All the calendars available can be personalised using 13 of your most loved photographs.  And also, you can add as many personal dates as you want.  Adding in all birthdays, anniversaries and those important appointment dates will make sure you never forget an important date again.

Calanderwizard really is a great idea.  Now when you look at the date, you can also smile at the treasured photo in front of you.  It will brighten up your home, or office, or wherever you may put it.

Prices and Sizes are as follows:-

Family Calendar A3 - £19.99
Mini Desk Calendar A6 - £5.99
Slim Calendar - £9.99
Desk Calendar A5 - £10.99
Wall Calendar A4 - £14.99
Large Wall Calendar A3 - £19.99
Desk planner – 10.99
Slim Photo Diary from £12.99
A5 Photo Diary from £14.99

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These highly collectable Mint coins are keep sakes. It’s so nice to be able to offer a real gift alternative to the high volume, mass produced products we are used to.

Silver Lucky Penny - £14.99
This penny is the same size and shape as the pennies in your purse but with a difference! It is crafted in solid sterling silver and comes in a velvet draw string bag to keep it safe.

A most perfect good luck charm, ideal for newborns (available in pink or blue!) or for anyone special in your life, that maybe need a little luck.

Create-a-set - £7.50
This is the perfect gift for any budding treasure hunter! The pack includes the new style £1 coin, which is in circulation and has spaces for all the other denominations that make up the new shield design that was introduced in 2009. These would make special birthday gifts.

For young and old alike it’s amazing how quickly you start looking at every coin in your change to see if it’s the missing one. If you like, this is a gift that keeps giving – You have to get that collection complete! I think this would be a great gift for two, or more, siblings. Let the competition between them make this set really come into its own.

Doctor Who - £5.99
These medals are perfect for anyone who has enjoyed Matt Smith’s first outing as the new Doctor in the current series of Doctor Who.

This official Doctor Who collectable comes with an information card detailing the villain’s powers. The new Doctor (the best?) ensures that these will retain and increase in value as well as being a joy to collect.

The full range of these inspiring mint coins gift ideas can be viewed at http://www.royalmint.com

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So for the best quality mash you could make in the comfort of your own kitchen, why not try out OXO’s stylish stainless steel Potato Ricer.  This is my new best friend in the kitchen!  I love it, and can’t actually believe I have lasted so long without one.  It literally transforms lumpy potatoes into creamy, delicious mash with one simple little press.

This Kitchen Potato Utensil is so easy to use.  Simply hold over a bowl, fill with cooked potatoes and squeeze through.  The non-slip handles helps absorb the pressure as you squeeze, which in turn will save you time and the strain of mashing (not to mention the dead arm syndrome after).

Don’t think that you can use this just for potatoes; why not mash your turnips or carrots this way.  Or better still, purée your little ones food with it.  You really will find a lot of uses for it.
 
OXO state:-
“If the thought of all that mashing deters you, try a ricer instead to save you time and energy in the kitchen. There’s no doubt that some mashers could do the job admirably, but for a professional result that makes you look more like Heston than Delia, the ricer wins hands down.  Just one quick squeeze and you have a bowl of steaming, delicious mash for everyone to enjoy.”

The OXO Ricer costs a well spent £24, and the whole range is widely available through a selection of national retailers, or visit http://www.oxo.com.

For stockist details, please call 0114 290 1455.

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Woolworths.co.uk have already listed Annabelle in its Christmas top ten, and it will certainly make it into Iconic Gifts own Christmas Toy chart, set to be published on 1st December. This baby Zapf is a wonderful gift.

Made by respected toy manufacturer Zapf Creation this is the 5th generation of Baby Annabell. This versions slight tweaks have made it THE doll that young girls want. Zapf have worked hard on “keeping it real”, to coin a phrase. The end result is simply the most perfect gift for a girl.

Just like a real baby with realistic sounds and features, Zapf Baby Annabell babbles, gurgles and really sucks on her dummy or bottle, with mouth movement and sucking sounds. This newborn doll cries real tears and after drinking water from her bottle will burp, yawn, and fall asleep in true Christmas tradition!

If you rock her she will close her eyes and fall asleep and if you talk to her she will respond with happy sounds. Squeeze her cuddly sheep to hear a lullaby and Baby Annabell will respond with a giggle or laugh.

Marian Davis, marketing manager of girls’ toys at Zapf Creation UK, said: “We’re delighted that Baby Annabell® is already being tipped to be one of the stand-out toys this Christmas. Baby Annabell® has led the way in the large-doll market with her innovative and life-like features and we are delighted she remains a firm favourite with little girls everywhere.”

Priced around £44.99, Baby Annabell is available at all good toy retailers nationwide and is suitable for children aged three plus.

Incidentally, Baby Annabell should come with a warning. For this review, I had to rock her, talk to her, watch her laugh and cry….baby Zapf, You have got me broody!

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I wanted to check out some art and craft ideas and came across two products for sale which really caught my eye.  These will both make a great gift for a lady in your life.

The first is the Bamboo Knitting Pin Set in Rose Fabric Wrap (QVC price £16.28).  This is the perfect gift for those we know who love to knit.  The Bamboo Knitting Needle Sets comprise of a very pretty fabric wrap with roses, and within that you have eight different-sized pairs of Bamboo knitting needles.  With this set, you will never lose a set of needles again, and will always have the correct size available whenever needed.  The Knitting Needle sizes are; 3mm, 3.5mm, 3.75mm, 4mm, 4.5mm, 5mm, 5.5mm and 6mm.

Another great gift is the V V Rouleaux Feather Rosette and Headband Kit (£QVC price £20.24).  With this, you actually get to make your own pretty headband, of which can also double up as fantastic hair facinators.  The feathers are in vibrant tones of peacock blue, green, black and grey, which I am sure, will match in with a lot of outfits you may have.  The kit also contains 2 silver-toned metal brooch clip, a white headband and diamante buttons.  Don’t be worried about putting you Rosette and Headband together as it comes with step-by-step instructions, with diagrams to help you out.

Check out other arts and craft ideas at http://www.qvc.com.

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I was asked to trial the ibrew home beer brewing kit, and I thought “well, why not? Nothing to lose”. Although I am sure I lost a micron’s worth of stomach and throat tissue from my last home brew attempt nearly twenty years ago, but I will do anything in the name of research!

Cheap beer making kits that produce great tasting beer. Available for just £64.99, the ibrew starter kit offers a complete re-usable home brewery with everything you need to begin brewing – including ingredients to make 40 pints in two batches. Re-fills cost £9.99 for 20 pints, which means home brewing costs from just 50p a pint.

So, cheap beer. Never normally bodes well. You get what you pay for.

Not so with ibrew! There are three varieties – a refreshing lager, a hoppy bitter and a rich stout, all of which are ready to drink within a mere 21 days.

I was sent sample bottles of the lager and a bitter brew kit. In the name of testing, I tried to reconstruct an optimum time for drinking lager. With the lager nicely chilled, I cut the grass in the back garden on a scorching day. With me tired, hot and sweating, I had reached that optimum point…I tried the ibrew lager.

This is as good as homebrew is ever going to get. Clear, sharp, crisp lager that you would think had been professionally brewed. It was so nice and I was so hot, I had another. Just to be sure (research) I had one more after that.

There are many commercially brewed lagers that I would leave on the supermarket shelves and go for the ibrew lager instead. It really is that good.

The ibrew pack includes a fermenter, which also doubles as the outer packaging, and a clever dispenser tap unit that fits onto the storage bottles. These bottles are designed to sit neatly on the fridge shelf making it simple for you to pour your draught beer ready chilled. The ibrew kits include the finest UK-grown malt and hops and require the addition of yeast (which is supplied) and water. All ingredients are 100% natural.

As far as ease of use goes, I had no issues setting up the bitter beer making kit. Very simple and concise products and instructions – and I normally have trouble making the bed.  It’s brewing away as I write. My little baby.

ibrew kits and refills are available to buy online at http://www.ibrew.co.uk and in numerous retailers nationwide (visit website to find nearest stockist).

The ultimate gift for beer lovers.

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Making an ideal gift for the home is the warm and cosy Hot Water Bottle Covers. They come in a selection of colours and designs, and some come in two sizes.  I know a lot of people who would use one of these.  It is the perfect gift to give someone for the cold, winter evenings.  The Knitted Hot Water Bottle covers collections start at £30.00.

What I also love in the knitted range is the selection of Knitted hearts.  These really are delightful, all tightly packed with wheat and soothing lavender.  Now these you could put anywhere within your home, out on display somewhere, or in your wardrobe to help keep your clothes smelling fresh.  I actually have mine on my bedside table.  I find that the lavender helps me drift off to sleep easier, aiding a good night’s sleep.

Another fine product coming to The Fine Cotton Company in September 2010 is the White Porcelain Tea light.  These are really sweet looking, with each one comprising of a different design.  They just ooze quality and will add a touch of luxury to the room you have it displayed in.  Made of magical porcelain, it is clear glazed making it become almost translucent when lit.

All the mentioned plus much more are available at http://www.thefinecottoncompany.com.

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First up is the HoMedics Hot & Cold Mini Vibration Massager (£19.99)

This homedics compact massager would sit well in any sports bag, ready for use immediately after a hard, punishing session. Incorporating a stylish design, this massager is designed for use with shoulders, legs or back.

Other features include -

• 3 massage settings including: massage, massage with heat and cold massage
• 3 massage heads: acunode, cold (refrigeration required) and heat
• Battery operated
• Available in purple, orange and green
• Available at Boots.com and MenKind

This heat massager is highly recommended.

The HoMedics Shiatsu Neck Massager £49.99

This is where Homedics excel. This neck massager performs at the highest level, offering immediate relief. A State-of-the-art moving massage mechanism is used that feels like the hands of a massage therapist, a very good one!

The Shiatsu massage and soothing heat gently kneads away neck tension and daily stress. The heat also really helps to ease muscle stiffness.

A very impressive addition to the range, Available at Argos, Amazon, Next.

This Homedics Shiatsu massager is as good as the real thing!

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Morrck state:-

“The Baby Hoodie is a unique, hooded travel wrap, shaped to fit into a car seat or pushchair.  Slits allow safety harnesses to feed through the soft fleece, allowing you to strap your baby in and wrap the Hoodie around them when going into the cold, or fold back the layers when you’re somewhere warmer.  The Hoodie can also stay fitted to a car seat or pushchair and placed in the hold of a plane.”

Sounds good, doesn’t it!  Just think, your little precious baby can be as snug as a bug in a rug, move from place to place and all this with no interrupted sleep – a dream for all parents (and not forgetting the babies themselves).

Morrck have a range of Baby Hoodies available, in fact they have one for each season of the year!  These Baby Hoodies really will make great baby snuggle blankets for all babies.  They include:-

The Classic Baby Hoodie (£32.95) – This is the warmest one, offering a double layer of thick, cosy fleece.

The All Season Baby Hoodie (from £32.95) – This hosts one layer of fleece and another of 100% cotton jersey.  It is incredibly warm for the winter months.  In the summer months, the cool cotton layer means it is ideal for spring and autumn.  This particular one is an ideal choice for a new baby, making a fantastic newborn blanket.

Morrck also provide lightweight and ultra lightweight Hoodies for the summer months.  And, also the Morrganic Hoodie for all of us eco friendly people.  Check out http://www.morrck.com for their full range.

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I therefore would like to introduce the Flexibath, an amazing baby folding bath tub!  Wow, talk about space saving!  This is an unbelievable baby bath that will allow you to store it literally anywhere once you have finished using it, unlike traditional infant bathtub, which are big and bulky!  You can easily store it against a wall or even in your wardrobe, simplicity at its best.

The flexibath is made of hard plastic, with the folding lines made of rubber.  This makes the bathtub stable whilst also flexible.  It also hosts a nonslip surface which will only help when it does come to bath time.  It may look slightly smaller than a traditional baby bath, but 2 babies can easily fit into it.  It also has a drain plug to make emptying the bath so much easier.

The Flexibath retails at £29.95 and without a doubt will make a fantastic gift for new mums and dads.  I know I will be using one if I ever get around to baby number 3!  It is available to purchase from http://www.flexibath.co.uk.

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