Musical Memories ~ Rhianna/ Diamonds

Sometimes in our life there's a song that epitomises a moment in our lives. A moment, that lives forever in the lyrics and hauntingly reminds you of that one memory. A sad break up song played on repeat, the song that was playing when love first found a couple, or a simple song hearkening from your childhood happiness. Usually its a current song, or dating from old mix tapes, but recently I've realised this isn't always the case.

Rhianna might be famous for her irritatingly repetitive lyrics (Just buy another umbrella already!), but from her seventh album came a unwitting surprise for me. Tuning into 'Diamonds', I found myself lost in a memory. I would normally just shrugged it off but every time I hear the song it takes me back 15 years to the same moment. Its a beautiful thing that a track can become part of my past.

Pain and Gain... Muscle Madness ~ Cinema Review

A bit of a belated blog post; but on Tuesday I was lucky enough to see a free early screening of Pain and Gain through Show Film First and Paramount Pictures  (18 days before release!). Starring Mark Wahlberg, Dwayne Johnson and Anthony Mackie the film follows three bodybuilders who decide to branch out into kidnapping to realise their American Dream. 
The true story of The Sun Gym Gang, is much harsher than the film shows, but considering most people would struggle to believe it is true. Micheal Bay directed, in a departure from his Transformers fame, through the minefield of comedy into the realm of bizarre reality.
If you've some how missed the trailer, then I shall enlighten you  with it here.

Brentwood Council vs TOWIE : Battle of the Scantily Clad!

Well hello, you deliciously avid readers, it seems to be a slow month for product testing. Hence for a time I shall inflict my opinions on you and I dare say lose a few followers into the bargain. Whilst my opinion is not always the most thought out (or reasonable), it is still mine, and often mine alone. If something sparks an interest, feel free to comment. Your honest views are welcome, Though please be aware and considerate of my younger blog readers in your speech. Thank you.

Obviously I live nowhere near Essex and in addition I have no interest in 'The Only Way Is Essex'  'The Only Way Is Essex'. To the extent that I had to be told that 'TOWIE' was actually the same program. So this news story from the Daily Mail should have had no impact on me. However the headline 'Council considers fare discount for 'scantily clad girls' to stop them being attacked' intrigued me. Reading further into the story and conflicting opinions, I found my bra burning feminist kicking her unshaven legs in anger.

"Lads Mags"... Taboo Territory?

Well it's been a while since I bothered you all with a blog post, especially one concerning my personal viewpoint! I'm sorry to say the headlines are irritating me again, this time its the elitist sensitivities of complainers.

Supermarkets have issued an ultimatum on 'Lad's Mag's' telling them to cover up or force being banned from the shelves. As far back as I can remember the top shelf of any magazine rack was dedicated to the perversion that is the human body, and supermarkets only stocked the more modest of these ranges. Yet it seems that the female human form is offensive to women and children.

This entire fiasco deals with women objecting to the female form being put on display. For myself the irony is inescapable and frankly inexcusable. In an age where supermodels are too thin and the obese dangerously unhealthy, women everywhere have campaigned for the female form to be revered in all shapes and sizes. Yet at the same time it is offensive and disgusting. Male 'hunks' can be oiled and posed on a beach for female viewing, but do that to a woman and the women are up in arms? It is little wonder women are considered confusing by men.

Box of Awesome Review ~ Box 3

Here we go with box 3 of Box of Awesome's latest unveiling of their special goody bundle. As usual there's a very mixed bundle with a hefty amount of collectables and some new comers, including some online offers.

Kito 16-Piece Stoneware Dinner Set Review

I am completely at a loss as to what section to put this post under. In the end I plumped for Fashion due to the unnecessary need for ornamental crockery. Personally I believe matching crockery is a hell designed for +Christmas dinner and other such over the top occasions. The rest of the year we are all happy to munch from our chipped mismatched plates, and I'm sure many of us fondly remember our childhood individual plates from the culmination of remaining sets. For those that don't; you lived a especially charmed abnormal life, and likely played Polo.
In choosing my future cracked set of plates I caved to The Controllers  constant demands for square plates. Square plates have always seemed like they belonged in a pretentious hotel serving up a tiny artistic remnants of food. However he has been asking for nearly a decade, so I guess it was about time I bowed to the man of the house.

Skechers Bikers Hot Ticket Shoe Review

Alas with joys of gainful employment comes the search for suitable apparel, and none more essential than the material with which we clothe our feet. Some may read this and think otherwise but those would be the people who can afford to be fashionable in the workplace. In a job that involves constantly putting my 'slender' weight on my long suffering hooves, it becomes an essential trial for comfort. Gone are the days of vainly trotting my illogical heels and comely courts to and from a desk.

This is my third attempt at foot wear; court shoes and hiking trainer were both a mistake in their own blister inducing ways. I apparently required some thing breathable, flexible and comfortable; which also looked reasonable attractive and was black. I took on-board the advice of people and searched my way to Skecher's door and settled on their 'Bikers Hot Ticket Shoes' . Slip on shoes with a minimal 1/4 inch heel and masses of happy reviews.

Chobani Strained Yoghurt Review

Well the source for this review was different from my usual, in fact my ego requires that I claim I was head-hunted!
Earlier this month this comment from +Chobani was left on one of my posts:
'We've been stalking your blog, and are loving all of your product reviews!
So, we'd love to send you our range of Chobani Strained Yoghurt – they are made with only naturally sourced ingredients and completely fat free with twice the protein of regular yoghurt. 
What do you say – can we tempt you?'  

I deliberated long and hard on the option of free yoghurt, whilst frantically googling the company to check for obvious signs of a scam (a healthy level of suspicion goes a long way online!). The titbits of information regarding the name change from Greek to Strained yoghurt, and the subsequent packaging revamp, caught my eye first. It showed that the marketing aspect was taking advantage of the situation in a progressive manner in line with a corporate giant. This video introduction by founder +Hamdi Ulukaya explains the origins of a company which after initial production took only 4 years to become the Number One selling brand in America.

The Heat...Is it a Summer Scorcher? ~ Cinema Review

Today I was lucky enough to see a free early screening of +The Heat through Show Film First (Nine days before release!). Starring Sandra Bullock and Melissa McCarthy  the film revolves around the uptight, anti social arrogant, FBI agent's hunt for a elusive drug lord. Sandra Bullock meets the uncouth, opinionated, plain spoken Melissa McCarthy, and then the fire-works and laughs are meant to begin. 

Originally due to be released for April, the decision was made to delay for a big budget Summer slot, to suitably milk the profits. The initial trailer does a great job of touting the 'girl power' jokes; blatantly designed to be a feel good chick flick. This film has likened it to Miss Congeniality, and the FBI/ Police characters lend credence to this. Could they not have gone for DEA or even the Coastguard this time, or does Sandra Bullock just have a love fetish for her FBI uniform? From the same director as Bridesmaids (Paul Feig) you might expect a certain level of humour, but the similarities appear to be rather subtle. 

Box of OMG Review ~ Box 2 (Final Finish)

As I've mentioned in previous Box of OMG posts (One + Two) there was a book meant to be included in the boxes. Well it has finally arrived, complete with the original box and contents. I had been expecting a bubble wrap envelope containing the missing book, receiving the whole box again was quite a bonus. This goes quite a way to quelling the complaints of avid readers and restoring faith in Box of OMG.

As you can see the content of +Moshi Monsters Stickers and tattoo's, the bracelets and OMG paperwork are the same. The new addition is by Edyth Bulbring called 'A Month With April May'. Edyth Bulbring was born in Boksburg, South Africa and grew up in Port Elizabeth. This book is her first published in the UK although her previous ones are all available to download online. Fun fact: the books was published under the name 'Melly, Mrs Ho and Me' in Africa.