Freestate Instant Energy Gummies - Review*

I recently received some Instant Energy Gummies from the brand Freestate and thought I would try them out. I have previously used dissolvable tablets when working out but didn't like the taste and the fact you have to drink quite a volume of fluid so these sounded like the ideal alternative.

I received the classic box which contained 20 energy gummies. This retails on their website at £15 plus P&P (which is free with £20 of orders in the UK). Put it this way, that's cheaper than a coffee! Each little packet contains 2 gummies. Each gummy contains a unique formulation of caffeine, vitamins, sugars and flavourings to create an easy, pleasant stimulant for brain and body.

Freestate is energy enhancing experience; providing an instant dose of caffeine (30mg per gummy) and a range of Vitamin Bs. I have seen people use these for cycling and the like. My choice of exercise is running so I decided to take one before and one during a run. The taste can be likened to blue raspberry and was much easier on the palette than a dissolvable tablet. Freestate contains a range of Vitamin Bs: Vitamins B3, B5, B6 and B12. These are all intended to support the energy functions of the brain and body.

They are really convenient if you want an energy boost and another benefit is that they are easy to carry. I simply popped the sachet in my waste belt when I was running. They really did give me a kick of energy. I've used energy gels during races in the past that have left me with an upset stomach and these didn't give me any adverse side effects. I think they are also a great, healthier alternative to energy drinks.

If you'd like to try these for yourself, head over to the Freestate Gummies website and see what they have to offer. It isn't just exercise, you could use them at work, travel and everything in-between.

*I received this item free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more details.

Dyson Supersonic Blow Dry Review

Last week I met up with my friend and fellow blogger Kim and she told me all about her experience having had a blow dry with the new Dyson hair dryers. I thought it sounded amazing, and Kim very kindly passed my details on to Lydia who then contacted me.

I couldn’t wait to meet Lydia and have a lovely professional blow dry with the new product, something I had heard of but never had the pleasure of seeing in action. I arrived at John Lewis in Norwich where Lydia greeted me and sat me down. She showed me the Dyson Supersonic and explained to me how it worked. It retails at £299.99 which is definitely an investment but is definitely something you can add to your Christmas or birthday list. I was sceptical at first, but trust me this product will change your beauty routine.

First off, Lydia dampened my hair and showed me how quick it was to then dry it again. My hair can take on average 45 minutes to an hour to dry, however with the Dyson I was able to get it done in less than 15 minutes. Lydia explained that there are 3 different attachments which are all magnetic and can easily be rotated depending on the angle you want to dry your hair. I tried all of the attachments out to see what styles I could create. The hair dryer itself is extremely light, I was surprised at how easy it was to hold and move around.

Another thing that surprised me was how quiet it was in comparison to my usual hair dryer. The motor has been placed in the handle which not only makes it easier to hold, the weight is balanced. The microprocessor measures and regulates air temperature 20 times every second, keeping the temperature under control. This meant it wasn’t as hot as regular dryers but due to the better and faster airflow this allowed for quicker drying times. Heat and power settings can be adjusted simply by clicking a button on the back. There are 4 heat and 3 speed settings. The surfaces of the attachments stay cool even after use so there is no need to worry about children grabbing them after use and hurting themselves. It also means you can blow dry your hair right to the root without burning your scalp.

After finding out about all the features and accessories it was time for me to put the Dyson Supersonic to the test. We decided to go with the diffuser head which would give the effect of beautiful beach waves. I cannot believe how simple it was to create this look. Firstly I tipped my head upside down, I then placed sections of the hair into the diffuser nozzle and once dry I was left with voluminous waves. The best thing about this dryer was that I had no frizz either. I loved the natural effortless style it created with barely any effort put in from myself. The cable is also 2.7m long meaning I could tip my head upside down and give myself plenty of space away from the plug in order to create this look

Overall, I really enjoyed using the Dyson Supersonic, it is definitely one for the Christmas list! As you can see in the photo above, my beach waves stayed in all day, in fact they even looked a bit better after as they settled more! Thank you to Lydia for having me at John Lewis for this blow dry. What do you think?

*This post is not sponsored however I got to try the product out for free in exchange for this review.

Turtle Bay Norwich - New Menu Review*

It’s been a while since I last went to Turtle Bay in Norwich so when I heard that they had launched a new menu I instantly knew that I wanted to try it out. When Turtle Bay opened we had just moved house so it has been a busy few months of having no money, hence why we hadn’t returned since! This is the first big menu enhancement that the restaurant has undertaken since it came to Norwich and includes 15 new dishes, 7 new drinks and some new gluten free, veggie and vegan options. I was kindly invited to head down for a review and was allowed to bring someone with me. James and I hadn’t had a nice meal out together for a long time due to all of the house renovations so I thought I’d bring him along and turn it into a little date night for the both of us. We were greeted by Tom who very kindly took us over to our table and we started off by ordering some cocktails which I will talk about in more detail below.

The menu has been inspired by the feedback from guests but still stems from the Caribbean culture that Turtle Bay is all about. The dishes continue to celebrate Turtle Bay’s signature flavours with some fresh new twists and offer more choice for those with allergies and dietary requirements. I noticed there was also some healthier options on the menu. The classic dishes such as the famous Jerk Chicken and Curried goat that I tried on my first visit to Turtle Bay are still on the menu which I was pleased to see. We were served by Evelyn, who was very friendly and happy and always available if we needed more drinks.

For starters, I decided to go for the Sweetcorn Fritters which I had tried when I last came. I was given a little basket with 4 fritters in which was just the right amount. They were crispy and delicious and not greasy at all. I really enjoyed them. James went for the Crispy chilli Squid which he really enjoyed too. He said they had a great kick to them.

For mains, we were spoiled for choice. A new burger menu has been added which I was instantly drawn to. I love burgers and couldn’t wait to try one out with a Caribbean twist to it. The menu features a Jammin’ Lamb Burger alongside a Two Way Chicken Burger, Mushroom and Goats Cheese burger as well as the favourite Jerk ‘n’ Pulled Pork Bun. The burgers are pit grilled and come with a Caribbean slaw and either spiced fries or salad and when I come back I am definitely going to try one of these out.

Other new menu items include Bajan Beef Cheeks which is six hour slow cooked beef cheeks marinated in a Caribbean spice, okra, potato, garlic, ginger, star anise, cinnamon, coriander and toasted coconut. This dish was recommended by Tom when we arrived and said it was really good if you are a meat eater! It comes served with steamed rice and a roti flatbread. James went for this for his main and he said it was really nice and tender. He said it was spicy but not so much that you couldn’t appreciate the flavours. Slow Braised Beef Rib also makes a new appearance on the menu and comes served with sweet potato fries and a watermelon salad. I was very intrigued by the sound of this dish! I love watermelon and wondered how well it would go with beef so I thought I would give it a try. My generous portion arrived and I couldn’t believe how tasty it was. I had a choice of 3 jerk glazes so went for the pineapple glaze which was fruity and not too hot. The meat fell off the bone and there was hardly any fat on my ribs. It was absolutely delicious. The sweet potato fries were amazing and the watermelon went surprisingly well with this dish.

Not forgetting there is now a range of new vegan and vegetarian dishes too including the Spiced Chickpea Ital Wrap, Vital Veggie Beach Platter and the Spinach, Aubergine & Sweet Potato Curry. Okra Ladies’ Fingers consist of spiced panko coated okra fingers with mango mole, fresh lime and coriander mayo and  are a new side order from the Caribbean – vegan friendly, and you won’t find them in any other restaurants in Norwich! The new Beach Salad range provides a lighter, fresher superfood option for a quick healthy bite. The salads come as three bases and you can add a choice of toppings such as avocado, mango, chicken or even squid to really make it your own. 

It’s not just the food menu that has some new additions, the Caribbean cocktail list has also been livened up. Some old favourite’s have made a return due to popular demand such as Goombay Smash and Roots Culture which join the new arrivals Rum Negroni and Rum Margarita. Speaking of cocktails, it is now possible to book a ‘Cocktail table’ at Turtle Bay and enjoy drinks and snacks anywhere in the restaurant and bar. Don’t forget Happy Hour, available until 7pm and from 9:30pm Sunday to Thursday and until 7pm and from 10pm Friday to Saturday where you can take advantage of 2-for-1. It would have been rude for me not to try one of the new cocktails so I went for the Roots Culture and the Goombay Smash, both rum based and both absolutely delicious. As designated driver, James went for a watermelon crush which he really enjoyed. Turtle Bay also continue to be the venue of choice for those not drinking with their fabulous range of Caribbean Softs. New mocktails include Elderflower Cooler and Pineappleade. 

For desserts, we both went for something we had previously tried a small piece of at the press event. James went for the Dark Chocolate Brownie which he must have enjoyed as he didn’t even let me try a piece! I went for the Banana and Toffee Cheesecake. Both dishes were fantastic and really finished the meal off. We were then offered the rum menu or a choice of teas and coffees but both of us were completely stuffed!

There are also some new sharing platters on the menu to really get a feel for the laid back ‘liming’ culture of the Caribbean. Overall we had an amazing meal at Turtle Bay. So much that we are going to book to go back soon and really make a night of it. After your meal you can move to another table and continue the night with some cocktails! I love the laid back atmosphere in the restaurant, service was amazing and everything we ate and drank was absolutely fantastic. Thank you to Turtle Bay, especially Tom and Evelyn for having us and making it a really great night.

You can find Turtle Bay on Facebook, I visited the Norwich branch.

Turtle Bay Norwich
8 Swan Ln,
Norwich NR2 1HZ

*I received this meal free of charge for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

Ladival Sun Protection Review*

Back in June I received my Glossybox and as usual I tried and reviewed the products. One product that stood out to me was the Ladival Sun Protection Spray and I have thoroughly enjoyed using it over the past couple of months. When I was contacted about trialling some more products from the range, I couldn’t say no. We have had some lovely sunny days in England over the past month and I am so grateful that I had the Ladival range by my side.

The first item I received was the Ladival SPF 15 Non Greasy Spray. Ladival Sun Protection is the first mainstream brand to protect against harmful Infrared-A rays, as well as both UV-A and UV-B. Infrared-A rays make up a third of the sun’s damaging rays and causes short and long term skin damage. This spray is easy to apply and really sinks well into the skin. I love this product as the gentle formulation is great for sensitive skin and works really well with my eczema. It can be hard to find a sun tan lotion that doesn’t irritate my sensitive skin so this is a major breakthrough and for me it is worth paying the extra money compared to more generic brands.

I also received the SPF 50+ Non Greasy Lotion. The texture of this product is a lot thicker than the spray and has a slight PVA glue scent to it. My mum loved this, she loves the smell of glue and the subtle scent made her want to keep applying this. Although this appears slightly scented, the Ladival products are free from perfume, colourants, preservatives and emulsifiers. The smell soon sinks into the skin and makes this a very wearable lotion. I would use this when going on holiday abroad due to the high SPF it’s not often warm enough in the UK to need something this high.

Ladival has a wide range of products available to suit everyone, including lotions and sprays at SPFs 15, 30 and 50 and a kids’ range. The Ladival Sun Protection (RRP £19.99) is available from Boots, Asda, Well Pharmacy and Lloyds Pharmacy. To read more about protecting against harmful Infrared-A rays, visit www.thinkIRD.com. Would you consider purchasing this product for maximum skin protection?

*I received these items free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

Book Review: How Not to Disappear - Clare Furniss*

I am still really enjoying reading and reviewing books so when I was given the opportunity to read ‘How not to Disappear’ by Clare Furniss, I couldn’t wait to add this to my reading collection. The book is centred around the main character Hattie and her experiences during the summer. Her two best friends have gone out of town and Hattie has just discovered she is pregnant. As if that isn’t shocking enough news she then finds out she has a long lost great-aunt Gloria. The story then follows Hattie and Gloria getting to know one another and sharing secrets on a road trip of self-discovery.

This book did leave me wanting to know more and was easy to read. I started reading this whilst in the middle of a house move but I  found it really easy to pick up again and get straight back into the story. The story is written from two points of view and this is clearly shown by a change in font. The main bulk of the story is from Hattie’s view however we often get snippets from Gloria’s side too which helps the story flow and answers some of the questions that occurred. Although these two people were of different ages their lives were very similar and I can see how they both relate to each other.

Although this book is marketed at the young adult age range, there are some mature themes running through and any adult would also happily relate to what is going on in the story. Gloria suffers from dementia but the book also explores alcoholism, teenage pregnancy, domestic violence and rebelling at a young age. I really got a feel for the characters and what they were like and found myself really invested in their storylines as the book went on. Hattie and Gloria are complex and diverse characters with flaws and both good and bad life experiences and the way this was written really helps you get into their minds.

Throughout the book we find out a lot about Hattie but it takes a lot longer to find out Gloria’s secret. I kept guessing and had a version of the story in my head so when I got to the end I was really shocked. I found myself getting goose bumps as I read the final chapters and it wasn’t what I expected. I love it when a book does that to me and I was a bit sad that it was over.

This is the second novel Clare Furniss has written following on from her debut novel ‘The Year of The Rat’. I always desire to read further novels when I really enjoy a book so I will be trying to see if I can track this down and read it too as I really do like the way Clare writes her stories.

If you are into teen fiction or would just like an easy read I would really recommend this book. I have now passed it onto my teenage sister as I think she will really enjoy it. If you are on the fence, I would seriously consider watching the trailer.

You can buy it from Waterstones here. Have you read any books lately?

*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

Little Party Parcels*

When I think about my birthday parties as a child, I think of cake, fun games and party bags. Getting a party bag at the end of a party was probably the best part. It was always fun to see what was inside and swap and share little gifts with others. It can be expensive buying individual items for party bags so when I heard about Little Party Parcels I couldn’t wait to share with you the genius idea behind their brand. 

Little Party Parcels sell a large selection of party bags ranging from pre-filled to separate party bag goodies. All of their party bag toys are arranged per age group so you can pick the most suitable option for your child’s party. All of the fillers in the bag are sold as separate items so you can purchase as little or as many as you need without having anything go to waste. Over 99% of orders are dispatched within the next working day. Little Party Parcels very kindly sent me a range of their goody bags which I have shared with you below. I think it’s a great idea to take the pressure away from parents trying to source individual items and fill up party bags, let Little Party Parcels do that for you.

Smiley Pre-filled Party Bag – 70p 
The price range is amazing, there is something to suit all budgets and these bags cost just 70p each when filled. This bag contains some small modelling clay, a spinning top, a mini stunt glider, a jazzy blow out and a balloon. The value for money is great so even if you don’t want to spend much you can still get a decent bag to pass to the children attending your party.

Magic Pre-filled Party Bag - £1.35
This bag is great for those children interested in magic tricks. Slightly more expensive than the last this is still great value for money. The bag contains a magic set, finger flyer rocket, hair harry and a jazzy blow out.

Super Hero Pre-filled Party Bag – 90p
I loved this bag and the fact that even the party bag had a superhero theme to it. This bag contains a superhero mask, stickers, notebook, tattoo and some ultimate Spiderman candy sticks. Perfect for those children obsessed with superheros. This bag would work really well with a superhero themed party.

Colour & Create Pre-filled Party Bag - £1.80
This bag is really interesting and something I would have absolutely loved as a child. The bag contains some ironing beads, an owl notebook and eraser, a doodle pad, a colour swap crayon and a butterfly glider. This is the most expensive bag that I received but I really think it’s worth the money and at less than £2 you can’t fault it. There is no way that you’d be able to buy the individual items any cheaper than this.

Junior Pre-filled Party Bag – 95p
This bag is ideal for the younger party go-er and contains a mini tambourine, mini windmill, bubbles, animal stickers and a jet ball. Plenty of fun for all ages.

Party Sweet Bag – 95p
This bag is great for those with a sweet tooth and you could even combine it with another bag filled with toys for the ultimate party bag. This bag contains  a double dip, candy whistle, mini haribo, sherbet tub, fruity pop, refresher chew, 2x rainbow dust straws and 4 chocolate footballs. I taste tested the items and I must say, they were delicious!

You can also buy the items individually and they are great value for money. Some of the things you can buy include rabbit or car erasers – 20p, balloon head animal – 30p, bouncy putty – 35p, wooden pick up sticks – 90p and a faux fur pom-pom – 90p. You can mix and match items and create a range of bags suitable for the age range and taste preferences of your guests. I highly recommend checking Little Party Parcels out if you are hosting a party. These items are even great if you have children attending your wedding.

Do you think this is a great idea? Will you be getting your part supplies from Little Party Parcels?

*I received these items free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way.

'For Goodness Shakes' Protein Coconut Water*

Being on a diet, specifically Slimming World, means that when I want to refuel during or after a workout I have to waste a lot of calories (or syns) on a powdery protein shake. Often these protein drinks aren’t refreshing and I find myself trying to drink them as soon as possible. It seems such a waste! When I heard about the For Goodness Shakes Protein Coconut Water range I knew that I needed to try them as soon as possible and share them with you all. I have already had a great response on Instagram of fellow Slimmers wanting a similar product!

For Goodness Shakes Protein Coconut Water is a new range of deliciously-flavoured soft drinks which give you a protein boost, zero fat and no added sugar. The refreshing blend of coconut water and spring water, boosted with 10g Whey Protein Isolate is just what I crave when I’ve been in the gym. It comes in two refreshing flavours, Tropical and Orange & Mango. I received the Tropical and Mango & Orange flavours. These shakes are available exclusively in ASDA for just £1.99. My Gym just happens to be right next to an Asda which is an added bonus meaning I can pop in and pick up one of these before I start my workout.

I thought both flavours were fruity and refreshing but my favourite was the Mango & Orange flavour. Adding the extra protein into my workout pushes me to go for longer and I find myself doing more reps at a higher weight. The bonus is this is essentially water; you can drink this during your workout and it won’t sit heavy in your stomach. You can also drink this alongside a meal or keep it for on the go. Not only does it hydrate you, the protein will help you to grow and maintain your lean functional muscles when used as part of a balanced diet and exercise plan.

The fact that these are just 52 calories is mind blowing compared to some of the high calorie protein drinks I have had in the past especially as they taste so nice. There is no harm in adding in extra protein around your training and many people don’t wish to take this in the form of a supplement. This drink is refreshing and you’d never even know you were getting a 10g protein hit as an added extra. I love that this low calorie drink can be incorporated into my diet and I have been looking for a low calorie protein drink for what seems like forever!

Overall, I was really impressed with these drinks and they give my work outs that extra boost that I sometimes need and I don’t have to ‘waste’ 100’s of calories drinking a powdery bland protein shake. Find out more information about the For Goodness Shakes range over on their website. Have you seen these around? Will you be trying them out?

*I received these drinks free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way,

May 2015 Glossybox

I feel like my Glossybox was quite late again this month and I noticed a lot of people got theirs before me which is odd! I had to double check the payment had gone through in case, but it turns out my neighbour had it, and Royal Mail hadn't left a calling card. Thanks for that! I'm sorry for the delay in getting this post up.

MeMeMe Enchanted Eyes Dual Ended Eye Wand in Midnight Storm - Full Size £6.95
The first thing I clocked sight on was this MeMeMe Enchanted Eyes Pencil. This is a double ended pencil in Midnight Storm. Being colour-blind it was hard to tell exactly what colour this was, but after some help from Google I have discovered one end is midnight blue, and the other end is more of a turquoise colour. The pencil is really soft and blendable and would work great across your eyelid and also as an eyeliner. I can't wait to wear this out.

Sass Intimate Perfect Skin Concentrate - Full Size £12
This is a product I didn't even know existed. Firstly, I love the packaging of this, it's in a lovely discreet box so if you did want to take this on holiday you could hide it away. This product by Sass is to stop ingrown hairs when shaving more intimate areas and aims to minimise hair regrowth. The product doesn't really have a strong scent and smooths nicely into the skin.

Collection Cosmetics Lipstick in Pink Rose - Full Size £2.99
When I first saw this, I didn't even realise it was a Collection Cosmetics product. I'll be honest I'm not a huge fan of the packaging as I can see it getting dirty easily and it feels a bit clunky. The colour I received was Pink Rose which is a matte pink shade. With any matte lipstick you will need to prep and ensure your lips are exfoliated and hydrated before wearing this. To be honest this isn't really a colour I would wear, it's far too light and makes me look like a wannabe Barbie or even worse, like I have foundation lips!

Etre Belle Aloe Vera Ultra Moisturising Gel - Full Size £15.93
I love the texture of this moisturising gel, it's simply a gel (obviously!) which goes onto the skin really nicely. At first it leaves a slightly sticky residue but that soon disappears when you let it sink in a bit longer. Although this is Aloe Vera scented the smell is not too overpowering. My skin felt really soft after using this and I think it will be great to use to soothe my skin in the summer after being out in the sun.

Zerreau Towel Off Shampoo Foam - Full Size £7.95
I was most excited to try this Zerreau Towel Off Shampoo Foam when I received my box. The product had leaked ever so slightly and I'm not sure if that's due to the packaging or the way my box was handled but either way it still works. This product is going to be great for festival season and an essential to pack in your travel bag. The product is unlike any dry shampoo I have tried before, it's a foam which you massage into the roots of your hair then simply towel dry it off - no water required. I tried this out inbetween hair washes and thought it worked really well and I wasn't left with any residue. It smells fruity and really freshens up your hair leaving it looking healthy and shiny.

What did you think of this box? I was pretty impressed with the range of products and look forward to trying out some new brands.

To sign up to Glossybox, visit them here.

It works! - Ultimate Body Wraps*

If you're a big Instagrammer then you will have no doubt seen these wraps from 'It works!'. I'll be honest, when I first heard about these I was a bit skeptical, I thought - How can they possibly work? When my friend Emily offered me the chance to try one out, I couldn't say no. I wanted to see what they were like for myself and provide you with an honest review. 

 

 These wraps are so versatile. Not only can you use them on your stomach, you can cut then several ways to make leg wraps, arm wraps and even chin wraps to tighten a wide range of areas.

First thing's first, take your before photos and measurements. I decided to wrap my stomach, so I took a few measurements of my waist and around the center and the bottom of my stomach. Photo's are also important. Ensure you take them from the same distance and same pose each time. I'll be honest, this was the hardest part! In the end I had to use my phone because my DSLR was washing all the colour out and I wanted to be able to see every detail in my results!

Before popping on the wrap, it is advised you take a hot shower to open up the pores. Do not use any lotions. I then read the simple to understand instructions on the wrap packet and wrapped myself up! It was very easy to do. The wrap actually smelt really nice, like Aloe Vera! I was expecting it to be made of clingfilm in all honesty, but it's actually a polyethylene cloth covered in a lotion which is comfortable and pleasant to wear. I left the wrap for 45 minutes to ensure I got my results.

During the 45 minutes it is vital to stay hydrated and keep drinking water. If you're going to be moving about then it is best if you wrap yourself in clingfilm to stop the wrap from moving. If you start to sweat, remove the clingfilm! The wrap felt nice. It was cooling and made my stomach tingle. I actually liked the sensation, it reminds of that feeling when you put nice cold after-sun onto sunburn.

After you take the wrap off, you smooth the extra lotion on and retake your measurements and take your after photo. 

These wraps continue to work their magic for up to 72 hours so it's important to keep hydrated and drink plenty of water in the upcoming days. I didn't shower until the next day to ensure the lotion really got a chance to soak into my skin.

These are my results! My measurements went down and I felt great! I felt toned despite not doing ANYTHING. I told Emily I would give an honest review, and I'm not just saying this because she's a friend, but I seriously am impressed with the results.

Here is my before and after photo. Bearing in mind this is just after one wrap! Think of what results I could see if I purchased more than this. And after only 45 minutes, I am over the moon, I can definitely see a change. Everything feels tighter and flatter.

There are plenty of rules to ensure that these work and you will need to follow them all. I haven't detailed all of them in this post but you should know when done correctly, these wraps work for 98% of people, so I would urge you to try them out. You have to be realistic, you're not going to drop a stone overnight, these wraps aren't for weight loss. I think they are ideal if you have a special event coming up, a holiday or even a wedding. These wraps tighten and tone in a way that I can't explain!

To find out more about these wraps and try some for yourself, you can contact Emily on Facebook. Why not book yourself a 'wrap party' and have the girls round for en evening? You'll then be able to try one out and make an evening out of it.

*Emily provided me this wrap in exchange for an honest review. I was not influence in any way and all opinions are my own.