Win A Pair Of Portuguese Heart Earrings - Ends 18/07/14

Portuguese Heart make beautiful filigree jewellery from a traditional Portuguese design.  

 This type of jewellery isn't widely known outside of Portugal but it has a detailed and delicate look. 

 To win a pair of Sonia earrings, check out my interview with the owner of the company Catarina Araújo here, then come back and answer the questions on the Rafflecopter application below.

 If you love the earrings as much as me you can enter daily, so be sure to bookmark the page.



My giveaway is open to those 18 + living in the UK only.
Winner picked at random via Rafflecopter
Please allow 28 days for delivery
No automated entries
One entry per person
Giveaway ends midnight on 18/07/14

Good Luck!

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Portuguese Heart Jewellery

Portuguese Heart are a jewellery company that sells beautiful unique filigree jewellery. Here I speak to the owner of the company Catarina Araújo about her passion for beautiful Portuguese jewellery.



When did you start Portuguese Heart?

The website for Portuguese Heart went live in December 2012, but the ideas and preparation work for it began long before that. 

What is the idea behind the company?

I wanted to really promote this beautiful and unique art form, which isn't well-known outside of Portugal. I had bought filigree jewellery for friends in the past as gifts; they were always so well-received that it made me want to give others the chance to buy original gifts for their own family and friends. I hope that people will not only love the jewellery they see but find some inspiration to go to Portugal and discover the myriad other things we have to offer.

What are the price points?

I wanted to have a price range that would be affordable to everyone. Prices range from £14 to £250. These correspond to what you'll find in the jewellery streets in downtown Lisbon. 



What makes the jewellery special?

There's so much that makes it special. Firstly, I make sure to only buy very low numbers of each piece (usually 2 or 3) to guarantee that you won't meet someone wearing the same thing at a party (what woman doesn't hate that?). Another way it's special is that it's hand-made by artisans whose families have been in the business for generations. It's a dying art form - and one that I hope we can preserve by introducing others to it. Finally, the versatility of the jewellery is unrivalled: you can wear it with denim shorts on the beach sipping a caipirinha, or to a ball at Buckingham Palace... and everything in between. It's traditional to wear filigree at weddings in Portugal, but I've seen it at Indian weddings and it looks amazing! 



What are your favourite pieces of jewellery that you own?

For me, my favourites are always the ones that have sentimental value to you. Some of my favourites include pieces that belonged to my great-grandmother (I'm fairly sure I inherited my passion for jewellery from her), a ring my grandparents gave me on my graduation, and earrings that my boyfriend got me on our first Christmas living together.



How do you see the company progressing in the future?

The next step, which is due to take place in the next couple of months, is to start selling solid gold jewellery. And whilst I'd be happy to continue focussing on the filigree jewellery, it would be really exciting to expand to other traditional products - anything from luxury soaps to quality hats. 

What do you think of the jewellery above? I love the beautiful gold plated heart necklace. The filigree looks so delicate and intricate and you know that it would be extremely unlikely for anyone else to have something similar to this unique necklace.  

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Degustabox For July


I am always excited when I receive my Degustabox delivery. This food box scheme guarantees value for money and some surprises every month.

So with some excitement I opened my July box...
 This is what I had in my box this month.



Elizabeth Shaw Milk Chocolate Amaretto Flutes - RRP £2.59

A little bit of an after dinner treat these chocolate flutes are sexily sophisticated. Little batons of smooth chocolate with an Amaretto flavour filling, they also contain no alcohol so can be safely shared with all.

Urban Fruit Perfect Pineapple - RRP £1.09

Don't be put off by the look of this snack. They are pieces of dehydrated pineapple but they pack a flavourful munch. Better for you than sweets or crisps, one 20g portion provides one of your five a day. Perfect to add to your kids lunchbox or why not pop some in your own if you go out to work.

Dr Oetker Madagascan Vanilla Grinder - RRP £4.99

Dr Oetker make great baking products. This vanilla grinder contains Madagascan Vanilla pods. The mill is easy to use with fine and coarse options. I am going to use it to make a New York vanilla cheesecake in the near future, so watch this space!

Be Fast Breakfast On The Go Banana Flavour x 2 - RRP £1.00 each

Now I don't know about you but sometimes I don't feel very hungry at breakfast time. These Be Fast milkshakes are packed full of fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals and will be a great breakfast drink when you don't want to eat much. They aren't a low calorie option however having 200 calories per shake and they also have sugar added, but they taste delicious and are definitely worth a try.


Veetee Basmati and Wild Rice - RRP £1.49

We eat loads of rice in our household so I was keen to try this. We ate it with a low fat Chicken Tikka Marsala and we really enjoyed the slightly nutty taste. It is easy to heat, via the microwave or you can even stir fry it. A great store cupboard product when you want a quick meal.

Shaken Udder Chocolate Milkshake 

Well this disappeared sharpish, I think my son is to blame. He loves all things milkshake and all things chocolate so you can guess we are onto a winner here. Free from artificial flavourings, colouring and preservatives, this milkshake it Udderly delicious (see what I did there!).

Bear Alphabites - RRP £2.69

With no refined sugar, salt or added nonsense - (as they say), this box of alphabet cereal shapes are great for kids, and adults too. They use coconut blossom nectar to make they cereal sweet so you don't need to load on the sugar either.

Estrella Damm - RRP £4.00

My husband spotted this can of Spanish lager as soon as we opened the box. Estrella is marketed as "stylish, vibrant and passionate" - and I thought it was just beer! Nice to have cold from the fridge, watching the World Cup, or at a summer barbecue.

Lambrini Strawberry Flavour - RRP £3.29

It's been a long time since I drunk Lambrini but this strawberry flavoured version is light and fresh, and great to use as a base for cocktails. Why don't you add some pineapple juice, raspberry liquor and a squeeze of lemon to make a Strawberry Lambatini. Serve over ice and enjoy.

The total value for these products this month is over £18. With each box being £9.99 plus delivery you always get a bargain. If you like the idea of signing up with no obligation, enter the discount code NO8VE where it says promotional code on the Degustabox website for free delivery.

You can also follow Degustabox on Twitter here.

What do you think of the products this month? What items are your favourite? Let me know.

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Silent Sunday 22nd June 2014





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Universal Studios Florida - The Diagon Alley Expansion

If you are a lover of Harry Potter or Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida, you may want to read this. They are holding press conferences all week for the opening of the new Diagon Alley expansion at Universal Studios.

A little bit of background to this - in 2010 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter opened in the Islands of Adventure theme park, adjacent to Universal Studios, with the amazing Hogwarts castle, the simulator and headliner ride Harry Potter and The Forbidden Journey, Flight of the Hippogriff ride for the young ones and the Dragon Challenge rollercoaster.


The amazing Hogwarts castle

We went in 2010 and my favourite part was Hogwarts castle. The atmosphere and attention to detail was amazing. It was as if they had taken a real castle and transported it to the land of sunshine and fun. As you walk through the castle paintings come to life, and in a stroke of genius snow falls on you as enter the main hall. I actually let out an audible gasp.

The snow on the rooftops adds an authentic touch

The headliner ride here, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey has you soaring on broomsticks, encountering fire breathing dragons and the evil Voldermort whilst being totally immersed in the experience from start to finish.

So it is with excitement that I have been following the Diagon Alley Expansion before my return trip to Universal Studios later this year.

The new Diagon Alley experience has you transported to London and Harry Potter fans will enjoy Knockturn Alley and the joke shop Weasleys’ Wizard Wheezes. The main restaurant will be The Leaky Cauldron, serving classic British pub food such as ploughman's lunch, pies and toad in the hole and you can wash it all down with Butterbeer and Gillywater.
The Hogwarts Express
The Hogwarts Express (Photo credit: Scott Smith (SRisonS))

One of the main attractions is Hogwarts Express, a train ride that will take you between the two main parks. Authentically created with even a replica of King's Cross Station, the windows of the train apparently show scenes from the UK, and don't forget to watch out for the Forbidden Forest and the Wealseys on their broomsticks!

The headliner ride is Harry Potter And The Escape from Gringotts. With some clever animatronics as you walk through the Gringotts bank, the goblins come to life, and you take a lift down to the vaults. You then get onto a car for the ride experience. The combination of cutting-edge technology, 3d effects and a part rollercoaster ride will surely be another of Universal Studio's triumphs.

Diagon Alley officially opens on the 8th of July this year, but Universal Studios Orlando has a week of webcasts with previews of what to expect. I can't wait to go!

Tell me have you been to Universal Studios or visited the Wizarding World of Harry Potter? Are you a Harry Potter fan? 

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Top Tropical Destinations to Top Up Your Tan in 2014

If you are dreaming of beautiful white sandy beaches, deserted palm tree encircled coves, crystal clear seas and complete rest and relaxation, it's a tropical holiday you are looking for. Why not take a look at some of these beautiful destinations if you are in need of a little inspiration.

 Mauritius
Mauritius
Mauritius (Photo credit: Samovar Group

 Set in the Indian Ocean, the beautiful island of Mauritius is the perfect destination for those who want it all from their holiday. With simply amazing beaches, surrounded by crystal clear sea and some of the world's best hotels, offering first class amenities and personal service, it’s an out of this world holiday spot for those looking for a little tropical luxury. Choose from resorts featuring their own golf clubs, waterfront villas, personal butler service in some rooms, shopping facilities, stunning infinity pools, spas and world class restaurants!

The great thing about Mauritius is you really can have it all. If you want to lay on a beautiful beach all day, completely uninterrupted and soaking up the sun, you can. If you prefer things a little faster paced, you have access to some of the best watersports facilities in the world, and if you fancy packing some nice maxi dresses and getting dressed up for dinner, you'll find the perfect a la carte restaurant for it. 

Trinidad and Tobago
English: Beach in Tobago
Beach in Tobago (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Get a taste of the real Caribbean on these beautiful islands. Here you'll find stunning beaches, clear seas, friendly locals and an interesting and varied history, all set to a jazz soundtrack that will have you tapping your feet wherever you go. There are some fantastic sporting facilities here, including golf, diving, hiking, fishing, cycling, horse riding and so much more. Add to that the relaxed atmosphere of the islands and the amazing year round temperatures and you'll never want to leave. 


Cancun

Dolphin Crest
Dolphin Crest (Photo credit: jurvetson)
The playground of the young, rich and carefree, Cancun is packed full of adventures to be had, whether that's swimming with dolphins during the day or hitting the numerous superclubs by night. With fabulous beachfront hotels in the hotel district offering pool parties with famous DJ's, and quieter more refined hotels just a little further out of central Cancun on the Riviera Maya, you'll find something to suit any taste here. The great thing about Cancun is that it can be all things to all people, so whether you want a taste of the champagne lifestyle on a lemonade budget, to hit the clubs in a tropical setting, an action packed adventure holiday or something more sedate, you'll find it in Mexico’s popular party city. 

Other great places to try are sophisticated Barbados, beautiful Bermuda, Antigua with its 365 beaches (one for each day of the year), stunning St Lucia, the beach and animal lover's paradise of the Florida Keys, or the amazing Maldives, with each island offering something unique. So what are you waiting for? Dig the suitcases out and start packing the shorts, swimming costumes, maxi dresses from George at ASDA and sandals and head to tropical shores for a holiday to remember.


*This is a guest post
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