To Infinity, and Beyond! (TRU Review)

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Mr. TheBoyandMe and I love Toy Story. Absolutely adore it! I've tried to get The Boy to watch it but he won't go for it at the moment (secretly I don't think Woody is a very nice toy, he's a bit naughty at times! Also the neighbour is really nasty! EVIL!) and so Woody and co. are stuck at the back of the DVD cupboard for a year or two.

Therefore when Toys R Us delivered a Buzz Lightyear to be reviewed I wasn't quite sure what would happen. I needn't have worried; The Boy adores Buzz. Absolutely and completely and utterly! Buzz is his new best friend.

Ok, so for the technical bit. We were sent a Toy Story Andy's Collection Buzz Lightyear. Apparently there are a couple of different types which I wasn't aware of until my extremely jealous five year old nephew clapped eyes on the Space Ranger. This one is better than his because he says a lot more and his fingers move apparently. Buzz's helmet can open and close, his legs and arms are jointed (although a little stiff, some lubrication wouldn't go a miss), he has an opening panel on his arm so he can talk to Star Command, and the best bit is that his wings pop open and flash! In addition, he has sensors so that he knows whether he's flying or standing and therefore makes appropriate noises for that action.

That's not the only way he can interact with the 'child' playing with him. I was chasing The Boy with him earlier and being a little vocal: Buzz told me off for shouting because he could hear me and I needed to quieten down. Chastised by a toy! After a little while of not being played with, Buzz calls out asking if anyone is there. He'll repeat this a few times more and then declare he's going into hypersleep mode, or standby as us humans call it.

On his chest are three coloured buttons. The red activates his 'toy' mode (a bit boring), the blue his 'space ranger' mode, and the green is the interactive mic feature. The space ranger mode is the one where most fun can be had as he seems to come alive and reprimands you for opening his helmet without his permission. Buzz also has a moving head; it is motorised so he can look around and talk to you.

He really is amazing and I won't have a word said against him: he's a real hero!

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We were sent this item for the purpose of this review. Our adoration of Buzz is genuine and unbiased.

Christmas Crackers (For Mums)

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Here is my final selection of top-tips for last-minute stocking fillers for mums!

It's a traditional present but you can't really go wrong with toiletries for mums. However, this gift set is much nicer than the usual selection pack as it is part of Radox's Smoothies range. Containing both the gorgeous bath smoothie and shower smoothie, it's indulgent, fruit and perfect for this time of year with its rich berry smell. Also included in the gift set is an exfoliating glove for perfectly smooth skin.

Available from Superdrug.

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 When my great aunt died two years ago we realised that she was the last of her generation in the family and that there wasn't anyone else to ask about the time that Great, Great Uncle Jimmy got stuck on the farm due to chickenpox and had to stay there for a few days until he was well enough to return home, or other such stories. They are ridiculous but part of our family history. There are a great range of books out for different family members, the 'Dear Mum, from me to you' journal is one of them, and a perfect way of recording all those titbits of information which aren't official but make the person more alive than any birth certificate can.

Available from Find-Me-A-Gift for £11.99

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What mummy doesn't like chocolate? Or to be told that you're the best mum in the world? Well clever daddies can combine the two together with this personalised bar of chocolate from The Chocolate Library. The message on the back allows for 80 characters with the giver's name on a different line (saving character space), and you can choose between milk or dark chocolate. The bar is broken up into small pieces which make them perfect for treats!

Available from The Chocolate Library for £4.95

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Unlike my cynical husband, I am a believer in homeopathic and alternative remedies; millenia of natural remedies can't have been that wrong. One of my favourite brands if Nelson's, and they have out a fabulous healing and soothing Arnicare Bath & Massage. It's a dual purpose balm, because you can eithe pour just two caps into a bath or massage the balm directly into the skin to massage away aches. The invaluable natural properties of Arnica Montana will help to soothe and relax after a tiring day. Calendula, Evening Primrose and Sweet Almond Oil naturally hydrate and nourish the skin whilst the Lavender and Grapefruit essential oils help to melt away tension and relax the mind.

Available from Boots for £8.19

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If you prefer more of a cream to a butter, why not try the La Fee Noire (The Black Fairy) and the gorgeous aromatherapy body butter? Also made with Calendula and Rosehip, the cream is a perfect treatment for pre and post-natal skin, as well as being suitable to use on babies. Other yummy ingredients are shea butter, cocoa butter and coconut oil. It smells delicious!

Available from La Fee Noire for £20.00

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Isn't it beautiful? This stunning felt rose brooch was made by the very clever and talented Karen Rao. Karen is a felt artist who designs and makes a range of stunning brooches, necklaces, neck wraps and hats taking inspiration from the natural world. I adore this dahlia brooch and the delicate petals of pink, along with the dewdrops on the leaves. There is a brooch pin and a clip on the back making it very versatile.

Available directly from Karen Rao for £10.00

I was sent these items for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

Dear So And So…

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Dear Mum,

I wish you hadn't ignored the pains in your breast that you've been having for the past few months. You know you should have gone to the doctor before now, especially bearing in mind our family history. I wish you'd told me rather than keeping this all bottled up inside for this time.

Love,

Your petalpot.

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Dear NHS,

It is not good enough that the first date you can offer my mother a mammogram is 23rd January 2012. She has already waited a month for a doctor's appointment having mustered up the courage. You suck!

Regards,

An unimpressed tax and National Insurance payer.

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Dear medical person who operates the mammogram machine,

Please be gentle and discover that there's nothing the matter with her.

Beseechingly,

A worried child.

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Dear Lump in my Mum's Boob,

Sod off and leave her alone please!

from

Her angry daughter.

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Dear Me,

Don't be so angry with your mum about this. She is an incredibly busy woman and was most likely scared stiff to discover the pains and then the lump, especially losing both her parents, and all other relatives, to Cancer. Get a grip and be supportive instead, she needs you.

Love from

Your rational self.

Apologies for the sombre tone on my first ever 'Dear So and So…'

Dear So and So...

Culinary Christmas

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What festive foods will you be exploring over the Christmas period? I'm going with the following items, see what you think.

A meal is not a meal without crusty bread as either an accompaniment or a starter. Imagine crusty bread, balsamic vinegar and rich, fruity olive oil. I love dipping and swirling the bread, and the contrasting taste and textures is fantastic. There is no better olive oil than Filippo Berio with its rich, fruity taste and Italian heritage.This Christmas they have released a special, limited edition 1L tin which features one of Italy’s most iconic landmarks, the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The unique, limited edition tin is stunning and going to be well used over the Christmas period along with crusty bread for dipping, on the roast potatoes and honey-roast parsnips, and along with some honey and lemon juice for salads.

Available for £6.49 (RRP)

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Most cooked meals in this house during Winter are accompanied by cranberry sauce. I adore it, to the point where five years ago my dad bought me a picnic hamper packed full of jars of the red, fruity sauce and I managed to get through every jar before the expiry date!

At Christmas time, the humble cranberry deserves the special treatment and that is what Owen Potts has done:

This cranberry sauce has been blended with honey to create a sweet and delicious accompaniment to the traditional Christmas meal. Made with over 40% cranberries and over 10% honey, you know that you're going to be getting a quality sauce on your plate on Christmas day.

Available from main supermarkets for £1.89 RRP

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As far as my dad is concerned, the Christmas Day buffet tea is not complete without a jar of pickled onions. He's not the only one now either. I thought I'd managed to not marry my father but Mr. TheBoyandMe and he agree on this requirement.

Garner's Pickled Onions are a tad more special than the regular jars on supermarket shelves. The traditional pickled onion is marinated in an exclusive new blend of rich spiced vinegar with whole mustard seeds, something that my dad will enjoy immensely. The spices make the onions more seasonal while the mustard seeds provide that additional burst of flavour to waken up tastebuds after the dullness of turkey and stuffing. All presented in a beautiful Kilner jar which helps to seal in the flavour and freshness during the Christmas period.

Available from most supermarkets.

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I get a bit bored with the usual Christmas pudding, Stöllen cake, yule log etc. at Christmas time. I love cheesecakes and a New York style cheesecake is my most favourite. The English Cheesecake Company have a range of sumptuous cheesecakes which are a perfect addition to the Christmas dining table.

Feast your eyes on this baby:

This is a Brandy Snap Cheesecake. Isn't it a thing of beauty? Seriously! Look at the depth of that base and the curls of the brandy snaps! And trust me, they were gorgeous and crunchy, sweet and smooth. The thick vanilla, cream mix of the cheesecake is completely luxurious and laced with a hint of brandy butter. It is smooth and leaves the most amazing after-taste. All on a thick digestive base which is sweet and crunchy and a delicious contrast to the thick cream.

If you're after something different for a Christmas dessert, then you really should investigate their range. Why should the most important meal of the year be let down by a Value Christmas pudding?

Available for £26.50 from The English Cheesecake Company

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Christmas is not Christmas in our family without a tub of biscuits, and which better biscuits to go for than Fox's? This Christmas, Vinnie the gangster panda has put together a selection in a Limited Edition tin.

It's got all the traditional favourites in there: Choc Fudge, Original Ambers, Party Rings, Jam & Cream Rings and Butter Crinkle? But if anyone goes anywhere near the Golden Crunch Creams, then I shall harness my inner Vinnie, and there will be a war!

Available for £8.00 in Asda, Sainsbury's and Morrison's

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I'm not a fan of nuts, I think they taste like wood which amuses Mr. TheBoyandMe greatly. However, he adores nuts and every Christmas we have bowls of different types lying around on surfaces. His favourites are pistachios and this year he'll be trying these from Wonderful Pistachios.

With four flavours out (Roasted & Salted, Salt & Pepper, Sweet Chilli and No Salt) there is a flavour to suit everyone. As Mr. TheBoyandMe likes nuts and spicy flavours, I gave him the Sweet Chilli to try out. "Sweet Chili isn't precisely a traditional flavour, but it's not excessive; after the first mild kick, it settles into a very pleasant spicy feeling that lingers for a while afterwards and gives a certain more-ishness that makes it difficult to stop eating them!"

Available in most supermarkets now.

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There's now't better to accompany a cheeseboard for Christmas Day supper than a lovely selection of pates.

These scrummy pates and terrines from Castle MacLellan in Scotland are divine and very high quality. Between the pair of us we've sampled the crab terrine, the salmon pate and the oven-roasted mushroom pate. There are some imaginative flavours which would suit the Christmas dinner table well.

Keep an eye out for these in supermarkets.

I was sent samples of these products to try for the purpose of this review. Our opinions are honest and unbiased.