Review: Remote Control Candles

'Remote Control Candles' I hear you say? How the hell does that work!' Well it works very well actually.

I was sent a box of 3 Remote Control Candles that are currently available from Paramount Zone for the bargain price of £12.99 (or 2 packs for £21) and are made by Think Gizmos. I personally love candles. The ambience and subtle light they produce is always lovely on a dark evening. Unfortunately with 2 toddlers around creating mayhem (who appear to be on a mission to destroy the house and themselves), I haven't really been able to take the risk of lighting any candles, as chances are that before I have chance to turn around, they would have knocked them over and we would have to run for our lives out of the inferno.

That's why I found these candles a great idea and I jumped at the chance to give them a whirl. They are operated with battery powered LEDS and are totally safe. You may think that this would mean that you would have a static light akin to a lamp but that is not the case. You can actually set them to flicker which is 100% authentic looking. You really can't tell the difference apart from the fact that there is no smoke.  You can even use these outside, which can come in really handy as you don't need to worry about the wind or great british weather. We love camping in the James household, so I can imagine we will be taking these with us on every camping trip!

There is also a 4 and 8 hour timer which is operated with the remote control. The remote control was really easy to use (even for a technophobe like myself). I managed to get the candle light to flicker easily and you can even control the level of brightness. You can't do any of these things with a normal candle can you!

I have to admit that I also like a scented candle but unfortunately that is one thing you have to compromise on. The candles are made out of real wax, but are not scented. There were also no batteries included which was slightly annoying as it meant I had to have a good rummage to find some batteries that worked! These however are minor quibbles.

I was amazed when I looked at the information on the box that each candle glows for 50'000 hours and there are over 200 hours of light before you need to change the battery. That means that these candles are a really good investment, as if you consider how long a normal candle lasts, these far outlast them. Being a bit of a closet environmentalist as well, these are also more environmentally friendly as carbon emissions are minimal.

This handy you tube video demonstrates how the candles work, much better than I could

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGLinaHw8do&feature=plcp

Overall the candles got a big thumbs up from the James household! It looks as if we are not the only ones to give the candles the big thumbs up as the candles have been rated as 4.7 out of 5 based on 4 user ratings review(s) on the website. One person said they have since bought 3 more set as gifts as they were so impressed. I have to agree that these candles make a fantastic gift that is also very affordable.

Paramount Zone also do a fantastic range of gifts for all ages including http://www.paramountzone.com/christmas-gifts-her.php. There really are some great gift ideas at very reasonable prices which really suits a penny pinching household like myself! There is even free delivery when you spend over £14 which makes it even more good value.

Silent Sunday

Giveaway # 4 Limited Edition Friends prize pack

This is the one where you can win a great prize to celebrate the release of Friends: The Complete Series Blu-ray Box Set'. I am a bit odd in that I only got into friends after it finished being made, but I have to admit that I'm totally hooked. I can watch episodes over and over and still burst out laughing.







I think that I am most like Phoebe, a bit weird and bit wacky at times. I took the 'Which Friend Are You Most Like quiz' and I came out as half Ross and Half Phoebe. I can't say I have ever mugged anyone though!

Warner Bros. Pictures is proud to announce the release of Friends: The Complete Series Blu-Ray Box Set November 12th 2012; along with the 30 Days of Friends: Trivia Challenge Blog App and Video Player!

Right, time to get down to the Giveaway. Simply fill out the Rafflecopter form for the chance to win a Limited Edition Friends Prize Pack which consists of two oversized cappuccino mugs and a picture frame just like the one on Monica’s door.

Please do complete the entries fully as I check every entry. Any entries that do not comply with what is requested will be deleted. Open to UK residents over 18 only.
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If I won a Guardian Pro...

Well this is something of a first for me, and I can't quite believe I'm going to attempt this. I blame the lovely MellowMummy who is giving everyone the chance to win a brand new Kiddy Guardian Pro 2 Car Seat on her wonderful Blog. I love a good competition but there is a catch..... I need to write a limerick!

Now, I have never been any good at Poetry and I suspect my attempt with be quite Feeble but I am going to give it a go. Mainly because my son desperately needs a new car seat so winning this fabulous car seat would really come in handy.

Here goes nothing!

If I won a Guardian Pro,
It would help cure my car seat woe,
for my current one bought from the 'booty'
is starting to smell a bit 'fruity',
and my shame is beginning to show! 

Right, I'm off to hang my head in shame...

Everyone can have a go. Check out the Link  following for details on how to enter 

Review: Halloween Phantasee Cosmetic Lenses from Vision Direct

Halloween is now a special time of year for the James family, as my son Bryn arrived this time last year. I still have happy memories of my daughter going out Trick or Treating for the first time with her Daddy while I nursed my newborn son.

This year will be very different, as the new born is now into everything and my daughter is looking forward to us all dressing up for a Halloween party we have been invited to.

My Hubby and I were starting to think about what we would wear when I was given the chance to review Phantasee Cosmetic Lenses from Vision Direct . I have to say I was intrigued as I had never even contemplated using contact lenses as part of a spooky outfit. As I am a glasses wearer, I thought it may be better if the hubby tried them out as I  am 'blind as a Halloween bat' if I don't wear my glasses.  We looked at the wide ranging online selection from the Phantasee Collection, which is perfect for Halloween. We picked out the Dragon Eyes (RRP 29.00) which I have to say remind me of Sauron's eye from the Lord of the Rings. Phantasee cosmetic lenses are available in the following ranges of Crazy and Halloween lenses: Anime, Cat Eyes, Cool, UV Glow, Space, Vivid, Symbols and Seasons.

So before I show you how the lenses look, I had better reveal the hubby in his natural primal state. Be Prepared!

Let the makeover commence!

The First thing I should mention is the packaging is very quirky and you definitely feel that you are in possession of something different. The actual lenses come in two spooky vials which give you the Halloween feel

The Lense Vials are a little bit fiddly to open but I guess this is because they have to be completely airtight.  They are annual replacement contact lenses that require maintenance and cleaning, so we were also sent a  Multi use Lense solution and case (RRP £3.00) for care of the lenses. These can then be used again so you can really get your moneys worth.

My hubby has decided to go as a scary Halloween skeleton and elected to do his own makeup. I thought he did a pretty good job. My daughter also burst into tears when she saw him so I guess he got the desired scary effect!

Now was the time to add the lenses. My hubby has never worn Contact Lenses before so was a bit naive in thinking that putting them in would be as easy as a witch boiling her cauldron. In hindsight it was also a mistake to try and put the lenses in after putting the makeup on. After struggling for about ten minutes and reluctantly calling on my help he did manage to get them in. The resulting tears though did mean he had to touch up the makeup but there was no lasting damage!

If you haven’t tried contact lens before, you can check out the Frequently Asked Questions  on the Vision Direct website so you can learn more of how to use the lenses.








So here are the scary results!

As you can see the effect was definitely striking, and turned a pretty scary look  into a terrifying look! One of the lenses was slightly wonky but by this stage the hubby wasn't letting me anywhere near his eyes to straighten it up. He did say that although they were slightly uncomfortable at first, it was no time at all before he forgot they were in. His vision was also not impaired in the slightest.

Overall we would give the lenses 5 stars out of 5, and I would give my hubby 1 star out of 5 for being able to put contact lenses in! The lenses really do add that special element of scariness to the outfit, and I am sure that there is a pair that would suit every outfit!

You can follow Vision Direct on Twitter \and Vision Direct on Facebook

Anger Management- Advice needed!

This is an uncomfortable post for me as it means admitting something in the public domain which I am deeply ashamed about.

Most people when they meet me, may see me as a little shy, or even worse- a little aloof. I am the first to admit that my social skills aren't great, and I recently scored highly on a autistic traits test(although it was taken on Facebook so could be a load of old bollocks!). I doubt that many people would suspect that there is a huge green incredible hulkess lurking behind my quiet exterior.

There are 2 people that seem to bring this unwanted quality out in me and unfortunately it's my kids. I love them both dearly, but there are times (which are coming all the more frequent) where I totally lose my temper and become this irrational monster. I
always feel tremendously guilty afterwards, but this rage seems to be building inside me and I don't know why.

I feel quite down sometimes and I am wondering if it is symptom of depression or stress. The only thing I do know is that I want it to stop for my families sake. If anyone has experienced similar and managed to put a stop to it, I would love to hear from you.

Esther

X

Dark Shadows Blu-Ray Triple Play Giveaway

Warner Bros. Pictures is proud to announce the release of Dark Shadows, out on DVD and Blu-Ray now; along with the Dark Shadows Blog App!



From the incredible mind of Tim Burton comes the hit film Dark Shadows, based on the classic US television series! Barnabas Collins has been trapped for two centuries by an evil witch (Eva Green) who just happens to be an ex lover. Barnabas now has to struggle with the ever changing 1970s and save his family’s business! With an all star cast that includes Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Chloe Grace Moretz, Jonny Lee Miller and more, Dark Shadows will be sure to whet your appetite for fun.






My Lucky readers have a chance to win a Blu-Ray Triple Play Pack, by simply filling out the rafflecopter form below. UK entrants over 18 only please.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Disclosure- I haven't been sponsored for this post but I have been provided with the prize to giveaway. This Giveaway is advertised on the Prizefinder

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