French Press by Ritual

This arrived just in time for my morning drink so after quickly unpacking it I decided to give it a whirl with a pot of coffee, the pot was well packed in a bubble wrap sleeve and came with a spare/replacement mesh, it feels very nice, has a good weight to it and with the wood offset against the glass and steel it’s very aesthetically pleasing even more so once it has the dark brown of the coffee inside. I would also note a wooden lid is ideal as the teapot I have has a metal one and I have lost count of the amount of times it has burnt me.

I normally drink green tea and this is my main use for getting this and have since tested it with a pot of tea with great results. I have pictured the mug I always use which pleasingly this fill exactly twice. I have uploaded a short video of using it please forgive the quality I was recording on my iphone 5 in one hand while doing it.

• SOLID GLASS. Thick professional-grade glass is durable enough to handle your everyday life.
• BEAUTIFUL. Glass French Press with stainless steel structure and bamboo trim. Unique design so you can watch the kaleidoscope of your coffee brew without plastic in the way.
• PURE COFFEE. A precision filter designed by coffee masters to ensure you drink smooth coffee without the grounds.
• STABLE. A 400 degree heat resistant silicone base to protect your table and give you a soft and spill-resistant landing.
• LIFETIME GUARANTEE. Classic professional design made to last you the rest of your life and look good doing it.

What I liked
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- Very nice quality
- Nice smooth action
- Neat design
- Capacity is ideal for my needs
- Great design
- Wooden lid and handle

What I Didn’t Like
*********************
- Nothing I have found so far but if I do I will return edit and add

Summary
***********
Very pleased with this, it has everything I wanted and needed so I would certainly recommend it.

Price: £19.97
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Stick on magnetic key holders

Living in rented accommodation has several downsides. One of the more practcal being that drilling holes in things is frowned upon.

 Bought these as I was sick and tired of having nowhere to hang my keys and invariably wasting time in trying to find them when I'm in a rush.
Doddle to fit using the supplied 3M pads (there's a few spares included also).

I was very surprised at how strong the magnets are. I stuck a couple up for test purposes and they handled kitchen knives, key sets and even pliers without any problem.

Highly recommended - they work really, really well

Price: £9.99
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Zenzoi bamboo fountain pen

There’s something very proper about using a fountain pen. As a kid, a pen was a privilege at school, not a right and had to be earned.

Attending Grammar school, Sheaffers and Watermans were reserved for the rich kids. Us poor kids used Parkers or some dodgy plastic knock offs that leaked everywhere.
I’ve two nieces, graduating soon, so decided to buy them a nice fountain pen each as a present, in the vain hope that they will use them in their chosen career paths. I also bought myself one as my trusty Waterman (A present from my parents) finally broke after almost 25 years.
I was attracted to the Zenzoi pens after reading numerous reviews. I purchased the red/coffee coloured ones for my nieces, as they were slender and perhaps more suited to a smaller hand, whilst I opted for the bamboo one for me, as it’s slightly more “weighty” and fits my bigger hands better.
Their presentation is superb. Lovely cases, (especially the bamboo one, which is a hinged wooden one) and on inspecting the pens, I was very pleased with the overall quality and machining of the parts.
They are fitted with a screw type vacuum system, designed for using bottled ink, however I wanted cartridges, so also bought a box of mixed blue/black as they aren’t supplied as standard.



















Having fitted the cartridge to my bamboo pen, half a dozen brisk aggressive shakes charged the pen nicely and whilst I understand a new nib needs bedding in to the user, I was very pleased with the resultant ink flow and ink density on the page as I wrote.
I’ve no doubt that these will last for a very long time – highly recommended to anyone looking for a traditional, yet contemporary method of putting pen to paper.

Price: £39.97
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Silverline holesaw kit

My tumble dryer of 9 years packed up. It had a removable electrical plug, so it was fitted through a small hole in the adjacent cupboard, then into a socket.

When the new one arrived, first thing I spotted was the moulded plug and there was no way I was going to cut the plug off for obvious reasons.
As the hole wouldn’t be seen, way back in a low cupboard, I purchased this set of hole saws as they were cheap as chips (and in a case).








Brilliant addition to my toolset. Having selected the right size and attached it to my drill, it cut through the cupboard effortlessly.

Two tips for you:
- Let the blade do the work. Minimal pressure needed for cutting.
- If you can, cut halfway through, then go in from the other side to finish the cut.

Top product – recommended.

Price: £8.90
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NinaQueen - Starry Night - 925 Sterling Silver Charm

This latest addition to my daughters charm bracelet is really lovely, it comes in a nice presentation box with a cleaning cloth so is ideal should you be purchasing this as a gift for someone, this has gone straight on my daughters charm bracelet and she loves it.

I have attached some pictures that hopefully show the great quality of this homage to Van Gogh’s Starry Night with the cut outs around the stars allowing the light through and silver stars with deep blue enamel inside allowing them to stand out with the two gold stars being inset with a crystal it really is a beautiful charm.

What I liked
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- High quality finishing
- The cut outs around the stars allowing light through
- My daughter loves it
- Very nice design
- Comes in a nice presentation box

What I Didn’t Like
********************
- I haven’t found anything

Summary
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Quality charm which is beautiful and flawless and a very welcome addition to my daughter’s bracelet.

Price: £19.54
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NinaQueen - Mom,I Love You Forever - 925 Sterling Silver Charm

Beautiful and great quality, I have attached some photo’s which hopefully show you the high quality of this and have put it on a charm bracelet to show the contrast of the stones, silver and clear lettering on the quarter moon. I have also given a shot of this next to a 5p piece to give a better indication of size.

This is a really beautiful charm which would look great on either a bracelet or necklace with the inset stones around the heart and top rings it certainly comes alive once the light hits it. This comes in a nice black display box with a small cleaning cloth which is ideal as a gift and certainly ideal to show love and respect to your mother on Mothering Sunday which is only three weeks away (at the time of my review).

• XL,You could express the feeling of love to your mother by this!
• Keep good luck on your side with this charming bead!
• 925 Sterling silver, the world's most popular silver alloy. 100% safe for her sensitive skin.
• All the beads and charms are delivered gift wrapped in original NinaQueen gift box.
• They are compatible with Pandora charms bracelet and most other brands' charms bracelets.

What I liked
**************
- The inset stones around the heart and upper rings
- High quality finishing
- Very nice design
- The tiny but very clear lettering on the quarter moon
- Comes in a nice presentation box

What I Didn’t Like
********************
- Nothing I have found, the quality is flawless

Summary
***********
Overall this is a very nice piece and ideal as a gift or just to show love and respect for your mother, the quality is flawless and it looks beautiful.

Price: £22.99
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GoolRC T6 RC Waterproof Drone Quadcopter

First off I have to say I am a total novice when it comes to flying drones, I have never flown one before ever, the nearest I have got is flying a helicopter on battlefield 3 on my Xbox One so this was a totally new experience for me.

The drone came in a nice branded box with four replacement propellers as well although I am pleased to say I have yet to break one, assembly was very simple just a case of screwing in the protective rings which I presume are optional but in my case a necessity. I gave the drone a good charge which is a simple process of plugging the battery from the drone into the USB adaptor provided and then into a USB socket and after fitting four AA batteries into the controller it was time for my maiden flight.

I was like a small child again both excited and nervous but after following the instructions and finding a good space inside I had the drone whirring on the ground ready to take flight, the controls are very sensitive and my first few attempts had me crashing into the roof and walls as I panicked but after a few goes I started to get the hang of it and got my daughter to take some video which I have uploaded with this review, I know I am still a million miles from being competent on flying this but I am improving and really enjoying it.

I have crashed it multiple times since I have had it but am very pleased to say as it’s light and has the protective rings I have yet to cause any damage, this is a really good fun drone that has brought out the child in me :)

GoolRC T6 Drone is equipped with 2.4G 4CH transmitter and 6-Axis gyro for your easy and stable control, with stunt flying skills and outstanding modeling design, so it is a flying explorer who dares to roll. High performance waterproof makes it can be put in water. It is really a great flight combination.

Features:

• LED lights for light tracking.
• It has high-performance waterproof function.
• Built-in six axis gyro stabilizer can ensure precise positioning in the air.
• One key return ensures that you can call back your quadcopter without any delay.
• With attractive headless mode, completely solving pilot loss-of-orientation problems.
• Equipped with over-charged protection feature, which can protect the battery.
• 360 degree eversion and high/low speed functions for you to experience cool flying play.

Specification:

• Brand name: GoolRC
• Flight time: About 8 minutes
• Quadcopter control distance: About 70-80m
• Quadcopter charging time: About 60mins
• Battery for quadcopter: 3.7V 400mAh battery
• Battery for transmiter: 4 * 1.5V AA battery(not included)
• Function: Forward/backward, up/down, left/right, sideward flight, hovering, one key return, headless mode, 360°rolling action
• Product size: 300 * 300 * 90mm / 11.8 * 11.8 * 3.54in
• Weight: 85g

There may be some deviation due to manual measurement.

Package Information:

• Package size: 34.3 * 21.9 * 12cm / 13.5 * 8.63 * 4.73in
• Package weight: 700g / 1.55lb

Package List:

• 1 * GoolRC T6 Drone
• 1 * Controller(mode 2)
• 1 * 3.7V 400mAh Lipo Battery
• 4 * Spare Pair of Propeller
• 1 * Charger
• 4 * Protective Ring
• 2 * Landing Gear
• 1 * Screwdriver
• 1 * Screw Set
• 1 * Sunglasses
• 1 * English User Manual

What I liked
**************
- Nice design
- Very simple to set up
- Very robust
- Flashing lights
- Quick charge time
- Really good fun

What I Didn’t Like
********************
- Not really much I didn’t like, if I wanted to be really picky I would say the instruction manual could do with giving each language its own section but it's simple enough to follow and good clear print and pictures.

Summary
**********
Overall this is a really great fun drone, it's very robust and I have no damage even after multiple crashes, I did think 8 minutes flying time might not be long enough but it’s plenty certainly for me then I can recharge ready to go again and I am improving every time I fly. If you have any questions please feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer.

Price: £29.98
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TOGUARD® Wildlife Camera 12MP Full HD 1080P

This is a really great camera and I am very impressed with the quality, it arrived well packed and all the lenses had a removable plastic protective cover. I gave the manuals a good read and then it was time to give it a test, I fitted the eight AA batteries needed, inserted a Micro SD card, removed the battery disable tag from the remote control and switched it to test mode. Once done you get a very good menu on the front under the flap, I performed various test captures in different modes which all worked as described so it was time to put it into action for a proper test.

I set it up at ground level outside near the bins and left it a few hours before retrieving it and was pleased to see I caught a cat raiding the black bags, the next day I set it up on my balcony just to capture some daytime activity which also worked very well. I would also note the area near the bins was pitch black you could not even see your hand in front of your face.

I have uploaded a video and some pictures, I would note at this time that the video quality once uploaded to Amazon is quite poor so if you wish to see a better version on YouTube the number at the end is v=nJMQBc8jmJI just change any video you load to end with that to view.

You should note that the test mode is as it say’s to test and you get lights on the front and the view screen is on but once you put it into ON mode there is no visual indication the camera is on and working so as to keep the camera as hidden and covert as possible.

• 12 Mega Pixels HD Photo taking and 1080P Full HD high quality video recording ensure every details will be captured.
• Bulit-in 48 pcs No glow Black Infrared LED make up to 65ft/20m night vision range. no movement will be missed even at night.
• 120° Wide angle PIR sensor plus wide angle lens ensure maximum coverage.
• IP54 Waterproof housing ensures durability in all-weather condition.
• Featured functions: Multi-shot, Interval, Timelapse,Motion detection, Timer, Time stamp, Photo + Video Recording.Get 1 Year Warranty.

What I liked
**************
- Picture quality is superb
- Video quality is superb
- Night vision quality superb
- Menu system is very good
- Remote control works very well
- It’s waterproof
- Multitude of different modes and adjustments

What I Didn’t Like
******************
- More of an observation than a dislike, I would have liked it to have a chargeable on-board power source but with 3 months of stand-by time for the price I understand it not having that

Summary
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This really is a cracking camera, everything on it is high quality and the results are superb, if you have any questions please feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer them.

Price: £65.99
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Premium Reshow® HD Video Recorder Box

For a few years now I have been using a Roxio HD pro which is a nice capture card but as good as it is I find it a real pain to set up or leave set up having cables from my Xbox One to the Roxio and cables from that running to my PC having to capture live via the capture software which also gives you a several second delay so when I saw this I thought great idea that’s for me.

The setup could not be easier just HDMI input from the device you want to record from into the ezcap then HDMI out to the screen so all you are really doing is introducing the ezcap into the loop, I used a 32 gig flash drive for the captures which was ideal.

The capture is really as simple as pressing the button on the front to start and pressing it again to stop and the ezcap does the rest dropping the video recordings to the flash drive or whatever device you are using.

I wanted to give it a good test so I decided to test it with my Xbox One, Android box and my desktop PC then using the software provided to stitch it all together and add a few of the provided effects. I have uploaded the video but please note I had to really strip it to the bare minimum to get it to a size I would be able to upload to Amazon so although it should give a good idea of functions and features it's not an indication of final video quality.

The software provided is basic but has more than enough features to edit and trim, add intro’s, text, transition effects and more. The video quality is superb, I did test the inbuilt microphone option which worked well but as I hate the sound of my own voice I never add it :)

The device is very small and I have uploaded a picture of it next to my Xbox One controller which should hopefully give you a better idea of size. It might sound silly but I also liked the fact the provided HDMI lead was only about a foot long which is just right to have it next to the Xbox One without loads of extra cable.

• CAPTURE YOUR GAMING MOMENTS: Gaming isn't just a fun pastime, it's a way to experience great moments and memories! With this HD video recorder device, you can record your favorite gaming moments and most amazing achievements to watch again later or share with your friends and family!
• 1-BUTTON FUNCTION - NO PC REQUIRED: You don't need a PC or fancy video capture software anymore - we've got your back. All you have to do is hook up this amazing gaming video recorder to your console and monitor, plug in a FAT, FAT32 or NTFS-formatted storage device like a USB drive, and press the button on the box. Voila - you're recording!
• COMPATIBLE WITH ALL CONSOLES: No matter if you're gaming on a PS4, XBox One or other console - or even a PC or Mac, if you're into that for some reason - the HD video recorder box works exactly as well. Its function is based in audio/video input, either via HDMI or YPbPr, so you could use it with pretty much any console, or even a VHS, DVD or BR player.
• GREAT FOR LET'S PLAY & COMMENTARY VIDEOS: Make your own video game Let's Play and commentary videos - who knows? Maybe you're the next PewDiePie! You can use the included powerful video editing software toy will receive along with the video recorder box to edit your recorded video to add a voiceover. Or you can even plug an external audio source in an input splitter and record your gameplay and commentary at the same time!
• 1080P & 30FPS PASSTHROUGH FUNCTION: The HD video recorder box's passthrough function allows you to seamlessly enjoy your game AND record it at the same time, with no lag or delays whatsoever! Enjoy up to 1080p 30fps video quality gaming - then go back to watch yourself play again!

What I liked
************
- Nice and compact
- Simple to set up
- Don’t need loads of trailing leads
- One press capture start and stop all automated saving capture
- Great quality capture
- No need for a PC link
- Works on multiple devices

What I Didn’t Like
******************
- Not so much of a dislike as an observation that the editing software is basic although very simple to use

Summary
**********
Overall I am really impressed with this device and unlike the Roxio I am able to have it connected all the time and with a simple press of the button capture my Xbox One gameplay. I would certainly recommend it without hesitation and if you have any questions please feel free to ask.

Price: £56.99
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20 x Children's Foam Animal Masks

I purchased these for a children’s party as a last minute impulse buy and really pleased I did, the children loved them all running round with different masks having loads of fun wearing them, the quality was very good with no hard edges with each individually wrapped. They fitted well and all seemed to stay on.

• Foam animal masks with elasticated straps in 8 assorted designs.
• Giraffe, Monkey, Elephant, Mouse, Tiger, Bear, Cat, Dog, etc.
• Ideal for school plays, fairs and party bags.
• Each comes in polybag.

Price: £7.29

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Kivors Sport Bluetooth Smart Watch

This is a very nice watch and far from a novelty item, there have been a lot of apple smart watch clones trying to mimic rather than innovate but this is different and has moved away from trying to be like an apple watch and has done it very well. The watch comes in a nice presentation case and is a lot slimmer than other smart watches it fits nicely on the wrist and is comfortable, the switchable watch faces are nice and I particularly like the green hand one on the black background.

I linked this up to my iPhone 5 which was a very simple process of pairing the Bluetooth and completed in a matter of seconds then giving me access on the phone and was able to make calls, see contacts and call logs although the notification feature is not active on apple devices, it has a mass of features and I did like the fact it limited the on screen icons to four rather than the eight you see on some smart watches.

I have uploaded some images and a short video, I will apologise now for the video quality I attempted to record it on my iphone 5 while navigating the watches features with my thumb but hopefully it does show you something more.

What I liked
************
- Nice design
- Slim and comfortable fit
- Anti lost feature
- Pedometer features
- Waterproof
- Clock face choices

What I Didn’t Like
******************
- The manual was very small print

Summary
**********
Overall this is a great little watch ram packed with features that is comfortable, practical and not too bulky.

Price: £36.99

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Cosmetic Mirror with Removable 10x Magnifying Mirror

Nice design lightweight mirror with lights that pack a powerful punch, with four daughters there is always a shortage of mirrors and this is ideal for them to fight over while I get to use the bathroom. It has a nice sleek design with the addition of a 10x zoom magnifying mirror that attaches with the help of two small rubber suckers on the back, the lights go up to an almost blinding brightness but you can hold the button to adjust/dim them to the required level. The mirror comes flat with a clip in base and is adjustable, I fitted and removed the base several times and although it’s a tight fit as it should be I didn’t find it too difficult to dismantle as my wife wanted to know if it was easy enough to do as she wants to use it as a travel mirror when we go away.

What I liked
**************
- Brightness is fantastic
- Light level adjustable right down to a low brightness
- Easy to dismantle for storage or travel
- Clip on magnifying mirror
- Nice finish and good quality

What I Didn’t Like
********************
- not really anything I can think of other than no batteries included although it clearly status that so not something to reduce my overall rating of it.

Summary
***********
Overall a very nice mirror with great illumination with 16 levels of brightness to choose from and a clip on magnifying mirror I would certainly recommend it.

Price: £20.21
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AZALCO High Definition Virtual Reality Headset

I will start off by saying I am a complete novice with these devices and this is my first experience of using one so started with zero knowledge. This came nicely packed and had peel off protective screens on all the lenses, after unpacking and taking a few shots I fitted the straps which was a very simple process of slotting them through the strap slots on the headset, it was also very easy to adjust with the velcro straps. I then had to do a bit of research on games, apps and found many videos to use on YouTube and as I have an iPhone 5 and my wife has an Android phone I looked for some apps and games to try.

On the iPhone I grabbed incell and zombie vr and started with zombie vr, once started you get a line splitting the screen you have to line up inside the headset, all fairly simple then you close it up and a sponge on the inside holds it in place. I found the headset very comfortable and easy to adjust and not as I feared heavy, although the iPhone 5 worked fine I wanted to try my wife’s Android phone which has a bigger screen which I found easier to line up and my daughter had a go on Jurassic vr which she loved, all the apps/games I tried were free to play and I found the experience interesting and immersive. The bluetooth controller works well although it will take a bit of mastering :)

What I liked
**************
- Easily adjustable straps
- Very simple to use
- Good padding and comfortable fit
- Not heavy
- Bluetooth controller

What I Didn’t Like
********************
- Not really anything I could find, if I wanted to be really picky I would say the manual could do with better English translation but it is very easy to follow regardless.

Summary
***********
For my first experience of these devices I found this good quality, comfortable and very easy to setup and use and my daughter loves it.

Price: £23.99
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Swim goggles - Anti-Fog Coated Tinted Lens

I purchased these for my daughter, she’s 10 years old and really into her swimming now and had been using a very cheap set of goggles that really did a very poor job and finally fell apart. These came in a nice zip up case with the addition a nose clip and ear plugs, the screens had a protective film on you just peal off, the adjustment is fairly stiff to adjust but not in a bad way as this means they should not slip or loosen easily. My daughter has given them a good test and when I asked her what she thinks of them her reply was ‘They are awesome’

• SOFT TO WEAR : High quality easily adjustable silicone head strap gives you comfy fit.
• PAINLESS : The quick release clasp is great for younger ones who don't like the feeling of pulling hairs out when they take their pool glasses off.
• These color tinted lens reduces surface glare from water provides great visibility in bright light. Fog less sight under water.
• 100% UV Protected. The eye socket is designed to fit various face shape. These goggles are best suited for either frequent use or competition. Best choice for summer & outdoor swimming.
• MANUFACTURERS SPECIAL OFFERS : "Scroll down to see below Manufacturers Special Promotions and offers". 100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE plus our Bezzee Pro Swimming goggles comes with a free Premium Protective case and Ear plugs.

 

Summary
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Overall I’m very pleased with this purchase, they are not the cheapest but they are of very good quality, have a nice case and my daughter really likes them which was my main objective.

Price: £13.49
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