Three Weddings and a Proposal By Sheila O’Flanagan Book Review

Three Weddings and a Proposal - bestseller Sheila O'FlanaganI have read quite a few of Sheila O’Flanagan’s books now and I am always impressed by the depth of her female characters. They are not your silly carbon-copy women. Delphine is no exception. The main character of Three Weddings and a Proposal will have you cheering her on at every point. She is such a great character and grows so much throughout the novel, it is impossible to not love her.

Three Weddings and a Proposal is a doorstopper of a book and it is such a joy to lose yourself in it. I also loved the fact some of the book is set in Mallorca as it felt like I was on holiday. With all of its twists and turns and fantastic characters, it is impossible not to love Three Weddings and a Proposal. It is an entertaining book full of depth, warmth and happiness. Loved it.

Three Weddings and a Proposal (HB, £20, Headline Review) will become a much-loved staple for readers of Sheila’s books. In her classic style, it’s set between Ireland and Spain, continually transporting the reader straight to the sparkling seas and sun-baked streets of Mallorca. Sheila grapples with the complexities of dilemma and change, gets to the heart of empowerment for women and champions finding your feet. Her books always feature a strong female protagonist, are always fun with characters you really care about and have a big dollop of warmth throughout.

Delphine has worked hard for her success, but her opinionated family aren’t convinced that her lifestyle could truly make her happy. While at a wedding, Delphine hears some shocking news that will make her revaluate all that matters to her – will love, family and compromise come before her career, security and independence?

Out on 20th May.

Vogue Williams shares her ‘Must Have’ Baby Products with The Baby Show Live @ Home

Vogue Williams, radio & TV presenter, model and mum shares her must-have parenting products with The Baby Show:

Bouncer

I love the BabyBjörn Bouncer Bliss. We had one of these when we had Theodore and they are brilliant. You can get a toy attachment for it too, so that it can turn into a little activity chair for your baby. We recently got the new Leopard print one for Gigi which I love, but this bouncer will last you through all of your kids as the covers are washable!

 

Buggy

The Bugaboo Fox buggy was the main buggy we got for Theodore and then Gigi used it after she was born. It’s very long lasting and super comfortable, plus you can attach a seat to the back, which is where T sits now!

 

Baby Gym

I always find myself looking for ways to occupy Gigi. We got a gorgeous wooden play gym from Scandiborn and I just think they have the most gorgeous toys for all age groups.

 

Travel steriliser

I use the Avent Travel Steriliser. This steriliser is really compact, you can take it away with you and you can store it away in a cupboard, so there’s no need to have a messy steriliser sitting out.

 

Baby Clothes

In terms of clothing, there are so many baby brands I love, but some of my favourites are Rachel Riley, Pop My Way, MORI, Mini Rodini, Oliver Baby, Mini A Ture and Il Gufo. All of these brands are really good quality, so will stand the test of a messy baby!

 

Muslins

I think aden + anais do the best ones. You will need lots of these, we use them for everything, you can never have too many!

 

Breast Pump

My favourites are the Medela Swing and the Elvie. They are expensive, but have lasted me two babies so far and if we have more I will know I will be able to use them again.

 

High Chair

I really love the Stokke Trip Trap as you can use it from newborn upwards plus it’s easy to clean.

 

Sheets

Snuz do a lovely range of super soft sheets.

 

Moses basket

We got a really beautiful Moses for our sitting room from The Little Green Sheep.

 

The Baby Show Live @ Home takes place from Friday 19 – Sunday 20 June, 2021. For more information visit https://www.thebabyshow.co.uk/live

 

WHO-approved Reusable Facemask Uses Patented Silver-based Technology to Protect Against Covid-10

Silver Life Face Coverings – providing ultimate, scientifically proven, sustainable protection

As the UK launches itself out of the latest lockdown and life returns to normal, it has never been more important to wear a facemask, which guarantees full protection against the Covid-19 virus.  Fabric face coverings and ‘fashion masks’ offer some minimal protection but now a team of healthcare scientists have developed The Silver Life Face Covering. This facemask uses silver-based 3D knitted technology, and meets the World Health Organization’s recommendations for use against the current microbial pandemic.

 These masks are stylish and well-made. We had some compliments when we were wearing them and people asked where we got them. They are also comfortable. face mask, reusable,

The Silver Life Face Covering uses silver as an integral part of the thread of its fabric, due to silver’s antiviral and antibacterial properties.  The mask also filters incoming air and the outgoing breath through a mesh size of just 3 microns (whereas ten microns is the current WHO standard) and is an effective filter in reducing air pollution particles, as well as airborne viruses such as Covid-19.

 

The Silver Life Face Covering is also reusable for up to 100 washes and is made from 36% recycled material making it better for the environment, than standard issue personal protective equipment masks which are neither reusable nor recyclable. Globally 129 billion face masks are used every month and more and more of these masks are finding their way into the ocean.

 

Dr Alan Green, environmentalist and founder of SP Science Limited (the owner of The Silver Life Face Coverings) says: “Facemasks have become virtually compulsory both here in the UK and elsewhere throughout the world.  Unfortunately, this has led to the estimate that the UK throws out 53 million face masks per day, and everyone has witnessed people throwing face masks onto the ground – our supermarket forecourts and entrances are littered with them!

 

‘The consequence is that face masks are now found in our high streets, rivers, meadows, oceans – almost everywhere.  Of course, we’re already aware of the huge pollution problems from plastic wastes that are literally choking our oceans, as reported by Greenpeace and others, and now coral reefs in the Indian Ocean are also suffering from “face mask pollution” too.”

 

“Single-use or disposable face masks are made using a variety of plastics, including polypropylene, polyethylene and vinyl – which means they can take up to 450 years to break down.  Even then, the plastic stays around as tiny microplastics.  These microplastics are causing fundamental problems to our world-wide ecosystems and have even been found in the Antarctic and Arctic environments.”

“This mask has been developed by experienced healthcare scientists and has safety, the environment, recycling and manufacturing standards at the core of its design. Sustainability is at the essence of The Silver Life Face Covering, as it also meets US Environmental Protection Agency standards for disposal – the only silver-based textile that does so.”

 

The mask is manufactured with a sculptured design for comfort and long periods of wear. It has a soft feel on the skin and the integrated nose wire helps prevent fogging when wearing glasses, and adjustable ear loops making it a one-size-fits-all product.  It is also ideal for indoor, outdoor and sports activities as is fully effective when wet – unlike the existing PPE masks.

 

The Silver Life Face Covering, was created by 3-D knitting technology experts, and SP Science Limited helped finalise the product for real-life use and undertakes sole source marketing and sales activity throughout the world.  SP Science Limited is a company formed by a group of highly experienced scientists, and public healthcare specialists, with long term experience in the healthcare sector. Their aim is to provide a range of barrier protection products for use by the general public, which are carefully selected for environmentally sustainable and use recycled materials in their core manufacture.

 

“Since November 2018, we have undertaken a world-wide review of the anti-microbial marketplace” says Alan. “We have now secured the use of ground-breaking, proven international technologies.  These technologies provide the protection our customers are seeking in this time of concern about viruses, and infections – and offer an ideal solution to disposable PPE face masks, which are now having a detrimental effect on our environment.”

 

 

Silver Life Face Coverings cost £14 for 2 plus postage (discounts are available for bulk purchasing). They are available in black and other colours will be available early in 2021. Visit https://www.silverlifemasks.com/ for more information, and also available for purchase on Amazon.co.uk, E-Bay and ETSY.

 

New Launches for ESPA & Christophe Robin

We are super-excited about two new launches from Christophe Robin and ESPA. First up is Christophe Robin Healthy Glow Duo – RRP: £17.00

This contains minis of Cleansing purifying scrub with sea salt and Hydrating melting mask with aloe vera. The perfect ritual for a healthy scalp and deeply hydrated, shiny hair. A 2-step routine to gently detoxify the scalp and deeply hydrate and illuminate hair. This duo really works wonders. It smells great too. We cannot recommend it enough.

ESPA , Christophe Robin, new launches

Next up is ESPA Herbal Tea Infusion RRP: £15.00
Partnering with the mood-boosting benefits of the aromatherapy products in ESPA’s Signature Blends collection, these handcrafted wellbeing teas with their delicious flavours and beautiful aromatics are companions for modern living. With a choice of 6 blends in total, each infusion expertly blended to create moments throughout your day to pause, reflect, connect and inspire, from when you wake in the morning until you’re ready to turn out the lights at night.

Everything about this herbal tea infusion is perfect: the caddy is stylish and elegant. The tea is delicious and relaxing.  It brings instant joy every single time you use it. Love.

 

THE BOOKS THAT CHANGED ME BY HÉLENE FERMONT 


Ever since I was very young my parents instilled in me a love for literature. We had a big library room at the back of the house, with books by all kinds of authors, Swedish and international, filling the shelves. I distinctly recall my mother’s delight each time someone gave her a new book – she’d read and share it with the members of her book club. She went to great lengths preparing lovely delicious lunches and dressed up for the occasion. Back then, in the 80s, books were special and quite expensive. Some even impossible to get hold of. My parents queued up outside the biggest bookseller for hours on end one night in February every year to browse and buy new books by their favourite authors. They always bought new books for me and my brother and gave them to us on our birthdays. I still remember the excitement of reading a new book.
There are too many authors whose books I loved then, and regularly return to, to list here. My favourite books are the kind of books that linger in my heart and mind long after I’ve finished reading them. As the author of character driven Psychological Thrillers, and a huge fan of character focused books, the following books changed me and inspired me to write.

Loves Music Loves To Dance by Mary Higgins Clark
This book centres around personal ads, and was published before the Internet.
It highlights the dangers of meeting strangers and is a gripping story with great characters. I’ve read all her books and learn something new each time I return to them.

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson
After reading this intriguing and very graphic book, I became hooked on the sequels and, of course, the wonderful complex main character and storyline.

Small Town Girl by LaVyrle Spencer
The storyline centres around a famous singer who returns home to look after her mother. The characters are so vivid, complex and human I instantly felt and feel as if they could be part of my life. I always return to this author’s books to inspire me.

Hamilton Beach by Linda Olsson
This is a very sad book about grief and the grieving process, and how loss affects us when we least expect it. The book is written from the main character’s point of view and perspective of what happened years ago and the place they used to love. The characters and emotional journeys are wonderful as is the beautiful scenery. This is a hard book to read but very relatable for people in a similar situation. The author’s books centre around universal topics and unexpected life changing events.

Yes Of Course It Hurts When Buds Are Breaking by Karin Boye
Karin Boye’s one of Sweden’s most famous author and poet. This is my favourite poem as it touches my heart in numerous ways.The words and sentiments are beautiful, very relatable and sad. I think of my beloved parents and all the wonderful times we had together. This was their favourite poem as well.

 

 

20% Off On Look Fantastic: Luxury Teeth Whitening From Beverly Hills Formula

Luxury dental brand Beverly Hills Formula are 20% off on Look Fantastic!

teeth whitening, beverly hills formula. look fantastic,

This includes the Perfect White and Professional White range so whether you’re stocking up on whitening toothpastes or whitening kits, head to lookfantastic.com to shop the sale! We have tried the products and they are brilliant. Get some now.

 

Oppo Brothers Ice Cream: Famous for Flavour, not Calorie | Frost Loves.

We have fallen completely in love with this delicious ice cream which is healthy for you and the planet. It is all of the indulgence with 60% less calories and sugar (they use stevia and other natural ingredients) than regular ice cream. The warm weather is coming and there is no better way to celebrate it than with Oppo Brothers Ice cream. The ice cream has protein in it and lots of other natural ingredients that are good for you. I am a particular fan of the Double Chocolate Brownie flavour. 

Even my children love this ice-cream. If it pasts the kids test you know it is a winner. It tastes good and it does good. What more could you want?

Launched in 2014 by brothers Charlie and Harry Thuillier, Oppo’s mission is to create feel good indulgence, without compromising health or planet. Ice cream gives everyone a little lift, and with the sun shining and temperatures rising as we head into summer, Oppo delivers the most indulgent flavours, with up to 60% less calories and sugar than regular ice cream, and no compromise on taste. The first major ice cream brand in the UK to launch a nationwide ice cream delivery service, Oppo customers can get hold of exclusive flavours not available in the shops – arriving in perfect frozen condition. Furthermore, 10% of online profits go to the NHS, meaning #GoodTemptation has never felt better!

oppo brothers ice cream oppo brothers ice cream

Feel good

Ice cream sales exploded last year as Brits treated themselves at home, with an extra 54 million litres going through the tills in 2020₁. Whilst some sought out comfort in calories, others embraced healthier lifestyles during lockdowns and tucked into better-for-you treats like Oppo, with this healthier brand seeing a 40% global increase in sales, and 140% in the UK, more than any of its competitors in the marketplace. In the last 6 years Oppo has saved 5.23bn calories from people’s diet, or 600,000kg of fat, when they choose Oppo over standard ice cream, showing that feeling good can taste good too! 

Only the finest natural ingredients

Oppo brings indulgence without compromising health, using all-natural ingredients from all corners of the earth to provide an all round feel-good ice cream. Fresh meadow-grazed cow’s milk is sourced from a sustainable dairy local to the Oppo creamery. Hero ingredients, which keeps the % of sugar and calories at bay include organic Peruvian Lucuma fruit, known as the ‘Gold of the Incas’ which naturally provides a rich caramel flavour for the Double Salted Caramel. Pure Columbian Cacao Fino de Aroma is ethically sourced and used in chocolate ice cream flavours. Stevia leaf brings the sweetness, without the calories or any nasty additives, whilst Madagascan vanilla seeds, cinnamon from the jungles of Sumatra and fruit are bursting with flavour. 

Flavour is everything

Natural ingredients combine to create the ultimate frozen treat, whatever the weather. With combinations ranging from zingy lemon to crunchy buttery biscuits and mouth-wateringly rich chocolate, there is something for everyone, including a growing list of plant based vegan options:

  • Caramel Cookie Melt

  • Vanilla Pecan Praline Crunch

  • Colombian Chocolate & Hazelnut

  • Double Chocolate Brownie

  • Double Salted Caramel Swirl

  • Canadian Maple Walnut Crunch

  • Very AlmondBerry (vegan)

  • Simply the Zest (vegan)

  • Madagascan Vanilla & Roasted Almond Ice Cream Sticks

  • Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sticks

  • Colombian Chocolate & Hazelnut Ice Cream Sticks

The Oppo Ethos

Oppo believes in #GoodTemptation, doing right by people as well as the environment. Oppo sources their milk locally, from cows that are free to roam naturally, and where circular farming methods are used to control waste and secrete it into a local forest to reduce C02 impact. For every sustainably-managed tree cut down  for the packaging, Oppo plants five more, and their packaging plant runs on green energy. Removing the gold foil from Oppo packaging means that it is easier to recycle, and reduces the energy used in producing it. Cocoa farmers are paid above the market rate, and profits are invested into the local community to build schools and other infrastructure. 

About Oppo Brothers

Brothers Charlie and Harry Thuillier conceived the idea for ice cream that makes you feel-good (indulgence at no expense to health) in Brazil in 2011 whilst breaking the world record for the longest distance travelled by kite. It took 2.5 years to create their first recipe.

Entrepreneurs Charlie and Harry Thuillier pitched their idea on Dragons’ Den, asking for a £60,000 investment for a 7% share of the business. Despite failing to secure the investment, the brothers went on to quickly raise over £1.1m in funding through the Seedrs platform, of which investors have now sold for significant profit. In 2016 tennis champion Andy Murray tried Oppo and loved it so much he invested in the ice cream dream, helping to introduce Oppo to over 140k people. Since then they have become the only lower calorie ice cream brand to win Great Taste Awards, and refuse to compromise on health or taste. Charlie and Harry believe that their success is down to Oppo’s focus on quality of product and premium, natural ingredients, plus an understanding that consumers are unwilling to compromise on taste. 

Oppo is sold in 12 countries worldwide and is stocked in Tesco, Sainsburys, Waitrose, M&S, Booths, Ocado and more in the UK, as well as being available online for delivery. 

RRP is £4.50 for a 475ml tub 

www.oppobrothers.com

 This Summer they launch two new flavours – Double Chocolate Brownie and the UK’s first CBD ice cream – Choc ‘n Chill with CBD.

GEOX Kids’ new PLAYKIX Collection.

We absolutely love these high-quality and innovative running shoes for kids. They are so stylish and they are waterproof. Win-win.

GEOX Kids’ new PLAYKIX COLLECTION that combines sustainability, technology and fashion to create a running shoe with a futuristic look.

Geox, trainers, children's kids,

  • The shoe cleverly captures foot movement and conveys this information via Bluetooth to the PLaykix App available on smartphones.
  • This sets in motion the adventures of GEOX Boy and GEOX Girl, encouraging them to play outside, while creating avatars who collect plastic waste, rid the air of pollution or repair vehicle that clean the environment.
  • By engaging in these digitised exciting activities, children are encouraged to actively interact with the environment in a responsible way, making walking more entertaining and fun.

 

GEOX PLAYKIX is available in a variety of bright vibrant colours and all  include the Geox-patented breathable waterproof outsole. https://www.geox.com/