Mermaid Salt Vodka Review
Wednesday 2 December 2020 • Food and Drink
I’ve teamed up with The Isle of Wight Distillery to bring you a full review of their Mermaid Salt Vodka! (spoiler alert : It's INSANE).
One thing I would note is the bottle is absolutely GORGEOUS. As with all of the spirits produced in the distillery, the bottle itself is plastic-free and 100% recyclable. The distillery has worked hard to eliminate plastic and bubble wrap, plus plastic sealing tap from its production processes. An environmentally friendly vodka with a hint of sea air - what could be better?
Of all spirits, my favourite is Vodka. I personally think this vodka is wonderful, and strides ahead of competitors within the vodka market. I believe that the salt fully enhances the flavours within your drink. Whether it's with a splash of mixer or in a cocktail, it's in a league of it's own. Please check out my Festive Mermaid Salt Vodka Mule recipe below for a bit of inspo!
I'd definitely recommend it, for the taste! It has a slightly bigger price tag than your average bottle of Smirnoff, coming in a £34.50, however, I do think it's worth it! You can buy your own bottle from the distillery themselves, here.
Disco Cocktails Review
Monday 30 November 2020 • Food and Drink
I've teamed up with Disco Cocktails, to bring you a full review of their delightful cocktails.
Disco Cocktails is a venture which has derived from the unprecedent lockdown situation we have found ourselves in this year. Ladies & Gents, which is an underground five star dive bar in North London, have created a full range of disco inspired cocktails.
I was kindly sent the Disco Cherry Sour and Disco Pornstar martini. The Cherry Sour was delightfully tangy and sour and the Pornstar martini was sweet and silky smooth (just like a pornstar martini should be!). The cocktails come in 100ml pouches (single serve) or alternatively, your can purchase a 500ml larger pouch (five servings) and all you have to do is pour over ice. The full range includes the following cocktails; Disco Cherry Sour, Disco Pornstar Martini, Disco Pina Colada, Disco G&T and the Disco Old Fashioned. Each of the cocktails contains a high quality spirit which is blended with a soft drink syrup mixer (and a hint of disco magic!).
The packaging of the cocktails is fuss free, and minimal which is fantastic. They fit through letterboxes so they make for a great socially distanced gift! My friends are all in Tier 3 areas so I still can't see them, so these would be fab to send to them!
I think these would make a perfect lockdown gift, or, as lockdown is lifting this week, they would also make for the perfect Christmas gift! One thing to note is that the last date for Christmas orders is 21st December.
The prices of the cocktails are no more than you'd pay for a cocktail whilst out. Single servings are £5 (plus postage and packaging) and the sharing pouch is £20 (plus postage and packing). I think they're fairly reasonably priced!
I'd most certainly recommend these cocktails they're quick, easy and fuss free! You no longer have to buy a million and one different ingredients, get your cocktails straight to your door.
Do the Disco Cocktails sound up your street? I'd love to know your thoughts!
XOXO Molly
PS. Please note, Disco Cocktails have sent me these pouches, free of charge. However, all thoughts and views are my own honest opinions.
Christmas Movie Advent Calendar
Friday 27 November 2020 • Lifestyle, Other
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| 1st The Princess Switch (Netflix) |
2nd Home Alone (Disney +) |
3rd Operation Christmas Drop (Netflix) |
4th Holidate (Netflix) |
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| 5th Home Alone 2 (Disney +) |
6th Jack Frost (DVD or buy on Prime) |
7th The Princess Switch: Switched Again (Netflix) |
8th A Christmas Prince (Netflix) |
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| 9th Christmas with The Kranks (Amazon Prime) |
10th Nativity! (Netflix) |
11th The Grinch (DVD or buy on Prime) |
12th A Christmas Prince: The Royal Wedding (Netflix) |
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| 13th Santa Girl (Netflix) |
14th A Christmas Prince: The Royal Baby (Netflix) |
15th The Polar Express (DVD or buy on Prime) |
16th The Holiday (Amazon Prime/ Netflix) |
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| 17th The Santa Clause (Disney +) |
18th Unaccompanied Minors (DVD or buy on Prime) |
19th Holiday in The Wild (Netflix) |
20th Love Actually (Netflix) |
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| 21st The Santa Clause 2 (Disney +) |
22nd Elf (DVD or buy on Prime) |
23rd Deck The Halls (Amazon Prime) |
24th It's a Wonderful Life (DVD or buy on Prime) |
Christmas Lust List 2020
Wednesday 25 November 2020 • Lifestyle, Other
It's that time of the year... the annual publish of my 2020 Christmas Lust List - a list of things that are beautiful and I wish I had in my life. Family and friends, take note ;)
Some of these items featured in previous Lust Lists- but they're still wanted!
Bobby's Gin Review
Sunday 22 November 2020 • Food and Drink
I've teamed up with Bobby's Schiedam Dry Gin to bring you a full review of their unique gin.
Founded in 2012, Bobby's Gin is created using a recipe which was inspired by the creator's grandfather, Bobby Alfons. Bobby's is a unique blend of Indonesian Spices, and traditional botanicals. It contains notes of lemongrass, cloves, coriander, cubeb pepper, cinnamon, juniper, rose hips and fennel.
Although Bobby's Gin pairs perfectly with Fever Tree Indian Tonic, I'm not a tonic kind of gal. I much prefer my gin with lemonade, and it works amazingly with lemonade too!
Personally, I think the bottle is gorgeous. A beautiful brown and grey smoked glass with a screen printed Ikat pattern which is traditionally Indonesian. The combination of the two, brings a unique mixture of both the east and west.
I really enjoyed the taste of this gin, it's completely different to any gin I've tried before. If you're a gin fan, I'd definitely recommend. The taste is super unique and isn't the packaging absolutely gorgeous? It's available from Master of Malt for £34.90 which I think is fairly reasonable given the unique taste!
Have you tried Bobby's Schiedam Dry Gin before? I'd love to know your thoughts!
XOXO Molly
PS. Please note, Bobby's have sent me this bottle, free of charge. However, all thoughts and views are my own honest opinions.
Halloween Streaming Picks
Saturday 3 October 2020 • Other
With the start of October upon us, spooky season has officially begun (in my opinion, bar Christmas, the best time of the year!). Time to embrace all things cosy - bring on the dark nights in, candles galore, snuggly socks and all things apple cider. It's also the perfect time to cuddle up with some fantastic Halloween inspired films and TV programmes, especially with lockdown restrictions in place across the country. I've popped together a list of a few of my favourites (not super scary, because I'm a baby!) by streaming service:
Netflix
The Addams Family - An absolute classic. I really don't need to type anymore! You need to watch this.
Good Witch - This is such a cheesy film, but it's so cheesy it works.
Chilling Adventures of Sabrina - This one is slightly creepy, but I loved it. As a kid I loved Sabrina (including being an avid collector of the magazines), so I enjoyed watching a grown up take on Sabrina's world.
Disney +
Hocus Pocus - The fact this film came out the year I was born, and it's still considered absolutely wonderfully spooky just epitomises how much of a classic this film is. Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy and SJP play fantastic characters.
Edward Scissorhands - Tim Burton + Johnny Depp = a film made in heaven.
Twitches and Twitches Too - Tia & Tamera Mowry play such great characters. Disney did a good job on these two films. Twin sister witches who reunite after being separated at birth, then fight evil forces.
Halloweentown (All 4!) - The quartet which symbolises Halloween for me. A 100% must watch.
Amazon Prime (and buy or rent)
Coraline - Although a cartoon, I always dreamed of walking through a secret door (kind of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe esque) like Coraline. Give it a watch!
Beetlejuice - Another fantastic Tim Burton film, and another oldie but goodie. I love watching Beetlejuice every year.
Charmed - It's not a full list if Charmed isn't on it! Originally running from 1998 to 2006, there's a reboot on the CW which also began in 2018. It's a cult followed supernatural show and if you haven't seen it, you need to!
What are your plans for Halloween? What are your favourite Halloween films and TV programmes?
I'd love to know!
XOXO Molly
Lockdown Streaming Picks
Tuesday 12 May 2020 • Other
We are finishing our 7th week of lockdown, about to enter our 8th. I feel like we've all accepted this weird new 'normal' and are just trying to fill time with productive and not so productive things to do and with at least another two weeks to go, I think some people are starting to scratch around for things to do...
... So on the not so productive side of things, this is where, I, the queen of all things Netflix/ Amazon Prime/ Disney +, can lend a hand. Below, find my top picks (without spoilers of course!) for lockdown...
Disney +
Disney really hit the big time with this release, and to be quite honest, I've done so much binge watching nostalgic programmes since it was released. Definitely worth the £5.99 a month.
Never Been Kissed
One of my favourite films of all time, a classic which sees a once-geeky reporter go undercover at a high school, with a little help from her brother. Throughout the film Josie really comes into her own and builds her confidence for the final scene. An absolute corker.
The Parent Trap
Let's be honest. The Parent Trap was an absolute staple film as a kid. Two girls, from completely different backgrounds, go to summer camp, unbeknownst to them that they have a twin. Cue, hijinks and mischief galore.
10 Things I Hate About You
Another one of my favourite films, and it also has the late, great Heath Ledger in it (RIP). The opening title song is actually, my jam.
That's So Raven
.... I'm having a vision! And it's of you choosing That's So Raven to binge watch. It never fails to make me LOL. I also ship Raven and Devon 5ever.
Netflix
Tiger King
There will be no synopsis for this title. Except for the following words:
Carole Baskin.
Killed her husband, whacked him.
Can't convince me that it didn't happen.
Fed him to tigers, they snackin.
What's happenin.
Hotter Than Hell
This is the ultimate trash programme, but it's one that you can't ignore. Once you watch one episode, you're hooked. So bad, it's good.
Any Bring It On Movie
Another childhood staple. I loved all the Bring It On movies when I was younger. I recently realised the majority are on Netflix so I've spent a good few hours watching and wishing I was flexible enough to do half the cheerleading moves they do.
Audrie & Daisy
One Tree Hill
Is it even lockdown if you haven't binged One Tree Hill? I don't think so! My favourite seasons are 1 through 4 definitely. I prefer the high school phases (and with those which had my one true love, Chad Michael Murray in), post season 6, I do think it loses the plot a little, but I still enjoy watching it.
2 Broke Girls
I always watch 2 Broke Girls if I just fancy a bit of light hearted comedy. I just love how they handle situations, the innuendo and the humour!
Dirty Dancing
I only recently watched this for the first time, and I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. I need to watch it again, even though I only watched last week!
Secret Diary of a Call Girl
This is a proper throwback to my school days, I loved this programme. I love Billie Piper to be fair, so I always enjoy watching this SDOACG (for short).
Mermaid Gin Review
Saturday 9 May 2020 • Food and Drink
Once again, I’ve teamed up with Mermaid Gin to bring you a full review of their finest original Mermaid gin!
As mentioned in my review of their beautiful Mermaid Pink Gin, I am by no means, a gin connoisseur but I do have a strong appreciation for a good gin! Without further ado, let the review commence!
The Mermaid Gin is the Isle of Wight Distillery's signature gin. The name is inspired by one of the botanicals within the gin, rock samphire. Rock samphire is locally known as 'Mermaid's Kiss'. Rock Samphire is often found clung to cliffs surrounding the Isle of Wight and marks the high tide line on it's beaches.
Notes which are also found in Mermaid Gin are Boadicea hops, juniper, coriander seeds, fresh lemon zest, grains of paradise, angelica, liquorice, orris and elderflower. With no added sugar, and the fact the gin is both gluten free and fully vegan means that it is very inclusive!
Much like the Mermaid Pink Gin, the bottle is also plastic-free and 100% recyclable. The distillery has worked hard to eliminate plastic and bubble wrap, plus plastic sealing tape from its production processes. I'm a big supporter of the fact that lots of care has been put into creating a fabulous gin whilst also ensuring the packaging is less harmful to our oceans and environment. Every factor has been thought of!
I really enjoyed the taste of this gin, it wasn't synthetic tasting which is what I find a lot of gin's taste like. I'd definitely recommend it, for the taste and for the beautiful recyclable packaging! Based on the amount of care which has gone into the product and packaging alike, I do think it is worth a slightly larger price tag of £37.75! You can buy your own bottle at Master of Malt, John Lewis and Partners, or one of their other stockists!
Mother's Day Gift Guide
Sunday 8 March 2020 • Lifestyle
With Mother's Day just round the corner (it's on 22nd March this year!), I thought I'd put together a Mother's Day Gift Guide. My 2020 top picks on presents for your Madre! And what better day to publish this post on, than on International Women's Day? My own Mum is my personal inspiration. She's been through a lot, and she's always been there for me and my two sisters. Love you Mum!
So without further ado, I've rounded up five of my favourite gift ideas:
Joe & Seph's Popcorn
Joe & Seph's popcorn are one of my all time favourite popcorn brands. Every single piece of popcorn is pure heaven. In my opinion, for any popcorn loving Mum, Joe & Seph's popcorn makes a fabulous present. My current favourite is the Prosecco Popcorn, there's just something so decadent and luxurious about it! They sell both sweet and savoury popcorn.
All of their products are handmade using only the finest natural ingredients, with an unerring attention to quality. What I love about Joe & Seph's as a brand, are that they're UK Based, a family run company and they're always innovating, and coming up with brand new ideas!
You can order online, or pop into your local Holland & Barrett to pick up these bites of heaven. Ranging from £4 - £8, pricing is super reasonable and will suit most budgets. I also just realised they do Marmite popcorn- I NEED THIS IN MY LIFE. I know what my next order will consist of...
Havaianas
As we begin our descent into the summer months, why not treat your mum to a new pair of summer shoes? My mum lives and dies in her sandals throughout the entire year, so every Christmas, Mother's Day and Birthday, one of us always gets her a pair!
Havaianas are the perfect choice (I live in mine in the summer!). Much more than the traditional flip flop company, they have designs and styles to suit almost everyone. From sliders (my personal fave style of shoe) to the more luxurious Swarovski encrusted sandals (how gorgeous are these???), Havaianas have you covered.
A slightly larger budget is needed but from £20 + upwards, these still make an affordable gift for your loved one! They're also available from their website, or other retailers such as ASOS.
PAYOT Gift Set & Roselift Collagene Range
From the French skincare company PAYOT, there are multiple products which make for ideal gifts for Mums. PAYOT specialises in luxury skincare and have recently celebrated 100 years in business!
A pamper gift set suited to older skin? A brilliant present for your Mum! This luxury kit is hydrating and smoothing and incorporates three of their best selling lines- Blue Techni Liss Jour (50ml), Hydra 24+ Baume-en-Masque (15ml) and Hydra 24+ Essence (125ml). Retailing for £50, it's suited to a larger budget, but definitely worth the pennies!
If gift sets aren't your thing, you could always opt for a product from the new Roselift Collagene range. This range promises to naturally 'lift' the complexion, leaving it with a firmer feel, plumper appearance and that much desired glow! PAYOT also note that it noticeably slows the skin's ageing process. I have to say, this range smells FANTASTIC. These products range from £38- £66.
PAYOT products are available from the PAYOT website, or Beauty Things.
Guylian Chocolates
You can't really go wrong with chocolates, can you? Why not show your mum how much you care with a box of luxury Guylian chocolates. Their classic marbled sea shell design is iconic. I remember when I was little, my mum always getting boxes of Guylian on her birthday.
The best part about Guylian chocolates are that they're available in all major supermarkets, there are lots of different options in terms of sizing, and suit almost every budget!
Smith England Guardian Haircare Range
I think the Guardian range from Smith England is so very apt for Mother's Day, as Mother's are guardians of their children, and make sure they are safe! Smith England are a salon professional, cruelty free haircare brand which is inspired by nature. All of their ranges contain no sulphates, silicones or colourants, and to make it even better, the packaging is made from recycled plastic and can be recycled. Perfect for any eco-friendly Mum!
The Guardian range is suited to those with coloured hair, as it acts like a shield to lock in the colour. The smell reminds me of going to the hairdressers and I feel like I've been to the hairdressers every time I use it!
I'm also a big fan of Smith England, as they're a local Salisbury brand! These are available to buy online and are £10 each, or you can buy the Shampoo & Conditioner as a gift set for £16. I think this is super reasonable for the quality of the product, and again, will suit most budgets.
