Fantastic Robot Exhibition Opens For Summer 2015 at Titanic Belfast

Today sees the comprehensive collection of robot stars from tv and movies open to the public at Titanic Belfast. We went along last night for a sneak peek to meet our favourites. Mine is the Terminator, my son's is R2D2. With family favourites like Iron Man & other Star Wars droids on show, it's the perfect daytrip stop off. If you've no kids, don't be put off! My friend texted me last night when she saw my photos on Instagram and I reassured her, if RoboCop is there, it's for grown ups too!

I'm of course tempted to share all my photos of the 50+ robots on display, but that would spoil your own visit, so I'll show you my favourites.

This guy! If you've a bit of a fear of robots like me, this robot from RoboCop gives you the fear just seeing the model of him. Slightly worried he'd shoot my knees off. Son of course just thought it was a cute little robot friend.

Many retro robots on display. It's hard to tell but this one is 6ft tall! 

There is a section where kids can build their own robots from blocks, and parents can reminisce about old toy robots from the 80s that we lusted after to carry our cans of Coke around.

I didn't recognise this terrifying baby robot, but I loved it.

Again this post is only a fraction of the number of robots on display, but I really don't want to spoil your own experience by showing you who all is there. 

The Titanic shop has a little robot section set up to accompany the display, and I was delighted by the retro toy packaging

If you fancy stopping for food after your visit, Bistro 401 is right on site and the food is delicious! 

I had to show you these edible nuts and bolts. They were made of chocolate and I couldn't believe you could actually eat them until I'd bitten into one! 

Robots runs from today, 26th June, to 13th September. It costs £6 for adults, £3 for children, or £16 for a family ticket. It's well worth making it part of your summer 2015. 

http://www.titanicbelfast.com/The-Experience/Upcoming-Events/ROBOTS.aspx

Snixy Swoons: The Laser-cut Jewellery Etsy of My Dreams!

I discovered Snixy Swoons on eBay about two months ago.  I can't remember what I was searching for, but I know what I found; huge, quirky, colourful, unique jewellery I could fill a basket full of. I contacted Miss Snix and asked would she be so kind as to send me her favourite piece she makes, and in return I will share her wonderful shop, https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/SnixySwoons with you, my loyal readers. 

I expected to receive one of the huge wooden birds, or perhaps a ornate moth brooch, or plastic figure parrot necklace, in actual fact she sent all three! So thank you, Miss Snix, for your generous gifts.  

Here is what I got, and my other picks from the Etsy store, which I'll be buying piece by piece over the next year to help support the store to grow and release new designs. 

Say hi to Miss Snix at www.facebook.com/snixyswoons

Pick Your Picnic From The Tastes of the British Isles

School ends next week & Smix and I have dozens of day trips already planned all over Northern Ireland, and even beyond. I'm sure there will be a picnic or six along the way. I called into Marks & Spencer at Sprucefield to pick up some new lunch items from their Tastes of the British Isles' range.

There is also a great big sale on, with up to 60% off. I got a t-shirt for myself for £2, and a Minecraft sweatshirt & t-shirt for £10 each for Michael. 

Straight in with the sandwiches, but this is no ordinary sandwich, this is an M&S sandwich! If you are buying for a family picnic, you'll be able to take advantage of the current 3 for 2 offer running on most of the lunch range. Then again if you're just buying for yourself, you could get three items, sandwich, crisps, drink or dessert for the price of two yourself. 

These mighty British sandwiches are £4, £3.80 and £3.50. 

If you're feeling a little more adventurous there are some protein rich, fancy salads with a classic British twist too, £3.50 each. 

Guilty secret time. I discovered the little three pack of sausage rolls last week one evening at my local M&S in Bloomfields. I had gone to pick up sushi, but they were all out. I chose the £2.00 pack of three different flavours of rolls and since I've repeat purchased three times! My daily sausage roll consumption is quite high right now! I just eat them cold and they are super tasty. So I'm excited about trying the massive Hog Roast Sausage Roll, which is also £2. I could tell myself only eating one sausage roll of an evening is healthier than three, even if the one roll is the size of my hand! 

Moving onto lunch snacks, British recipe inspired crisps are 3 for 2 also, or 70p each. There also a little jelly for £1.35

For your sweet tooth we have little takeaway bowls of fresh strawberries for £2, a must have in Wimbledon week, even if you are just watching it on tv. I also picked two rhubarb desserts to try, a trifle at £1.35 and a slice of cheesecake for £2. Have you noticed just how many products in M&S have rhubarb in them this summer? Drinks, cakes, everything. They must have bought a rhubarb farm they've used so much of the stuff. Luckily I adore it! 

Now I'm not entirely sure if I like gooseberries, but I was very drawn to the little meringues on top of this dessert. There is also a classic recipe Eton Mess variety and they are £1.50 each.

So here is my spread all together. All these items are on three for two, so you only pay for 2/3 of what's shown. I think this would make a great picnic lunch for the family, and everyone could try a little of each. Happy feasting! 

Jealous of My Son's Colour-In Pyjamas

Son pester-powered me into buying these M&S colour in pyjamas. They are in the sale for £7, and comprise of a t-shirt and shorts. Both pieces could easily be worn as daytime attire too. The ink washes out each time you wash the set, and although it says you can wash with other colours, I think I'd be playing it safe and washing the set on it's own. 

We Do Summer at Ground Espresso

Last night we were invited along to the launch of Ground Espresso's summer menu, at their Waterstone's branch in Belfast city centre. With branches in Coleraine, Ballymena, Lisburn, Portrush, Bushmills, Cookstown & Dublin, Ground are one of Northern Ireland's fastest growing local businesses. It's the originality of their menu and the crafting & care each new product receives that sets Ground Espresso apart from other coffee shops. 

They have three new drinks for the summer menu, a coffee based salted caramel frappé, a fruit juice lover's choice Tutti Fruitti, and a coffee-free, kids' dream drink of chocolate vanilla frappè. 

I tried the tutti frutti which was a delicious peachy, poolside type adult slushie. My son tried the whipped cream & mini-Smarties topped frappé which I managed to sneak a sip of too, comparing it to Milky Bars and vanilla icecream.  

Call into any of the Ground Espresso stores to try their summer drinks now, and follow them on all social media @groundespresso  

A Scent Summer Getaway, YankeeCandle.co.uk

I've picked a selection of scents from www.yankeecandle.co.uk that I think would make your home smell like a sweet, summer beach holiday. Whether it be natural, salty sea air fragrances, or sugary, delicious scents from a June fête, Yankee Candle's official online store stocks rare and hard to find candles to bring your home  to life.

I received the special appearance candle, Cotton Candy, and like all Yankee scents it's true to life and not artificial smelling. We love burning it in our home in the evenings. 

Here are my other picks for a fragrant home filled with summer smells. 

All available from www.yankeecandle.co.uk

I've had the wax tart of Orange Splash before and it smells like an orange Starburst sweet tastes. 

Two evening scents, campfire inspired, marshmallow Fireside Treats, and rich Cappucino Truffle. 

Don't forget to visit the accessories page for summer themed tart burners, votive holders and hurricane jars. 

Treat Your Dad to A Taste Tour of Ireland at IndieFude.com

Indie Fude is your online deli destination for the top picks of independant Irish food products. They bring together award winning brands like Suki Tea, Abernethy Butter and Red Rooster Coffee in one place, allowing you to pick products separately, or put together a hamper or gift set. 

Primarily an online store at www.indiefude.com , they can also be found at the new Bank Square Market every Thursday from 11am-8pm.

If you want to treat your Dad to some tastes of Ireland, Indie Fude have put together four gift collections for you to choose from. There is also an option to view products by region, so you can try the best of Ulster one month, and the best of Leinster another, a bit like a foodie tour without having to leave your home!

 I love the idea of the chocolate orange marmalade, and bacon jam, so I think I'll take advantage of their 10% off offer, when you sign up for their mailing list, and treat myself.

The Sweetest Summer at Marks & Spencer.

Sweet treats and delicious delights now gracing the shelves of your nearest M&S.  

Rhubarb & Custard lollies £1.50 : British Pudding Sweets £1.10 : Fruit Chews £1.30

Visit the bakery aisle for lots of new infused pancake and scone products. 

strawberry & cream pancakes £1.10 : macaroons £6

Honeycomb £2

Colourful biscuits for delightful picnics £1.50

These perfect little parcels of sweeties for grown ups would make excellent gifts for teachers and classroom assistants at the end of term, starting at £3. 

I also visited the huge Homeware department Sprucefield's M&S has. I could decorate my entire home with the contents of that store. 

Flamingo Tealight holder £12

I badly want one of these water coolers, but who could hide one away inside a fridge? They come in several designs and cost £18. Summer is really here!