Amazon and Boots

Toni&Guy and Revlon have some wonderful gifts for Mother’s Day and will make any mum look and feel fabulous this year.

One fabulous gift is the Toni & Guy party Squad gift set. This wonderful set includes the Curl Squad Spiral Wand, the XL Straightener and a gorgeous clutch. The Curl Squad Spiral Wand is brilliant and allows you to create springy styles with vivacious volume that will last all day. This tool is very easy to use and comes with a heat resistant glove, meaning you can safely create your stunning look.  This Spiral Wand has a 25mm barrel and Tourmaline Colour Lock technology that is developed to enhance shine, smooth hair follicles and lock in colour as you style.

The Toni and Guy XL Straightener is another fabulous tool included in this gift set that is perfect for flawless finished hair. This straightener offers up to235 degrees heat in just 20 seconds and variable digital temperature settings to suit every hair type. It also has extra-long floating ceramic plates so you can straighten more hair in one go and has an advanced ionic tourmaline coating to help reduce damage to your hair.

The Party Squad gift set is perfect for creating hairstyles for every day as well as gorgeous hairstyles for a night out. The RRP for this wonderful gift is £99.99 and is available from Boots and Amazon.

Another fabulous gift is from Revlon’s Pro Collection range. The Revlon Salon One-step Hair Dryer and Volumiser is an amazing 2-in-1 styling tool that gives the power of a dryer and the volume of a styler. The oval brush is brilliant for smoothing hair,  creating volume at the roots and beautifully curled ends. It uses ionic technology that helps condition, smooth and makes hair shiner and less static and frizzy. It also has ceramic coating for even heat distribution, meaning your hair will hair less damaged. The bristles of the volumiser have comfortable massaging ball tips to help softly detangle hair. This hair dryer and volumiser is very easy to use and creates beautiful hair full or volume and life. It also has a cool shot to help fix your sleek, blown-dry hair.

The Revlon Salon One-step Hair Dryer and Volumiser is the ideal gift for anyone who wants gorgeous, shiny hair full of volume. The RRP is £59.99 and it is available from Amazon and Boots.

www.issara.co

This Valentine’s Day spoil your loved one with luxury travel accessory brand, Issara.  Issara offers premium yet affordable leather goods that make the ideal gift for Valentine’s Day.

Issara have a wonderful range of premium leather pieces that will show anyone just how special they are. All pieces are ethically handcrafted by skilled artisans and will definitely impress your significant other.

Included in the Issara collection are briefcases, laptop sleeves, tote bags and clutches. Each is made from full grain leather that is exquisite to touch and looks stunning. The bags are crafted from a combination of luxurious twill, polished hardware and smooth Japanese zippers.

One gorgeous product from Issara is the Clutch. This product is impeccably handcrafted from soft milled leather and luxurious cotton twill lining. It features 5 card slots, a separate pouch for a kindle and a wristlet. It is available in 5 gorgeous colours; black, navy, mocha, tangerine and cognac. The RRP for the Clutch is $120.

You can also add a wonderful touch of luxury by personalising the gift with your loved one’s initials in gold, silver or plain emboss. Order your personalised gift in time for the big day at www.issara.co. Especially for Valentine’s Day you can receive a complimentary monogram by using the code ‘LOVEISSARA’ until February 14^th.

en-uk.sennheiser.com

The Sennheiser Ambeo Smart Headset is the world’s first intuitive, compact, and mobile 3D sound recording headset.

This headset has many great features but the standout feature is that they are fitted with omnidirectional microphones that capture the sounds in your environment just like your ears would. These high-quality microphones let the person wearing them create videos in stunning 3D sound on an iOS device. When the person is recording video or audio, they are recording sounds just the way you would normally hear the sounds naturally, or binaurally. When a person reproduces the video via any pair of stereo headphones, they will effectively hear the sounds coming in exactly the same direction as at the time of the recording. This is brilliant as it provides a 360 degree realistic, 3D recording which adds so much more to your overall listening experience.  You basically feel like you are actually there and that you are listening live.

I found the Ambeo Smart Headset easy to use. They have a Smart Slider that you can adjust the mic sensitivity to normal or loud. This results in a fantastic three-dimensional and immersive sound experience, which can be enjoyed with any headphones on any stereo-capable device.

The Ambeo Smart Headset also possesses Situational Awareness. This means you can either make the outside noise fade into your personal program, which lets you stay safe when you are on the street, or you can deploy the active noise cancellation, blocking out your acoustic environment to enjoy your music undisturbed. Situational Awareness also works when you are recording or making a call and can be turned off if wanted.

Aside from its unique 3D audio recording capabilities, the headset, like you would expect from all Senhenheiser headsets, is also a high-quality pair of in-ear headphones. This headset is also very comfortable to wear thanks to a special ear hook design.

The Ambeo Smart Headset is brilliant for listening to music at a high-quality and can provide realistic 3D recordings. They are perfect for vloggers and anyone who wants to capture and share their world just as they have experienced it. The RRP is £259.99 and they are available from en-uk.sennheiser.com

www.jabra.com

For anyone who wants truly wireless earbuds the Jabra Elite 65t are perfect.

The Elite 65t earbuds have four-microphone solution combined with an optimised acoustic chamber that enables advanced noise suppression and voice enhancement for every type of environment.

The Jabra Elite 65t also has excellent connectivity so you can take calls and listen to music without worrying about audio dropouts. You can also seamlessly connect these earbuds to your smartphone with Bluetooth 5.0

Music can also be personalised when you use these earbuds by using a music equaliser that can be accessed from the Jabra Sound + app. This app is brilliant as it lets you add extra features and lets you personalise the way you use the Jabra device. You can customise music profiles, modify how much nearby noise you want to hear and keep track of your battery charge. You can also choose if you want to use Amazon Alexa, Siri®, or Google Assistant™. I have used these earbuds with Amazon Alexa and it’s great as I can check my calendar and have Alexa read it back to me.

Another great feature of the Elite 65t earbuds is that they are very durable and feature an IP55-rated design. They also come with a 2-year warranty against damage from water and dust when you register with the Jabra Sound + app.

These earbuds are also fantastic to use when you are working out as they are water and sweat resistant so can cope with the most strenuous of workouts. .

The battery life of the Elite 65t is also very good. You can have up to 5 hours of battery on a single charge, and up to 15 hours in total with the included pocket-friendly charging case.

The Elite 65t earbuds are perfect to use to listen to music as well as to use to speak to friends and family. They are available in Titanium Black, Copper Black and Gold Beige. The RRP is £149.99 and they are available from www.jabra.com

www.sennheiser.com

Perfect for working out, the Sennheiser CX SPORT in-ear Bluetooth headphones offer the freedom of wireless listening in an ultra-lightweight, sweat resistant design.

The CX SPORT has been created to move when you move and features ergonomic fins that keep the earbuds comfortably secure. They can be worn either around the neck or in front as there is a cable organiser that adjusts the cable length and an optional clip that can be used to fix the CX SPORT on a workout shirt. There is a choice of three fin sizes and a selection of four sizes of ear adapters so it is easy to find the perfect fit that blocks out outside noise and helps you stay focused during your workout.

The CX SPORT is brilliant to use when exercising as they are splash and sweat resistant; perfect to use in high intensity workouts. They are also lightweight making them comfortable to use.

Despite its slim design, the CX SPORT has a fantastic range of advanced features including multi-connection capability that allows the headphones to be connected to up to two devices simultaneously. Also Bluetooth 4.2 and Qualcomm® apt-X™ ensure uncompromised wireless Hi-Fi sound. When using the CX SPORT for watching videos, Qualcomm® apt-X™ Low Latency compatibility keeps the audio transmission perfectly in sync with the visuals.

I used the CX SPORT when I went for a run and found them extremely comfortable to wear and thought they delivered a clear, detailed sound. They were also very easy to use and I found the three-button inline remote control for managing music and calls very useful. These in-ear headphones blocked out outside noise which was great as this helps keep me more focused when I am running.

The CX SPORT has a six-hour battery life, which can be fast charged via USB in just ten minutes to offer a further hour of playback, and fully charged in 1.5 hours. The headphones come supplied with a neoprene carry pouch.

The CX SPORT in-ear headphones are an ideal gift for anyone who listens to music when working out. The RRP is £119.00 and they are available from www.sennheiser.com.

www.michaelphelps.com/uk

The perfect gift for avid swimmers are the XCEED competition goggles from Michael Phelps. These goggles are very comfortable and give brilliant vision for wearers.

The XCEED goggles give swimmers a competitive edge as they have patented curved technology for expanded field vision, so swimmers can sight walls and the competition without altering their head position.

The goggles are also engineered with Exo-core technology which combines two materials for maximum performance.  The compressed Micro-Gasket provides a leak resistant seal and a low profile design and the semi-rigid exoskeleton maximises the structural strength and stability of the goggle. The Ultra soft Softeril gasket also provides a watertight seal as well as maximum comfort.

Another great feature of these goggles is that they have a hydrodynamic, low-profile head buckle so wearers can make quick adjustments. The anti-fog treated Polycarbonate lens are also fantastic as your goggles will not steam up when you are swimming and hinder your vision

When I tried these goggles I was very impressed with how comfortable they were and how great my vision was when I was wearing them. I also thought the ergonomic, interchangeable nose bridge was brilliant. This allows you to create a customizable, comfortable fit and is easy to replace.

The XCEED goggles are a fabulous pair of goggles to wear when swimming. They are very comfortable and the range of vision is amazing. These goggles are particularly good for anyone who races as the curvature of the lens allows you to get almost 180 degree vision. However, even if you are not a swimmer who races, you will still love the feel of these goggles and love how clear you can see in them.

The RRP start from £26.99 and are available from www.michaelphelps.com/uk.

During the summer months is when the BBQs come out and everyone enjoys a bit of alfresco cooking. But even though BBQs are enjoyed by many, not everyone is entirely sure if the meat they are cooking is actually cooked correctly. This is why the Superfast Thermapen is the perfect gadget to have this summer.

The Thermapen is a fantastic gadget that tells you simply and quickly if the meat you are cooking is cooked properly. I have tried the Superfast Thermapen 4 when I have done a BBQ for family and friends and I think it is amazing.

This Thermapen 4 uses advanced technology and includes a number of innovative features.  It has a patented automatic 360° rotational display that can be used in any position and in the left or right hand.  It also has an intelligent backlit display that senses light levels and will automatically turn the backlight on or off in varying light conditions. The motion-sensing sleep mode also automatically turns the Thermapen 4 on/off when set down or picked up which maximises the battery life.

The Thermapen is also waterproof to IP67/67 and has a washable casing that includes ‘Biomaster’ additive that reduces bacterial growth. The ergonomic rubber seal minimises the risk of the ingress of water, dust or food.

The Thermapen 4 measures temperature over the range of 49.9 to 299.9 °C and is powered by a single AAA battery with a life expectancy of 3000 hours in normal use.

The Thermapen 4 offers the perfect combination of speed, accuracy and convenience of use. It is a great gadget to have with you when you are barbequing meat and once you have used it you will wonder how you ever cooked without one. The RRP for the Thermapen 4 is £64.80 and it is available from www.thermapen.co.uk.

www.leontiagallery.com

From 10^th May until 31^st May The Leontia Gallery presents Figure It Out an exhibition that explores contemporary figurative painting and numerous possibilities painting has to offer.

For the first time in London, leading contemporary artists from all over the world have come together to discuss, through their artistic practice, the past, present and the future of painting.

The artwork exhibiting at Leontia Gallery is a collection of pieces from re-workings of old masters such as John Singer Sargent, homages of the pop-art powerhouse that is Warhol to painting embracing glitter to paint by numbers

Highlights from the exhibition include:

• Benjamin Thomas Taylor whois known for his ‘Paint by Number’ series with bright, Pop Art inspired landscapes.
• South African artist Frans Smitwho offers a fresh reading of traditional portraiture, mixing street art and classical styles he completely reinvents old masters
• London bornEugene Ankomah’s selection of had drawn digital “Brain-Wave” paintings. these are playful yet with sinister undertones. The artist explores relevant contemporary themes around terrorism, fear and social manipulation. Eugene Ankomah is widely collected, notable collectors include, Dame Kelly Holmes, Dizzie Rascal and Chiwetel Ejiofor
• The work of UK artist Carp Matthew is a horror to behold, magnificently disturbing in the most deskbound of ways. The comparison with Francis Bacon is easy to make, but the domesticity of Matthew’s grotesque makes it all the more frightening.
• UK artist Lee Ellis is presenting 6 portraits of some of the great modern masters, Picasso, Frida Kahlo, Van Gogh, and Warhol
• Critically acclaimed Magnus Gjoen, previously under the wing of Vivienne Westwood, will be showing pieces based on the religious martyr Saint Sebastian. Gjoen’s work often references renaissance and neo-classical paintings re-working them into contemporary settings and scenes.
• Award-winning artist, Smit, with an international hub of collectors. Mentored by Lucien Freud, the late artist has had a lasting effect on Smit’s work

Art enthusiasts from collectors to novices will be invited to attend the mesmerizing preview night on 10^th May between 18:00 – 21:00 at 1 Queens Parade, Willesden Lane, NW2 5HT

Each guest will have the chance to meet some of the world’s leading contemporary artists and hear the inspiration behind their collections.

For art connoisseurs looking to buy their first piece Leontia Reilly, the founder of Leontia Gallery, will be offering private viewings and consultations to talk through the artwork whilst sharing industry insight on investing in art.

The Leontia Gallery is dedicated to the promotion of contemporary art from exceptional emerging and established artists. Visit www.leontiagallery.com.

thetradinghouse.uk.com

The Trading House in London is an elegant restaurant that serves exquisite, high quality food. This restaurant is the ideal place to go if you want to experience a relaxed atmosphere with the finest food and drink.

I visited The Trading House with my wife and we both adored the ambience of the restaurant and bar, as well as the delicious food.  One of the first things we noticed was how all the staff were very helpful, polite and attentive. Our waiter for the evening was Oktave and he was very helpful and polite. He continued checking on us throughout the evening and recommended a wonderful wine to accompany our meal.

The food at The Trading House was excellent.  They have recently introduced a new menu and the choice of food was very good. I enjoyed the Rotisserie Chicken Wings to start.  I tried the homemade brown sauce and a sweet chilli sauce and both the condiments were delicious and complemented the chicken beautifully.  My wife had the Rotisserie Duck Rillette which was served with fig chutney and baked granary toast. We both enjoyed the starters and found the portion sizes excellent and the food tasted wonderful.

For our main course we both tried The Trading House’s signature Hanging Kebabs. There is a wonderful range of options to choose from and not only do these hanging kebabs look great but they taste amazing too.  I tried the Chicken Hanging Kebab which was served with garlic butter and seasoned chips. The waiter poured the garlic butter over the kebabs after bringing them to our table and this made the chicken taste divine.  My wife tried the Tandoori Cod and King Prawn Hanging Kebabs and this was served with pilau rice and coriander and mint yoghurt.  She too enjoyed this main course and we both thought the presentation of these kebabs was fantastic.

The desserts ended the meal perfectly and were just as delicious. There was a great choice of desserts and we did find choosing one difficult as we would’ve loved to have tried them all! After much thinking we decided on the Chocolate and Peanut Butter Pudding and the Sticky Toffee Pudding. Both were excellent choices.

Our visit to The Trading House was fantastic. We spent an evening enjoying wonderful food and great service in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. I would definitely recommend a visit to The Trading House.

For further information and to book a table visit thetradinghouse.uk.com

This Easter spoil someone with treats from Elizabeth Shaw. Elizabeth Shaw has a wonderful Mint Collection Easter Egg that includes a mint flavoured dark chocolate egg with honeycomb crisp and a selection of 12 dark mint chocolates. This Easter egg is the perfect gift for Easter and will be adored by mint lovers. It is available from Wilkinson’s and the RRP is £8.00.

Elizabeth Shaw also has a wonderful collection of biscuits that are perfect for sharing this Easter. With a range of tempting flavours to choose from there is a biscuit for every taste. The flavours include Raisin and Hazelnut, Coconut and Hazelnut, Raisin and Cocoa and Mint and Cocoa.

The Elizabeth Shaw Crisp Classic collections, Flutes, Twists and Creams also make delicious treats for Easter. To see the full range of treats visit www.elizabethshaw.co.uk.