Homes and Gardens

From the latest lawn mower to hedge trimmer to that great new way to BBQ, or inside that wizzy vacuum, cool fridge. A big topic this one, with new gadgets appearing daily! Come and read other members experiences or opinions, or share your own with the rest of the community.

First an Energy Reducing Kettle and then a power saver device Audio Visual Standby. This is the third of my reviews from the Marks & Spencer Christmas In July event. The first two were of reasonably priced useful items, here I am less sure.
If you want something a little different for party food and fun - have a look at the Giles & Posner table top Candy Floss machine.
While this is a hand blender it can also be used as a mini grinder or even with a whisk attachment to beat cream, make mayonnaise etc. So I suppose this is really three tools in one.
The Dyson Baby DC22 Allergy is a cylinder vacuum cleaner designed to tuck away into the smallest of storage spaces whils still giving a performance clean.

552273 552273 J rowenta ultra steam 8A1A Rowenta Ultrasteam

Published in Homes and Gardens by adrianmorant on 16 Oct 2008
The Rowenta Ultrasteam is a hand-held steamer that will quickly remove the worst creases and wrinkles from clothes.
This lovely looking kettle from Kenwood has been designed to give up to 35% energy savings over standard design kettles.

551593 sony DPF D70 Digital Photo FramPictures from Sony

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 8 Oct 2008
Photos are meant to be seen which probably explains why digital picture frames are among popular purchases.
If you like Alessi you'll love this iconic statement piece - it'll also make it easy for you to open that bottle!

550807 nuvue digital photo frame NV 56NuVue 710 Picture Frame

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 1 Oct 2008
There are digital picture frames that will enhance your enjoyment of your digital images and then there are other digital picture frames that do little in this respect.

tefal quick cup single cuHot or Cool Water

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 24 Sep 2008
Boiling a cup of water is quicker than boiling a full kettle so saving on time and energy consumption. That's the idea behind the Tefal Quick Cup.

rowenta prelude kettlRowenta Prelude Kettle

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 11 Sep 2008
Giving my trusty old electric kettle a holiday, allowed me the opportunity to check out a new stainless steel model from Rowenta.
To describe this as a hand blender is a vast underestimate. Not only is it that but with the various containers it becomes far more with the ability to be quickly attached to turn it into a variety of useful kitchen gadgets.
Giving your table lamp a helping hand is easy and possible with a product available from Prezzybox.com.

blackdecker travel cooler portable fridgBlack&Decker Outdoors

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 1 Sep 2008
Not as you may think power tools but a couple of high powered torches and then all you need to keep stuff cool or warm providing you have a cigar lighter socket nearby so ideal for days out in the car.

tefal aquaspeed ultracord iroA Tefal Iron

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 27 Aug 2008
I must confess that ironing does not rank near the top of my list of favourite tasks. In fact, if truth be told, I would position this particular job somewhere near, if not quite at, the bottom of those jobs I would be happy to tackle.

brando stylus hanging bluetooth headseSunday Outside

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 24 Aug 2008
Sunday is no longer a rest day lots have to work but if you are away from the workplace then a nice bit of relaxation could be on the cards, here a gadget for an unusual Bluetooth Headset among other things and a cool pillow for those who suffer from a hot head.

tefal toast n egMaking a Quick Snack

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 20 Aug 2008
While electric toasters have been around for many years, Tefal has decided to give this type of device a make-over with a new feature.

brookstone bob wobble clocIntroducing Bob

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 15 Aug 2008
Following a visit to a Christmas in July Toys event, I was re-united with one of the characters that caught my attention while there.
In these days of healthy eating, we have all been made aware that chips are loaded with oil and are not good for us. However, the Tefal Actifry which is claimed to only need 14ml of oil to fry 1kg of chips changes all that. After all, less than 2% fat is pretty good.

lg solar cube fast oveLG Solar Cube

Published in Homes and Gardens by paul_smart on 30 Jul 2008
Do you fancy cooking a 1.5kilo chicken in half an hour? Roast potatoes in around half that time? Well with the LG Solar Cube not only is it possible I have done it and it tastes fine and was also perfectly cooked.

polaroid picture frame and weather statioImages and Weather

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 29 Jul 2008
Following the recent Polaroid event I was able to check out one of the new products on display. This combined the ability to display digital images and report on the weather.

kodak easyshare m1020 digital picture framDisplaying Your Images

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 15 Jul 2008
Kodak combines images and music with touch border technology in its new digital picture frame series.

beyond innovations 200Beyond Innovations 2008

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 5 Jul 2008
It was a rainy morning, more like an April downpour really but this was July, as I avoided the puddles on my way to check out the new products from Tefal, Krups and Rowenta under the banner of Beyond Innovation 2008.

falcon digital picture frame fridge magneMoving Pictures

Published in Homes and Gardens by jzblue on 23 June 2008
With summer holidays just around the corner what will you do with all the digital snaps you take? This digital frame is perfect to keep the memories of sun and sand alive.

kettle toaster comparisoToaster and Kettle review

Published in Homes and Gardens by jzblue on 10 June 2008
Are you looking for a new toaster or kettle? With so many brands out there it can be very confusing so here is a simple guide to help you choose.
Both these clocks come from a company whose message is ‘stuff you don’t need …. but you really really want.’ The first an analogue clock in three books and the second a cheeky digital offering.
Rechargeable batteries have huge advantages over their disposable counterparts, but you do need to be able to charge them!

sonos digital music systeWireless music with Sonos

Published in Homes and Gardens by petew on 15 May 2008
A look at a complete wireless system from Sonos for wirelessly piping music digital audio anywhere and everywhere in your home - including several places at the same time.
A neat and compact smoothie maker that comes complete with two travel jugs.

dyson dc24 all surfacA Dyson Ball

Published in Homes and Gardens by mfereday on 3 May 2008
While hardly rating as one of my favourite tasks, it could be said that I have been having a ball recently when vacuuming my home.
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