Spring Planting with Lechuza

Springtime is coming (at least we hope it is given the recent wintry weather!) and I'm looking forward to seeing lots of colourful blooms to brighten up my days. To celebrate the changing season, Lechuza have sent me two of their self-irrigating planters. The Mini Deltini Table Planter, which features a really cute owl design (Lechuza is actually Spanish for owl!) and the Cube Colour 14 in Lime Green.

The owl designed Mini Deltini table planter has the inner lining, irrigation system, water level indicator and substrate, and is ready for planting up. I thought my mum would love this cute, little pot and that it was the perfect Mother's Day gift for her. So I bought a small blue hyacinth to plant in it to complete her present.

The illustrated instructions are clear and the water level indicator is easy to assemble. The sub-irrigation system draws water from the base of the planter up into the liner, keeping the optimum supply of water for the plant's needs. This 'self-watering' system is plant controlled making growing beautiful indoor plants relatively foolproof!

The plant is put directly into the special substrate and the end result looks lovely. The inner liner makes the job cleaner and easier. Once watered, the water level indicator goes to maximum and the plant is then relatively self-sufficient. The reservoir needs refilling once the indicator drops down.

The high gloss finish gives a ceramic look to the recyclable, lightweight plastic planter. It is a lovely gift idea for any occasion and also a great way to get kids interested in plants. It would look lovely in a children's bedroom and because of the self-watering system, the plant won't dry out.

The Mini Deltini Table Planter comes in a range of colours to suit any decor and is suitable for planting small plants.

The Cube Colour 14 All in One Planter is perfect for windowsills. It comes complete with its own liner,  wick irrigation system and water level indicator. It's unique design and watering system allows you to place a ready planted round grow pot directly into the liner, no repotting required,  making it ideal for shop bought herb plants in pots with a 10 -12cm diameter.

The wick irrigation system pushes into the base of the grow pot and draws water up into the plant from the planter reservoir. This results in the plant flourishing, receiving the exact amount of water it needs to grow.

The Cube Planter is such a quick and practical way to have an indoor herb garden on your kitchen windowsill. The low maintenance care means it is easy to grow herb plants for culinary use. The live plants bought in supermarkets have their life extended making this a great value way to enjoy fresh ingredients for longer. I love this idea and as soon as I get to a big supermarket that sells potted herbs, I intend to start my own indoor cottage kitchen! In the meantime I've popped in a pot of flowering plants using the wick irrigation system. It is so simple but so clever.

I love the lime green colour and woven textured effect finish, which matches my kitchen perfectly, but it comes in a range of other colours to suit all decors. At £9.99 it is a great value planter that will allow you to have beautiful fresh garden herbs straight from the plant with minimum effort (or it will sport an attractive indoor flowering pot plant!)

You can find the Mini Deltini and Cube planters along with the rest of the Lechuza range of self-watering planters at the Lechuza website at http://bit.ly/Lechuza_.

Red Riding Hood Purse from Totally Funky

I am currently immersing myself in the excellent series Once Upon A Time on Netflix and loving every minute of it!  It is a great story involving all the favourite fairytale characters from the stories of our childhoods, who have been cursed and sent into the 21st century with no memory of their true pasts or identities. It is pure escapism and dark fantasy at its very best. 

With my new found love of fairytales, I was delighted to receive a brilliant delivery from Totally Funky, the online gift store selling cute, quirky and unique gifts that are bound to make you smile. 

I received a Red Riding Hood wallet from the Once Upon A Time range of bags (no relation to my new favourite TV show however!), featuring characters from the story of Little Red Riding Hood.

The design features simple, doodle style drawings of the characters from the story, Granny, Red Riding Hood, the Huntsman and the Big Bad Wolf. I love the simplicity and how effective the design is at conveying the story. There are some lovely details including use of phrases from the story, Granny and Red zip attachments and the Once Upon A Time tag. The 'What big teeth you have - all the better to eat you with!' motto, adds a little element of darkness, a nod to the sinister edge of the original fairytale that has inspired the design.

The wallet has a zip fastening, opening up to reveal two compartments, each with several slots for cards and notes, with a zipped compartment for coins in the centre and a popper down flap covering a handy front pocket, all with an illustrated fairytale lining. 

The purse is 20 cm long, making it spacious and a good size for everyday use. It is just so pretty and really unique. I love it. There is a matching handbag as well, which is equally cute and quirky with added bows, tags and patches. The Once Upon A Time range also includes Snow White, Hansel and Gretel and The Gingerbread Man bags, each made with the same delightful attention to detail. 

The purse is made from PVC with a cotton lining and costs £21.99.

You can find this gorgeous purse, the other Once Upon A Time products, along with a great selection of other cool items and great gift ideas from www.totally-funky.co.uk.

Ozeri Curva Glasses

We have been asked to review a very funky set of glasses.  Made of durable, heat resistant, shatter-resistant, mouth-blown glass of the finest quality, the CURVA is the latest addition to the Ozeri Artisan Series of award-winning handcrafted drinkware.  The double-walled design provides excellent insulation keeping drinks at their ideal temperature. Hot drinks stay hot and chilled drinks stay cool and free from condensation.  

The glasses come boxed up in sturdy packaging that keeps them safe in transit.  The four 8oz glass set is really attractive, with four unique inner curved patterns. The double wall design gives a brilliant effect, making drinks look as if they are suspended within the glass.  It is quite a talking point when guests are given their drink in one.  They really are quite unique.

CURVA is great for coffee, cappuccinos, hot or iced teas, cocktails, frozen drinks and much more. Drinks look so pretty!

The glasses are really nice to hold and even with the hottest drink inside, they stay cool to touch.  I use mine with my Tassimo and they are perfect for a small black coffee or a cream topped hot chocolate. They feel very elegant to drink from and make an ordinary drink seem quite special.

The CURVA glasses would make a perfect gift and will be especially nice to use at Christmas filled with mulled wine decorated with an orange slice.


The four pack of glasses cost £24.95 on Amazon.

Until We Hug Again! Hallmark's Recordable Teddy Bear.

I am delighted to be part of the Hallmark Blogger Panel as this means I get to review some of their lovely new products like the gorgeous Until We Hug Again recordable bear.  The cute and cuddly 11" tall teddy is made with his own unique patchwork patches making him a one of a kind bear.  His friendly expression and super soft fur make him so huggable.  He has a soft blue nose and a big blue heart on his tummy.  But the best thing about this toy is that you can record a message using Voice Save technology, that will be replayed with every hug.  So even when you can't be with a loved one, they can hear your voice every time they cuddle their bear.

You can record a 30 second message that can be saved and preserved, which is ideal for someone that you don't see very often, so that they can get to hear your voice everyday. Getting grandparents to make a recording for the grandkids is a lovely way to make them a part of the child's day no matter where they are.  If a parent is away on business, recording a personal message for a little one would help them cope with being apart.  If a child is missing mum or dad, a quick hug of the teddy bear will let them hear their parent's voice.  It is a very comforting idea, letting loved ones feel connected and together at all times.

It is also fun to make funny recordings that the bear will play back, just for your own entertainment!  Who wouldn't want their bear to sing a silly song back to you in your own voice! You can record over the last message as often as you like, unless the recording is "locked" which saves it and stops it being recorded over.

Birthday messages,  special announcements or even proposals could be done via an Until We Hug Again bear. You could record any message prior to giving the bear to a loved one, making this a really personal and special gift!

Until We Hug Again Bear comes complete with 3 AA batteries so it is ready to go!  It is a really fun twist on a soft toy, adding a re-recordable, personalised message that is played whenever you give the bear a hug!

It is currently on sale at Hallmark priced at £12.99.  Find it here on Hallmark.co.uk.

Father's Day Gift Ideas for the Man In Your Life

This year, June the 16th is Father's Day.  A day where we are encouraged to celebrate the men in our lives.  Now, although in our household we are always letting Ian know how much we love and appreciate him, we still enjoy the excuse to celebrate with the masses and enjoy spoiling him that little bit extra on Father's Day.  Plus it's a good reason to indulge in some cake - how about a deliciously grown-up and indulgent Chocolate and Whisky Layer Cake - and buy some fun pressies that Ian will love.

Here is a round up of some present ideas that will be perfect for dads on Father's Day whatever their taste and whatever your budget.

If you want to treat your dad this Father's Day without spending too much money, you can show you care by giving a gift that costs just £1 at Poundland.  From snazzy gift bags and cards to presents that will make dad's day, Poundland has it covered.  An official Family Guy beer glass or insulated bottle jacket make a great gift (especially if given along with a bottle of dad's favourite beer!)  Or how about a Grow Your Own Football Pitch or a wooden cube puzzle for a good novelty present?  Cuddly toys are always a much loved gift idea and Poundland always has a great selection!  All these things and more can be purchased in store at a Poundland near you, for the budget-busting price of just £1 each!  Find out more at www.poundland.co.uk/top-tips/fathers-day/

If you have a bigger budget you could treat your dad to an experience day he will never forget. There are a great range of exciting experiences available online to suit any dad.  From a short break to beer tasting to a tour of a football stadium to a bungee jump, there is a whole host of things to pick from.  My favourite experience on the Buyagift website, and the thing that Ian would love the most is the Zombie Experience at an Abandoned Manor House in Manchester.  This adrenaline pumping zombie survival experience for two, lets you live and breathe the horror of a zombie apocolypse.  How awesome would that be!  Perfect for the horror film loving dad.  It costs £214 for two for a 3 hour experience and comes with excellent reviews from satisfied customers. One day we will do this together!

If films are more your thing, the brilliant film Wreck it Ralph has just been released.  We adore this latest Disney feel good offering and it would make the ideal movie for a Father's Day family film afternoon served with popcorn and nachos!  If your dad is more like my Ian, then Texas Chainsaw is out now on DVD, Blu-Ray and 3D.  It's a real gore-fest for fans of the franchise, seeing the return of Leather Face and his trusty power tool.

If your dad likes a little tipple, how about a bottle of Single Malt Scotch Whisky.  Morrison's currrently have 70cl bottles of Glenfiddich whisky down from £33.99 to just £20!  Small bottles are just £10.

If your dad has a sweet tooth, there is a range of Guiness confectionery that he might enjoy including truffles and little chocolate pints for just £2.99, available at Morrison's.  There are lots of other choccie treats too, marketed especially for Father's Day.

Whatever you decide to do for your dad this Father's Day, I hope you all enjoy celebrating the men in your life!

Lexon Flip Alarm Clock

The good people at Gifts With Style, online sellers of luxurious designer, corporate and high quality gifts, have sent us a fabulous  Lexon Flip Clock  to try out.  This innovative product, which has won the Red Dot Design Award Best of the Best 2013, is ingenious and quirky and would make a great present for anyone who appreciates brilliantly designed gadgets.

The LCD alarm clock has a colourful, rubberised casing and looks very modern and funky.  My tweenager Kizzy has been after an alarm clock for ages to help her get out of bed on schooldays.  However, with the prospect of fiddly buttons to contend with when half asleep, I had visions of her waking up half the neighbourhood with incessantly beeping alarms that she couldn't control.  The Lexon Flip Clock is the perfect solution to complicated alarm systems.  When the top of the alarm clock says ON the alarm is set.  The time for the alarm to go off is displayed in the bottom right hand corner.

When the alarm sounds, simply flip the whole clock over to switch it off.  The word OFF is now on top.  It's that simple!  The LCD display also flips so it always displays the time correctly.  It is brilliant!

The clock also has a snooze button and a light touch sensor that works both ways.  Both the clock time and the alarm are easy to set using the +/- buttons on the back of the clock and it comes complete with batteries.

The Lexon Flip Clock costs £29 and is available in ten vibrant colours.  The delivery was very speedy and the package arrived well packaged.

You can browse for a whole host of contemporary gift ideas at www.giftswithstyle.co.uk.  It's an excellent site to search for modern, stylish, functional and unique gifts that will be much appreciated!  They also have a great range of corporate gifts to suit all budgets.

They are the sole UK distributor for Lexon Design, who are a French product design company that produces design focused, user friendly objects for everyday living, such as our fab Flip Clock!

Serafino Artisan Glasses from Ozeri

I was recently sent a pair of Serafino Artisan Glasses from Ozeri to try out.  Now, I love enjoying a home made Tassimo Mocha in the evening, and using a fancy glass makes it feel so much more special!  The 12 oz glasses are double walled which keeps the drink hot and your hands cool.  The design is lovely and the curved shape makes the glasses really nice to hold and drink from.  My Serafino Artisan Glass is now my Mocha cup of choice and I really love it.  

Product Specifications

•Serafino ArtisanTM Series 12 oz Double Wall Glasses – (Available in 2-pack boxes).
•Made of durable, heat resistant, mouth-blown borosilicate glass of the finest quality.
•Designed to keep hands cool even with the hottest drinks, and free of condensation with chilled beverages.
•Patent-pending double wall design suspends drinks within an inner wall, creating an engaging optical effect.
•Innovative designs are great for coffee, cappuccinos, hot or iced teas, cocktails and much more.
•Each glass features a wraparound contour that provides a natural aesthetic grip.
•Microwave and freezer safe

The Serafino Artisan Glasses are available from Amazon, currently for sale for £18.95 + p&p
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ozeri-Serafino-Double-Beverage-Glasses/dp/B0069VC3AE

They would make a great gift for a special occasion and come well packaged in a box.

Lottie Doll Review

A Doll To Rival Market Leaders

If you are not happy with the fashion dolls on the market with their ridiculously unrealistic body measurements and scanty clothes which can give a negative body image to girls, then the new Lottie doll from Arklu will be a great alternative to buy for your little girls.  With proportions based on the body measurements of an average nine year old girl, and age appropriate clothing, Lottie is set to rival brands such as Bratz and Barbie.  Her motto is "Be bold, be brave, be you!" giving young girls the courage to simply be themselves and enjoy their childhood.

Kizzy was sent a Lottie doll to review and in this video she gives her opinion.


             


Lottie has already won awards and stands to revolutionize the doll market.  The London based company hopes that this doll developed in conjunction with leading academics, will address the issues relating to body image and sexualisation which are criticisms levelled at the brand leaders.  Lottie will be a better role model for our daughters!

There are six different quintessentially British Lottie dolls and three accessory packs available for little girls aged 3-8.  They are cute, quirky, young and ready for adventure...just like a little girl should be!

Find out more at www.lottie.com

Hallmark Recordable Artwork

Create a Masterpiece They’ll Never Forget

Hallmark, the card and gift specialist, has launched an innovative and interactive children’s recordable art activity set that captures your  little one’s first pictures and the story behind the art in their very own words.

Recordable Artwork is the ultimate keepsake gift which allows children to combine their painted masterpieces with personal recorded messages.  It’s unique, interactive and is sure to put a smile on the face of mums, dads, grandparents, aunties and uncles for many years to come.

Comprising of a framed blank canvas board, a set of six rainbow coloured paints and a paintbrush, the Recordable Artwork kit has everything youngsters will need to create a spectacular work of art.  But much than that, the set also features a unique recordable panel that uses innovative voice capture technology to allow heartfelt messages to be recorded to accompany the design, forever encapsulating the cherished moments of childhood.

The brand new innovation provides an irreplaceable opportunity to see and hear the world through your children’s eyes even when they’re all grown up. It also offers a fantastic way to spend quality time with your little artists while they create a truly priceless painting, while the recorded message enables you to enjoy the magical everyday moments you simply don’t want to forget.

We were sent one to try out and with daddy's birthday fast approaching, we decided to make a unique present for him from Freddy!

The canvas is a really good quality and the  paints are nice and go on well.  Freddy painted a gorgeous rainbow using all the colours.

Once dried, it slips into the frame which has the recordable technology built in.  A 40 second audio can be recorded and replayed at the touch of a button, making this a unique and precious keepsake and a wonderful gift for a loved one!  

Victoria Greenfield, Innovation Manager at Hallmark, said: “Children grow up so quickly and so our brand new Recordable Artwork is a fun and innovative way to both enjoy and preserve those special times in a child’s life.  It makes a great keepsake gift for loved ones close to a child to cherish and it’s sure to be a big hit.”

“At Hallmark, we’re constantly looking for new and exciting ways to keep memories alive and bring families closer and Recordable Artwork is perfect for just that.  By combining such an expressive and important pastime with the latest technology we can give our customers a completely new way to remember those magical moments.”

Priced at £12.99 Recordable Artwork is available  in Hallmark stores and at www.Hallmark.co.uk

The Cost of Love

Albelli have been learning all about our romantic habits with their Valentine's Survey!  We may like to think we are a nation of romantics but some of the facts dispute this claim.  For example did you know 40% of people don't give their partners a present at all!  For those that do, the average spend is £22, with three times as many men than women spending over £40!

Women prefer sentimental gifts such as a personalised photo book.  Featuring photos of favourite places, snaps of you both when you were younger and pictures taken throughout your relationship, a photo book is the ultimate romantic gesture.

Albelli have come up with some present inspiration for Valentine's Day gift ideas to help you come up with the perfect present for your loved one.  From canvases to acrylics, calendars to photo books, there is something for everyone, allowing you to create thoughtful and unique gifts.

Check out the fun and interesting facts on this graphic about "The Cost of Love" and see what categories you fall into!

Created by:

Albelli photo books

I have been sent a code to make my own photo book from Albelli and I'll be making one for Ian's Valentine's Day present.  Who says romance is not alive and well!!

Babyblooms Bouquets

The arrival of a new baby often heralds the arrival of many bouquets of flowers from well wishers.  Lovely though they are, perhaps a more practical alternative for a new mum would be a beautiful baby clothes bouquet from Babyblooms.  Just as pretty as a bunch of flowers, the  Babyblooms bouquets have a truly unique and unusual twist.

The buds are made from hand rolled  items of baby clothing such as bibs, socks, bodysuits and hats.  These are then hand tied with delicate silk flowers and foliage to create a beautiful and practical gift, that will last long after real flowers have wilted!

The clothing is suitable for babies 0-4 months old and is available in pink, blue or natural.  The specially designed  baby garments are made of 100% supersoft or organic cotton and embroidered with the Babyblooms logo.  They are machine washable.  However if you can't bear to dismantle the bouquet to actually use the baby clothes, you can keep forever it as a lasting keepsake.

The Babyblooms Bouquet arrives in a stylish presentation box along with a personalised gift card.  The box fits securely into the delivery box and can be lifted out easily with the enclosed ribbon. The stunning bouquet will not fail to impress! Details of what items have been used are included on the box.

Sturdy Packaging

Details of your Babyblooms Bouquet contents on the inner box.

I received a gorgeous Natural Cream Bouquet from Babyblooms.  I was very impressed with the packaging and the care that had gone into shipping the item.  The cream coloured arrangement consists of pretty and delicate silk roses and freesias, silk and velvet foliage and the organic cotton baby clothes buds.  I personally could not believe how much is incorporated into the display.   Four pairs of socks, a sleepsuit, a bodysuit, a hat and a bib are all included in the bouquet!  It is beautifully presented and looks stunning.  It will make a lovely display to put in a baby's nursery...unless you want to unroll the clothes to use.  Decisions, decisions!

The bouquets would be a perfect gift for new mums,  for baby showers or christenings.  They start at just £3.95 for a single flower bud made from a pair of socks.  You can buy a multi-coloured bunch to pop in a vase.  The bouquet I received is priced at £55, which for the organic baby clothes alone is a reasonable price, before you even consider the workmanship involved and the gorgeous display it gives you.

I love the Babyblooms Bouquets and know how delighted I would have been to receive one after Fred was born.  Babyblooms do other amazing baby clothes gifts such as baby cupcakes and ice cream cones.  They also provide Gift Baskets that include the baby clothes gifts alongside cuddly toys and treats for mum and baby.  They sell a host of other presents for mums, dads, grandparents, pre-schoolers and children.

If you are looking for a unique gift for an expectant or new mum then take a look at the Babyblooms website.  You can also like their Babyblooms Facebook page to keep up to date on news and competitions.                                                            

The Handpicked Collection

The Handpicked Collection is an online and mail order gift company specialising in unusual, imaginative gift ideas. Each product is endorsed by an independent panel of experts, setting an excellent standard for quality and value. Designed as a one-stop shop for gifts, The Handpicked Collection takes the headache out of gift shopping by selecting only the best for its pages.


I was sent a copy of the Christmas catalogue and enjoyed pouring through it looking at all the unusual, inspiring, quality gifts.  Each item stocked has been sourced to provide an excellent idea for gifts For Him, For Her and For the Kids.  There are gifts for domestic goddesses, keen cooks, bookworms, gardeners, wine lovers...in fact there is something for everyone.  Gifts start at just £2.95.


The beautifully designed website is every bit as lovely as the catalogue.  You can browse the categorised pages, view the Top 10 gifts in each category or even use their clever gift finder to search for the ideal present for a loved one.  You know you are going to find something special that will be really appreciated!  Each product description tells you exactly what makes it special making it easier to choose the perfect gift.


The Expert Panel of chefs, journalists,  designers and entrepreneurs have taken all the leg work out of shopping for unusual gifts.  Their recommendations make up every item in the Handpicked Collection, so you know the products have been tried, tested and given the expert seal of approval.


The Handpicked Collection scooped two prestigious industry awards this year, recognising them for their branding and their online shopping experience.


In order for me to sample the delights of The Handpicked Collection, I was sent one of their best selling gifts to sample.  I received a beautiful, walnut Photo Tray.

The tray has mounted spaces for the insertion of four 6x4 photographs.  Alternatively, the mount can be removed and a large photo or collage can be put in.  This will create a truly unique, individual gift.  It is a real twist on the traditional gift of a photo frame.  Not only is it gorgeous, it is also functional with a heat resistant, glass covering.  


I love that it can be personalised again and again.  It looks classy, is well made but is also a lot of fun!  It is the perfect gift for  grandparents who can enjoy their tea in the company of precious loved ones everyday!  I absolutely love it.  I'm in the process of getting some of my favourite pictures printed so I can personalise the tray with photos of my children!

It would also make a gorgeous keepsake of a special event such as a wedding or christening. I've never seen anything like this before...it is a really unique present, which is what The Handpicked Collection is all about.  
Priced at £29.95 it is good value for such a good quality gift which can be personalised to create something bespoke.


It is also available in Black Lacquer which is in a more contemporary, angular design.

In addition to being very impressed with the product itself, the packaging that it arrived in was really sturdy and protective.  You really can order in confidence.


Why not check out www.handpickedcollection.com for yourself.  You can order the Christmas Catalogue to be delivered to your door if you prefer browsing that way!  You can also say hi to them on Facebook where the team are happy to answer queries or tell you about their favourite products.  Or keep up to date on the latest news and products on Twitter.

**In addition to providing us with great pressie ideas, The Handpicked Collection supports the Suzy Lamplugh Trust.  They stock a full range of personal safety accessories from ila Safety.  Small, powerful but stylish, women will be happy to carry them making them easily accessible in an emergency situation.  The personal alarms emit an ear piercing scream to deter attackers or attract attention.  Priced at just £9.99 for a Pebble Keyring Alarm and £15 for an ila Dusk Bag Charm, they can be a gift that could save a life. An excellent gift for teen daughters, sisters or mums.**

Christmas is Coming...Gift Ideas for Children!

The evenings are drawing in, the weather is taking a turn for the worse, my Christmas holiday is all booked up...no wonder my mind is drifting to thoughts of the festive season.

Very soon the shops will be full of the latest must have Christmas toys so I thought I'd take a look at some of the products that I loved at the UK Mums.tv Christmas in July event.

Zhu Zhu Pets

These adorable electronic hamsters were one of last year's top toys and since then, the range has increased adding more characters and play sets to make this brand even more irresistible.  The interactive and realistic pets are artificially intelligent and will explore their environment.  They squeak and scurry providing unpredictable fun.  With an ever increasing range of styles and accessories including hamster balls, cars and play houses, the fun just keeps growing.  They are cute, cuddly and entertaining.  They are even about to star in their own movie "Quest for Zhu" so don't miss out on this phenomena!

Schleich Bayala

Schleich produce the most beautiful models.  The range includes the World of Nature including farm animals and wild life,  World of History including knights, heroes and pre-historic creatures , and the World of Fantasy including Smurfs and Bayala.

Bayala is a fantasy land where beautiful elves live in harmony with nature and other fantasy creatures.  Characters and mystical creatures can be put together to create scenes perfect for imaginative play, immersing a child in a world of make believe.  The detail is beautiful.  The Scenery Packs include exclusive items, not available separately, which add to the play value of the range.  The Noctis Scenery Pack includes the dark Arelan warrior Noctis, his stunning panther and the impressive camp fire.  The lovely models are so detailed and made to the highest quality.  A beautiful range for any collector.

My World, My Body

Gibson Games have a fabulous range of puzzles for children.  One such educational, pre-school puzzle is "My Body" which I think is just brilliant.  It is a set of two puzzles made using chunky, quality card, that depict internal and external body parts.  Oval shaped spaces in the 36 and 50 piece puzzles identify the body part pictured, teaching early biology skills.  Fun Facts are included which my 8 year old loves.  Did you know we have the same number of bones in our neck as a giraffe??  Tips for extending the gameplay are suggested to encourage discussion and enhance the experience for both child and parent.  They compliment Early Learning Objectives and government guidelines for children aged 0-7.  For just £8.99 it is a great puzzle with an added educational element.

Deluxe Charm Bracelet Set

The current trend for charm bracelets can prove to be a pricey one.  Looking into a jeweller's shop yesterday I looked at the Pandora beads and charms that were selling for upwards of £25 each!  My Style has a fun alternative for young girls who want to create their own unique jewellery.  The Deluxe Charm set includes everything you need to have hours of fantastic fun using beautiful, coloured clays to make gorgeous and unique beads.  The high quality components are designed to ensure a superior and stunning result.  The silver rivets, charms and special effect components really give a superb end product.  The beads and charms can be added to the bracelets to make a lovely gift for someone special or for yourself.

I think this is a great idea for a craft set with impressive results.  The instructions are really clear.  The clay can be twisted or marbled to make attractive coloured beads which are then oven baked with the rivet inside.  The potential for creating different looks is great, giving the child the freedom to express themselves through their finished piece of jewellery.  For just £19.99, it's a lot cheaper than buying Pandora Beads and much more fun!