Elderflower Season With bottlegreen

When I was pregnant with The Boy, one of the few things that kept me going through the five months of nonstop nausea was fizzy, sweet drinks. Obviously I didn't want my teeth to fall out so seriously limited my intake of cola drinks and the healthier, gentler drink which really helped to settle my stomach was elderflower spritzer. bottlegreen was my brand of choice because the taste was far superior to many imitators out there, and three years later it's still one of my favourite drinks.

This Summer, bottlegreen have launched a limited edition design on their elderflower cordial and pressé bottles. The frosted white and green print it eye catching and very attractive, it certain makes it more attractive to put on the dinner table for Summer lunches, especially if we're (ever able to) sit outside on the weekend with friends and family. Light and refreshing, the pressé is my favourite (non-alcoholic) Summer drink.

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bottlegreen limited edition elderflower is available from all major supermarkets. The pressé is £2.39 and the cordial from £3.15.

I was sent a bottle of each for the purpose of this post.

"Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes" Wii (Review)

As a departure from the normal films that we are sent from Warner Bros. to review, we were recently sent a Lego Batman package in order to review the newly released Lego Batman 2 on Wii. Inside the box was a copy of the game, alongside a selection of Lego Batman themed goodies to keep The Boy amused.

However, while The Boy is busy pretending to be the caped crusader and playing with his first ever Lego, it's over to Mr. TBaM for the actual game review:

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes (to give it its full title) is the latest in a long line of LEGO console games, and features a whole host of Warner Brothers characters – not just Batman, Robin and all their baddies, but even Lex Luthor and Superman himself.

We were fortunate enough to be sent the Wii version of LB2, and from the start two things were obvious: firstly, due to its '7' PEGI rating this is not a game for The Boy, this is definitely Daddy's plaything; and secondly a lot of time had been taken making sure that the game impressed from the outset.

The scale of the game is simply immense. Starting out chasing after the Joker after he interrupted the Man of the Year awards, and then reducing numerous other villains along the way into their constituent blocks, you are taken out into Gotham City and then the wider world.

The gameplay can be confusing initially, especially for somebody new to the LEGO genre, and good coordination is definitely  needed as the Wii version requires both the Wii remote and the nunchuck controller. The graphics also suffer slightly in comparison to the PS3 and Xbox versions simply due to the greater graphical capabilities of the latter consoles.

The positives far outweigh these minor niggles, though. The game is fast-moving and the challenges of each section are so different that there's no danger of boredom through having to simply follow sets of repetitive moves. With a reported minimum of eight hours just to reach the end of the game – and countless more in finding all the hidden elements – this is certainly a value-for-money investment as the long and potentially waterlogged Summer break approaches.

Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes is available to buy for the Wii from Game for £23.99

We were sent this game for the purpose of this review, all opinions are honest and unbiased.

Hot Wheels Wall Tracks 'Mid-Air Madness' (Review)

Last September I was given the opportunity by Mattel to test and review their new Hot Wheels Wall Tracks system. At the time I was incredibly impressed at the system and the fact that it was wall mounted and removable, which meant that it didn't take over my entire house but was always there to be played with, by all members of the (extended) family! I wanted The Boy to have a car system but so many of them are restrictive in their layout and take up so much space, the Hot Wheels Wall Tracks doesn't, which is why we've since bought three add on sets and regularly change them around without any issue.

A month or two ago, I was asked if I'd like to review the new Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Mid Air Madness I considered it for about one second before gleefully typing 'yes please!'.

The Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Mid Air Madness is a section of the Hot Wheels track that loops around on itself to run continuously. Now those engineer-type people will be wondering how that can happen without some form of help, and you'd be right. There is a turbo-booster which launches cars up into the air to be caught by the highest point of the ramp before coasting down, crossing another gap and starting all over again! A true feat of anti-gravity defiance!

We absolutely love this track; it's a valuable, albeit slightly noisy, add-on to what was already a fantastic toy. Every child (old and young) who comes in is captivated and mesmerised by it and it's really enhanced the system. If you want to make your own little Hot Wheels fan happy, invest the £20+/- and make your track the envy of all their friends.

The Hot Wheels Wall Tracks Mid Air Madness is available from a variety of retailers, but is currently only £19.99 at Amazon.

I was sent this item for the purpose of this review, my opinion is honest and unbiased.

Pink Lining

A few months ago, I was fortunate enough to be sent a Pink Lining change bag for review and it is currently my bag of choice during these 'Summer' months. Bright and attractive, with a wipe-clean fabric and plenty of pockets for all our little bits, the Queensdale tote is a perfect toddler change bag.

The other day I opened the door to find another Pink Lining delivery, this time for The Boy. The lovely people over there thought that he might like to try their new Robbie the Robot lunch bag.

Robbie the Robot lunch bag

The lunch bag has a double-zipped front opening up three-quarters of the way around to reveal a PVC waterproof inside with a elasticated net pocket on the side of the lid, and an elastic loop in the main section to be used as a drinks holder. The wipe-clean interior is a perfect size for school lunches, picnics or day trips out, with plenty of space for a few Tupperware tubs and a drink. The main part of the exterior is made from a wipe-clean material covered in a cute robot print. On the back is a clear pocket for a name label to be inserted into. The lid is not a wipe-clean surface, instead it has a full-length Robbie Robot design embroidered onto it. The handle on the top has a nifty clip to enable you to attach it to another bag, pushchair, etc.

We love this bag, it's very cute, practical and a perfect size for the lunches of young men with growing appetites. The Robbie the Robot lunch bag is available from Pink Lining for £20.00 and measures 23x23x8.5cm.

We were sent this bag for the purpose of this review. My opinion is honest and unbiased.

iPod Touch Cover (Review)

When we bought our iPod Touch last August, we invested in a silicon case for it in order to prevent scratches from drops. The Boy has become more careful with it and so we don't need to worry so much about that aspect, but the one thing that irritates me about these Apple devices is the scratchability of the beautiful, shiny back. Why make them so attractive if they are only going to become scratched and spoiled so damn easily? iPads are the same!

I was asked if I'd like to review a personalised photo cover for the iPod Touch from MediaDevil, and I thought it would be a nice way to jazz it up especially as we don't need to worry about drop damage do much anymore. So I ordered one of my favourite photos to be printed onto the back:

protective iPod cover

The more eagle-eyed will have noticed it's my blog header!

These covers clip on easily, but don't slip off without putting in effort, which is a good thing with an inquisitive toddler! They have all the usual cut-outs for volume controls and the camera lens, and fit smugly. The MediaDevil Grafikcase is available now for all models of the iPhone, iPod Touch 4G/5G, Blackberry Bold 9900, Samsung Galaxy S II (£19.97) and the iPad 2/3 (£39.97).

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

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (Review)

One of the films that I wanted to see in the cinema several months ago was the collaboration between Tom Hanks and Sandra Bullock. If ever there was a film that was likely to be a success, then starring those two A-listers was surely going to do it? However at the time I knew it was a little sobering and we ended up going to see a pathetically shallow RomCom instead.

When the DVD of Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close popped through the door a week or two back, I was delighted. I could blub away to my heart's content and allow my mascara to flow freely in the comfort of my own home.

Only my mascara didn't flow, neither did the tears, because whilst sad in parts this film is actually incredibly heart-warming and inspirational.

Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close tells the tale of eleven year old Oskar and his journey to reconnect with the memory of his father, a year after he died in the 911 atrocity. The only child of Thomas and Linda, Oskar always had a close relationship with his father and when he died on 'The Worst Day', Oskar was the one to discover the emotive answerphone messages from him. One year on, and he wanders into his father's closet to try and catch hold of his  unravelling memories and discovers a mysterious key in an envelope with the name 'Black' on it. Oskar sets out on a journey to ask all 400+ Blacks across the five boroughs of New York to ascertain who 'Black' is and what the key fits.

This film is emotive, of course it is. However, I actually felt that the presence of the events of 911 actually played a really small part of the film, as did Bullock and Hanks. The star of this film, in more ways than one, is young Thomas Horn in the role of Oskar. The way that he deals with his journey visiting the multitude of potential links to his father is enthralling, the way that they react to him is heartwarming. His Aspergers' is only really touched on after half an hour of viewing, and it is refreshing to not have it throwing a shadow over the main purpose of the film.

While Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close does have big names in it and the story evolves from one of the most well-known events in modern history, it is so much more than either of those elements. If you are looking for a damn good film to hire or buy, get this.

We were sent a copy of this film for the purpose of this review. My opinion is clearly honest and unbiased.

Competition: GOSH Smokey Eye Palettes

Make-up.

I wear it every day; I'm too pale with chickenpox-scarred skin (plus chloasma) to not wear foundation at least. Then because I'm wearing foundation my eyes disappear. Truth be told, wearing make-up makes me feel more confident and smarter. The only problem is that I've got in a rut with my eye make-up. White eyeshadow with a slick of grey-silver eyeliner pencil smudged in (to highlight the grey of my eyes) and a slick of black mascara. I'm bored of wearing it, others must be bored of looking at it.

So when I was sent the latest GOSH Smokey Eyes Palettes to try out, I was more than happy. Smokey eyes don't have to just be for evenings and nights out, and I always like the look of them in the glossies in the supermarket or hairdressers, so I was eager to try them out on myself.

I was sent the three palettes to try out: Black, Brown and Plum and was really impressed with them. Admittedly I personally don't favour the brown palette as I'm so pale that I think it makes me look washed out, but the black palette is my new favourite eyeshadow and it means I get to use my expensive make-up brush set that sits feeling forlorn.

eyeshadow

The eyeshadow is very good quality, blends easily and lasts for hours without settling into creases. I adore it and have had quite a few compliments from work friends about the colours. I feel a bit more like a 34 year old and not a frumpy fuddy duddy.

GOSH Smokey Eyes Palettes are available from Superdrug for £7.99 each and come in three colours.

Competition:

I am able to offer five lucky readers the opportunity to win one of these palettes, in the colour of their choice. Simply fill in the Rafflecopter form below. Incomplete entries will be deleted.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mia Tui: Ava (Competition)

It is no secret that I am a huge fan of Mia Tui bags, in fact I own… <counts> five of them. Eeek! I have an Amelie and four Graces, my most prized one is the beautiful leather one although my red canvas Grace offers up stiff competition.

The fantastically versatile bags were originally designed as travel bags, but they were quickly discovered to be excellent change bags as there are so many different compartments inside to hold all the paraphenalia required with babies! As The Boy has grown, I have downsized from the Tardis-like Amelie to the more sedate Grace, which Mary Poppins would be very impressed with. I skipped the in between stage of the Ava for no reason other than I was trying to be brutal with the amount of stuff I was carrying around. However it is an excellent meeting point between the two, and an incredibly useful design with a plethora of pockets still and plenty of inside space.

Now one lucky reader of TheBoyandMe can be in with a chance of winning a stunning black Ava worth £49.99

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Goose Bedding (Review)

I seem to post a lot of photos of my son asleep in his toddler bed; mainly because I can't believe how quickly he is growing and changing, where did the last three years go? However, it's no wonder that I was asked to review a duvet set, and more recently a bedding set.

The Boy was sent a feather duvet and pillow set from Goose, who have created a range of feather and duck down bedding for our little goslings!

I'll put my hands up now and admit to having always disliked sleeping under feather duvets, mainly because my one main experience was in my inlaws' house and I always found that the feathers slumped down to the bottom of the cover overnight, leaving my feet boiling and my shoulders freezing.

However, when I read about the 'technology' behind Goose bedding, I was happy to give it a go and be proven wrong. Anything to try and keep The Boy sleeping longer in the morning, and for us to regain the hours of sleep that we crave.

I'm a big fan of sleep and will happily sleep anywhere, but it transpires that for us to get the best quality sleep (which is after all what we want for our little ones to help them grow) we need to maintain an even body and skin temperature. It seems obvious when stated, but clearly when we get too cold or too hot it disturbs our sleep and we either throw off the duvet covers or try and snuggle in more. In the middle of the night, when our body temperature drops, this is even more important. The natural materials (like the lightweight 100% cotton casing and 100% down fillings) used in Goose bedding result in reduced moisture levels (approximately 80% of perspired moisture during sleep is transported through the duvet and evaporates; the duvet acts like a filter in a way), helping to maintain the right temperature and a better quality, deeper sleep. And because they use natural materials, they are more breathable; down fillings offer three or four more air circulation than synthetic fibres, making it lightweight, breathable and allowing moisture (and nasty bacteria) to escape more easily.

With a family history of eczema and asthma, allergies are something that concerns me. However, most allergies come from house or dust mites (or rather their excrement), but they are nigh on impossible to avoid with modern living arrangements. The advantage to Goose duvets in this case, is that dust mites do not feed on feather or down. The tightly woven casing of the duvet works as a barrier preventing the house dust mites from penetrating the fabric, and stops the down from sticking in little (human) bodies while they sleep.

children's duvets

The photo on the right looks a little odd, but I wanted to show this to you. When I help the duvet up to shake it out, the light shone through and I realised that at regular intervals all over the duvet outer, there are small sections sewn together which obviously hold the shape correctly. Furthermore, they prevent the feathers from working their way down to the bottom. Impressive.

Both the pillow and the duvet are fluffy and plump, much softer than the normal bedding that The Boy has on his bed. We put them on his bed on Friday night and it's like a miracle; he has slept soundly every night since, waking up after 7.30am each morning! The Boy is obviously very comfortable while asleep, and I've noticed that the pillow retains its shape really well during his nightime gymnastics (which are also less as he sleeps more soundly).

I like the plumpness of the bedding, the quality feel to it, the fact that it's breathable and helps him to sleep better. It's also machine washable, making it practical with a pre-schooler. The duvet is perfect for his toddler bed, measuring 120x150cm, and is a 4 tog duvet which is great for all-year round bedding.

And what better review point can I make than highlighting that my son is sleeping longer in the morning?

The Goose down duvet (4 Tog) measuring 120x150cm costs £48 and the feather & down pillow measuring 57x35cm costs £18. Available from Goose Bedding and Not On The High Street.

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

Personalised Peppa Pig Party Book (Review & Competition)

I was recently asked if I'd like to review another personalised Peppa Pig book, this time it was focused on Peppa coming to The Boy's birthday party.

The process of ordering the book through the Penwizard site is incredibly easy and allows for the book to be personalised to feature your child's name, age and adjust the appearance of the main character for hair colour and style, eye colour, and skin tone, along with a personalised message.

personalised peppa pig

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