Reviews

Milkman Razors Rail Clear Shave Gel Review {AD}

- cupsofcharlotte Leave a comment

Shaving is something which most males and females do. Shaving Gel is something which we get through a ton. I actually use conditioner on my legs because I think this is the best for me. However, Joe has to shave every single day due to work. This does mean that he gets through a lot of shaving gel. Of course, this does mean that he knows a good shaving gel when he see’s one.

Milkman is a grooming brand in Australia who’s mission is to transform male grooming with their specialist products. Their products are designed with men in mind right from the formula, packaging and the branding. They are more of a high end shaving gel. The  Milkman Razor Rail is a clear shave gel designed to leave your skin hydrated whilst making the shaving experience very easy. It has a peppermint fragrance which can leave your skin fresh and revived. The key selling point for this shaving gel is that it is soap and paraben free making it an ideal product to use for all skin types. Joe has been using the milkman clear shave gel for around 3 months on and off. He chooses not to shave when he is not at work because why not.

Claims

But before our thoughts I am going to share with you what Milkman say about the product.

  • It is ultimate shaving lubricant for people with sensitive skin. Whether you use a razor blade or a wet electric shaver to shave, this soap-free gel will absolutely change your life and make shaving as exciting as the first time you did it.
  • Our lubricated gel has huge advantages over shaving soaps and creams because you can see what you’re shaving.
  • Moisturises the skin as you shave and saves water as it rinses off the blade easily.
  • No parabens or sulfates. Not tested on animals. Vegan friendly. Made in Australia. No soap. Aprox 100 shaves per bottle when using 2 to 3 pumps per shave.
  • Contains Aloe Vera and Menthol to soothe the skin as well as Rosemary oil for its anti-oxidants
Thoughts

Joe loves that it comes in a pump so it is so easy to use. I have noticed that he makes less mess when using the Milkman clear shaving gel. One thing which he did state is that it hard to judge how much you are going to need when you are first starting to use the product. This is something which I think he has now mastered though as he has not complained since.

He also stated that you do not have to moisturise as much because of the peppermint oil which is in the shaving oil. However, something which he did state its that he does not wowed by the product. There is a wide range now of shaving gels on the market. You do not have to spend a lot of money. He claimed some of the cheaper ones are as good as this the milkman one.

They are a brand which I feel like are going to struggle to find. At the moment the only place I can seem to find them is on Amazon. Usually we need to pick up a shaving gel fast when the we are close to running out. I also feel like even thought the shaving gel is meant to last 100 shaves if you use 2-3 pumps. I also feel like this is expensive as a bottle is £20.

The other problem which Joe stated about using this shaving gel is that when you apply it to your face it can be hard to see when your shaving. This can mean that you miss putting it on certain parts which is not handy when you need to be clean shaven for work. I do not think that Joe would repurchase the milkman shaving gel because he said he does not think it is worth the money.

Have you ever tried the Milkman Razor Clear Shave Gel?

Charlotte xxx

This product has been sent for review however, all thoughts are my own.

Refreshing The Bathroom and Kitchen

- cupsofcharlotte Leave a comment

*Gifted Item*

We have been in our house for nearly a year now this does mean we have found areas which need improving. The main areas which I find this can be a problem in is the bathroom and the kitchen. The grout in the upstairs bathroom has been a problem since we moved in. I have tried a range of different things to try and make it look a lot cleaner. Where as in the kitchen the sealant has become discoloured and it is also coming away. I know this is something which we may have to fix in the upcoming months.

I was recently sent two items from Rainbow Chalk, the liquid chalk specialists. Google and Google from Rainbow Chalk promise an affordable and quick solution when it comes to tired, discoloured sealant and grout. They do not even break the bank with the sealant been £3.99 and the grout pen £3.50. They offer precision application and are fast frying. There water-based pens which are non-toxic.

Rainbow Chalk promise up to 60m coverage for narrow grout joints. This is great for us as we have a lot of tiles in our shower cubicle.  The sealant pen is water-resistant, and boasts up to 30m coverage. For sure this is going to be more than enough for me. The pens whiten and prevent regrowth of any mould, with its anti-fungal formula. Which means that you should not get any mould or horrible things. On your grout or sealant.

The pens could not be more easy to use. All you need to do is shake them when the lid is on and press down on the nib till the ink starts to come out. Then you simple need to follow the grout/sealant. It takes around a couple of hours, to be dry and waterproof. I have found the trick to do it in the morning then it’s ready for when you need it.

I can not believe how much difference there is in both the grout and the sealant. I can not wait to see how long both stay whiter as a result of using these pens. I am hoping they last a while for sure I have plenty of product left in these pens which means I can do this several times. For sure I would recommend these because they are so cheap and effective. 100% this is cheaper than actually having to regrout the tiles or doing the sealant again around the sink. It is also something which I can do even when Joe is away.

Have you ever used sealant or grout pens in order to whiten or restore them?

Charlotte xx

I was sent across the Grout and Sealant pens from Rainbow Chalk, however all words and images are my own. 

Books I Have Read in May 2019

- cupsofcharlotte Leave a comment

I have decided that I am going to make a review of the books which I have finished in the month. I have done some book reviews recently however, I have been finished more books than ever. This means that I am unable to single reviews because I would be having them up constantly. Instead I am going to be doing a review of the books which I have finished in the month. Of course, some months I may not have as many books as others it does depends what I am doing. On to the books which I have been reading this month.

Breakfast at Darcy’s- Ali McNamara

Plot- Darcy inherits a small island! Located off the west coast of Ireland, Tara hasn’t been lived on for years, but according to Molly’s will, Darcy must stay there for twelve months in order to fully inherit.

My thoughts- This is a plot which I have never seen in a book. This is a fresh story line for me which I found very refreshing. I feel like I really connect and enjoy Darcy the main character in the book. We also actually meet and build a relationship with the other characters who live on the island. I would have liked there to be a bit more build up to ending. I did not see the twist coming. However it did see a bit rushed, for sure I was not ready to say goodbye to the characters. I would love a follow up book I want to know what the characters are up to.

Lucy in the sky- Paige Toon

Plot- Settling down for a 24-hour flight to Australia, Lucy finds a text message on her phone from a woman claiming to have slept with her boyfriend, James, four times in the past month. She finds herself having doubts and is keeping an eye Nathan. Nathan is a happy-go-lucky surfer boy with no prospects, no place to live, and an almost-girlfriend in tow. Suddenly, Lucy finds herself caught between two distant continents and two very different men.

My Thoughts- Paige Toon is an another who I love I think I have read 4 of her books this year now. I actually managed to finish this book in a couple of days. Lucy is an amazing character however, sometimes I do want to smack her and tell her to pick of one of the men. I feel like we get a good feel for Nathan and James rather than just one of them. I love the stupid jokes between Lucy and Nathan it did make me giggle. For sure this is a page turner I did not want to end. However, I did predict the ending of this book before I finished it. For sure this is one which I would recommend.

Queen Mum- Kate Long

Plot- Ally has everything she ever wanted: a husband, a child, a lovely house in a pretty neighbourhood. Her glamorous, dynamic next-door neighbour, Juno her best friend. But Juno has made a surprising decision; she has signed up for Queen Mum, a reality-TV show. For two weeks, she will live with another family in another town, while her opposite number will be moving in next door to Ally. Juno is excited about the prospect of seeing life from a different perspective. Ally is nervous. She doesn’t like change, and knows from bitter experience how something precious can be lost in a moment.

My Thoughts–  Looking at the cover the book I would not have thought it was going to be like it is. The book is more about Ally than Juno who takes part in wife swap. She is struggling with her own identity and with where her life is. She compared herself to her neighbour and best friend, whom she sees as perfect. This book was not that interesting for me I wouldn’t recommend. The characters to me could have done with a little bit more work. I feel like they needed more building. To be honest I struggled to finish this book I was not bothered what happened to the characters.

Petite Anglaise – Catherine Sanderson

Plot– Living in Paris with her partner, the workaholic Mr Frog, and their adorable toddler, Tadpole.  Catherine decides to alleviate the boredom of her routine by starting a blog under the name of Petite Anglaise. As she lays herself bare about the confines of her stagnant relationship with Mr Frog, about Paris life and about the wonder and pain that comes with being a mother, she finds a new purpose to her day. As Petite Anglaise, Catherine regains her confidence and makes internet friends.

My Thoughts-  A someone who has their own blog this book interested me. This is a non fiction book which I did not realise until I started reading. Catherine came across selfish and very self-absorbed something which I really did not like. Her treatment of Mr Frog and Tadpole really wasn’t great. I couldn’t have cared less if her relationship was failing she could have handled the situation a little bit better. For me it was very unrealistic what actually happened to Catherine as a result of her blog. This was a book I was not bothered if I actually finished or not because I was not gripped. I am glad I found out the ending though however, I will not be running to read another Catherine Sanderson book.

The Doll’s House- M.J. Arlidge

Plot– A young woman wakes up in a cold, dark cellar, with no idea how she got there or who her kidnapper is. So begins her terrible nightmare.Nearby, the body of another young woman is discovered buried on a remote beach. But the dead girl was never reported missing – her estranged family having received regular texts from her over the years. Someone has been keeping her alive from beyond the grave.

My Thoughts- This is a book which I read for the book group. I will be the first to admit this would not have been a book which I would have chosen. However, I am wiling to read more M.J. Arlidge books because it had me gripped.  I had not read the others I would not says you have to however, you might actually want to read the ones before this. The Doll’s House is the third book in the series. I found this a book which I could not put down.  The story being told by different perspectives which makes it easier to understand and get to know the characters. I enjoyed the chapters told from the serial killer’s perspective. Usually we do not get to see what the killer is thinking and what their deep dark thoughts are. For sure I would recommend picking this book up I will be reading more of crime stories.

What have you been reading this month? I am always looking for more books to read.

Charlotte xx

 

Days Out- Hamerton Zoo {AD}

- cupsofcharlotte Leave a comment

Over the Easter period we were kindly invited to Hamerton Zoo in order to give a review. Hamerton Zoo Park is just on the outskirts of Peterborough it is very well sign posted from the A1. So do not worry if you are like us and not local to Peterborough.  I have to admit I’d not heard of it before and speaking to the other people I am not the only one.

As we pulled into the car park I did think it looked more like a little farm. But it is actually a lot bigger than it looks. Hamerton Zoo is actually home to 100 different species of animals within the 25 acre zoo park. There are some which are exclusive to them in the UK. So there are going to be animals which you have not see at other zoo’s you have visited in the past. It may not be home to Lions, Rhinos, Giraffes and Elephants but do not let that put you off if you are thinking about visiting.

We arrived at Hamerton Zoo at around 11am we had planned getting there early but as you know with children this does not always work. We found it very easy to get into the zoo there was a short que but we did not have to wait for very long. Of course, because we visited during the Easter Weekend this could have meant that it was a lot busy than a normal weekend.  Hamerton Zoo is open every day except Christmas and boxing days and tickets can be brought at the gate or in advance online. Tickets are £14.99 for adults and £9.99 for 3-12 year olds. This is a fraction of the price we have paid for similar zoos and wildlife park.

One thing which I would recommend is purchasing a guide book. This is something which we did not do and we did not realise the only way to get a map of the zoo was to do this. In turn this did mean that we did miss some of the animals when we went around first.

One thing you will notice as you walk around is the space that the animals have to roam around. One thing Hamerton Zoo does try to make clear is that the animals are not shut in or out. They have the freedom to be either inside or outside if they choose. This does mean that some of the animals may not easily seen because they may be hiding in their houses.

Lemurs

When you arrive one of the first animals you will see are the ring tailed lemurs.However, there was a lot of people around this area. They could have been more people because there is more of a one way system in the zoo. The reason behind this is because if you turn left you would end up in the shop, cafe and play area.  They had just been fed which always attracts people. I noticed that one of the lemurs looked like it was pregnant as well. So in the future there may be more additions to this enclosure.

Wallabies

The first animal we spent a lot time at was the wallabies. As you can see they some Joey’s which is amazing because baby animals are so cute. There was a number of them which they looked like they could be pregnant. So if you manage to go in the next couple of months they may have even more babies. There was such number of wallabies they were a pleasure to watch. For sure I think they are one of my favourite animals on show at the Zoo.

Tigers

The big cats are always my thing when we are visiting a zoo. Hamerton Zoo is home to 2 beautiful Malaysian Tiger and 2 white Bengal Tigers.I found I learn at fair bit at Hamerton Zoo for example about the white Bengal Tigers. All white Tigers in the world are decedents from one called “Mohan” who was captured and kept in a Palace in India. It wasn’t until Mohan was paired with his daughter did they have more white cubs. The white of the Bengal tiger is just a colour mutation. This does mean that all of the white Bengal tigers are direct descendants from this pair. It a nice to see the shear size of the tigers. Usually you do not get to be up close and personal to a tiger.

Stroll through Safari

There is also a stroll through safari which allows you to touch the animals. This is home to Pygmy goats, Alpacas, Camels, Chickens and Sheep. You can pay 20p for a handful of feed which you can share with these animals. This is something we opted against because there was so many people feeding them we thought they would not be that bothered. Jess actually decided that she was going to stroke the Pygmy Goats.

Train

There is an Express Railroad Train which runs every weekend and everyday throughout the school holidays. You can catch it from the Donkey Enclosure  and it runs to the tiger enclosure and back. You can actually walk this route and it does not take that long at all. The train does not go that fast that you could walk next to it. We did see a mum who was walking alongside the train and her daughter was on the train. The train is £2 per person and I will be honest I found it a little overpriced for the length of time you are on there. It doesn’t cover the entire park, I think this would have been better if it had done.

Cheetahs

There is also a number of cheetah’s I think we saw a three at least, however it is home to 7 cheetah’s.  Hamerton want to be one of the first zoo in the UK to actually breed cheetah’s most are unable to do this due to space. Hamerton actual have 5 enclosures which they have access to and then they are planning on building 3 more. This is going to help aid the breading programme which they have.

Another criticism I would have of the zoo is that it is does not tell you the name of the animals which you can see. It tells you where the animals are from and a bit about them however, I do like to know the name of the animals I can see in front of me.

Picnic/ Cafe

There is a lot of picnic benches which you can sit on and have a picnic. It is undercover should you not be as lucky as us when you visit and have nice weather. If you do not want to bring your own food like we did you can actually purchase food from the Cafe. Later in the day we did purchase a Ice cream which allowed me to look at the prices. I seem to remember that a rollover hot dog was around £3.90. It would cost you the same as meal out to eat at this cafe.

Play Area

I was unable to take any pictures of this area due to other children been around. There is a couple of parks on is aimed at under 6’s and the other over 6. However, Jess decided that she was going to play in the bigger one. There is a climbing pyramid,zip wire and a climbing frame. For sure this is an area which she spent a lot of time in. She loves the park and this is the way she burns a lot of energy. I think if we went back Jess would love to be able to go on the zip wire but she is a little bit too small.

Gift Shop

The Gift Shop sells a range of merchandise, cuddly teddies, toys, stationery and more. There is a wide range of products which if like us you do not mind purchasing a toy at the end of an amazing day out. They do have a range of items which could purchase. We did not actually purchase anything because we have enough cuddly toys. There was nothing that stood out which we had to purchase.

Toilets

Beware if you are going with little ones there is only one set of toilets. They are not that far off the enterance so it would be worth going when you pass them as there is no more. The toilets are old and really could do with a bit of an update. I think there are only 5 women toilets and a baby change. I seem to remember Joe said that there was one in the male toilets to.

Overall

We spent 5 and half hours at Hamerton Zoo. This was enough time to walk around the park twice. On the second lap we did it later and we saw animals which had not been out on the first time. This could have been as a result of it nearly been feeding time. Again we did have the a picnic and also we managed to spend a lot of time in the park as I have mentioned. I know Jess’ grandparents left after around 3 and half hours so we may have stayed longer than most people.

Have you visited Hammerton Zoo? If so what were your thoughts

 

Charlotte xx

Landal Sandybrook Review

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Just before Christmas which now seems like a lifetime ago. We had a four-night break close to Ashbourne in Derbyshire at Landal Sandybrook Lodges. This is the first time we have taken Jess to a lodge usually we have gone on our own for a weekend to Forest Holidays. We made this choice because it was a fraction of the price which we would be paying. I feel like this holiday to Landal Sandybrook was around £350 for four nights. Where on the other hand a trip to Forest would have cost us around the £700 mark. We actually stayed in the Tissington Classic Skyline Spa 2.

Today I am going to be sharing with you our views about the our stay at Landal Sandybrook Lodges. They are described as luxury self-catering lodge holiday accommodation. I will warn you that if you want one of the hot tubs in your cabin you have to book a spa one otherwise you will just have a balcony and a table and chairs. For us the hot tub is something which we do want. I know this may not be the case if for everyone, of course,this does reflect in the price of your stay.

For me I would not describe the lodges as luxury for me there were elements which were missing. These may have made it more luxurious for us. I know I am comparing it to a very expensive cabin in Forest however, they do both claim to be luxury cabins.

The lodge itself was ok but quite small, I am guessing it would be a squeeze for 4 people. I would have liked more room which would have allowed us to spread out to relax. In the main room there is not a lot of space and the bed is not actually a full size double bed. For me it was not comfortable either however, we have a very good bed at home. I may just be being really pick.  One thing which I did not like was the fact that our bedroom looked straight to the road which people were travelling on. This meant anyone travelling early may wake you up. When we visited we could hear work men from 7.30am, not ideal on a relaxing week away.  At least there was a lot of storage which mean that we could put things away.

Jess had her own room which had two single beds in a wardrobe and a bedside table. She managed to sleep in there which is all that matters. This would be fine if you had two young children if you had teenagers they may struggle however, this did for us. I even slept in one of the beds one night and found it to be more comfortable than ours.

The bathroom had a shower over the bath. It was handy to have a bath in case Jess needed one because she is still not a huge fan of the shower. I am sure this is something which will change over time. We found that there was enough space for everything we needed. This included if we had all three of us in the bathroom. I have no faults when it came to the bathroom at Landal Sandybrook.

Of course, with it been self catering there is a kitchen and a table which you can easy eat at. We found that the kitchen was well stocked and this is something which we were glad about. We managed to do some baking as well as cooking meals there.  There was nothing which we would not be able to cook I am sure you could manage a whole week using this kitchen. There is also a fridge and a freezer should you need them this makes it so easy for semi catered people.

We found the lounge to be cosy however, the sofas were not that comfortable. I wanted to be able to snuggle up and watch films when there weather was rubbish. You had to sit more straight which is very annoying they were. Again they were pretty low and this is something which I did not love however, I am sure if you visited in the summer you would not spend much time inside.

The hot tub was also over looked which is not always great when your in your swimming suit. For sure this is not something which I liked. I would have had a little bit more private maybe this is just because I am not that confident. Plus it is supposed to be luxury I do not want to be over looked but hey.  The outdoor area would have been great in the summer for eating or having a BBQ. Something we may have done had we have gone in the summer months.

The site has some good facilities including a indoor swimming pool, restaurant, games room and also a playroom for children. This is a nice touch because it was nice to be able to take Jess somewhere to play. Of course, because we did not have a lot of toys with us. Also because we went in December it did mean that there was some days where we could not use the park because it was horrible weather. I think Jess managed to play in there for an hour our two during our 4 day stay. We did noticed that some of the toys had become broken over time, I understand that this is something which happens.

There is a nature walk however, it is really quite small. There are no trails which link to the park which is a little bit disappointing because we wanted to do some more exploring when we visited. Usually we would have a walk of an hour or a little bit longer. I know we could have drove and then gone for a walk however, we do not always want to be in the car when on holiday. For sure it would have been nice to be able to walk from the lodge and into the nature. I have read this is something which you can do at their sister site.

There is free wifi however, this is something which I wouldn’t recommend using. For it is kept disconnecting I found it a lot easier to use the 4G. I know you shouldn’t want to spend a lot of time on your phones when your away however, I wanted to be able to do a few bits. For example checking our food shop which we had done and what to do in the area. The day we actually checked out we went to White Post Farm and I needed to know the price and also opening times.

I would recommend doing a click and collect food shop this is what we did. There is a small shop which is part of reception. However, this only sells milk and drinks. Due to it been self catering we did not want to always eat out. We like to be able to have some meals which are home cooked. We did eat one night at the onsite restaurant and we was actually really disappointed. The meal was not that warm which is disappointing because for sure it was not cheap. Joe and I also both chose coke to drink and it was completely flat.  I would not recommend this restaurant I would go eat off site if I was you. Your more likely to have a better meal.  The staff seemed more bothered about their friends who were in the bar section than us the paying customers.

Overall Views

We enjoyed our stay at Landal Sandybrook however, we would not return. I feel like we had everything which there was to do. I feel like the park does need a bit of a fresher up if they are going to charge this price. We would not have enjoyed it even more if we did not have Jess. I do not think I would recommend this for December stays.

Have you ever stayed at Landal Sandybrook? If so what were your thoughts.

 

Charlotte xxx

Book Review- A Spark Of Light by Jodi Picoult

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As you may remember way back in January, I stated I wanted to read more books this year. So far I have managed to read 7 I actually aim to read 24. I think I had read 6 by the middle of February so I for sure have slowed down. Today I am going to share with you a book which I have recently finished. It is a spark of light by Jodi Picoult. It was actually the Book Group book for March however, it has taken me this long to finish it. I told you I have seriously lost my reading mojo.

The Blurb

The warm fall day starts like any other at the Center—a women’s reproductive health services clinic—its staff offering care to anyone who passes through its doors. Then, in late morning, a desperate and distraught gunman bursts in and opens fire, taking all inside hostage.

After rushing to the scene, Hugh McElroy, a police hostage negotiator, sets up a perimeter and begins making a plan to communicate with the gunman. As his phone vibrates with incoming text messages he glances at it and, to his horror, finds out that his fifteen-year-old daughter, Wren, is inside the clinic.

But Wren is not alone. She will share the next and tensest few hours of her young life with a cast of unforgettable characters: A nurse who calms her own panic in order save the life of a wounded woman. A doctor who does his work not in spite of his faith but because of it, and who will find that faith tested as never before. A pro-life protester disguised as a patient, who now stands in the cross hairs of the same rage she herself has felt. A young woman who has come to terminate her pregnancy. And the disturbed individual himself, vowing to be heard.

Told in a daring and enthralling narrative structure that counts backward through the hours of the standoff, this is a story that traces its way back to what brought each of these very different individuals to the same place on this fateful day.

My Thoughts 

The beginning of this one was just that, an explosive, heart-stopping moment that immediately grabbed my attention. Unfortunately, for me, the main body of the book slowed considerably and was more about abortion than the hostage situation. I also enjoyed reading the individual stories about the circumstances that brought each person to the clinic that fateful morning. But the story line lacked the momentum to hold my interest throughout the bulk of the book . I really struggled to get to the end. I have a feeling that this could be why it took me so long to get this book completed.

The story is also written with the chapters in reverse order. The most recent events are at the beginning of the book and going back in time. I didn’t care for this format as we learn the story ends in chapter one. This could have been another reason it took me so long to finish the book. I knew the ending I was not that bothered how come it happened. I am unsure if I have ever read a book where we have been told the ending at the start of a book it seemed strange to me.

A few people have suggested that you should  try reading it backwards, starting with the last chapter headed by a time. Then maybe A Spark of Light will actually make a lot better. I have a couple more books by Jodi Picooult and this book does not make me want to reach for them.

It is very unusual for a book to take me 6 weeks to finish. When this is book is only around 350 pages. It would take me around a couple of weeks maximum. I found it to be very against the anti-abortion, pro-life people as well. I feel like these arguments could have been more researched. There was a number of characters in a spark of light who I felt where there so it had more characters. They needed some more development they felt like they had almost been rushed.

Another element which I was not a huge fan of was the characters telling us the same things over and over again. This occurred because the different characters within a spark of light did the different hours in the book. By the end I was unsure if I was bothered.  They had bored me that much repeating the same story.

These are just my thoughts, I know other people have loved this book. Have you read a spark of light if so what where your thoughts on the book?

 

Charlotte xxx

Glasses Repair Kit- Snapit Review and Giveaway

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Recently I was give the opportunity to try out a glasses repair kit called Snapit. As someone who wears prescription glasses all the time even sunglasses’s. I know how easy glasses can become broken even more so when you have a bouncy three year old. Put the fact that Joe also wears glasses this increase the risk of there been a broken pair of glasses.

I need something which allows me to repair glasses fast. I now don’t have a spare pair and it can take days to get them fixed. You can not always wear sunglasses because everyone knows Yorkshire is not always sunny.  So Snapit is ideal for me. I have had similar kits before in the past they have usually contained small screws which I have ended up losing. This usually means that my glasses are not properly fixed. Over the years I have had to have them fixed a lot and a lot of DIY jobs. I have been wearing glasses since I was 4 which is nearly 20 years now.

Snapit are different they have 1.5cm long screws with a snappable end. This means  you do not have to hunt for small screwdrivers. Usually the only way you can get one small enough is if you get them in a Christmas cracker.  Usually you have to hunt through the random draw in the kitchen where all the junk is stored to find them well you do if your anything like us.

The snapit is so simple after a couple of seconds your glasses will be as good as new. All you need to do is insert the screw into the part which is missing. Screw in with the provided screwdriver, tighten the screw and snap off the end.The screws can easily be inserted from the top or bottom this means it is even easier to use right. Then the job is done which is always a bonus because it take longer to get to go out and get them fixed. I like that these are so small you could have the packet in your junk draw. Ready in case your glasses do break because you never plan on this happening.

The Snapit Kit comes with 5 screws of varying lengths & thickness this means that it is compatible with over 99% of glasses and sunglasses. This is a huge bonus for us because we have several pairs so no matter which one should become broken we can get them fixed. They are all kept together in a small container which is ideal because this means it is harder to lose in the junk draw.

Snapit kit is available to purchase on Amazon, It’s really affordable. They are lower than the amount you would spend on a meal deal for your lunch. Considering the cost of new frames, this fab little glasses repair kit is a great buy and worth having. I am actually giving away some snapit kit to a lucky winner this means your going to be sorted should you have a glasses emergency.

Win A Snapit Glasses Repair Kit #13

Do you have something to hand should your glasses break?

 

Charlotte xxx

This post is sponsored by snapit

*Terms and Conditions – The prize is non-transferable and no cash alternative will be offered. The winner will be selected at random via gleam from all valid entries . They will be notified by the Review Directory by email within 7 days. Open to all UK entrants aged 18 or over only. Facebook and Twitter are in no way associated with the giveaways.

Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose and will be shared directly with the Review Directory. 

Eco Laundry Egg Review

- cupsofcharlotte Leave a comment

The Eco Laundry Egg is something which we have been using for close to 6 months. So I am able to give an honest about my experience with this product.  Being eco-friendly is something which I would love to do a bit more after all we only have one planet.  Anything I can do to help is always a bonus. I heard about the Eco Laundry Egg because I saw it on The Organised Motherhood Instagram. I decided to purchase one because it helps me save money because they are £12.99 for 210 washes. Which is a fraction of the price I bought them even from Aldi they would be more expensive than this for 210 washes I can not remember how much I used to pay.

If you have not heard of the eco laundry egg it is a complete replacement for laundry detergent and fabric conditioner. All you have to do is stick it in the drum of the washer on top of all the washing. This does mean that you do not have to purchase any powder, liquid or gel. You do not even have to add fabric softener even though this is something which I sometimes do if I want the washing to smell extra nice. This is something I usually only end up doing when I am washing things such as bedding.

The way the eco laundry egg does work is there are two types of mineral pellets inside the egg get to work. They produce powerful – but natural – cleaning foam which powers through the fibres lifting off the dirt and grime. The Eco Egg is supported by Allergy UK and the National Eczema Society, the Laundry Egg is dermatologically tested and perfect for even the most sensitive skin. This is amazing if you have newborns or also have someone who has sensitive skin.

As you can imagine we have some dirty clothes with Jess attending nursery and she comes home so dirty. As you can imagine which means that I do get a lot of time to test out the washing powders. I have noticed that some of the other brands which I had been used were unable to clean them. Even though they did have some stain remover in with them I have been using Tesco own I have found it the best. However, when I have been using the eco egg I have noticed that they are managed to clean them. Of course, there are some things which we have not been coming clean because Jess gets filthy for sure.

You can use them up to 60c and as low as 30c depending on what you watch. I have used these and a range of different temperatures in the last 6 months. I noticed that there is also no detergent residue left on your clothes. This is something which has happened before to us but this has not happened at all which is a bonus. There are no harsh chemicals which you actually end up on the clothes which could cause you more problems if you have sensitive skin lucky we are a family who this does not affect.

I actually love that there is no mess, no scooping, slopping, pouring or measuring. Even Jess loves to be able to throw the egg in the washer. When I originally got the eco egg set up was pretty easy, one packet of black pellets and three packs of white pellets, leaving two packs spare. This means that I can top off the white pellets when I am needing to. I think looking at it will be very soon. It tells you to replace the white pellets when they are half of the size which they were originally.

Another element which we love of the eco egg is that we can actually purchase them on Amazon and the refills. Due to us having prime this means we can get them nearly as quick as normal washing powder. You can even buy the refills because it does mean that you can get more of them without having to replace the egg. This does mean you do not have to have as much plastic consumption.  The 210 washes do actually claim to do this for you for a year. This is actually based on doing 2-3 washes a week which I think is the average. I know we do not do too many more than this. This works out at around 6p per wash which is so cheap much cheaper and cost-effective than other alternatives.

The Ecoegg comes in three scents; you can have 100% fragrance free, soft cotton or spring blossom. I actually have the spring blossom one which is very lightly scented you may want to add a fabric conditioner if you like your washing to be heavily scented.  They also come in different quantities if you didn’t want to commit to 720 washes straight away. You can choose from 54, 210 or 720 washes and the prices start from £7.99.

Have you tried the eco egg? If so what did you think?

Charlotte xx

Boom25 – Shop Online & Win Your Order Back

- cupsofcharlotte Leave a comment

When I am shopping online I am always looking to save money. Whether it be getting money off vouchers and been able to save that way. Or using cashback and getting money back from my purchases. Well this was until I was introduce to Boom25. This is a new cashback site hitting the UK with a twist you have a 1 in 25 chance of actually winning back your full purchase for your items.

Making sure I get the best deal on something is one of my passions I hate spending more money than I need. One of the best things which I have found about Boom25 is the fact that there no sign up fee. This does mean it is not costing you to earn money. You have a 1 in 25 chance of winning you whole shop back which means essential you getting things you need for free.

For me this is a fun experience while online shopping because let’s face it we all do everything online now. You have to be the 25th person to order from that retailer. They also have daily booms on which means that you may only have to be the 10th person. This mean that you have 1 in 10 chance of getting your purchase for free. As you can see today Groupon is a 1 in 15 chance of winning. Even if you do not manage to win you get a small bonus so when you do win you get even more money.

One thing which I have found when I have used cashback sites in the past is sometimes the lack of retailers on it. This is not a problem which Boom25 have there are over 900 stores to be earning from. These are from a range of different sectors as well. It also includes Ebay now you will know if you have been following me for a while this is something I use regular. I would love to win some of the purchases which I make back. Something which I think I am going to do is any purchase I do win put the money towards Christmas presents. You do not even have to share bank details or anything as you get your money through paypal. This does mean it is even more secure which I know for me is a huge bonus.

It is so simple to set up because who wants the hassle of lots of forms when they are wanting to do some shopping. Boom25 only need your email address a password and your name. This means that you can have your account set up in a couple of moments.

Once you have your account set up you can either click through the categories to find the one you want. There are hundreds of course, ranging from travel, sport and health and beauty. You can also keep scrolling down and find the popular area. This has the brands which people are using the most so currently companies such as Justeat, eBay and deliveroo. This makes it even easier for you to be able to get cashback on the companies you love the most.

You find out if you have been the lucky winner when Boom25 send a spin the wheel email out. This will show you who the lucky people are to have won there purchases. It its worth noting that when you win your purchase back you do not get the paypal fees which I seem to remember are 3.4% + 20p.

This is a good way to save money on your purchases. For me it is going to be a cashback site which I use regular. It may not replace the one which I use completely but it is a contender. For sure, I will be using it for sites which I can not get cashback on otherwise. The biggest win someone has had is £4.445 which is amazing I would not be complaining at that back.

Why not try Boom25 out for yourself and see if it can work for you. You may be able to get all of a purchase back rather than 1% which some other sites may offer you. It could be worth having a good it’s money you would never have had. That is the way I actually see it.

Have you tried Boom25? If so what where you thoughts.

 

Charlotte xxx

This is a collaboration post however, all words are my own.

Making Bath Time Special with Slimebaff

- cupsofcharlotte Leave a comment

Bath time is an event which Jess looks forward to every single time. For sure she is an actually water baby. We are always looking for different products to make it even more fun and special. So when the lovely people at zimplikids contacted me and asked if I would like to review a range of their products I jumped at the chance. I have seen gellibaff advertised when it first came out however, I have never actually tried any of their products.

Slime is a product which I have not let Jess try at home for a couple of reasons. One I really can not stand the mess which it makes so I thought it would be perfect for her to do in the bath. For some reason, in my head, I thought it was going to be super hard to do. I have no reason why I thought this at all. It could not be more simple all you need to do is sprinkle the powder in the bath water . Then simply watch as the water magically turns into gooey slime. This is the same for the gellibaff version as well.

It is so simple to make however, it does take about 15 minutes to thicken so you may want to take this into account. For example if your child does not take long baths you might want to do it so when they get in it’s as thick. This is what I did for Jess and she still spent around 25/30 minutes in the slime bath. It did take her a while to get used to the feel she did keep screaming and saying it felt strange so this is something else to be aware of. You really need to keep an eye on your child while using this product. More than you normally would when they are in the bath I would say.

Jess adored it however, it can be very slippy and this is an element which she did end up struggling with. I had to keep picking her up and this did cause her to be a little bit stressful for her. The worst part of the slime baff for us was actually how slippy she was when she got out. She did have to shower which is something which she hates to do. This is something which you need to be aware of if your child hates the shower as well.

Unlike gellibaff slime baff does not actually need anything to disolve this. You only need to add about 30l of water I think it said to remove it from the bath. For us who only used half a packet and half the amount of water because Jess is not a fan of very deep baths still due to her age. It still look us around the half an hour mark to disolve this. This may put me off purchasing it in the future because it seems to take a lot time to have a bath even though Jess enjoyed it. It took around an hour to run the bath and remove it. If Jess asks to use it in the future I am not going to refuse and deny her.

If you are worried about it not been safe I know some people have problems with products like this. Gellibaff and Slime Baff are 100% safe. They can be purchased from a range of retailers including supermarkets, the entertainer and Amazon.

Have you tried Slime Baff if so what did you think?

Charlotte xx

We were sent this in order to give our thoughts on it however, all views are our own.