Sugru - Review

I was contacted quite a while back by the guys at Sugru asking me if I would be interested in trying it out.  I'd never heard of it before and was intrigued to find out a bit more about it.  So I Googled it, I watched a few YouTube videos and figured I'd give it a go for myself.

For a few months now I have been racking my brain for a crafty and creative way of being able to use the product, still to this day I have come up with nothing, although there are loads of great ideas on the craft section on there website here.

It is what I would call a fix it product that you can get creative with, modifying everyday, household items.

James' iPhone charger had become loose and the wire had become exposed.  He used the Sugru to repair the chord and it did a really great job.  At the time I didn't take any photos as I was thinking of a pretty and creative use for my review.  As that hasn't happened I have pinched an image from Pinterest to give you an idea what I mean.

Image sourced from Pinterest.

To begin with the product is very much like play-dough.  You manipulate it to the desired shape or mould it around, in this case, wire, but it could be whatever you are looking to use it for.  It could be to create a handle on a saucepan lid or even a hook of some kind on the back of a cupboard door.  The possibilities really are pretty much endless.

It comes in various colours, each sealed in their own little individual pack.  Bare in mind that once the packet has been opened you need to use it pretty much there and then as once it is left or the air to get to it, it will begin to set.

Just a few of the colours, it also comes in white and black plus some brand new colours that have recently been added.

Each individual pack is fairly small in size, but you can make it go a long way, especially if it is small things you are looking to fix, such as a phone charger.  So it may be an idea to wait until you have  a few things to use it for to get the maximum use from it.

Once it has set it is rubbery in texture and can still be flexible depending on how it has been used.

Maybe I'm missing a trick and there is a wonderful and creative use for this stuff that I've just not come across yet.  If you can thing of anything be sure to let me know.

I did think about making some stamps but then I don't really have the need for stamps.  And then I spotted the glue gun stand which I loved, but my glue gun has it's own little stand attached to it, so there is no need for that either.  There must be something out there.  I'm just waiting fore it to come to me. I'm sure it will happen eventually :).

The product is currently stocked in Wilkos and B&Q.  Don't take my word for it, try it for yourself.

Love Gem x x

Aldwych The Secret Station

Last stop on Saturdays adventure in London was the main reason for our visit.  We had booked up a station tour of Aldwych Station.  After hearing about it last year I was keen to check it out for myself, (even the 156 steps to get to and from the platforms eeek).

The station closed in 1996 and is now used by the emergency services for training  as well as being used as a film set.

Most recently it has been used in the filming of Mr Selfridge and Sherlock but in the past has been used in films such as Atonement and The Edge of Love.

There is so much history surrounding the station which I loved hearing about throughout the tour.

The station was used during both world wars to store works of art from the London galleries and museums as well as acting as a shelter for 100's of people.

When the station first opened in 1907 it opened as Strand Station due to it's location on The Strand.

It was run as a terminus on the Picadilly Line with trains running to Holburn.

The name was changed  to Aldwych to save confusion due to a second station opening at the other end of The Strand.

There were so many facts and bits of information given to us through out the hour and a half long tour, but I don't want to bore you all with them all, but I'll happily answer any questions via email if you want to know more.

If your local to London I'd really recommend checking it out (I booked it with the London Transport Museum)

It was the perfect end to the perfect day with my hubby (I still can't get used to saying that hehee)

~ Gem x

Time for Tea

For someone who never ever used to drink tea, I now drink quite a bit.

I try to be a little adventurous too and will happily try a fruit tea or two.

I've always wanted to visit the Twinings Flagship store in London and Saturday gave me that perfect opportunity.

One thing I will say is that if you are not specifically looking for the shop then it can be easily missed, it is only a small shop front but what a grand shop front it is.

I loved the tiled floor just outside the door, very posh.  I wonder how old it is?

The smell inside was just divine.  And the choice of all the different types of tea was incredible.

I made a couple of purchases but had to restrain myself from making many more.  A box of Vanilla tea and a box of Liquorice tea for my Mum. (How amazing are their bags, I love their illustrations)

We got there very late in the day (not long before closing) so had we of been there earlier I probably would have sampled some of the teas and in which case would have ended up paying out a lot more money but in all honestly its an excuse to go back again in my eyes.  They had a couple of chocolate teas, now that is definitely something I need to try.

I'm always open to trying something new so if you have a favourite I'd love to hear about it.

~ Gem x 

The View

I may be a country girl, but I LOVE London.  Don't get me wrong, I couldn't live there, but I do enjoy visiting.  This Saturday saw a day trip to London for myself and James and first stop was The Shard.

For us, as it is for many, The Shard is a landmark we have seen appear on the skyline of London and in the past couple of years have admired it on many occasions.  We have said more than once that we would visit one day and check out the view from the top, Saturday was that day.

When we arrived it was literally like passing through airport security, having to take off our coats and empty our pockets, stepping through metal detector, checking that we are not a danger.  It felt kind of odd but on the same token it made me feel safe.  They seemed to be managing the queues well too.

The lift ride was quite different too.  The ceiling was made from TV screens.  I must admit though, I found myself drawn to the numbers flying up on the wall as we climbed the levels of the building and after the second lift ride we soon arrived up on the 69th floor.  

The view was pretty spectacular.  You could see for miles even though the day was overcast.  I'd love to see it on a clear day.  I wouldn't mind seeing it at night with the city all lit up too.

It was great being able to see the city in a different light.  Looking down on it all, like we have never done before.

If you've not visited The Shard yet and your going to be in London, get it booked up.  It is an experience, one that I'm really pleased I was able to enjoy with my man.

Our day in London didn't end here but I shall save the rest for another blog post.

~ Gem x

February - The Month of Love

Hello my lovelies, how are we all?

I have never been much of a fan of Valentines day.  Step into my home right now and you'd most probably disagree with that statement.

I am a sucker for things with hearts on.

I'm also a bit of a sucker for home decorations and I love an excuse to decorate our home for the various seasons throughout the year.

Lucky for me, James is happy to entertain me and my little ways.  I think it is more a case that he can't be bothered to put up with my protests if he were to stop me doing it, that and he knows I would most probably start sneaking bits in anyway, I'm naughty like that hehee.

Over the years we have never made a fuss with cards or gifts.  Some years there are cards, some there are not, it's no biggie in this household and I'm OK with that.

The cards that have been exchanged have been kept in a box (that is never rarely looked at) so this year I thought I'd dig them out and use them as part of my decorating.  I mean, what is the point in them sitting in a box under the bed, it's silly.  At least this way we get to see them and can enjoy them all over again.

I'm also a little bit in love with the heart bunting I have hung them from.  It is from Poundland.  Yes it cost me just £1.  I swapped the ribbon they had provided for some twine, just because I preferred it, and with the leftover hearts in the pack I made up an additional string of bunting to go along the mantelpiece.

It certainly brightens the place up a bit, especially as the place feels so bare now all the Christmas decorations are down.

Me and James have an exciting day planned for this Valentines.  It just sort of happened that way, it isn't because it's Valentines but I suppose it is kind of nice that it is.  I love being able to spend quality time with him and what better day to do it.

Do you celebrate Valentines Day?  What are your plans?

~ Gem x