Love Hearts at 60!! 1954 to NOW

By far the best selling products for Swizzels Matlow are their Love Hearts. And they are 60 years old this year!!  

Just how did Swizzels Matlow Ltd develop their famous product over these years?  
Lets take a look shall we........


1950s

Launched in 1954, Love Hearts were initially put as gifts in Christmas Crackers with the simple phrase, "I love you".  In these early days the packaging was all painted by hand, they proved so popular that the range was produced as an ongoing product.



With new technology always being produced it was in the late 1950's that the first 3-dimensional messages started being produced on the sweets.

Swizzels Matlow Sweets 1928 -

Swizzels Matlow Sweets

Double Lollies, Love Hearts, Drumstick lollies, parma violets, navy mints, snap and crackle, rainbow drops, fizzers, stinger chew, bettabar, refreshers, golf hints, hippy bits, fun gums, lucky strike mints, double dip, lipsticks and whistles, soccer shields, jibes, monkey bars.

Lets Talk ..... Chalk....

In particular Hair Chalk from The Body Shop.

Now I'm not a beauty blogger, far from it.  If you knew me 16 years ago you'd be surprised how times change.  16 years ago I was a beauty consultant working on the make up and perfume counters in a large chain store, I completed my training and, when I went to uni, moved to a smaller branch as their "expert" in this field.  I loved it, I ordered the make up, the stands were MY babies, I made sure they were tidy and full of testers.  I enjoyed the buzz of assisting customers select colours that matched their skin tones or advising men on February 13th of the nicest perfume for their partner.
I went to work everyday with a full face of make up (you had to) and owned pretty much every colour nail varnish you can imagine.

Then 5 years Ben was born and my make up case was consigned to live under the bed.  There wasn't time in the mornings to make up my face, I no longer had a social life so there was no need to 'tart myself up' for a night out.  I can count on one hand the amount of times my lashes have seen any mascara since 1998.
So last year, when we moved house, I figured it was time to bin the stash.  I treated myself to a lovely new mascara, eye shadow, lipstick and nail varnish and they eventually got their first outing on Saturday to the Midlands Blogger Meet.  I was glad they did as I felt severely underdressed for the occasion and at least resembled a human being with the confidence boost make up gives me.

Anyways I digress ..... the reason for this post all comes from the delightful Sophie and Autumn from The Body Shop who paid us a visit on Saturday with some of their products.... me and the boys were very taken in by the Hair Chalk and had to go home via The Body Shop to purchase one of each colour.

Falling for Blue and Tickle Me Pink

Midlands Blogger Meet Up (or #midsblogmeet as it became affectionately known)

After months of talking about it and more months of Kelly (@ToBecomeMum) and Emma (@LivePeachy) planning it the first ever Midlands Blogger Meet Up was yesterday at the Malt Cross in Nottingham.


I will make my excuses now for my appalling photography.  And like most people I WILL blame my technology!  My digital camera is fantastic, it takes the most amazing firework pictures and has plenty of settings on it.  Like most non-photographers I normally leave it on 'automatic scene detect' with disastrous consequences as it typically doesn't recognise the scene!  I reallly need a photography course!!

Anyway excuses over I will head back to yesterday ..... lets start at the beginning..... well actually when I say the beginning I mean Friday tea time!

Microwave Chocolate Brownie recipe

We needed a quick chocolate fix and these Microwave Chocolate Brownies really fitted the bill

What you will need:

150g butter
65g unsweetened cocoa powder
200g sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
100g plain flour

A microwave tray - we used a silicone one as the flexibility also made it easy to remove the cooked brownies.

Ursula Michael's "Lets Trick or Treat" - finished 15.2.14

can be bought from Crossstitch.com

My Progress update:  15th February 2014 - Completed

I did it, 4 months, and a lot of artistic license (ok mistakes) it's done, and thankfully Ben who claimed it as his own last year loves it.  Read about my Halloween Progress History here.

Valentines Day Card - Ursula Michael

After hunting for a word cloud valentines picture to stitch I was reminded that there was one by one of my favourite designers in Cross Stitch Card Shop.

I love the effect the variegated threads had on it to get the range of colours.

And here it is finished.  A nice quick stitch.

Flashback Friday - Puddle Lane

Puddle Lane

We are into Puddle Lane in a BIGGGG way at the moment this week.


From not being interested in the books at all Ben now wants one every night, when we have time I look on youtube and we watch the episode of the story we have just read.


Puddle Lane started life as a TV series in the late1980s before develoing into a series of 5 staged books.
It was about the life of the residents (human and animal) of Puddle Lane where they lived.

Winter Warming Recipe - Deconstructed Shepherds Pie

It's soo cold outside, we had snow this morning.  So as much as my post-Christmas body is crying out for salad and fruit my head is screaming junk food and fatty warm hearty meals.

After shopping in my local supermarket the other night I was drawn to some lamb mince.  So as part of the The Co-operative Electrical's competition for the chance to win  £750 worth of electrical goods here's tonight's very simple recipe for deconstructed shepherds pie..... ok mince, veg and mash.

I'll admit it, I am a little bit of a cheat, but I'm a full time working mum, there isn't time when I get in at 6 o'clock to make mash potato from scratch, especially when it is soo cheap to buy frozen.  I also don't 'do' quantities (as you'll know if you read my sweeter posts, such as Rocky Road) if I have it I throw it in.

Malteser Traybake

With Maltesers at around £1 a box in many supermarkets at the moment I felt the urge to make a maltesers traybake.

Although we didn't expect it to need quite as many maltesers as it took our version ended up very much like a rocky road with maltesers in. :) It still tasted fantastic.

Flashback Friday - Granny's Garden

Granny's Garden

Did you go to school in the late 80's/ early 90's? 

Did your school own one of these?

A BBC Micro??

Then chances are you played Granny's Garden too.

Released by 4Mation in 1983, Granny's Garden was written by Mike Matson. Granny's Garden was first released for the BBC Micro, and then later ported to the ZX Spectrum and Amstrad CPC Home computer. A few years later, an enhanced version of Granny's Garden was released for the PC and Mac, with a Windows 95 version also being released.

The game was set in the magical Kingdom of the Mountains, where six children, sons and daughters of the King and Queen have gone missing. Using a variety of logic puzzles, spelling games, and maths quizzes, Granny's Garden was instantly engaging.

300 Picture Book Challenge - January progress

We missed the first 10 days of January (tho that doesn't mean we've not been reading books!), just forgotten what they are and not recorded.

10th January

We're a little late starting this challenge .

Last night we read Ben's special book he got for Christmas... Spiderman.  But not just any old Spiderman this one was special.  It featured him and his friends.  He loved it!

We got in from taking Ben to school today and the postman called. he bought with him Walking Through The Jungle - our prize from Mummy's Little Stars Barefoot Book competition.   Noah was engrossed in it ... (review to follow, keep an eye out).

Whilst writing my 'flashback friday' I shared the Poddington Peas story with the boys.

Wordle - February

I am LOVING http://www.wordle.net ..... here's the february one featured in my blog header .... why not make your own .... don't forget to share the link.

Flashback Friday - Willo The Wisp

Willo The Wisp

It was just another ordinary day in Doyle Woods when suddenly.......

Witty Wednesday - duct, duct tape

This made me chuckle, soo sooo often we kid about buying some duct tape... hope it brightens up your Wednesday.

Tuneful Tuesday - Stevie Nicks - Landslide

We heard this the other day .... I was singing along..... the boys were singing along (we have my glee albums on quite a lot).... my husband looked at us blankly as if we were mad.  In fact my husband had not even HEARD of Stevie Nicks.... shameful!!

Here's the lyrics, and a you tube video incase you need to educate anyone ...........

Trains, Busses and Event City

Don't you hate it when a lovely day out turns into a nightmare thanks to public transport .... you know the same public transport that we are always being encouraged to use.

Readers may have seen some of my Tweets on Saturday - for you to get the bigger picture I will start from the beginning......

Saturday we had arranged to pick up our Merlin Passes from Legoland Discovery Centre in Manchester.  Following this we were going to the Sealife Centre next door.  We debated staying overnight but the train fare would have doubled and there were no bargain hotel rooms so, as we only live an hour away by train from Manchester a day trip it was.

We go up, got the boys ready (it was a surprise right up until they got to the desk at Legoland) and packed a picnic/ provisions to fuel the day.

We boarded the PACKED East Midlands train to Manchester at 9.45 am, taking our place on the floor / pull down seats (it was hard to decide which was comfiest) outside the drivers cab.

Raspberry and Dark Chocolate Flapjack

WOW a completely different taste from the raspberry and white chocolate we made a few months ago. Still far too sticky tho, but this was because we didn't have enough oats (and yesss I put in too much golden syrup again). But the most amazing taste when the mixed spice hits.

It's a fantastically easy recipe for the kids to help with as well.

Silent Sunday 26.1.14

Flashback Friday - Knightmare

Knightmare

Welcome, Watchers of Illusion .....

...... to the Castle of Confusion

Whether you watched it way back on ITV in 1987 or as recently as last weekend on Challenge TV Knightmare will never get boring.

I grew up with it, and now that it's being re-shown my boys get to grow up with it.


Knightmare was a fantasy adventure game show created and produced by Tim Child. More recently a capmaign to bring it back has led to a one off new show created for YouTube's "Geek Week" and a live show.

Cross Stitch Crazy Review, March 2014 issue 187

Please note that I get this magazine on a UK subscription so free gifts/ charts may differ from those in the shop/ overseas subscribers.

Free Gifts

Teapot chart (sorry no pic as I forgot to take one).

This is a smallish chart (44 stitches wide x 44 high) of a blue teapot with flowers.  It's certainly different.... not my cup of tea (if you'll excuse the pun) but I can see its wider appeal.

Notebook

I loved this notebook and immediately got my (sadly lacking) stitching bug back by turning it into my Blogging notebook.  There are designs further through the magazine tho if you'd rather use a ready made pattern.

witty wednesday 22nd January 2014

tuneful tuesday - Copacabana (At The Copa)

A great song to cheer you up after Blue Monday...... Barry Manilow's Copacabana (At The Copa)

Silver Foil Rocket

One of Ben's books this week from school was "Silver Foil Rocket".  In it Biff, Kipper, Chip and co. build a large rocket out of oil drums and silver foil for the carnival.  This gave me a fantastic idea for a Make..... a silver Foil Rocket.

We saved the toilet rolls this week (I MUST make that junk box I keep meaning to) and had some lids left over from when I used the silver foil trays for Rocky Road.    Here's how we did it....

Ursula Michael's "Lets Trick or Treat" - Progress Update 19th January 2014

Progress is slow on this piece as I am rather addicted to Lego Marvel on the PS3 and spend most of my spare time playing that when I'm not blogging.   I am, however, trying to dedicate 1 night a week to stitching.

I am itching to get this piece finished tho as I want to crack on with the boys DC superhero afghan that I started ages ago ... tho I really ought to see if I can find an Iron Man, Spiderman and Hulk to put on it as they are the favourites in this house at the moment.

International Book Giving Day - February 14th 2014

What better way to show your love for a child than by joining in with International Book Giving Day.

International Book Giving Day is a 100% volunteer initiative aimed at increasing children’s access to and enthusiasm for books.

In 2013, International Book Giving Day was celebrated by people in Australia, Canada, South Africa, France, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Nigeria, Nicaragua, Brazil, Egypt, Poland, Greece, Portugal, Mexico, Macedonia, Malawi, Hungary, Malaysia, Israel, Denmark, Thailand, Indonesia, Jordan, China, Puerto Rico and Bulgaria. We hope that people around the world will think about the best ways to help children in need in their communities.

Flashback Friday - Muppet Babies

Muppet Babies

When your world looks kinda weird and you wish that you weren't there 

Just close your eyes and make believe and you can be anywhere 

tuneful tuesday - Sk8er Boi

Tuneful Tuesday - Avril Lavigne "Sk8er Boi"

This song always takes me back to Saturdays working in Boots and my a friend who kept me sane for 3 years (sadly we lost touch when I left Uni).  We used to have a radio in the stockroom and this song would always get us both running to 'find an item' (aka dance around singing loudly) ........ you can only imagine what we were like when it played on a night out.

For those of you who have never heard here it is, the lyrics for Avril Lavigne's "Sk8er Boi".  
If you have a song that holds memories or that you simply want to share with other people let me know, I may just feature it.

Silent Sunday 12.1.14

Weston Park and The Ponderosa

Weston Park Museum and The Ponderosa 

We took a little break from the set downloadable walks this week (due to it being freezing and very wet) and went to Weston Park Museum instead.  We do this maybe every couple of months and, only at the end of last year, realised we could walk 3/4 of the way home by going through the Ponderosa.

It's really easy to get to.  You can get the tram to the University Tram Stop and walk (10 mins ish) or get the number 51/ 52 bus which stops outside the door.   You can drive but it has no designated car park, the area can get really busy so it's not guaranteed you will be able to park close by.

My Bookshelf

I have decided to make better use of my Bookspot tab so am going to keep my ongoing list of what is on (and off) my bookshelf here.

Flashback Friday - The Poddington Peas

The Poddington Peas

Down at the bottom of the garden,

Among the birds and the bees.

There live a lot of little people,

They're called The Poddington Peas

There's Cre-Pea, Black Eye-Pea and Dum-Pea.

Keep it a secret now please.

Theres Zip-Pea, Hap-Pea and there's Sweet-Pea

And all the Poddington Peas!

The Poddington Peas!

Tuneful Tuesday - Alanis Morissette "Ironic"

Tuneful Tuesday - Alanis Morissette "Ironic"

I loved Alanis' songs, the majority that were out in my mid tean years (late 90's) were such feel good happy songs that you couldn't help but join in with and sing along.

We were watching "The Internship" the other day that starts with "Ironic", I cannot hear this song without singing it.

For those of you who have never heard here it is, the lyrics and a randomly selected youtube video for Alanis Morisette's "Ironic".  

If you have a song that holds memories or that you simply want to share with other people let me know, I may just feature it.

Easy Cheesy Muffins

Although I have loads of chocolate in the house that really needs eating up I just could not bring myself to make chocolate muffins (but guess what i now REALLY want sat here writing this post?!).  Instead we turned our attention to Cheese Muffins.

Silent Sunday - 5.1.14

Art in the City

Art in the City

Continuing our weekend walking we headed into the city centre this week for a spot of culture, and to pick up my new diary from John Lewis :) .  It's amazing how you can live in a city and not even realise what you are part of.  How many times have I walked past the Winter Gardens and not noticed 'walking man'?  How did I not know the silver balls outside the Winter Gardens were actually a commissioned piece called 'Rain'.

This walk is taken from the ramblers.org.uk website (which you can sign up to for free).  It allows you to download walks based on your postcode which makes life MUCH easier for someone like me who barley knows one end of Sheffield from the other.

Route in hand (detailed below but available to download here I made the boys their 'treasure map'.

Maps and route in hand we set off for the tram and headed into a very busy, sunny, city centre.

First stop...... Town Hall.

Flashback Friday - Pigeon Street

Pigeon Street

The Programme that got us talking about Flashback Friday wayyyy back in 2013 - Pigeon Street.
So here's a bonus Flashback just for you @IHaveCards and @jessikart.

If you lived in Pigeon Street,

Here are the people you could meet,

Here are the people who would say

Hello, Goodbye, Hello, Goodbye

Every day

Flashback Friday - Raggy Dolls

Raggy Dolls

It's not much of a life when you're just a pretty face,

Just to be whoever you are is no disgrace,

Don't be scared if you don't fit in...

Look who's in the reject bin!

I used the love the Raggy Dolls in the 80's and 90's (and still do as we have some of the DVD's).  Following the adventures of rejected toys from Mr Grimes' factory and their adventures.    It taught children to respect people who were different.

The Raggy Dolls consisted of 112 animated episodes and ran from 1986 - 1994.  Each 5 minute episode was produced for Yorkshire Television.

Witty Wednesday 1.1.14

Flashback Friday

Do you yearn to watch Raggy Dolls, Knightmare, Henry's Cat, Children's Ward or Playdays (or even Playbus or Playschool?).

Would you rather listen to "Vogue" then "Frozen"?   Do you still have an Ace of Base song hidden somewhere?

Have you found yourself hunting high and low for an out of date board game (Thomas the Tank Engine, Market Day) just because you had it when you were little?

Would you rather be playing Dizzy, Booty or Gauntlet instead of Call of Duty?

Tuneful Tuesday - Auld Lang Syne

In typical New Years fashion, todays Tuneful Tuesday has to be that scottish classic "Auld Lang Syne" .

Here are the lyrics to trigger your memory.

If you have a song that holds memories or that you simply want to share with other people let me know, I may just feature it.

And the award for worst shop to exit with a pushchair.............. Aldi

I've never really been bothered about Aldi but when a new one opened near me I decided to venture into store....... it will be my last time!!



The store is laid out nicely tho I would suggest their products are no cheaper then other stores own brands.  Nothing really took our fancy - and this is a mummy with 2 (very stressful) children who was trying to decide what to cook for Tea at 3pm a Sunday night.

So empty handed we went to leave.

When is it ok to wear a onesie??

Like most people I got a onesie for Christmas .......... ok I got 2 and inherited my husbands one that was too small for him :)

I said I would never be in the onesie club but I caved, sometime around November and bought one and eeekk it is sooo comfy!!  so for me these were the BEST Christmas present.
My favourite one.... my eeyore one - complete with head and tail.