A Fabulous Festive Stay at Ibis Liverpool Centre Albert Dock – Liverpool One #Review

A Fabulous Festive Stay at Ibis Liverpool Centre Albert Dock – Liverpool One #Gifted

February has come around quickly, so I would like to take you back to all things Christmas and location lovely Liverpool, where we enjoyed a super sparkly stay at the centrally located Ibis Liverpool Centre Albert Dock, what a fantastically fabulous festive treat.

Right in the heart of all the action, just opposite the Royal Albert Dock, the M&S Arena and a few minutes’ walk from the Albert Dock, Matthew Street, Tate Gallery, The museum of Liverpool, the Liver Building and Liverpool one shopping centre you are spoilt for choice.

Immediately noticeable was that the hotel was decked out in Christmas loveliness, upon arrival we received a wonderfully warm welcome, and right there and then we knew we were going to have a lorra lorra laughs as it was good vibes all round and we were ready to rock around the Christmas tree.

After a friendly and informative check in process we headed up to our cosy double room so we could chill over a complimentary cuppa, from the in room fully stocked tea and coffee tray, while we planned our Liverpool Christmas adventures.

The modern bedrooms, offering a city or riverside view, are furnished with the new Sweet Bed by Ibis and have 1 large double, desk area, internet & TV, hairdryer and a modern ensuite bathroom including complimentary toiletries for you to use throughout your stay.

Now, Christmas in Liverpool is full of festive cheer there are various Christmas markets, including at both Liverpool One and George Street, so you can get your festive jingle on for sure.

After building up an appetite why not head down to the onsite Fogg’s restaurant, serving a choice of international cuisine, as it is the perfect place for couples, family, and friends to enjoy good food and good times. Décor is contemporary and chilled out providing guests home away from home vibes, now onto the food and drinks.

Super starters included super spring rolls with sweet chilli dip, mouth-watering Mozzarella cheesy sticks with a lush salsa dip and a beautiful bowl of onion rings really yummy and fabulous food all round.

Santa Vs Scrooge Christmas Fun at Breakout Manchester #Review

Santa Vs Scrooge Christmas Fun at Breakout Manchester #Gifted

Now, are you team Santa or team Scrooge, can’t decide well now you can be both simply get your squad together and head down to Breakout Manchester Newton Street for an exciting and exhilarating escape challenge of a Christmas time…We did, and it was a fabulously festive fun activity for sure.

As always the brilliant Breakout Manchester gamemasters warmly welcome you into their fabulous family of Breakout brilliance and this visit was no exception so thank you to our gamemasters; phenomenal Phil and excellent Ellie for making our visit super sparkly and spectacular.

Christmas Chaos

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, with plenty of crimbo loveliness and cheer, but Santa has given our team a top-secret task….ho ho ho!

Santa’s schedule has been hectic, Santa’s Elf’s are all busy on Christmas tasks double checking the naughty and nice lists, so Santa needs a spare moment to feed Rudolph and the rest of the super sleigh team.

Santa needed us to deliver presents to the last house on the street…but the house security system shut down and locked us inside – oh dear! We had 60 minutes to escape so we could get back to our Christmas Day plans.  We escaped and it was jingle all the way

Now, our team successfully delivered Santa’s sack of pressies we needed to ensure that they kept under the children’s Christmas tree, as Ebeneezer Scrooge has decided to cause havoc with Christmas.

A Christmas Nightmare

There is always one and as we know Ebeneezer Scrooge is a real bah humbug!

Give the Gift of a Dining with Distinction Experience at the East Lancashire Railway #Review

Give the Gift of a Dining with Distinction Experience at the East Lancashire Railway #Gifted

Now, buying gifts for Birthdays, Engagements, weddings and other celebrations can be challenging at times, but now it is that time of the year where it goes next level and we all frantically dash around trying to find our friends, family and loved ones the most gorgeous gifts.

Well, East Lancashire Railway have you covered for all your gifting needs 365 days of the year, as they offer the most exquisite and exciting dining with Distinction Railway Experiences.

East Lancashire Railway, located at the Bolton Street Station stop in Bury centre, is all about keeping Britain’s railway heritage alive and steaming. 

An amazing organisation run by their incredible volunteers who have a genuine and authentic passion, dedication, and love for all things Railway.

Give the Gift of a Dining with Distinction Experience at the East Lancashire Railway where your lucky gift recipient can immerse themselves in the traditional age of steam and learn all about our historical industrial heritage.

From the moment of arrival, your lucky guest will experience all the bells and whistles the East Lancashire Railway team are all superstars and will pull out all the stops.

Now, I think that was the whistle blown, so it is just a case of which dining experience to choose from, here are a few of my top pick dining experiences.

RED ROSE DINNER

Feel that opulence and VIP vibes on a rather royal Red Rose Dinner service, where they literally roll out the red carpet, on board you can enjoy the beautifully restored pullman style carriages that will take you steaming through the idyllic Irwell Valley countryside.

Enjoy a sensational sparkling welcome with a glass of fizz to begin before moving onto a sumptuous and superb four course silver service dinner offering, where your personal waiter/waitress will provide the very best in food and service, as you soak up the atmosphere lounging back in luxurious upholstered seating and crisp white linen table detail.  

Red Rose delicious dinners at the East Lancashire Railway are truly an opulent dining with distinction experience not to be missed and makes a perfect gift year-round that creates lasting memories that will be talked about for years to come.

AFTERNOON TEA

Indulge in an iconic British tradition and why not opt for an amazing Afternoon tea with a sparkling welcome, a glass of fizz anyone?

A three-tier tray display awaits with fabulous, filled finger sandwiches along with some scrummy homemade scones with clotted cream and jam of course and a patisserie plate with all things super sweet and yummy.

A nice little touch was the brilliant birthday banner and illustrated card provided for my celebrations – just loveliness.  For an additional fee, you can also add on additional extras such as flowers, chocolates and champagne, so celebratory.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH

Gift a slice of festive fabulousness and enjoy a lovely traditional Christmas lunch aboard a beautiful pullman style carriage which I am sure will get the Christmas seasonal energy going full steam ahead.

Enjoy the Dining with Distinction Christmas Lunch on the East Lancashire Railway #Review

Enjoy the Dining with Distinction Christmas Lunch on the East Lancashire Railway #Gifted

The East Lancashire Railway is a volunteer organisation, run through passion, determination and sheer grit keeping part of Britain’s railway heritage alive and steaming!

At the Bolton Street Station stop at Bury you can immerse yourself in the traditional age of steam and learn all about our historical industrial heritage.

Now, one noticeable point, from the moment you arrive everyone is welcomed with plenty of smiles and open arms, it literally makes your heart melt.

Whistle blown, so all aboard, one of the beautifully restored Pullman carriages, for the experience of a lifetime, a fabulous festive Feast on one of the East Lancashire Railways Steam hauled trains.

The East Lancashire Railway Dining with Distinction service team know how to pull out the stops with all the bells and whistles. Expect only the very best with crisp white lining, luxurious furnishings.

The Christmas Lunch is just under a 3 hour steam hauled journey through the picturesque Irwell Valley. Included is a sparking glass of fizz on arrival and a super scrummy 3 course meal with mince pies along with tea or coffee.

Furthermore, if you would like to organise any additional extras, to add onto your package, to make your journey even more spectacular, such as flowers, a bottle of wine, champagne etc the team are more than happy to help.

The glass of welcome fizz makes for the best start and the winter warm vegetable soup, with bread roll and butter was wolfed down…delicious!

Cosy and snug in your First Class Pullman carriage, enjoy a hearty roast lunch with options such as Turkey and the lush Brie and cranberry parcel with all the trimmings and lashings of gravy.

My Fabulous Festive Christmas Gift Guide 2021 #Review

My Fabulous Festive Christmas Gift Guide 2021 #Gifted

Exciting times ahead, as the cold nights set in get cosy and snug in front of the roaring log fire, and as you hear those jingle bells getting that little bit closer, it’s now time for you to help the big man out himself, aka Santa Claus, by planning your 2021 Christmas gifting.

Put the kettle on or grab a glass of wine sit back relax and enjoy my Fabulous Festive Christmas Gift Guide offerings. Whether your lovely gift recipient is a foodie, tea lover, chocoholic or into fitness and beauty, there is something for everyone. In no particular order here are my marvellous Christmassy recommendations.

Prestige Hampers

Fabulous foodies can have a very Merry Christmas with Prestige Hampers fabulous Family Christmas Hamper. Prettily presented in a lovely lidded handcrafted seagrass basket, there is a whole range of scrummy treats for you and your family to enjoy and the hamper makes a perfect gift to family and friends.

Included within are some super refreshments including New English Teas in a cute Big Ben Tower Clock box along with 3 mini Waters Edge wines: Pinot Grigio 187ml, Rose 187ml and a Merlot 187ml.

Savoury and sweet offerings included the Yorkshire Sea Salted Crisps 100g, Farmhouse Biscuits Black Olives Biscuits 100g, Mathew Walker Luxury Christmas Pudding 100g, Ooh Chocolate Honeycomb Milk Chocolate 50g, Belgian Fancy Salted Caramel Truffes 80g, Belgian Chocolate Thins 125g, Mrs Darlington Raspberry Jam 113g and Orange Marmalade 113g.

Hoogly Tea

Calling all tea lovers, because Tina Gloggengieser, from Aarhus in Denmark, has created the very special and bespoke Hoogly Tea range using a whole range of healthy and natural ingredients.

All Hoogly teas are ethically sourced, fair trade, and both made and packed in the UK.  The mixed selection 4 tea pods in a gift box is the perfect way to mix and match flavours such as the classic Earl Grey, English Breakfast, herbals Chill out mint, Classic Green, Cosy Chamomile and then seasonal offerings such as Christmas Cake.

The Winter Warmer gift set includes a handcrafted mini hot water bottle, one ceramic mug with a bamboo lid/coaster and a golden spoon with your choice of Tea in a box of 5 tea pyramid bags and 15 pyramid bags.

SOINVOUGE

Gorgeous gifting begins right now, as the team at SOINVOUGE have some brilliant beauty gifts that will definitely provide that extra sparkle for the festive party season.  Making for lovely gifts or simple for to to buy to make yourself feel pampered and ready to party.

The So Eco Ultimate Brush & Sponge Set is the full package providing 9 expertly selected tools to give you the best flawless make-up application every time.

The Brushworks professional detangling hairbrushes are ideal to make sure that you have silky and tangle free hair this party season.  The brushes are easy to use with an ergonomically designed & contoured brush handle and the flexi-soft tapered bristles, that are gentle on the scalp and help to reduce damage caused by brushing which results in fewer split ends.

Make sure to get in a few winks, so to help for a stress-free nights sleep why not opt for a silk eye mask or even go all out and upgrade to the sleep kit (not pictured), but I have it and it is brilliant, that in addition to the eye mask includes a silk pillow case a scrunchie.

Sous Chef

Calling all you Chefs and Fabulous Foodies, as the lovely Sous Chef stock a range of ingredients, equipment, tableware and gifts which is the perfect way to spoil your family and friends this Christmas.

This marvellous Medium Fruit Extra Virgin Olive oil presented in this stunning polka dot terracotta bottle make for a gorgeous gift. This high end olive oil is made from peranzana olives only grown in the Apulian region of Italy. Made even extra special and unique as every Frantoio Murglia terracotta bottle is handmade and hand-painted, so a piece of Apulian artwork in itself. Also, the bottle helps keep the oil in top notch condition, by protecting oil form exposure to light.

The cute characterful Aviator Robin Felt Tree Decoration, hand crafted in Nepal by Adele Zara Collinson who founded Felt So Good, is made using natural dyes and is biodegradable too. Now, who wouldn’t want this little handsome chap on their Christmas tree!

A Cosy Christmas Eve Night In #Review

A Cosy Christmas Eve Night In December 2020 #Gifted

As the sky gets darker earlier and the cold chills are setting in, I could not think of anything better than having a Cosy Christmas Eve Night in at home.

If you want to make your fun festive night in that next level and even more extra then carry of reading…

Also these brands are all perfect gifting ideas for all your fabulous family friends and loved ones too, so sit back, get cosy and enjoy.

A Cosy Christmas Eve night in begins with getting into some cosy comfort clothes so get the slippers and PJs at the ready.

Gumbies Slippers

Gumbies founder Michel Maurer has created the outstanding Outback Slippers made from 100% PET recycled plastic from post-consumer bottles for the upper, rubber for the sole and are fully Vegan too.

Each pair of Outback slippers takes approximately 8 recycled plastic bottles, so since launching the Outback slipper in 2017 Gumbies has helped to recycle more than 500, 000 bottles, impressive stuff!

Also, the Castorsoles insoles are made from 100% Caster Bean a naturally derived material which is them topped with recycled felt.

They are a good sturdy slipper perfectly practical, ideal for a cosy night in at home and they come in a range of colours such as Navy, charcoal with different colour trims so you are spoilt for choice.

Gumbies are an ethical eco-friendly brand that keep things simple, so you can keep your family, friends and your tootsies warm and toastie this winter.

Pyjamas Forever

Now nothing says Christmas cosiness like a good set of cosy Pyjamas and the Glasgow local independent team over at Pyjamas Forever have you covered with their amazing Pyjama Subscription service.

Each month you receive a lovely care package that includes a pretty PJ set, an accessory such as this super cute candle, a treat provided from another local independent and a motivational note to keep you on those positive vibes.

A perfect way to gift a care package to family, friends or treat yourself to a cosy night in without the stress of having to trawl the shops, as these are delivered direct to your door.

Now you’re all wrapped up set the snug scene by popping on the kettle, fill up your hot water bottle, pour a cup of Hoogly tea and light those stunning candles to get those Christmas vibes.

Yankee Candles

A leader in the candle making industry, Yankee Candles have decided to bring us some magic for 2020 with a whole range of new and exciting candle combinations.

Gorgeous gift sets include a small jar candle themed with Unwrap the Magic and 3 cute votive candle minis, that have up to 15 hours of fragrance, with fabulous festive fragrance such as Singing Carols, Holiday Hearth and Surprise Snowfall.

It’s Cool to Care: Have a Cracking Christmas with Leiho Socks #Review

It’s Cool to Care: Have a Cracking Christmas with Leiho Socks Review: November 2020 #Gifted

Christmas can be both a hectic and exciting time of year, making plans to celebrate with family and friends as well as buying all those Christmas goodies.

However, we sometimes need to take a moment to stop and think about those people who are alone, vulnerable and don’t have the basic essentials, this is where you can make a difference with Leiho socks who have sent me these super samples to review

Leiho simply means ‘How are You’ in Cantonese and this sums up their ethos that it is ‘Cool to Care’ and all you need to do is ask someone how they are doing. 

Lehio believe no matter who you are or what your background that you should have access to life essentials such as water, sanitary care, food, socks and much more.

Leiho have committed their time to working with local projects and partners with similar values to improve quality of life for people in need.  Including donating cartons of water to outreach services and food banks, meals to local vulnerable communities and pairs of socks to homeless shelters and organisations.

In fact, Leiho match ever item sold with another donated, so your impact through a simple act of kindness and compassion, by buying these socks, means that you are making someone’s life that little bit better.    

Lehio’s lovely sock range will probably already have you ready and raring to order.  The beautifully boxed trio of eco-friendly Bamboo socks including the Happy Chappy, You Blue me Away and Orange You Kind are made with Bamboo fibre that is environmentally friendly, temperature adapting, hypoallergenic and odour resistant.

Christmas Crackers are a traditional family favourite for the Christmas dinner table, but why not switch things up for 2020 and try out Lehio’s plastic free Christmas crackers made out of brown recyclable kraft paper.  

Celebrate in style, as instead of finding plastic toys inside your crackers these impressively have a pair of socks inside each one, so all your guests will feel the care and love, so happy hugs to your feet!

Oh by the way, if you weren’t already feeling smug enough for every cracker sold, another pair of warm socks will be donated to a homeless person making your whole table feel like a bunch of Do-Gooders on Christmas day!

Festive Foodie Christmas Gift Guide 2020 #Review

Festive Foodie Christmas Gift Guide 2020 Review: November 2020 #Gifted

Christmas cosiness has arrived, as I have been sent these super samples to review, so sit back by the roaring log fire and be prepared to get merry while you browse these fabulous foodie gift ideas. 

Sacla

Bring some of the Italian pizzazz into your home this Christmas, as the sensational Sacla brand have a range of gifts to suit everyone.

Including this delightful decorative Chess Design Extra Virgin Olive Oil 500ml by Lamante and a colourful Sacla Patterned Tea Towel.

Real Food Hub

 

The Real Food Hub is a fabulously family run online market place offering you a range of fabulous foodie gifts from various retailers, so you are practically spoilt for choice. 

My Vegan Travels: Comfort Food inspired by Adventure Book by Jackie Kearney a 2011 MasterChef UK finalist is perfect for everyone not just the veggies.

The sensational Spice Kitchen 7 Loose Leaf Tea Gift Set, storage Tin Silk Sari Wrap and Tea Diffuser is a delightful gift for any tea lover. and perfect to keep warm during the winter months. 

 

Prestige Hampers

No need to look any further for your hampers, as Prestige Hampers have a fabulous foodie range to suit all dietary needs such as Vegan and Gluten Free.

The Vegan Treats selection is a tasty trio of Joe&Stephs Salted Caramel Popcorn 32g perfect to hang on the tree, a bar of Dark Valley Chocolate 90g and Gourmet Gummies Keats Of London Festive Mix 150g.

This yummy Gluten Free Goodies hamper packed with treats such as  Elderflower Presse 25cl, Triple Choc Farmhouse Biscuits 150g, English Garden Breakfast Tea 20g, Tomato, Basil & Mozzarella Crisps 50g, Valley Confectionery Fudge 100g, Mrs Darlington Raspberry Jam 130g, Valley Chocolate Dark Chocolate & Raspberry Square 100g and Raspberry Creams 90g all presented in a lovely Kraft Hamper Tray is good enough for a place under anyone’s tree. 

Christmas Gift Guide 2020 #Review

Christmas Gift Guide 2020 Review: November 2020 #Gifted

Yes, it is that time of year, the sleigh bells are ringing and you can almost hear Santas Ho, ho, ho, but don’t panic as he ‘s not fallen through the chimney just yet.!

Grab a mince pie, enjoy a glass of mulled wine or two, sit back and scroll your way through my Santa sack of super duper samples, that I have been sent to review, which will give you all some amazing Christmas gift ideas for all your fabulous family, friends and loved ones. 

Prezzybox

Make sure you deliver some moments of happiness to your family, friends & loved ones this festive season with Prezzybox.

There’s a whole array of exciting, entertaining and an eclectic mix of offerings so you will be spoilt for choice.

Why not send your man this Personalised Pale Ale set where you can personalise the pint glass with a name and includes some brilliant Brewdog Punk IPA cans.

Give the Prince fans what they want with this cool Purple Rain Prince Tea Towel made with 100% cotton, a must have gift for sure.  

Get your art on and get all creative with this gorgeous Glass Making Kit, a fab hobby and fun activity.  

Ellis Brigham 

There is nothing more exciting than a mountain adventure so give the gift of hiking this Christmas with the help of Ellis Brigham, an out of this world outdoor store with all you need to start some amazing adventures.

Ellis Brigham has both walk in stores and online shopping, so feel free to pop in store or alternatively shop online and have your hiking goodies delivered direct to your door.

Getting the right kit gives you the right start and the first thing to kit out is your feet.  Choose from a range of both Male and Female Walking shoes and boots such as the Mens Morrells and the Salomon Women’s Gortex.

Prepare for the cold snap, don’t get a cold head and make sure you have some warm head gear.  This North Face Peruvian Beanie is a great way to keep warm and look super cool in the process.

Pro Cook

Love to cook up a storm in the kitchen…me too, so why not gift some useful pots, pans and roasting trays this Christmas.

Pro Cook has been in the business for over twenty years and impressively is still owned and managed by one of the original founding family members offering you savings of up to 50% off other leading brands.

Bag a bargain with the 16cm Gourmet Steel Saucepan with lid, with silicone handles this is a good all rounder with a strain and pour design, so perfect for all that fun Christmas cooking

Celebrate in Style with The Champagne and Gift Company #Review

Celebrate in Style with The Champagne and Gift Company Review: October 2020 #Gifted

Worried about finding the perfect gift for a special occasion? Not anymore, thanks to The Champagne & Gift Company’s new online service that offers a great selection of customised Champagne gifts for everyone and every occasion.  Bottles can be individually personalised to make an extra special gift that will be cherished for many years to come.

The Champagne & Gift Company aim to create the perfect Personalised Champagne themed gift, beautifully presented and wrapped. So whether it’s to say a special “Thank You” to clients or friends, or for a romantic occasion, anniversary or corporate event you can be sure that the delighted recipient will treasure your gift.

The Champagne & Gift Company also provides distinctive own label Champagne for companies and organisations and have created bottles for some of the world’s leading names.

Whether you are raising your company profile, launching a new product, hosting a corporate event or just thanking your clients,  Champagne branded with your organisation’s name and logo on the label is a most effective way to get your message across.

The company can tailor make to your requirements to personalise your bottles of fizz, so you can create memories with that personal touch.  They offer both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options so they have you covered.