Thursday 19 November 2015

Sponsored Video: Jamie's Earl Grey Martini


If you're anything like me, when someone mentions Earl Grey tea, you'll automatically picture the beverage above in all of its fragrant, chintzy glory. I've always secretly suspected that Jamie Oliver was a little off-the-wall bonkers, and his latest project with PG Tips** sees him, and the gang from Food Tube, getting extremely creative with our nation's favourite beverages. Including... an Earl Grey Martini! That's certainly a step up from a slosh of milk or a slice of lemon.

PG Tips have revamped a few of their classic blends, including Earl Grey, Assam and English Breakfast to put a fresh, new twist on these iconic flavours. The new Earl Grey features hints of citrus and bergamot to complement the classic PG Tips blend. Jamie Oliver and Food Tube have teamed up with PG Tips to encourage the nation to get creative with their cuppa.  For a sneaky peek at what Jamie's been getting up to with our nation's favourite brew, check out the video below...

For recipes, competitions and more, visit

You can also follow PG Tips on Twitter and Facebook for more 'outside-the-mug' ideas. 

**Sponsored video content - Commentary is the author's own
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Tuesday 17 November 2015

Warming Winter Fragrances by Harper's Bizarre Candles

Cruelty-free, vegan and eco-friendly soya wax candles

Don't get me wrong, okay, I'm a complete candle freak 12 months of the year. As someone who lives with animals, scented candles are an eco-friendly way to counteract their various whiffs. However, I find them to be particularly comforting during the Winter months. One brand I have really come to love over the past year or so is Harper's Bizarre. Their candles are handmade from 100% soya wax, are eco friendly and come fully accredited by The Vegan Society as being cruelty-free and free from animal ingredients. Today I wanted to share with you a handful of their scents I've been particularly enjoying since the night have started creeping in...

Harper's Bizarre Candles - Snuggley Blanket, Raspberry & Rose, Pumpkin Apple Slice

Harper's Bizarre, based in Hull, is the baby of a lovely lady called Victoria, who I have now come to consider a friend. She makes each batch by hand and dreams up each original scent herself. Her quirky personality shines through in her products and the scents are truly unique compared to other candle brands (she recently came up with a scent named 'Chocolate puppies').  The candles come with a double wick for an even burn with an approximate burn time of 20hrs each. The fragrances are strong and carry wonderfully. Nothing worse than a scented candle you can only smell when your nose is in the tin. 

Harper's Bizarre Candles: Snuggley Blanket, Raspberry & Rose, Pumpkin Apple Slice, Scary Mary

The fragrances I'm loving the most at the moment include the following...

Raspberry & Rose 

This is a year-round favourite if I'm honest, but I couldn't do a favourites round-up without including it. I love a fruit and floral combo. This candle is at its most gorgeous when burned in the kitchen.

Snuggley Blanket 

I find these kinds of scents to be the most comforting once the weather cools down and the nights get darker. Harper's version is particularly lovely and I always have it in the house. My favourite time to burn this one is at bedtime. 

Scary Mary

This is a new seasonal candle for Autumn/Winter 2015 and continues with the fruity/floral theme. I'm obsessed with it! Victoria has taken much inspiration from Halloween this year with other seasonal candles including 'Zombielicious' and 'Dirty Crow'. 

Pumpkin Apple Slice

Okay, this one isn't widely available as it was purely made as an experiment. However, it seriously smells like Autumn in a tin and I'm currently rallying a petition for it to make a more permanent comeback in 2016. Victoria sells her one-off experiments at events and vegan fayres so look out for her at any upcoming Christmas markets. You might find a hidden treasure! Check out her website for more info. 

Harper's Bizarre Candles - Snuggley Blanket, Raspberry & Rose, Scary Mary

Harper's Candles collections range from florals, to aromatics, to patisserie so there's something for every taste or mood. Of course, now that the holiday period is looming, the Christmas selections are also creeping onto the site and I can 100% vouch for those too. Jingle Bells and Let it Snow were particular favourites in my house last year. 

Harper's Bizarre candles are priced at £8 each, or 3 for £20. They make pretty gifts as well as a special treat to fight the winter blues. I don't know where I'd be without them! 

For more info or to place an order, visit

harperscandles.com

What scents do you find particularly comforting over the winter months? What are your favourite Harper's Bizarre fragrances? 

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Monday 2 November 2015

Planet Organic Launch 2015 Christmas Hamper Selection

Planet Organic Launch New 2015 Christmas Hamper Collection

What the heck, I'm going in with the first Christmas-themed postings, seen as my inbox is really starting to fill up with these exciting Christmas launches. Thought I'd get the bauble rolling (see what I did there, hawhaw), with these gorgeous selection hampers just launched by Planet Organic* for Christmas 2015. 

I love me some Planet Organic and, even though I'm no longer resident in London to browse their bountiful shelves in person, I still go potty for their mail-order selections when I really feel like a treat. These guys really know how to spoil those of us after a wholesome vegan or gluten-free indulgeance. These selections have been thought out to cater to veggies, vegans and coeliacs alike and range in price from just £16.99 up to a whopping £480 (one can dream, right?) Here are a handful that caught my eye...


My top picks from the Planet Organic 2015 Christmas Hamper collection

1. The Chocolate Lover - £45
2. Coffee Addict - £16.99
3. The Alternative Baker - £40
4. The Gluten Free Goodies - £50


Each selection is clearly tagged as to what is vegan-friendly or gluten-free. Other options include organic beauty hampers, beer selections and juicing packages (complete with Vitamix - drool). Other gift ideas available from the Planet Organic site include chocolate-making workshops, massage vouchers and spa days. Perfect if you want to really treat someone in your life or just indulge yourself with something extra special over the Christmas period (because that's totally allowed as well).

Browse all gift ideas and Christmas hamper selections over at
planetorganic.com

They are also offering free delivery on orders over £50 and an express delivery option.

How do you plan on treating yourself, or a loved one this Christmas? What are your favourite Christmas treats?


*Disclosure: Post contains affiliate links
** All stock images for this post sourced from planetorganic.com



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