Nokia X6 comes with music + mini giveaway

26th March 2010

Now, I’ll preface this post by saying I am not the most technology savvy of people and until I was presented with this oppurtunity I was perfectly content with my faithful old Samsung phone that did everything I needed it to and more. Smartphones; be it the iphone, blackberry or latest release from anywhere really, always passed me by and I dismissed them, and the related gadgets as too complicated for my easily confused brain to handle.

This changed when Nokia and Comes with Music contacted me at the start of the year, coincidentally just as my valiant pink phone finally gave up the ghost. They offered me the Nokia X6 phone and subscription to Nokia Comes with Music and after initial hesitation (I don’t blog for free stuff, I blog because I love to) I accepted, realising I’d be kicking myself for years to come if I let this pass me by.

So firstly, the phone…

Slim, sleek and touch screen, this is far more advanced than anything I have ever owned before (including my laptop!) I had reservations about a phone with no key pad as such but the touch screen has proved simple to use, as is the phone in general with it’s easy to navigate menu, and built in help guides.
It’s great to finally be able to check e-mails on the go, and keep up with social networking (particually fab for reporting the status of the doctors waiting room it seems), it also means I am never behind on any important advances in my friends and fellow bloggers lives.
But, the main feature, and main appeal of this phone has to be the music player.

I hadn’t actually heard of Nokia’s music service before now
but again “Comes with Music” has opened my eyes to a whole new world.

I guess the easiest comparison to make would be to itunes, which I have used before. I genuinely prefer Nokia’s offering though, it is easier to navigate and the downloads are very fast.
There is a huge range of music, set out in a clear and concise way; categorised with an excellent search function and a constantly updated new releases list to make sure you don’t get behind.

Linking the music with the phone could not have been any easier. In fact you can download the software directly on to the phone; although I opted to keep it on my laptop and just transfer the music across (takes seconds!)

Basically, I’m a fan. A convert. Finally up to date in an ever changing world.

I realise this is perhaps a mish-mash to read (it’s 6am as I write this) and that potentially you have no idea what it is I am wittering on about,
so, for my UK readers at least, I have a wonderful oppurtunity for you to test out the player for yourself; my music collection has never been more up to date!

Giveaway Time

Nokia and comes with music have kindly provided me with FIVE codes each good for 10 free downloads from the Nokia Music Store
This will of course involve downloading the software if you haven’t already, but if I can manage it…then well…the rest of you can!

How to enter:
– open to UK readers only (sorry, I have another giveaway coming up!)
– the giveaway will run until Monday 29th March
– there will be five winners each getting a code for ten free tracks e-mailed to them
– to take part just leave a comment on this post saying “I want free music” and your e-mail address
– winners will be announced and contacted on Monday

Simple!
(and anyone who doesn’t want to/can’t enter, give me music ideas, I need new stuff!)

Good luck,
and thanks for reading this post! I’ll hopefully be sharing an outfit tomorrow…apologies for the scattered nature of my posting this week!

xxx

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Marmite XO review

09th March 2010

Long time readers of my blog will probably by now have noticed that I have a real addiction to a brown gooey substance called Marmite.
A couple of weeks ago I was flicking through a newspaper when I came across something that literally made me squeal;
Marmite were releasing a new, “extra old” variety of my true love. This new version, Marmite XO was officially released yesterday, but I was lucky enough to have a jar delivered to my door on Friday for review purposes.

Before I start my review, I’ll give you the basics, as I know not everyone will be familiar with the wonder of this stuff.

(left is the original marmite, right is new, marmite xo)

– “Marmite is dark brown-colored savory spread made from the yeast that is a by-product of the brewing industry. It has a very strong, slightly salty flavor. It is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it type of food.” (definition from www.ilovemarmite.com)

– The love it or loathe it nature of marmite is something which divides Britain.

– The most common ways of eating marmite are; spread on buttered toast or crumpets, in a sandwich either with or without cheese; or on crackers.

– My favourite way to eat the original version is as a dip for raw vegetables, or with cream cheese on ryvita crackers.

– As a child my favourite party food was cheese and marmite pinwheels which are swirls of pastry spread with marmite and sprinkled with cheddar cheese. I can provide a recipe if you wish!

As I mentioned above, yesterday marked the launch of Marmite XO in supermarkets (priced £3.99) and it is also available, with worldwide shipping from the official marmite website shop at £4.99

Described as “Using four specially selected yeast sources, our master blender has crafted the secret Marmite recipe and matured it for four times longer to create a Marmite so strong and full-bodied it can only be for the most devoted of lovers” could it really be better than the original? Or would it be too much for this devoted fan to handle?

As I’ve only had the jar since Friday I’ve not yet worked my way through all the ways I want to test this, but so far…SO IN LOVE
I first tried this straight off a spoon for the full effect. The familiar, addictive taste is there, but it is somehow more mature and perhaps a little less salty than it’s milder companion.
Next up was the dip test. It fared well with my beloved vegetables, particually carrot sticks. I do love the sweet crunch mixed with the salty goodness.
Rice cakes, and ryvita and cream cheese were vastly improved by XO, as the stronger taste blended beautiful with the cool smoothness of the cheese and crunchy cracker.
I also, in a moment of pure genius, drizzled some on top of roasted butternut squash yesterday…JUST DO IT. NOW.

My list of things yet to do are:

– A tofu marinade (this works well with the original, so I’m hoping it’ll be even better now)

– In a cheese and marmite toasted sandwich.

– Baked goods…cheese and marmite muffins, and a re-make of the old favourite pinwheels.

– Marmite and cucumber sandwich (another must try)

– I also plan to stir a spoonfull through some mashed potato, a childhood favourite with an adult kick.

I think it goes without saying that I have just made a new best friend

Are you a lover or a hater?

Never tried marmite, would you like to, and do you think you’d like it?

Have you got your hands on this new wonder yet, or do you plan to, like NOW?

I want to hear all your crazy marmite stories guys. Mad combinations, recipe ideas and memories.
Or, if you must, share your hatred..just don’t expect me to agree!

xxx

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27.01 keeping busy

27th January 2010

Ok, I think I’m with it enough to resume blogging and commenting properly now. Thank you so much for the continued support and kind words. I appreciate each and every one.

I’m finding that I’m mostly okay if I’m busy, so I haven’t spent too much time at home lazing around like I normally would. Monday I finally caught up with a friend for coffee and yesterday Mum and I hit Bristol for some retail therapy.

We pretty much took shopping till we dropped seriously and were exhausted by the time we limped back home. Despite missing the bulk of the sales there were still a lot of bargains around, though I bought new season stock only, clothes wise…pieces that can be worn now and in to Spring/Summer when they arrive.

Today I am wearing a dress from Next that Mum decided she was treating me to. Next is somewhere I often overlook, but was suprised yesterday when I found myself coveting much of their s/s range.

Also, a little while ago I wrote a post about www.wickedeliclingerie.co.uk and mentioned that they sent me a couple of pairs to review from their sexy hosiery selection.
I posted an outfit with the first pair last week, and today I am sporting the second, which means it is time for my thoughts.

I have found tights to be hit or miss in terms of quality, not always related to the amount I have paid for them. As you know I have quite a vast collection [in the region of 30 pairs at last count] with prices varying from 50p-£10.
Both pairs of tights from wickedelic rate up at the top quality wise, making them, in my opinion, worth the price on the website [£7 for the floral side pair and £10 for the back seam pair].
Often, with low denier tights I find they ladder almost as soon as I put them on, regardless of how careful I am. These didn’t, and are well made enough to make me think that they won’t any time soon.

The service from the website was excellent. The tights were with me within 48 hours of me making my choice and arrived well packaged in a discreet padded envelope.
Standard delivery costs £4, but is free when you spend £35 or more [which is easily done with me, where tights are involved].

It is quite hard to review something like tights, compared to makeup, food or drink so apologies if this doesn’t flow particularly well. I would like to thank Nick at wickedelic for giving me this opportunity and would urge you all to check out the website if you haven’t already done so…I’ve spied some new styles on there that are on my lust list.

Anyway,
I hope everyone is well, I promise to catch up with your blogs over the course of today and tomorrow, it’s the perfect form of escapism for everything that is going on in my head.

There will also be another giveaway posted soon, so stay tuned for that.

xxx

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Review: Crazy Rumours Lipbalm

01st November 2009

Happy November all, I hope you had a fantastic Halloween?!
The party I went to was good, very chilled out/relaxed, more of a chance to catch up with friends than go wild.
I totally forgot to snap any photos there, or any of my outfit, so today I am bringing you something slightly different in the form of a review.

SuperSmoocher is a wonderful website started in response to the lack of UK-based online shops selling the wonderful ranges of all-natural lip balms and lip-care products available across the world.
They currently only stock four brands (Burts Bees, Crazy Rumours, Balm Balm and Figs & Rouge) but have plans to expand this in the near future.

Because they specialise only in natural lipcare, and no other cosmetics, they are able to keep postage costs low, at 70p (or free when you spend £9 or more)
They are the only UK store to offer the full range of Crazy Rumours all natural and cruelty free range (suitable for vegans), with an array of impressive and edible sounding flavours to choose from.

SuperSmoochers were kind enough to let me pick any two flavours from the range to test out,
which was a hard task in itself as there are so many! In the end I opted for Spiced Chai from the “Brew” range, and French Vanilla from “Perk”

The parcel came beautifully wrapped in pink tissue paper, which was a bonus; I love getting prettily wrapped things in the most (simple pleasures!)
I tested the balms over the course of a week, alternating days, starting with French Vanilla.
The smell was incredible; just like my favourite fresh ground vanilla coffee. The balm goes on smoothly and leaves just a gentle sheen behind. I suffer terribly with chapped lips as soon as Autumn comes, and this did a great job of soothing them and getting them looking healthy again. The scent lasted a long time, which was great and there was nothing artificial about it. An added bonus is that it tastes quite good too!

Spiced Chai smells, well, exactly like spiced chai tea. It is the most perfect scent for this time of year, and again it did a great job of getting my lips back on track.
Neither balms felt at all waxy, and had just the right amount of firmness to stop them breaking in the tube. They are totally non sticky and make an excellent base for lipstick.

I used to be a loyal fan of good old chapstick,
but after testing these, I’ve found a new holy grail in lipcare!

The flavours are split in to ranges, including “A la mode” for ice cream parlour inspired,
“Gumball” for candy, and “Fresh Squeezed” for citrus (as well as Brew and Perk, as mentioned above)

Priced at £3.45 per lipbalm (plus 70p postage) and free postage over £9, I fully intend to fill my friend’s Christmas stockings with these, as there is a flavour to suit all personalities. I also plan to hoard a few away for myself, I’m definatly tempted by Bubble Gum and Raspberry Sherbert.

SuperSmoocher also have worldwide shipping available.

So, with my recommendation, get shopping!

(back to regular posting tomorrow)

xxx

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Category Archives: review

Nokia X6 comes with music + mini giveaway

Marmite XO review

27.01 keeping busy

Review: Crazy Rumours Lipbalm