Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Review. Show all posts

Friday 8 December 2023

Aladdin at St Helen's Theatre Royal - A Review

On Wednesday evening we attended the press night of Aladdin at St Helen's Theatre Royal, where we enjoyed a fun filled night of entertainment, 3D special effects and a magic carpet ride of an adventure. This spectacular pantomime by Regal Entertainments, delivers an outstanding production yet again, that is suitable for the whole family to enjoy this Christmas.

This years festive panto tells the story of Aladdin who lives in his families laundry, along with his brother Wishee Washee and his mother Widow Twanky. Aladdin falls in love with the beautiful Princess Jasmine, but he must help to save her from the evil Abanazar, with the help of a very special lamp and its hilarious genie, along with his family and the beautful Genie of the Mirror, who all play their part in saving the day!   

Image Credit: David Munn Photography

Timothy Lucas stars as the Genie and he is absolutely outstanding, providing plenty of humour and fast paced dance routines which looked spectacular on the stage. We last saw Tim Lucas in Jack and the Beanstalk at the Epstein Theatre a couple of years ago, and my children were so excited to see him again. He really is an all-round highly skilled performer, who excels in entertaining and delighting the audience.

Wishee Washee is played by Lewis Devine, who is one of our all time favourite panto stars. His hilarious personality combined with his comedic skills make you laugh out loud in numerous parts of the show. We all enjoyed his witty interactions with audience members, as well as his amusing collaborations with the genie, where they were both amazing on stage together.  One particular highlight for me was a scene where Wishee Washee wished to be small, and what followed had us crying with laughter.

Richard Aucott also impressed the audience as Widow Twanky, along with his incredibly outrageous costumes that seemed to become more and more extravagant as the show went on. 

Image Credit: David Munn Photography

The role of Princess Jasmine is played by local actress Jess Smith and she looked stunningly beautiful alongside Alex Aram who stars as Aladdin. Their on stage chemistry was superb and there is a lovely scene once they meet, that features a mash-up of many different love songs.

Popular Radio presenter Leanne Campbell stars as the digital Genie In The Mirror, though it's important to note that this is via video projection only and she does not appear in person. However, whilst her appearance may only be via a screen, she still manages to provide a cheerful and charming performance and looks absolutely gorgeous too.

This years panto baddie is the villainous Abanazar played by Liam Fox, who is best known as Emmerdale's loveable Dan Spencer. Every time he entered the stage, there was a devilishly remastered version of the Emmerdale theme tune played and he would be welcomed with a chorus of boos from the audience. He came across well on stage and delivered his evil laugh with perfection, often whilst appearing alongside PC Shameless who is played by Warren Donnelly.

The sound and choreography were absolutely incredible as always and the closing scene of the first half was phenomenal, featuring a Take That medley of popular songs that got everyone singing and dancing along. 

A clever integration of modern technology featured regularly throughout the show, but in the second half this went to another level, when we were treated to a 3D Magic Carpet Ride, which helped you to feel as though you were part of the adventure. This was swiftly followed by the well known panto ghost scene which was also delivered in 3D form. My youngest son absolutely loved this and it was an element to the pantomime that I personally haven't seen done this way before.

Overall we had a fantastic time watching Aladdin at St Helen's Theatre Royal and it is hard to believe just how much entertainment they managed to pack into this production. From fast paced choreography to hilarious comedy sketches, you won't want to take your eyes away from the stage for so much as a second. I would absolutely recommend Aladdin as a must-see pantomime this festive season!

Image Credit: David Munn Photography

To find out more about Aladdin or other upcoming productions at St Helens Theatre Royal, you can visit their website here: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

You can also follow St Helens Theatre Royal on the following social media pages:

Facebook - facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal

X (formerly known as Twitter) - @TheatreRoyalStH

Instagram - @StHelensTheatreRoyal

Listing Details

Show - Regal Entertainments Ltd presents Aladdin

Venue - St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ

Dates - 2nd December 2023 to 14th January 2024

Performance Times - Times vary so please see the St Helens Theatre Royal website for the most up to date information.

Tickets - From £21* (*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat booking fee. Online bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat online processing fee.)

Tickets can be booked in person at St Helens Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756000 or visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Image Credit: David Munn Photography

*Disclaimer - We were provided with complimentary tickets for the purpose of writing an honest review of the production. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. Images featured within this post do not belong to me and were kindly provided. Details featured within this post are believed to be correct at the time of writing but can be subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the venue's own website in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Thursday 26 October 2023

Farplace The Game - A Review

(AD - Gifted)

Farplace The Game has been produced by Farplace Animal Rescue which is a registered charity that looks after and rehomes animals that have sadly been rejected elsewhere. As a family of animal lovers this really appealed to us, and I feel that the game is a lovely way to raise awareness about the charity and the work that is involved in caring for different kinds of creatures and pets.

The game comes packaged in a lovely bright and vibrant yellow box that features several animals across the front, which include a cat, dog, rabbit, pigeon, hedgehog and guinea pig. The front of the box isn't overcrowded with information and the images are lovely and surrounded by various different paw prints. At the bottom there are some recommendations of the game being suitable for ages 8+ and requiring 2-4 players.

The rear of the box provides some further information and briefly explains the aim of the game. There is also a contents list and the game includes:

  • 1 Double Sided Playing Board
  • 4 Key Cards
  • 1 Rule Book
  • 4 Meeples
  • 4 Player Cards
  • 4 Turn Reminder Cards
  • 20 Vet Cards
  • 70 Animal Cards
  • 87 Object/Action Cards
The purpose of the game is to race to the finish line whilst saving animals along the way. I found it interesting that each animal has a different way of moving across the board, which adds an additional element of fun. We all agreed that the illustrations on the cards were lovely and also felt that the game board was nice and colourful. 



To begin you choose which side of the board to use and place this in between all the players, who each pick a meeple. There are four to choose from which are Dog, Cat, Rabbit or Pigeon. You then also take the matching playing card and check the 2 rules for their animal.

You then shuffle the animal cards and deal three to each player. The remaining cards can then be placed face down beside the board. The object/action cards should also be shuffled and this time you deal four cards to each player. I liked the combination of both cards and a board game as it was quite different to other games we have played. There are quite a few rules to learn, but there is a large instruction sheet that explains everything and it is easy to refer back to it when needed.

Each player then takes it in turns to carry out two actions out of a choice of four. This is where strategy can come into play and it is possible to take the same action twice. The game ends once a meeple passes the finish line, however any animal cards that remain in hand can cause you to move back places, meaning that just because you pass the line first, doesn't necessarily make you the winner. We thought this was a really good twist and encourages you to think more about the actions you take throughout the game.


Overall, we really loved the concept of the game, however my ten year old son did struggle initially with the rules, so it took a little while for him to understand. We referred to the instruction sheet quite a few times, but once we had all got the hang of it, we found the game to be enjoyable and I particularly liked the learning element. It really makes you realise just how much work and care goes into supporting each animal, due to their different diets, behaviours or needs, which I think is a great way of raising awareness. 

If you would like to find out more about Farplace The Game, then you can visit their website here: https://www.farplace.org.uk/product/farplace-the-game/

The game currently retails at £25 plus shipping costs.

*Disclaimer - We were gifted this game for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. Details provided within this post are believed to be correct at the time of writing but can be subject to change.

Saturday 15 April 2023

(AD) The Messi Training System Foldable Goal - A Review

My son Riley has recently been participating in football sessions at school which he has really enjoyed being involved in. We are therefore always on the look out for games, aids or training equipment that can help him improve his soccer skills. When we were recently asked to try out the Messi Training System, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to help him with his target practice and enhance his sporting abilities, whilst also giving us the chance to have some family fun in the garden.

On opening the box we found 1 x Messi Foldable Goal, 1 x Messi Ball and a Pump. Assembling the product was a very simple process and it was also so easy to fold up and put away after we had finished playing. On first glance the goal appears very small and is 90cm in length, 61cm in height and 59cm in depth. However, the whole point of this goal is to improve accuracy and the compact sizing definitely helps with that. 

We tried practicing a few different skills and created our own games to play in order to enhance Riley's concentration and coordination. Firstly we played a game where we had to dribble the ball across the garden, then make an attempt on goal. We placed a marker on the grass and would move this back gradually so that we were eventually shooting from a few metres away.

The next skill we practiced was headers, which we all initially found quite challenging. This created plenty of laughter as the ball kept going in all directions, but after plenty of practice we each managed at least one goal which was loads of fun.

One of the main benefits of the Messi Training System, is its portability and the fact it can be folded up to be enjoyed anywhere. You can take it the beach or park which means you aren't limited to using this in just one space and you can carry on practising your skills wherever you may go.

Overall we found The Messi Training System to be a great way of improving accuracy and we love the fact that we can take it to the park or on holiday with us. It is a great way to encourage sport and fitness and can definitely help with football skills. It is suitable for ages 4+ and available to purchase now at Argos, Amazon and other toy retailers.

*Disclaimer - We were gifted The Messi Training System for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means that I may receive a small commission should you choose to make a purchase after following a link. 


Saturday 8 April 2023

Beauty and the Beast at St Helens Theatre Royal - A Review

Last night we attended the press night performance of Beauty and the Beast at St Helens Theatre Royal, where we were treated to Regal Entertainments fantastic Easter pantomime of Beauty and the Beast. The show was incredible and it was the ideal way to start our bank holiday weekend, providing us with plenty of fun, laughter and entertainment from start to finish.

This adaptation of the well known story, is based in the town of Petit Pois where we meet a beautiful young lady called Belle. The Prince is cursed to become a hideous beast by the wicked Madame Botox, whilst her son Gaston makes many attempts to win Belle's heart. However, with the help of Fairy Rose, Potty Polly and French Frank, the Beast and Belle fall in love and ensure that the spell is broken.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

Lauren McCrory dazzles as the stunning Belle and she takes to the stage with confidence and beauty as she showcases her stunning vocals and dance abilities. We enjoyed her scenes alongside Benjamin Keith who portrayed both the charming Prince and The Beast really well and was excellent in the role. 

Gaston is played by Auguste Voulton who often appears on stage flexing his muscles or breaking into lunges, whilst his 'mummy' Madame Botox played by Abigail Middleton, delivers the perfect pantomime villain. My youngest son really enjoyed her opening scene after the interval and thought this was superb.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

There is definitely no denying that Lewis Devine is the star of the show and he excels in the part of French Frank. He has been one of our favourite panto performers for many years now and his stage presence, comedy delivery and hilarious personality are the perfect combination to make you laugh out loud in numerous scenes of the show. His interactions with the adult audience members were witty, funny and highly entertaining, whilst his conversations with the younger guests towards the end of the show also displayed his kind and caring side as he welcomed them to the stage. 

The extravagant and outrageous Potty Polly is played by Richard Aucott and he works well alongside French Frank with his comedy contributions. We particularly enjoyed his parts in the tongue twister scene along with the classic panto ghost scene, which encouraged plenty of laughter and audience participation.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

The beautiful Fairy Rose is played by Maria Lovelady and she was brilliant in bringing the scenes together with a touch of magic, whilst the senior dancers displayed some wonderfully choreographed routines right from the beginning and I felt that their performances suited the acts and songs perfectly. 

Overall we absolutely loved this production and felt that it had just the right mix of entertainment and comedy to keep all ages thoroughly entertained. It featured a great selection of musical numbers to sing along to and we particularly enjoyed the nod to the Eurovision Song Contest, which I personally found hilarious. In addition to a fabulous cast, it was clear to see from the sets, choreography and costumes, that there is also a superb creative team that are clearly very skilled. 

Regal Entertainments have yet again delivered another magnificent pantomime at St Helens Theatre Royal and we cannot wait to visit again soon. 

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

To find out more about Beauty and the Beast or other upcoming productions at St Helens Theatre Royal, you can visit their website here: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

You can also follow St Helens Theatre Royal on the following social media pages:

Facebook - facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal

Twitter - @TheatreRoyalStH

Instagram - @StHelensTheatreRoyal

Listing Details

Show - Regal Entertainments Ltd presents Beauty and the Beast

Venue - St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ

Dates - Wednesday 5th April to Sunday 16th April 2023

Performance Times - Times vary so please see the St Helens Theatre Royal website for the most up to date information.

Tickets - From £16* (*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat booking fee. Online bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat online processing fee.)

Tickets can be booked in person at St Helens Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ (Monday to Friday, 10am to 5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756000 or visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

*Disclaimer - We were provided with tickets for the press night in order to provide an honest review of the production. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. 


Saturday 1 April 2023

(AD) SuperThings Rivals of Kaboom Vehicle Toy Review and Competition!

SuperThings Rivals of Kaboom toys have long been a favourite in our household, with my son collecting a significant amount over the past few years. Created by MagicBox, SuperThings are collectible toys that are based on everyday objects and can be found as rival pairings. For example for every superhero you come across, you can be very sure that there is also a super villain ready to be their rival.

My son Riley has been a huge fan of SuperThings for quite some time and has regularly spent his pocket money on blind bags to build up his collection. He also has some of the larger playsets which have allowed him to create many cities, scenarios and adventures using his imagination. He was therefore delighted to have the opportunity to try out the latest vehicle playsets in the Superthings Rivals of Kaboom range. 

The first item we received was the SuperThings Turbo Ice which included 1 x Mad Cone, 1 x Badnilla Ice Biker, 1 x Turbo Ice Vehicle and 3 x Ice Cream Balls. Riley was immediately drawn to the Ice Cream launcher at the rear of the bike and described it as being colourful, unique and fun!

The box is visually appealing and the bright graphics immediately draw your attention to the box. You can see the size of the exclusive Kazoom Kid, and the visual image of the Turbo Ice gives you a very clear idea of exactly what is inside. 

On opening the product Riley placed the exclusive Kazoom Kid, the Badnilla Ice Biker into the driver's seat and the Mad Cone SuperThings figure as the passenger rider. He loaded up the ice creams and began to launch his attack. The balls fit very easily into the launcher and fly with ease. 

There are two pegs on one side of the vehicle to store two of the ice creams, whilst the other can sit comfortably in the launcher ready to be fired. Launching the ice cream balls is really easy and you simply pull on the lever on the side of the bike to take aim and throw your ball.

The second vehicle was the SuperThings Pizzacopter which included 1 x Slicey, 1 x Superslice Pizza Pilot, 1 x Pizzacopter and 3 x Pizza Discs. Riley couldn't wait to test this one out and to see how effective the pizza shooter was. It was very simple to insert the pizza into the shooter and they could travel a good distance.


The front of the Pizzacopter lifts open so that you can place your pizza slices inside. There is then a circular handle at the rear of the vehicle which you pull in order to launch your pizza and send it flying. The SuperThings figure can comfortably sit on the side of the helicopter ready to jump into action as you fly the Pizzacopter through the air. 

I felt that both these toys really helped to encourage imaginative play as within minutes Riley was creating situations and scenarios between the two vehicles and having a pretend battle between Pizza and Ice Cream. Once they had battled, Riley decided that they should have a race to determine the ultimate winner and it was great watching him create interesting adventures between the characters.

Overall I found both products to be great. They were both a really good size and they compliment the other toys in the SuperThings range really well, as both are compatible with other Kazoom Kidz and SuperThings characters. Both items were made from plastic and felt really good quality and durable. I have always found SuperThings toys to be very good value for money and these vehicles are no exception with an RRP of £13.99 each. Both of the vehicles featured in this review can be purchased at The Entertainer along with other SuperThings products. You can also buy them at Amazon and selected Toymaster stores.

You can find out more about SuperThings on their website here: https://www.superthings.com/uk

We also have a fantastic competition for our readers and one lucky person can win one of these amazing vehicles. If you're feeling lucky then please have a read of the terms and conditions and then enter using the Gleam form below. Good Luck! 

SuperThings Rivals of Kaboom Vehicle Giveaway

Terms and Conditions

  • There is 1 (one) prize of a SuperThings Vehicle. Please note that styles may vary and the winner is not able to select a preference as to which vehicle they recieve.
  • Entry is open to UK residents aged 18 years or older.
  • Competition closes 8th April 2023 at 23:59pm.
  • A winner shall be drawn at random from all eligible entries within 7 days of the closing date and notified via email.
  • The winner will have 7 days to confirm their acceptance of the prize. Should the winner fail to respond, then an alternative winner shall be drawn from the remaining eligible entrants.
  • Entries will be validated to confirm that the entry action has been completed as stated. Any incorrect or invalid entries shall be removed.
  • No bulk or third party entries.
  • The winners details shall be shared with the promoter for the purpose of prize fulfilment and permission shall be obtained from the winner prior to doing so.
  • The prize is non-transferable and their is no cash alternative.
  • The winner's name may be displayed on this blog post once the winner has been drawn and have confirmed their acceptance of the prize.
  • In entering this competition you confirm that you have accepted these terms and conditions and any additional terms that may be available to view on the Gleam entry form.
  • The winner's name may be displayed on this blog post once the winner has been drawn and have confirmed their acceptance of the prize.
*Disclaimer - We were gifted these vehicles for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. This post contains Amazon affiliate links which means that I may receive a small commission should you purchase a product through the link provided.

Wednesday 14 December 2022

Regal Entertainments presents Cinderella at St Helens Theatre Royal - A Review

On Sunday evening, my family and I had the pleasure of visiting St Helens Theatre Royal to watch their dazzling Christmas pantomime of Cinderella. We've watched plenty of their productions over the years and just when you think they can't possibly get any better, this wonderful theatre pulls out all the stops and puts together an incredible show, that provides the audience with non stop entertainment from start to finish.

The title role of Cinderella is played by Kimberley Hart-Simpson who recently starred in Coronation Street as Nicky Wheatley. Prior to walking the cobbles, Kimberley actually worked backstage in the costume department of both St Helens Theatre Royal and The Epstein Theatre, so it must be a wonderful experience to now be playing a title role on the stage. Her portrayal of Cinderella is fantastic and she looked absolutely stunning throughout the show. Her vocals were great and we absolutely loved her scenes with Buttons and the Prince. 

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

Our favourite panto performer Lewis Devine stars as Buttons and brings plenty of comedy value to the show. My youngest son has seen so many pantomimes over the years, but he never tires of watching Lewis on the stage and finds him absolutely hilarious. He is so entertaining and we love how well he always interacts with the audience. He never fails to put a smile on our face and you can guarantee plenty of laughter whenever he performs.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

The Ugly Sisters - Borisina Hardup and Trussiana Hardup are played by Richard Aucott and Kristopher Bosch, who both supplied lots of giggles for the audience with their funny comments and innuendos. They played the perfect baddies and encouraged plenty of audience participation each time they asked "Aren't we gorgeous?" which my son found really amusing.

Joe Sleight plays the dashing Prince Charming and is really well suited to the role. With his combination of handsome good looks and lovely vocals, he is the perfect Prince to be paired with Cinderella.

Dandini is played by Jon Courtenay who won Britain's Got Talent back in 2020. I was particularly looking forward to seeing Jon play the piano and I was definitely not disappointed, as part way through the show we were treated to a wonderful Panto song that was thoroughly enjoyable. My family and I also really liked his scenes with Buttons (Lewis Devine), with the highlight being the 12 Days of Christmas Song that also featured The Fairy Godmother and provided laughter in abundance.

The Fairy Godmother is played by Rachael Wood who was fantastic throughout the show and she delivered a breathtaking performance of 'One Moment in Time' during the Cinderella transformation scene which was my personal favourite.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

Jamie Leahey and Chuck also provide plenty of entertainment with their wonderful ventriloquism act. This young man is so talented and my son was in awe of him on the stage. His confidence and stage presence were superb and you can tell that he definitely has a marvellous career ahead of him. However, it's important to note that due to Jamie's age and licensing laws, he will only be appearing in a limited number of performances. If you would therefore like to make sure that you see a show he is performing in, then be sure to check the dates on the website for full details. 

Overall we had an absolutely wonderful time at St Helens Theatre Royal and were so impressed with their production of Cinderella. The show was filled with a wonderful selection of music choices, with some well known favourites that had the audience singing along. The stage setting, scenery and props were all superb and the closing scene of the first half was absolutely incredible with the stunning carriage and real Shetland Ponies. 

The costume department worked wonders with the outfits, some of which were absolutely incredible. Ranging from stunningly beautiful to the extremely outrageous, there was definitely no shortage of glitz and glamour, with all the garments being very impressive

We would happily recommend this pantomime to everyone, so don't miss out on your chance to purchase tickets, which are on sale now.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

To find out more about Cinderella or other upcoming productions at St Helens Theatre Royal, you can visit their website here: www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com

You can also follow St Helens Theatre Royal on the following social media pages:

Facebook - facebook.com/St-Helens-Theatre-Royal

Twitter - @TheatreRoyalStH

Instagram - @StHelensTheatreRoyal

Listing Details

Show - Regal Entertainments presents Cinderella

Venue - St Helens Theatre Royal, Corporation Street, St Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ

Dates - Saturday 3rd December 2022 to Sunday 8th January 2023

Performance Times - Times vary so please see the St Helens Theatre Royal website for the most up to date information.

Tickets - From £18* (*All prices are inclusive of a £1 per seat booking fee. Online bookings are subject to an additional 50p per seat online processing fee.)

Tickets can be booked in person at St Helens Theatre Royal Box Office, Corporation Street, St. Helens, Merseyside, WA10 1LQ (Monday to Saturday, 10am to 5pm). Alternatively, call 01744 756000 or visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com.

Photo Credit: David Munn Photography

*Disclaimer - We were provided with complimentary tickets for the purpose of writing an honest review of the production. All thoughts and opinions are my own unless otherwise stated. Any show details provided such as ticket prices/dates/booking information are believed to be correct at the time of writing, but can be subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the venue's own website in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Monday 2 May 2022

Looking After Our Skin with Balmonds Skincare Products (AD - Review)

It can sometimes be hard to find a product you can trust, especially when it comes to taking care of your skin. There are so many different varieties on the market that it can be really difficult to choose the right item that is suited to you as an individual. Personally, I always try to look after my skin, which in all honesty can be quite a challenge at times. I have patches of both dry and oily skin on my face, I can experience dry hands from time to time, and having had 3 children I also have plenty of stretch marks all over. In addition, I also have quite a few scars of various ages and even though most are now fully healed, several of them seem to get irritated and red at times, especially in really cold or hot weather. I have therefore been looking for a skincare range that offers products to suit all my needs and I was delighted to recently try three products from the Balmonds brand.

Whilst researching these products for myself, I was also keen to find a brand that would be suitable for my family too. My husband works for the NHS so his hands suffer quite a bit from the repeated use of various hand sanitisers throughout the day. Two of my children also suffer from excema which often flares up in the winter and summer months, so it was important to me to find a skincare brand that would be suitable for us all. The three products I selected to review were Balmonds Skincare Hand Sanitiser Gel, Balmonds Daily Moisturising Cream and Balmonds Rosehip Scar Oil. 

Please note that the below reviews have been written after conducting a patch test, checking the product ingredients in case of any allergies and then using daily for a period of 14 days. 

Balmonds Hand Sanitiser Gel

I chose this item to review as my husband works for the NHS and as such he uses a large amount of hand sanitiser gel. He has a carry along bottle attached to his belt, but will sometimes need to use the gel available in hospitals or at care homes as well. As a result we noticed that his hands were drying out quite quickly, so I was hopeful that the Balmonds Hand Sanitiser Gel could provide his hands with some gentle relief whilst on the go. 

The 100ml bottle costs £8 and is made with 70% alcohol and powerful essential oils. It has been formulated with tea tree and lemongrass and is free from dyes and synthetic perfumes. Something that is particularly important to me is that this product is also cruelty-free and suitable for vegans.

The pump top of the bottle makes the product easy to apply and I was immediately impressed with how soft my hands felt after use. My husband agreed that it felt much gentler on his hands than his usual gel and he began to use this both at home and whilst at work. The bottle was too big to fit in his pocket, however we were able to dispense some of the product easily into a travel sized container instead. This worked well as it meant he was able to use it all day whether in work or at home and we were both pleased with how quickly it dried on our hands. 

In addition to the alcohol content, the hand sanitiser also contains tea tree oil, which helps to give skin a measure of protection between applications, which is definitely an added bonus. I also felt that it had a nice subtle scent.

The Balmonds Skincare Hand Sanitiser Gel can be purchased here for £8 -  Balmonds Hand Sanitiser


Balmonds Daily Moisturising Cream

This product was of particular interest to me as it is suitable for people prone to eczema, dry, itchy skin, psoriasis and dermatitis.  It can also be used by those with sensitive skin and can be used by all ages (from 6 weeks). This was ideal for us as it meant that not only could I use it, but my children could too. As two of them suffer from excema, it was reassuring to know that this wouldn't irritate them and was safe for us all to use.

The Balmonds Daily Moisturising Cream bottle explains that it is a natural emollient and its combination of organic hemp seed oil, shea butter and biodynamic tinctures all help to keep the skin soft, healthy and hydrated. A 100ml bottle costs £14.99 or for added value you can purchase a 300ml bottle for £26.99.

I began to use this twice a day on my face. I can sometimes have a reaction to some creams, so I made sure that I tried a bit behind my ear first and waited 24 hours just in case. Luckily all was good so I focused on my T-Zone area which is where I seem to suffer the most with dry skin. I was quite shocked to notice a difference after only a few days use and my whole face seems much smoother with much less redness. My skin feels really soft to touch and I couldn't believe how quickly it had an impact. It will definitely be remaining as part of my daily skincare routine and I am hoping that it will continue to help keep my skin healthy and hydrated throughout the summer months.

My youngest son gets regular patches of excema on his legs and elbows, so I was pleased to be able to share this product with him. There is no overpowering smell which kept him happy as he hates having products applied that have a strong fragrance and it really helped on the small scaly patches of skin. Again we could notice a difference after just a few days and with it being so easy to apply, he is quite happy to let me use it on him. We also found it was really useful after going swimming as his excema areas always dry up very quickly afterwards, so being able to pop this in his bag and apply straight away was great and beneficial.

The Balmonds Daily Moisturising Cream can be purchased here: Balmonds Daily Moisturising Cream 

Balmonds Rosehip Scar Oil

The Balmonds Rosehip Scar Oil costs £18.99 for a 50ml bottle and this was the product that I was looking forward to trying out the most, due to having several scars that are prone to redness and sometimes itchiness in the surrounding skin tissue. I also have a lot of stretch marks from my pregnancies and areas of uneven skin. Whilst I knew this wasn't going to hide my scars, I was keen to see if the redness would reduce and just generally improve their visibility.

I was pleased to note that after only a few days the stretch marks definitely seemed somewhat lighter and my thighs also felt smoother. Obviously I'm not expecting miracles and for the stretch marks to completely disappear, but I do feel like after 14 days use, that they are definitely less noticeable. I will continue to use this regularly, especially in the build up to our next holiday to help improve my poolside confidence.

However, the main area I used this oil on was at the site of a recent mole removal at the top of my thumb. As you can imagine this is a bit of an awkward place to have a scar healing so I really wanted it to heal well and not be noticeable. The mole had been removed using a shave excision so this had left a noticeable mark after the scab had come away. I used this oil to help the skin heal and was really happy with the results. There is no redness remaining and the skin has been left really soft and smooth. There is only a very faint line now where the mole was removed and no one would notice this at all unless I told them, so I am absolutely delighted with the results in relation to this. 

The Balmonds Rosehip Scar Oil can be purchased here: Balmonds Rosehip Scar Oil 

Overall, my family and I were really impressed with the products. I feel that the price of these items is reflected in the quality of them and therefore offer great value for money. If you would like to find out more about Balmonds and their products then you can visit their website or social media pages on the following channels:

Website - www.balmonds.co.uk

Facebook - @BalmondsUK

Instagram - @Balmonds_uk

*Disclaimer - We were provided with 3 complimentary Balmonds products of our choice. I chose to write this review after using each of the products for a period of 14 days and after carrying out a patch test. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Any product prices quoted are from the Balmonds website and are correct at the time of writing this post. Prices/products/quantities are subject to change and I would always recommend visiting the Balmonds website in order to obtain the most up to date information.

Thursday 9 December 2021

Silcock's Winter Wonderland Manchester at EventCity - A Review

My family and I enjoyed the perfect start to our week on Monday, with a trip to Silcock's Winter Wonderland at EventCity Manchester for their VIP Launch Night. This marvellous event has returned even bigger and better than before and we were so excited to visit this fabulous festive extravaganza once again. Featuring over 50 family rides and attractions all under one roof, as well as some wonderful shows to enjoy, it is a fantastic way to spend some fun family time together and we couldn't wait to have a look around and explore.

Our evening began with some launch night entertainment from some talented local dance groups, along with a young vocalist performing a small selection of songs. This performance ended with a fabulous rendition of Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas" which seemed to get everyone in the mood and excited to enter the Winter Wonderland doors as the crowd began a ten second countdown. As the curtains opened, snow began to fall as we made our way into the event.

We intended to head towards the back of venue to begin with, however we were stopped in our tracks by my youngest son deciding that he wanted to go on every single ride that we tried to walk past. The last time Winter Wonderland was in EventCity in 2017, he was only 4, so he couldn't really remember much about the event, or just how many rides there were to choose from. He was therefore delighted to find such a great choice and he began to have so much fun right from the start.

Photo Credit: Prakash Bhalsod

As well as classic favourites such as the Dodgems and the Waltzers, there were mini rollercoasters, a flying elephant ride and a mini carousel to name just a few. My son absolutely loved the Caterpillar rollercoaster and went on this several times with both myself and his big brother. When he decided he wanted a rest, we utilised that time by having a sit down and watching a show on the main stage. There were a few to choose from which included an Ice Princess Show as well as some entertainment featuring TV stars Daisy and Ollie. I really liked the fact that the main stage was central to so many rides, as this meant that I could let my teens go off and enjoy some of the larger and faster rides, knowing that it would be very easy for them to find us again when they were finished. 

There was also the chance to visit Father Christmas, however we decided not to queue for this and spent our time on the rides and shows instead. However, this seemed really popular with other guests and there is also the option of purchasing a toy and photo from the Father Christmas Toy Workshop. He is available for meet and greet sessions every day, up to and including Christmas Eve.

We hadn't eaten prior to arriving at the event, so it wasn't long before my children were hungry. There were a range of food vendors to choose from and although they were a little on the expensive side, it was on par with prices that we are used to at these kind of events. We purchased four burgers which set us back £24 and five drinks cost us a further £12.50 later in the evening. The food was really good quality though and tasty too, which made up for paying the slightly higher prices.

Photo Credit: Prakash Bhalsod

Another additional cost at the event is the games stalls, which varied in price. With having three children these stalls can get expensive if they each want a go, so I usually try to avoid these, but there was a ring toss game which was only £1, so I was quite happy to pay that and we each tried our luck. My eldest son got lucky and managed to win himself some candy floss as well as some sweets so he was really pleased with himself.

Overall we had a fantastic time at Silcock's Winter Wonderland Manchester and we are hoping to return with other family members in the coming weeks. There is plenty of free parking outside the venue and I feel that the ticket prices offer excellent value for money. We loved how many rides there were to choose from that catered for a range of different ages, which ensured that there was something for the whole family to enjoy. I also really liked the addition of the short shows on the main stage and the Circus which was also available to watch. I would absolutely recommend this event to others and we cannot wait to return again in the near future. 

To find out more or to book tickets please visit www.winterwonderlandmanchester.com or alternatively you can visit the following social media channels:

Facebook - facebook.com/winterwonderlandmanchester

Twitter - @wwmanchester

Instagram - @wwmanchester

Listing Details

Event - Silcock's Winter Wonderland Manchester

Venue - EventCity (next to Intu Trafford Centre), Phoenix Way, Off Barton Dock Road, Urmston, Manchester, M41 7TB

Dates - 4th December 2021 to 2nd January 2022

Parking - Free parking available

Ticket Information

Off-Peak Tickets

Adult: £29.50 (plus booking fee)

Child: (3-16) £29.50 (plus booking fee)

OAP: £20.00 (plus booking fee)

Child (Under 3): Free (Ticket Required)

Family Ticket of 4 (must include at least 1 Adult) discount of £10 (plus booking fee).

Peak

Adult: £35.00 (plus booking fee)

Child: (3-16) £35.00 (plus booking fee)

OAP: £27.50 (plus booking fee)

Child (Under 3): Free (Ticket Required)

Family Ticket of 4 (must include at least 1 Adult) discount of £10 (plus booking fee).

Carers tickets go free with full paying adults.

Groups: 1 in 10 goes free (no booking fee)

School and nursery bookings: From 7-10 December and 13-17 December, tickets £15 each including booking fee.

Payment plans are available this year - see website for details.

Reduced £22.00 (plus booking fee) tickets are available for NHS and Armed Forces on certain dates, see website for details.

All rides and attractions are included in the price (excluding games and food stalls) and each session lasts for 4 hours.

Bookings can be made online at www.winterwonderlandmanchester.com or by ringing 0344 815 7131 for both individual and group bookings.


Photo Credit: Prakash Bhalsod

*Disclaimer - We were invited as guests to the VIP Launch Night for the purpose of writing an honest review of our experience. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Details provided are believed to be correct at the time of writing but are subject to change. I would therefore always recommend visiting the venues own site in order to view the most up to date information.

Saturday 14 August 2021

Crazy Construction Fun with Junkbots from Hexbug - A Review

My family has been huge fans of the Hexbug range of products for many years and my children have enjoyed many of their toys, with my eldest two children building up quite a collection at one stage. My youngest son Riley also loves Roblox and unboxing, so we were really excited to learn more about Junkbots, along with Hexbug's latest project that merges toys with entertainment.

A new eight-part digital series based on Junkbots, is now available to view on the HEXBUG Official YouTube page and from the 20th August, fans will be able to join in with the fun with the launch of the Roblox game that will follow a brand new adventure which all kicked-off when Junkbot Jack Static received a cryptic radio transmission. 

To celebrate the launch of the digital series and game, we held a fun screening event for Riley where he watched some episodes whilst also playing along with some awesome Junkbots toys. Of course no screening would be complete without some sweets and popcorn, so we made sure there was plenty on hand for us to enjoy whilst watching the show. 

Junkbots are the ultimate unboxing experience and there are items galore for you to rummage through and find the rubbish that can help you create your Junkbot character. They come in a selection of different sizes ranging from the Junkbots Trash Bin with an RRP of £4.99, the Junkbots Dumpster with an RRP of £9.99 and the Junkbots Industrial Dumpster with an RRP of £19.99. There are over 36 Junkbots to collect, but the beauty of this product is that items can be mixed and matched, which means that children can create numerous characters of their very own.

The Junkbots Trash Bin has an RRP of £4.99 and is the smallest in the range and perfectly priced for a pocket money purchase. Once you have opened the trash bin lid you can rummage inside to find the 15 pieces that you need to build the Junkbot character. Some pieces are loose in the trash bin, whilst others can be found inside the mini bin bags, providing plenty of unboxing fun. The design is fabulous and looks like a brightly coloured bin. The Junkbots are recommended for ages 3+ however there are some small parts, so I would definitely advise parental supervision if allowing younger children to play. 


The Junkbots Dumpster has an RRP of £9.99 and includes 30 pieces inside allowing you two build two completely different Junkbot figures. This was my favourite in terms of price and value for money as in addition to the two Junkbot figures, the pack also included an energy module. Our energy module was easy to build and was a light which could be attached to Junkbot figures to make them glow. My son Riley absolutely loved this and enjoyed moving the light from one figure to another. Some of the connections and joints can be a little difficult to put together, so I did need to help Riley from time to time, but personally I enjoyed that I could also be involved and it was nice to be able to work together.


The Junkbots Industrial Dumpster has an RRP of £19.99 and is the ultimate construction adventure. It features over 50 different pieces allowing for 4 Junkbots to be built and this set also includes an energy module and a motion module which really help to bring the figures to life. Riley described this pack as being 'epic' and unlike other unboxing toys where the fun can be over very quickly, this set offered Riley hours of entertainment. He loved rummaging through all the bin bags, separating the junk from the pieces and creating the character designs. It kept him entertained for a full afternoon and once he has finished playing with the existing figures, he can do it all over again and create his own. I therefore really like the fact that these toys can be played with over and over again which definitely gives added value to the product.


Overall, we really loved the concept and design of the Junkbots and the fact that they offered so much unboxing fun. We particularly liked the fact that we could create our own characters, which was something that Riley definitely enjoyed. The initial diagrams are slightly difficult to follow and could do with being a bit clearer for children who want to make their character perfectly, but we managed on the most part and for any connections we weren't sure of, then Riley just used whichever part he liked the look of which seemed to work really well for us. The design is really fun and we loved that you had miniature bin bags to rummage through and find the pieces. I also feel that the RRP of the products is very reasonable and offers good value for money. I would definitely consider buying more of these in the future and will also look to buy these as birthday gifts due to their price. Junkbots are available to purchase now from The Entertainer, Amazon, Toymaster and other local independent retailers.

If you would like to find out more about Hexbugs or the Junkbots range of products then you can visit their social media pages on the following channels:

Website - Hexbug.com/Junkbots

Facebook - facebook.com/hexbug

Twitter - @HEXBUG

Instagram - @hexbug

YouTube - hexbugtv

Why not also check out the HEXBUG Junkbots series trailer below:

*Disclaimer - We were provided with a complimentary selection of Junkbots toys for the purpose of writing an honest review of the products. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.


Friday 4 June 2021

Disney Classic Plush Collection - A Review

During the most recent lockdown, my family and I subscribed to Disney+ which not only allowed my children to watch some of their favourite films, but it also gave us the opportunity to rediscover some Disney Classics together. I was therefore really excited to learn about the Disney Plush Classic Range from Simba Toys, which features iconic characters from films such as 101 Dalmations, The Aristocats, Lady & The Tramp, Dumbo and even more. 

Riley recently received three plush toys from the collection with the first one being the stunning Dumbo. I used to love this film as a child and each of my children had a small Dumbo soft toy when they were babies, so this particular item brought back some really nice memories for me. My son is still at the age where he loves pretend play, so from the moment it arrived, he immediately began to run round the garden with Dumbo, trying to teach him how to fly. 

The quality of this product is absolutely superb and the stitching is very neat and detailed, which really contributes to the character likeness. Riley loves how cuddly it is with the material being so soft. My son enjoys placing his face next to Dumbo's ear as the fabric feels so lovely and it is such a nice item to snuggle up to.

The second toy Riley received was the beautiful Marie from The Aristocats. She is so snuggly and features a pretty pink bow. Like the other toys in the collection, Marie is hand wash only, but given their size, this shouldn't be too difficult a task and in the summer months they can easily dry outside in the sunshine.

Riley hasn't actually seen The Aristocats before, so he is now intrigued to see the film and find out more about Marie. In the meantime he has been enjoying plenty of pretend play and cuddling up to the adorable snuggly fabric.


The Dalmation is so huggable and this was Riley's favourite of them all. He has watched the film 101 Dalmations numerous times, so he was delighted to have a plush toy of a beautiful dalmation pup. The fabric is so gentle and incredibly soft and even the little red collar is nice and smooth. The collar is also centrally stitched at the front and rear, so no worries about it coming loose or being removed.

The attention to detail is fabulous and Riley enjoyed counting all the spots over it's body. He kept losing count of how many there were, but I am now reliably informed that there are 30 spots in total.

Overall I absolutely love this range of soft toys and they are the perfect gift for both children and Disney fans of all ages. They are beautifully made, super soft and there is a great selection to choose from. They can be purchased in a range of different sizes which include 17cm, 25cm and 35cm. The toys featured in this review are the 25cm size which I felt was just perfect for playing with at home, or for taking on our travels too. 

The toys are really light and comfortable to hold, so Riley has already decided that the Dalmation will be coming on holiday with us in the future. One thing I really liked about the soft toys in this review, was that they can also be displayed nicely without just falling over, which is a common problem I have had with other toys. I feel that these plush toys offer excellent value for money and they can be purchased from Amazon.

If you would like to find out more about Simba Toys UK or the Disney Plush Classic Range then you can visit their social media pages on the following channels:

Facebook - Simba Toys UK

Instagram - @simbatoysuk

*Disclaimer - We were gifted three Disney Classic Soft Toys for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains an Amazon affiliate link.

Sunday 14 March 2021

Love Corn - Crunchy Snacks Review

(AD) We were gifted a LOVE CORN care package for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As a family of five it is fair to say that we go through a fair amount of snacks on a daily basis. This has been especially highlighted during the recent period of home schooling, where it has become apparent that my children have felt the need to have a snack break every hour. However, on a positive note, this has encouraged us to try some new food products and discover some snacks that are different to the usual contents of our weekly shop. 

One of the new tasty treats that we have recently tried is LOVE CORN, which are crunchy corn kernel snacks that are packed full of flavour and available in a range of different varieties to suit all tastes and appetites. We were sent a Love Corn care package to review the product and we were very excited to try them out and learn a little bit more about the brand.

The four fabulous flavours are Sea Salt. Salt & Vinegar, Smoked BBQ and Habanero Chilli and there are a choice of portion sizes which are a 20g snack pack, a 45g portion size and a 115g packet that is perfect for sharing. They are ideal for families to enjoy at home, great for on the go, enjoying with a picnic or packed lunch, or even as a meal topper such as on soup or salads.

Love Corn snacks are plant based, vegan, gluten free, verified Kosher and Non GMO. The ingredients are super simple, just corn that's been roasted then seasoned. For example, on looking at the ingredients for the Smoked BBQ flavour, these are listed as Corn, Paprika, Onion, Garlic, Sea Salt and Sunflower Oil. So simple, yet so tasty!

Each of my children were keen to try specific flavours that suited their individual preferences, whilst I was looking forward to trying out the Habanero Chilli. My youngest son opted for the salt and vinegar flavour and the first thing that he mentioned was that the smell was not too overpowering. This can put him off foods quite quickly, so it tends to be the first thing that he notices. I emptied a 45g packet into a bowl for him and he was able to help himself throughout the day. He really enjoyed them and was very complimentary about the taste and how crunchy they were. He has already asked me to put some in a small container in his lunch box each day when he returns to school next week. The salt and vinegar was also my eldest son's favourite, who enjoyed them in moderation.

My daughter usually dislikes Salt & Vinegar flavouring, but she also helped herself to a few in the bowl and was pleasantly surprised. However, her personal favourite was the Sea Salt. She found she didn't want to eat a full packet at a time, but enjoyed getting a handful every now and again when feeling hungry. She therefore made good use of the fact that the packs are resealable and she enjoyed a packet over 2-3 days.

Both my husband and I enjoyed the Smoked BBQ and the Habanero Chilli flavours and these went down a treat with a glass of wine and a pint of lager in the evening. My husband usually enjoys a snack of ready salted peanuts with a beer, so this was a great alternative that also provided much more flavour.

Overall we really enjoyed Love Corn and we each had our own preference to our favourite flavours. We found them to be really crunchy and delicious and a great alternative to a packet of crisps. I will personally continue to use these as evening nibbles and my children have said that they would be happy to eat them as a regular snack, especially in their packed lunches. We all agreed that they were tasty and enjoyed trying something new and different from our usual choices. 

If you would like to try Love Corn snacks for yourself, then I have a 20% discount code available to my readers. Simply visit the Love Corn Website and enter the code "CRUNCH20" at the check out. Alternatively, if you would like to try before you buy or you're not quite sure which flavour to purchase, then why not request a free sample pack (Postage additional at £1.99).


*Disclaimer - We were gifted a LOVE CORN care package for the purpose of writing an honest review of the product. All thoughts and opinions are my own.