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Bonne Maman welcomes new Chocolate & Cherry Patisserie Pot to the chilled desserts range. The irrestible, layered dessert is designed to delight the senses and comes in three complementary flavours. Designed for ultimate indulgence, each pot invites dessert lovers to enjoy a light, airy chocolate mousse on a delicious sweet cherry compote, balanced by a satisfyingly buttery biscuit base. In packs of 2 x 90g pots, Bonne Maman Chocolate & Cherry Patisserie Pot is available at Waitrose, Morrisons and Tesco stores. RRP £2.60.  Image copyright, Bonne Maman UK
 Artisanal, organic honey company, Honey Heaven has launched a sensational new variety that’s great for summer. Organic Raspberry Honey combines the natural sweetness of certified organic, creamy wildflower honey with premium raspberries for a delicious fruity tang. Crafted in small batches, this 100% organic honey contains nothing artificial and no additives. Raspberries are freeze-dried using a process that preserves them at their freshest by gently removing moisture at low temperatures. This helps retain maximum nutrient and vitamin content, preserve natural colour and intense flavour and avoids the need for preservatives or added sugars. The result? Pure, concentrated raspberry taste with all the goodness nature intended! Blend that with creamy, raw wildflower honey, crafted from the purest nectar of organic wild blossoms and you have the ultimate summer tasting sensation. Organic Raspberry Honey is more than just a sweet treat though. Raspberries have powerful health benefits. When combined with raw honey, they create a naturally nourishing blend high in antioxidants to help fight free radicals, support the immune system with vitamin C while natural compounds help promote skin health and vitality. Honey in its raw form contains amino acids, protective plant compounds, vitamins, minerals and sugar. Organic Raspberry Honey is the latest variety in the 18 strong range of premium organic honeys available from www.honeyheaven.co.uk with a 300g jar retailing for around £13.00.
Biovene Barcelona 's beauty products are fabulous in every way. Besides the important fact they are ethically sourced and never tested on animals, the high quality products come with a very reasonable price tag.  Biovene produce a range of organic, natural skincare, haircare, lipcare and suncare. All products are manufactured using minimal packaging material while bottles are made from 100% recycled material. The company is all too aware of the harm cause by plastic pollution which includes the fact that over 700 different marine species are killed either by plastic ingestion or entanglement, resulting in more than 100 million animal deaths a year. A shocking figure. Two-thirds of all seabird species are also affected. For example 98% of albatrosses have ingested plastic while 40% of their chicks die when fed this by their parents. Unlike humans, wildlife cannot discern plastic from digestible materials so if something resembles food then they assume it is food. Jellyfish-eating species including ocean sunfish and sea turtles, mistake plastic bags and balloon ribbons for jelly medusae, while animals including cows and dogs often eat plastic contaminated with human food.  If you haven't already done so, then do give Biovene products a try. Available from their website the products are suitable for various skin types including sensitive, oily, dry or combination.  These five ‘perfume power moves’ are all you need to keep your fragrance lasting longer in the warmer weather.
TikTok Hack According to TikTok, there’s a clever fragrance hack that’s a sure-fire way to make a fragrance last longer. It's simple! Just apply a little makeup primer to your pulse points, eg wrists and neck, before spritzing on your perfume. Since primers are designed to grip makeup, they also help 'anchor' your fragrance to the skin. It’s a neater, non-greasy alternative to Vaseline, and popular options like the e.l.f. Power Grip Primer or NYX’s Face Glue Primer are proving especially effective at a low cost. Money Saver’s Hack 'If you don’t want your expensive fragrance to go to waste when you’re wearing it in warm weather, but don’t want to fork out for extra products, then there are cheap and free hacks you can adopt,”'says Jonny Webber from PerfumeDirect.com 'A great money-saver’s hack for making your fragrance last longer is turn your clothes inside out and mist the lining, especially blazers, cardigans or the lining of the current trending wide leg trouser. Fabric holds scent even longer than skin but spraying directly can stain delicate materials. With your scent in your clothes’ lining, you create a lasting scent ‘halo’ around yourself without dousing your skin or risking fabric marks. And it leaves a subtle trail of luxury as you walk by.' The Fragrance Expert’s Hack Here’s one the French swear by. Using discovery sets are great for lots of reasons, says French-born perfumer Aude Asklöv, but she says think about how different notes work in a perfume or when fragrance layering. 'Think of perfumes as a wardrobe with different options for different occasions. Discovery sets or collections of complementary scents are ideal for this purpose, offering variety while maintaining harmony within a brand or fragrance family.' She adds: 'Today’s fragrance enthusiasts curate collections tailored to their daily lives and this also ties into the rising trend of fragrance layering, allowing individuals to build personalised scent profiles. For example, a zesty citrus for energising mornings, transitioning to a romantic floral for daytime elegance or an afternoon outing and finishing with a seductive woody note for evening.' The Science Hack Chill your fragrance before wearing. Sounds weird but there’s science behind this hack! 'Pop your perfume bottle in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before you apply it on hot days,' says Jonny. 'The cold helps stabilise the fragrance molecules, especially citrus and floral notes that tend to disappear fast in heat. Perfume is not a fan of sunlight or heat anyway so always store them in a cool, dark place to preserve the formula.' Gen X’s Hack This time-served hack has been passed from generation to generation. Create a fragrance balm by gently melting a mini pot of Vaseline, or scrape out old, unused lip balms decanted into a small travel pot, add your favourite perfume, chill in the fridge and voila! A bespoke longer lasting solid perfume balm that you can easily carry around with you day and night. Fragrance clings better to oily or well-hydrated skin, so this creates a sort of base that slows down evaporation, meaning scent lingers hours longer without needing to reapply. Bonus tip: spritz perfume on your hairbrush too - fabric and hair hold scent better than dry skin alone. There is an ‘art’ in wearing perfume well, says PerfumeDirect.com’s Jonny. 'Pulse points are classics for a reason. But in hot weather, try spritzing behind the knees or around the ankles. These spots warm up more slowly, releasing the fragrance gradually throughout the day. A subtle waft every time you cross your legs or kick off your sandals. And don't rub – spritz and let it settle. We’re all guilty of that automatic wrist-rubbing move post-spray, but rubbing breaks down the perfume’s top notes, shortening the scent’s lifespan and altering the intended fragrance.' More fragrance advice, latest perfumes and aftershaves at www.perfumedirect.com  Start-up drinks brand Bemuse is shortlisted in the Brand Launch of the Year category in the Food and Drink Federation Awards 2022. Having just celebrated its first anniversary, the brand is vying for the ultimate crown against food and drink sector big-hitters including Mars Food, Princes and Walkers. Nature inspired Bemuse supports the UK’s dwindling bee population by reimagining ancient honey drink mead for a modern audience. My interest piqued, the company kindly sent me some drinks to try. I can say that they went down very well indeed especially on these, the hottest days of the year! Besides the fact Bemuse is deliciously tasty, the drinks are low in sugar, alcohol and calories, all natural and gluten free to boot. Can't be bad, can it? Let me tell you about the flavours available. Light and fruity Hops Infused Sparkling Low Alcohol Mead is described as 'curiously crisp and hoppy.' Brewed with wildflower honey, the flavour may change slightly depending on the flowers the bees go to. Pair this one with fish or barbecued meats. Raspberry Sparkling Low Alcohol Mead is described as 'curiously fresh and aromatic'. Light and refreshing, this contains orange blossom honey and raspberries. The scent is light, citrusy, with a super-refreshing taste which has the merest hint of sweetness. Pair with tart dressings and sauces or enjoy with cheese, salad or dessert. Ginger & Cardamom Sparkling Low Alcohol Mead is described as 'curiously zesty and fragrant'. Brewed with apple blossom honey, it has a pleasant, fresh scent and added zing due to the addition of aromatic ginger and cardamom. Pair with spicy, highly seasoned foods or something with a sweet glaze or sauce. Tarragon, Basil & Hops Sparkling Low Alcohol Mead is described as 'curiously tangy, smoky and refreshing'. The honey is from ling heather blossoms found on Scottish moors with the addition of tarragon, basil and hops. Delicately refreshing, it is slightly tangy with a mild sweetness and hint of smokiness. Pair with light seafood or herby dishes . Co-founder Anna Chalov explained, 'From the beginning, we had a very clear vision for Bemuse and wanted to create a non-alcoholic drink that was refreshing. tasty, low in calories but which also supported the natural world. In Bemuse, we have created a unique drinks category as the only range of non-alcoholic craft meads and which are produced by natural fermentation of honey, water and yeast, infused with natural ingredients to create four distinctive flavours. '  FDF award winners will be revealed at a ceremony hosted by Jay Rayner on 15 September. Bemuse sparkling low-alcohol meads are 0.5% ABV and available in 330ml fully recycled cans. https://www.bemusedrinks.com  images (c) Bemuse & Mike Pickup
Stockists include WiseBartender Bemuse has achieved wide distribution through online and specialist UK drinks retailers and the lightly sparkling, low-alcohol meads are a refreshing alternative for hot summer days. Bemuse has recently expanded distribution into the Netherlands, with discussions ongoing for distribution in other overseas markets and will shortly launch a crowdfunding campaign to expand and secure additional listings. 100% Olive Oil Mayonnaise from Hunter & Gather, perfect for dipping, dunking and dolloping!
 Hunter & Gather is the brand behind ‘clean’ condiments (100% Avocado Oil Mayo and Unsweetened Sauces) and winner of ‘Best of British’ at Ocado’s Rising Stars Awards. They launched a trio of 100% Olive Oil all natural mayonnaise , packed with goodness and free from nasties. That's good news for me as I LOVE mayonnaise. Let me tell you, I have an array of cookery books, many telling me 'how easy' it is to make my own mayonnaise. Okay, it's not that difficult, but it can be a bit of a palaver. I therefore opt for the shop bought versions, though they generally come laden with additives in the shape of salt, sugar and multiple preservatives. Hunter & Gather's mayonnaise on the other hand is made with only four ingredients : olive oil, free range egg yolk, apple cider vinegar and a pinch of pink Himalayan salt. The flavour? Creamy and fresh with a slightly sharp tang and what is REALLY wonderful is, you can taste every one of those four ingredients! Amy Moring, Co-founder of Hunter & Gather, says: “It’s about time mayo had a makeover. All too often, shop bought mayonnaise contains inflammatory seed oils or sunflower oil blends - poor fats with negative health impacts - plus powdered egg, chemical preservatives and added sugar. Our mayonnaise is made with 100% light tasting Olive Oil from ancient groves in the Cordoba region of Spain, pressed in the traditional way, meaning no chemical hexanes or solvents are used. The result is a product that’s pure, light and delicious, packed with healthful monosaturated fats and polyphenols and with absolutely no added nasties.” She continues, “At Hunter & Gather, our mission is to provide people with the tools to thrive through healthier food choices, education and recipes that are always free from refined sugars, chemical preservatives, grains and seed oils. Our new 100% Olive Oil mayonnaise is a huge step forward for real food products and marks an important milestone on our journey to improving the health of the nation.” Go on, give it a try, you won't be disappointed! It tastes so good you won't want to go back to ordinary-old mayo again. Hunter & Gather 100% Olive Oil Mayonnaise available in Classic, Olive & Lemon and Horseradish hunterandgatherfoods.com. About Hunter & Gather Launched in 2017 by dynamic entrepreneurs Jeff Webster and Amy Moring, to fulfil a lifelong mission to create a brand that proactively champions honest, tasty, real food, free from lazy sugars, grains and poor quality fats; shining a light on the nutritional shortcomings of taken-for-granted food categories: ketchups, mayonnaise, cooking oils and dressings. In a UK food landscape where 63% are overweight, the brand is re-writing the rule book for real food, changing the way people think about what it means to eat well and creating ‘tools to thrive’ to pave the way for optimal health & wellness. hunterandgatherfoods.com images (c) Sophie Harrington ad/ gifted product - honest review   The clean waters around Wick in Scotland's far north provide perfect conditions for nutrient-dense seaweed to thrive. Seaweed is a source of prebiotic fibre, protein, magnesium, antioxidants and iodine, an often forgotten mineral which is essential for both minds and bodies. A superfood, in fact. Makes sense then to turn the local seaweed into delicious snacks and food. Win win situation - good for you and good for the planet. SHORE is the Scottish seaweed company who produce delicious snacks and food. They kindly sent me samples of their Seaweed Chips in Lightly Salted, Asian Peking and Sweet Sriracha flavours as well as a jar of Black Kale and Seaweed Pesto. Besides the taste, I love the fact that they are healthy - it's all down to that that seaweed again, packed with more minerals than almost any vegetable on earth, as well as macro and micro nutrients, antioxidants, electrolytes, vitamins, minerals - all of which mean your diet is boosted whenever you eat it. SHORE tell me that because the abundant complex carbs in seaweed are slow to digest, you feel full for longer and of course, that helps cut your calorie intake. All natural flavourings complement a umami seaweed base, making these seaweed crisps deliciously crunchy and exceptionally more-ish.  SHORE's dedicated harvesteers live in some of Scotland's most remote communities. They are out in all weathers hand harvesting the best seaweed the shores have to offer.
You can buy the goodies at various outlets listed here shoreseaweed.com/where-to-buy/ Echoing the aromas of designer fragrances at budget-friendly prices, UK based Rebel Aromas focus on ethical beauty, offering vegan-friendly and cruelty-free perfumes. Not only that, THEY SMELL FABULOUS! I am astonished. Totally.   This isn't my first foray into the world of 'dupe' fragrances. I have tried a couple of others because they were touted as being 'just like the real thing'. To me though, they smelled of very little and an hour after spraying them on, there was no fragrance left. Perhaps that's why when I heard about Rebel Aromas, I thought, here we go again. I know, that's what you get for being cynical. Oh, I am running ahead of myself here. Perhaps some of you reading this don't know what a 'dupe' is - it's easy, they are labelled as such because of how similar they smell to iconic brands. Rebel Aromas offer an affordable alternative without compromising quality. So, what are some of the fragrances they offer? I'll start with Millionairess because it is super-gorgeous, magnetic ,alluring yet bold with floral and sensual base notes of patchouli and honey that define its luxurious character. Inspired by Paco Rabanne's 'Lady Million', you're going to feel pretty high-end if you choose this one with no worries about a designer price tag. If you are the kind of girl who wants to make a statement, this one is for you. Dark Opium is, as you may guess, inspired by Yves Saint Laurent's Black Opium, a perfume which I have long loved. Top notes of coffee, pink pepper and orange blossom meld well with middle and base notes - vanilla, cedarwood and musk -to provide an intriguing yet seductive aroma.  Rebel Riviera captures the essence of Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino, fresh, citrusy, floral with more than a hint of rebellion. This is an exotic fragrance, possibly thanks to the addition of cruelty-free white musk. This one is great for daytime wear, it's sure to power you through from start to finish. Forbidden Fruits, an eco-friendly blend of pure botanicals inspired by Jo Malone's English Pear and Freesia, is sweet, fresh and totally captivating. Spritz in the vicinity of others and you will definitely get compliments. This one is elegant and sweet, capturing the essence of spring time whatever time of year you choose to wear it.  Rebellious Beauty is inspired by Lancome's La Vie Est Belle. This crisp, invigorating scent with top notes of pear, blackcurrant and iris is completely captivating, almost defiant. This perfume shouts fun and should be worn by those who know what they want and won't stop until they get it! The last Rebel Aromas perfume that I can tell you about is the feminine fragrance Rogue Whispers which captures the spirit of Carolina Herrera's Good Girl, a perfume I adore. Rogue Whispers is confident, bold with rich base notes which include tonka bean to add sweetness, depth and warmth. To sum up, I think Rebel Aromas has a fab range of perfume dupes, at prices which mean you can splash out and buy several to see which suits you best. Details of pricing and how to order on website www.rebelaromas.co.uk disclaimer: I received samples from Rebel Aromas but views are my own.  |
