ARLU Rum Review

Like most of the the world I am at home is isolation and looking for way to entertain and feed myself. So I had the chance to try an really yummy brand of rum called ARLU. Not a name I knew but excited to try. I love to make cakes and using the rum in those sounded rather nice lol.
I have a bottle of ARLU spiced Rum and decided to bake buns.

Here is the recipe I used .

Hot Cross buns:

1/2 tsp salt
2 heaped tsp mixed spice
50g caster sugar
50g chopped butter
200g mixed dried fruit ( pre soaked in the ARLU spiced rum)
7g sachet of easy blend dried yeast
200ml milk
2 eggs

For the glaze
3 tbsp plain flour
1 tbsp ARLU speiced rum
Honey or golden syrup for brushing.

Method:

1. tip the flour into a bowl stirring in the salt, mixed sice and sugar.
2. Rub in the butter with your fingers, next stir in the pre soaked dried fruit, spinkle over the yeast and continue mixing.
3. warm  the milk and beat together with the eggs, adding the dried ingredients next.
4. once mixed together to form a moist dough, leave to soak for 5 mns. Then take out of the bowl and cut into 8 equal pieces on a floured surface.
5. shape into buns and place on a baking sheet, cover with cling film and leave in a warm place to double in size ( his will take up to one hr)
6. When the buns are ready, heat oven  to 220c/fan 200/gas 7. Mix flour with 1 tbsp water and 1 tbsp of ARLU rum t make a paste, pour into a plastic food bad and make a nick in  the corner, pipe crosses on the top of each bun.
7. Bake for 12-15 mins until risen and golden, trim the excess mixture from the buns, then brush all over with the honey or golden syrup. Best served with butter toasted.


Hope you give them a go and check out all the other ARLU flavours here

https://www.arlurum.com/

Rebecca Page Patterns

With the way the world is at the this time and not being able to go out things that allow hobbies to carry on is a must. I use a lot of online companies that us PDF patterns, that you can print at home. At first they drove me mad as there is a lot of sticking that goes on lol. Plus some companies are better at the set up than others. Some are super easy to put together some are a real pain!
On my internet travels I am always looking for cute patterns for my grandkids, but also as a larger lady plus size patterns, that are not just sacks.

So I came across one such site called Rebecca Page and was straight away struck by he style and the range. The kids patterns were bright and fun and the adults range of sizes was fabulous. I bought a couple, they was priced very well and come easy to print with full instructions. I was delighted recently to be asked to be one of their brand ambassadors, and try out patterns before the general release.  That way any issues can be ironed out before everyone gets to buy so you can than enjoying your sewing.
Its super nice to be asked as I would buy the patterns myself anyway as I really do like them.  So if you love sewing and you want some nice patterns why not have a look. These are a few bits I have made recently from the patterns.

New beginnings

New beginnings or a new start . I guess I am not alone at this time with reflecting of life or your life in general. With the terrible events going on all around the world is it any wonder many of us are taking stock of life . I started this blog many years ago and at one time would write daily and enjoy doing it. Then life took over and there just was not enough hours in one day to find time to keep up the hard work it needed. I was going to shut it down but my heart just would not let me , it had been my baby for so long.

So I have not been out for a month now as I am classed as vulnerable . I didn't go  out much before but I did get to see my grandchildren and children, and a quick run to the shops at times.  Even I have found it tough being home 24-7 and even worse the heartbreaking need to see my children and grandkids. I worry for myself but I worry more for them and can only hope it is over soon and life can start to recover.

As I have had time I have got lots of sewing done and lots of cleaning. I have made bags, dolls, shirts, trousers, underwear and tops lol.  I wanted to help the NHS as well. My daughter is a nurse and I know just how hard they all work. They were asking for volunteers to make up scrubs for nurse, and I thought that I would be perfect for that.  So I am waiting for my first batch to arrive to sew them up, even I make  few hopefully it will be useful for the over stretched staff.

I am going to see if I can make time to write on the blog and get the blog love back. I have connected with so many over the years, so lets make 2020 the year to do that again.
Love to hear what you have been doing to make this isolation time go fast as well.
Hello again xxxx

Aldi Coastal Range Review

Well at long last the UK seems to be getting some summer. I think when the sun is out you feel like making the inside of your house fresh too. I love Aldi products as the price is always fair and the products smart and stylish. This week I got to try a couple of items from the Coastal  range, a super fresh and clean line of products.


Climate Control Duvet
£9.99

 

This super soft duvet has been designed to take excess heat and moisture away from the body. Now I have issues at night as I always get over hot. I was impressed with this as I really did feel a look cooler and it did help me sleep. Its ideal for the summer months as it has a tog of 4.5 so its nice and light. You can also wash it which is great. Would be good for a child's bed as well in the single size. Excellent product for the price.

Visage Silver Bathroom Scale 

£6.99

I was amazed at the price of these scales as they looked so much more expensive. Very stylish and smart they would look fab in any bathroom. They come with a battery which is always a tick for me, and a super clear LCD display. This is easy to read and as it has a step on activation system easy to use. With a 3 year guarantee as well they must be the product for anyone needing scales. 

Now if they could lose weight for me that would be great ha ha!

So get along to your local store or online  to check out the full range. There are lots of great items and I know I shall be adding a few. 

https://www.aldi.co.uk/coastal-living

Advertisement : Please note I was not paid for this review only receiving a sample of the products 

Aldi Choc-tails review

Well if you are all not totally over chocolate you will love what I want to share with you today.  Everyone loves chocolate and the chance to combine into a choc -tail was too good a chance lol.
So I wanted to share a recipe I tried out today from Aldi.

Cioccolato  al caffe

Ingredients:

50 ml Glen Marnoch Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
3 tsps specially selected medium roast Colombian coffee
120ml water
Cowbelle chocolate fudge milk

Method:
1. Mix specially selected single origin Ethiopian coffee with hot water and once cooled pour into ice trays and freeze.
2. Once fully frozen place a handful of coffee ice cubes into a glass of your choice and pour in the Glen Marnoch Highland Single Scotch whisky and chocolate fudge milk to make a deliciously creamy and fresh chocolate delight. 

There are many more recipes using other drinks such as a Chocolate Grasshopper using Tamova Vodka , and the one I am keen to try Freakshake using Sea Dog Premium Spiced Rum yummy.
If you head over to the Aldi site you can find out all about the wonderful choc-tails and the fab range of drinks that is available .

https://www.aldi.co.uk/

Please note I was not paid for this review only receiving a sample of the product

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Scentsy Review

I think that there is no one amongst us that does not like their place or things to smell nice. Nothing beats smelling something that brings back memories. Smells can to that good and bad lol. This is where Scentsy comes in and I was introduced to the brand by a lovely Independent consultant. This personal service gives you a chance to really get to know the products and you will end up wanting them all.
There is a huge range include

 Wax warmers

Traditional

Scentsy wax warmers don't use candles great for safety. The warmers melt the wax using the heat from a low watt light bulb.This means you get scent and also a candle like ambiance with the flames,smoke or soot. They are free standing with a plug and lead. I love these as i really enjoy the candle effect.

Mini Warmers

Smaller versions that plug into a wall socket ideal for smaller spaces

Element Warmers

Sometimes you want to have the fragrance but no glow, because if you are  like me and it was in a bedroom i would never sleep!!

The range of this warmers is huge and you are sure to find one to fit with your rooms no matter the style of your home.  They are safe, are a great price, smell fab and convenience. As my consultant Lindsey told me ' There is no more cat setting his tail alight on open flames'!! Als as the wax burns at a lower temperature  there is less chance of damage to furniture , or children getting burnt by open flames or hot wax. 

The wax comes in a huge 80 different fragrances and April scent of the month is the yummy Lucky Starfruit really attractive yellow packaging with tones of orange, apricot and starfruit

Scentsy kids

Scentsy also has products for the little persons in your life.It has its officially licensed Disney collection which I don't know about you but I love as well.
A firm fave are Scentsy buddies. They are stuffed toys that have a zip pouch that holds your favourite scent pak. A scent pak is a pouch filled with nontoxic fragrance beads. Scent paks can also be used to freshen up drawers ad wardrobes and I was thinking inside a smelly trainer maybe !

For toddlers and babies: Scentsy sidekicks are pre-scented sensory bears that can attach t prams and car seats They include a teething ring and are BPA and phthalate free.
I totally love the Disney Dumbo Buddy so super cute I want one lol.

There is such a huge range its hard to post about them all so po over to the web site and check out the full range online via Independent Scentsy Consultant Lindsey McDonald

www.lindseymc.scentsy.co.uk

please note I was not paid for this review only viewing a sample of the products 

Aldi Sparkling Wines Review

This week is Mothers Day in the UK so a chance to spoil your mum. Mums are the best and for most of us love a chance to say how much we love and care for her and all she has done. This week we got to try out a fab bottle of Sparkling Rose Blossom wine from Aldi. Once again they have knocked it out of the park with this wine. Come in a totally fab bottle with a very pretty flower wrap. The pink colour and fizz makes it a very nice drink and I can see it being a hit in the summer as well.  Light and delicate it make for a very nice glass indeed. I am sure your mum with love it with lunch or better still a big box of chocolate !


Sparkling Rose Blossom (2.99)

Pop over to the Aldi web site or go into store to see the huge range of wines available 

www.aldi.co.uk 

Please note I was not paid for this review only receiving a sample of the product.

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