Antoinette Dickinson-Kaur

Call it nostalgia, or just maybe getting older and looking for magazines that I remember from visits to my aunt's house. She always had The People's Friend and Woman's Weekly, and I'd find myself a corner and a piece of one of her wonderful apple tarts and lose myself for an hour....the magazines were then passed on to my mum, (another wonderful cook and crafter), who duly passed them on again to another aunt.....reuse and recycle for the 1970s!! So, here I am, trying to refresh my love of crafts, reading and cooking by going back to my favourites from my youth....but I like the digital versions because a lot of newsagents only seem to want to stock the glossier monthly magazines, but not the ones I want to read, so, online is the way to go. I can access them any time, and they don't get dog-eared!! Pocketmags is a great website with a huge selection of magazines and periodicals, all available as a stand alone issue, or with subscriptions. Either way, you'll find what you want at a good price. Enjoy!

It was very easy to find what I wanted, and, after having put some favourite styles aside, I settled on the one I ended up buying. I just wanted a basic business card, no frills, and that's what I got. There are finishes, quality of paperstock, edges, etc., all to be had, but, as I said, I just wanted a simple card. Everything from the font selection to the orientation (portrait or landscape) was clearly stepped out. The ordering and payment process was easy, too. The packaging was very secure, and sustainable, and it arrived promptly and safely. There were copious updates, so that I knew almost to the hour when the package would arrive. A definite thumbs up for VistaPrint. There is a range of complementary accessories for any card or flyer you order, should you need it, and you can decide what you want, if anything, it's up to you, and there's a wide vista (!) to choose from!

I bought the flowers as a New Year gift for a relative who lives in the UK. As always, when I order with Serenata, I can rest assured that everything will be taken care of, and that my order will be delivered with care. She loved the flowers, and they've got pride of place on the kitchen windowsill! Always a good sign!

As always when I order from Serenata, I am confident that my order will be fulfilled promptly and efficiently. This time, I ordered twice within a couple of days for people in the same family. One bouquet (plus chocolates, of course...), was for the family in general, because my husband was visiting them and it's a nice way to say thanks 😊. The other, again with chocolates, was for the daughter of the same family, as it was her birthday. The first order arrived, as promised, the next day. The second order was delayed by a day, but I was kept updated and I sent the recipient a message so she could organise her time accordingly. I got an email the following morning, quite early, to say that her flowers and chocs were out for delivery, and yet another to let me know it had been delivered, and all before 9am! I have no hesitation in recommending this company if you want beautiful flowers, delicious (or cuddly) add-ons, cards, or vases, delivered safely, with copious updates. Very happy.

I'd just like to thank everyone at GMIB who made my life so easy in the past couple of months since I had an accident, thankfully not a serious one, as there was nobody else involved, unless you count a bollard, but stressful nonetheless. I was hesitant about making a claim at first because I (in my relative innocence) thought I'd be able to source the parts fairly easily, but, as it turned out, things were more complicated than that (aren't they always?). Anyway, from the time I made the claim, right through and until this morning when we finally took possession of our beloved car again, the lovely people at GMIB, namely Damien Kerins for sorting out temporary transfer cover, Saskia Von Der Geest Moroney for good advice and for encouraging me to make the claim, and Elly Van Der Hout, whose efficiency with payments etc., really turned my experience from a very stressful one into a more than bearable one. Their kindness, patience, understanding of the situation and overall professionalism is to be applauded, and I am not overegging the pudding: it was a very stressful time for me, and it took its toll on my health and wellbeing. Let's hope this is a new beginning. Thank you, everyone at GMIB.

This is an updated review for 2024. Even though at the moment, we are experiencing financial challenges, it is still a pleasure (and a relief) to deal with the people in Close Brothers Motor Finance (formerly Bluestone Finance). I have only experienced patience, kindness and understanding from those with whom I've spoken, and in recent times, I'd like to mention Stephen Byrne, who has been so very kind and patient. When your back is a little to the wall, speaking to someone who actually listens and offers solutions matters a lot. Some people give a slightly negative review for whatever reason, but I've learned that if you keep the lines of communication open, there is always a solution,, no matter how impossible it might seem at first. That can be a bit scary to do, but it really does work. Gather your courage, and take deep breath, and make your call.

As always, swift delivery, and no issues.

My policy is a new one with this broker, and so far, all my dealings have been very positive. Sometimes there is a bit of a wait to speak with an agent/representative, but in my experience, it's worth it - you get to speak with a real person who knows what they're talking about, and if you're through to the wrong department, they'll redirect you with courtesy. I think, in these days, where there are so many companies who outsource their call centres, that it's lovely to hear a reassuring voice on the other end of the line. I hope they continue to be able to deliver the personal touch.

As usual, when ordering from Serenata Flowers, I experienced an easy ordering process, clear and straightforward. The ordering was simple - choose your flowers, add a vase - or don't! -add chocolates - or don't! - whichever you choose, you can be assured that it'll be given the utmost care and consideration. There are updates for every step from ordering to delivery. You can see where your delivery is on a map - I like that. When I order from this company, I know I don't have to worry about anything....and the recipient gets a lovely bouquet of flowers to enjoy.

I had ordered what I wanted online, so this was for click and collect. It was lovely to go into the store and see everything displayed so beautifully. I just had to present my email to the lovely lady at the desk and my item was given to me. I also needed other things which I was able to purchase straight away in store. The lady who had fulfilled my online order couldn't have been more helpful (my mobility is slightly restricted, and she brought everything to me), and within a few minutes, I had everything I needed. Definitely a positive experience, and I will look forward to going there again.

I ordered the item I wanted, and it was dispatched very quickly, and I was kept updated by both the company and its courier service. It arrived very promptly, and was very easy to install. I've bought from pets.ie before, and will again in the future.

I've no issues with my printer at all. It's an Envy 5000 series My issue is with the app....I was away for a couple of weeks, but when I returned home, I needed to scan some documents. I always use my phone out of convenience...but this time the app wanted me to create an account, and, when I did, it wouldn't go beyond the getting account information stage. No matter what I tried to do, that is, open any function, printer scan, camera scan, nothing would work without "sign in to account " or "create account".... I tried uninstalling the app, turning my phone off, reinstalling said app, all to no avail. It will not go beyond the gathering information stage. The only tile that will open is the printables tile....at the bottom of the screen, there used to be a view and print option, but now, it's an account icon, and a sign in icon... what is the point of having the app, which was fantastic, when it's now like trying to get into Fort Knox to access any feature?? I would appreciate any feedback, please. It's most frustrating.

I've been using Revolut for a couple of years now, and I really like it. I like the fact that you can pay and be paid by your contacts (who have Revolut), and that you can have vaults for anything for which you want to save. I use the exchange option quite a lot, too, and this is very convenient, especially when buying online or travelling abroad to countries outside the Euro zone. You can link your card to a bank account/card/GPay, and load it accordingly.There are chances to donate to various causes, too, either as a once-off payment or there is an option to set up a recurring transfer. If you purchase a flight or something travel related, there are suggestions for Stays....where, depending on the price of the hotel, you can get up to 10% back onto your card. There are weekly cashback/savings offers too, on a large selection of services, from cafes to clothes shops etc. I've just got a basic MasterCard , but there are other options, too, such as metal, and customisation of your card, both of which come for a monthly fee, but with different benefits, also. I'm glad I've got this very useful card, and wouldn't be without it.

I ordered, from Ireland, some flowers for a friend in the U.K. The whole process, from choosing the flowers, to payment, couldn't have been easier. Everything on the website is clear, and there are choices of payment methods to suit everyone. The follow-up emails are lovely, very personal and witty, so that you feel part of the whole process. For example, when the flowers had been delivered, the email read, "our chauffeurs have delivered your flowers with love"... I liked that. I'll definitely order again soon.

I ordered yet again from petstop!! Sourced what I needed, ordered it, and it arrived within a day of ordering. As always, the ordering process was easy, with updates afterwards. Every step of the post-ordering process was clear. The delivery was, as always, prompt and respectful of today's guidelines. I'll definitely purchase a gfain.

Since a friend recommended Revolut to me, I've been a fan. This is how it should be! Easy to add money from your bank account, easy to receive payments from others with a Revolut card, and easy to exchange currencies, too. I know I don't use a lot if the facilities that are available, but, for those who do, I'm sure they are saying the same about them. I'm glad I've got my Revolut card.

Great delivery service. Really quick. The packaging was very secure. I've also just discovered that there is a branch relatively near me, so that's very good to know, too. The online buying experience was very easy, the website is easy to navigate. I would recommend this site for anything pet oriented.

Paid the last instalment of a credit card "debt" which had been haunting me for years, because of a scam artist who had stolen my identity and maxed out the card online with similar purchases to those I'd make. Tried to explain that several times to the company concerned, to no avail. A wall would have been less deaf. Don't get me started about P.P.I.etc. Suffice it to say, I put paying off the aforesaid maxed out card over the years , for as long as possible. Time passed, Cabot bought the debt, I paid off bits here and there when pushed, otherwise, no. Anyway, quite recently, I received a text message with a certain offer. I rang, spoke with a representative, who was lovely, and explained the ways I could pay. I was so sick of the stupid thing that I took the offer, and finished paying the whole thing off today. I'd like to thank the various representatives with whom I spoke in the course of making the payments. Their courtesy and humour was lovely and refreshing. The thought that I never have to think again about that stupid card fills me with joy!! In this very strange year, I hope all concerned have a lovely, relaxing Christmas.

Always a pleasure to speak with the well-informed, efficient representatives. Very knowledgeable and courteous.

I love purchasing music, whether in book or sheet form, from Sheet music plus. This time I needed a digital download and was able to get some music for a student who had lost their copy for an examination. The buying and downloading process is very simple, and the download instructions couldn't be easier. Always a pleasant experience.