Category Archives: gifts

Personalised Photo Gift From CanvasChamp

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With Father’s Day almost upon us, it is the time of year when we start to look at good gift options for dad. One gift option that is always popular is a special photograph that is turned into a gift, be it a cushion, a magnet or a canvas. This is a gift that can commemorate a special occasion, capture a unique moment, and is very personal to the one both giving the gift, and receiving it. A perfect idea in all aspects.

CanvasChamp prides itself on producing canvas prints at a fraction of the price you can find elsewhere. It can produce your print in a range of sizes that go from a small, discreet 20cmx20cm, to a large 40cmx50cm print. (You can also make your print custom by choosing the custom size option). You can choose to turn one specific image into a print, or can create a collage effect of some of your favourite images, or a wall display which features images of different sizes. There are also mosaic effects which are an effective and unusual way to show off a treasured picture, and, if you are feeling particularly artistic, and want to showcase your photograph in a totally different way, you can use the pop art effect to transform your image into a Roy Lichtenstein style image.

I love how easy it is to create your canvas at CanvasChamp. You can take images straight from your Instagram or Facebook accounts, as well as by traditional downloads, which I think is just perfect in our days of taking images at all times on all different sorts of media. Creating your image is simply a matter of uploading your chosen photograph and then moving it into your chosen position. The sidebar gives you the option to change size of frame, wrap and border and hardware and finish, and then the process is finished, it it as simple as that.  The frames are all hand crafted wooden wrap-resistant and the poly-cot coating over the canvas crowns them with durability and colour vibrancy.

If you are trying to think of a special present for dad this year, maybe a canvas print could be a gift that would truly delight, and really stand the test of time.

 

The Rise Of Craft Chocolate

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When it comes to our national food and drink story, one thing seems clear, quality is becoming more and more important. We look more carefully at the ingredients that are printed in the label, wanting more natural products which not only taste better, but are better for our bodies,and often more ethical too. We want less in the way of preservatives and chemicals, more in the way of natural processes, and we don’t mind paying that little bit more for it. This trend has seen a rise in the popularity of Craft beers and micro breweries, and independent coffee bars serving Craft coffee, now get set for the craft trend for everyone, the trend for Craft chocolate.

So what is Craft Chocolate, and why is the time now right for it to grow in popularity? Well, when it comes to craft chocolate, it seems like the adage less is more certainly rings true. Craft chocolate is often described as a journey from bean to bar, with ingredients kept to a minimum, the emphasis being on the creation of the bar using just the beans and sugar(and maybe a little milk for milk chocolate, but dark chocolate is sooo much nicer), with the chocolatier being an artisan, a creator, rather than the chocolate coming from a mass produced factory source. This will ensure that the taste is deeper and richer and the chocolate is a luxurious treat.

Craft chocolate is the perfect treat for those who like to know exactly where their food comes from. The bean to bar philosophy is not confined to the ingredients of the chocolate, but also to it’s production and transportation. Most Craft chocolate manufacturers go straight to the source when purchasing their beans, forming partnerships that ensure they know the quality of the product, but also supports small collectives and farmers in a way that the large chocolate companies can often overlook.

Chocolate in the UK is a national obsession – we all seem to have our favourite variety and bar, and of course, with Easter almost here, even the most chocolate phobic amongst us may choose to indulge. But it has to be said that, in recent years, there has been some fierce criticism of some of our most beloved bars and brands. Cadburys were the subject of a takeover bid from Kraft which definitely saw changes to some of the nation’s favourite bars. The glass and a half symbol and phase disappeared from wrappers, and many bars seemed to change in flavour (including my faves Dairy Milk and Cadbury’s Caramel). Some bars changed shape – again Dairy Milk, and seemed smaller, whilst the famous Christmas tins became plastic tubs that contained far fewer chocolates. It seems almost sacrilege to change such cherished products and has led to people looking to find new favourite chocolate products elsewhere.

So this Easter, do yourself, and your chocolate loving friends and family a favour. Step away from the supermarket sweetie aisle and look instead for a product that has just those two ingredients on the label. You will never look back!

 

 

 

 

Five More Mother’s Day Gift Ideas

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We’re just a week away from Mother’s Day now, so today I am bringing you my penultimate gift guide. This one contains the best cards on the market, a tipple that your mom will totally love you for, and a cute and affordable personlised gift that should help your mom lay claim to her favourite (and best) chair in the house. There are also candles for mom to use as she has a relaxing bath, and the perfect relaxing tonic to keep in your handbag for those moments when you need a pick me up.

Carthy & Black’s Yorkshire Cream Liqueur From 31Dover
31Dover is one of the UK’s leading online drinks retailers and is definitely a destination if you want to treat mom to a special tipple this Mother’s Day. They have a superb collection of artisan spirits and liqueurs, with my key pick being Carthy & Black’s Yorkshire Cream Liqueur, a must try for anyone who loves Baileys or Sheridans.
So what is so special about this Yorkshire Cream  Liqueur? 31Dover explains:-

Created by two proud Yorkshiremen who wanted to give the rest of the UK a taste of what their glorious heartland has to offer. Carthy & Black’s Yorkshire Cream Liqueur is made from fresh, silky smooth cream from Payne’s Dairies’ happiest cows and the best Irish whiskey they could get their hands on for a refreshinly moreish sipping experience.

The liqueur is deliciously creamy, with a slight licorice aftertaste that gives it a uniquely gorgeous flavour. The bottle is very stylish, and you can also have this git boxed by 31Dover which makes it a perfect gift idea.

Choose A Card From Scribbler

Scribbler is the home of cards, from cute to quirky, and now, online, you can also get personlised options that can include anything from a childhood photograph to a special, personal message.  Scribbler cards can be rude, they can be sweary, they can be touching, they can be funny, and this makes them perfect, because there is something to suit every mom.

There is a great Scribbler store in the Bullring, which also sells a range of gift ideas, but if you can’t get to a store, you can find a range of cards on their online store.

Here a few of my faves.

Personalised Wreath Cushion Cover from BornGifted

A personlised gift is always wonderful because it shows the thought that went into it, and it can only be for you. It can also be perfect if you have an unusual name that is not usually seen on personalised products, or, if like me, you insist on being called ‘mom’ rather than ‘mum’.

The personalised wreath cushion cover from baby and children’s brand Borngifted is a beautiful idea. Made from polyester cotton, the idea is that this is ‘moms cushion’ to sit on mom’s chair, totally reserved for her. You can personalise the cushion with your choice of role/name up to 12 characters and a short message up to 30 characters.

Angela Langford Freshen Up Hydrating and Refreshing Tonic

A perfect sized bottle to keep in your handbag, and the most gorgeous and reviving fragrance of rose, orange blossom and aloe vera, the Freshen Up spray by Angela Langford can act as a facial sprtz, a tonic and a toner. Angela Langford was a finalist in the 2014 Masterchef finals and now creates organic, vegan, cruelty free, mood-boosting skincare products by hand in Somerset.

The Angela Langford skincare range is based around feeding your skin from both the inside and the outside. The products use a range of nourishing natural ingredients that will help to hydrate, refresh, cleanse and moisturise the skin, with the tagline being ‘a recipe for great skin’. I love that each product also comes with a recipe card so that as well as putting goodness into your skin through your skincare, you can also feed your skin through the food you eat.

The Freshen Up spray is a hero product, this is something you will use every day as pick me up when your skin is feeling tired. It is fantastic now with the colder days, and will be a savour come summer as a cool refreshing spray when the heat is on.

freshen up
hydrating & refreshing tonic £14 Click to visit Angela Langford

Parks Candles London

A warm soapy bath, peace and quiet, and the scent of aromatherapy candles as they flicker gently, this sounds like a pretty perfect recipe for the perfect Valentine’s day. That is why I think this stunning 3 piece natural wax candle set from Parks Candles London is just the most amazing gift idea for mom this Sunday.

The candles look beautiful, stylishly presented in a monochrome gift box that calls to mind the packaging of Links of London and Chanel No 5. The box contains three small candles, stylishly mounted in glass candle holders and with an eye catching Parks pink label on the front. So far, so lovely, and then comes the scent.

The scent is just incredible. A heady mix of Wild Fig, Cassis & Orange Blossom, which combine to make a perfect, sensuous mix that is strong and vibrant. I love the scent, it has become a firm favourite with the intoxicating aroma. Each candle has 20 hours burn time, which is a good return for a small, elegant candle.

Wild Fig, Cassis & Orange Blossom Candle 3 Tots Gift Set £36 Click to visit Parkes London

A personalised Teapot from Giftpup.com

If your mom’s day starts with tea, ends with tea, and has a lot of tea in between, then a personalised teapot may be the gift you have been looking for. Giftpup, which has a huge range of gorgeous, personalised gifts has the perfect teapot that would be a pretty special gift for many occassions, not just Mother’s Day, and would appeal to fans of the Beatles as well as tea drinkers.

The ‘All you need is tea’ teapot can be personalised with a name and a message and is a real stylish piece that would grace any kitchen or table. It is also a decent size, well big enough for making a family brew. Let’s be honest, tea tastes so much better when it is allowed time to sit and stew, making this my perfect gift this year.