Tag Archives: Review

Toy State Reveals Fantastic Toddler Toys | Christmas Ideas

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Toy State, a toy industry leader and innovator of highly-stylized licenced “lights and sound” and radio-controlled vehicles has a fantastic selection of Christmas toys suitable for toddlers. Designed to cope with tough toddler play and encourage co-ordination and imaginative play. We reviewed the following:

Hot Wheels Extreme Action Sharkruiser– All the excitement of Hot Wheels™ with lights and sounds for extra action. Get ready for extreme fun with the chomping jaws and glowing eyes on Sharkruiser. Ages 3+ Expected Market Retail price £19.99, available from smythstoys.com, TheRange.co.uk, ASDA.com, Wilkinson.com, ToysRUs.co.uk

A huge hit with toddlers. They can barely wait until it is out of the box. Chomps away as it goes. 

Cat Buildin’ Crew E-Z Machines® R/C- You are never too young to start playing with a Remote-Control vehicle. Designed for toddlers, the single button activation allows the child to drive the Cat machine forward when pressing the button or watch it spin in circles when released. There are 2 fun characters to collect including; Haulin’ Harry™ and Rugged Randy™. Ages 2+ Expected Market Retail price £16.99, available from smythstoys.com, TheRange.co.uk, Toymaster.co,uk and Debenhams.com

A brilliant little toy for toddlers. Easy to use and tons of fun. It also helps their coordination. 

 

Shake and Match Shape Sorter from Hape Review

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Frost loves this colourful and fun shape sorter. Children will learn shapes as well as colours as they have fun. The shape sorter is wooden and well made. The shapes also double as rattles which give a great sound. The design is brilliant without any fuss. Unlike other shape sorters we have reviewed it is also tough and sturdy. So it will not just break after a few uses. A wonderful toy. Frost recommends.

The Shake and Match Shape Sorter from Hape is not just your average shape sorter. Inspiring building in a whole new, way each block has its very own unique sound. Doubling as a rattle, allow your little one to create their own distinct sound as they sort the shapes or just shake a block and ask your child to imitate the sounds you made with his or her own block. It’s the perfect way to allow the relationship between parent and child to blossom.

Each side of the wooden hexagon has fun to be had, watch them overcome the challenge of finding the correct slot to complete the sorter. Discovering new sounds, shapes and colours along the way with this multifunctional toy.

Thoughtfully designed to the highest of safety and quality standards, parents have peace of mind that they can trust in Hape. With a commitment to sustainability, Hape use only eco-friendly materials and water based paints to produce their much-loved and well respected toys.

The Hape Shake and Match Shape Sorter is available at Debenhams.com for £12.00 and is guaranteed to provide your little one with plenty of fun whilst developing a variety of vital skills needed for the years ahead, from hand-eye co-ordination, dexterity & shape and colour recognition.

The beautiful wooden design and enchanting pattern we’re so used to seeing from Hape is once again carried throughout the Shake and Match Shape Sorter good for both the child and the environment, Hape set themselves apart from others by the sturdy construction making it perfect for the rough and tumble of child’s play. While the use of bright bold colours are ideal for developing any little one’s shape and colour recognition, also helping hand-eye co-ordination and dexterity, whilst bringing joy to any young one 12M +.

 

The Savvy Traveller Survival Guide By Peter John Review

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This book on avoiding traveling scams is well written, humorous and full of great advice. Highly recommended. 

 

Travel is one of our favourite activities. From the hustle of bustle of the mega-cities to sleepy mountain towns to the tranquillity and isolation of tropical islands, we love to get out there and explore the world.

But globe-trotting also comes with its pitfalls. Wherever there are travellers, there are swindlers looking to relieve individuals of their money, possessions and sometimes even more. To avoid such troubles, and to get on with enjoyable and fulfilling trips, people need to get smart. This book shows you how.

The Savvy Traveller Survival Guide offers practical advice on avoiding the scams and hoaxes that can ruin any trip. From no-menu, rigged betting, and scenic taxi tour scams to rental damage, baksheesh, and credit card deceits – this book details scam hotspots, how the scams play out and what you can do to prevent them. The Savvy Traveller Survival Guide will help you develop an awareness and vigilance for high-risk people, activities, and environments.

Forewarned is forearmed!

About the Author. Peter John is a lifelong traveller who dabbles in office work while planning his next trip. He has never knowingly scammed anyone, but has been scammed while he travelled more times than he cares to remember. He hopes that others can learn from his mistakes, which are spelled out in merciless detail in this book.

The Savvy Traveller Survival Guide By Peter John

 

Corkcicle Canteen Review

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The Corkcicle Canteen has impressed me, and it takes a lot to impress me. It keeps drinks cold for over 25 hours or hot for over 12. All while looking very stylish indeed. It is stainless steel and easy to clean. This stylish travel mug is amazing. Seriously, travel mugs just got cool, and hot at the same time. See what we did there? Frost loves.

 

Our bright summer Caribbean green Canteen is the perfect little tag along no matter the time or place. This brilliantly built travel mug is perfect for those beach days keeping your drinks cool for over 25 hours, not only is it made for burning hot days, but can also keep your hot beverages warm for more than 12 hours. Great isn’t it?

The Canteen comes not only in Caribbean Green but in multiple sizes and colours to match each individual’s unique style. It also comes in an array of vibrant finishes such as Copper, Lilac and Peach. So grab your Canteen and have a blast.

It’s super key features include:

  • keeps your beverages cool for over 25 hours and hot for over 12.
  • Available in 3 different sizes – Small (265ml), Medium (475ml) and Large (750ml)
  • A shatter-proof stainless steel interior lining that will not affect the taste of your favourite beverage – Plus it makes your Canteen terribly easy to clean.
  • Three industry-leading layers of insulation eliminating condensation and burning hands
  • The Canteen features a leakproof threaded screw top, easy grip sides and a non-slip bottom for all you clumsy ones.
  • Includes a wide mouth for ice cubes and easy filling!

Simply, the most stylish way to keep drinks cool on the go without the hassle of lugging around a heavy cooler. It’s time to start drinking differently.

From £20.

 

The Corkcicle Canteen is available here. 

Penclic B2 And Penclic B3 Review | Time To Change Your Mouse?

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Some technology seems to stay the same, and the humble computer mouse may have changed in some ways- became wireless, have different buttons- but really it is a design that has stayed the same. Now Penclic has changed that thanks to high-quality Scandinavian design. These mice are more like pens, and the design has helped many people with RSI or carpel tunnel. In fact, it was designed to help people with RSI. And it does. We reviewed the B2 and the B3. We are a fan of Penclic. It looks great, is easy to use, even if it does not look like it would be, and is easier on your poor hands and wrist. Penclic B2

 

If you dont have any left over USB ports the Penclic Mouse B2 connects seamlessly to both PC and Mac through bluetooth. The sleek pen looks great in white.

    • The supported platforms for Penclic MouseTM are all operating systems that support HID 1.1. These include Windows XP or later, Mac OSX version 10.1 or later and most Linux/BSD flavors. No extra software/driver installation is needed.
    • Bluetooth connection (not supported by standard iOS).
    • Operates on almost any surface without any pad or tablet.
    • Implements a 5-button and scroll wheel. The left click, right click and middle click are on the pen shaft’s right side. On the pen shaft’s left side the backward click and forward click for surfing are positioned.
    • AAA 1.2V NiMH Recharging battery (Everyday use last approximately 1 months before charging is needed).
    • LR 03/AAA/1.5V Alkaline None rechargeable battery can be used. NOTE: Do not recharge.
    • Energy saving mode starts after 10 minutes, press a button to start.
    • Wireless reach, minimum 5 metres.Dpi setting 1200.

A wonderful mouse. Highly recommended.

Penclic B3

 

The Penclic Mouse B3 is perfect for both lefties and righties, it connects seamlessly to any pc or mac by bluetooth.

  • The supported platforms for Penclic Mouse are all operating systems that support HID 1.1. These include Windows XP or later, Mac OSX version 10.1 or later and most Linux/BSD flavors. No extra software/driver installation is needed.
  • Bluetooth connection (not supported by standard iOS).
  • Operates on almost any surface without any pad or tablet.
  • Implements a 3-buttons and scroll wheel mouse.
  • AAA 1.2V NiMH Recharging battery (Everyday use last approximately 1 months before charging is needed).
  • Charging via USB.
  • LR 03/AAA/1.5V Alkaline None rechargeable battery can be used. NOTE: DO NOT RECHARGE
  • Energy saving mode starts after 10 min, press a button to start.
  • Wireless reach, minimum 5 metres.
  • Dpi settings 800 – 1200 – 1600.

The dpi button is located under the mouse, the cursor will move faster for each setting. It will rotate around frequency from 800-1600 and then go back to low 800. Once the power is shut of the dpi setting will return to its default setting, 1200 dpi.

A great mouse which can be used with either hand. Convenient and stylish..

Penclic is available here.

Hape Swimmer Teddy Wind-up Toy Review

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bath toy

Frost loves this adorable wind up bath toy. It is cute and makes children giggle and squeal in delight. A great little bath toy. It is easy to use, just wind it up and watch it go. It has fast become a favourite of the Frost toddler. 

With Swimmer Teddy Wind Up Toy watch the adorable little teddy do his thing as you wind him up and watch him go round and round for entertaining delight. Children can enjoy the magic as Mr Teddy performs his swimming tricks.

With Hape Little Splashers bath time will never be the same again!

All Hape products are created using non-toxic finishes, water based paints and only the highest quality child safe materials. So, while your child enjoys hours of fun, you have peace of mind knowing they are gaining essential skills for the years ahead.

Suitable for 12 months +, £12.89 from Amazon

 

Mindful Pregnancy & Birth: Nurturing Love and Awareness By Riga Forbes

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mindfulness, pregnancy

This is a great book which gives you the inspiration to go through your pregnancy and birth with a mindful approach. As well as advice it also has meditative exercises and insights. A great, helpful book for mothers-to-be. 

Focusing on the entire journey; from pregnancy through to early parenthood, this guide to living mindfully for expectant mothers helps prepare you for birth and improve your wellbeing with the ancient practice of mindfulness. When we talk about making something, it usually refers to creating, manipulating, or forming a material. In pregnancy, our bodies are wrapped up in doing all of these things at once, and on a grand scale. But in the act of making space in ourselves through mindfulness, none of these things apply. In Mindful Pregnancy & Birth we engage in an act of “not doing”. Of not changing, but of simply “being” in the experience of ourselves. Pregnancy is a phase in which to reconcile what has been, with what will become. It is a process, a time of change, and even more so for a first-time mother. It is a recognition of our dreams for the future being in transit, in gestation, in the making.

Mindful Pregnancy & Birth: Nurturing Love and Awareness By Riga Forbes is available here.

Chichester’s triple threat… Review: The Norman Conquests

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The Norman Conquests
Chichester Festival Theatre
Until 28 October
Box office: 01243 781312
www.cft.org.uk

Photo by Manuel Harlan

Three interconnecting plays, Alan Ayckbourn’s cleverly conceived trilogy gets the red carpet treatment in this excellent revival. While seeing all three provides the complete story, Ayckbourn wrote each play as a standalone, so you don’t lose out if you’re only in town for an evening. But there are several dates when the marathon triple bill can be seen and, if you possibly can, take your seat for the longer haul.

Fabulously staged (a first for Chichester is the addition of on-stage seating, thus creating a full in-the-round experience); the setting is a rambling country house and garden in Sussex where Annie (Jemima Rooper) lives and looks after her ailing mother. Desperate for some much-needed fun (in the absence of local nice-but-dim vet Tom putting the moves on her), she plans a dirty weekend away with her incorrigible brother-in-law, Norman (Trystan Gravelle). The arrival of her brother Reg (Jonathan Broadbent) and sister-in-law Sarah (Sarah Hadland), followed by eldest sister – Norman’s wife – Ruth (Hattie Ladbury) puts paid to Annie’s plans. The collective convergence also unleashes fall-outs, flirtations and some enthusiastic hurling of home truths.

Taking place over the course of a weekend, in the first play, ‘Table Manners,’ the action takes place in the dining room. In ‘Living Together’ we relocate to the sitting room to see what has been going on in the meantime. Finally we catch up on the outdoors action (and oh boy there’s plenty of it!) in the concluding ‘Round and Round the Garden.’

Making her Chichester debut, Blanche McIntyre directs. Written and set in 1973 (superb design and detail from Simon Higlett), while the period is evident, McIntyre injects a sense of newness; vintage Ayckbourn with a contemporary twist.

Without exception the performances are polished. Delivering beautifully played comedy while highlighting the foibles and struggles of their individual characters, there is a pleasing synchronisation between the actors that aids the flow of the entire trilogy.

Very funny, neatly done and with moments of sharp poignancy, this is a hugely satisfying three-course theatrical feast.