A friend of ours experienced the unexpected recently, when her partner gave her a bunch of flowers out of the blue.

This was a lovely surprise until she realised that the beautiful blooms were plastic - he having bought them when filling up his car at the local service station only minutes earlier. In fact they looked so life-like that her visiting father thought they would make an excellent present for her mother and it was only during a phone conversation that both women realised they had been blessed with a similiar present and one which would never deteriorate… or fade from memory.

Guys, I agree with the adage ‘it’s the thought that counts’, but its also nice to receive the real thing as a present. No woman would like to find out that their engagement ring does not contain a real diamond and likewise you would not like to receive a shandy instead of a lager.

Happily the flowers we have recently added to the site in the ‘Any Occasion’ section of the homepage are not only stunning, but 100% real and we offer next day delivery if you order by noon - free of charge.

So go on - make her day.

We attended our first wedding of the year this weekend, which was held at the beautiful Newburgh Priory near Coxwold, North Yorkshire. The bride & groom looked stunning and had chosen a fantastic location that benefited from gorgeous spring weather and an abundance of cherry blossom.

Most of the guests - including ourselves - stayed in the picturesque market town of Helmsley which makes a great base for exploring the region and is a perfect destination for a romantic weekend. It has a wide variety of accommodation, several cosy pubs and is close to lots of local landmarks - Rievaulx Abbey, Helmsley Walled Garden and Nunnington Hall to name but a few.

We stayed at No.54, a B&B set in a terraced cottage just off the main square. A rare find that has tastefully decorated rooms (think Country Living) and a gorgeous little courtyard at the back of the property. There were Ren bath products in the en-suite and lots of reading material. The breakfast was delicious - not only did we have a choice of a full English, but also fresh fruit, cereal and other assorted goodies.

Highly recommended if you fancy exploring the beautiful North York Moors.

If you’re like me, then all this sunshine is probably starting to make you dream of beaches, deckchairs and ice cream cones. It’s that time of year when everyone wants to escape the office and find that perfect retreat - just for a couple of days at least, yet we never seem to get around to it.

We’re either too busy or strapped for cash and by the time we actually think - yes this is it - we really need this break - all the decent places have been booked up and we’re left with a room the size of a shoebox with a view over the carpark. Or else we settle for a weekend with the relatives…

Well, I’m hoping that this will change now that Travel Intelligence are onboard. They have listings for some of the most sought-after hotels in the world and a top-class booking service to boot. If your chosen hotel is full, then they’ll recommend somewhere equally as good so you don’t have to do the legwork.

So go on - treat yourself to that luxury break that you’ve always been dreaming of and wow your other half in the process (hint, hint, Alistair!). Anniversary or not - it’ll be the perfect opportunity to enjoy a weekend together in style…

If so, we’d love it if you would share your stories with us - just to prove that old-fashioned romance still exists out there.

We’ll make sure that you remain anonymous if you prefer so don’t be shy!

Welcome to our new website designed specially to help you find the perfect anniversary gift for partners, family or friends.

You’ll find a wide range of handpicked presents on offer ranging from delicious Rococo chocolates through to exquisite organic bath treats from Willow Beauty.

We’ve also suggested romantic ideas where possible - just look for the Great Combinations (found on the product pages) to find out handy tips for creating special experiences. We’ve tried to keep these as simple as possible so that anyone can try something imaginative without breaking the bank. As always, it’s the effort that counts!

We’re always on the lookout for new inspirations so do keep checking our blog for the latest news and products. We’d also love to hear from you if you would like to share any personal stories or tips.

Wishing you your best anniversary yet!