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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.  

 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.

The amazing Hogwarts castle

The snow on the rooftops adds an authentic touch

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 (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.

Here are some common questions that people ask about giving blood.

Why give blood?

Thousands of people every day need blood and blood products such as red cells, platelets and plasma for emergency and long-term treatment. Giving blood can literally save someone's life. Due to the short shelf life of blood and blood products and the fact that it is difficult to predict demand, regular supplies are essential.

Blood Types

There are eight blood types and some are rarer than others. For example, O Rh negative blood, is rare but essential as it can be given to anyone regardless of their blood type. Only 2 per cent of the population have B Rh negative which is more often found in ethnic minorities. Blood donors are wanted for all types of blood but especially for those rarer blood groups.

cross body bag from the bags and accessories section

 A sample menu

Starter - Leek and Cheese Tartlet



The leek and cheese tartlet was very tasty. The pastry was light and crumbly and the filling soft and flavourful. It didn't taste over powering of cheese either. It tasted delicious and refined like an upmarket quiche. You can eat this tart hot or cold, I ate it hot. 

Main Course -Lamb Moussaka and Spinach and Butternut Squash Lasagne


Both dishes were very generous portions. The moussaka tasted authentic with a delicious meat filling. The white sauce was smooth and the aubergines soft and yielding. There was an abundance of gravy so I have used an image of it in the cooking container, as the other photo does not do it justice.

The spinach and butternut squash lasagne was topped with a creamy bechamel sauce and a touch of cheese - my husband rated it highly. The tomato sauce in the lasagne tasted fresh and the dish was packed full of vegetables. A really excellent vegetarian dish.

Side dishes - Roasted Vegetables with Thyme and Honey and Peas with Pancetta

I could not fault the flavour of both dishes. A pleasant hint of roast garlic livened up the roasted vegetables with sweetness added by the honey and the peas with pancetta were delicious, you could really taste the slight smokiness of the pancetta. The only thing I would say is that the side dishes were smaller than I imagined as the main courses were extremely generous in size.

Desserts - Raspberry Pannacotta and Pear and Almond Chocolate Tart


We were full after our two courses but our dessert was still waiting.

Onto the raspberry pannacotta. This had a light and creamy set vanilla custard base topped with a lovely raspberry sauce. There were specks of vanilla pod in the pannacotta and whole raspberries in the sauce. This dish was smooth, delicious and not too sweet.

The pear and almond tart had a slightly sweet crisp pastry case filled with a chocolatey sponge centre and was topped with poached pears. I would think this would taste equally nice eaten hot or cold with cream or ice cream. I couldn't wait to tuck into this one, I think my husband was disappointed that he didn't get a taste. The chocolate sponge was slightly gooey and combined with the sweetness of the pears I feel the tart was definitely the highlight of the meal.

The dishes we tried I could not really fault, to be honest. Authentic locally produced food, with a touch of class, cooked with love by Julia and her team. Perfect if you do not feel like cooking, I'm definitely going to pop in when I'm in Cardiff next.

Recommended 4 1/2 stars

Email julia@cookshopcardiff.co.uk
Telephone (029) 2034 4107
Post 171 King's Road, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9DE

What do you think of the dishes? Do you live near Cardiff?

Merumaya Youth Preservation Moisturiser SPF15 30ml - £29.50

This moisturiser is formulated to provide long term hydration, and sun protection for the skin. The seven active ingredients work in combination with SPF filters to protect the sun from UV damage and help prevent the signs of ageing. Active ingredients include Echium Oil RevitElix™ which is clinically shown to reduce skin dryness, wrinkles and fine lines,  while Moistureplex™ Advanced is a blend of amino acids similar to our own natural moisturising factor which captures and holds water at the skins surface. 

My Opinion : It sinks well into the skin with a velvety texture and feels nourishing on. I feel it is suitable for those with combination and dry skin and I personally think it is perfect for those women, over the age of 30 that have a few fine lines and wrinkles appearing. It has a pleasant flowery smell that is quite distinctive and strong at first but over time the fragrance wears off if you are not keen.  A great medium priced product that feels expensive on the skin.

This colour correction cream by Clinique brightens skin and makes redness disappear. It is fragrance free and ideal for those with sensitive skin and Rosacea. This can be worn on its own or with foundation and the SPF of 25 means it protects your skin from sun damage too.

My Opinion. A useful cream to have in your bag, it provides a medium coverage with a matt finish and covers most blemishes. I find that it lasts for most of the day and doesn't creep into fine lines and wrinkles. You could wear this on its on or with foundation for a heavier coverage and it comes in a variety of shades to suit all skin tones. The compact looks very stylish and expensive too. You definitely get a quality product with Clinique and this is no different. A new favourite of mine.
Jan Marini Antioxidant Daily Face Protectant SPF 30 provides broad spectrum UVA and UVB protection to help prevent premature skin ageing. It has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and skin rejuvenating benefits which they claim can reverse sun damage. It feels light on the skin, hydrating whilst still feeling weightless and oil-free. The formulation is enhanced by the anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and skin rejuvenating benefits of phytomelanin and beta glucan 1,3 to help prevent and reverse damage caused by sun exposure.

My Box This Month

Elizabeth Shaw Chocolate Flutes - these chocolate batons are lovely to have with a coffee and they are a tad more sophisticated than having a biscuit.

Kettle Sweet Potato Chips - an alternative to normal potato crisps, these sweet potato chips contain 50% less fat than normal vegetable chips. I have to admit these were not to my taste but were interesting to try.

Cawston Cloudy Apple drink - this was delicious, a grown-up pop, not too sweet, and was refreshing and lovely straight from the fridge.

Garofalo Pasta - superior quality pasta made from the finest durum wheat. A perfect base for your scrummy homemade pasta sauce ( and shop bought!). I don't know about you but I always have pasta in the cupboard, as it is such a store cupboard staple.

Dr Oetker Cake Release Spray - I have started cooking more cakes in the last few months and this will be simple to use to grease tins without the mess.

Hornsby’s Apple Cider & Pear Cider - The strawberry and lime version is lovely, like an alcopop, sweet but not sickly so. I will be trying the apple version  tonight with my evening meal. They say they make it so it is bursting with fruit flavour, how gorgeous does this sound?

Raw Energy Chewing Gum - my son tried these. He found the taste sweet, which when you consider it is sugar-free then that is no mean feat! Taurine is used to give energy and it is also packed with Vitamin B.

Taylors of Harrogate Blackberry & Elderflower Tea - I will be giving these to my mother-in-law, as I am not a fan of herbal tea, although the teabags do smell lovely.

Fin Crisp Crispbread - these crispbreads are made with all natural ingredients. Rich in fibre, vitamins, and antioxidants they would be perfect topped with cheese and pickles for light lunch or a night time snack. 

The total value of these products this month is over £21. When you consider you are only paying £9.99 for a box plus postage, it is a bargain.

Enter code 1VAWW at checkout on the Degustabox website for £3 off your first order.

You can follow Degustabox on Twitter here. 

What do you think of the products this month? If you would like to win a box for July why don't you enter my giveaway below.  Leaving a blog comment is the only mandatory entry. There are many options to enter - you can do as few or as many as you like.  You can tweet daily, for an extra entry as well as leave me Klout daily. Good Luck!