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Cadbury’s new chocolate bar: only for women, dieting women.

October 3, 2012 1 comment

Cadbury have revealed a new chocolate bar targeted specifically at women, called Crispello. This new treat is hoping to attract those women who are currently on diets or are calorie conscious. Each bar contains only 165 calories. Brilliant. This really does make me chuckle, “low-calorie chocolate bars” aimed at women on diets. Oh what a paradox!

The chocolate bar is divided into three equal portions, intended for women to really spread out their indulgence consuming chocolate. Only consuming one teeny piece at a time. All sounds very controlling, 1984. This seems also like a rather ridiculous concept. Everyone knows that chocolate is not healthy and to be separated into three sections is unnecessary. We are living in a (more) health conscious world. So they say. So will ‘less chocolate, less calories’ really sell?

The good news is, is Crispello only costs an affordable 50p! This does suddenly make it more attractive in comparison to the price currently of other chocolate bars. The new chocolate recipe also sounds extremely mouth-watering, three light and crispy wafer shells filled with a deliciously creamy centre and covered in a layer of double chocolate.

Despite the marketing and supposed USP (unique selling point) for Crispello, I am interested in having a bite… Only after one hard session in the gym though.

 

 

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West Sussex attraction: Highdown Gardens

October 1, 2012 1 comment

These stunning gardens are a fantastic attraction, free to the public and open all year round. The gardens are also used for junior activities, theatre and ‘friends of Highdown’ are volunteers who help with the maintenance and general upkeep of the gardens.

At the gardens you will find a pleasant variety, including:

  1. Tree and Shrub Area
  2. The Herb Garden
  3. Himalayan Birch Bark Cherry Avenue
  4. The Chalk Pit
  5. Himalayan Musk Rose
  6. The Bamboo Pond
  7. The Cave Pond
  8. Hellebore Bank
  9. The Paper Bark Maple
  10. The Rose Garden
  11. The Beech Wood
  12. Judas Tree
  13. Greek Wind Flower
  14. Rosa ‘Highdownensis’
  15. Middle Garden Island Beds
  16. Tree planted by Queen Mary
  17. Cotoneaster serotinus glaucophyllus (now lost)
  18. Acid Beds
  19. Pittosporum tenuifolium
  20. Rose ‘Wedding Day’
  21. Lower Island Beds
  22. Fig Border
  23. Strawberry Tree
  24. Indian Horse Chestnut
  25. The Drive
  26. Highdown Towers

Here are a few photographs of the beautiful Highdown Gardens in West Sussex. See the website for more information.

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London Acoustic Guitar Show 2012: Sandi Thom

September 24, 2012 Leave a comment

The London Acoustic Guitar Show 2012, in association with Acoustic Magazine, gave guitar enthusiasts and fans and the chance to come together to celebrate the sheer brilliancy of the acoustic guitar. This two-day event, running from Saturday 22nd to Sunday 23rd September 2012, was a tremendous success and truly memorable weekend.

The event, at Olympia Conference Centre, gave visitors a fantastic weekend or day out. Acoustic brand exhibitors displayed the highest-quality guitars and accessories of today. Visitors could choose their own schedule; whether that was attending a masterclass, sitting in the acoustic cafe area and enjoying a relaxing performance or visiting the main stage and listening to their favourite musicians. The main stage could hold a capacity of 450 visitors. This meant each performance was intimate and unique, a rarity in comparison to other music events.

One of the main headliners of the event, Sandi Thom, really stole the show. Her performance on Sunday was energetic, enigmatic and captivating. Raw emotion and soul was definitely felt with her cover of ‘The Big Ones Get Away’. It was truly breathtaking, to witness the 31-year olds ability to sing each note with such determination and strength. Long gone are the days of ‘I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker’. Thom has grown from strength to strength.

She treated the audience to an insight into the roots of her musical career and childhood. As a young girl she loved Guns N’ Roses and her cover of ‘November Rain’ was something to be admired.

Her latest single, ‘Love You Like a Lunatic’, from the new album Flesh and Blood, was a self-reflective piece, beautifully sung and mesmerising, which we can all relate to. Flesh and Blood was recorded at Nashville’s renowned, 16 Tons studio, with Black Crowes guitarist Rich Robinson (production). If this doesn’t scream phenomenal music, expertly produced, what does?

Overall Sandi Thom’s performance showcased her outstanding talent and versatility as both a singer, songwriter and guitar player. Her fantastic new album is out now on iTunes, which I highly recommend! Follow Sandi Thom (@Sandi_Thom) or visit her website.

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