Thursday, 29 September 2022

That's Food and Drink: Making Delicious Recipes for International Real Va...

That's Food and Drink: Making Delicious Recipes for International Real Va...: Taking place on 17th October each year, International Real Vanilla Day brings together the voices of vanilla from all over the world. From t...

Christmas Gift Ideas for Interior Lovers, Foodies and Family & Friends

Christmas 2022 is all about thoughtful gifts according to retail experts at Arighi Bianchi.

“Gifts that are stylish, practical and that have longevity are set to be amongst the best sellers this year”, predicts Lucy Mather,who is the head of ecommerce at www.arighibianchi.co.uk. Here Lucy’s picks of great gift ideas for family and friends.

For food lovers:

Gourmet Chopping Board Set - £29.00 (also available in Terracotta and Black).

For that special someone in your life who loves to cook and entertain – you'll not go wrong with a gift that has style and purpose. Foodies will love this ultra-modern chopping board set with contrast handle. 

Ideal for hanging on the wall or leaving out on display, it’s the perfect gift for anyone who loves to get creative in the kitchen and appreciates good design.

Gifting someone who loves to entertain and create fun tablescapes? Then these gifts will add some character – and characters into the mix!

Silver Nickel Tortoise Salt And Pepper Set - £29.00.

This cute salt and pepper set will create a great talking point at any foodie gathering…. Pass the tortoise please darling!

Silver Cheese And Mice Picks - £39.00

This fun silver mice and cheese block is a great gift for cheese lovers.






This Kitchen is Made for Dancing Sign - £25.00

We all have that friend or family member whose kitchen is where there is always a party atmosphere – and so this is the ideal Christmas gift for them! Perfect as part of a gallery wall or on a shelf, this street sign will add a fun finishing touch to any kitchen for that recipient who just loves to entertain.

For modern interior lovers:

Monochrome interior pieces never go out of style and if you are looking for gift ideas for an interior design buff, you can’t go wrong by choosing a paired back and stylish piece in black and white that will be sure to seamlessly match their existing scheme. These are great unisex options too.

Linework Face Vase - £35.10

This on trend linework face vase in a sleek monochrome design is the perfect gift for modern homeowners. With contrasting lines and a fine earthenware ceramic finish, this standout piece will fit complement any modern interior.




White Round Face Ceramic Candle Holder - £9.00

Another take on the line drawing trend – a great option for a stocking filler or secret Santa gift.




Black Twisted Candle Holder - £69

Contemporary and stylish, this twisted ceramic candleholder will make a fantastic centrepiece on a dining table or mantlepiece. The unusual and striking twisted design is a cut above a usual candlestick holder and will be a welcome gift for anyone who loves modern design.




Black Female Curve Vase – £29.00

Homeware celebrating the female form is a huge interiors trend with Gwyneth Paltrow, Gwen Stefani and Gigi Hadid all said to have one on their mantel piece. This sleek black option will look great on its own or used as a vase. Gift it to someone with a cheeky sense of humour.




Black World Map Memo Board

Neon Lamp and Stand - £67.50

Neon is timeless and these fun lamps will work throughout the home – from teen’s rooms to hallways. 




Black World Map Memo Board - £39.00 (also available in white)

The ingenious black world map memo board looks amazing on any wall as a piece of art in itself but it also doubles as a practical magnetic memo board for displaying photos, keepsakes and lists. Also available in white – it’s stylish and practical in one go.





For Friends & Family

Noughts and Crosses game

People of all ages will love this stylish update to this classic game. And when you’re not playing it looks stylish too.




Card And Dice Set In Faux Leather - £29.00

For all of the games lovers out there. This card and dive set comes in a stylish leather box that is a great keepsake. Keep the family entertained for hours the old fashioned way.




Halo Make Up Mirror - £49.95

If your teen or friend is addicted to make up tutorials, the latest TikTok trends AND their mobile phone, then this could be the perfect present this Christmas. Featuring a vibrant ring light, this mirror also doubles up as a Bluetooth speaker so they can stream music, whilst the inbuilt speaker means they can chat to friends on the phone handsfree. What more do they need?

Pet Sofa bed - £119

This pet sofa is upholstered in a lovely soft velvet which will provide luxurious comfort for your furry friend. Designed to look like a miniature version of a human sofa, the grey venue pet sofa bed sofa has a contemporary and sleek look to it. 


Black Modern Mist Diffuser

Luna Leather & Saffron Candle - £25.00

You simply can’t go wrong with a candle or home fragrance. The ideal gift for recipients of all ages and perfect for stocking fillers, secret Santa or a teacher.

This beautiful navy and gold candle from Stoneglow perfectly captures the season with rich and sumptuous woody scents of leather and saffron.


Geometric Ball Candle - £7.50

A great stocking filler or teacher’s gift - with its on-trend curves, this great value geometric ball candle would be a welcome addition to any modern home.




Black Modern Mist Diffuser - £65.00

Mist diffusers have been huge in 2022 and this trend isn’t going anywhere. Choose from sleek black, bright white, soothing stone or gorgeous grey. The beauty of this gift is that it will stand the test of time and your recipient can choose their own fragrance to put inside.

For more information and gift ideas from Arighi Bianchi visit www.arighibianchi.co.uk


For Christmas pop along to your nearest Dobbies Garden Centre

Dobbies Garden Centres have some utterly beautiful gifts for Christmas 2022.

Lots of lovely items for gardeners including plants, seeds and garden tools and accessories.

But there's much more than that! Because Dobbies has a stunning range of Christmas tableware, gifts for pets, Christmas food gifts, candles and reed diffusers, books and more besides. Including some beautiful Christmas recipes too.

They have six different Christmas décor collections for this year: Natural Noelle, Moonlight and Sparkle, Festive Dreaming, Maison Luxe, Let’s Celebrate and Nordic Wonder. 

And don't forget about the beautiful candles and reed diffusers too.

Or you can order what you need online here https://www.dobbies.com.

(Image courtesy Dobbies)

Kombucha: Healthy recipes for naturally fermented tea drinks | by Louise Avery / £9.99 / Available at L.A Brewery

Healthy recipes for naturally fermented tea drinks.

Louise Avery, founder of L.A Brewery, reveals her tried-and-tested recipes that use the freshest produce to create delicious home-brewed fermented teas.

Louise shares information on kombucha, the health benefits of drinking it, the types of tea you can use to flavour it, and the essential equipment you will need to brew your own.

Try Louise's step-by-step process for brewing your own kombucha, bottling and storing, and controlling the yeast. 

Recipes are organized by type of base: Fruit, with recipes for Blood Orangeade, Pear and Ginger Tea; Vegetable, including Striped Candy Beets and Lime, and a Virgin Mary. 

Flower has ideas for Hibiscus Kombucha and a Hoppy Pale Ale, while Herb, Spice, and Tea is where things heat up with Lemongrass Tea and two Turmeric Immune Boosters as well as Jasmine Kombucha and a Lychee Basil Mojito.

L.A Brewery gift card / from £15 / Available at L.A Brewery.

Visit the L. A. Brewery at https://labrewery.co.uk.



Bosch for perfect Christmas Gifts

The countdown to the most wonderful time of the year is now on! 

We're quickly approaching the period for cosy evenings gathered in our homes, indulging in all of your favourite treats, and spending quality time with your loved ones. 

But! The upcoming festivities also spark the annual dilemma of what to buy for your friends and family, not only show your appreciation, but something they’ll truly enjoy using all year round. 

With help from Bosch Home & Garden’s 2022 holiday season gift guide, you’ll be sure to find the perfect gift to delight a home and garden DIY lover this festive season, with a range of hand-picked products, starting from under £50.

If you’re unwrapping a new football or bike this holiday season, but can't fill them, you might be left feeling deflated?

The cordless UniversalPump 18V is the ultimate cordless pneumatic pump, with 10.3 bar and 30 L/min functionality, it fully inflates your belongings in no time at all. This powerful pump has its own power light, illuminated nanometer and built-in accessory storage, helping you to get up and running efficiently and reliably – day or night. 

This makes the UniversalPump 18V the perfect tool to have at home for when guests come over for the holidays, and can be used for everything from inflating spare mattresses to topping up your tyres before visiting family and friends.

The UniversalPump 18V is also part of the 18V POWER FOR ALL battery system, which enables youa you to seamlessly switch between tools by using a single, interchangeable battery for your entire 18V tool system. Thanks to the POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE the 18V battery is 100% compatible with a wide range of 10 partner brand’s 18V tools.

UniversalPump 18V: Product is widely available in the following packages (all prices RRP): Tool, French-valve, Ball needle, Volume adapter – £119.99.

The UniversalDrill 18V-60 is the perfect gift for enthusiastic DIYers who are looking for a powerful endurance drill that allows you to comfortably perform on all types of materials from wood and plastic to tougher materials like metal with maximum precision. This cordless two-speed drill/driver is so impressive that they’ll start to feel like a professional!

It performs screwdriving that will save you time and sweat from having to twist and tighten loose screws manually. Alongside this versatility, the 2-speed gearbox and power of 20 torque settings ensures a controlled superior performance. Conveniently, you can also secure your operating position for optimum accuracy with the robust 13mm high-quality metal chuck that holds materials securely in place and allows easy accessory changing so, you won’t miss the mark! The brushless motor technology guarantees that this drill operates more efficiently, delivering longer running time.

Product is widely available in the following packages (all prices RRP): Tool, double screwdriver bit, 1 battery pack (PBA 18V 2.0Ah W-B) and Charger AL 18V-20 – £139.99; Baretool only with double screwdriver bit – £74.99

This new 4-in 1 performer is a great gift for more experienced DIYers. With the UniversalHammer 18V, drilling and chiselling jobs can be completed with ease through a balanced weight/performance ratio designed to make your job easier. The innovative design system features a powerful pneumatic hammer mechanism with 1.7 Joules, that can reach up to 16mm of concrete. The versatile and powerful UniversalHammer 18V is also part of the 18V POWER FOR ALL battery system which allows you to seamlessly switch between tools by using a single, interchangeable battery for your entire 18V tool system. Thanks to the POWER FOR ALL ALLIANCE the 18V battery is 100% compatible with a wide range of partner brand’s 18V tools.

Product will be available in the following packages (all prices RRP): Baretool – £113.99; Baretool + Adapter – £149.99; Tool, Battery (1x2.5Ah) + Charger (AL18V-20) – £189.99.

The cordless UniversalBrush is an ideal gift for your house-proud loved ones, due to its easy-to-use features. This versatile but powerful cleaning brush masters scrubbing of tiles and joints, garden furniture, ovens, shower glass and even reaches narrow areas like taps or shower heads – making it a great handy little helper to have around after having everyone over for the holidays! 

This multifunctional brush is just what everyone needs for their household tasks, for everything from a quick shine, to removing limescale and stubborn stains. Its high-power motor ensures almost constant brush rotation for tackling even the most demanding cleaning tasks, and its IPX5 splash water protection means it is also qualified for use in wet environments.

The UniversalBrush is incredibly versatile with a variety of attachments that allow it to perform on a range of surfaces and materials. Plus, this handy tool is rechargeable via the Micro USB cable that comes with it.

Product is widely available in the following packages (all prices RRP): Tool Bristle Brush, Detailed Brush, Pad Holder with hook-and-loop fastening, Microfibre non-scratch pad, Abrasive heavy-duty pad, Micro USB Cable - £49.99

Whether you’re drilling, crafting or even cooking, the IXO 6 compact 3.6V cordless screwdriver is a must-have gift this festive season. With improved control at the heart of its design, the IXO 6 helps you to make your work free of common DIY errors such as over-spin, damaged screws or splintered wood. This is down to the intuitive control mechanism that allows users to vary the speed of the screwing function by adjusting pressure on the trigger – enhancing precision on the job.

With its broad range of helpful adaptors, the IXO 6 is incredibly useful around the house for a wide variety of jobs. For instance, you can use the corkscrew adapter to crack open a wine bottle on Christmas Day! Encourage your DIY creativity around the house with this handy little screwdriver.

Product is widely available in the following package (price RRP): Tool, Micro USB Cable, 10 screwdriver bits, box – £54.99

The following adapters are widely available (all prices RRP): Barbeque blower adapter – £17.99; Universal cutting adapter – £17.99; Corkscrew adapter – £17.99; Torque setting adapter – £17.99; Off-set angle adapter – £17.99; Spice mill adapter – £17.99; Angle screw adapter – £17.99; Drilling adapter – £17.99

With increased torque thanks to its strong motor, this versatile all-rounder provides more power for a variety of screwdriving tasks. The IXO 7 has an improved cell with increased run time, for longer uninterrupted working. And, it is fully compatible with all your favourite IXO collection attachments - whether you’re assembling new furniture, milling your favourite mulled-wine spices, or firing up your barbecue.

With a new, compact and ergonomic design, the tool has an increased torque for more comfortable working and 360° work light for shadow-free working. The IXO-7 uses flexible micro-USB charging, and has a new charge-in-the-box option, making it even easier to keep to hand for all your quick fixes. You will find that this iconic product is so useful around the house that you’ll ask yourself how you ever lived without it!

Product (IXO 7 basic) is widely available from September 2022 in the following package (price RRP): £54.99

Product (IXO 7 set) will be widely available from September 2022 in the following package (price RRP): £74.99

The EasyPump, is a smaller, handy alternative to the UniversalPump 18V, making it an ideal gift for any outdoor fans. You can keep it in the back of your car to inflate your bike tyres, football or swim toys – making it a great on-the-go companion for all your excursions.

EasyPump: Product is available in the following packages (all prices RRP): Tool, French-valve, Ball needle, Volume adapter, USB Cable, Textile bag – £64.99

The cordless EasyCut&Grind is a compact yet powerful and multi-use tool, for cutting, grinding and sanding needs, making it the ideal gift for every kind of DIYer. The multi-purpose tool has a working range of up to 14 mm and can be used on a variety of materials including wooden panels, plastic, carton, and even metal! It is also capable of completing small sanding applications or deburring. The cordless EasyCut&Grind has a highly secure 2-step activation, making it ready for use within seconds and it also has automatic shutdown features. The tool uses a Li-ion powered motor and has a suite of accessories for multi-functional versatility, (carbide multi-material cutting disc, metal cutting disc, sanding paper, freehand cutting adapter) allowing you to easily move from task to task on your DIY to do list.

Product is widely available in the following packages (all prices RRP): Tool, Carbide multi wheel, Bonded cutting disc, 3 pcs. of sanding sheets (Grit 120), Freehand cutting adapter, Transportation hood with integrated key, USB Type-C® – £94.99

Measuring-Tools: gifts to hang up your decorations easily and safely

Small, smart and speedy, the digital detector Truvo is an essential for every DIY enthusiast’s toolbox! With a slide of a switch, you can easily scan the walls and ceilings to detect for electric cables and metal objects like piping and identify areas that are safe for drilling. Using an LED traffic light system and warning tones, this digital detector immediately indicates where drilling should and should not be carried out, with a single-button operating concept that makes it easy to handle. Whether you’re installing Christmas lighting, or hanging up shelves, the Truvo digital detector is designed to help you complete your DIY projects quickly and safely.

Product is widely available in the following package (all prices RRP): Tool plus batteries (3x 1.5 V LR03, AAA) – £48.50

A picture containing indoor, gift wrapping

The new year often calls for a reset and is a great time to spruce up your home, ready for the year ahead. The Zamo is a digital laser measure and the perfect gift for those who love restyling their home. From creating storage space for your new gifts to re-arranging furniture and hanging up photographs and prints, the Zamo is your easy-to-use solution for measuring objects and interior spaces accurately, quickly and simply. 

The Zamo’s laser technology achieves high levels of accuracy for distances up to 20 m, meaning your spatial planning won’t miss the mark. Its intuitive one button control mechanism allows you to measure distances, objects and shapes comfortably and its square-meter function can calculate areas with a quick double click. And, thanks to its three Bosch patented Tape, Line and Wheel Adapters the Zamo Set offers three gifts in one! The Wheel Adapter makes measuring curves and irregular surfaces, like furniture easier than ever before. 

The Tape Adapter helps you to quickly and precisely calculate circumferences and freestanding objects, whilst the Line Adapter helps with levelling objects horizontally and vertically. This digital laser measure set truly has all the answers.

Product is widely available in the following package (price RRP): Zamo Tool plus batteries (2x 1.5 V LR03 AAA) – £55.13

Product set is widely available in the following package (price RRP): Tool and batteries (2x 1.5 V LR03 AAA), Zamo Tape, Wheel, and Line Adapters – £92.39

The following adapters are widely available (all prices RRP): Zamo Tape adapter – £16.79; Zamo Wheel Adapter – £14.69; Zamo Line Adapter – £14.69

The line laser Atino is the perfect early Christmas gift for hanging up your favourite pieces, while preparing to have loved ones over for the festivities. This flash all-in-one line laser measuring tool combines all relevant functionalities of a line laser and features an integrated 1.5-m measuring tape for easy alignment, and measurement – whether you’re racing to get everything ready in time or simply making final touches. 

The Atino’s innovative gel pad can be fixed on smooth surfaces, such as tiles and marble. When it comes to rough surfaces or wallpaper, the pin plate with the two small pins is the ideal attachment solution, helping you to align objects on any wall surface without anybody’s help.

And, this handy measuring tool can be used for a wide range of jobs all year round, whether you’re aligning or hanging pictures and shelves, fixing hooks or handles, or arranging objects (even a TV!). The Atino enables vertical or horizontal levelling, in all directions, using intuitive LED indication, and offers an accuracy of the visible laser line of ± 0.3°. This makes it the perfect gift for all aspiring interior designers, no matter their experience.

Product set (Atino Set) is widely available in the following package (price RRP): Tool and battery (1x 1.5 V LR6 AA), 6x Gel Pads and protective cap for gel pad, Pin Pad with 2x pins, Quick Start Manual – £61.59

Product (Atino Basic) is widely available in the following package (price RRP): Tool and battery (1x 1.5 V LR6 AA), 1x Gel Pad and protective cap for gel pad, Pin Pad with 2x pins, Quick Start Manual – £49.99.

https://www.bosch-diy.com.

Wednesday, 28 September 2022

The perfect gifts for gardeners young and old? Fiskars'

Are you looking out for the ideal gift for budding young gardeners? 

Then you need look no further look than Fiskars’ new kids tool range. Perfect for the little ones who love exploring outside and who are keen to get involved in some gardening themselves, the kids tool set comprises of a Cultivator, Trowel, Scoop and Small Brush. RRP should be from £9.99.






A stocking filler with a difference: Fiskars’ Harvesting collection

For those who have a passion for growing their own food, the new for 2022 Fiskars' Harvesting collection is the perfect present. 

Featuring the X-series™ Folding Produce Knife, X-series™ Harvesting Knife, Plus Garden Harvest Basket and the Solid™ Kneeling Pad, the innovative collection will enhance every keen gardener’s picking experience. RRP from £6.99. 



Gift a gardening essential: Fiskars’ Pruner range

Any gardener will tell you that a pair of good, capable and utterly reliable pruners is a staple of any gardener’s toolkit. 

And what better pruners than those from Fiskars'?

 Available across three different ranges - Solid™, Plus™ and X-Series™ - Fiskars’ Pruner collections have been specifically designed to meet the needs of every type of gardener, whether novice or experienced, so you can be sure to find your green-fingered loved one their perfect pruner. RRP: from £11.99





New Planting tools: ideal for gardening gurus

Keep outdoor enthusiasts really  with the Xact™ Standing Bulb Planter, part of Fiskars’ planting tools range. 

Allowing you to plant without back pain as there is no need to bend or kneel, the Xact™ Standing Bulb Planter features perfect ergonomics to help prevent pain associated with gardening. 

Ideal for gardeners who are suffering from rhematism or arthritis. The RRP is £57.99.

Eco Warrior Soap. Great Christmas gifts for the eco aware


Eco Warrior Essential Trio – from £14.50/3x100g, 

Three thoughtful, high impact, job specific cleansing bars, which are designed to create a simple, effective and conscious everyday cleansing routine, whilst helping to eliminate untold single use plastic bottles, aerosols and tubs from men’s bathrooms and washbags.

They are vegan, sustainable and guaranteed to be cruelty-free, plastic free and biodegradable.

And simply housed in a special recyclable box. 

These natural cleansing bars are guaranteed to be free from detergents, SLS, sulphates, alcohol, parabens, sorbates, silicones and synthetic preservatives and are kind to your skin and the planet, too.

Eco Warrior Shampoo Bar 100g made with added Pink Clay to cleanse and moisturise, fragranced with a blend of pure Orange and Ginger essential oils to stimulate your scalp and help promote healthy hair.

Eco Warrior Sensitive Facial Bar 100g This gentle facial bar is perfect for use on even the most sensitive of skin. Made with their traditional Mediterranean Castile Olive Oil recipe and fragranced with a blend of Chamomile & Calendula essential oils.

Eco Warrior Hand & Body Bar 100g The creamy rich lather that it produces will leave your skin feeling moisturised and beautifully cleansed! This wonderful nourishing bar is beautifully fragranced with a Coconut blend made from pure essential oils including Vanilla great for all skin types.

To learn more and to place your Christmas orders please visit them at littlesoapcompany.co.uk.