LEGO Hidden Side 70431 The Lighthouse of Darkness Review

Fun and entertaining pack, this arrived in a smart custom Lego box covered in scenes from The Lighthouse of Darkness and a letter on the front with an introduction and details on the app, inside it had four numbered packs and the construction manual.

I haven’t assembled anything with Lego for a very long time and it has certainly changed a lot since I was a child so was looking forward to building this, the construction manual is glossy and highly detailed taking you through construction step by step along with details on the application and a full breakdown of included parts in the back.

Assembly was really just a case of carefully following the manual and each page gives the parts needed for the section you are constructing along with arrows indicating its position on the model, the whole thing is broken down into four packs which certainly helped me not get overwhelmed with parts and searching for the ones I needed.

Everything slotted together perfectly and I didn’t have any issues with the construction, I left the stickers placement until after it was built but really should have attached them during construction as it would have been easier. The Lego app will only run on certain devices and would not install on either my android phone or my iphone 6 but installed on my wife’s newer model iphone.

• Features a three floors digitally interactive lighthouse with a cliff, rocks, a jetty and a jet ski, combining single or multiplayer gaming
• The lighthouse model comes to life when viewed through a smart device equipped with the LEGO AR app, kids get to explore and solve mysteries
• Includes 5 real world minifigures: Jack, Parker, Skeleton, Jennie Napo and Claus Stormward, for players to battle boss ghost Joe Ishmael
• The augmented reality (AR) play experience is constantly enhanced through new content, ghosts and special events for endless gaming fun
• The experience has been extended with multiplayer option; compatible with 180+ OS and Android devices - check product description for details

Overall I was very impressed with the whole thing, it was fun to make, the manual was very well thought out and made construction as easy as possible, the end result was solid and sturdy with all the moving parts working smoothly as they should and my daughters have really enjoyed playing with it so it gets top marks from me.

Price: £43.56
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Mr Potato Head E4763802 Playskool Talking Toy Review

Mr Potato Head arrived in a nice custom box, the toy is by default set in demo mode with a small cut out in the front to press one of the buttons and set it going, Mr Potato Head is well packed and secured in the box with the mouth having extra plastic ties to keep it in place and the additional mouth secured in the bottom of the box.

This has a good weight to it not feeling flimsy or easy to break and it comes with three AA batteries already fitted which you can change by removing a small Philips head screw on the back, all the parts are easy for a child to remove and replace and although there is no volume setting I think they got the volume of the toy just about right not being too loud or too quiet as not to be heard.

I gave Mr Potato Head to my four year old daughter and she really liked it removing and replacing the parts in different places, changing the mouth and dancing round to it singing.

• Talking, Singing Toy: The Mr Potato Head Movin' Lips Electronic toy features sounds, songs and silly moving lips; he sings his own version of the hit Lips Are Movin' by Meghan Trainor
• Over 40 Phrases and Songs: Kids aren't the only ones who will be entertained by this interactive Mr Potato Head toy, featuring over 40 phrases and 4 song parodies
• Includes 10 Pieces: The Mr Potato Head Movin' Lips toy Includes 10 Pieces including two sets of lips, so kids can create funny Looks for their favourite spud, batteries Included
• Most Parts Work with Other Mr Potato Head Toys: Most parts are compatible with other Mr Potato Head and Mrs Potato Head toys (Each Sold separately)
• Loved for Generations: The Mr Potato Head Character is a classic toy for kids, the toys make ideal birthday presents and gifts for both boys and girls

Overall a good solid entertaining toy for young children, it comes with batteries fitted and although they say they are just demo batteries they are still going strong, no small parts a child could swallow and sturdy enough to withstand a lot of rough handling, it has quite a good variety of different things it says and sings and the moving mouth is entertaining, for me it delivers on all aspects so I have given it full marks.

Price: £10.40
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Tower T867000WHT 12 Piece Dinnerware Set Review

This arrived well packed and secured separated into three boxes within a Tower branded larger box, after opening it all up I gave the plates and bowels a good look over for any defects, I could not find any faults with the pattern or finishing which looked consistent and everything matched.

The bowels are for us an ideal size for breakfast cereal or soup, the smaller plates a good size for snacks and the dinner plate a reasonable size for a main meal, looks wise the contrast with the black and gold on the smaller plate and white and gold on the larger plate and bowl is a nice.

We don’t have a dishwasher so it is not an issue for us but it’s worth noting they say not to clean these in a dishwasher, the plates are fairly thin and I would have liked them to be slightly thicker as they feel more delicate than the plates we normally use, this is not the case with the bowls which are thicker.

Overall a nice looking dinner set with the colours and contrast of colours matching well, I am not sure these are intended for everyday use and would be more suitable for a dinner party or Sunday dinner, the fact they are not to be put in a dishwasher may be an issue for some and they say not to use them in the microwave presumably because of the gold in the pattern but apart from that I do think it’s a nice set. 

• Dinnerware set includes dinner plates, side plates and bowls to cater to your every meal of the day
• High quality porcelain presents lightweight dinnerware offering strength and durability through everyday use
• Rose gold geometric patterning presents a highly styled feature to the dinner table
• Hand wash recommended to maintain the premium appearance and performance. Do not microwave or clean via the dishwasher
• 1 year customer warranty as standard

Price: £35.99

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Fissler original-profi collection Wok With Lid Review

Very high quality effective wok, this arrived Fissler branded lift top box very well packed and protected, as soon as you open it up I could clearly see and feel the high quality. I gave it a good look over to check for any faults or defects but could not find any and all the finishing looked flawless.

I love Asian food and as my wife is Filipina it makes up a large part of our families meals, after giving the wok a good wash out I tried it with a simple stir fried chicken noodle dish and it really works well, the lid is perfect for steaming, the handles say cool enough to manipulate the wok or remove it from the stove without the need for any oven gloves or cloth, I found it cooked well and gave a good even heat to everything.

The cleaning is very straight forward, I filled it with water after use just to leave it to soak and after a couple of wipes round with a soft cleaning pad it was clean again. My wife absolutely loves this wok and has since cooked a variety of Filipino and Asian dishes all turning out great.

• Asian cooking, whenever your heart desires: Simmer vegetables fat-free, fry Asian noodles or prepare fried food - the wok is the perfect helper in the kitchen.
• Asian wok for the home: The wok pan sits perfectly on the stove and the metal lid ensures particularly effective steaming.
• If you like to cook low-fat, you will love the Fissler wok - whether it is meat or vegetarian, wok pans are a good accessory to prepare Asian dishes.
• With the cookstar all-stove base for all stove types, the wok pan can be used on a gas, electric, glass ceramic or induction stove.
• Package contents: Original Fissler original-profi collection wok with metal lid, 35 cm diameter. The induction pan is dishwasher-safe and oven-proof up to 220°C

Overall this really is a high quality wok, solid and well made, it has a half pan metal grid which works great when cooking to stand utensils and the lid can be replaced even when this is in place, it gives great results evenly distrusting the heat through the wok, it can be easily moved or manipulated with the handles, the cleaning is really simple, my wife loves it and I can’t fault it so have given it top marks.

Price: £252.12
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Tower T838001C Rectangular Copper Sensor Bin Review

The tower bin arrived in a large branded box packed securely with cut out polystyrene top and bottom with the lid inside also held and protected top and bottom with custom cut out polystyrene. After I unpacked it I had a read through the included instruction manual, the instructions are fairly straight forward and the manual contains instructive diagrams along with a section in the back on care, useful tips and warnings.

Fitting the bag in the bin is simple enough and it holds very well and I found it just as easy to release when I emptied it, the lid takes four AA batteries (not included) and they fit in a clip release compartment on the underside of the lid which seems very secure so it won’t come loose. The LED sensor on the lid works well and has a pickup range of around five inches so only gets tripped accidentally if you get very close to it, the lid closes automatically seven seconds after opening which gives plenty of time to put rubbish in.

I though the lid mechanism seemed a bit flimsy along with the lid only being 2.5mm thick I thought it might be easy to accidentally damage, the look of the bin is very nice and with a 75 LT capacity it certainly holds a lot. The main body of the bin is not water tight so should you get liquid leakage from a bag within the bin it may leak that liquid onto the floor and when you wash it out you need to be aware of this, the lid can only be cleaned with a damp cleaning cloth.

• Sensor activated bin in a contemporary, rectangular design
• Large 75 Litres capacity maximises waste disposal
• Automatic operation opens within a 5 to 15 cm range
• Robust stainless steel body with copper colour coating
• On/Off switch allows for manual operation with anti-slip base, requires 4 x AA batteries
• Get extended 5 years warranty upon registration

Overall the bin looks great, the LED sensor opening and closing works very well although I have reservations on if this would withstand a hard knock as the lid is very thin and mechanism seems a bit flimsy, The capacity is good and the holding system for the bad works well, I like the idea of the bin freshener compartment in the bottom of the lid although I think they should have including one in then package to try it.

Price: £67.99
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Bobolyn Ultrasonic Aromatherapy Diffuser Review

Nice stylish design, the aroma oil diffuser arrived in a nice Bobolyn branded lift top box, the diffuser and cover were packed very tightly and securely with the power lead and measuring jug slotted into the bottom of the box, the instructions are good, clear and easy to follow.

I have been using aroma therapy diffusers for around 8 years now having several around the house and find they are a great alternative to air fresheners along with the multitude of different oils you can use that help with mood, health and stress relief depending on the oil.

After unpacking the lamp I gave it a test out, first impressions the cover is much better than I thought it would be being solid, not fragile making it easy to break, filling is simple enough along with adding oil, the light cycles through seven different colours, you can also set it to one colour or turn it off altogether if you prefer. You can set it to continuous mist mode or intermittent mist mode; I found the continuous mist mode gave a good steady stream of mist along with the intermittent mode working well and giving short bursts through the day. I ran it until empty to check the auto shut off which worked perfectly.

• QUALITY ASSURANCE- PLEASE ATTENTION!---Products only sold by Giggle House UK is assured with 45-days money back warrenty and 6 months worry-free guarantee. Kindly ensure the products you ordered are sold by Giggle House UK. Our products is 100% tested and passes all necessary safety certifications, like safety and durable test, ETL and FCC certification.
• UNIQUE DESIGN - Our ferrous oil diffuser comes with various of unique pattern and each is a great piece for decoration. They are also small enough to fit anywhere you like, home, office desk, bedroom nightstand, baby's room, bathroom, and yoga studios.
• THREE IN ONE FUNCTION---Aromatherapy Essential Oil Diffuser, Cool Mist Humidifier, Night Light. It can help make your environment aromatous and humidify air. With the 7 soothing LED light, you can cycle through it or freeze it on one fixed color. Lights can be turned off for aromatherapy only.
• WATERLESS AUTO SHUT-OFF DIFFUSER- It will automatically power off when it is detected there is little water. No worry about causing any harm to you or the machine itself.
• SUPER QUIET- Adopted ultrasonic technology, this diffuser is extremely quiet when working. Ultrasonic diffusers generate the vapor without any heat, which best preserves the integrity of the essential oil.

Overall very nice aroma therapy diffuser lamp ideal for any room in the house, I liked the design and look of the lamp while it was running and cycling through the different colours, it works well, delivers a good mist and as I can’t fault it I have given it top marks.

Price: £21.99
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LeadsaiL Wireless Silent USB Mouse Review

Good budget mouse ideal for a laptop or notebook, the Leadsail mouse arrived in a simple branded box along with a USB to micro USB charging lead and instructions, the instructions are good and clear going through the functions and features along with labelled diagrams.

After opening it up I gave it a quick test on my notebook, the USB dongle is held in with a magnet which although makes no real difference I thought it was quite a neat design feature. The mouse is straight forward plug and play no messing about installing drivers or even having to restart the computer, after I had tested it to be working I put it on charge and had a read through the manual before I gave it a full test.

The silent click feature works perfectly and you can’t hear any clicking sound without holding it right up to your ear, the scroll wheel has a good resistance not too loose but also not too tight so makes scrolling with it simple. The DPI changing works well and is the first time I have seen this method of changing the DPI with a button on the mouse which is normally changed and set via software but I liked it.

• Rechargeable Computer Mouse: Would like to practically eliminate the need to change batteries? Buy this LeadsaiL rechargeable computer mouse; plug it into your computer with the micro-USB charging cable and in 2hrs, it will be charged up and ready to power you through your entire day. A full charge lasts around 60 days.
• Silent Click MiceWould like to do your job without missing a sound or disturbing your environment? Choose LeadsaiL quiet mice; you will enjoy the same click feeling with over 90% less click noise.
• Plug and Play Portable Mouse Would like to forget about extra driver software? Plug and go ready, LeadsaiL portable mouse works with Windows, Mac, Chrome OS or Linux-based computers of Notebook, PC.
• High Precision Optical Mouse Would like to take full control of your every aim with perfect tracking? Choose LeadsaiL optical mouse. Featuring 5 adjustable DPI (2400/2000/1600/1200/800), the laser-grade engine ensures smooth cursor control and precision tracking on virtually any surface.
• Energy Saving Mobile Mouse LeadsaiL mobile mouse keeps going with built in rechargeable lithium battery . Automatic sleep mode and an On/Off switch save power, while an indicator light eliminates surprises. (Battery life may vary based on use and computing conditions.)

Overall this I think this is an nice mouse to use on a notebook, laptop or even desktop PC if you are not into serious gaming, its silent feature works perfectly so if clicking is something that bothers you this is ideal, DPI settings are altered via a button on the mouse avoiding the need to install any software and the mouse is instantly recognised on connection. I can’t find any faults with this so give it top marks.

Price: £12.99
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Wahl Lithium Power Clipper Review

Good solid heavyweight clippers, they arrived in a branded Wahl box with a multitude of comb attachments, charging lead, oil, scissors, instructions, comb and protection sheet inside a soft material Wahl branded zip close case.

After opening everything up I put the clippers on charge and had a read through the instructions, they are basic covering operation, troubleshooting, precautions, care and cleaning, attachments, the taper lever and charging requirements. I have had a set of wired Wahl clippers for over 25 years now and they still get used on a regular basis having given at least 100 haircuts along with touch ups and trims never letting me down although a lot of the attachments have gone missing over the years they are still working perfectly.

The clippers are heavy compared to something like an electric razor but I personally don’t see this as an issue as they will carry a lot of the weight in the battery needed and need to be good and solid allowing a tight grip while cutting hair as opposed to an electric shaver and the lightweight less precise task of shaving. I wasn’t keen on the push button power operation and would much prefer a switch on the side, the combs are soft plastic as some have mentioned but are no different from the ones I had with my old set and I never had any issues with them.

I managed to talk my friend into letting me give his lad a haircut with them and found they worked well certainly on a par with my old ones and the lack of a power cord getting in the way made the job a lot easier with him being pleased with the result, I used them for a trim on my own head but as I normally have a shaved head they were just removing stubble but they did trim my moustache well.

• LITHIUM ION TECHNOLOGY - Our latest advanced Lithium Ion technology allows up to 120 minutes cordless run time from only a 3 hour charge (up to 2 months use on a single charge)
• QUICK CHARGE FUNCTION -The 15 minute quick charge will give you 12 minutes continual use. Perfect to finish up if the charge runs out mid-cut or for completing an entire haircut
• ADJUSTABLE TAPER LEVER - The thumb adjustable taper lever allows for a greater variation in cutting lengths, so you can create more intricate haircuts, such as a fade
• LED DISPLAY - The integrated charge light indicator informs you when the battery charge is running low so you can plug in the cord and carry on clipping
• ERGONOMIC DESIGN - The ergonomic design ensures the clipper is comfortable to hold and easy to control during use

Overall I found these performed really well and a lot easier to use than a wired set giving more freedom of movement, I really wasn’t keen on the push button power operation on the side making it impossible to instantly cut the power, they come with a multitude of attachments and a neat little storage case which I find ideal for keeping everything together.

Price: £51.99
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