If you are looking for a spooktacular pumpkin patch to visit this year then I can recommend Hill Farm. I have been quite a few times before over the summer to pick our strawberries and…
View PostI am so excited to tell you all about the Nixplay Digital photo frame. I was sent the Seed version in the 10inch widescreen model to review and now that I have had it a few weeks I am in a position to tell you about it and give my honest opinion on this product.
Not everyone has the space on the wall for every gorgeous photo they want to show and people living in rented accommodation are not always allowed to put photo’s up due to making holes in the wall. My mum’s flat is very small and her mobility isn’t great, so she struggles to put up lots of photos. She would really appreciate something like this where she can showcase a wide selection of photo’s while only taking up a small amount of space, plus she would save money on photo frames.
The photo of the frame on the box is the actual size of the product so you can see its true size straight away, which is great as there is nothing worse then guestimating and being disappointed once you have opened the box.
On the back of the box, there are six key features of the product describing it’s unique selling points;
–Instant Sharing Share moments from anywhere in the world using the Nixplay mobile app or email.
–Nixplay Friends Invite family and friends to send photos directly to your frame.
–High-Resolution Display Clear and vivid colour reproduction.
–Simple Set-Up Connect to a WIFI network and display your favourite photos within minutes.
–Cloud Account Access all your photos from different devices and platforms in one place.
–Hu-Motion Sensor Frame turns on automatically when you enter the room.
In the box, you have your photo frame, remote control, a quick set up guide booklet and your power cable which is a USB cable and a supplied powered adapter; the USB cable must only be used with the adapter. I like that Nixplay has supplied adapter attachments so this can be used in Europe and America, as well as here in the UK. The power cable is also rigid and bendable so you can use it as a stand. You wouldn’t be able to mount the frame on the wall as the back of it is wide and would stick out so Ideally this is better on units, sideboards, etc.
You can stand your frame in either portrait or landscape orientation and the frame will automatically adjust.
One thing I really like with the Nixplay is the motion detectors on the bottom left corner. The thought of having to keep switching it on and off every day would annoy me and it probably more than likely wouldn’t have got used. This, however, turns itself off if no motion is detected after ten minutes (you can change the time in the settings) and then back on again automatically once motion is detected, which means you are not wasting unnecessary power and reducing your carbon footprint by not having it switched on all of the time.
The remote control gives you complete control of the photo frame allowing you to adjust the settings, flick through photo’s faster, swap playlists, pause/ resume and switch the power off.
I found setting up really simple and easy to do. As soon as you have plugged your device in it will ask you to enter your WIFI password which can be done using your little remote control. Then you will be asked to either create an account or log in, again very straight forward to do. You can either do it on your desktop or download the Nixplay app and do it through there, which is what I did.
Now I had set it up I was ready to start uploading my photos straight to my photo frame. I found the App really easy to navigate around and the whole process is very straight forward. You can create various playlists and invite family and friends to contribute to the album from their devices too, which is pretty cool as I plan on giving this to my Mum.
The Nixplay Seed is available to buy online here
** I received this product in return for an honest review **
One of the main reasons for me wanting to visit Cornwall was to visit their picturesque beaches. They always looked so beautiful in photos like something you would see abroad and I wanted to see them with my own eyes.
Whilst on holiday during the summer holidays, one of the first things I did was google beaches near Looe in Cornwall and Talland bay beach kept popping up. It was 1.7miles (6minutes) away from where we were staying at Trelawne Manor.
All the reviews were really good and near enough all of them warned you about the scary single lane road which you have to go down in order to get to this hidden gem. Well, they weren’t lying, and I am so glad that we were following another car down so we didn’t have to manoeuvre to let anyone past as there was nowhere to really move and I felt very claustrophobic.
Heres why.
We had read online that there was a small car park behind the Beach Cafe and to get there early as it can fill up very quickly. We found where we needed to go really easily by using google maps. You will see a sign for Talland Bay beach and Cafe which you will need to follow, past the public toilets and round to the car park.
Parking is Pay and Display and for three hours I think we paid around £3.60. There are longer and shorter stay options available but we decided three hours would be enough for us. There are no disabled bays, however, because it is a small car park and there isn’t far to walk to the beach anyway.
Talland Bay beach car park
Talland Bay Cafe and shop
I was so excited about visiting this little Cornish cafe and it did not disappoint with their three beach huts and plenty of picnic bench seating to sit back, relax, and have a cuppa whilst you take in the breathtaking views around you. We couldn’t go all the way to Cornwall and not have a Scone on the beach – it would have been rude not to. The kids also enjoyed tucking into their cornish ice creams.
They have a little shop where you can purchase nets, buckets, spades, wet suits, beach shoes, bodyboards and much more.
The beach wasn’t your usual sandy beach. It was a mix between seaweed, pebbles, and minimal sandy patches but surprisingly the kids didn’t seem too bothered by the lack of sand. Lydia couldn’t wait to run into the sea and jump over the little waves with her daddy – she’s my little mermaid. Emily and Leo preferred to stay on solid ground with me and run in every now and then. The water was clear like it is in the photo’s I had seen, but cold, very cold, although it wasn’t a particularly hot day, so I was expecting it.
After playing in the sea for a little while, it was time for a quick sandwich and then the kids wanted to go rock pooling with their new nets we had brought from the shop.
As we made our way over to the rock pools we came across this which I thought was really good and I just needed to share.
When the tide goes out, you are left with a really lovely section of rocks that housed lots and lots of little pools. The kids, especially Leo (who is now a keen fisherman), really enjoyed wandering around the rocks in search of sea creatures left behind in the pools and almost started competing to see who could find the biggest creature – or the most. Leo was pretty much straight in there, moving his nets through the pools capturing some little fish and little crustaceans.
Rock Pooling
Lydia and Emily mostly went with daddy as they searched but had not been able to capture much until nearer the end of our little rockpool adventure. Lydia was finally able to catch a larger little fish and just before we were about to leave she was able to catch a little starfish – she was very pleased with herself about this. We hunted for crabs and although we did manage to see a couple, we were unable to catch them.
Once we had finished, we returned the creatures back into the pools and said goodbye to this lovely little bay before heading home. The kids had a fantastic time, it was just a pity the weather wasn’t warm enough to have enjoyed it for longer. For anyone who is interested in going, the water is cold so a wetsuit, if you have one, will help with the water. ‘Wetsuit shoes’ – for want of a better description – will also help as there are fish that will sting you if you walk barefoot. They will also help with the rocks when you go pooling.
I hope you have enjoyed reading my review on this lovely little gem and have found is useful. We had a really lovely day. You can read the rest of our holiday review here.
To read more on Talland Bay click here.
There is a standing joke between me and my sister and that I get the best luck and the worst of luck. So when I entered a competition at the BlogOn conference to win a JF family holiday, well, it could have done either way. I got a call from my sister on the day that the JF winner was announced and to let me know that I had won and I couldn’t believe it.
And the winner of our @johnfowlerholidays competition at #BlogOn this weekend is @theknighttribe
Congratulations Joanne please message us with your email address so we can arrange your prize.#JFHComp https://t.co/tYYk6azbz4 pic.twitter.com/rzsQe2wv5X
— BlogOn Conference (@BlogOnUK) May 7, 2019
We had planned to stay at Trelawne Manor in Looe in an adapted platinum caravan as it had a washroom which is easier for Leo to use and our holiday was booked for the middle of August. The kids were all very excited and had been counting down the days to our little holiday.
Cornwall is a five to six-hour drive from where we live and we had promised our youngest that we would take her to Peppa Pig World in Southampton for her birthday treat. We decided to leave a few days earlier and pay a visit, as it was almost on our way, subject to a slight detour – at least that was our logic. Emily, Leo and Lydia had a brilliant day and the smiles on their faces were priceless. Ater Peppa pig World, we drove two more hours in the direction of Cornwall and spent a night in a hotel to break the journey up.
David and the girls at the entrance of Peppa Pig World. Leo didn’t want to be in this photo because it was ’embarrassing’ his words.
We stopped off in Taunton for the night before carrying on our journey the next day, which would only take two hours from where we were.
We arrived at our destination around 11.30am and, as you would expect on a typical British holiday, it was raining. Check-in wasn’t until 2 pm so we decided to have a look around the Manor and get something to eat in their cafe. The food was reasonably priced, freshly cooked and very delicious.
In the short time we were there waiting to check-in, we discovered an over 18’s only section with slot machines and a few vending machines and on the opposite end, there was a small arcade for the children to play in. The entertainment door was closed at that time so we didn’t get to see inside, but there was a board outside with a timetable of what was on each night of the week. We also discovered a snooker room, which we didn’t get to try out, unfortunately.
The reception area also doubles up as a bar with plenty of seats to have a drink whilst you wait. We received our keys and the lady on the desk explained on the map where our caravan would be and gave us a welcome pack as well as a copy of the entertainment timetable so we knew what was on, where and when.
The Caravan was lovely and they had placed us next to the Manor and directly opposite their on-site ‘Mace’ shop, which sells all of your essentials and more. I found the shop to be reasonably priced for a convenience shop.
(Heres a tour around our Caravan)
We unpacked quickly and then googled the closest Aldi which, from the caravan site to the supermarket, was about a twenty-minute drive. That evening we decided we would stay in the caravan and play board games, watch a movie and eat some popcorn as we were all very tired.
Playing snakes and ladders
The next day, we took the opportunity to visit a hidden gem called Talland Bay beach. You can read what we thought here I would definitely recommend you checking it out.
Talland Bay beach, Looe
That evening, we decided we would check out the evening’s entertainment. The kids loved the kid’s show that starts at 6pm and is run by the ‘Stripeys’. Daddy even got pulled up to dance to baby shark and chichi wa, which was funny to watch. I had a go on Bingo, which is on every night at 7.30pm, and you can win up to £200. We played both Saturday and Sunday night and the girls even had a go at the Kids bingo on the Sunday, which had pretty cool prizes if you got a full house. Leo was more than happy to spend his time in the arcades winning tickets so he can swap them for prizes in the hall.
On Sunday we decided to stay on the site and check out the facilities. The kids wanted to go swimming, although the weather wasn’t great, but they didn’t care. I was a bit gutted that the indoor pool was closed at certain times for lessons so we used the outdoor pool. The pool temperature was ok and the area was a decent size with a slide. There is also a play park which the kids loved playing on.
We then had a go at crazy golf and tried a bit of tennis. For a £5 deposit, we played crazy golf and when we had finished we returned the golf clubs and balls and swapped them for tennis rackets and tennis balls, which is the same with snooker cues, and when you are done you get your deposit back once you hand the equipment back.
If you are looking for a Uk break for the family then I can 100% recommend John Fowler Holidays in Cornwall. There is plenty to do on-site to keep the kids entertained day and night. We had a really lovely time away together and have made lots of new memories together.
**I won this holiday**
With September looming near, we are all busy preparing for our children to go back to school. Smiggle have kindly sent my girls some essential products ready to start their new school year.
We were sent two backpacks and two water bottles from their ‘Believe’ range and I have to say that the space you get in the backpack is fantastic. There are so many different sized zipped pockets placed around the bag to keep all their little bits and bobs inside and there is also a cup holder on either side of the backpack.
Inside the backpack
There is a padded laptop sleeve which we used for their tablets when we went on our recent adventure to Cornwall a few weeks back and plenty of space for all sorts. We could easily fit a blanket in each of them and still have enough space for colouring pencils, headphones, books, diaries, snacks, etc. I especially love that it has a media pocket for headphones if you wanted to hide the wire away. The padded shoulder straps help with comfort when wearing the backpack as they are quite thick and will relieve any added weight pressure on their shoulders. There is also a name label inside the bag to help prevent it from getting lost with Name, School, Email and Phone number.
The water bottles are also from the ‘Believe’ range and are BPA free. To find out what this means click here.
The girls also received a pack of twenty-four coloured marker pens each from the Smigglet range, which they both love as they are big fans of this particular range. They both have the Smigglet hand fans, night light and pencil toppers.
**I received this bundle in return for an honest review**
