These volumes are now extremely collectible. If you didn’t read Angela Brazil books when you were a girl, then your mother or even grandmother probably did, especially if they were brought up in England. The author was born in Victorian England; a time during which ‘young ladies’ were expected to read improving, non-fiction books, religious tomes or about moral matters.

Interested in writing even as a child, the author started to write fiction for girls as the twentieth century dawned, bringing about a new way of life for women ans girls, as the strictures of Victorian life were abandoned. Her first book was written in 1904 and her writing career spanned over forty years.

The books describe another age – one we are completely unfamiliar with today – and that itself makes them a ... Read More »]]> http://tastesmagazine.com/angela-brazil-books-vintage-schoolgirl-fiction/feed/ 0 http://tastesmagazine.com/fun-snow-white-gift-ideas/ http://tastesmagazine.com/fun-snow-white-gift-ideas/#comments Sun, 07 Dec 2014 14:22:22 +0000 Jackie http://tastesmagazine.com/?p=3950

Or for your own little princess. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was made over seventy five years go and yet the cartoon movie – and its products – are as popular as ever. They make fun gifts and I particularly like their ‘dwarf-themed’ t-shirts. But there are plenty of other goodies too.

The official Disney store – click the link below or on any of the images – has every Disney product you can imagine. And they are suitable for recipients of all ages – from babies to grandparents.  I love the Wicked Stepmother’s shoe below – this is sold as a holiday ornament but a friend of mine has one handing from the rear view mirror of her car. And another favorite is the men’s lounge pants which are great for your own Mr Grumpy.

Click here ... Read More »]]> http://tastesmagazine.com/fun-snow-white-gift-ideas/feed/ 0 http://tastesmagazine.com/kindle-fire-hd-6/ http://tastesmagazine.com/kindle-fire-hd-6/#comments Tue, 11 Nov 2014 20:55:11 +0000 Jackie http://tastesmagazine.com/?p=5638 If you’re looking for a tablet for under $100 then Fire HD 6 is for you. It is a stylish tablet, with everything you would expect to find, or indeed you’d need from a tablet device.

Here are some techy details: with fast quad-core processor, HD display, front and rear cameras, Dolby Audio, and five color choices. I love the feature that allows you create different profiles for each member of the family, and it has parental controls.

I love its clear display and 6” is a great size, and being a Kindle, it has access to thousands of books and magazines. Click here for more information.

Like all major Lego sets, it is big and intricate, your child will probably need help building it, but once built it holds together well, and can be played with.

It’s a quality toy. For more information click on this link: Lego Star Wars.

Here at Tastes Magazine, we’ve always loved products that can be customised. A gift in particular is so much more special when it has been custom-designed for the recipient.  One of the latest companies to offer this is Converse and their fabulous sneakers.

Why wear ordinary sneakers when you can wear those which are perfectly custom designed to match your outfits?

We’ve always loved the brand and this gives Converse an added edge – you can design your sneakers online, order, and then they’ll be tailor-made for you. When you visit the site below, be sure to watch the video to give you just a few ideas of the ways in which your sneakers can be created.

This is a wonderful gifts idea and, despite what the video might seem to suggest, suitable for all ages.

Design your own here

I bought one for my son almost 10 years ago, and it is still as good as new.

Not because we haven’t used it, because we have used it so much that it is almost a member of our family, but because it is so very well made.

Our one is of a red dragon, but of course there are many designs and different characters to choose from.

The Puppet Company is a UK based company, and all their puppets meet or exceed the UK safety standards.

I can vouch for the fact that, even though my son has had standing battles with his dragon over the years, she is still a very beautiful girl!

Click here to read more.

Finding a toy that will keep a teenager happy is not an easy job. And it seems to get harder each year.

There are plenty of things out there that promise the earth, but sadly, they all don’t deliver!

However, I bought a WowWee Roboquad for my son and it certainly did, and on many levels. It is fun and quite easy to learn to set the program, it’s a quality product that is built to last, and it actually does what it’s supposed to do. But more than this it will grow with your child. It seems that the older mine gets, the more he appreciates his one.

So if you have a teenager who is into robotics – then I highly recommend a Wowwee product.

Here’s a review of the Roboquad

Last Christmas I bought my son has a Kindle Paperwhite, which he loves. I decided on a Kindle because I wanted him to read. Other devices, like tablets, have too many distractions, and expecting an emerging teenager to ignore those is asking just too much.

Because it is an electronic device the Kindle is very cool and so it ticks many boxes. But which device is best for you depends on why you are buying it, and to be honest the array of devices is a little overwhelming. See the article in the link below.

This article will help you through the mist!

Mini trampolines are perfect for keeping your child happy during those long cold winter months.

They are designed to be brought into the house and they easily fit into any average sized room.

My son was given his mini trampoline on his third birthday. His granny sent it over from Scotland, so it arrived in the post, which shows that they are neither too big nor too heavy.

He had a great time and bounced on it so happily for many years. This Fold & Go Mini Trampoline is newer and has more safety features than mine, but essentially it is the same toy. Great for winter exercise and to help your kids let off some steam.

You can learn more here.

With worldwide shipping direct from The British Museum in London these special-edition, Folio Society books are the absolute best gift for anyone who appreciates books, literature and fine quality. There is a lovely selection of books available including those suitable for children, the historian, the collector or simply those who appreciate the finer things in life.

So many delightful and classic subjects are covered that there’s something for everyone. Today, so many of us read on our tablets, phones or laptops and this makes areal, classic book an item to be treasured. These splendid volumes will become family heirlooms that will be passed down and appreciated through the generations. For book lover in your life, why not start a new family tradition? Start a collection of these wonderful volumes and enjoy your own family library ... Read More »]]> http://tastesmagazine.com/books-for-the-bibliophile-from-the-folio-society/feed/ 0 http://tastesmagazine.com/scandinavian-decor-items-by-playsam-or-are-they-toys/ http://tastesmagazine.com/scandinavian-decor-items-by-playsam-or-are-they-toys/#comments Sun, 07 Sep 2014 04:20:13 +0000 Jackie http://tastesmagazine.com/?p=1132

I fell in love with these the moment I saw them. They are, depending on where you see them, described as both ‘toys’ and ‘home ornaments’ and I’m not arguing; I think they qualify as both. They are superbly stunning as decor items in your home or office and yet any child would also be delighted to own such a wonderful piece.

Scandinavia and Italy are lauded – and rightly  so – as being the countries that excel in super-stylish design and these pieces are no exception. They are shipped worldwide directly from Scandinavia and – unbelievably – prices start at under $50. Amazing design for a fantastic price – great value.

See this fantastic range

Amazon.com Widgets

Only the best for the babies of the families of Tastes readers! Whether you’re a proud parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle or close family friend, you want to make sure that your precious little bundle starts life in the best possible. And what better than organic baby clothes? That lovely, delicate skin will certainly appreciate these items which are 100% organic and 100% pure. Sizes range from newborn to two years old.

What I love about these is the fact that the colors are so stylish and that they are suitable for both girls and boys. Babies grow so quickly and it’s good to know that you can pass these special garments on to other babies – regardless of the sex – when they become outgrown.

See all items

And that includes me. This website features official Ferrari merchandise and includes clothing, bags, sunglasses, toys and home decor / desk items. There are also sets of historic photographs, limited edition items and special products that have been personally signed by Alonso and Massa – the current Ferrari Formula One drivers.

I’m pretty sure that I won’t be able to own a Ferrari in the near future but these are great gifts. See lovely jewelry, watches, umbrellas,  model cars, luggage and much more. The store ships worldwide.

Visit the official online store

Something that has been out of style for so many years is suddenly red hot! There was a time when everyone had personalized stationery, note cards and bookplates but in recent years they have been items that belonged to a more elegant era. Now though, they are enjoying a huge revival.

As are personalized journals and notebooks. If you are buying these as a gift, the recipient will be delighted by your thoughtfulness. But why not order personalized stationery for yourself? It revives the art of letter writing and a simple thank you card is elevated to something very special and stylish. There are lots of lovely designs to choose from.

See the full range available online

Amazon.com Widgets

Pink for a girl and blue for a boy? That’s how it used to be. But today, more and more parents are choosing to follow in the footsteps on Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge and wait until the birth to find out the sex of their child. I like that. But it does make it a little more difficult for those of us who are buying baby gifts in advance, doesn’t it? No, not with this lovely range from Nordstrom.

Today, nurseries, moms and babies require bright colors. These are stimulation for the baby and cheerful for everyone. Clothes, diaper bags, furniture toys … check out this lovely collection.

See all gift ideas

Babies and toddlers have never been so stylish. Gone are the ‘blue for a boy and pink for a girl’ days – today’s parents see no reason why their children can’t be dressed in the best from day one. Gap has probably the finest selection of baby clothes on the internet today. Not only are they stylish, they are well-made from the best materials.

They are practical too as they are machine washable and require no more care than ordinary children’s wear. But why have mere ‘ordinary’ for your special little girl or boy? These fabulous items make great gifts for the new members in your family too.

See this wonderful range