Do you have a good set of saucepans and frying pans? They never seem to last long in my household. Either they get scratched or the coating comes off, or food gets baked on and hard to remove, and I end up using scourers on it ( I know I shouldn't). So when I was invited to try some I was looking forward to it. Would I ever have a frying pan that was really non stick, that was difficult to scratch? Would a saucepan be economical, easy to clean and last me a long time?






So I was sent a range from Premier Housewares. Premier Housewares makes the Ecocook homeware range of saucepans and frying pans. This range has been developed to be super hard wearing, non stick and stylish. However in my opinion the most important feature is what makes the range 'Ecocook'.
What does 'Ecocook' mean you may ask? The 'Ecocook' range is free from the synthetic substances that release harmful toxins and the way they are made makes them very economical too.

Often when pans are heated to a high temperature if a synthetic coating is used toxins can be released, with the 'Ecocook' range the coating is made of minerals so it is able to withstand tremendous heat – up to 280°C – without the risk of blistering or cracking and no harmful toxins are released. The body is also made of ceramic coated aluminium which is a very efficient heat conductor too, food cooks quicker and thus money is saved, and who doesn't want to save money in this day and age?

At this time of year I am always on the lookout for new clothes to wear over Christmas. There are many occasions such as Christmas work parties, dinner parties with friends, Christmas dinner with the family and so on. So when Marisota challenged me to put together a series of looks for the Christmas holiday period I relished the chance to browse the website and come up with some festive ideas.


Christmas Work Party

James Villa holidays celebrate their 30th anniversary this year, and have undergone some interesting research into how our travel habits have changed in the last 30 years. Over 2700 people were quizzed in their travel survey and some of the findings are below.

Do you remember 1984? This was the year that pound notes were taken out of circulation, all teenagers thought they were a character from The Breakfast Club and the high tech computer game of the moment was Tetris. Frankie Goes to Hollywood got Relax to number one and was banned on radio 1, Kevin Bacon was the dancing teen rebel in Footloose and not a parody of himself in a phone advert and leg warmers and snoods were the accessories of the moment.

Our holiday habits have changed since then too. Of course we booked our holidays through a travel agent, as computers were yet to take over our life, and mobile phones weren't widely used until the next decade. It seemed a simpler life then. Do you remember travel agents had a secret 'book' with unbiased reviews of hotels they stashed under the counter? If you wanted to read about places you had to look at travel brochures or guidebooks as there was no Internet as we know it now, no price comparison sites or review sites and no ability for the consumer to book hotels or flights online.



Where we vacation has changed too. Our favourite long haul destination used to be the US but now Australia is the clear leader with the US second and Japan third. Our favourite short haul used to be Spain but now Italy is a clear favourite. We also have had a foodie revolution with nice places to eat nearby overtaking a swimming pool as an expected part of a holiday. We seem to want a little bit more luxury today and consumers wanting a private pool has more than doubled in the last thirty years. Foreign travel certainly seems more affordable today and things we used to think of as luxuries are now the norm.

Some things never change though - spending quality time with loved ones is still our number one priority then as now and the number one essential holiday item is still an old fashioned book. Relaxing from the strains of modern life is still a necessity for us although many of use can't be without our mobile phones on holiday.

Why don't you have a look at the infographic below and let me know what you think? Have your travel habits changed? Where did you like to go on holiday in the past compared to now?


James Villa Holidays - 30 Years of Travel Infographic

* a sponsored post

I must admit, I am huge fan of Hotel Chocolat and have been for a while. This British chocolatier was set up 20 years ago, and produce luxury chocolates with a sense of fun and an ethical conscious. They help support cocoa growing communities in Saint Lucia and Ghana and use high-quality ingredients in every single chocolate they produce.

I'm always in my local Cardiff store, and last year I bought their Christmas crackers for my dinner table on Christmas day. No rubbish toys or cringeworthy jokes, just delicious yummy chocolates with a sense of style ( you get three in the individual cracker) and jokes that are actually funny! If you buy three or more they are on multi-buy too. 
My Favourites

a Rafflecopter giveaway

South Wales has many wonderful activities this Christmas time. Here is my list of what you must see and do across the South Wales area to get you in the festive mood.





Christmas Morning Swim Porthcawl

Every year my little seaside town has a Christmas morning swim to raise money for local charities. Now over 1000 people join in the fun, so why don't you don the fancy dress (optional) and take part, or just watch the merriment from the sidelines? Tenby also have a Boxing Day Swim if you live in West Wales.

A Traditional Christmas at St Fagan's

St Fagans, also known as the Museum of Welsh Life, which is just outside Cardiff, has many events over the Christmas period that are free or under £5. You can make Christmas decorations, or sing along to traditional carols with the St Fagans Christmas Songsheet.  Of course, a visit to Santa always makes the little one's day.

Swansea Waterfront Wonderland

Swansea's award winning attraction is available from Friday 14 November to Sunday 4 January and is based in the heart of the city. There is ice skating, a children's rink, a festive funfair and Santa's grotto. Lots for the whole family to see and do. Charges vary for activities on offer.


Caerphilly Castle Victorian Christmas

I have a lot of jewellery. This comes from owning my own jewellers in the past and obviously blogging about jewellery and fashion. I like to look out for independent designers, with great craftsmanship and uniqueness. So I was interested to find over 250 independent designers together in one place at Jewel Street. It is a browsing mecca for jewellery lovers everywhere!

A guest post by Esther from Inside Out and About Blog.

How to style the ‘MOM’ jeans

I have been determined to ignore the appearance of ‘MOM’ jeans because I live in skinny jeans. Skinny jeans gave me a mild heart attack when they reemerged circa 2004, but now I can’t imagine wearing anything else. I was hoping the ‘MOM’ jean would quietly go away, as apparently ladies with a larger bum and thighs (such as myself) should steer clear of them at all costs! They are straight out of the 90s - vintage wash, with a high waist and tapered leg. They certainly look comfier than skinny jeans, so I did what I usually do in these situations - bought some from eBay, that way I can sell them on if they turn out to look hideous.

When I first put them on I was instantly transported back a decade (or so) and I felt ridiculous. I swiftly removed them, and decided to do a bit of outfit research with the help of my best friend (Google) and my other stylish friend (Pinterest). Gosh - there are some gorgeous people out there wearing MOM jeans! I had a little look through my wardrobe and put together some combos that would make wearing MOM jeans palatable. I didn’t realise how easily they could be dressed up and with very basic pieces. They are far more versatile than they look.

Here are three looks that I’ve tried and tested over the last few weeks. MOM jeans are comfortable, fun and I’ve decided that it doesn’t matter two hoots what your body shape is...or your age for that matter.

Look 1







Look 2





Look 3







Do you love or hate the MOM jea or have you been sporting them since the 90s, and wondering what all the fuss is about? I know what I’ll be slipping on when I want to instantly feel 10 years younger!

Another tip - do not wear your hair in a ponytail whilst wearing MOM jeans. Try it, and you will know exactly what I mean.

Esther xx

On the odd occasion the love of my life and I travel down to my home town of Peterborough, I am struck by how a place can seem in the eyes of someone who did not grow up there. My entire life I had been desperate to escape my ‘Paper Town’, and move to somewhere where life was actually happening. During our time ‘down South’ Steven insists we stop to take pictures of endless rolling fields (yawn!) and marvels at thatched cottages (cute, but a total fire hazard!) as if they are one of the several wonders of the world. As much as I mock, I know that I am almost as bad when it comes to his hometown of Southport. The boy grew up by the seaside! I can’t possibly imagine growing up a literal stones throw from the beach (as devoid of actual sand as Southport is) and feel like everyday must have been like the Bank Holiday Monday’s that my family and I drove the 2.5 hours to Mabletherpe - Heaven!

However, as is often the way when you become too used to a place, both Steven and myself seem utterly desensitised by the places we grew up, and quite often, the ‘tourist’ hot spots that everyone else is dying to visit, are places we have never even ventured.





It is for this reason, however, that I am basing a ‘travel’ post, on staying at home. Bare with me here. When I do get to take Steven to the place I grew up, it takes a while to think of anything to do. When I really look though, tourist centre leaflets strewn around me, and I try to see ‘home’ from his point of view, I realise that everywhere has a treasure trove of hidden gems. 

For Peterborough it’s the Cathedral (I spent many a teenage day kissing in the grounds with an acne ridden hormone-machine, but never once actually ventured inside the beautiful building), Ferry Meadows (for bike rides, boating on the lake and fairytale picnics) and Queensgate, the shopping centre that seems to have the exact right shops in for me (Y’know, McDonalds, Thorntons, HMV). 

For Steven’s Southport, my heart gets excited for Splashworld (so many flumes!), Pleasure Land (not what it sounds like - it’s a fairground!), and the infinite amounts of amusements, Ice Cream parlours and buckets and spades! We will both readily admit that until we had to find something interesting to do in our home towns, we didn’t think there was anything to do! So now, we make a special effort, to rediscover the towns just as we would Paris, New York or London. With open eyes and ready minds, to find adventure everywhere - even Peterborough!




So try it this weekend! Try and do the touristy activities that you often actively avoid, and endeavour to enjoy the places you’ve always taken for granted - you don’t have to hop on a plane to find excitement!

It's that time of the year again, the weather is getting colder, nights are getting darker, and Christmas is just around the corner. Many households will be putting their heating on, and those on a low income will be worrying about the heating costs.


In 2013 Saga reported that energy bills for older people have more than doubled in the last eight years. The average annual spend on gas and electricity for the over-65s soared to *£1,355.90 in the year previous and this will no doubt will be bigger this Winter.


Comparethemarket.com is a comparison website that helps you compare companies at a click of a button. It's not just energy companies either, as you can find the best deals for car, home and life insurance, travel insurance, credit cards and energy. On discussion with them they hadn't changed energy suppliers for a long time so I decided to take Anne through the Compare the Market website to see if they could save on their utility bills.

Once you click on energy it takes you to this page below.



There is also an app available called Snapt, which allows the user to photograph their bills and send the information to Compare The Market by phone. At the moment this is available on the iPhone, but I guess it won't be long until it is brought out on Android.

So if you can think of anyone that would benefit from a saving on their utility bills this Winter, especially the elderly, why don't you pop in for a chat and show them what to do. Don't forget with the #GreatBritishSwitch campaign from 14th – 16th November for every switch made Compare the Market will donate £5 to Friends of the Elderly. So they save and the charity gains. Simples!

* As a thanks for taking part in the campaign, comparethemarket.com will donate £50 on my behalf to Friends of the Elderly. This is a sponsored post in conjunction with CTM and Tots100