How's the head this morning? Have a fun time last night? Maybe you've swore a resolution to eat healthier in 2017, but when you are partied out you don't find a remedy in a salad.
New Year's Day is the time for pizza. A great big takeaway pizza. While you are waiting for delivery, enjoy these Star Wars themed pies.
If you've never seen it, you can't believe it can be as bad as everyone says it is. But it is.
The ill-advised Star Wars Holiday Special, written by George Lucas and shown in 1978 is the stuff of legends.
Han Solo & Chewie go to visit the latter's family, and we also see appearances from Leia, Luke, CP30 and of course Darth Vader.
The definitely-not-canon ordeal includes bizarre scenes like Chewie's creepy uncle viewing what can only be described as virtual reality, 3D, soft porn.
One interesting fact- the Holiday Special is actually the first appearance of cult favourite character Boba Fett. He pops up in a cartoon animated sequence, then goes on to star in the second Star Wars movie shortly after.
So my first day of Christmas blog for you, my loyal readers, is a link to a fairly good quality version of the entire show.
If you've already seen it, and can't put yourself through it again, then why not read this Mental Floss article about the making of the Star Wars Holiday Special instead? They talk to those who were involved who I guess have come to terms with the creation they put out there.
Stayed tuned over the next eleven days for more Kitsch Christmas treats.
A good proportion of my hits this week come from people searching for Marks and Spencer's Easter products and finding last year's blog post. So I'm rushing in this blog post with this year's Food Hall bits and bobs so it's up to date.
There are kids' eggs, fancy pants grown up eggs, even dairy free eggs and hide & seek hunt kits. Let take a look at everything from my visit to the Sprucefield store during the week.
The fancy eggs, with the crowning glory, the limited edition, £40, purple and gold, regal chocolate Cosmic Egg.
I chose the coffee egg for my Dad. Even when I was a child I remember him often buying these little mocha bars of chocolate from M&S, when the only Food Hall was in the city centre M&S in the 80s.
The passion fruit ganache eggs are out of this world. Slightly bigger than a Creme Egg, but with a scrumptious filling of tropical creaminess.
Families with allergies to consider can pick up these dairy free eggs alongside the traditional chocolate ones.
The kids' eggs I chose to bring home were the apple shaped Colin egg, and the chocolate orange Flavour carrot. I'm not always keen on M&S's plain milk chocolate, but the Orange zested version is delicious.
I also picked the Egg Hunt kit which is on offer right now, half price at £5.
Here are the other kids' eggs in store.
There are plenty of egg sets for planning a garden Easter egg hunt.
Also various sizes of chocolate bunnies to chose from.
I spotted many Easter items amongst the biscuits and buns. M&S always have a wonderful selection of fancy hot cross buns each year. The fudge ones are a must buy, and the addition of mini mocha hot cross buns this year is a stroke of genius. The offer is two for £2.50 and you can mix and match flavours within that.
Personally I haven't gotten into the way of sending Easter cards, but if you do, M&S have a bright and breezy range to choose from.
Some more biscuits to choose from. I also imagine there will be Easter themed cakes closer to the actual Easter Sunday.
Bright, shiny, new Star Wars sets and figures brought by Santa to lucky boys & girls in the late 70s. How much do you want to reach into the photos and wrestle a box out of their hands?
The kid in the blue velvet dungarees deserves that Falcon in return for the embarrassing clothes
I love how the 70s are so orange
The luckiest child on the internet
I have this recurring fantasy about walking into an old, independent toy shop which still has 80s stock.
The good old Argos catalogue. In our day you made your Santa list with the catalogue and a pen to circle the best toys.
American kids went Star Wars mad too.
The Death Star play set is a bit odd.
Odiham Cake Company, I spotted my friend Kirsten sharing their Milennium Falcon cake on Facebook, and the photos speak for themselves.
I was impressed that in situations where you could just use figures, the baker still goes out of their way to model the figures in icing.
Gareth Jones, the man behind the art.
How realistic does the Cath Kidston bag look!?
Dublin has embraced Star Wars fever & transformed the iconic spire into a giant light sabre!
Images from Facebook- contact me if these are your photos for credit
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
I saw these paintings on Reddit this week and just had to share them with you guys. The artist is Craig Davison and his Facebook can be found here https://www.facebook.com/pages/Craig-Davison-Art-Official/349689058403958
I am totally in love with the style and time period captured in these pieces. So nostalgic, innocent and fun.
Also a thumbs up for the girls being included, not just playing the female roles.
As heard on BBC Radio 6's Lauren Laverne Show.
