Rocking Roku Review

With so many different Television streaming devices on the market it is hard to find one that does something different. The Roku accomplishes that in spades. Working over the internet it streams a wide variety of free and paid for channels directly to your television. Foreign channels, learning, children, radio, movies and all the big names are catered for in a small inoffensive box. Tiny enough to tuck out of side the Roku will look just as attractive nestling with your other gadgets, in fact it should replace a few of them.

Box of Awesome Review ~ Box 6

As December gets under way, Box of Awesome launches into its sixth box. The collectables have again made a resurgence, along with a new toy, book and a TMNT leaflet. I'm a big enough fan to remember Splinter's gang from the very first series, and I confess that I find the new Nickelodeon 'concept' imagery about as visually appealing as the TMNT movies. 'Give everything a chance and judge not, lest you be judged also.'

Foreo Luna Mini ~ Fantastic Face Care

Being an inherent tomboy, I tend to view 'essential beauty gadgets' as little more than a consumer con. However my hormonal skin meant that drastic measures had to be taken. After hours of boredom sifting through marketing propaganda to get to the real people reviews. It was an expensive choice (that still makes me wince thinking about it!), but the Luna Mini had the most favoured reviews, and the lowest price.

Graffiti ~ Historic Art or Teenage Vandalism

Lately I have noticed an increase in Graffiti in my area, not the silly playground type. With their names and lists of loves, but a gentler almost innocent message. Akin to a John Lennon sentiment, these come in a variety of forms. All sharing the same message of giving love.

Box of OMG Review ~ Box 4

                                                                                                    

This is the fourth (time really does fly!) Box of OMG  to land on our doorsteps. From the individuals who brought us Box of Awesome and aimed mainly at girls. Advertised primarily through social media sites, this is definitely growing in popularity. Companies have saw the proof of advertising in the first Boxes and have an interesting collection in this one. The box is filled with goodies, collectables and digital options. 

'Don't Tell The Bride' About The Bridesmaids

Now I'm about to commit an awful crime, so go easy on me here. Like everyone else I have a dirty secret television viewing pleasure. I would love people to believe it was something as mentally stimulating as watching 'Wonders of Life' to drool over Brian Cox, like every other woman I know (at least there's a chance of intelligence facts seeping in).

My secret pleasure is so much worse, akin to eating raw sugar rather than a sugar styled treat, and far more soppy and emotionally needy than I should be comfortable admitting. Don't Tell The Bride. There I said it. Forever committed to the endless memory that is the internet, and the humiliation of any who follow me.

Box of Awesome Review ~ Box 5

I had a slight delay with this post, my Box of Awesome wasn't delivered in the same batch as everyone else's. However after a quick tweet (Yes I'm on Twitter as well! ), the lovely folks sorted that out and rushed me a box of goodies. This months felt a lot lighter than previous bundles, and this was confirmed when I opened my goodies. Despite a couple of new things the rest seemed like leftovers from previous editions.

Call of Duty Ghosts Single Player ~ The Watcher

Sometimes awaiting a pre-order game can seem like an eternity; checking the calender constantly and frequently logging in to check the progress of an on-line order. However this latest edition in the Call of Duty franchise, Call of Duty: Ghost, made little impact on my life, failing to inspire frantic postman watching. Perhaps its just got to the stage where its annual foray into the world of guns and glory is simple expected, rather than anticipated.
Released on the 5th of November, it flew under the radar of the festivities of Halloween and Fireworks (undoubtedly The Controller would disagree). It
actually resided under the letter box for a good hour before it dawned on me to check if there was any post.

The 10th game in the series and the 6th by Infinity Ward , it was designed as a launch title for the 'Next Gen' consoles the XBOX One and Playstation 4 . Set in the near future (no sky mono rails, but plenty of oil issues), the game follows the antics of an earnest father throwing his sons head long into battle while lying thoroughly to them about his own identity crisis. Throw in some absurd gadgets and as many different scenarios as possible, you get a shooting/ driving/ swimming/ space-faring/ dog whispering game (the fathers confusion clearly setting the benchmark for the gameplay).

October 2013 ~ Collective Images of Scotland

As the nights draw in and light vanishes before the work day ends, I have collated my collection of October images into a slideshow. This could be my last chance for sunsets for a while and I though it would be a fitting farewell to any chance of bright skies.
So enjoy these pictures, and look forward to the extreme weather conditions which will dominate the next few months.

Aces Laces ~ The New Fashion Accessory

For those of you whom regularly peruse my little corner of the internet, you may recall Aces Laces from a previous post (Box of OMG ~  Paradise Wildlife Park Limited Edition). For me they were the outstanding product, such a simplistic idea and yet so modern and unique. 


Well when I claimed I was going to put in an order I wasn't joking, though it has taken me a while to type up this post. I could make excuses here about my hectic life, but I think we should just move to the juicy content.

Savvy Circle New Lenor Spring Awakening Review

I'm a a member of +SupersavvymeUK  Super Savvy Me and the Savvy Circle and love the benefits of testing new products for free and being the first to find out about new gadgets and gimmicks. 
This campaign was for Lenor Spring Awakening fabric softener . It takes place over the space of 8 weeks and is shared with 5000 other members, boy that's a lot of washing! We all received a full sized bottle of Lenor Spring Awaking (21 washes), 20 individual samples, 10x 50p off vouchers to share and a handy USB stick with information on the campaign and product. 

This Fabric Softener claims to not only soften clothes, but its redesigned liquid will fully penetrated all clothing. Which will allow a more uniform coverage and make them last longer as well .

Savvy Circle New Ariel 3in1 Pods Review

I'm  a member of +SupersavvymeUK  Super Savvy Me and the Savvy Circle and love the benefits of testing new products for free and being the first to find out about new gadgets and gimmicks.



This campaign was for a Ariel 3 in 1 pods . It takes place over the space of 8 weeks and is shared with 5000 other members, boy that's a lot of washing! We all received a full sized box of Ariel 3 in 1 Biological Pods (16 pods in total), 10 individual samples and 10 50p off vouchers to share. This newly designed detergent claims to be the first to to contain 3 separate compartments to clean, lift stains and brighten washing. All delivered in a mess free easy dose unit, they are extremely concentrated, containing only 28 ml each. 



Available in 2 other varieties; Colour and Style and with Febreze, they are identifiable by the coloured box stickers (green, purplee and blue). They use 40% less packaging than liquid Ariel varieties and the plastic film is 100% soluble and biodegradable. Making them more environmentally friendly than before. After 8 years and 8 tonnes of washing tested, Ariel claim impeccable cleaning at 30°C and the ability to save us all time in our day to day laundry lives.

October 2013 ~ Images of Scotland

This month I decided to further explore my capabilities and try for the artistic shots often viewed in galleries. In the hope of improving my stance as a successful amateur photographer, I did what any 'amateur would do; Sepia. Feel free to laugh, because as someone with a great love of colour and shading why this was my route is honestly a complete unknown. Lesson was truly learnt, but in the process there were a couple of colour drained images that did hold a certain appeal. Hence I will inflict them upon my valued reader in the hope of pointers and constructive criticism.

The bliss of these two houses, nestled on the outskirts of an open field. Neighbours across a single track road yet their privacy protected by a barricade of trees. A quaint and idyllic view for dog walkers and those enjoying perambulations.

Hope For Creativity

Founded by Moira Landry, Hope for Creativity is a non- profit charity organisation aimed at providing art supplies to children in homeless shelters. Since 2009 she has personally delivered thousands of art packs to homeless shelters in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and at 17 was named as a Distinguished Finalist by the Prudential Spirit of Community Awards. She fully supports her charity and raises the awareness of homelessness and the affect on children in particular.

Box of OMG ~ Box 3

This is the third Box of OMG  to land on our doorsteps. From the individuals who brought us Box of Awesome and aimed mainly at girls. Advertised primarily through social media sites, this is definitely growing in popularity. Companies have saw the proof of advertising in the first Boxes and have an interesting collection in this one. The box is filled with goodies, collectables and digital options.                  

Box of Awesome Review ~ Box 4

It doesn't feel like Box of Awesome has been delivering goodies for this long but now we're onto box 4. As you can see there's a plethora of stickers and cards as well as some interesting looking fresh meat for us greedy consumers.

Dead Rising 2 ~ The Watcher

The three year old Dead Rising 2 ( Capcom), had been owned before and much loved by the junior free roamers, but had held little appeal for the Controller. Currently available to buy for the princely sum of £10-15, it was free to download from the 16th of August until the 31st. Giving the game another go involved some boredom, the lure of achievement points and constant badgering from fellow Xbox'ers. 

At first glance its little more than 'another zombie game'. Set in the Vegas style 'Fortune City', there's an impressive zombie outbreak which Chuck is framed for. The game revolves around the personal story of defending and providing medicine for Chuck's whiny daughter, Katey, whilst battling the hoards to clear your name.

Box of OMG ~ Paradise Wildlife Park Limited Edition!

Box of OMG is from the individuals who brought us Box of Awesome . Aimed primarily at girls and advertised primarily through social media sites, this is another sure-fire popular craze. Companies have saw the proof of advertising in the first Boxes and have been more generous with this one. The box is filled with goodies, collectables and digital options.



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This particular edition is the Paradise Wildlife Park limited edition, handed out on the 22nd and 3rd of August in the zoo. The zoo is based in Herfordshire and has great travel links, and despite the high entrance fees, access to over 400 animals and regular events makes it a worth while day out for the whole family. 

The box I received wasn't one of the more special ones with a SpongeBob SquarePants talking plush toy inside. I also missed out on a signed copy of Jacqueline Wilson's new book Diamond, as well as attending the launch event.

September 2013 ~ Images of Scotland

As September roars into life, the remnants of Summer are swept away by the bitter gusting, the wind emphatically shouting its power. The rain dashes the windows and throws itself at umbrellas with a vehemence conviction, as if vying with the other forces of nature for our attention. We hustle through the streets, blind to all but our own misery, as the strength of nature reigns supreme.

The Wallace Tearoom Lanark 2013

Lanark is a little touristy town in Scotland with a populace of around 8000, and is cosily nestled in the Clyde Valley. Which allows for beautiful scenery and Scotland's usual confused weather system. The town is home to the famous rallying family the McRaes (Jimmy, Alister and the late Colin), William Smellie the obstetrician and John Glaister the forensic scientist. Lanark is also to blame for a plethora of football stars: Robert (Rab) Douglas, Stephen McManus, Walter Ferguson Smith, Henry George Smith, Lee Adamson Miller, Douglas "Dougie" Imrie, Stephen Paul Pearson and Darren Lee Smith, Stewart Greacen.

It has been visited by many notables over the centuries including King James the II, III and the IV, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, and of course it is were William Wallace killed the Sherriff of Lanark and started the War of Independence (Inaccurately portrayed in Braveheart ). Has its own Loch and local market as well as a modernised Memorial Hall large enough to have housed several big bands over the years.

The Tearoom of my School days (vanished in the ether of time) was Daisies, close to the school and with a second hand book shop next door. Over a decade after my last visit, it had been bought over, refurbished into a biker friendly tearoom named The Wallace Tearooms.

We're The Millers... Mad Cap Capers ~ Cinema Review

I was lucky enough to see a free early screening of We're The Millers through Show Film First. Starring Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis the film is the story of a robbed drug dealer falling on hard times and being coerced into smuggling a 'smidge' of weed from Mexico. Having great distate for happy families in general he is forced into the father role to ease border crossings. The mother role in this family falls to his neighbouring stripper (Jennifer Aniston), and his loving children are a stroppy homeless girl (Emma Roberts), and innocently gawky virgin (Will Poulter).
Released in the UK on the 23rd of August, it is a comic mix of The Hangover style and obvious innuendo. A feel good road trip plot with all the expected hiccups along the way, from the trailer alone you can clearly see how this is going to pan out into the stereotypical happy ending. However this film has a distinct emphasis on drugs (Big shocker there!) and a few unexpected surprise scenes along the way.

Musical Memories ~ Rhianna/ Diamonds

Sometimes in our life there's a song that epitomises a moment in our lives. A moment, that lives forever in the lyrics and hauntingly reminds you of that one memory. A sad break up song played on repeat, the song that was playing when love first found a couple, or a simple song hearkening from your childhood happiness. Usually its a current song, or dating from old mix tapes, but recently I've realised this isn't always the case.

Rhianna might be famous for her irritatingly repetitive lyrics (Just buy another umbrella already!), but from her seventh album came a unwitting surprise for me. Tuning into 'Diamonds', I found myself lost in a memory. I would normally just shrugged it off but every time I hear the song it takes me back 15 years to the same moment. Its a beautiful thing that a track can become part of my past.

Pain and Gain... Muscle Madness ~ Cinema Review

A bit of a belated blog post; but on Tuesday I was lucky enough to see a free early screening of Pain and Gain through Show Film First and Paramount Pictures  (18 days before release!). Starring Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson and Anthony Mackie the film follows three bodybuilders who decide to branch out into kidnapping to realise their American Dream. 
The true story of The Sun Gym Gang, is much harsher than the film shows, but considering most people would struggle to believe it is true. Micheal Bay directed, in a departure from his Transformers fame, through the minefield of comedy into the realm of bizarre reality.
If you've some how missed the trailer, then I shall enlighten you  with it here.

Brentwood Council vs TOWIE : Battle of the Scantily Clad!

Well hello, you deliciously avid readers, it seems to be a slow month for product testing. Hence for a time I shall inflict my opinions on you and I dare say lose a few followers into the bargain. Whilst my opinion is not always the most thought out (or reasonable), it is still mine, and often mine alone. If something sparks an interest, feel free to comment. Your honest views are welcome, Though please be aware and considerate of my younger blog readers in your speech. Thank you.

Obviously I live nowhere near Essex and in addition I have no interest in 'The Only Way Is Essex'  'The Only Way Is Essex'. To the extent that I had to be told that 'TOWIE' was actually the same program. So this news story from the Daily Mail should have had no impact on me. However the headline 'Council considers fare discount for 'scantily clad girls' to stop them being attacked' intrigued me. Reading further into the story and conflicting opinions, I found my bra burning feminist kicking her unshaven legs in anger.

"Lads Mags"... Taboo Territory?

Well it's been a while since I bothered you all with a blog post, especially one concerning my personal viewpoint! I'm sorry to say the headlines are irritating me again, this time its the elitist sensitivities of complainers.

Supermarkets have issued an ultimatum on 'Lad's Mag's' telling them to cover up or force being banned from the shelves. As far back as I can remember the top shelf of any magazine rack was dedicated to the perversion that is the human body, and supermarkets only stocked the more modest of these ranges. Yet it seems that the female human form is offensive to women and children.

This entire fiasco deals with women objecting to the female form being put on display. For myself the irony is inescapable and frankly inexcusable. In an age where supermodels are too thin and the obese dangerously unhealthy, women everywhere have campaigned for the female form to be revered in all shapes and sizes. Yet at the same time it is offensive and disgusting. Male 'hunks' can be oiled and posed on a beach for female viewing, but do that to a woman and the women are up in arms? It is little wonder women are considered confusing by men.

Box of Awesome Review ~ Box 3

Here we go with box 3 of Box of Awesome's latest unveiling of their special goody bundle. As usual there's a very mixed bundle with a hefty amount of collectables and some new comers, including some online offers.

Kito 16-Piece Stoneware Dinner Set Review

I am completely at a loss as to what section to put this post under. In the end I plumped for Fashion due to the unnecessary need for ornamental crockery. Personally I believe matching crockery is a hell designed for +Christmas dinner and other such over the top occasions. The rest of the year we are all happy to munch from our chipped mismatched plates, and I'm sure many of us fondly remember our childhood individual plates from the culmination of remaining sets. For those that don't; you lived a especially charmed abnormal life, and likely played Polo.
In choosing my future cracked set of plates I caved to The Controllers  constant demands for square plates. Square plates have always seemed like they belonged in a pretentious hotel serving up a tiny artistic remnants of food. However he has been asking for nearly a decade, so I guess it was about time I bowed to the man of the house.

Skechers Bikers Hot Ticket Shoe Review

Alas with joys of gainful employment comes the search for suitable apparel, and none more essential than the material with which we clothe our feet. Some may read this and think otherwise but those would be the people who can afford to be fashionable in the workplace. In a job that involves constantly putting my 'slender' weight on my long suffering hooves, it becomes an essential trial for comfort. Gone are the days of vainly trotting my illogical heels and comely courts to and from a desk.

This is my third attempt at foot wear; court shoes and hiking trainer were both a mistake in their own blister inducing ways. I apparently required some thing breathable, flexible and comfortable; which also looked reasonable attractive and was black. I took on-board the advice of people and searched my way to Skecher's door and settled on their 'Bikers Hot Ticket Shoes' . Slip on shoes with a minimal 1/4 inch heel and masses of happy reviews.

Chobani Strained Yoghurt Review

Well the source for this review was different from my usual, in fact my ego requires that I claim I was head-hunted!
Earlier this month this comment from +Chobani was left on one of my posts:
'We've been stalking your blog, and are loving all of your product reviews!
So, we'd love to send you our range of Chobani Strained Yoghurt – they are made with only naturally sourced ingredients and completely fat free with twice the protein of regular yoghurt. 
What do you say – can we tempt you?'  

I deliberated long and hard on the option of free yoghurt, whilst frantically googling the company to check for obvious signs of a scam (a healthy level of suspicion goes a long way online!). The titbits of information regarding the name change from Greek to Strained yoghurt, and the subsequent packaging revamp, caught my eye first. It showed that the marketing aspect was taking advantage of the situation in a progressive manner in line with a corporate giant. This video introduction by founder +Hamdi Ulukaya explains the origins of a company which after initial production took only 4 years to become the Number One selling brand in America.

The Heat...Is it a Summer Scorcher? ~ Cinema Review

Today I was lucky enough to see a free early screening of +The Heat through Show Film First (Nine days before release!). Starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy  the film revolves around the uptight, anti social arrogant, FBI agent's hunt for a elusive drug lord. Sandra Bullock meets the uncouth, opinionated, plain spoken Melissa McCarthy, and then the fire-works and laughs are meant to begin. 

Originally due to be released for April, the decision was made to delay for a big budget Summer slot, to suitably milk the profits. The initial trailer does a great job of touting the 'girl power' jokes; blatantly designed to be a feel good chick flick. This film has likened it to Miss Congeniality, and the FBI/ Police characters lend credence to this. Could they not have gone for DEA or even the Coastguard this time, or does Sandra Bullock just have a love fetish for her FBI uniform? From the same director as Bridesmaids (Paul Feig) you might expect a certain level of humour, but the similarities appear to be rather subtle. 

Box of OMG Review ~ Box 2 (Final Finish)

As I've mentioned in previous Box of OMG posts (One + Two) there was a book meant to be included in the boxes. Well it has finally arrived, complete with the original box and contents. I had been expecting a bubble wrap envelope containing the missing book, receiving the whole box again was quite a bonus. This goes quite a way to quelling the complaints of avid readers and restoring faith in Box of OMG.

As you can see the content of +Moshi Monsters Stickers and tattoo's, the bracelets and OMG paperwork are the same. The new addition is by Edyth Bulbring called 'A Month With April May'. Edyth Bulbring was born in Boksburg, South Africa and grew up in Port Elizabeth. This book is her first published in the UK although her previous ones are all available to download online. Fun fact: the books was published under the name 'Melly, Mrs Ho and Me' in Africa.