Monday 28 November 2016

Christmas Gift Guide 2016 - Part 1

Welcome to my Christmas Gift Guide 2016 - Part 1 - The Edit!
 
I know Christmas is fast approaching so I wanted to create a simple to read, click, shop guide to be a helping hand or a spot of inspiration - after all that is what we need isn't it? 
 
BigJigs Winter Wonderland Train Set - Wooden Christmas Train - Christmas Gift Guide 2016 - Emma in Bromley
 
BigJigs Winter Wonderland Christmas Train Set - Perfect as either a gift for a little one, or great as a decoration around the base of your Christmas tree or as a table centre for Christmas lunch. Great quality trusted brand and compatible with most leading wooden train sets.
 
Lottie Dolls - Best Doll - Christmas Gift Guide 2016 - Emma in Bromley
Lottie Dolls - In my opinion, the best doll for girls age 3- 11 (and boys - there is also a Finn doll). Lottie comes in a diverse selection of skin, eye and hair tones, is modelled on a true 9 year old body shape and comes with age appropriate clothing and accessories. Pro-Girl, promotes positive body image and an introduction to STEAM, sport and equal rights. Has won many awards - rightly so.
 
Christmas Sylvanian Families and Toystory Aquabeads - Christmas Gift Guides - Christmas 2016 - Emma in Bromley
 
I'm in love with this festive Christmas Sylvanian Families set - complete with santa outfit for chocolate bunny, a bunny snowman, a Christmas tree and lots of gifts and accessories - you can decorate the tree however you wish and chose any decoration for your snow bunny.
Toy Story Aquabeads - oh my! Aquabeads are amazing  - these literally keep both of my children (girl age 5 and boy age 7) entertained and inspire them to be creative. Great gift for children age 5-10.
 
Messy goes to Okido Toy and Magazines, Peter Rabbit DVD and Masha and the Bear DVD - Christmas 2016 - Christmas Gift Guide - Emma in Bromely
 
Messy Goes To Okido is a TV show for children age 3-8 offering a great introduction to science and art in a fun way. The Messy Monster toy is a talking plush suitable from birth. Messy goes to Okido magazine subscription would make a great gift whilst the colouring in book is a perfect stocking filler.
New DVD releases from Abbey home media include a festive edition of Masha and the Bear along with all time favourite Peter Rabbit - The tale of the great rabbit and squirrel adventure.
 
Top 4 Books for Christmas 2016 - Christmas Gift Guide - Emma in Bromley
 
The Gloriumptious World of Roald Dahl - a wonderful treasury of facts, snippets and fun from all the worlds created in Dahl's books.
Alice in Wonderland Puzzles and Games - a great selection of challenges.
Kew - The Botanical Treasury - Beautifully illustrated collection of flowers, comes in a slip case and box containing all 40 of the art prints from the book ready to be framed.
Treasures of British History - exactly as it says - treasures - this book packed full of interesting knowledge contains envelops within the pages with additional elements such as map, speeches and copies of booklets.
 
Alice in Wonderland collection of puzzles - Emma in Bromley - Christmas 2016
Alice in Wonderland Puzzles and Games - a great selection of puzzles, conundrums, riddles, games and challenges broken down into difficulty level and all wonderfully illustrated... and of course there is a solutions booklet! Suitable for all ages above 8.
 
Sam Flack - Another Man's treasure, yankee Candle - Gift Guide - Christmas 2016 - Emma in Bromley
 
Great shadow box art work by Sam Flack at Another Mans Treasure - using vintage and reclaimed board games, Sam can create the perfect piece of art for your recipient, a perfectly tailored gift or browse from the ready created selection.
Yankee Candle have brought out a lovely festive selection of fragrances, here I've featured, Festive Cocktail, Star Anise and Orange, All is Bright and a larger Turquoise Sky candle for a moment of escape.
 
 
Anyone who has followed me for a while will know how much I love Schleich, Their horses and riders are a great gift for children interested in horses or farm life - the attention to detail is perfect and children love the size and feel of Schleich.
Project Mc Dolls - these dolls stem from a TV show and have a balance between the mainstream fashion doll body shapes with a nod to STEAM - this one comes with a kit to make your own bath bombs - great for ages 10 up.
 
Want to see more? I have youtube videos for items featured here:
 
Look out for part 2 - The Beauty Edit coming soon!
 
Merry Christmas Everyone xx
 
 
 

Wednesday 9 November 2016

Blind Date with a Book

This week  I was treated to something special, a blind date with a book!

I received a shimmering purple jiffy bag in the post and inside was this beautifully gift wrapped surprise.

Blind Date with a Book - Parragon - Cook and Enjoy Baking


As I ripped open my gift, I was excited to see the promise of cake peeping back at me.

Blind Date with a Book - Parragon - Cook and Enjoy Baking


The reveal showed me Cook and Enjoy - Baking - Delicious recipes for the everyday cook.

Blind Date with a Book - Parragon - Cook and Enjoy Baking

A hardback hefty 220 page book complete with a blue ribbon marker.
Blind Date with a Book - Parragon - Cook and Enjoy Baking

The book starts with an introduction and top tips and swiftly moves into cakes, cookies, desserts and ends with breads and savouries.

Blind Date with a Book - Parragon - Cook and Enjoy Baking

Each recipe starts with a simple breakdown of portion numbers,  difficulty level, and time.

Blind Date with a Book - Parragon - Cook and Enjoy Baking


The step by step method is simple to follow and there are tips and anecdotes through out.
Blind Date with a Book - Parragon - Cook and Enjoy Baking


Not to forget, stunning food photography for each and every recipe.
 

Blind Date with a Book - Parragon - Cook and Enjoy Baking

The Bakes you find in here are comforting and classical.

Blind Date with a Book - Parragon - Cook and Enjoy Baking


Priced at £14.99 from Parragon.

Emma in Bromley xx



Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for the sole purpose of creating this article. All thoughts and words are my own.

Tuesday 8 November 2016

STEAM Day 2016

I loved science when I was at school, it was one of my favourite topics and I loved nothing more than carrying out experiments! one of the other things I was into as a kid were mysteries, I often had my nose firmly wedged in a Nancy Drew or Famous Five book. Both of my children share my love for science and have wild imaginations, we encourage all aspects of STEAM in our home.

Project Mc² Ultimate Spy Bag


I'm pleased to help promote #STEAMday by sharing with you this amazing Project Mc2 Ultimate Spy Bag - inspired by the hit Netflix show.

Project Mc² Ultimate Spy Bag


With everything you need to become a top Nov8 agent neatly contained in this pink box bag, which opens up to reveal cleverly camouflaged spy gear.

Project Mc² Ultimate Spy Bag


There's a complete finger print dusting kit with file cards to record your findings, shimmer dust to reveal the print (can also be worn as makeup) and an air blower disguised as a perfume atomiser.

Project Mc² Ultimate Spy Bag


Love the compact mirror which also contains a magnifying glass.

Project Mc² Ultimate Spy Bag


Not to mention the secret message launcher camouflaged as a lippy. This has an impressive reach and the note can be concealed in the rubber lipstick casing so can safely be launched!

Project Mc² Ultimate Spy Bag


My personal fave? oh it has to be the nail polish bottle with a touch hidden in the lid!



There are specimen bottles and test tubes to so you can carry out experiments on the go, the kit comes with a handy booklet with some experiment ideas to carry out to!

Project Mc² Ultimate Spy Bag

 STEAM Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Maths.

Project Mc² Ultimate Spy Bag


The Project Mc² Ultimate Spy Bag is priced at £39.99 and is available to buy from Amazon, Argos, and all other good toy retailers.

#STEAMday logo
 
Emma in Bromley xx
 
 
 
 
Disclaimer: I received the Project MC Ultimate Spy Kit for the sole purpose of this article, all thoughts and photos are my own.