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Revive Collagen Review #Ad

December 16, 2021 by Erica Hughes 1 Comment

Revive Collagen

A little while ago Revive Collagen got in touch and asked me to try out their Hydrolysed Marine Collagen Drink Enhanced Plus. Revive Collagen is an innovative beauty brand that delivers real results for women of all ages. As our body ages, our natural collagen levels deplete which results in our skins loosening and showing an increase of fine lines and wrinkles. Revive Collagen offer liquid collagen that can be taken once daily for the best results. The collagen drinks by Revive Collagen have an absorption rate of 90% to 95%, which is considerably higher than collagen tablets of which only 30 to 40% is absorbed by your body.

In recent months I’ve been feeling that my skin could do with a pick me up. It’s been lacking a natural glow or radiance and has been looking a bit tired and dull. My nails have been breaking a lot and my hair was feeling the strain as I swim five days a week. So I was interested to see if Revive Collagen’s Enhanced Plus – Hydrolysed Marine Collagen Drink could work a little magic. It contains Retinol, Hydrolysed Keratin and Vitamins B6, B12, C & D, so it’s packed full of good things.

Revive Collagen Enhanced Plus - Hydrolysed Marine Collagen Drink I found the taste very pleasant: it’s described as tropical and it does have a fruity taste to it. I found it very easy to drink each day. I liked that it was sweet without being too sweet and as I say a fruity taste to it. It comes nicely presented in a box with slots for the individual sachets inside a sleeve. That said, I do think it’s a bit over packaged and I’d like to see that reduced a little. It’s very easy to pack individual sachets if you are going away on holiday. I found it a bit difficult to remember whether I’d taken them each day – it might be good to have days of the week on the cardboard so you can work out where you are.

My skin does seem a lot better. I feel there’s more of a glow after just a few weeks of use. I’ve achieved better results from this product that I have just taking collagen in capsule form. Also, I feel my skin is a bit less sensitive. My skin seems plumper and more hydrated, plus smoother too. I’m very happy with what I’ve achieved so far.

In terms of nails and hair I think that takes a little longer for changes to work their way through. However, I have had less broken nails since I started using the product. I’m hoping I can achieve some longer nails soon as I’ve been a bit self conscious about them. My hair is feeling softer and looks shinier despite the pounding it gets in the chlorinated pool every weekday.

I’m very pleased with the results and I am thinking of continuing to use the product in the future. It’s had a positive effect and its being good for my self confidence in my appearance.

Disclosure: I was sent a month’s supply for the purposes of this review.

Hengata, Harborne – A Review

December 10, 2021 by Erica Hughes Leave a Comment

Hengata has recently come to Harborne, in fact I think I was there on the second night after it had opened its doors to customers for the first time. Located in the School Yard development on Harborne’s High Street, it’s an atmospheric building which used to be a Victorian school. I think the Hengata might be in the former school hall judging by the architecture.

Hengata Harborne

The interior is stylishly done. You can see the original features of the lovely old school, and it’s all open plan, but there’s a modern twist too. The tongue and grove paneling on the walls has a very Scandinavian vibe in any case, but there’s lot more wood in the form of the tables, chairs, flooring and dividing panels. To soften the wood there are plenty of comfortable soft furnishings. This means that the room has good acoustics as the sound is absorbed, so it’s easy to hear each other speak. I like that you can see the kitchen at work, but there’s also a bit of a divide so you can get a little distance from it too.

hengata harborne

The table settings are simple, but elegant. I was seated on the bench which was very comfortable. The waiting staff were very warm and welcoming. There were a few teething issues with the service (as it had only just opened), but I do think where there is a smile, plus a willingness to help and put things right, it bodes well for the future.

As Hengata is a Finnish venue, beers seemed more appropriate than wine. I liked that they included some local beers on the beer list from Attic Brew Co, which are based in Stirchley. I fact we tried both their Helles and their Intuition brews. They have a good range of lagers and pale ales, as well as a stout and a cider to choose from.

For starters, we picked the home smoked mackerel pate and the bone marrow. The pâté came with a sourdough crisp, deep-fried seaweed cucumber, and apple salsa. It was a tasty pâté with the flavoursome mackerel. It would have been nice to have a little more sourdough, as there was quite a lot of pâté. The seaweed cucumber and apple salsa provided a welcome freshness and contrast. The bone marrow was grilled and served on toasted rye bread, with a compote of unripe berries and green onion. I’d not tried bone marrow previously and I really enjoyed the umami flavour and it had a welcoming and warmy buttery and creamy taste. I loved the depth of flavour which was rich and savoury.

For main course we chose roasted and glazed free range chicken and black bream fillet. The roast chicken was of very good quality and melted in the mouth. It was served with wild watercress, warm salad of chanterelles and corn. We picked out a side of fries to go with the dish. I’d have described them as chips, rather than fries, but they were lovely fluffy chips that complemented the chicken dish. The black bream was a very popular dish, in fact as we were leaving they had run out of it. The fish was well cooked and tasty. Served with potato rosti, raw fennel, sauce of sour beer and pumpkin seed, which went well together. I ordered a side of leeks, peas, and pancetta, which was a delight. The peas really lifted the dish with their sweetness.

black bream

Whilst we were tempted by the dessert menu, we couldn’t manage any more food. I’m keen to go back to Hengata, Harborne and try the puddings and the hot smoked trout on another occasion.

Other local food reviews:

Sadler’s Brewer’s Social

Christmas Giveaway

December 8, 2021 by Erica Hughes Leave a Comment

Christmas is a season of giving, so a giveway for readers at this time of year seems like just the thing to do. I do appreciate you stopping by to read my new posts and I really enjoy any comments you leave me. So I decided to team up with some other bloggers to give a gift to our readership.We have picked out a lovely prize to award to one lucky reader. Who knows that reader could very well be you. If you’d like to be in with a chance of winning, please read on for more details about how to get involved. Good luck!
Merry Christmas and it is that season of giving, so what better way than to celebrate with a giveaway!

Christmas giveaway This prize is M&S The Beaulieu Hamper

There are plenty of ways to enter, simply scroll down to the Rafflecopter widget below to see the options. You will also see the terms and conditions below as well as all of the blogs taking part – please do take a moment to visit them to show your support to them.

Bloggers Taking Part

Here is a list of all of the bloggers taking part in this giveaway – please show your support by visiting them.

The Prize

This prize is M&S The Beaulieu Hamper

This includes:

La Vita Sangiovese (75cl) (Alcohol Content- 12.5%)
Apple and Fig Chutney (100g)
Milk chocolate florentines (170g)
Italian chocolate assortment (300g)
Black truffle & olive oil hand cooked crisps (150g)
British strawberry soft set jam (113g)
All butter Cornish Cruncher biscuits (80g)
Collection Rye Sourdough Crackers (130g)
Presented in a dark-stained hand woven wicker hamper with brown faux-leather handle and strap

Terms and conditions

1. There is one top prize of the M&S The Beaulieu Hamper.
2. There are no runner up prizes.
3. Open to UK residents aged 18 and over, excluding all bloggers involved with running the giveaway
4. Closing date for entries is midnight on 23.12.2021
5. The same Rafflecopter widget appears on all the blogs involved, but you only need to enter on one blog
6. Entrants must log in to the Rafflecopter widget, and complete one or more of the tasks – each completed task earns one entry in the prize draw
7. Tweeting about the giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget will earn five bonus entries into the prize draw.
8. 1 winner will be chosen at random.
9. The winner will be informed by email within 7 days of the closing date and will need to respond within 28 days with their delivery address, or a replacement winner will be chosen.
10. The winners’ names will be published in the Rafflecopter widget (unless the winner objects to this).
11. The prizes will be dispatched within 14 days of the winner confirming their details.
12. The promoter is Drew Media LTD t/a www.MakeMoneyWithoutAJob.com
13. By participating in this prize draw, entrants confirm they have read, understood and agree to be bound by these terms and conditions

Enter now

Simply complete any or all of the Rafflecopter entry widget options below to be entered. You can also tweet about the giveaway daily to earn bonus entries.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Skinstation Review #Ad

November 22, 2021 by Erica Hughes Leave a Comment

Skinstation Obagi Skincare Skinstation is an online store that allows you to browse and buy luxury skincare products at the most competitive prices. They’re passionate about improving skin concerns across the UK with clinically proven skincare systems. They’re certain that we can find a skincare regime for you that is going to yield results you never previously thought were possible. You can book a face to face consultation or use their online store. With over 60 years combined experience in dermatology and cosmetic medicine, they will work with you to help achieve your goals.

Skinstation recommended I try some products from Pure Obagi, so I’ve been trying these out over the last few weeks. I was glad to be able to try something new for my skin as I felt it wasn’t looking its best and needed a bit of TLC.

OBAGI RETINOL I love to go for a salon facial when I can, but for me it’s just as important to be able to access good skin care at home. I’ve been trying the Obagi Elastiderm Eye Cream as the skin around my eyes is a particular beauty concern of mine. I do suffer from dark circles and have some fine lines, so I was interested to see how effective the cream would be. It has a light, creamy texture so it doesn’t sit heavily on the delicate eye region. I have found it has made my eyes look a lot more fresh and bright. My lines seem to be reduced and the skin there seems to be firmer. I’m feeling more confident about my eyes since I started using this cream.

Using Obagi Retinol 1. every evening has been very worthwhile for me. My skin feels generally fresher, brighter and clearer. After use my skin feels hydrated and refreshed without feeling greasy. This product is part of a three part system for those who wish to preserve the natural beauty and youth of their skin. I feel my complexion is much better and I feel more confident both with and without makeup.

Obagi Clear Obagi Nu Derm Clear is a product I’ve been using this twice a day for a few weeks now. This anti-wrinkle retinol face cream will help to boost skin cell turnover to minimize fine lines and wrinkles while diminishing hyperpigmentation. Hydrating jojoba oil and shea butter promotes firmness and elasticity, as vitamins C and E work together to neutralize free radicals. I’ve found it has reduced a pigment mark I had due to sun damage. It works gently on my skin, but seems to work very effectively.

I’ve been very happy with my experiences using Pure Obagi over the last few weeks. The products are pleasant and easy to use. I am very pleased with the results and I do think my skin looks brighter and younger looking since I started using these as a major part of my skincare regime. I think I’ll continue to use them as part of my skincare routine in the future.

Disclosure: I was sent these products for the purpose of reviewing them.

Keto Plan From Love Yourself Review #Ad

October 20, 2021 by Erica Hughes 2 Comments

Love Yourself recently got in touch and asked me to try their Keto Plan. I’d previously enjoyed trying their Low Carb Diet plan.

What is the Keto Diet and How Does it Work?

The Keto Diet is a weight loss diet that focuses on a higher fat and protein foods and very low carbohydrate intake. The higher fat and protein content of the diet helps stop you feeling hungry and you don’t crave carbs as a result.

Keto diet is based on limiting your carbs and eating more fats and proteins, which induces a process called ketosis. During ketosis, the body becomes more efficient in burning fat instead of carbohydrates as a source of energy, resulting in weight loss and effective weight management. It also turns fat into ketones in the liver, which can supply energy for the brain. By limiting your carbohydrate intake to less than 22g total each day your body uses its fat stores as a source of energy, which increases the body’s metabolism and boosts weight loss with a higher concentration of fat being burnt. It is a great way to burn fat and gain lean muscle at the same time.

Pros of a Keto Diet

People chose to follow a keto diet for different reasons, but some of the main advantages of a keto diet include the following.

Efficient fat burn & increased metabolism
Higher in protein, so ideal for a muscle building diet and lean muscle gain
Increased physical and mental energy levels are often reported
Plenty of naturally occurring amino acids

Keto with Love Yourself

One of the downsides for me of a keto diet is working out what I need to eat. It seems to be quite an effective diet for me, so I like to eat that way if I can. I find it does help me lose weight and as I do a lot of swimming, it does provide me with the raw materials for muscle building. I would normally eat a lot of carbs, but with a keto diet I don’t crave them at all. Love Yourself’s Keto Plan really does make following a keto diet very easy.

I love the fact that you can order your food by the day, a five day pack or even longer. You’ll get three meals a day and a snack. I had some lovely food when I tried the keto plan for a few days. A typical breakfast might be scrambled eggs with bacon and parmesan. I loved the smoked salmon salad and the grilled turkey with vegetable stew. I felt I was getting a good range of protein and vegetables. When I try keto for myself, it’s usually heavy on the protein, but this way there were plenty of vegetables included. This was it’s so easy and your five a day is delivered in a tasty way.

The food quickly arrived by courier. A lot of effort went into keeping the meals cool whilst they were transported and the packages were well insulated. Thoughtfully the packaging has been chosen to be from sustainable materials. All the containers are biodegradable and 90 days compostable – I rinsed mine out and sent it off in our garden waste bin for the council to compost.

The Shed, Barry – A Review

September 11, 2021 by Erica Hughes Leave a Comment

approach the shed barry

The Shed, Barry

Situated in Barry’s redeveloped Docks area, The Shed by James Sommerin is a very welcome upmarket eating place in the town. Housed in the Gwalia Buildings (Goods Sheds), now sympathetically repurposed, this is a restaurant that represents much of Barry’s hopes for the future. The Shed is envisaged as a modern and contemporary eating destination, but its philosophy is centered on Barry’s proud industrial heritage. They have even sourced the wood for the table tops from original timber reclaimed from the Barry Docks area. Plus the slate that forms the bar and the pass have come from old snooker tables. The interior is airy and light. There are hints at the industrial heritage of the area within the decor.

The restaurant’s price point is that of a high end bistro rather than a grander fine dining affair. However, the food is certainly up there with fine dining establishments. It’s a relaxed setting in which to enjoy your meal.

interior the shed barry James Sommerin has brought his expertise to The Shed. He was formally a Michelin-starred chef (The Crown at Whitebrook) and both The Shed and his previous project at Penarth have been featured in the Michelin Guide.

Smoked Haddock Souffle

The Meal

To start I had the Smoked Haddock Souffle, which is flavoured with wholegrain mustard and dill. The mustard is applied with a sparing hand and doesn’t overpower the dish. It’s very much a creamy, soft, smoky haddock delight. I’d have very happily eaten a big bowl of this.

Rabbit and Pork belly Terrine

My companion opted for the Rabbit and Pork belly Terrine served with fig, walnut and chicory. As you’d expect this had a richness from the rabbit and the fig, but the chicory cuts through that to bring some freshness.

tomahawk steak, the shed barry

For our main we shared the Tomahawk Steak. This was cut in the kitchen, but plated at the table for a little drama. We picked out sides of Triple Cooked Chips, Tenderstem Broccoli and Heritage Tomato Salad. We followed the chef’s suggestion and had our steak cooked medium rare. It was a good quality steak with plenty of flavour. The triple cooked chips were wonderful. Crispy on the outside, but soft and fluffy inside: everything a chip should be. The broccoli, with its almond and garlic flavouring, together with the tomato salad proved to be the idea accompaniments to the steak.

crepe suzette

For pudding I opted for a Crepe Suzette, but unusually for me I tried the alcohol free option. It does mean that the table-side cooking of the crepes is slightly less dramatic. Certainly the alcohol and the flames do add something to the occasion. But the crepes were still very moreish with their lovely orangey coating.

Raspberry & Dark Chocolate Millefeuille

The Raspberry & Dark Chocolate Millefeuille really did look a picture. An exquisite sandwich of raspberry and creamy dark chocolate sweetness. For me, the balance of crunch to softness was spot on.

The service was attentive without being obtrusive. So we felt very well looked after during our visit to The Shed, Barry. If we are visiting Barry in the future, we will definitely be making a return visit. Highly recommended.

House of Games Board Game Review and Giveaway #Ad

September 7, 2021 by Erica Hughes 32 Comments

We have been avid fans of Richard Osman’s House of Games for a long time now. It’s standard tea time viewing in this house. I love the mix of games, the contestants and pitching my wits against the questions as the show airs. Would it work as a board game though? I was interested to see how well the series would adapt to the board game format. So when I was offered the chance to review a copy of the game, I jumped at it. Read on to find out how we got on and what we thought of the game as we played it.

If you have not watched House of Games, this is the simple premise: the contestants either pair up or go against each other to answer or solve word-based tasks for points. They do this over the course of a week, but each programme can be watched on its own. Each day the winner of that day’s programme gets to choose from a selection of branded, rather kitsch prizes with the House of Games fondue set being my personal favourite. The boxed version follows the same premise, only you won’t play it over a number of days and the prizes are up to you.

There are six categories or rounds to choose from and a final seventh round, Answer Smash, which always ends the game. Four of the rounds are chosen at random and slid into a card holder – this determines the order of the rounds and the rounds that are actually played. Now it suggests that this game can be played by 3+ players. But it’s better played as a group of five (or more in pairs so 7,9, etc.). This is to make it work better as some of the rounds are played in teams and one of the players acts as the Question Master.

Each round has four questions asked, and the fifth round is always the same but also has four questions – points are gained for correct answers and whoever has the most points at the end, wins. The prize is a Richard Osman-themed cardboard trophy.

Richard Osman’s House of Games is good fun, but I’m not sure how good the repeat play value is. I think there could do with being a few more different cards for the various rounds, to keep you playing longer. That said, I don’t think we’d often have the right number of people in the house to play this at its best, so perhaps that wouldn’t be that much of a concern.

One of the joys of the game for me is that it isn’t a straight forward quiz game like say Trivial Pursuit. The questions are a bit different and will give your brain a work out in a quirky way.

I’ve got good news for readers, I have a copy of Richard Osman’s House of Games to give away to one lucky reader. Enter via the Gleam widget below.
Richard Osman’s House of Games Board Game

Competition Terms and Conditions

1. No bulk, third-party or automated entries allowed.

2. Entrants must be aged 18 years or older and resident in the UK.

3. The winner or winners will be chosen by a random draw using the competition widget.

4. Promoter is responsible for fulfilling the prize and full contact details of the winner will be passed onto the promoter to enable prize fulfillment.

5. The winner’s name may be published on this site.

6. Competition closes at the end of Sunday 3rd October 2021.

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of the game for the purposes of this review.

Trainfit Leggings Review #Ad

September 2, 2021 by Erica Hughes 4 Comments

Leopard High Rise Roll Down Leggings by Halo Fitness

Yoga, swimming and walking are my main forms of exercise. For yoga and often for walking too, I prefer to wear leggings. Leggings are so easy and comfortable when you are exercising. They have plenty of stretch too, so they move with you when you bend and stretch. They keep you warmer than shorts which is good for outdoor exercise or when you are doing less intensive yoga sessions. Leggings can suit any number of different workouts from cardio to weights, pilates to running. I usually change after exercise, but if there isn’t time, it’s easy to dress leggings up with a nice top and you are good to go almost anywhere.

Trainfit recently asked me to try out something from their selection of gym clothing and cross training gear. They have a great selection and they don’t do boring. There are bright colours and prints to choose from which I find really cheerful. I find wearing that sort of gear when I’m exercising helps keep me motivated. I decided to pick out some Trainfit leggings because I am always on the look out for great leggings to exercise in.

trainfit leggings

I picked out the Leopard High Rise Roll Down Leggings by Halo Fitness. It was a difficult choice because there were so many great options. I’d recently admired some animal print leggings on someone else at a yoga class though, so that was what swung it for me. I was really pleased with my choice when they arrived as they looked great and felt soft and smooth to the touch. If you are not a fan of the leopard print then Trainfit also stock a range of funky gym leggings in a variety of different styles and colours to suit varying tastes no matter how bold!

These versatile high-rise tights were designed to fit like a second skin, which makes them perfect for yoga or the gym. I found they were a really good fit for me. They are made with single-lined, lustrous material that allows for unrestricted movement. This meant it was easy for me to do any yoga pose from downward dog to chair pose in them. The four-way stretch fabric is sweat-wicking, which helps keep you cool and comfortable, even when you are working hard. I love that the fabric is breathable.

Whilst exercising the leggings feel supportive on both my legs and tummy. The high rise cut is flattering and I prefer to wear them high waisted as it gives a bit more coverage. But, they are easy to roll down if you prefer the low or mid rise look. They come in a range of sizes from Xtra Small to Xtra Large. I couldn’t find a size guide on the Trainfit site, which was a shame. However, I take a size 14 bottoms usually and I found that the large was a good fit. I felt they looked good on me and were flattering despite being a good, close fit.

They have washed well and I’ve found they spring back into shape quickly after being worn. I’m hopeful that they will last me a good long time and wear well.

Disclosure: I was sent the Trainfit leggings for the purposes of this review.

Gentle Tooth Whitening #Ad

August 31, 2021 by Erica Hughes 2 Comments

Over this last year I’ve been using more home beauty treatments. It’s been the only way during lockdowns with salons closed. I’ve missed the salon pampering experience, but I’ve enjoyed the ease and convenience of being able to have the treatment whenever I want. Obviously, at home you aren’t always able to use the full range of products or give yourself all the treatments, you would get professionally, but there are plenty of options out there. The added benefit is that it’s often cheaper too. Here I’ve been trying out some gentle tooth whitening products to help whiten my teeth.

As we get back to normal we will all have special occasions and events for which we want to look our best. Feeling good about your teeth is great for self confidence in your appearance. We’d all like to have perfect teeth for a wedding for instance.

Introduction: What are the Benefits of Gentle Teeth Whitening?

The benefits of using gentle teeth whitening are that it is easy to use, it does not require the person to stop eating or drinking for long, and there are no negative side effects.

How Does Gentle Tooth Whitening Actually Work?

Gentle teeth whitening works by using natural ingredients like charcoal and apatite to naturally whiten teeth. There are two main ways that these ingredients are applied: in a toothpaste or as part of a kit using strips or something similar to apply the ingredients to the teeth. Toothpastes are the easiest to use and can be used as a maintenance treatment. Using a kit will often get a quicker result, but it requires you to set aside some time for the treatment.

Charcoal based toothpastes

Just a word of warning here. These toothpastes are black in colour. Once you get over the fact that you are putting something black onto the teeth you want to whiten, you’ll soon realise how effective these toothpastes are.

The first brand I tried was White Glow Toothpaste from cruelty-free, dentist led brand Millionaire Smile. The Volcanic White Glow toothpaste is specially formulated using the latest innovative ingredients including hydroxyapatite, activated charcoal and volcanic minerals. It is designed to tackle surface stains, prevent staining throughout the day, rebuild enamel, reduce sensitivity and gently but effectively whiten teeth. It also helps maintain healthy gums and fresh breath, resulting in a brighter, whiter smile and a healthier mouth. I find it very pleasant to use – I liked that it wasn’t minty to the taste. I found that my teeth quickly became a few shades lighter.

Curaprox’s Black Is White Toothpaste. Using enzymatic science that reacts with the mouths saliva to produce a whitening outcome, CURAPROX’s Black Is White is safe to use as a regular daily toothpaste, with no harmful bleaching agents. The Black Is White Toothpaste helps to remove discolouration by using activated carbon without abrading or bleaching and helps with sensitivity too, whilst strengthening oral health with enzymes that protect against tooth decay and support the salivary functions. Again this is really pleasant to use and it also helped my teeth become a few shades whiter. Another plus point for me is that this came with a black-bristled toothbrush, which is handy as my white one was getting stained.

Other toothpastes

If you don’t like the taste of charcoal or you prefer a minty toothpaste, there are other gentle tooth whitening toothpastes available. I tried Urtekram’s Fresh Mint Whitening Toothpaste, available from Amazon, is a certified organic and 100% natural origin toothpaste. Specially formulated to strengthen tooth enamel, protect against tooth decay and reduce dental calculus, it leaves your breath smelling minty fresh, too. The whitening effect comes from completely natural ingredients, including Apatite. This one is great for leaving you with a fresh minty taste in your mouth and it is effective over time. This is now the toothpaste I use before a night out because of the combination of the minty taste and the gentle tooth whitening effect.

Teeth Whitening Strips

I also tried some Teeth Whitening Strips from Millionaire Smile. The strips aren’t as easy as using a toothpaste, but they work well at home. Before use you need to brush your teeth and dry them. Then you place the strips on your teeth. You leave them on for 30-45 minutes and you need to avoid eating and drinking during this time. This isn’t hard to do, but you will have to plan in the time for the treatment. Once you have done that you can watch TV or read a book or whatever you like, so it’s quite relaxing. The strips do feel a little odd on your teeth, but you quickly forget about them. I would use these ahead on a big night out or similar. They are quicker to work than the toothpastes, so they are a good way of getting your teeth a bit brighter quickly.

Teeth Whitening Products in the News

According to a new Which report, nearly 60 percent of teeth whiteners bought from Amazon Marketplace, eBay, AliExpress and Wish had illegal and dangerously high levels of a bleaching agent. Which tested 36 whitening kits. Of these, 21 had more than the legal limit (0.1%) of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for home use in whitening kits, while 11 had more than 6 percent H2O2, which exceeds what dentists can use. Dr Ahmed Hussain, leading dental expert from Harrow on the Hill Dentistry shares his concerns: “Your social media feeds, or searches online, may show you that it is possible to purchase peroxide-based products to bleach your teeth, but I strongly urge you not to buy these products. Who knows the long-term damage these non-professional treatments might cause? Some products may not even be strong enough to make any lasting difference.”

Conclusion

I have been careful here to pick out reputable products that don’t use harsh chemicals. If you want to use a stronger treatment, make sure you go to a qualified professional for proper treatment. I found that all these products were effective in making my teeth whiter, so they are a much nicer, whiter colour than before. None of them were able to remove denser, darker specific stains, so I think I will have to consult a professional about that. I hope you have enjoyed my round up of gentle tooth whitening products.

Disclosure: I was sent the products featured in this article for the purpose of trying them out to write this post.

Rooster Rolltop Welded Dry Bag #Ad

August 31, 2021 by Erica Hughes 2 Comments

rooster roll top welded dry bag

Summer holidays mean the beach, the sea and lots of fun in the water. So this seemed like the perfect time to test out the Rolltop Welded Dry Bag from Rooster. Wet swimming costumes and wet suits soon get smelly, so it’s important to have a way of dealing with them that contains the smell. That smell often seems to linger long after you remove the wet things from the car. Also, no one wants their car upholstery getting wet, so a dry bag seemed like a perfect solution to the wet clothes dilemma.

The Dry Bag

The bag itself is made from a strong 500D PVC material and is incredibly well made using high-quality materials. It feels durable and I think it will last a long time. Also the clips feel strong and again I think they will last well. The bag can be easily wiped down after use, so it’s no problem to clean. Another plus is that it does look very stylish, as well as being functional and useful. There are 60 litre and 10 litre versions depending on your needs.

rooster roll top welded dry bag The bag folds down well and it’s easy to make it really small. This is great for storing at home or in the boot of the car when not in use. The straps can be removed and simply clipped on when needed. This helps keep the bag compact, but you can easily carry stuff to or from the beach when the bag is full. We used it to carry dry things and food to the beach and it works very well for this. However, it really comes into its own when you are using it for wet things.

Using the Dry Bag

When you want to use the bag, you simply pop our wet things inside. It’s just one main compartment, so it’s easy to use. Then simply roll down the top of the bag. You just turn it over itself three times and then clip the ends together. Then you can clip on the straps, which are really comfortable on the shoulders.

The dry bag is really spacious and can hold all of our swimming things. It’s been more than big enough for me and my son to use it together and you could easily fit in a family’s wet gear. We really put it though its paces by turning it upside down and throwing it in the air, but no water escaped. It’s been so much better than using a plastic bag (they always seemed to spring a leak on me, no matter how well I checked them first).Some people think that dry bags are an unnecessary expense. They believe that a simple plastic grocery bag will do the trick, but I find a plastic bag doesn’t do the job nearly as well.

Perfect for trips to the beach, the lake or for keen sailors, popping your wet clothing in here means no more wet, slightly doggy, smell in the car home. I can see us using this for trips to the swimming pool too.