Introducing LUNA-Pi and WALLE-Pi our own Raspberry Pi 2 projects.

 Hi!!!

As you guys know if you've been following us on here we have a few Raspberry Pi 2 projects on the go.

Checkout ZX3.14 plus more that are being put together in different levels of completion that I will show you later.

Drumroll.............

I would like to Now officially introduce you to......

LUNA-Pi and WALLE-Pi

 If you've been living on another planet for a few years or this one, you may remember WALL-E from the film of the same name, this has to be my all time favorite robot.

So after collecting every sized WALLE I/we could, my other half suggested maybe building the new Raspberry Pi2 into them and enabling them to do far more than the original...toy...ever could.
Out of the box when new, the toy could only go forward, backwards and right, so to go left, you had to go right 3 times.
These two will both be autonomous so they wont bump into things and also can be controlled by keyboard or phone and viewed by a monitor from each of their built in cameras.

These two are still being built but I just couldn't wait until they were finished as its absolute cuteness overload!!!

 So we have WALLE-Pi

He has almost every gizmo going that will fit inside his little "compactor" body (110mm x 110mm).

• A 2.8 inch TFT monitor screen, a 5mp camera for pictures and video, arm and neck servo's and head adjustment servos. all being controlled by the Pi and a Laika board.
• He has his own beating heart LED. 
• His eyes are sexy blue 8x8 matrix so he can blink and wink at us or LUNA.
• A matrix mouth too, that will be sound controlled with the WALL-E voice.
• As well as a gorgeous programmable PiGlow for effect plus lots more.....!
• 10,000 mAh Power Bank, he needs it he is a bit on the heavy side.

 You can see his Laika board on the back. Little WALLE trying to help at the side...hmm...!

 Then we have LUNA-Pi our latest Raspberry Pi 2 project, made up out of some of the unused parts from building WALLE-Pi, He had needed the motor, Both tracks and some of the body parts for himself, an eye here and an arm there, this just left a box of bits.
Due to the demise of a popular online Pi shop we acquired a couple of Dagu Rover chassis cheap, this genius idea of using one of these track chassis then shortening it and adding distance sensors to the front meant that WALLE-Pi now has a girlfriend.
The electronic item you see built into the front of the chassis is a distance HC-SR04 sensor so she doesn't run into anything and boy is that receptive.

 She also has her own red beating bigger heart (dot matrix) and soon to have a tiny LCD screen built into the left that will say LUNA...

LUNA ♥ WALL-E

This makes her quite different to WALLE-Pi even though technically he has alot more going on. The tracks give her a unique edge.

 So as you can see these two are Hi-fiving themselves, as they know how clever they are.

For WALLE-Pi love is blooming as I type and I cant wait to update you when they are both finished.
Video coming soon.

Let me know what you think?
Are you creating your own Raspberry Pi 1 or 2 or Zero project, we'd love to see it.

Incase you missed our other Raspberry Pi 2 project 

ZX+3.14

check it out below.

Project PI #1 Introduction.

Project PI #2 Choosing the case.

Project PI #3 Introducing the new ZX 3.14.

Project PI #4 The Build 

Project PI #5 The Build is nearly finished.

WALLE's and Raspberry Pi's built with products from these popular companies.
 Modmypi
PiHut 
  Pimoroni
Element 14
RS Online
Dawn Robotics 
Sadly closed but never forgotten, we got LUNA-Pi's chassis from them.

Peony Artificial flowers Haul and Video Review

Peony Artificial flowers
Haul

Today is something quite different to my usual gadgety reviews, but Im sure every gadget-a-holic wants a nice home so I just wanted to share with you my latest addiction.

Do you love gardening but do not have a garden, do you live in a flat? Do you struggle to maintain a garden because of work and home commitments with no time or energy.
But you still want to bring the garden indoors?

Then Peony flowers are for you.

Peony Flowers are based in Shropshire on the Ragley Hall estate where they not only grow hundreds of real flowers in their stunning gardens; but they take hundreds of photos so they can duplicate the beauty within their silk flowers for us to enjoy.

I decided after collecting quite a few now; I wanted to share them all with you too.

See my full video review of my latest buys on their
Winter sale and also see the flowers I already own from my collection.

I really am excited to share these with you as I have 9 of them already and they make such a difference to our home in so many ways.

If you'd rather listen to me ramble than read it  :-)   then scroll down to my full video review.

Okay I know Im a gagdety site but one of the reasons I love Peony is the fact they have used technology and modern materials to produce something so natural looking and beautiful.

Peony flowers are the best faux flowers I have ever seen and Ive seen alot; we live in the middle of the English Countryside in a beautiful old cottage, but our small windows do not let in enough light for live flowers and plants to live a healthy life and Ive lost way too many that is until I discovered Peony...thank you QVC.

About Peony

Royal Horticultural Society
Peony are very proud to be the only manufacturer of faux flowers that has been recognized by the Royal Horticultural Society for their floral excellence. So life-like, their flowers really are indistinguishable from the real thing.

Growing in Soil
Peony potted plants and bulbs look truly authentic Growing in Soil or moss. Using their exclusively developed technique they set soil firmly in place creating a long lasting, life-like look to each plant.

Still Water™
Developed exclusively for Peony arrangements, the Still Water™ formula is cured to ensure a long lasting clear, magnifying effect; just like the real thing. So life-like you too can add real water to your Still Water™ arrangement and combine fresh stems to 'create your own'.

Why I love Peony

Since I found Peony Ive been addicted to these stunning designs, they offer not only huge and beautiful flower displays but stunning smaller designs like mine. 

I wanted the "Ive just nipped outside and taken a cutting and popped them in a vase".....look!!!

Packaging

As you can see I went a bit mad buying from their Winter sale last week, but look how well they were packaged...checkout my video to see me unboxing these 3 flowers.

These two were my first 2 buys from QVC about 8 months ago and are still going strong today.

On the left is a Scabius flower with Ranunculus and a pink rose and on the right are Freesias and a single white rose. 

I love how the designers plan what flowers look good with what, as they are always stunning.

 They are all hand finished and I cannot express enough just what amazing quality and attention to detail each flower is.

Checkout the detail and how beautiful they look "Close-Up"

Peony also offer flower room sprays, that dont just spray around the room, you spray on the actual flower itself. The silk material soaks up the scent and your room smells like the actual flower for days. This is just genius. I have the Freesia scent that I spray regularly on the flowers above and my room smells like a Spring day all year round.
*Note to self I really need to get some more.....

Even down to the detail on the leaves.

Peony's own form of "water" resin thats is added to the gorgeous glass vases and is then placed in a warming room to set hard. Tell me this doesn't look real, it even has the bubbles.

My last buy was from QVC a few weeks ago where I picked up this gorgeous Rose and sweet pea set of three. The rose on the left is actually deep pink..not red as the image shows...we then have cream and light pink, see the video for the correct colours.

Here is my full Peony collection.

Left at the back is (1) the Scabius and Rununculus, (2) The Freesias and rose, then (3) one of my newest 3 is the Dahliah jug, (4) foxglove plant and vase.

(5) Then at the front you can see 3 single roses (Pale pink, dark pink and cream) with sweetpeas and (6) next to that is my favorite Lavender sprigs and right at the front (7) is my smallest 2 roses in a small vase.

 The fireplace looks dressed now with the Foxgloves and the Dahlia jug on it, real foxgloves simply wouldn't survive as this room is fairly dark.

This is one of my favorites...well how can you choose...these sprigs of lavender are just beautiful and these will look incredible anywhere in your home.

Peony flowers look amazing even when just plonked onto the windowsill any old-how.

Nooooo.........
They are pretty bomb proof too, the wind blew it straight off my table and it didn't even smash; the glass is pretty thick and none of the stems bent or were damaged.

(Couldn't believe my camera caught this shot lol).

 Ive also found them easy to care for and any dust just flicks off or you can wipe them. (see my video).

Checkout my video on my full collection of Peony; just grab a coffee and cake first as Ill show you a box opening and detail on each flower I have, plus my thoughts of course.
But the main fact is you get to see all the flowers in real time with actual siizing NOT an image which could be photoshopped and I challenge you to tell me these dont look real.

Opinion 

I think you know already especially if you've watched my video that I love Peony flowers and yes its an addiction as they are always bringing out new designs. They also offer bunches of flowers so if you have your own vases you can make your own arrangements too.
The flowers are extremely well made and the attention to detail is second to none as they are all hand finished.
They are so affordable but you also have to remember you have these flowers for life, they wont die off, get greenfly, you dont have to remember to water them; perfect if you have a busy home or are always traveling, you can still enjoy the beauty of flowers by bringing nature indoors.

So dont forget to watch my video where I do walk-through every flower in detail for you. If you want me to do another post on each of the flowers with more close-ups and in more detail let me know?

I warn you now you will be addicted!!!

 Here are the ones from my collection they have on their site in the sale right now. But they have so many more and I know you will find something you like.

 Peony

Lavender vase

Rose Mix

 Dahliahs in jug

Foxgloves

Also checkout more of the range on QVC, Ive got a few from there too.

As you've probably noticed I use these flowers as backgrounds to my reviews as they look so good and Im sure you will be seeing them in many others too. Let me know what you guys think?

Aromatherapy Diffuser
DreamScience

Essence of Arcadia Aromatherapy Oils selection

 Bird and Butterfly Wooden Storage Trunk

Essence of Arcadia Aromatherapy Oils selection #Review

Essence of Arcadia Aromatherapy Oils selection

Today Im excited to bring you total relaxation!

I was kindly asked if I would like to show you guys a selection of aromatherapy oils from a company Essence of Arcadia. Im always interested in ways to feel better, less stressed naturally without chemicals or trips to the Doctors. Aromatherapy works on our senses, stimulating areas of our brain to help repair and improve certain health problems. So I couldn't wait to see what these gorgeous 2 sets of oils would be like.

First of all what are aromatherapy oils?

Essential oils are a natural oil typically obtained by distillation and having the characteristic odour of the plant or other source from which it is extracted eg; Lavender oil is extracted from the flower heads of yes...you guessed it! Lavender plants.

Whether your an experienced user or a complete beginner to Aromatherapy or you just want to simply enjoy nice smells in your home, then you will love either one of these beautiful sets of aromatherapy oils.

• 100% Therapeutic Grade.
• Pure and undiluted in anyway.
• No preservatives. 
• Free from synthetic chemicals or any other artificial  ingredients.

Essence of Arcadia only sell the finest, therapeutic grade oils which are all unmixed and pure; each oil is checked and has the relevant certification so you know its completely safe to use.
They cut out the middle men and directly manufacture their own products which means great quality and prices to us as the buyer.

They kindly sent me 2 gift boxes of their finest oils to show you guys, so Im going to do my best to explain them without Smelli-Vision.
Note to self : Copywrite "Smelli-Vision".

 Both sets of oils arrived extremely well packaged in cellophane.

Packaging

First of all guys I have to address how gorgeous the packaging is, who wouldn't want to receive these as a gift. I was so impressed with the subtle elegance of the packaging which in turn is also sturdy enough to store all the oils in until you need them.
With any aromatherapy oils you need to store them in a cool dry place.

Both sets are inside thick cardboard boxes, and when I say cardboard I mean really thick strong boxes perfect for storage which not only look great but will protect your oils.
A white label surrounds the middle of each set which looks elegant and expensive.

The front shows the classy elegance, turn the box over to show the social media and take off the label and underneath it explains all the oils inside and their purity.

Description

I was so taken with how gorgeous the presentation is on these boxes, the sleek, understated elegance with no flashy gold, glitter or bows.

The first set

 Here is the first set a gorgeous sturdy black box of 6 x 10ml of aromatherapy oils.

The lid lifts off to reveal;

• Cinnamon.
• Peppermint.
• Lavender.
• Tea-Tree.
• Frankincense.
• Eucalyptus.

Here are all your most popular basic aromatherapy oils to get you started.

The oils fit snug in this box so there's no jiggling around in the post which could result in leaks and broken bottles. They sit tightly inside.

Don't they look great together!

The bottles themselves are dark to keep them fresh and protected from the sun and heat. The lids have ridges so you can twist them off easily.

They also have a lid seal which you have to break as you open the lid. Proving they are sterile for use.
The lids are not childproof, but I am sure you would be keeping these away from anything and anyone that might come between you and your Arcadia collection.

Set 2

Set of 14 x 10mls of Aromatherapy oils

 Inside you will find them tightly packed so they cant jiggle around, each is colour coordinated so they become easy to find once you know your favorite smell.
Inside you have:

• Cinnamon.
• Bergamot.
• Eucalyptus.
• Frankincense.
• Lavender.
• Peppermint.
• Tea-Tree.
• Clary-Sage.
• Grapefruit.
• Rosemary.
• Lemongrass.
• Ylang Ylang.
• Orange.
• Healing Blend this includes a combination of Tea-Tree, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, and Ginger essential oils.
• Plus FREE aromatherapy guide, recipes and blends.

 This beautifully illustrated aromatherapy book covers a summary of every oil enclosed and its benefits. Plus other products like the diffusers you can buy from Essence of Arcadia.
The glossy pages make this a wonderful little book to learn about the oils. It also contains 5 recipes to get you started as it can be overwhelming to know which oils you can combine.

• Fatigue Fighter- wake and feel refreshed for the day.
• Confidence, Concentration and memory - Perfect for an important interview or if you need a boost at work. They cleverly advise to mix in a carrier oil and rub on your hands and wrists and inhale deeply.
• Liquid sunshine - Refresh yourself, diminish stress and boost your energy.
• Silent night - Get a calm relaxed nights sleep.
• Health and feeling - A mix of health benefits from antibacterial and antioxidant properties to help you feel cleansed and refreshed.

 You have 13 individual essential oils, but they have also added The Healing Blend which is a clever blend of Tea-Tree, Eucalyptus, Cinnamon, and ginger essential oils. Perfect if your feeling under the weather, pop on your pillow if your in bed or best results use in a diffuser.

Each bottle has its own dropper so the oils dont just run out, they allow you the control you need to add just a few drops at a time.

 Opinion

Im so pleased with these two amazing sets of oils, Ive been buying the odd aromatherapy oil for over 30 years...eep yes I am that old, grown-up..mainly lavender as its always been my favorite oil; but Ive never had the opportunity to own a stunning set like these. I cant recommend these enough and I wish I had a set like this years ago as I haven't stopped using them.
Ive had a sniff at each oil and I can honestly say wow...I mainly use them in my diffuser and for me it really makes me feel good and the house smell good too. Aromatherapy oils are safe for kids and animals and never too overpowering like alot of perfumed diffuser oils you can buy.
These oils can also be used in a carrier oil and massaged into the skin as they are all tried and tested. The gorgeous glossy booklet included offers a huge variety of ideas to get you started and where and when to use diffuser or massage; It includes 5 recipes for today's stresses and struggles at work and home.
They really have thought of everything.

 I wasn't sure initially on all the different coloured bottles as I thought it may have looked nicer to have them all matching; but Ive now found I can see all my favorites at a glance.

Ive used oils in the past which have preservatives and other chemicals added and  Ive had awful allergic reactions so believe me it is always best to pay a little more for this quality and excellence. With Essence of Arcadia you have peace of mind that they are of a superior quality as they make them up themselves and have their own certification.

Either of these two sets are ideal if you are a beginner or just want the best, what a fab starter kit for an aromatherapist.
If your just after a few to try out for a diffuser then the set of 6 will be perfect, but if your interested in aromatherapy more seriously and have been looking to buy a variety of oils but not sure where to start this set of 14 is perfect. Even if you are an experienced user they are so beautifully packaged its a wonderful addition to your kit. It is a real treat for anyone.

 I feel most people would really appreciate receiving either set; particularly if that person is into self healing or just needs to wipe away the stresses of life. If you know someone who has been ill or is recovering from illness what better gift, get the oils and a diffuser and they are ready to go.
Someone bed-bound would love the opportunity to play with the different recipes to help them feel better.

Ive already used quite a few in my diffuser already and they are just gorgeous, the smells are divine darling!!!
My particular favorite is their own recipe for fatigue the citrus mix with peppermint really does waken your mind... Im also using silent night....it works!!!

Kit 1

Set of 6 Aromatherapy Oils

£19.99

Kit 2

14 Aromatherapy oils 

£39.99

from Amazon Uk

or go directly from 

Essence of Arcadia

All my thanks goes to Essence of Arcadia for kindly sending me these oils to share with you all.

All my views, opinions and sense of smell are my own.

Coming soon
Essence of Arcadia diamond diffuser review

You will see from the images above I have these lavender sprigs in the background, gorgeous arnt they...these are from Peony Flowers and are actually man-made not grown...stunning arnt they.

Here are two more from Peony flowers...Peony review haul coming soon....