The summer gadget review

It's official: the sun is out and summer is on its way! In our gadget-obsessed modern world, how better to prepare for the long light evenings and beach holidays than a round-up of the best summer gadgets on the market, to help you celebrate the best season of the year in style, and most importantly, conveniently!

Aqua shoes

We all like to pretend we're not aware of those jellyfish, sharp stones and crabs lurking beneath the surface of the sea, but there's a better way to avoid pain. Aqua shoes are sturdy, hard wearing and not bad looking either! Toggle fastenings allow you to fit them to your own feet avoiding sliding and hard we-grip soles let you cling on to rocks limpet-like. Also perfect for water sport enthusiasts, these shoes can be worn in or out of the water and protect your feet from burning sand, naughty little sea creatures and sharp rocks.

Overboard 100% waterproof phone bag

This is one of those brilliant inventions that I never thought would happen – now you can take your phone swimming with you! Since you can actually use your iphone while it is in the bag, this opens up to a range of possibilities: underwater photos, underwater sound recordings, underwater phone-calls(? - let me know if you succeed!) Guaranteed for depths of up to 19 feet, it is quite possible to go scuba diving, snorkeling and white water rafting with your phone – think of the photos!



Skin care UV intensity detector

Here's another one that's worth investing in for your health and comfort – a small device that tells you how intense the sun's UV rays are. This is something that can be very hard to judge by feeling alone, so it's worth testing your instincts to make sure you've applied enough sun cream – nothing is worse than painful sunburn spoiling your holiday and this could be damaging to your skin in the long term too. At the bargain price of £4.99, it's worth the investment.

Back2You Luggage tags

If you've ever lost your luggage on holiday you'll know how frustrating it can be to try and find your stuff. Luckily, you can protect yourself and your luggage with these Back2You luggage tags, which can track your suitcases when you register them. Safeguard your luggage with minimum effort and locate it anywhere in the world 24/7.

All these products and more can be found at D2D Imports – check it out now to find the best products to suit your lifestyle this summer!

Jellyfish, rocks and broken bottles: How to protect your feet in the sea this summer"

Aqua shoes for the beach and watersports

If you've ever had a a jellyfish sting or minor wound on your foot, during a summer beach holiday you'll know exactly how incapacitating it can be. Personally, I remember a number of holidays starting with overexuberant paddling near rocks and ending up in limping agony any time I even caught sight of salt water. Luckily, help is at hand with specially designed Aqua shoes. With their hardwearing wet grip sole but soft intsole you can be comfortable, safe and as exuberant as you like in and out of the sea this summer!

We all are aware of the hidden dangers beneath the surface on the beach even if we don't like to think about it. Sharp stones, pieces of glass, crabs and jellyfish all lie underfoot, ready to pounce on their carefree, unsuspecting victim. Aqua shoes protect your feet with a reinforced cushion insole and sturdy sole, designed to help you keep your balance on the rocks. With their soft neoprene upper and toggle fastening, you can adjust these shoes to fit snugly to your feet, again helping to avoid those unfortunate slips and falls that you get in sandals or barefoot. They are also hardwearing with double stitched seams – much better than the cheap “jelly shoes” you can buy at the seaside that fall apart on their first outing. No more hot-footing it across the burning sand – you can wander as sedately as the hot weather demands to the ice cream kiosk and no need to change into proper shoes at the edge of the beach!

Aqua shoes are also perfect for water sports. Whether you enjoy rowing, windsurfing or just hiring a pedalo in the sea, these shoes give you a firm grip on pedals and boat bottoms and protect your feet from any unfortunate slips (we can't say the same for the rest of you though – if you're a keen windsurfer you might want to still keep an eye out for the sail!) Wear them in or out of the water and stay protected.

Aqua shoes come in a range of colours including blue, grey, red and pink with black so you can match them to your wetsuit, swimming suit or bikini as required. Make sure you check out our Aqua shoes and protect your feet this summer!

Protect your Items at the Beach with Waterproof Bags

Summer time is a season when you probably want to get out and have some fun. You may be thinking of getting off to a beach somewhere to get some time to relax from daily routine. Your properties are important during such times and getting waterproof bags can be very essential so as to ensure that you have ultimate peace of mind at the beach.
Having the ability to keep your items clean and dry is reassuring enough when you are taking any form of holiday or trip. No matter where your holiday are, you can be certain to have things in order and no risk of getting back home with numerous damages. The decision to protect your property is absolutely yours and with the many choices available, you have all reasons to do just that.

If you buy packs that are waterproofed, you would be certain that any money, maps, clothing, electronics and any other items in your pack would be safe. You would have all the confidence when going off on a skiing trip at the summit, lake fishing or taking off on a cruise.


You need to be sure about the durability of the packaging you are buying. This is important if you do not intend to buy packs every summer as it can be very expensive in the long run. Getting your packs from a reputable company would ensure that you receive dependable serviceability from the packs you purchase.

To enjoy your stay at the beach, you need to get a bag that would withstand heavy usage. This is because at the beach, you would probably get into activities such as fishing and swimming among many other outdoor events. The packs are bound to get loads of dirt and sand. You may also not be so lucky with efforts to keep the packs dry. They are bound to get wet and getting a waterproof one is the best thing to do.


Beach bags are therefore necessary in water proof forms. That would give you peace of mind knowing that your stay at the beach stands to suffer no form of disruption. There are definitely important items like phones, cameras, watches and others that you would need close by at the beach, skiing, or cruise ship and the require to be offered adequate protection.

You can find several holiday essentials to take in different items that you may need to take with you on a summer trip. You would need to get packaging material in sizes that fit your items like small ones for your key less electronic remote for your car to larger bags for you laptops.

There are several types of waterproof bags that you can buy from the market. These come in different sizes and designs to take your needs into consideration. You can make a choice that suits your lifestyle and spend your holiday at the beach knowing that your properties are safe from water damage. On the other hand, you can also get durable bags that would withstand the rigors of sand water and time.

How to do a spa hot rocks treatment at home

We all need to relax and be pampered every now and again but unfortunately not all of us can afford expensive spa treatments. However, with a spa hot rocks kit you can create your own relaxing spa treatment in the comfort of your own home and for a fraction of the price. Here’s how to get the most out of your spa hot rocks kit.

Unfortunately a spa hot rocks treatment is not something you can do on your own. Ask a friend to help you position the rocks or better still do the treatment on your partner. It’s a great way of spending a relaxing and romantic evening with the one you love.

First of all, set up your pamper room. Put on your favourite relaxing music, dim the lights and light some scented candles to create the perfect atmosphere. Then prepare the hot rocks. Remove the stones from the soft velvet bag provided and place them in a pan of water on the hob. Bring them to the boil before carefully removing them without touching them or the scalding water. Alternatively you can place them in a jug of water in the microwave until the water begins to boil. Place the stones on a towel and leave them to cool for a few minutes until they are safe to touch. Take them back to your pamper room and lay down in a comfortable position. This may be on the floor, on your bed or even on a massage table if you happen to have one. Then ask your friend or partner to place the stones on your bare skin in the position that the accompanying instructions indicate for backs, shoulders, arms or feet. Finally, close your eyes and unwind as the heat begins to relax your muscles.
For more information and for other heath and spa products, please visit D2D
 
 

WiKi Divya Mat – the soft ‘bed of nails’

If you suffer from stress, muscular tension, insomnia or fatigue, the WiKi Divya mat might be just what you need. This new health and wellbeing product is an effective tool for anyone who wants to improve their general health and sense of wellbeing.

The WiKi Divya mat has its origins in the traditional Indian bed of nails. The bed of nails has been used for thousands of years by Indian yogis (yoga practitioners) to enhance the overall wellbeing of both body and mind. Whereas the original bed of nails was constructed of wood and metal nails, this modern version is made from plastic and a comfortable Styrofoam padded cotton material. It works on a principle similar to acupuncture where a number of points over a particular area of the body are stimulated, increasing blood flow and lymph circulation. The difference lies in that the plastic ‘nails’ do not puncture the skin. When blood flow and lymph circulated are promoted, endorphins, known as ‘nature’s pain killers’, are released. Endorphins can block pain signals and produce a sense of wellbeing. In a study to investigate the effectiveness of the WiKi Divya mat 98% reported pain relief, 96% reported relaxation, 94% reported improvement in the quality of sleep and 81% reported an increase in energy levels. Of those subjects who have allergies, over half reported relief of their symptoms. These results are astounding and may even surpass those of the traditional bed of nails. Each button on the WiKi Divya mat has 27 pressure points and each mat has 230 buttons. This provides over 6000 points of contact with the skin which is a much higher figure than any traditional models could achieve.

The WiKi Divya mat has been shown to provide relief from back pain, neck pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, sciatica pain, muscle cramps, muscle tension, stiffness, frozen shoulder, pinched nerves, numbness in legs and feet, jaw tension, grinding teeth, insomnia, arthritis, inflammation, digestive problems, IBS, acid reflux, period pains, PMS, menopausal symptoms, depression, fatigue, mood swings, cellulite, low or high blood pressure, allergies, cold and flu, sinusitis, weight loss and many other conditions. It can even be used after exercise to speed up recovery and during cancer treatment to ease the side effects.

If you have any specific conditions, we recommend that you consult your GP before using this product. Those who have sensitive skin or severe eczma or psoriasis should use a towel or wear a T-shirt when using the mat to avoid any uncomfortable itching and should initially lie on it for a shorter period of time than recommended. Pregnant women and people with coagulation problems (haemophilia) or undergoing treatment with anticoagulants such as Waran, Klexan or Heparin should not use the WiKi Divya Mat as there may be a risk of subcutaneous bleeding and bruising.
For more information and for other health and wellbeing products, please visit D2D
  
  

Relax, de-stress and unwind

This week sees the arrival of some fantastic new health and spa products to D2D. Each of these products is specifically designed to help you relax, de-stress and unwind in a natural way.

Spa Hot Rocks

Use our new spa hot rocks kit to experience stone therapy in the comfort of your own home. Stone therapy has been used for over 5000 years to heal aches and pains, improve circulation and provide relief from stress and insomnia. The heated stones relax the muscles and ease tension while the cool stones soothe inflammation. As the hot and cold stones are applied in alternation, circulation is stimulated, promoting self-healing.

Divya Mat

A modern version of the traditional Indian bed of nails, the WiKi Divya mat can relieve a number of conditions including back pain, tension, stress, insomnia and fatigue. Instead of being made from wood and metal nails the WiKi Divya mat is made from plastic and Styrofoam for a comfortable and relaxing rather than painful experience. It works by stimulating pressure points across the body to promote blood flow and lymph circulation, releasing healing endorphins, frequently known as ‘nature’s pain killers’.

iMassage Pillow

The iMassage Pillow is a mini pillow-shaped massager that also gives out heat as it vibrates. It is flexible so can be used on almost any part of the body, the neck, back, legs and stomach to provide relief from stress, tension and aching muscles. This small lightweight massager is great for use at home or in the office as well as while travelling.

For more information on any of these products and a full range of all our health products, visit D2D today.

Top 10 diet tips

Looking to get in shape? Here are a few top tips that could help you achieve your fitness goals.

1. Get your 5 a day

You have probably heard it time and time again but eating five or more portions of fruit and vegetables every day is probably the best habit you can develop. Fruit and vegetables contain a vast range of vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy. Plus if you fill up on healthy fruit and vegetables you’re less likely to pig out on sweets and chocolates.

2. Reduce your saturated fat intake.

Saturated fats are widely associated with heart disease as they increase levels of harmful cholesterol in the body. They are predominantly found in animal fats so you should cut down on your intake by buying lean mean and avoiding high-fat dairy products. Also avoid always relying on meat as the main constituent of your meals. Try pulses or other sources of vegetable protein.

3. Increase your unsaturated fat intake

Unsaturated fats reduce the levels of harmful cholesterol in the body and are found in nuts, seeds, avocadoes and olive oil.

4. Increase your omega-3 oil intake

Omega-3 oils are anti-inflammatory agents that can help protect your heart, lubricate your joints and even stimulate your brain. They are found in seed oils such as linseed oil and oily fish such ass mackerel and sardines. You should aim to have two portions a week.

5. Increase your fluid intake

You should aim to drink a minimum of 8 glasses of water a day. Water is required for most metabolic reactions in the body so if you don’t drink enough you won’t burn those calories! If you don’t like plain water, try drinking herbal tea or drinking juicy fruits such as melons.

6. Eat breakfast

Studies have found that those who eat breakfast are on average slimmer than those who don’t. This is because it gets your metabolism going! Try to eat a low-sugar breakfast so you feel full until lunchtime.

7. Go wholegrain

Wholegrain contain more nutrients than refined grains because they still contain bran and germ. Studies have shown that people who choose wholegrain over refined grains tend to be healthier.

8. Exercise

It’s not good enough just to eat well, you need to exercise too. Aim to do at least 30 minutes exercise everyday. If you are short on time, why not go for a short walk in your lunch break.

9. Relax

If you are stressed you may be tempted to binge on sugary foods. If you are feeling tired and irritable, don’t give in. Why not have a bath for some relaxing me-time instead?

10. Use a body fat monitor

Your weight can be a confusing sign of your fitness. If you are doing more exercise than usual in a bid to shed a few pounds, you may find that your weight increases rather than decreases as muscle tends to be heavier than fat. A body fat monitor is a great way of charting your fitness progress. D2D’s mini body fat analyser is a fantastic device that works by sending a signal through your body, which has difficulty passing through fat tissue. This resistance is measured and set against gender, height and weight to produce your personal body mass index. You can compare this body mass index with accompanying table to determine whether you are over or underweight or within the healthy range. This tells you how much you need to alter your diet and exercise levels in order to stay at a healthy weight and allows you to check your progress over time. The analyser comes equipped with a clock, LCD screen, alarm function and substantial personal data storage.