries to make wonderful natural looking decorations. Of course, berry picking comes with strict instructions not to try eating them!! Older kids can try making wreaths to hang on the front door, by using garden wire and a little help from Dad, or utilise wire coat hangers to make decorations similar to the ones we adults used to make along with the cast of ‘Blue Peter.’

Advent Calendars

These can occupy children for hours as they ponder over pictures to put behind the windows. The older children will enjoy going through magazines for suitable pictures whilst the little ones love gluing them on to the background card. A joint effort in creating the large outer picture will keep them all amused.  A little adult help may be required to cut out the windows successfully. Perhaps Dad can be enlisted whilst Mum has a well-earned soak in a luxurious bath!

Christmas is definitely a time for children, so to avoid squabbles upsetting the festive spirit, stock up beforehand on craft supplies to ensure home life remains harmonious. And a good tip for after-Christmas activities is to get in some plain card and envelopes and have the children decorate their own notelets for those all-important thank you letters.

*This is a sponsored post*

Christmas Gift Giveaway (final) - Guylian

Christmas wouldn't be the same without some naughty nibbles and a few tipples here and there. 

With Guylian's new online shop, purchasing chocolate gifts and treats has never been easier!

The Guylian Luxury Belgian Collection is the perfect way to indulge this year and with 64 finest chocolates in each box you may even wish to share some with your family and friends. There is a variety of Milk, white and dark marbled chocolate seahorse, milk chocolate truffles and 8 assorted flavoured Belgian chocolates to enjoy, all presented beautifully in a gift box. We received some to try in the post and we were very pleased on the taste and quality of the products. They arrived well packaged to prevent damage in transit and have a luxurious, creamy texture.

You can purchase your chocolates online here: http://www.guylianshop.co.uk

There is free delivery on orders over £20 so you can stock up for the festive period and any upcoming birthdays and celebrations too!

*** WIN ***

Guylian have kindly provided a Luxury Belgian Collection to giveaway!

You can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below before 20th December 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Lush

Beautifully scented gift sets are always a delight to receive and Lush offer a wide selection all the family will love this Christmas.

The Quality Treat tin contains a variety of sweet smelling lip, shower and bath goodies to enjoy and is worth £31.95!

We have one up for grabs!

*** WIN ***

For your chance to win this lovely set you can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes 20th December 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can purchase your Lush Christmas gifts here: https://www.lush.co.uk/christmas

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Korres

Korres is a Greek skincare brand that provides a natural and organic range of products and they have some lovely gift sets available for Christmas. 

The Shower Gel Trio Gift Set contains Basil Lemon, Guava and Fig shower gels for a refreshing clean and with 90% Natural ingredients and Dermatologically tested (no animal testing) you can feel guilt free using it!

The Party Survival Kit contains all the essentials for the morning after the night before; Wild Rose 24 Hour Moisturiser, Evening Primrose Eye Cream, Guava Body butter, Guava Shower Gel, Milk Proteins Cleanser and Lemon Chewing Gums. Packaged beautifully in a gift box it would be the perfect gift for those who like to celebrate the festivities in style.

*** WIN ***

We have a Party Survival Kit and Shower Gel Trio to giveaway!

You can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below before 20th December 2012.

Good luck!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Both of these gift sets are available to purchase here: www.OliverBonas.com

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Leather Messenger Bag

It can be a bit of a challenge to select the perfect gift for your partner, relations and friends at times but Ask Her Friends is here to help.

They crowd-source quality products by asking women what they really want and then provide you with a selection of beautiful gift solutions to choose from. You are then able to ask the recipients friends for their opinion to ensure the item you are purchasing is just right!

One stores products that they advertise is Flights of Nancy and we have been provided with a 

Medium Blue Leather Messenger Bag with Batik Lining to give away -  worth £60!

The hand made and dyed bag features an adjustable strap, a magnetic button closure, an internal zip pocket and it is the perfect size for your iPad! It's also ethically sourced like all of their products.

*** WIN ***

For your chance to win this beautiful bag you can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes on 20th December 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Pillow Pet - review

Pillow Pets are soft animals that pop open into pillows making the ideal accessory for at home, sleepovers and trips. Minxy loves Ladybirds so when we were offered the chance to review one Ms Ladybug it was with no questions asked!

Pillow Pets are incredibly soft and comfortable to lay on. Regardless of the mud and mess they may get into on their adventures with little ones, they are machine washable and easy to clean up; just what us parents like to hear! Minxy likes to snuggle up with hers while watching a movie or reading rather than dragging all her bedding downstairs and in the car for added comfort while travelling.

There is a strong Velcro fastening to the side of the Pillow Pet to transform the pillow into pet mode. This Velcro also has a cover so when it is open as a pillow it won't get caught on hair or scratch skin - a great idea.

In a variety of styles including animals and dinosaurs there is something to suit every child's taste. I think Jamster is now after Scooby Doo for himself and both of the Mini Mes are keen to try the new hats and blanket range which are idea for the winter and keeping warm on the go.

Priced at £14.99 for a standard size Pillow Pet and £31.49 for Jumboz (huge version) they are reasonably priced and a nice alternative to a bear or doll at bed time. I imagine they would also be ideal for toddlers that find it hard to settle to sleep as they make bed time seem more fun and it provides some company for them to whisper away to until they get tired.

The multi-function product has free delivery too which is an added bonus - you can purchase yours here: http://www.pillowpets.co.uk/

You can watch the Pillow Pets advert here:

*We received a Pillow Pet for the purpose of this review. The opinions given are honest and our own.*

Christmas Gift Giveaway - The Visionary Soap Company

Visionary Soap is the UK’s leading fair trade body care company whose whole range carries the FAIRTRADE Mark. Their company has been entirely dedicated to fair trade and their products consist of an organic body care range handcrafted in the UK using ingredients from producers in Palestine, India, Ghana, Nicaragua, The Dominican Republic, Sri Lanka, Pakistan and South Africa.

Their Mini Soap Gift Box consists of 8 hand cut and wrapped soaps presented beautifully in a purple box.

The set includes fragrances of lavender, cinnamon orange glove and lemongrass.

We have one to giveaway!

*** WIN ***

The Visionary Soap Company has provided a gift box to giveaway and you can enter to win using the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes 20th December 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Piccolo Bambino

If you are expecting a little bundle of joy or have a new arrival you won't want them to be forgotten this Christmas. Piccolo Bambino have a beautiful variety of products that are ideal gifts for babies and children!

The Borderline Mouse is a stunning comforter for babies with a plush front and sueded back. It's soft and gentle for delicate skin to play with and snuggle up to.

Suitable from birth the comforter features contrasting textures to stimulate your child's senses.

We have one to giveaway!

*** WIN ***

Piccolo Bambino have kindly provided a beautiful comforter to giveaway.

You can enter to win using the Rafflecopter entry form below before 20th December 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Party Pieces - review and giveaway

You may already have the stockings hung from the chimney with care but have you thought about how the bigger items will be arranged? With only 14 sleeps to go until Christmas now is the time to think about presents and Party pieces have a lovely selection of Christmas products.

 Party Piece's Santa Sacks are perfect to store everything in.

At only £4.99 these large felt sacks are a great way to organise the home for a chaos free Christmas morning. The motif of Santa is perfect for the festive season and the kids eyes will no doubt light up when they see what gifts have been delivered this year.

The drawstring top helps to keep parcels tidy and they are easy to open for children. These will be a lovely way to keep your home tidy and to transport gifts upstairs to put away once all the unwrapping has ended too.

The sack is 30" by 19" so there is plenty of room to store a variety of items and you will be able to use them year after year. Now all you need to do is decide what you will be buying everyone!

*** WIN ***

Party Pieces have kindly provided a Santa Sack to giveaway!

You can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below below 19th December 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

*We received a Santa Sack for the purpose of this review. The opinions given are honest and our own*

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Simply Fancy Dress

Whether you want to be the belle of the ball or let the little ones have fun dressing up as their favourite characters and superheros, Simply Fancy Dress have something to meet every taste and budget.

The Gruffalo is a well loved story in our home and we were thrilled to received the costume to match - Jamster rushed to put it on straight away and got in to the role! Made from Polyester it's comfortable to wear and easy to clean, you can just pop it in the washing machine with the rest of your laundry.

We received age 3-5 and this fit Jamster (aged 6) just right so there is plenty of room for growth and years of fun to be had. You can pass it onto siblings too as it's a tale that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

It's superb quality and it has all of the Gruffalo features mentioned in the story...

" He has terrible tusks, and terrible claws, And terrible teeth in his terrible jaws."

"He has knobbly knees and turned-out toes, And a poisonous wart at the end of his nose"

"His eyes are orange, his tongue is black; He has purple prickles all over his back"

There is a Velcro opening at the front so children will be able to dress themselves with ease and elasticated straps to the feet and hands for a better fit. Jamster had no issues getting in and out unaided. The costume is very durable and as well as fun at home it would be great to celebrate World Book Day in March! - There is free delivery included too.

*** WIN ***

Simply Fancy Dress have kindly provided a costume in age 3-5 years worth £23.99 to giveaway!

You can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below before 20th December 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can find this costume and more kids fancy dress on their website: 

http://www.simplyfancydress.co.uk

*We received a Gruffalo costume for the purpose of this review. The opinions given are honest and our own*

Christmas Gift Giveaway - WOW Toys

With the Mr being a HGV Technician Jamster has a love for everything vehicle related, especially trucks, so the Tow Truck Tim and Rolling Ray from WOW Toys was the perfect parcel to arrive in the post!

Included in the set is:

1x Motorised truck called Tim
1x Detachable trailer with car winch
1x Car called Ray
1x Girl mechanic figure called Meena
1x Boy driver figure called Ben

The magnetic winch connects to the car and pulls it onto the truck with ease - by holding a green button on the trailer. The winch connects to all of the other cars from WOW toys which is great for those with a collection of their products for your child's rescue missions. To release the car you can pop down the click opening tailgate and press the red button and watch as Ray rolls back down ready for action.

The figures are chunky which is perfect for little hands to grip and it's nice to see the mechanic is female and the driver male for a bit of role reversal.

No batteries are required which is always a bonus and the Friction-powered motor on the truck allows it to drive along by itself while the car has moving wheels for push-along fun.

The windscreens on both the car and truck open to allow access for the figures and with realistic engine sounds it helps to stimulate your child's senses and develop motor skills. The toy also helps to develop discovery and leaning skills, social interaction and encourage role play and exploration. Although its suggested as suitable for children aged 18 months - 5 years Jamster is 6 and loves playing with it! It is brightly coloured and has 13 functions to keep your little one occupied for hours.

*** WIN ***

WOW Toys have kindly provided a Tow Truck Tim and Rolling Ray to giveaway!

You can enter via the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes on 20th December 2012

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

You can purchase your own WOW Toys here: WOW Toys from Amazon

*We received a product from WOW Toys for the purpose of this review. The opinions given are honest and our own*

Christmas Gift Giveaway - Baumatic

Let the bubbly and wine flow with ease this Christmas with an electric bottle opener from Baumatic.

The Baumatic BWO3BL Handheld Electronic Corkscrew can open up to 30 bottles

before it needs to be recharged. Ideal for use on traditional as well as

synthetic corks, the model also comes with an LED light to indicate when it

is successfully charging.

We have 2 to giveaway!

*** WIN ***

You can enter to win 1 of 2 electric bottle openers using the Rafflecopter entry form below.

The giveaway closes on 20th December 2012.

Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

For more great comps and giveaways, please
check out Baumatic.uk