Sprout Pencil – the 100% sustainable pencil that you grow after use

 

Sprout have developed a 100% sustainable pencil right to the very end of it’s life – as when you’ve almost used it up, you just turn it upside down and pop the end in some soil. Et voila! – the seeds at the end of the pencil will grow and you will have a plant growing in 1 to 4 weeks!  It could be some wonderful herbs, flowers or vegetables. The stub also acts as a marker with the name of your seeds labelled on it so you won’t forget what plant is growing in each pot.

Each set of pencils has a different theme, I went with the ‘Mindful Thoughts’ edition which has a lovely quote along the length of each one.  At the end of each pencil in an enclosed capsule, there are seeds such as Sage, Daisy, Basil, Chia and Thyme.

The pencils themselves are lovely to write with, perfect for my shopping lists and the children have been using them for drawing etc.  They look smart and feel like they are good quality.  I can’t wait to get near to the end of one to turn it it into a beautiful plant that I can use – in fact I can just imagine the whole set of pencils in a row of pots along my kitchen windowsill.  Then watching them turn into a beautiful array of fresh herbs to use in my cooking – how wonderful would that be!

I think the Sprout Pencil ‘Plant Your Pencil’ concept is a lovely idea and very eco friendly.  They would also make a lovely gift for someone and sure to put a smile on someones face seeing the double use for the pencil and something a bit different from usual.  Make sure you check them out!

 

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions. We are not paid for reviews. Although we do receive the product to try out and enable us to write the review.

Bouquets for All Occasions by Prestige Flowers

Flowers from Prestige Flowers are a great gift that can be given for any occasion whether it be birthdays, to say thank, get well soon, sympathy or Christmas time.  As you can see there’s a multitude of opportunities to gift with flowers. Most people enjoy receiving them and at Prestige Flowers you can choose from a standard bouquet or upgrade to medium or large at an extra £5 and £10 respectively.

I received a Niagra bouquet which came well packed in a pretty box along with a glass vase (which can be added as an extra to any delivery).  The vase is a great shape to hold the perfect bouquet making it simple for me to transfer the flowers from the tied bouquet into the vase.

For me the flowers were a great colour combination for my tastes, large cream roses accented by purple freesias, irises and thistles although I wasn’t so keen on the daisies and thought it looked more elegant without so I kept those in a separate vase of water.

Once on display I really had time to enjoy the flowers and thought the cream roses opened out beautifully and looked stunning.  The irises were also quite amazing to look at, not a flower I normally receive in a bouquet, but I’m really glad I experienced them and their beauty.  The freesias opened up after a few days which added to the colour but lets not forget the thistles which gave it an added interest.  I did get several compliments from visitors to my house as they took in the beauty of these flowers that took pride of place in the centre of my kitchen table.

Don’t forget to check out Prestige Flowers next time you are ordering a bouquet, with the festive season on it’s way they have some rather gorgeous looking Christmas offerings, in particular the Monet Snow Scene which has caught my eye!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

 

Spring has Sprung with Baker Ross Kids Crafts

After dull Winter days it’s nice to see the colours of Spring coming out in the garden and these craft kits from Baker Ross are perfect for kids to make and brighten up the inside of the house too!  From flowers to bugs, everything is bright and colourful and they are all so simple to make, that I find they have a wide appeal which both my 9 and 6 year olds love to get stuck into.

Without any hesitation, the children sat down and started making, colouring and sticking, they love these kits and it’s always a joy to see them engrossed in creating something we can enjoy to look at for the next few months.

I thought the Flower Suncatcher Decorations looked stunning strung across the kitchen windows catching the sun as it beams through.  Everyone that has visited has admired these and they really brighten up the view.

These Creative Colouring Flower Wreaths are so simple but look so effective, the children are working their way through colouring the whole set so I can hang them up somewhere.  They love dipping in and out of colouring these after school, at breakfast time etc.

How cute are these Bug Pom Pom Decorations?  A simple pom pom ball with a few sticky accessories that makes them come alive.  Making the pom pom is best suited to slightly older children so Mister B left these to Miss M to make.  She’s finished this little ladybird and is currently working on a bee.  I can’t wait to see the trio of finished bugs altogether, so cute!

One of the children’s favourite to make were these Peacock Crinkle Decorations,  so simple by just fanning some crepe paper for the feathers and then just sticking extra details on.  These look lovely on my kitchen wall and I think it’s great for the children to see and admire all the beautiful things they make everyday.

As you can see, Spring really has sprung inside my house with all these beautifully coloured crafts the children have made for me using the fun kits from Baker Ross.  These make a great anytime activity, which children enjoy and love seeing the finished results!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

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Spring Garden Flowers from OK Bouquet

There’s nothing like a gorgeous bunch of flowers to brighten your day, and the ‘Spring Garden‘ bouquet from OK Bouquet certainly does that.  With it’s brightly coloured flowers in my favourite colour hues, pink and purple along with some added foliage, this really is a stunning bunch not to be missed.

OK bouquetThe flowers were delivered in a large box and a clever water box at the bottom which kept the flowers beautifully upright and perfectly watered. They were delicately wrapped and the flowers came out completely undamaged.

OK bouquet 2The bunch was huge and slightly too many for my largest vase, which was a bonus as it meant I could have two vases of beautiful flowers to adorn my house.  These flowers are really pretty and after a few days the tulips really started to bloom and show their full potential.

When looking at the OK Bouquet website, I have to say that all of the bunches are simply beautiful and seasonal so you really do get the flowers at their best. I was pleasantly surprised by the prices too, as the website looks far more expensive than the flowers are but these cost no more than any other flower delivery service I’ve used before and therefore definitely one I’ll come back to next time I need to send my mum a surprise bunch!

OK bouquet 3These flowers have really brightened my days for the last couple of weeks, they have lasted well with a few water changes and trimming the ends.  If you know someone that needs cheering up, it’s their birthday or you just want to say thank you, then why not check out OK Bouquet and see their amazing range of flowers that they have available.

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the product in order to write an honest review.

Serenata Flowers Review and Chocolate Hamper giveaway

It’s always nice when you get a surprise delivery, be it a bunch of gorgeous flowers, a plant or a hamper and Serenata Flowers are an online company that can arrange for any of these gifts to be sent to the person of your choice.

I was delighted to be sent this Lavender Planter, perfect to stand on my patio, and one of my favourite colours.  Included is the wooden planter and inside are two lovely lavender plants.

serenata 1I’m really pleased with this gift and would have been more than happy to receive it as a surprise.  It fits perfectly in with the feel of my garden, is a style I like and I love the colour!

serenata 2The quality from Serenata is great and the plant I received was packed very well, certainly a company I’d use again if I wanted to send some birthday flowers, or a hamper treat.

Talking of hampers, Serenata have a wide range available from pamper hampers, to cheese hampers, food hampers and this rather delicious looking luxury chocolate hamper of which I have one to giveaway!

Contains:

Belgian Choclate Infused Handmade Fudge 113g
Willow Hamper – Small
Luxury Ribboned Box of Belgian Chocolates – Small
Ballotin of Salted Toffee Truffles 100g
White Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Luxury Dark Chocolate Coated Brazil Nuts
Luxury Yoghurt Covered Peanut/Raisins

Standing_Large550_105910If you’d like to win the above hamper then just fill in the Gleam form below:

serenata

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the a lavender planter in order to write the review.

 

Bloom Pops Flower Design Studio from Cool Create – Review

Bloom Pops Flower Design Studio from Cool Create is a fun craft kit where you can design flower motifs.  They can be made again and again in different designs or used to stick wherever you want, be it something you want to decorate, make a badge or whatever else you choose.

Bloom popsWith over 2 sheets of fabric flower petals, 1 Bloom Pop Maker, 6 sticky pads, 6 flower bases, 6 silicon buttons, 18 flower spacers, 1 unpopper tool, 1 display tree, 45 sparkly gems and instructions you can create many unique designed fabric flowers, which any young girl who loves creating, designing and making will enjoy!

Bloom pops 1

It comes with a doll figure which is used to pop the button centre of the flower on but pushing her arms down.  Aimed at 5yrs + this was perfect for 6yr old Miss M to play with and create with independently and something she enjoyed doing.

Bloom pops 3

I like the fact that it comes with a moulded tray on which to put all the pieces, there are several sections to put the smaller pieces in and a set place to stand the popper doll.  It also comes with a display tree upon which you can display your flower creations and this also fits into the tray.

Bloom pops 2

Miss M really enjoying making different flower combinations.  You build a flower by starting with a base, adding layers of petals and spacers which add to the 3D effect, and then use the doll popper to pop a middle onto the flower which also holds it all together.  You then have the option of putting a sticky pad on the back, depending on where or how you want to use the flower.  They is also an unpicker tool which easily unpops the centre of the flower allowing you to take it apart and start again with a new design.

Bloom pops 4

We’ve enjoyed Bloom Pops, it’s a fun way to be creative and a bit different to other craft sets.  The flowers look lovely displayed on the tree in Miss M’s bedroom and she plans to use other flowers in pictures and artwork that she makes.

Why not give Bloom Pops a try today?

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received Bloom Pops in order to write the review.

A 10th Wedding Anniversary Stay at Kitley House

Last week we reached our 10th wedding anniversary, having been together for almost 18 years.  I’m not sure how we made it this far, but I’m keeping this post positive and want to show you the beautiful hotel we got married in and returned to last week to celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary.

On the morning of our anniversary, my husband passed me an envelope with an anniversary card in.  Within this card was a note instructing me to pack the children’s bags and take them to my mum and dad’s house along with Mister B.  Miss M would be picked up from school and I was to wake the husband at 1.30pm (as he needed a bit of a sleep after coming off night shift that morning).

So we set off and as we drove I had my suspicions as to where we were headed.  We soon turned in to the long, winding entrance lane to the hotel we married in exactly 10 years earlier – Kitley House.

kitley 7Immediately I could feel the memories flooding back as well as feeling incredibly relaxed.  The building hadn’t changed, apart from a bit of the decor which had naturally been updated.  I love the beautiful double sided staircase which I walked down with my dad to the room I got married in, the dining hall where we had the afternoon wedding meal in, and the peaceful ambience of the whole place.

kitley 2The stairs haven’t changed but they do have a new red carpet!  It got me looking back at old photos and I found this one of me and my dad walking down the stairs into the ceremony room back in 2004!

File0010After checking in to our bedroom, “the bridal suite”, where we stayed 10 years ago, I felt so relaxed and away from everyday life.  I found out the room has literally just been refurbished in the last few weeks and my husband had only seen it in a mid decorative state when he booked it so wasn’t sure on the final finish.

Gone was the four poster bed and in it’s place was much larger queen bed, which although I like the idea of a four poster, the luxurious queen bed was definitely more indulgent being three whole pillows wide and littered with rose petals – a treat I’ve never had before.

kitley 1The view from the bedroom window is one I won’t forget in a long time, it looked so tranquil, I felt I was a million miles from home, although only 7 & a half, but felt like I was in a different place and time.  I love this picture and can’t believe it was taken from my phone through an old little pane of glass on the panelled bedroom window.

kitley 8When we arrived in the room I was overwhelmed to find flowers and wine from my mum, and champagne waiting for us due to my husband having ordered the indulgent package for our overnight stay.

kitley 6We then explored the room and I couldn’t forget the enormous bathroom that I’d got ready and dressed in for my wedding 10 years ago, before arriving a fashionably ten minutes late to the ceremony!  It had the same sink and bath but was revamped with new wallpaper, wooden style flooring and some lighter dressing table furniture which really lifted the room giving it a lighter, French feel to it.

kitley 5A then and now picture below, although I must stress that the now doesn’t mean I’m single – we just didn’t have anyone to take a picture of us both and couldn’t stage the camera in the middle of the doorway to get the same view!

Anniv1After dropping our bags off it was time to go down to the bar for a cream tea, I had hot chocolate with my warm scone, jam and clotted cream – a proper bit of indulgence for the afternoon that I hadn’t been expecting!

kitley 4We then enjoyed our bottle of champagne before freshening up to go down for a three course meal in the dining room.  I loved the little bread rolls that were served to us in flowerpots and my meringue dessert was amazing!

kitley 3The next morning we took a stroll around the grounds, down over the little bridges across the lakes.  It turned out that we were staying for lunch and you never guess who turned up – my beautiful children accompanied by my parents who were celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary that day!  A lovely lunch followed before it was time to head home and leave the idyllic surroundings of Kitley House behind us…

kitley 9

Cool Create Daisy Chains Crafting Fun – Review

Cool Create Daisy Chains is a fun new craft set aimed at young girls who enjoy making jewellery.  Miss M loves anything craft related, so she couldn’t wait to get started when she saw the box.

WP_005251The kit contains:

  • 1 flower making unit
  • 30 fabric flowers
  • 20 flower beads
  • 10 round beads
  • 1 picker/hair clip
  • 4 clips to join jewellery

daisy chain 1The kit is designed to allow you to make flowers that are daisy chained together and turn them into jewellery and hair clips.  The flower making unit is cute and gives assistance in putting the flowers together by layering petals, beads and stalks, then using the picker tool to lift the petals over the stems to create the flowers.

daisy chain 2Miss M who is 6 immediately grasped the concept of building the flowers, although they can be a little fiddly, but she was trying to rush.  By going slowly and carefully the flowers all came together more easily.  Once each flower is made you can chain them together to form a daisy chain using the flower making unit to assist you.

The daisy chains can then be joined in circles of varying lengths to make bracelets and necklaces or even a daisy chain to wear around your hair.  The picker tool can also be used to make a hair clip by attaching a flower to it.

Miss M thoroughly enjoyed the Cool Create Daisy Chains and once she got started she didn’t want to stop.  It was great to see her sitting making the daisy chains independently once she got to grips with what she was doing and only required minimal assistance from me.  She loved picking out the different petals and flower centres and had them all lined up ready to make although she did get a little frustrated that the petals didn’t stay at the top of the stalks.

daisy chains 3daisy chain 4The flowers can be taken apart after and used again if you so wish although I would have like to have seen some more stalks,  petals and beads in the box so more things could be made at a time.  Miss M was only able to make one bracelet, necklace and a hair clip which she loved doing but wanted to carry on.

The set is aimed at ages 4+, which is about right but would probably require more assistance at that age.  I loved it because Miss M enjoyed this on her own once she knew what to do and she really enjoyed making the daisy chains, in fact when I asked her opinion she said “I love this, it’s so much fun”, which I think says it all!

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions and we received the craft kit in order to write the review.

Duck Tape Crafty Fun and Giveaway

Duck Tape Colours is traditional Duck Tape in a fun new range of colours and patterns.  Not just for DIY use, Duck Tape is perfect for crafting with so many inspirational things to make and do with it.  Currently available in 11 vibrant colours and 4 exciting patterns we were sent a few rolls to play around with and see what we thought.

Duck Tape coloursMiss M was super exciting when she saw the rolls, she loves her art and crafts and couldn’t wait to get making.  First she started with the Penguin Invasion Duck Tape and decided to make her little brother Mister B some binoculars.

Duck Tape binoculars penguinsAlthough he had other ideas and just used a couple of rolls to peep through!

Duck Tape BI decided to make a flower and Miss M was keen to make one too, although she was very insistent that I didn’t help her and she carefully copied what the steps I made.  The Duck Tape is very strong which makes it ideal for crafting, particularly the petals on the flowers which easily stand up once folded over.  Miss M did need a little help with the scissors as the tape needed a good strong cut, but I just cut little squares of tape and left them on the table for Miss M to fold and stick how she wished.

Duck Tape flower Miss MI was so proud of her finished flowers, all crafted on her own, she got completely into the swing of it and even added some leaves, she’s now in the process of making a big tree – I await the finished results!!

Below are Miss M’s beautiful flowers (the bottom left is my creation).

Duck Tape flowersWe’ve loved crafting with Duck Tape, something we’d never have thought of using before, although these new exciting colours and designs have made it much more interesting.  The finish of our creations is shiny and smooth, much better than some paper crafts that don’t last long and get easily squashed.  Miss M proudly gave her bunch of flowers to Nanny last weekend who now has them in a small vase in her kitchen.  I love seeing them each time I visit, a great reminder of her handiwork.

Duck Tape is so versatile, the possibilities are endless.  Each roll is 48mm wide and 9.1m long and is availabe on Amazon for around £6.

Would you like to have a go at crafting with it?  Well I have 3 rolls of Duck Tape to give away to one of my readers so if you’d like to win some, just fill out the form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open to UK entrants only
Winners will be emailed and will need to reply within 5 days or a new winner will be drawn
Win competitions at ThePrizeFinder.com

All reviews are my own and my family’s opinions. We are not paid for reviews although we do receive the product to try out and enable us to write the review.