Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser

Spin Master Toys sent the Air Hogs Zero Gravity Laser and it was the best remote controlled car to come through the door and boy have we had a few.

We received the black with smart blue and yellow stripes, I have seen them in red and yellow too. Its for 8 years old and above

It looks great, it sleek and has the 'Wow cool car!' factor.

It has a large laser gun, it reminds me of the game with a torch on the wall when the cat chases the light, only the car chases the laser light.

Very clever it is too, I half expected it to not work but it hugs the wall well. The laser is on and the car senses the light and follows it.

I was concerned at first it may make marks on the wall so we tried it on the hall as it needs decorating. Happy to see not a mark anywhere so I risked letting Conor try it on his newly painted bedroom wall and no marks there either. If you have a smooth ceiling it even works up there if you can reach, we have artex so had to test on a neighbours.

 It takes 6 AA batteries and a first 15 minute charge so lovely and quick. It also does not give you a lot for the six batteries about 17 minutes charge. So play is limited until batteries are recharged. I think if you have two cars it would be even more fun as they can spin around each other.

Here is Spin Master's information.

Air Hogs® has revolutionized the world of R/C action and in 2010 Air Hogs® once again pushes the boundaries of R/C excitement with all new gravity-defying devices unlike anything seen before, and all of which have featured on BBC’s ‘Something for the Weekend’ during the past few weeks.

The ultimate in indoor RC racing! Laser Zero Gravity is a fully functional RC car that drives on the floor, up the walls and even upside-down! Its unique laser guided control allows it to go wherever you point it. Outstanding scale speed performance on any smooth surface, the Laser Zero Gravity glows in the dark for some night time cruising’. Age 8+

Also, new from Air Hogs® is the Vectron Wave, a hand-size UFO that is unlike any flying machine ever seen. Equipped with a state-of-the-art level sensor, the Vectron Wave can sense objects below it and will automatically adjust its height accordingly to hover above them. With this built-in automatic level sensor, the Vectron Wave does not need a remote control and is guided by a wave of your hand (or other object). Age 8+

Hawkeye is a revolutionary new helicopter that blends the boundaries between flight, aerial videography and digital media. The Hawk Eye is the first ever indoor video camera helicopter that can capture up to 5 minutes of video (320x240 pixels at full color) or hundreds of photos (640x480 pixels at full color) while it’s flying in the sky, your footage can then be downloaded to your computer to view, share and edit. Age 12+

The Air Hogs range also includes has other helicopters, planes and radio control vehicles available

www.airhogs.com

http://www.spinmastertoys.co.uk/

Mighty Beanz Star Wars Collectors Tin

*LOOK OUT FOR A SPIN MASTER TOY BUNDLE GIVEAWAY COMING HERE SOON*

In case you have not been around children recently I will fill you in on the highly and I mean highly collectible Mighty Beanz.

Mighty Beanz are collectible toys manufactured by Moose Enterprises, a corporation headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. Moose launched Mighty Beanz in the Australian market in 2002; the toy launched in the United States that summer.
The website is fantastic with lots to do for kids and competitions too.

In the UK they have just had a huge 2010 release with Spin Master,more than 100 new Mighty Bean characters launch this autumn as well as the Slam and Smash Track, the Mighty Beanz racing track.

Also this autumn, there will be limited edition Mighty Beanz Star Wars Assortment Packs featuring Darth Vader, R2-D2, Chewbacca, Han Solo and more as well as the Star Wars Collector Tin.

Mighty Beanz are small plastic capsules which house a small ball bearing allowing the Beanz to sit in your hand and move and flip. You can race them but I see that most kids now collect and swap them, much like I swapped marbles as well as played with them.

They are bean shaped and hold a certain similarity to the old Mexican jumping beans.

 

Adding Star Wars to the Mighty Beanz range is perhaps the one that causes a ripple in the adult world. Many Star Wars fans and I am married to one are collecting them, they are numbered and as with the whole Beanz range some will be very rare.

 

I love it as a child's toy, they move in a fun way and are really good to roll down a slope. I find it sad that some of these will be kept pristine in a cupboard and never played with, however will maybe make it to a Stars Wars convention in the future or Antiques roadshow in 20 years time.

I received the Star Wars Mighty Tin, its a large Darth Vader version, a perfect choice for the fans. This collectors tin is a boon to children who like to display their prized Beanz and a blessing to  parents across the UK who won't want to be sitting or standing on them and facing tears and tantrums when they disappear into the bowels of the hoover.

 

It says it a case for 40+ Beanz and it holds 42, its greatest lure for any collector are the two exclusive Star Wars Beanz.

 

Its the ideal gift for any boy and a good price too.

The tin sells at around £20 and Star Wars 4 pack of Beanz about £5 which makes it a great Christmas present and further treats at a good price. Age 5+

http://www.spinmastertoys.co.uk/

Hotter Shoes For Men and Walking

I was recently sent  some Hotter walking boots they have women's and men's shoes and boots, but these were the footwear we chose. Chosen because Hotter promise a comfort concept and also as keen walkers worth putting their comfort promise to the test in extreme conditions rather than just everyday wear.

I always like to look at the company behind the product, it helps if there is a face to a brand for me, it instills confidence in a brand if they are happy to put a name on the website too. As a mystery shopper I like to look at the service also and again was very satisfied. So before the boots come the business.

The MD of Hotter is Stewart Houlgrave, is son of the founders, that speaks of a strong value in a business, he says "Our company was set up in 1959 by my parents, we've been designing and making footwear now for 50 years! We diversified from our roots - slipper production - in the early 1990s, when we had our 'eureka moment' - identifying a niche in the market for stylish shoes with comfort built in. Since then product innovation, world class production facilities and continual reinvestment in our business has seen our shoe collections expand beyond all recognition and our circle of Hotter friends grow by hundreds of thousands each year."

 Its satisfying also to know they have a call centre and I have used this service, the staff pick up the phone immediately, are very friendly, courteous and efficient. My queries were dealt with as I would expect.

The boots Chris chose were Victor Gore Tex and  arrived by courier, presented and packaged well. Included is £5 off next purchase, a little gift to say thank you for your order.

Now I liked them on sight, I could see the construction was good, they looked like the picture online which is always reassuring, so future orders can be made more confidently.

What struck me the most was the weight, or lack of it and I know I was not about to wear them, they are size 12!!! I am a 5.5 or 6, but they were lighter than any of Chris's boats er I mean shoes and lighter than a good amount of mine.

They have removable insoles, which is great in case they need to air after a heavy duty winter walk.

Now I cannot say any more as Chris is the model. So I am handing over to him here.

I loved the look of the boots, stylish and I was happy to try them on as I needed a good pair of walking boots. First I noticed how incredibly light to hold, if that translated to the wearing this would be a benefit, especially when walking and catching all the forest underfoot, A kilo of mud and twigs is very heavy on the legs.

When I put them on well it was a bit of a shock, my feet just felt as if they were in my comfiest trainers though with ankle support and a feeling of security.

Its as if I am walking on air, its like jumping up and down on our bed almost, shh don't tell Jo I do that!!

Now so comfortable were they I decided to trial them at work for the day, not any of the sites I have to visit and assess as I have safety boots. I said to Jo I would just wear them for an hour or so to site offices and meeting room work. hoping if there were any blisters or tight spots it would show up, then also to break them in and see how they and my feet get along.

So comfortable are they I only swapped for two building sites during the day, I drove in them, did a lot of walking and planning, they were almost like I was on holiday in a comfy pair of deck shoes only softer.

Walked for 5 miles last weekend and they were good, solid, no aches, no issues at all. Just a great walking boot, I recommend them.

Ok so for any walking enthusiasts or just anyone who likes comfort as they go about their day we recommend Hotter for service, value, but most of all comfort.

http://www.hottershoes.com/

NATOrigin Skincare

NATorigin, a new concept in natural make-up and skin care

They say on their homepage:

Too few consumers know that the natural/organic label has been created to respect and preserve the environment, not to protect our skin/eyes. NATorigin is the first natural range formulated to comply with both the environment and even the most sensitive skin and eyes.
Priced from only £6.75, hypoallergenic make-up (cosmetics) and skin care has never looked or felt so good. Designed to be as gentle as possible through a special production process while sourcing ingredients from natural and where possible, organic sources.

I tried the NATorigin Regenerating Lifting Serum

With a light, melty texture on application this serum has a naturally-sourced tensing active mix (acacia rubber and polysaccharides) that acts instantly to stretch and mechanically smooth the skin leading to a visible reduction in wrinkle depth and over time aims to reduce skin ageing. Formulated according to the principles of bio-inertia to reduce the risk of intolerance and contains nourishing, hydrating arctic raspberry seed oil1 and moisturising, softening, regenerating red seaweed extract. Use morning and evening for at least 28 days (for a noticeable effect). Smooth gently over skin without rubbing in and leave for 1 or 2 minutes.

 I definitely felt after using this for a few weeks that my skin looked smooth and my complexion was very toned and firmer. It absorbs well as long as you wait the 1-2 minutes.

This is a really light oil which sinks right into the skin, feeling smooth and nourishing .

 After applying my skin felt supple and soft, slightly dewy but not at all greasy.

I was very pleased with the effects and happy that a natural product has the effects that a woman still wants such as firming.

They do a good range of cosmetics and have recently won awards.

Natural & Organic Awards 2010

NATorigin Pencil eye liner - Winner, Best New Natural Beauty Product

NATorigin

NATorigin is now an approved Allergy Friendly Product range. Currently it is the only cosmetics or skincare range approved by Allergy UK.

 

Buy online at

http://www.natorigin.co.uk/

Or at stockist also listed on the website.

The East India Company Fine Foods

Originally established in 1600 by Queen Elizabeth I, The East India Company is one of the most recognised brands in the world: over two billion people know of its history and the brand helped shape and influence the modern palette that exists today. Over a century later, a group of visionary entrepreneurs are bringing The East India Company brand back to life with its first portfolio launch in Fine Foods retailing.

The range of luxury food infuses flavours from the East with Western favourites, spanning a range of goods including Teas, Coffees, Biscuits, Jams & Marmalades, Mustards, Sweets, Chocolates, Gift Sets, Luxury Hampers and Accessories.

I did a little research into The East India Company a bit of digging into India and their history as I like to do, I find it fascinating that a company has been going that long.

It was so big it had its own army of 2000 men, a huge political force at its peak.

They had piracy troubles and the first ever tea lady and tea break.

The Company created England’s first ‘tea lady’. A Mr & Mrs Harris were appointed to look after the Company’s HQ in 1661.  Mrs Harris took charge of brewing tea for committee meetings.  The custom of tea breaks was born!

Oh how I love them for the tea break!

During the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries piracy was rampant in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.  The East India Company hired Captain Kidd to help combat the problem as a “Private Man” and he was given a commission to command a "private man of war."

It all ended badly as he turned to crime.

Kidd soon recognised that he could make more as a pirate himself and did not confine himself to attacking only pirate ships and competitive foreign vessels.  As the legendary Captain Kidd he sailed the high seas, terrorising and looting legitimate traders, as The Crown saw it.  Kidd was hanged for piracy and murder in London on May 23, 1701. 

So for a company that sells fine foods they have a very exciting past and now they move into a very exciting future.

The East India Company is embarking on its very first launch in over 150 years, with a new luxury Fine Foods concept and Flagship Store on Conduit St., in London’s Mayfair. This marks an exciting new chapter in the re-birth of the brand, where customers will be able to enjoy a portfolio of unique & enticing Fine Foods, influenced by tastes, cultures and traditions from across the world. The Fine Foods range will also be widely available through The East India Company e-commerce site www.eicfinefood.com

 

I was sent the  Cinnamon Leaf Milk Chocolate Bar

 

Chris loved the flavour, he said it was delicate, not overpowering in the first taste of  cinnamon, but subtle and a spicy bite in the aftertaste. The chocolate was sweet and they paired well together. Its a lovely delicate bar to nibble on too.

I was also sent the Marmalade Biscuits they come in a lovely tin you could see at afternoon tea in the East Indies.

They are light, crispy and sweet, the joy is biting in and finding chewy syrupy marmalade chunks. They are so good.

Many more delights can be found on the website and next time I visit London, I will be sure to visit the Mayfair store.

 

 

http://www.theeastindiacompany.com/

RACHEL’S BLUEBERRY BLISS

I was sent some of the new Rachel's Limited Edition Blueberry Yogurt, and there is a criticism or two.

Firstly why has Rachel waited so long and secondly please don't make it  "limited" as this means it won't be around for long enough.Its too good to be a short stay??

I love the pot, sitting in my fridge purple and fresh looking, opening it on a cold morning filled my eyes with a burst of colour and it just looks so good, thick and creamy.

I first tried with fresh bananas and it complemented them so well. Its full of real fruity blueberry flavour. Very creamy , light and I just had to have more.I have a yogurt muffin recipe which this will make a nice new flavour.

I am growing blueberries at the moment, my crop was so big this summer I was not sure what to do with it.....

12 blueberries yes 12 and no that's not kilos or pounds but 12 actual berries!!!!

I don't think Rachel's have to worry about me not buying this flavour, but please keep it on the range permanently.

 

Packed full of antioxidants, this latest limited edition treat combines the finest, juicy organic blueberries with Rachel’s signature smooth, creamy bio-live yogurt: resulting in a luxurious creation that is guaranteed to keep you feeling healthy and invigorated this winter.

As well as being delightfully delicious, the Blueberry’s new-found status as a super fruit means this brand new pot is bursting with healing health benefits including rich antioxidants, vitamins and minerals - sure to give you a blueberry boost! What’s more, all Rachel’s yogurts contain millions of health-giving probiotic cultures, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium, to help you maintain a healthy digestive system.

Rachel’s Limited Edition Blueberry yogurt can be savoured on its own as an energising treat, or try it spooned over a traditional bread and butter pudding for a perfect winter warmer dessert.

Packaged in a fresh, stylish purple pot, this mouth-watering new flavour is priced at £1.59 for a 450g pot and will be available online at Ocado and in store at Waitrose and Booths from 1st September 2010.

www.rachelsorganic.co.uk

You can also become a fan of Rachel’s on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Rachels-Official-Fan-Page  for more information and sign up to receive regular news and information.

Berries, Cherries & Apple Cake

A lovely cake for afternoon tea, a picnic, or served warm for pudding.

Makes 1 cake.

Serves 6-8 people

 

Ingredients

Muesli Crumble:

 

125g Dorset Cereals berries & cherries muesli

25g unsalted butter

 

Cake:

1 large apple, peeled, cored and sliced into wedges

175g unsalted butter, softened

175g caster sugar and a little more for sprinkling

3 large free range eggs, beaten

180g self raising flour, sieved

2 tsp baking powder, sieved

100g Rachel’s low fat natural bio live yogurt

100g raspberries, cherries or blackberries

 

Preparation time: 30 minutes. Cooking time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 170°c/gas mark 3.

 

2. Line and grease a 20cm round cake tin.

3. Start by making the muesli crumble, melt the butter then mix in the muesli, stir well and leave on one side to cool.

4. In a shallow frying pan take 25g of butter and 1 tbsp of caster sugar, melt and add the apple wedges. Cook until soft and caramelised.

5. Beat together in a bowl the remaining butter and sugar until pale, light and fluffy. Gradually add in the eggs and fold in the flour and baking powder. Add the yogurt being careful not to over-beat. Mix till smooth.

6. Spoon enough cake mixture into the tin to cover the base then scatter a quarter of the muesli crumble and a third of the apple and berries. Repeat twice more. Finish with the remainder of the muesli crumble and sprinkle with caster sugar.

7. Bake for 1 hour 20 minutes or until well risen and golden. Tip: to prevent the cake from burning place a piece of greaseproof paper over the top.

8. Cool on a wire rack. Serve when still warm.

Cake will keep in an airtight tin for a week.

Try frozen berries, they work really well.

Delicious served warm with lashings of custard!

Go Tutti Frutti and help fight Breast Cancer

Think Pink and get fruity this Breast Cancer Awareness Month to help a great cause.

For every sale of Hunters of Helmsley Tutti Frutti jam in October, 75p will be donated to the Breast Cancer Care charity.

An unusual combination of strawberries, raspberries, gooseberries and a dash of lemon, makes the jam mouth-wateringly moreish. Perfect spread on warm, buttered toast or dolloped on scones with fresh cream.

 

Tutti Frutti Jam retails for £2.75 and is available for delivery by calling 01439 771307, or to buy direct at Hunters deli on the iconic Market Place at Helmsley, North Yorkshire.

Davidstow

It seems that my blog is becoming one of adoration for my favourite things.

One as you may know being all things lemony and my other passion cheese, then my love for all things Cornish.

Well when I get two of them combined its indeed a lucky day.

I have been sent the two new Cheddars from Davidstow already a family favourite.

They have carefully hidden the secret of their recipes over 60 years and if I could make cheese as flavoursome and rich as this, I would not be sharing the recipe either, I may not even share the cheese itself! 

A little more about them

This knowledge, time and skill, coupled with milk produced by generations of local farmers, produces the subtle and intricate recipes for two NEW Cheddars - Davidstow Cornish Classic mature cheddar and Davidstow Cornish Crackler extra mature cheddar. But to say it’s just prized local milk that makes Davidstow so special would be telling only half the story…

The meticulous cheese making process begins with the right recipe, unique to Davidstow. A closely guarded secret mastered over the decades combines milk from many of the best farms in Cornwall and the surrounding area. Once the curd is formed and the cheese pressed, it is at this point that Davidstow embarks on the painstaking practice of grading.

“Grading and selection is Davidstow’s art of nurturing nature”, explains Mark Pitts-Tucker, Davidstow’s specialist cheese grader. “As the cheese matures the Davidstow cheese grader will spend many hours refining the collection; tasting, checking balance, firmness, body and texture and removing any cheese that does not meet these exacting standards. The result is a multi award-winning cheddar alive with complexity, buttery smooth character, flinty texture and intense flavour that is far from overpowering.”

I was introduced to Cornish Crackler, by a lovely man in Marks and Spencer's, he saw me perusing the cheeses and struck up conversation. When I said I liked a good strong tasty cheese, he recommended it to me. I wish I would bump in to him as I would shake that mans hand. Its exquisite as he described.

Its a good piece of cheese , I love it with a glass of Pinot Grigio, its a good cheese for a cheese board, goes fantastically with Cox's apples and good rich fruit cake too, my Granny's supper dish given to me as a child.

If you like your cheddar strong go for this one, its also named Crackler as every now and then you do get a crackle of salt, there is a sweetness to this cheese that stops it being too sharp.

Davidstow say

Here’s a cheese that calls out to be made into a Cornish Rarebit and served up with a pint of Doombar or a glass of Cornish apple brandy but is equally welcome as a late night supper with a few crackers or alongside a slice of dark, sticky fruit cake, ideally paired with a tawny port.

Cornish Classic is exactly that, its rich but a medium cheddar, I found it perfect for a sandwich with wholemeal bread and thinly sliced tomatoes from my garden.
Davidstow suggest

"it’s best in a classic Ploughman's with ham off the bone, some Crellow pickle and a fresh, crusty white loaf.   But we also think it’s rather good with watercress soup in cheddar and ham toasties, on top of a barbecued pure beef burger, or in a crumbly cheddar cheese biscuit - which are particularly moreish when served with a glass of Cornish Cyder, an oak-aged Chardonnay, a pint of Tribute Ale or a fruity, medium-bodied Côtes du Rhône."

Keeping true to their Cornish roots, the team at Davidstow have partnered with one of the most celebrated chefs in Cornwall, Nathan Outlaw, who shares their enthusiasm for real Cornish produce. Nathan’s collection of Cornish recipes takes a few classics and turns them into modern masterpieces. There are family favourites such as Cornish Crackler Rarebit, light and flaky Crackler Cheese Straws and an easy to prepare, Classic Cheddar & Crab Tart. For all of Nathan’s recipes, visit


http://www.davidstowcheddar.co.uk/

Available in Sainsbury's

I will leave you to drool over one such recipe.

Classic Cheddar & Crab Tart (6 as a starter, 4 for lunch)


500g all-butter pastry block, de-frosted

6 free range eggs
600ml double cream
Cornish sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
 250g Davidstow Classic Cheddar Cheese, diced into small cubes
 2 tbsp chopped tarragon
2 bunches spring onions, sliced
250g fresh white crab meat
50g fresh brown crab meat


Line the pastry with a circle of greaseproof paper and baking beans. Chill for 10 minutes. Bake in the oven for 15 minutes, then remove the paper and baking beans.
Brush the inside of the pastry with egg wash and turn the oven down to gas mark 4, 180ºC (350ºF).

Mix the eggs and cream together and season.
Sprinkle the cheese, tarragon, spring onion and crab over the tart case and pour over the egg mixture.
Bake for 25 minutes until the custard is set and the pastry is golden brown.
When the tart is cool slice and serve with a simple seasonal salad.

Rowse’s new Light & Mild and Supahoney Range

If you like honey then you are in for a treat as Rowse, (pronounced like 'house') the UK's honey brand has some new products.

First I want to give you some facts about honey, the favourite of Winnie the Pooh and food of Pharaohs, the facts I discovered  on the ROWSE website and others I found on Google or knew already.

Honey is one of the oldest foods in existence. It was found in the tomb of King Tutankhamun and was still edible!



Bees are the only insect in the world that make food that people can eat
Honey is created when bees mix plant nectar, a sweet substance secreted by flowers, with their own bee enzymes.

One bee will only make 1/12 of a teaspoon on honey in its entire life

It would take 1,100 bees to make 1kg of honey and they would have to visit 4 million flowers

There are lots of different types of honey which taste different depending on the flowers used to make it

Honey is the only food that includes all the substances necessary to sustain life, including water.

Honey contains vitamins and antioxidants, but is fat free, cholesterol free and sodium free!

OK its a superfood,  if you did not know this where have you been??

Its also vital we save our honey bees too, so grow some bee friendly plants folks!

NEW ROWSE SUPAHONEY – MANUKA HONEY WITH A TWIST

ROWSE HONEY has launched a new and exquisite blend of Manuka and clear honey – Rowse Supahoney. 

Firstly Rowse I love the new jars they are shaped like a honeycomb cell. The label too and a cute bee imprinted on the jar. This appeals to me, I love bees and they should be included on the food they provide.
The taste is really god. I tended to just have this on multigrain toasted bread. Its sweet but there is a herby taste, not sure I can define the actual herb, but its present.
The Supahoney with lemon is beautiful, you know my passion for all things lemon, so this one is hidden at the back of the cupboard for me only!!

The Manuka honey is combined with  honey in both of these, its 50% of Manuka Honey (5+.)
Great for drinks and on porridge too.

The Rowse Supahoney range encompasses four enticing varieties, including: Supahoney Original, Supahoney with Lemon and coming soon Supahoney with Cranberry and Supahoney with Ginger.

Manuka has been treasured by the Maori for centuries due to its anti-bacterial properties – one or two teaspoonfuls in a hot drink can help soothe a sore throat and make for a speedy recovery, which can be very useful now the weather is turning and with kids now back at school and illnesses being easily passed around!

Rowse Supahoney is priced at £3.99 for a 250g jar and is available from all leading supermarkets.

 Rowse Light and Mild is a versatile everyday honey that can be used as an alternative to sugar when cooking and baking. It tastes great spread on toast, but is ideal for drizzling and mixing into foods – from adding to porridge or natural yoghurt's and ice cream, to stirring into drinks or mixing into a salad dressing, Rowse Light and Mild has a use to suit every culinary occasion.

It is also a delicious way to introduce children to honey. Rowse Light and Mild has a subtle flavour making it the perfect choice for kids, who will love the sweet taste it brings to recipes. It really is a taste sensation the whole family can enjoy.

Rowse Light and Mild has a RRP of £2.69 for a 340g easy-squeeze bottle and is available from all leading supermarkets.

We love this, its a mild sweet and full of honey flavour, its was Chris said not claggy, hard to explain this one as its a new word to me.
 Claggy stickily clinging, as mud

I love this on toast, its satisfyingly sweet, its a honey that you would not get fed up with. Oh and I agree not claggy, its smooth on the tongue.

www.rowsehoney.co.uk

St Eval Candle Company

We go to Cornwall each year and totally head over heels with the county. We always are sad leaving so always try to bring home reminders, food to eat, a household decoration of some sort. This year we brought home mugs  saying I Would Rather Be In Cornwall and I Would Rather Be Eating Pasties.

There are fine handmade crafts on display in many a local farm, factory or gift shop and we love mooching around spotting something unique.

We often watch people working such as artists, cider makers, even people on the tills in Asda and Tesco and feel envious they are working in such beautiful countryside.

One such place that is worth a visit is St Eval Candle Company.

The lucky people are based on a farm in North Cornwall.

Based on a traditional working farm in Cornwall, the St. Eval Candle Company is renowned throughout the UK for their growing collection of fine quality hand-finished candles with unique fragrances and styles. It has an enviable reputation in the use of beautiful and unusual containers. Having traded for over ten years, the St. Eval Candle Company also provide a bespoke candle making service, and currently supply many international companies including Molton Brown, Elemis, Kenneth Turner and Emma Bridgewater.







St. Eval use traditional methods to manufacture candles, this includes a centuries old process known as ‘drawing’, which results in superior burning qualities and time. Whenever they can, St. Eval uses materials from sustainable and renewable sources. They endeavour to produce as little waste as possible and all packaging is sourced from re-cycled materials.

I adore candles, had a bit of an obsession with them at one stage and was lighting so many the ceiling was suffering with the sooty marks. I have toned down and though still using candles a few times a week, I look for good quality and scented candles.

So I was keen to try the two St Eval candles I was sent from the new range.

Firstly Celery and herb - The cool crisp smell of succulent celery sticks combined with the heady aroma of freshly chopped herbs.

They will fill your home with the cool scent of an outdoor summer, and with a whole array of styles to choose from, there’s a candle for every room.

With the UK munching its way through 120 million sticks of celery every year, the new Celery and Herb fragrance is set to become a firm favourite! Plus celery has had a formidable reputation as an aphrodisiac since Roman times, so this new scent could freshen up your bedroom too!

For the more modern home, the scented tins (£8.45) are the best option and with a burning time of 45 hours, the gorgeous scent will linger on and on.

I admit to first time I breathed in I was not overly smitten, but this is so fresh and herby when burning. This is the time you know the quality of a candle, so often I buy a scented one and when lit, there is hardly any fragrance at all.

 But if you prefer something more traditional, how about something from the Victorian herb range? Prices start at £3.70 for the small earthenware Vic pot and go up to £19.35 for the earthenware bowl.

I was sent the Victorian Long Tom pot, the Victorian range is delightful the earthenware pots would fit in any home traditional or modern. My fragrance was Bay & Rosemary

This you have to try if nothing else, the scent even with the seal on the top was beautiful.

I left it  in the kitchen and so strong was it I could smell it all around the house, so it doubles up as an air freshener. Lit its delightful, the rosemary scent is so relaxing.

Other fragrances are 

 Bergamot & Nettle - Uplifting, herbal aroma with hints of spice

Inspiritus - An uplifting blend of aromatic spices

Joy - A Light floral fragranced based on mimosa

Lavender - A relaxing and soothing scent of fresh aromatic lavender

Orange & Cinnamon - A warm tangy fragrance with hints of spice

Sandalwood - A blend of warm musk and woody scents

Sensuality - A luxurious blend of nutmeg, citrus and ginger

Thyme & Mint - Crisp, clear scent of fresh garden mint blended with a herbal scent of thyme

Tranquility - A relaxing blend of lavender, orange and ylang ylang

Vanilla - Sweet vanilla bean fragrance, with a soft and powdery character

St. Eval Candle Company has a wide range of products, with something for everyone, from the classic church candles tins, to the Coastal, English Hedgerow and ‘English Eccentric’ ranges.  The whole collection can be viewed at

www.stevalcandlecompany.co.uk.