HoMedics Pulse Electromagnetic Field Therapy Unit

iHeal treatment is an active therapeutic method used in addition to other therapies or as a stand-alone therapy and has a documented and proven efficiency in reducing the healing time of soft tissue injuries and improving blood circulation.iHeal can be used to treat:
Tendonitis
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Painful and Arthritic Joints
Sports Injuries
Swellings and bruises
Tennis and golf elbows
Reduced Walking Distance due to poor circulation
Leg Cramp
Aching Muscles
Back & Neck Pain caused by inflammation around joints and tendons
Cold Hands & Feet
Restless Leg SyndromeiHeal has also been found to provide pain relief and reduce healing time for thefollowing condition:
Diabetic NeuropathyThe advantages of iHeal treatment
Extremely effective; most people notice the benefit after only a few daystreatment
Safe and non-invasive
Drug free
Pain free
User friendly
Ideal for home use
Small size enabling treatment during everyday activities. 

HOW iHEAL WORKS iHeal sends painless pulsed magnetic energy waves deep into body’s tissue and bone using low power electromagnetic fields, which induces weak electrical signals inside the body similar to the body’s natural signals. The frequency and shape of these waves has been carefully selected to stimulate the cell activity to improve your body’s natural healing process. iHeal treatment is non-invasive, as it does not require the use of drugs, injections or operations. However you should not alter your medications without consulting your doctor. Use as often as you want for up to 10 hours at a time iHeal will support your body’s natural metabolism stimulating the repair of damaged tissues.

I have suffered from Sciatica and back pain for a number of years and in the past have used a tens machine for some relief, however I could only use it for short periods of time as the constant sensation was distracting and annoying. When I was offered the opportunity to road test this new machine I was eager to see if this was any better.

As soon as I opened the box I was impressed with how compact and small it was. It adheres to the skin using self-adhesive pads, of which 48 are included in the initial purchase. These pads can only be used once and are available to be bought directly from Homedics. If the unit is to be used on an arm, there is also a strap included to attach unit to arm instead of using a pad. I was keen to use the unit on my back and used the attached pads, I found it difficult to get the unit to stay attached to my back as it was being irritated by my trousers waistband and I did have to reapply it a few times during the time I had it attached (about 6 hours).

When I was using the unit I was able to forget it was there. Unlike the tens machine which has a constant sensation, the iheal emitted no sensation, the only way I knew it was working was when my husband commented that there was a flashing light under my top!

I used the unit for about a week and I did find that my back felt easier following the unit being used for a few days however it is not a permanent cure, it eased the discomfort. 

I think that the device will be useful if my back pain became worse, and it offers short term relief however it is not a permanent cure. 

I would recommend this for anyone who has localised discomfort but not for anyone who has numerous aches and pains.

I received this product from the Amazon Vine program. 

Name the Sudocrem Moose - Competition

Name Sudocrem’s new Moose!
Sudocrem have just launched their Twitter & Facebook pages for a new, mystery product expected in spring 2012 and to celebrate they are running a competition to name the mystery products mascot, the Sudocrem Moose. The winner will received £500 worth of Toys R Us vouchers and a personalised Santa sack, the winner drawn in time for Christmas!

 
Instructions on how to enter:
It’s simple all you have to do is ‘Like’ the new Facebook page and then enter your suggested mascot’s name. One lucky winner will be picked on the 21^st December 2011 and receive their prizes shortly afterwards.
Competition Start Date– 18^th November 2011
Competition Finish Date– 17^th December 2011
Competition winners announced– 20^th December 2011
The Prize: £500 worth of Toys R Us vouchers and a personalised, handmade Santa sack worth £150.
Competition found on; http://www.facebook.com/SudocremMousse


Good luck to all who enter - get your thinking cap on and name this cute little Moose.

Justin Fletcher for Number One!!! - Let's all get buying

Justin Fletcher is the man behind many of children's favourite characters on CBeebies: Mr Tumble, Jake from The Tweenies to name just a few. Now Justin has released a single, which will be followed in March 2012 by an album. 

The single is entitled 'Hands Up' and is released on 20 November 2011. The video can be seen here and, I am sure you will agree, is catchy and is sure to be a hit with children under five especially. 

Hope you all enjoy Justin's new single and can help get Justin to number one!

Creative ZiiSound D5X Pure Wireless Bluetooth Speaker System - Black

Finally you can get the flexibility to set up your speaker system the way you want to. With the ZiiSound D5x wireless Bluetooth® modular speaker system, you can connect up to three D5x speaker units* at any one time. With the addition of the matching dedicated ZiiSound DSx wireless subwoofer, you get powerful bass enhancement on demand.So, whether you place three D5x speakers in the living room or the lounge, or just two D5x speakers with the DSx subwoofer in a discreet corner, it's easy to set up your system any way and anywhere you desire**. A choice of entertainment options - from theatre-like "Multi-channel" to room-filling "Party" modes - add to its versatility. The result is you'll have a more enjoyable time being entertained in private or when hosting a party.Being a top-of-the-line system, the ZiiSound D5x also delivers the dynamic audio performance that serious audiophiles demand. Designed to meet the highest standards for pristine wireless audio, it does not sacrifice sound quality, with all that you lose being ugly wires. Indeed, you've never heard better audio streamed wirelessly from your Bluetooth-enabled music players or other entertainment devices. The first step towards audio greatness - start simple with a single ZiiSound D5x speaker which works perfectly right out of the box - an audiophile-grade speaker in its own right. It all adds up - add additional ZiiSound D5x units* for an enhanced listening experience, a ZiiSound DSx subwoofer for added bass, or everything in one fell swoop - all at your own pace. Ultimate flexibility - your speaker configuration doesn't need to remain fixed forever. Power a house party with a maxed-out 3.1 system; but for day-to-day music listening, just reconfigure it into smaller standalone systems which you can place anywhere and rearrange anytime! Let's get the party started! Fill your house with perfectly synchronised music in the aptly-named "Party" mode. Up to three ZiiSound D5x speakers can blast the same song in unison, in different rooms**! Throw in a ZiiSound DSx wireless subwoofer for enhanced bass and your party is underway. The "Multi-channel" mode expands the soundscape and provides for a realistic-sounding movie experience, complete with all the explosions and more. Pair with any compatible stereo Bluetooth device - wirelessly stream music from any compatible stereo Bluetooth device, such as your mobile phone or notebook, from a range of up to 10 metres from the speakers. High-performance wireless audio - the apt-X audio codec provides you with superior Bluetooth stereo audio when you stream from apt-X enabled devices such as ZiiO entertainment tablets. Striking accuracy and detail in your music - high-performance, precision-tuned full range drivers with efficient digital amplifiers in the ZiiSound D5x speaker deliver a complete audiophile experience like no other. Sleek one-piece chassis - with its neat contemporary design, encased in a matte black mesh cloth, the ZiiSound D5x provides the perfect balance of design and performance while enhancing your living room or desktop.Control at your fingertips - glide your fingers along the ZiiSound D5x's touch-sensitive volume controls and set your desired volume level.Versatile connectivity options - while it works seamlessly with wireless Bluetooth devices, the speaker system also allows for a wired connection via its AUX-in port for other portable devices, like MP3 players.* Please note that ZiiSound D5x can only be linked with up to two additional ZiiSound D5x units and one ZiiSound DSx wireless subwoofer. The ZiiSound D5x cannot be linked with ZiiSound D3x, and vice-versa. ** At a distance of up to 30 metres, measured in open space.

I am not a person who has to have all the top sound systems to play my music, full of bass where the floor vibrates. As long as I can listen to music, sometimes loudly, I am happy.  However, since having my I-pod, I have been looking for a docking station through which I can play and listen to it. 


This product has enabled me to do this, and I am sure I am not using it it to its full potential however I am enjoying listening to my music through it. 


The product itself is very compact, not like the speakers of old, which looked huge and stuck out like a sore thumb in a room. This is one unit which can be placed on top of a unit, and not look out of place. They are quite heavy comparable to size but easily manageable. It is black and would therefore suit most decor. 


When I took the unit out of the box I was easily able to set it up, connecting it to my I-pod using the wireless transmitter. The bag of backrest adapters looked confusing, however I followed the guide in the instruction manual and found the one for my model easily. After connecting it up - it was now that I found a problem: I had plugged it in, switched it on at the back, switched the I-pod on and selected a track, but no sound?? I consulted the instruction manual, a very thick book but only 23 pages in English out of a 400 page manual! The manual does not contain many words though, lots of pictures, great, but very little text and only so much can be shown via pictorial methods! Cue having to ask my hubby to help - 2 minutes later and it was fixed - the volume control is via touch, once he had shown me this there was music. 


After listening to a wide range of music: Rock, Country, Pop and Classical, I am  really pleased with the unit. Great sound, easy to use (once used to the touch volume controls) and looked good on shelf too.


It is possible to connect a further two of these units together, along with a sub woofer - perfect for music lovers.


In summary, a great looking and sounding system to play music from i-pods, and/or computers, easy to set up and sound quality excellent. Recommend to all!


I received this item as part of the Amazon Vine Programme.

Braun Exactfit Plus Bp5900 Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor

Practical for use every day
This monitor can be used throughout the day, it measures both systolic and diasystolic pressure (both readings provide important information about health), and comes with a compact storage case so that you can easily take it anywhere with you. The auto shut off function makes the free AA batteries last even longer.
The Braun BP59000 Upper Arm Blood Pressure Monitor comes with one cuff size to fit all (23~43 cm arm circumference), so you can share it with your family. It is clinically validated to AAMI (Association for the Advancement of Medical Instruments), giving you reassurance that the readings are accurate if the device is used correctly.
This is the top of the range model with additional important features for added assurance- such as detecting irregular heartbeat and morning hypertension, which is a key indicator of increase risk of strokes. The advanced averaging function provides morning, evening and full day averages for improved blood pressure control. 2 years warranty.
* Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation

Indications

To monitor blood pressure levels

Directions

See instruction manual included with product- please read thoroughly before use.

Safety Warning

See instruction manual included with product- please read thoroughly before use. Do not use as a substitute for medical advice from your GP.

Legal Disclaimer

See instruction manual included with product- please read thoroughly before use.

Box Contains

1 x Braun Blood Pressure Monitor

4 x AA batteries

Grey storage case

Instruction manual

(Taken from AmazonUK website)

As soon as I opened the box which contained the blood pressure monitor I was impressed. The Blood Pressure Monitor was in a storage bag, not loose in the box, and the storage bag is quite sturdy too.

There is a weighty manual, of course, however, there is also a quick reference guide attached to the back of the machine. The quick reference guide shows how to take blood pressure in pictures and the main symbols detailed simply. The guide can be kept with the unit at all times as there is a little slot on the back to contain the guide ( a little thing but these little details all add up to great plus points!)

The monitor uses 4 x AA batteries - which are also included in the box (another bonus, already included in the price, does not need to be added on). It is a compact monitor, with a large display, and has a modern design. The display includes the date and time, and measure the blood pressure and pulse. There are icons on the display which detects irregular heartbeat and/or morning hypertension.  The monitor has the capability of storing up to 99 readings and is able to calculate either a 7 day average. morning average or evening average. The blood pressure cuff is for the upper arm and has the capability of being used on upper arms with circumferences of between 9-17" (23-43 cms).

The monitor is easy to use and the display is easy to read, with clear numbers and easy to identify symbols. There are only five buttons on the whole unit, two used to set up the machine initially, two to calculate averages etc and one large one which is used to switch the unit on and off a to take a reading. 

Another bonus to this device is that there is a two year guarantee for the product.

I would say that this is an easy to use monitor, suitable for anyone who needs to monitor their own blood pressure regularly. With a large display and easy to use, one big button, I would say it would be great for the older generation who wanted an easy and simple device.

I received this product from the Amazon Vine Program.

Sarah Broadhurst and Lovereading

It has been brought to my attention this morning that there has been an email sent to publishers etc from Lovereading which includes the following:

There is only ONE real Sarah Broadhurst!

As you will know Sarah Broadhurst is one of the most respected editorial book experts in the trade and, each month for Lovereading, she selects the best fiction for our audience.

She has been doing this since Lovereading started some 6 years ago, but if you've been wondering whether Sarah is moonlighting elsewhere online, rest assured she's not. If you come across another Sarah Broadhurst on the net then do bear in mind she's not NOT the genuine article. Rather someone who would appear to be riding on the coat tails of our own Lovereading and Bookseller magazine expert.

You can follow the 'real' Sarah Broadhurst on Twitter @S_Broadhurst and our Sarah lives in Somerset not Worcestershire.

Obviously, you may want to send copies to both but our Sarah has noticed that sometimes books which she's been promised are on their way don't ever get to her. So  do please check your systems to ensure publicity copies aren't going to waste. We'd hate you to be inadvertently mislead.

I would like to say that I have never claimed to be Sarah Broadhurst from Lovereading/Bookseller and I always state this to publishers/PR etc when I approach them. It is unfortunate that my married name is the same as a well known reviewer in the industry however I would like to say that I have never used this to my advantage. I have also not, to my knowledge, ever received books that have been meant for the other Sarah Broadhurst.

I hope that this will not affect my ability to be a book reviewer for book publishers, surely the more reviews out there, the better for publicity and promotion.

Dora Ballerina - Nick JR. 30th September 4PM

Break out your dancing shoes because Dora the Explorer’s dance class is having a big show! In this brand new special Dora Ballet Adventure, Dora is opening the ballet show and she can’t wait for her family to see her perform. She just needs her dance slippers, but by mistake the Delivery Duck has brought scuba flippers instead! The show can’t start without the slippers. Can Boots help Dora find a pair of dance slippers and save the show?

This show premiers on Saturday 30th September at 4pm on Nick Jr and will be repeated throughout the week. Children can catch the show at the following times:

Friday 30^th Sept at 4pm and 6pm

Saturday 1^st October 10.30am and 5pm

Sunday 2^nd October at 1pm

Monday 3^rd Oct – 8.30am and 4.30pm

Tuesday 4^th Oct – 10.00am

Wednesday 5^th Oct – 2pm

Friday 7^th October – 4.30pm

Over on the Nick Jr website, Dora Ballerina fans can also see an exclusive clip from the show here, play an online game here or an online colouring page here. 

Penn State Gammon and mustard flavour pretzels

Fire up the BBQ and pack up the picnic basket - summer has arrived! Well, almost. Despite the fact that the weather hasn't been up to much so far, the UK's leading pretzel brand, Penn State Snacks, has something to brighten up everyone's day with the introduction of its delicious new pretzel flavour.


The mouth-watering new Gammon and Mustard pretzels offer a tasty twist on a popular family favourite. Baked, not fried, and still only 131 calories per 30 gram serving, this limited edition and low fat flavour provides a healthier alternative to crisps and other snack foods.


Lending its name to popular pub grub, the new flavour is packaged in fun, fresh, share-size snack packs with each 175g bag retailling at £1.29 and avaliable to buy in Waitrose stores throughout the summer.


As the nights draw in this winter, the hearty Gammon and Mustard pretzels also lend themselves well to all those cosy nights in with family and friends. Albeit a while off yet, this scrumptious flavour for all seasons will be avaliable to buy in ASDA stores over the festive period.


(above taken from Penn State news release dated 8 August 2011)


These pretzels are delicious. A strong mustard flavour with a hint of gammon.  They don't have a strong mustardy smell which I saw as a positive as I think that could of been off putting. They were tried by the whole family and both my husband and I enjoyed them, my son (age 7) thought they were okay but my daughter (age 9) did not enjoy them, however she doesn't like mustard full stop. I can see myself buying these over the festive period rather than for a summer snack as I see the flavour as being more Christmassy. One definite advantage to these pretzels are that they are not as strong as some of the ham and mustard crisps which have previously been on the market and I think the more subtle flavouring with a slight mustard aftertaste work well.

I really enjoy the Penn State Pretzels and have tried most of the flavours and my favourite are the sour cream and chives pretzels. The flavour is lovely and does not leave you with an oniony breath. They are baked rather than fried and therefore healthier, lower in fat, than some brands. The pretzels are not overly salty and do not leave you needing lots of rehydration as some pretzels can.

Thank you to Penn State and Gardiner Richardson for sending me the pretzels to review.

Have you met Olive the Ostrich on Nick Jr??

 Olive the Ostrich is an ostrich with a huge heart and a big imagination. When she buries her head in the sand she goes on fantastical adventures, popping up somewhere new in every episode. She is friendly, enthusiastic and loves to solve problems wherever she goes.


Olive the Ostrich launched on Nick Jr on Monday 5th September and is aimed at pre-schoolers.Nick Jr's newest animated show is on daily at 8.15am and 6.30pm. 


Narrated by Rolf Harris, each episode of Olive the Ostrich features  characters, props and backgrounds created by children aged 6 to 9 years. Selected schools from across the UK hosted workshops to inspire creativity and develop storytelling skills. Pupils learnt about the film making process and created artwork which was used in the finished episodes, after being brought to life by the show's animators.


Olive the Ostrich is created in partnership with The Prince's Foundation for Children and the Arts. 


(All above information taken from press release received from Nickelodeon Uk)

Olive the Ostrich is a cute, quirky bird with a great attitude. I watched the first two episodes in the series and loved the simple, child like backgrounds at the beginning of the episodes. Once Olive went on her fantastic adventures, the backgrounds were those created by the children and when looking closely at the backgrounds you could see many items taken from the average child's craft box: pipe cleaners, feathers and tin foil all featured in the pictures.

There is a catchy theme tune which I am sure preschoolers (and their parents/carers) everywhere will be singing  soon. Rolf Harris makes a great narrator, along with other actors voices, voicing the characters.

A great new programme for pre-schoolers everywhere to enjoy! I am sure Olive the Ostrich will be around for a long time!

Thank you to Nickeloden and Louise Harris for sending me the promotional materials to review.

Galt Art Jar

An exciting selection of art & craft materials in a big jar. With idea sheets for lots of fun craft activities.

Box Contains

70 x pompoms

40 x wiggly eyes

zigzag scissors

sequin pack

shredded paper

2m x red fringed crepe paper

felt alphabet

18 x plastic buttons

7 x cotton reels

50 x pony beads

20 x small star beads

10 x pipe cleaners

10 x straws

6 x sheets self-adhesive foam shapes

7 x printed card templates

10 x sheets coloured paper

25 x gummed label strips

glitter & white glue

2m x wiggly trim

3m x elastic

Product Description

An exciting selection of art & craft materials in a big jar. With idea sheets for lots of fun craft activities. Contents: 70 pompoms, 40 wiggly eyes, zigzag scissors, sequin pack, shredded paper, 2m red fringed crepe paper, felt alphabet, 18 plastic buttons, 7 cotton reels, 50 pony beads, 20 small star beads, 10 pipe cleaners, 10 straws, 6 sheets self-adhesive foam shapes, 7 printed card templates, 10 sheets coloured paper, 25 gummed label strips, glitter & white glue, 2m wiggly trim, 3m elastic 5 Years +

My children and I had great fun with this product we were sent to review. The jar is jam packed with art materials and there is even pva glue and scissors included for the children to get started with. 

The contents meant there were plenty of textures and products for children to use to express their creativity, allowing them to use the various properties of the materials to make both 2D and 3D art projects.

The one negative comment I would make about the contents would be that the 10 sheets of coloured paper that were included were rolled up in the jar and they needed to be flattened out (I did it by placing them between two heavy books overnight) which needed to be done before the children used them, something I had not thought about before we started! However, there were plenty of other products to get started on. 

During the time we spent playing with it, my daughter (aged 9) had great fun, making animals, posters, decorations and necklaces/bracelets.  My son (aged 7) enjoyed making bugs. We used the shredded paper to make nests for the creatures and for adding as seaweed to our fishy pictures. Paper chains were made from the gummed strips and jewels and sparkles decorated and embellished

I would recommend this as a great idea for a kids birthday party creative activity, a wet day activity or a great basic resource for a craft box. There is plenty of stuff to get started and as things get used up, individual items could be replaced as and when required. There is loads of shredded paper within the jar - i would say that 2/3 jar was filled with the shredded paper which can be used as nests, hair, grass etc.

Thank you to Galt for sending me the jar to review.

I was hoping to add photos of our finishes to this blog but my camera is playing up - hopefully they will be added at a later date.

Help Kids keeps their friendships this summer with ZhuZhu Pets

The summer holidays can be a difficult time for children, missing their best friends from school. However, ZhuZhu Pets have set up a new website, where children can keep in touch with their friends via e cards and are also entered into a prize draw to win fantastic prizes!

Throughout August, children are invited to visit Thinking of Zhu, a new website from Character Options, that allows kids to send cute and quirky e-cards to their best friends and family. The e-cards are an easy and unique way to show they care and thinking about friends and family. ZhuZhu pets fans will be entered into a prize draw for every card that they send, and there are five lucky winners each day throughout August.

A recent report for UKMums has shown that 'It's important for children to keep in contact to keep friendships thriving' explained child development expert Dr Amanda Gummer. 'As children mature, their peer relationships and close friendships become more influential in their lives, these friendships need nurturing to flourish.' 

ZhuZhu Pets are the cute and crazy critters that have become best friends with millions of children across the world. Following a hugely successful launch, children can now expand their ZhuZhu collection with Puppies, Princesses and even Babies, creating one big Zhuniverse of fun.

If your child wants to send a card to their relatives or friends that they are missing and be in the chance of winning fantastic ZhuZhu prizes head to Thinking of Zhu

This information has been passed to me via Evolution-PR.

Jungle Junction Character Duo Pack

Parents and children have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of the Jungle Junction toys and play sets and will be pleased to know that the wait is nearly over! The characters from Disney Junior’s BAFTA nominated pre-school series are about to come to life when the fabulous new collection from Flair goes on sale this month.


The range is to include a number of items, priced between £3.99-£39.99. Character figures, wheel around playmats, Hippobus and Beetle Bugs Play Set and a larger playset including both Ellyvan’s and Zooter’s houses, Miss Jolly’s School, the clock tower meeting point and a working elevator, all joined together by a track roadway that runs through the jungle setting.


I was sent a character duo set to review, which included two characters: Taxi Crab and Bungo the Bunny, along with two road signs, and have a RRP of £6.99. They are cute and very like the characters on the television series. They are a perfect price point and size for a present for a children's party and with three different sets to choose from, as well as single character packs available at a RRP of £3.99, plenty of choice in the range for parents to arrange for each to buy a different character.  The characters are also on wheels (they are part animal and part vehicle), and as this range is marketed for pre-school children, I can see them being played with constantly and can be used for lots of imaginative play by both boys and girls.

Thank you to Maya at Evolution PR for sending me the set to review.

Rockford's Rock Opera, An Adventure in Sound (3 CDs)

Far away in the Sea of Tranquillity lies the island of Infinity, home to the last one of every extinct animal species. Here, beneath a mystical swirling sky, live the world's lost creatures. And the creatures have a secret for the world.

Created by Sweetapple and written by Steve Punt, Rockford's Rock Opera is an adventure like no other. An amazing story where sound effects, narration, characters and wonderful songs combine to create a unique adventure in sound. Although it is a 'Rock Opera', it is not operatic music and it's not rock music either! In fact, it's not like anything else .....


http://www.rockfordsrockopera.com/home/

A triple CD pack containing the full story, told through both song and narration. The main character is a boy called Moog and his dog called Rockford.  


Each CD is individually packaged (they can be bought separately) and each CD has a little book included, which includes the song words and also has beautiful artwork to enable imagination of the scenery. Each CD also includes a video which can be watched at any time to enhance the story experience.


I am sure that this CD set will become as popular as the traditional tales of Peter and the Wolf. It is suitable for both children and adults and the three CD's combined amount to 2 1/2 hours of story and song, perfect for a long car journey.


The recording is of a very high quality with story telling and songs being enhanced by sound effects giving listeners the entire experience.  There are parts of the story that I think will be more relevant to older listeners, giving the hidden message of there being hope in all situations, but children will enjoy the CD's for the story telling. 


This is a perfect gift for a family, where children are of varying ages - the younger children will enjoy the music, older children will enjoy the story and adults the whole package.


Thank you to the Rock and Roll Baby World for sending me this product to review.

Philips Aquatouch AT750 Wet and Dry Rechargeable Electric Shaver

Philips Introduces The AquaTouch - The Affordable Wet Shaver Most men in their 20s and 30s are unaware that electric shaving can be used wet. They also don't know that wet electric shaving has great benefits for the skin. Philips aims to redress this balance with the introduction of AquaTouch, the affordable electric shaver that is fully waterproof, meaning it can be used wet with foam or gel for a smoother, more comfortable shave and greater skin protection. Philips research has shown that there is a growing group of men that now use an electric shaver as well as blade to achieve their desired look. But when shaving with a blade, they at times experience skin damage issues such as nicks and cuts, visible redness and 'razor burn', which undermines their look. With the introduction of Philips AquaTouch, not only will they benefit from the convenience of the electric dry shave, but they will also benefit from the skin benefits of using an electric shaver wet. Philips has the right shaving solution for you When you want to look your very best, Philips has the right shaving solution for you. Philips offers a complete range of shavers to suit your needs and deliver the perfect shaving experience, every time. The AquaTouch Series is for a convenient and quick wet and dry electric shave without any skin damage to make your shaving routine simpler, easier and faster. That is why, with Philips, men will always look their best. Philips AT750 AquaTouch Electric Shaver Philips AquaTouch has been created for men who want the closeness of a wet shave but without the skin damage. Philips AquaTouch shaver range can be used dry for a convenient, speedy option but is also fully waterproof, meaning it can also be used wet with foam or gel to provide a closer, more comfortable shave with greater skin protection. Philips AquaTouch range combines the reliability and new technology, with improved functionality and a better looking design and feel. AquaTech Wet & Dry - Shave In or Out of the Shower Does your skin sometimes feel dry or irritated after shaving? Philips AquaTouch finds a solution that gives you a smooth shave and healthy skin, all at once. The AquaTech technology used in the AquaTouch shaver range helps you to optimise the shaving experience by the use of gel or foam. You can enjoy the enhanced skin comfort with soothing, moisturising shaving experience by using it in or out of the shower. Shaving in the shower opens pores for a closer shave. Advised Shaving Method Rotary shavers require a rotating movement to get a close shave, contrary to a blade, where a rotating movement is dangerous and a linear movement is the standard. When shaving the neck, look down to catch all hairs (again, this is quite dangerous with a blade). Skin Protection System Philips AquaTouch shaver range offers skin protection system; the caps covering the cutters to prevent the rotary blades from damaging skin. The rounded low-friction protection heads that adjust automatically to the curves of your face prevents skin damage. For Philips Shavers, precision translates into the pursuit of creating a perfect shave, the shave that gives the ultimate in closeness and comfort. The AquaTouch is the latest in technological innovation from Philips Shavers, for example, combines cutting edge design and revolutionary new technology for a perfect shave. Patented Super Lift & Cut Technology The Philips AquaTouch AT750 Shaver is equipped with dual blade system to give you ultra-close shave. The advantage of having two-blade system is that you enjoy a comfortable and soothing shave. Philips AT750 Super Lift and Cut System is designed to give you the closer yet secure shave as first blade lifts and second blade cuts for a comfortable close shave. The advances double action Super Lift and Cut Action means that first the blade lifts the hair and second the blade shaves it off, so we get close the root of the hair. It means the shave is able to cut the longest hairs and then the shortest stubble even on the neck. Replacement Shaving Head Philips offers a range of replacement shaver head for its AquaTouch shaver range. All Philips shavers come with one shaver head that can be replaced after every two years for optimal shaving results. To get the most out of your shaver, you should clean its shaving head after every 3 months. Philips AT750 - A Rechargeable Shaver With Efficient Power System Philips AT750 is a rechargeable shaver so you can enjoy the comfort of cordless shave which make it perfect for traveling. Charging your shaver is a piece of cake; just plug it in the adapter. After charging it for 8 hours, it gives you approximate 40+ minutes of cordless power, which is approx 10 shaves. 100% Waterproof Shaver AquaTouch features an inbuilt seal, Aquatec, which means that the shaver is 100% waterproof and optimized for use with shaving gel or foam for enhanced skin comfort and minimizing skin irritation. Philips AT750 electric shaver is a 100% waterproof, means it is very easy to keep it clean and hygienic, as you can simply rinse this waterproof shaver under tap. It also includes a cleaning brush to remove even the smallest dust particles and hairs. Your Philips AquaTouch Shavers come with corrosion free heads to give it a brand-new like look even after many uses. Keep your shaver in optimal shape by rinsing it in hot water after every use.


A very easy to use shaver- can be used either wet or dry. It gives a close shave. Easy to clean. 
It was my husbands first time using electric shaver and after using it for a  dry shave it did leave skin feeling sensitive (however husband does have sensitive skin). 


A few downsides to the shaver - the plug is a two pin and therefore you need an adaptor to charge it and also the instruction manual. THere is very little included in the manual - dos and don'ts and specification. There is a second booklet which is all pictures, no words. Is this because men prefer pictorial instructions? 


My husband is unable to try the shaver for a wet shave until his skin has recovered - i will be adding to the review in a few weeks to cover this.


I received this product through the Amazon Vine programme.

Mr Poppers Penguin (Cinema Visit)

• Genre: Comedy, Family
• Film running length: 94 min
  (excl trailers and advertisements)
• UK release date: 5/8/2011
• Directed by: Mark Waters
• Country: United States
• Language: English
• Distributor: Twentieth Century Fox Film Co

Who´s in it?
Jim Carrey, Carla Gugino, Angela Lansbury

What´s the plot?

Until he shared his New York penthouse with 6 penguins, Mr. Popper led a simple life. He went to work, he made good money, he knew of nothing more.

But as he swaps his home for a winter wonderland, Popper’s life turns upside-down. He warms to his frosty new friends. He enjoys his everyday chores of preparing sushi for seven while wearing gloves. But in these snowy square feet of Manhattan, it doesn’t take long before the cracks start to show.

Filmed almost entirely in refrigeration, ‘Mr. Popper’s Penguins’ is Carey comedy genius at its very best.

Jim Carrey is not one of my favorite actors, however the chance to see lots of cute penguins on screen swayed my decision to go to an exclusive advance screening of Mr Poppers Penguin at Merryhill Odeon Cinema.


When I think of Jim Carrey, I think Ace Ventura Pet Detective, The Mask or Liar Liar, where Jim Carrey appears to have  a rubber face, pulling funny faces or expressions, and there is a simple storyline throughout the film. However, Mr Popper's Penguin sees Carrey as having grown up - he looks suave and quite gorgeous in his suits that he wears for most of the film and pulls very few weird faces. The penguins are all cute and provide many laughs throughout the film.


The film's storyline is very simple, doesn't take much to follow and was easy to pick up again after the many toilet breaks young children seem to need throughout the film.! Mr Popper's father was an explorer who visited far away lands, following his death he left his son, Mr Popper, a penguin in his will. Mr Popper has two children who live with his ex-wife and do not like having weekends at his apartment until the penguin appears and Mr Popper gives the penguin to his son for his birthday, promising him it will live at his apartment. Mr Popper is also a successful businessman, who, before he can become a partner must buy a property that the owner does not want to sell, a restaurant where Popper used to go with his father. However, Mr Popper must change the owners mind and convince his prospective partners that he is not going mad when they spring a surprise visit to Popper's apartment and meet his pets.


There are funny parts to the film, all including the penguins - although there is also quite a bit of penguin poo about too!  Captain escaping the zoo keepers with the kite is great as are the penguins swimming in Popper's flooded bathroom behind a glass door to name just a few. I also loved Popper's assistant - who knew you could get so many words beginning with P into a sentence.


In summary, if you want to take the kids to see a film over the summer that will make them laugh, this is the film. There is humour on their level as well as an adults level. The storyline isn't great but the cute penguins make up for that.


Thank you to @Merryhillcentre (on twitter) for the competition win of 4 tickets to an exclusive advance screening of Mr Popper Penguins.

Powermat and accessories

Enjoying the freedom and convenience of charging without plugging and unplugging and the tangle of wires is simple!
Upgrade your favourite gear with a Powermat Receiver or use the Powercube Universal Receiver. The Powercube works with hundreds of devices and is the perfect accessory for your Powermat.
The Powermat Wireless Charging System provides a simple, fast and efficient way to keep all of your favourite personal electronic devices charged. Enabling your devices with Powermat Receivers allows you to Drop and Charge them on any Powermat Mat to experience wireless charging.


The first thing to admit on this review is that I am not that good with new technology, I will have a play and then resort to the instruction book on new gadgets and when I opened the parcel containing my powermat and accessories I was a little nervous and ready to shout my husband to work it out!

Anyway, the three packages I received included:
• Powermat 2x
• Nintendo DSi back panel
• Powermat Powercube
• Travel plug adapter

The powermat is the base unit which will charge the devices attached and has a power supply. The power supply had a plug for overseas fitted and therefore had to plugged into a travel adaptor.

The Nintendo DSi back panel fits onto the back of the DSi, with a connector that fits to the DSi where you attach a mains charger.

The powermat Powercube attaches to the powermat and has 8 separate connectors which attach to a number of different devices including DSi tip, anything which uses a mini USB; LG tip, DS lite tip; Nokia tip; Samsung 2 tip; Sony PSP tip and a Sony/Eriksson tip.

I first tried charging my own LG phone – the LG tip did not fit my phone but the micro USB tip fitted my phone. This attached to the Powercube, which then fitted magnetically to the power plate and the powermat activation sound sounded and the light indicator shone to show correct position and that charging had commenced. The phone charged in a similar time to if it had been charged using the phone charger.

I then tried charging a Nintendo DSi. I attached the DSi back panel, which fitted directly onto the powermat, the activation sound sounded and the light indicator shone as before. I think the DSi charged quicker using the powermat.

After testing the above items I found the following advantages and disadvantages to the system:

Advantages

• Possibility to charge two items using only one power socket
• It was easy to set up
• Small and compact unit
• Both activation sound and light confirmation that device is correctly positioned and the unit is charging
• The powermat will not overcharge any device – it automatically stops charging when the device is fully charged

Disadvantages

• The powermat having a power supply for overseas and therefore having to use a travel adaptor in the socket – I was worried that someone would knock the plug out of the adaptor.
• The need to attach my phone to the Powercube via a wire and adaptor. One of the selling points of the Powercube is wireless charging however I had a wire to the plug socket and then another wire attaching Powercube to my phone and there was a chance of knocking the wire or phone off.

In conclusion I can see the advantages to the powermat and I do like the idea of being able to charge two items using one plug, meaning fewer wires over work surfaces etc. I would however like to see a few modifications before I used it instead of other chargers. The main one being the use of a UK power plug and maybe also having a mini USB connector on the actual powermat instead of having to have the Powercube and then a connector as well.

In summary, the powermat is a great idea and I think for people who use lots of devices which need lots of chargers, this is a great idea and space saver.
Thank you to Holly from Skywrite PR and Michael from the School Run Forum for sending me this to review.