March 03, 2019

He-Man, Masters Of The Universe Movie Gets First Official Licensed Toy Launch Since 1987

March 03, 2019/ Claire Spence

Fellow 80s’ child. How many times have you watched 17%-Rotten-Tomato-scored movie ‘Masters of the Universe? The 1987 box office classic starring Dolph Lundgren as He-Man, a pre-Friends Courteney Cox as random Earth Teenager, and Frank Langella in what should have been an Oscar nominated role as the whole entire production carrying Skeletor.

Well, my brother and I watched Masters of the Universe quite a lot. When I say quite a lot, I would estimate more than fifty times. At least enough times that on a Sunday afternoon we would sometimes go into our Gran’s back garden and recite Skeletor’s dramatic monologue from the final act from memory.

My brother texted me last night with the news that figures from the movie are being made, they have just been revealed at a toy fair. You can watch a video by Pixel Dan about them here.

There are four figures (the fourth is Karg), modelled on the original 1987 William Stout production art, with the faces based on the actors from the final movie. You can pre-order on the Super7 site with the set of four figures coming in at $140. It’s fairly pricy, but each has to be handmade, which is why it costs so much more than regular figures.

If you aren’t enough of a MOTU super fan to spend that kind of money on figures, but want to show your love, Super7 still has some fun merch at lower prices which you can shop here. There are t-shirts for $30, cute blind boxes with He-Man and She-Ra figures for $4, and drinking glasses with the classic figurines printed on them.

There are also a selection of reproduction classic figures on the old 80s’ style packing for $15 each, so some reasonably priced things to choose from apart from the $140 set of movie figures! Thanks to my brother for the tip off for this blog, and help with the info.

February 24, 2019

Samyang Ramen Fire Noodle... Make-Up Line?

February 24, 2019/ Claire Spence

I am a Samyang noodle addict. The super hot ramen noodles are famous on the web after becoming a viral trend on YouTube for mukbang uploaders and regular vloggers alike to try and finish a bowl of their deadly hot tastiness.

They come in more than half a dozen varieties, hot, double hot, cheese, carbonara and even a version you serve ice cold, but my favourite is the gold pack with a classic curry twist.

I get my Samyang noodle supplies right here in Belfast, from Lee Foods Oriental Supermarket. They have a huge range of ramen noodles of all varieties.

Imagine my surprise however when one afternoon online I stumbled upon a Samyang Noodle make-up line.

South Korean’s quirky and innovative brand TonyMoly had partnered with Samyang to release a range of very cool make-up, including foundation, lip tints and blusher, all based on my favourite spicy hot noodles. I had to buy something from the range for the packaging alone, a foundation compact that came in a ramen noodle cup.

The press-foundation compact comes with a refill too, which is in the ‘sauce’ pouch. I just love that the chicken mascot is printed on the pad.

TonyMoly can be found in the U.K. at Cult Beauty, but they don’t stock the Samyang range, as it’s an older line. You’ll need to shop around places like eBay, where I picked up mine for around a tenner.

February 19, 2019

The Fashion World Loses Karl Lagerfeld: A Look At His Quirky Designs Inspired By His Favourite Muse- Choupette His Cat

February 19, 2019/ Claire Spence

February 19th 2019, and we have just heard that fashion legend Karl Lagerfeld has died after a recent period of illness. He was a name known to the likes of myself, who has a passing interest in fashion but certainly couldn’t name you the heads of most fashion houses, and probably would get stuck half way through being challenged to even name ten such fashion houses themselves.

Karl was the creative director and head of design at Chanel, another household name for even us high-street label wearing types. His iconic trademark look in his later years of swept back silver ponytail and sleek dark shades is as legendary as Anna Wintour’s bob.

Another ‘trademark’ of Karl in the last decade would be his love affair with a little white cat called Choupette.

Given to Mr Lagerfeld as a Christmas gift in 2011, he fell so in love with his furry companion that he claimed in a 2013 interview with CNN that he wished he could marry her, saying, “There is no marriage yet for human beings and animals.. I never thought I would fall in love like this with a cat”.

It followed suit that many Choupette themed fashion items and accessories came to life, as his cat-muse inspired hats, handbags, and even a makeup line. (Click any of the tiny pictures to see the detail)

Whilst the famous handbag might be the most lusted item from Chanel, being a crazy cat lady myself, I think I would love a Choupette.

RIP Karl.

February 14, 2019

No Bouquets Here- Guns, Knives & Emotional Blackmail? - Disturbing Valentine’s Cards of Yesteryear

February 14, 2019/ Claire Spence

I’ve featured vintage Valentine’s cards on the blog on previous February fourteenth’s, but this year how about some really strange ones?

From threatening to throw yourself off a pier with a stone tied round your neck and a gun held to your head (see the skunk card centre, top row below), to knife swallowing, fire swallowing, and more guns than I care to mention - vintage Valentine’s cards were pretty hardcore.

How about that one in the centre above where he’s just casually running over his Valentine with his car? You can click on any of the cards to enlarge for a closer look.

The threats don’t end there! Below, this Valentine reminds you that you can run, but you can’t hide, because he will break down any wall! Not to mention the final card with some flat out clubbing. Different times indeed.

Happy Valentine’s everyone!

February 11, 2019

Valentine’s Day CAN Be All Year Round With a Gift Subscription to Ben Cameron’s Pin Badge Club

February 11, 2019/ Claire Spence

So I was a little slack and forgot to blog Valentine’s gift ideas like I said I would, but hopefully this nifty little idea will make up for it.

You often hear the refrain this time of year, “Valentine’s Day is just one day, you should show your love all year round!”.

That doesn’t have to mean a £60 bunch of two dozen, long stem, red roses every fortnight. I’ve found this cute little UK based subscription box that’s just £7 a month including postage, that will remind your loved one you are thinking of them every time it drops through the post box.

It’s Pin Badge Club by illustrator Ben Cameron. You may recognise some of his doodles as they have been being shared over social media for years now, you’ll definitely recognise his simple, yet delightful and joyful style.

Subscribing to Pin Badge Club will send your Valentine a monthly pin badge and stickers. There is also Ben’s Etsy store, but given that it’s now 11th February I would say it’s a bit late to order anything and have it arrive in time for Valentine’s. So a card & some chocs & letting them know they are expecting a Pin Badge surprise could be the best option!

February 02, 2019

Tatty Devine, Choose the Original, Cult, Statement Jewellery for Your Favourite Fashionista on February Fourteenth - World of Kitsch Valentine’s Day Gift Guide 2019

February 02, 2019/ Claire Spence

Kicking off my guide to Valentine’s Day for 2019, here’s a quick whizz over to visit a classic British brand that everyone should have one piece of.

Tatty Devine’s jewellery mostly comprises of laser cut acrylic necklace and brooch designs, with the odd wooden style now and then.

There is also homeware and bags, although you’ll only see those about once or twice a year, whereas as of 2018 they were producing around three hundred new jewellery offerings to choose from.

‘Tatty’ is actually twosome Rosie & Harriet, who started their brand making guitar plectrums into jewellery, then making acrylic name necklaces, which you can still buy today on the site. Tatty Devine necklaces have been made for & spotted on Jessie J, Kelly Osbourne and Dawn O Porter.

The current Tatty Devine online store is a literal treasure trove, of which I’ve picked the most ‘Valentine’ and ‘love’ themed, but other collections on sale right now include, ‘Stormy Weather’ and ‘Astral Haze’ as well as collaborations with other designers and museums.

Lastly, if you are shopping for a gift, it can even be a one stop shop- there are greetings card for £3 too!

January 29, 2019

Non-Vegans Are QUAKING! Dirty Fries, Cashew Mac, No Chic’n Nuggets - M&S New Plant Kitchen Range

January 29, 2019/ Claire Spence

I reviewed some of M&S’s vegan range two years ago, burgers and sausages, which are two of the staple foods that vegetarians and vegans get ‘recreated’ in non-meat form first. Even two years ago Marksies were ahead of the game and didn’t just have the usual reformed burger, mystery non-meat veggie burger.

They had beet burgers and crazy green sausages, and like the rest of my taste in life, I also love novelty in food, so I was more than happy to try those out. Their range back then was great and we had them around BBQ season and loved it so much I bought their vegan, golden orange, sweet potato sausages for many BBQs to come.

The vegan range expanded slowly but surely since 2017 as more and more families adopted vegetarian and vegan tastes, whether it be by moral stance, or by dietary needs (approx 20%). Someone in my close family has a dairy allergy, so I often look for vegan desserts as they are the superior option to find something that hasn’t scrimped on taste quality because they automatically start from a point of not using any dairy, rather than trying to just exclude it.

So here we are at the beginning of 2019, and some people may want to give veganism a go for health reasons, or for the environment.

M&S launched their Plant Kitchen range on 2nd January, with over 60 different products, which you’ll find easily within your local store thanks to the distinctive teal packaging. There are what they call ‘dirty vegan’ comfort food, like the Cauliflower Popcorn with Buffalo Dip & Cashew Mac, and two amazing looking, artisan, sourdough pizzas.

There are healthy versions of ‘ready meals’, using fresh vegetables, not frozen, like the Thai Green Curry, or the Katsu Curry. There are even non-chicken Chic’n Nuggets- we are living in the future, people!

Everything in the Plant Kitchen range is meat-free and dairy-free, entirely vegan, and made from plant proteins. There are also basic ingredients like Tofu, and Grain Packs like Non-meat Meatballs, Non-meat Mince etc, for you to make your own recipes.

Those tasty burgers and sausages from the original vegan ranges are still around too, and I imagine when BBQ season swings by the range will be expanded even further. In store now, but ideal for picnic times ahead are the vegan Coleslaw and Potato Salad, both priced at £1.50 which I believe is the same price as the regular Deli Coleslaw.

The newest foodie word on the street being ‘flexitarian’, someone who occasionally eats meat. I heard it last week for the first time, but it’s been around for quite some time, being voted the year’s most useful word by the American Dialect Society in 2003. I always thought giving up meat completely would be impossible, but with ranges like Plant Kitchen, and thinking how it could expand in the future, I could see a time when I could be a No Chic’N Nuggets girl. What do you think?

Take a closer look at the Plant Kitchen range on the Marks & Spencer website.