Category Archives: review

Don’t Play with your Food!

25th April 2013
One thing I’ve learnt over the last few years is that food can be fun, so when Find Me A Gift got in touch offering me a product to review I was instantly drawn to Magic Choc- flexible chocolate that you can make in to edible models.
I was curious as to how it could possibly work, in my excitment I kind of forgot how utterly un-artistic I am and thus my creations look more like something a five year old could have crafted, but it was good fun and wonderful novelty value (wonderful value too at £5.99)
These were meant to be a bunny and a penguin but look somewhat deformed, oops!
The chocolate comes in sachets- milk, white and dark in the form of little discs which are simply warmed in your hands and then shaped. It’s super easy to work with and would make a fantastic gift for adults or kids. I still have some left and look forward to playing around with it, perhaps trying to hone my technique somewhat.
As for the taste, well, it’s not high quality chocolate so probably not one for a chocolate snob, but it’s not inedible and this is a product produced more for the novelty value than food factor and it does the job just fine. At that kind of price and for the fun it brings I’m not going to knock it and I will be purchasing this as a gift or for myself again in the future.
Have you ever tried magic chocolate? What would you create?
xxx

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Chiquito

26th March 2013
Saturday evening after a hard afternoon browsing the shops saw Best Friend (Trudi) and I pay a visit to a nearby Chiquito restaurant thanks to a generously supplied voucher for the purpose of checking out their extensive menu. I’d never been before so really wasn’t sure what to expect. I’m not the best at dining out, I can find it quite stressful but from the moment we stepped foot inside the Cribbs Causeway restaurant I realised there was no need to feel anything other than relaxed. The staff who greeted us were incredibly friendly and promptly showed us to our table, presented us with menus and a bowl of popcorn (anywhere that serves popcorn is a winner by me, yum!)
We ordered drinks, Trudi, as the driver was pleased to see they had some exciting non-alcoholic cocktails on the menu too and opted for a Virgin Strawberry Daiquiri which looked impressive next to my more reserved rum and coke!

We had a good old browse of the menu, bearing in mind the waiter’s helpful recommendations. In the end we narrowed it down and ordered. I went for one of the “sizzling specials” which was mango glazed cod served with fajita vegetables, corn on the cob and a choice of sides

Trudi ordered the BBQ Texan Chicken Melt which had me drooling from over the other side of the table!
We didn’t have to wait long for the food but I wouldn’t have minded if we did. The restaurant had a really relaxed and friendly vibe to it and it was noisy enough for there to be a buzz but not so much that you couldn’t chat. During the meal the waitress popped back to check on us once which was great- I hate it when you end up feeling ignored but also hate it when you are being disturbed every few seconds whilst trying to eat!

It would have been rude not to check out the dessert menu too, chocolate brownie and ice cream? Not very mexican but just look…
This may have been my first visit to Chiquito but it most certainly won’t be my last…there’s so much on the menu that I want to try and the place itself invites repeat custom. A big thank to them for providing us with the voucher for this post, all opinions are however mine (and Trudi’s) own and expect to see further meals from there pop up on instagram in the near future!
Are you a fan of Chiquito? What do I need to try next?

xxxx

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a question of sport

26th February 2013

Vest and Trackpants: c/o Pineapple
Shoes: Converse
Exercise and I have always had a rocky relationship, swinging from one extreme to the other. At the moment it has been a long time since I did any form of any exercise bar every day walking and I’ve been thinking for some time that things need to change. When Pineapple kindly offered me an outfit for review purposes it seemed the perfect chance to get myself moving and after care consultation with a physio or two a plan was hatched.
Gone are the days where I can simply pop out for a jog, I have something called osteopenia, the precursor to osteoperosis and a long term legacy of my fight with anorexia. This means my bones aren’t as strong as they should be and high impact exercise is a no-go. This was gutting as it means a lot of my old favourite ways of keeping fit have been ruled out but that’s no excuse. I have a bike. I have an air walker installed in the garage, there’s yoga and pilates and a whole host of other ways to get moving that just mean thinking outside the box. I also have to be careful because of my foot, pace myself and not do too much at once, but I’m up for a challenge.
This year is to be about building physical strength as well as body confidence and I’m really excited to get going again. This outfit from Pineapple is perfect. I’m fussy about sportswear, it has to feel “right” and this does. The trousers especially are perfect, the length is just right and the material is comfortable and fitted without being skin tight. Size wise I went for a medium which is a UK 10/12 and this seems perfect, if anything a little on the small side so bear that in mind if making a purchase. The top doesn’t feel constrictingly clingy but has support in the right places and doesn’t ride up when I move. I think I’ve found my perfect work out brand and I’ll be sticking with it.
Are you a fan of exercise? What low impact activities would you suggest? What sportswear brand do you favour?

xxx

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Audrey: The 60s

18th November 2012

I have long admired Audrey Hepburn, I can’t even explain why but her beauty and grace captivate me like it does for many others. When I was e-mailed about the release of this new book “Audrey: The 60s” from Aurum Press I didn’t hesitate in accepting the offer of a copy to add to my already substantial collection of books about Audrey’s life.

“Audrey: The 60s is a glorious photographic celebration of the ultimate screen and style icon: Audrey Hepburn. Pairing over two hundred stunning images with reflections and recollections from friends, photographers, designers, close collaborators and Hepburn herself, Audrey: The 60s is an unforgettable showcase of the actress’s timeless beauty and extraordinarily influential style. 

Highlights include: 
– Never-before-seen on-set photography from some of Audrey Hepburn’s most cherished movies, including Breakfast at Tiffany’s, My Fair Lady, How to Steal a Million and Two for the Road;
– Outtakes and rare images from fashion shoots, some not seen since their original appearance in Vogue;
– Previously unpublished work by photographers Bert Stern, Cecil Beaton, Douglas Kirkland, William Klein, Bob Willoughby and many others.”
This book is a delight to the eyes and a must have for any Audrey Hepburn fan. It takes you through her most adored films with photos, quotes and a behind the scenes glimpse at her life.

This gorgeous hardback book by David Wills and Stephen Schmidt cost £25 and is an absolute must own for any fan. As I’ve mentioned, I have several other books about Audrey Hepburn but nothing can quite compare to this.


Are you an Audrey fan? What is it about her that makes so many people fall in love?

xxx

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Expect the un-expected with CyberCandy

16th November 2012

This is my second review for CyberCandy as part of their blogger family. Technically this isn’t my review as I passed this chocolate on to my Grandad to try as he is more of an expert than I on the art of fine chocolate.

My interest was ignited when this Peach and Pecan bar by Chocolove turned up and I am a little sad to admit I didn’t try it myself, however, the Grandfather did and he thought it wonderful,

“I enjoyed this chocolate which I found to be smooth and creamy,  with a hint of tangy sweetness from the peach, and a satisfying crunch from the pecan”.

He is a man of few words but those he does speak are the truth and this is high praise indeed; this man knows good food and he is not often quite so complimentary (unless it’s my home baking, of course!). On the topic of baking I am feeling inspired to experiment with the combination of peach and pecan..it sounds like it would make a fabulous flapjack or cake, maybe with some chocolate chunks thrown in for good measure.

Chocolate fans simply must try this, and whilst you’re at it I’d treat yourself to a few bits from the newly arrived Christmas collection,
a bar of this will be sneaking in to my festive order and I promise faithfully not to share!

For more of CyberCandy’s latest arrivals and other happenings give them a like on facebook.

What chocolate combinations have you tried and loved?

xxx

Cheers anon for the grammar lesson, apparently a girl can no longer make an oversight.

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