text:
- 0
- 92
- 42
- 53
- 2379
- 2409
- Crowns
- Premium reviews
- Express reviews
- Comments
- Reviews rated
- Ratings received
It's tricky to know where to start with writing a review about Marks and Spencer. A British Institution, and a place you can almost be 100% certain to find on any major high street.
I suppose I have a bit of a 'soft spot' for Marks and Spencer, or, 'Marks' my late grandmother always called it. She could call it what she liked really, she worked there for 40 years and was in fact the first ever female manager Marks and Spencer ever had...so that's where I get my soft spot. Rumour has it, at the age of 16, she was supposed to go away to nursing school. Her parents thought she had gone, but instead she got a Christmas job at M & S. They put her on the sweet counter and the first person through the door on her first day was her father. He never spoke to her again, but she went on to do great things.
Anyway, I digress! I am a Marks and Spencer fan, this wasn't always the case, but it seems to have grown on me since I hit 35! I'm not sure if this is because of my age or the fact that M & S seems to have changed so much in recent years. They sell a wide range of products and services, so I will address each in a list:
1. Women's Clothing, footwear and accessories.............
M& S have a fantastic range of women's clothing to suit all styles and tastes. Their Per Una range is their premium range and has some lovely pieces for both every day and special occasion wear. It can be a bit more pricey than you would expect, but they do use some lovely fabrics and if you want something a bit different it is a good place to look. Per Una also have their own shoes and accessories.
The Autograph range is more classic and has a good range of work wear. It is less expensive than Per Una, and has a lot more mix and match items and staple garments. They often have the same garment in a number of colour ways.
M & S also sell a range of clothing without a separate label. These are good quality basic items. You can buy everything from a pair of jeans to a tailored jacket in M & S.
The range of shoes is really good. They used to be quite old fashioned, but now there is a great range of styles to suit everyone. There is a great range of bags, some very reasonably priced, along with a range of colour coordinated fashion jewelry.
2. Children's clothing..........................
I don't buy kid's clothes from M & S as I don't have kids! However, I have bought a couple of presents and it seems to be great quality and value. I once bought a dress for a 3 year old in the sale for just 50p and it was lovely!
3. Men's clothing.................................
M & S sell a good range of mens clothing and footwear. My experience is a bit limited, but I did help a friend with a 50 inch chest buy a suit and he had no problems finding a really nice suit that fitted well. I have bought shirts from here as presents for my dad and they are some of his favourites. M & S is certainly a lot more on trend in their mens clothing than they once were.
4. Homeware..............................
M & S have some lovely homeware. A good range of designs and price ranges to suit your taste and budget. They sell everything for the kitchen, bedroom and bathroom as well as accessories to use throughout your home. They also sell furniture. My friend has a lovely sofa from here. The homeware section is particularly good for buying gifts.
5. Food.......................................
M & S food hall is such a temptation! It isn't the cheapest place to buy food, probably similar in pricing to Waitrose, but it has some really nice things and some fantastic ready meals. Go there at your peril! All items are M & S branded, so you won't find any other products. I can honestly say I have never ever been disappointed by a single item I have bought in M & S food hall.
6. Lingerie...............................
M & S Lingerie needs a category all of it's own. I'm would be shocked if there was any woman in the country who at some stage hasn't owned a pair of Marks and Spencer knickers or a bra! The lingerie department at my local store is vast and has everything from really basic bras and pants to bridal lingerie and breast enhancers. There are items to suit all sizes and all ages. In my opinion, the lingerie is well designed and really good value. It always seems to fit well and they are constantly bringing in new ranges or updating designs. They offer a bra fitting service so you can be sure to get something that fits you properly.
7. Other bits and pieces......................
There are a few other things you will find at M & S (as if that wasn't enough already!)
Make Up and toiletries - M & S have their own range. It's good value and there are some good products. A favourite shopping destination for Christmas presents!
Luggage - There is a range of luggage on sale, this is quite limited, but is good quality.
Cafe/restaurant - According to my Gran, the only place you should ever stop and eat (apart from Little Chef if you were on a long journey!) The cafe at my local M & S is fantastic. It's really well designed with nice leather seating and good lighting. They sell an excellent range of meals and snacks, of course it is all M & S brand food. A great place to stop for a coffee or a bite to eat on your next shopping trip.
Foreign exchange ( and bikinis) - They have a foreign exchange counter at my local store. I'm not sure how the rates compare with other exchanges, but it is convenient if you need to pick up some currency whilst buying a bikini and a suitcase....did I mention bikinis??? They sell those too! (and sun hats, suncream and beach towels)
Returns and exchanges - M & S are absolutely fantastic at this...they have a no quibble give you your money back or exchange an item within 28 days. I have returned many, many items without a hitch.
To conclude......................
I am sure there are things I have missed, like greetings cards and fresh flowers and financial services, the fact that Twiggy is in the adverts and that their food hall ads make you very, very hungry! I have lived in a country where there was no M & S, and there was nothing that could compare. I love it, it's so British and it's getting better and better. Like the advert says, not bad for somewhere that started out as a penny bazaar!!
At my local Co-Op yesterday I spotted a 200 gram bag of Cadbury Chocolate Eclairs for just £1! I have no idea how much they usually sell for, but this was just too much of a bargain to resist!
Cadbury Eclairs have been around for as long as I can recall. I have to say though, I do think they have changed! Every confectionary and chocolate review I write seems to start with this, but really, they have! They are smaller, and harder....more of that later.
Cadbury Eclairs come in a classic 'cadbury purple' bag with a yellow swirl and a picture of a cross section of an eclair on the front. Each eclair is individually wrapped in a matching printed wrapper, a nice touch, but maybe a bit unnecessary on the packaging front. The packaging is recyclable though, so all is not lost.
Each eclair is about 2 cm long and 1.5 cm in diameter. They are chewy caramel sweets with dairy milk chocolate in the centre. This is where they differ from my memories of them...they are so much harder to chew than I ever remember them (no comments about age please!) and they are so much smaller! I know this is the case with most sweets and chocolates these days, but I thought good old eclairs might escape the shrinker! Despite the shrinkage, they are still delicious. The caramel is really creamy and the chocolate is a nice surprise when you finally chew through to the centre.
One Cadbury Chocolate Eclair will give you 35 calories and 0.8 grams of saturated fat (1 weight watchers point.) There are loads in a 200gram bag, I'd say around 40 sweets, so they should last a while...great for car journeys. They are very moorish though, so be warned!!
Focus DIY is the closest DIY store to my home so I often pop in there for bits and pieces when we are working on the house...which has been an ongoing project for the last 4 years now! When I go to Focus it is usually because I have become the runner for the day who runs around getting tools from the shed and things from Focus while my husband tries to do the job! In this situation I have been called upon sometimes 6 times a day to visit the Focus store, every time for a different item. Focus and I are quite well aquainted.
Focus sell all the usual things you would expect to find in a DIY store; paint, wallpaper, lighting, plumbing supplies, timber, etc etc. My local Focus also has a nice garden section with indoor and outdoor plants. At the weekend I bought two beautiful hydrangea plants from there, 2 for £15. Earlier in the day I had seen one for £15 at homebase and there were just as nice. I would have to say that on the whole I have found Focus to be quite a lot cheaper than Homebase.
Focus have quite a good range of products, but they tend to not sell premium ranges such as Laura Ashley or Farrow and Ball paints and wallpapers. They have recently introduced a range called, 'Payless.' These arre cut price basics. I have used the tile adhesive from this range which was half the price of unibond and it worked perfectly. Most Payless items are around half the price of regular items and are all packaged in green and white so you can spot them easily.
The staff at Focus are always very friendly and helpful and I have returned a few items and never had any problems with their 28 day returns policy. They will exchange or refund any unused item, or faulty used item.
Fab Focus.
Cadbury's never fail to please...and the Twirl is no exception! I have to say I am always amazed that all Cadbury's bars are made from good old dairy milk chocolate, yet they all taste quite different depeninding on the shape/texture Cadbury's decide to create.
A twirl consists of two bars in a pack, each bar is a bit like a Cadbury's flake covered in chocolate so you don't make a flaky mess. It's not as flaky as a flake though,the chocolate inside the bar is twirled (hence the name) rather than flaked so it has a more solid texture.
Cadbury's market the twirl as, 'The Intense Chocolate Hit.' To their credit the texture of the chocolate does give the bar an intense chocolate taste. I don't know the science, but I am guessing that if you have twirled/flaked chocolate it melts more quickly in your mouth thatn a block of chocolate so you get more flavour more quickly. Don't quote me on this, just my theory!
A Cadbury's Twirl will set you backa round 50p for a 43 gram bar. They are widely available and easily identifyable as a Cadbury bar by the shiny, purple wrapper. The packaging is simple and effective with the Cadbury logo featured and the word, 'Twirl' in twirly yellow lettering.
One Twirl finger will provide you with 115 calories, 11.9 grams of carbohydrate and 6.6 grams of fat (just eat one finger!!) Twirl bars are suitable for vegetarians.
Another hit from Cadbury's.
My husband cannot tolerate dairy products as he has a problem with eczema. He does like to eat a lot of cereal though so we are always looking for dairy milk alternatives to pour over it. Rice Dream is the latest in a long line of milk alternatives to enter our fridge. According to husband, it is the nicest so far.
I have tried Rice Dream, which is rice based, and would have to say that I do prefer soya based milk alternatives. However, there are health risks reported with too much soya intake so if that is something that concerns you I would say that Rice Dream is one of the best rice milks around, certainly the nicest I have tried.
The Rice Dream I am reviewing is the Organic Vanilla flavour. The packaging is attractive (very different form the dooyoo picture.) The cardboard carton is custard yellow, pale blue and green. There is something about the combination of colours that make this product look really fresh and appetising. The carton has a clip down plastic pourer, so no dodgy cutting off the corner of the box and spilling it everywhere! The packaging is fully recyclable.
Rice dream is a dairy milk alternative made from, you guessed it, rice. You can drink it on it's own, use it for cooking and baking or to pour over cereals. If you add it to hot drinks you need to let them cool slightly first or it will curdle. The Vanilla flavour really is lovely to drink. It is smooth and sweet and the vanilla flavour is nice and natural. It is completely different to cow's milk, so you need to bear in mind that it will taste different.
Rice dream is low in fat, easily digestible, cholesterol free, lactose free and suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. 100ml of the product provides you with 51 calories and 0.1 grams of saturated fat (nice and low.) It will also give you 4.6 grams of sugar, although none of this is added, it is sugar produced during the fermentation of the rice.
Rice Dream is also available in plain organic, plain with added calcium, chocolate flavour and hazelnut and almond flavour. You can take a look at their range and get more information at www.taste the dream.eu. A 1 litre carton costs around £1.60.
All in all a really tasty dairy alternative, but please remember it's not supposed to taste like cow's milk!
Maryland Chocolate Chip Cookie's have been around for as long as I can remember. They are made by Burton's and are American style cookies with chocolate chips.
I hadn't had these cookies in a very long while. I tend not to buy biscuits as I don't seem to be able to stop once the packet is open! I felt I had to buy some biscuits as a plumber was coming round on Saturday morning to do some work. You just can't give someone a cup of tea without biscuits when they are doing a job like that. At my local Somerfield store I spotted Maryland Cookies with 100% extra free! A bargain with 300 grams for the price of 150 grams a meagre 89p.
Unfortunately, when I returned from the shop husband decided a cup of tea was in order and we managed to devour half the pack there and then. By the time the plumber arrived there were just 7 biscuits left. Oh dear. As you can probably tell they are very moorish and very delicious.
Maryland choc chip cookies are quite small, maybe 5 cm in diameter, but they are very chunky and thick with loads of milk chocolate chips in them. They have a lovely texture and a buttery flavour. They have more chocolate chips than any other cookie I have encountered. Burton's market them as, 'Cookies baked with lovely stuff.' They certainly taste lovely, and on the list of ingredients I can see they contain golden syrup. They don't contain any nasties the ingredients are non GM, contain no artificial colours or flavours and no hydrogenated fats or oils.
One Maryland Cookie will provide you with 57 calories and 1.4 grams of saturated fat (just 1 weight watchers point!) They are quite small, and you will definitely eat more than one....more like ten!
On the whole I think Maryland Cookies are great value and really delicious. A thumbs up for Burton's.
Yesterday I bought a multi pack of Golden Wonder Golden Lights for the first time. I paid £1.09 for 6 x 21g bags at my local Sainsbury's.
The multi pack contained 2 of each flavour; sea salt, sour cream and onion and salt and vinegar. I have tried all three flavours. These potato snacks are Golden Wonder's answer to a lower calorie potato snack.
Firstly, I have to say I wasn't really very drawn to the packaging, I was more drawn to the price which seemed pretty reasonable. I am always on the lookout for lower calorie snack options so I thought I'd give them a go. I'm not sure why, but the packaging just doesn't seem to work for me. Everything from the font they have used to the image just looks wrong! I can't put my finger on it. To be perfectly honest it looks like something someone has designed very badly at home on microsoft office publisher. Anyway, less of that, I bought them didn't I! (incidentally, the design in the dooyoo picture is different to the pack I have and looks a lot nicer)
The potato snacks themselves are rather like Discos (which I think are made by KP.) They look very similar and are similar in texture, although slightly smaller. If you are not familiar with Discos, they look a little bit like tiny poppadoms! The potato is formed into discs of light potato. They more or less melt on your tongue. Whilst the flavour of these snacks is good, there is a problem, they are just way too salty and it completely overpowers the flavour. I like salty foods and I was almost unable to finish these.
A pack of Golden Lights will provide you with 94 calories and 0.4 grams of saturated fat (1.5 weight watchers points if that's your thing) They are made with sunflower oil and have 33% less fat than standard Golden Wonder crisps. They contain milk and may contain gluten and soya. These snacks contain MSG and there are a few other undesirables in the ingredient list. Suitable for vegetarians.
All in all I feel these may be one to avoid. There are lots of really nice low fat crisp type snacks on the market, and although these are a bit less expensive I think it may be best to spend a few extra pennies.
Fat Face was born in 1988 when two friends were living in the French Alps and enjoying the outdoor life. They were running short of money so decided to design sweat shirts and sell them to fund their French Alps adventure. Since then Fat Face has grown rapidly and can now be found on most high streets. They also have a website where you can shop online.
Fat Face stores have a very distinctive style, as do the clothes they sell. They sell men's, women's and children's clothes and accessories. They also carry a range of shoes and some camping/outdoor/beach items such as towels, flasks and blankets. Alll items come branded with the Fat Face logo which is a little face with wiggly hair! Don't worry, it's usually very small!
Fat Face is aimed at individuals who enjoy the great outdoors and an active lifestyle. It doesn't sell outdoor performance gear like you would find in Milletts for example, it is fashion based rather than practicality based. The clothing has a laid back surfy, beachy feel and all items are manufactured from natural materials - a lot of linen and cotton is used. If you can imagine living in a log cabin by the beach, spending the day surfing and cooking on a fire pit every night you would want a wardrobe from Fat Face to complete your look!
I really like Fat Face's style. Nothing is formal, but some of the items are really pretty and can be dressed up or down. They always have a nice range of prints running throughout their collection, which are different to prints you will find anywhere else. The jewelry is interesting, lots of wooden beads and leather. They sell lovely leather bags and belts too. I can't comment on shoes, although my husband has a pair from there made from recycled tyres which he loves and finds really comfortable.
Fat face stores are very rustic in style with stripped wood floors and changing rooms made from reclaimed doors and bits of corrugated metal. My local store has the front end of a VW camper at the back of the shop. The staff are always really polite and helpful and will always chat to you.
Fat Face isn't cheap, and I have sometimes thought that some items are over priced. You can expect to pay between £35 and £40 for a ladies cotton shirt, and around £60 for a pair of jeans. They do have good sales and you can pick up some great bargains.
Go get some shorts and get out there!
New Look is a store I have used since they first opened their branches. Branches used to be fairly small, but seem to have grown bigger and bigger. They can now also be found on many out of town retail parks as well as on the hight street.
New Look is a clothing store selling women's men's and teenager's clothing. The women's clothing section takes up most of the store while the men's and teens sections are quite small. The men's section is a fairly new addition to my local New Look, I don't think all stores cater for men especially not the smaller ones.
I have only ever purchased women's items from New Look, so I'm not really able to review the other sections of the store. I have walked through the men's section though and it looks like they have some nice reasonably priced items.
New look is a great place to shop if you need some new clothes, but don't have a fortune to spend on them. The clothing is really reasonable; you can expect to pay around £20 for a pair of jeans, £6 for a t-shirt and maybe around £15 for a top for a special occasion.
I have bought many items from New Look and they have all washed and worn well. They sell a range of clothes in size 6 up to size 16 in the main part of the shop, but they have a section for larger sizes. I don't know what size this goes up to, but they have lovely things. I have often seen things in this section and wanted them to be available in a smaller size, they are often nicer than the things in the rest of the shop. There is a maternity section which looks pretty good, it seems to sell maternity clothes that are actually comfortable, fashionable and attractive. You can buy work wear, casual clothes, clothes for going out, shoes, bags, underwear, nightwear and accessories.
New Look stock a range of styles, and are always bang up to date with the latest trends. It's hard to put an age on their target market as it's great for teenagers and it's great for me! (I am 38) I have seen people much older than myself shopping there too. There really is something for everyone.
I particularly like the Organic range at new look. The whole collection is made from organic cotton. The garments are nicely designed and similar in style to those you may find in Fat Face stores if you are familiar with them.
The customer service I have received at New Look has always been great. I have returned a few items I took home to try on and they have a great returns policy where you have 28 days to return an item and get a full refund. I have used this service and have never had any problems. New Look have a discount scheme for students which is great as they are always on a tight budget.
A great clothing store in these credit crunch times......
NEXT is a chain of clothing and homeware stores. Most high streets have a Next branch somewhere along them, but in more recent years Next have moved out of the centre of town to retail parks giving us bigger and better stores.
Next sell clothing for men, women and children. Most of my experience has been buying women's clothing, but I have occasionally bought items from the men's and children's departments. I am always a little undecided about what I actually think of Next clothing. Sometiimes I go into the store and think it all looks really old fashioned and a bit frumpy. On other occasions I have been in and found things I love and have worn and worn.
The women's section stocks clothing in size 6 to 18. There is casual wear and jeans, work wear, items for special occasions, jeans, underwear and nightwear. Basic items like t-shirts will come in a range of colours, and these are often a couple of colourways in other items. Jeans are good quality and fit well. My two favourite opairs of jeans are from Next. They have a range of lengths from short to extra long which is great for getting just the right fit.
As for the 'style' of Next clothing, this is where I'm not sure what to write! They seem to take a bit of everything from everywhere really. I wouldn't say they have a particular style of their own. It's a great place to buy work wear as they have some nice coordinated jackets and trousers which are smart and good value for their quality. You can expect to pay around £35 for a pair of tailored trousers and about £60 for a jacket.
Next have a good range of shoes, bags, jewellery and accessories for women. It is all nicely coordinated and displayed in different colour sections. I have a pair of leather flip flops from next I have worn every summer for the last 4 years and they are still going strong. They cost £10.
I have purchased some items from the home section. They sell a range of soft furnishings, bed linen, lighting, some furniture, vases, picture frames and accessories. It's nice quality and aranged in themed sections so it is easy to put together a look for your home.
On the whole, I think Next is a good mid range clothing and home store. It's good for good quality basics and work wear in particular. They have a good range of styles and sizes.
Worth a look.
As I follow the Weight Watchers plan I have to be careful with bread as it can really eat into your daily point allowance. A 'normal' piece of medium sliced bread has a value of around 1.5 points. A slice of Nimble Wholemeal only has 0.5 points. I love bread so eating this is a good compromise and helps me keep the points down.
Nimble wholemeal is a loaf with smaller size slices. The bread itself is much lighter and less dense than most breads you buy. It is similar to Weight Watchers own brand bread. It has the same size slices with a similar texture, but I think Nimble has a much nicer flavour. Nimble is made by Hovis, a name we can all trust when it comes to bread. A 400g loaf of this bread will cost around 70p in your local supermarket.
The packaging is attractive, it is a clear plastic bread bag with cream, pink and brown print. The Hovis label is a good selling point. The packaging is recyclable.
A slice of Nimble wholemeal will provide you with just 48 calories, 0.6 grams of fat and 0.5 grams of sugar. So, as you can see a great choice if you are counting the calories but don't want to give bread up completely. It is also high in fibre and wholegrains to help keep your heart healthy. Nimble doesn't contain any artificial preservatives or flavourings and is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.
Nimble seems to keep really well, much better than other breads I have bought. I'm not sure why this is, but I think it may be because of it's light texture. It is far less dense than a lot of breads so maybe it's less likely to start going mouldy. There's nothing worse than biting into your toast and tasting mould!
I mostly use nimble for making toast, but have used it for sandwiches. The slices are quite small, so i don't cut the sandwiches in half. A good snack if you are on a diet is a couple of slices of nimble and a couple of slices of low fat cheddar under the grill for low fat/calorie cheese on toast.
A nice light bite.
I went to Thomas Cook today and booked a holiday...so this review is bang up to date!
Thomas Cook is a large chain of travel agents with branches all around the globe. They are one of the best known and longest established travel agents in the world. They are certainly instantly recognisable on most high streets in the UK.
Thomas Cook offer booking services for hotels, flights and package holidays around the world. Summer, winter, skiing and UK holidays are also available. Brochures are free, and you can call in to any branch and pick them up to take home and browse through. They do have a website, but my experience with booking the holiday I booked today is that not every holiday or option is on the website, so it's probably best to go in to the branch and book it there. There are savings to be made booking online if you just want to look for a package holiday somewhere.
Thomas Cook also have a Bureau de change where you can purchase your holiday money. I haven't used their services, but have heard they are very good and don't charge commission.
So, my experience at the branch today. Firstly, the lady who dealt with my booking was exceptionally friendly, helpful and smartly dressed. I wanted to book a villa in the south of France and book the travel separately by train, so it wasn't a standard package booking. She made numerous calls to get me the best deals and ensured I understood everything. There were no hidden charges, everything was upfront and very simple and straightforward. I've booked my last few holidays via the internet, and although convenient, there was something nice today about going to the travel agents and seeing someone face to face. The service I received was first class.
The branch itself was nicely laid out, clean and bright. All the staff were very smartly dressed. Best of all, they had fantastic air conditioning so I was nice and cool on what had to be the hottest day of 2009 so far. I didn't have to wait and there were plenty of staff on hand.
My husband and I asked for Thomas Cook vouchers as wedding presents earlier in the year, so we are using these to pay for the holiday. It's a great idea if you are getting married and don't need another toaster or dinner service. Vouchers can be bought online or over the counter at branches of Thomas Cook. They don't have an expiry date and can be redeemed against any holiday, flight, hotel that Thomas Cook sell. We are even able to pay for our Eurostar and train tickets with them. The only thing you can't use them for is to buy currency.
My experience booking with Thomas Cook has been relaxed, enjoyable and really easy. I can't recommend them highly enough.
I hadn't eaten a Twix for as long as I can remember. On Saturday i was wandering through town and a man outside the T Mobile shop was giving away goodie bags. I took one, being polite more than anything else. A little while later I was sitting waiting for my husband while he tried things on in a shop...and inside my goodie bag I found a free Twix! Hurrah! Not even a fun size one, a big proper 58 gram one! What a result! I love a freebie. Incidentally, I also found other sweets...get yourself along to your local T Mobile shop asap...
I had forgotten how lovely these bars are. A Twix contains two long, thin bars in each pack (hence the name.) Each bar has a shortcake biscuit base topped with lovely smooth caramel. The whole thing is encased in milk chocolate. They are absolutely delicious! The combination of the 3 elements in a twix combine really well.
Twix are made by the Mars company and have been around for as long as I can remember, and probably a lot longer. I have seen enormous Twix bars at my local petrol station, mini fun size Twix bars at the supermarket, and Twix ice cream bars in the freezer section. Twix are packaged in a shiny gold wrapper and have the original Twix logo printed on them in red. The packaging is recyclable. A standard 58 gram bar costs around 50p (free in goodie bags if you are lucky!)
Twix contain no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives. A standard 58 gram bar will provide you with 384 calories and contains 13.8 grams of fat and 38 grams of carbohydrate. Probably one best enjoyd once in a while! They are delicious though and a real treat.
I am so pleased to be able to get something free and to earn money writing about it. Happy days!
I remember Rowntree's Tooty Frooties from my childhood, although I remember them being somewhat different to the pack I bought the other day. I've written reviews for sweets and chocolates before, and on the whole they all used to be so much bigger! I know there is the argument that I was smaller etc etc...but really, these are much smaller!
Rowntree's Tootie Frooties come in a small purple plastic packet. it is about 12cm square, so as you see, quite small. I am sure they used to be in a larger white packet. The packaging is bright and attractive, children would like it. Each packet has a joke on the back, which is a nice touch. It also has a picture of a tootie frootie holding a toothbrush reminding you to clean your teeth. Now, this is where the problem begins...once you have eaten these you may not have any teeth left!
These things are HARD!!! They have a hard outer shell, and a supposedly soft centre, but the inside is hard and the outside even harder. I have good teeth, but even I struggle. They get a bit softer in warmer weather, so maybe just have them on summer days! The sweets are small and square with rounded corners and edges. They used to be much bigger, and softer of course! There are purple, orange, pink, yellow and red sweets in the bag in various fruit flavours. Because they are so hard they last a while. A bag contains about 20 sweets and costs around 40p.
On a more positive note, they don't contain any artificial colours or flavours and they do contain fruit juice. There is 179 calories in a bag, and 1.9 grams of saturated fat (3 weight watchers points) this is all quite hefty for a tiny bag of sweets.
They ain't what they used to be!!
I don't shop regularly at Tesco as the nearest one to my home is about 9 miles away. I sometimes pop in on my journey home from work though.
First of all I just want to tell you about the service I recieved at Tesco recently. Last week I went to Tesco to buy something to make for dinner on Friday night. I wanted to make an Indian dish which involved buying some Paneer (Indian cheese.) After much searching I just couldn't find any anywhere and had really given up hope of finding any. I decided to ask one of the assistants in the store if they knew if they sold it. now, I don't like to be negative, but my general experience of customer service in supermarkets hasn't been that great, so I wasn't expecting too much...how wrong could I be! This particular lady was so helpful, I was bowled over. She made 3 phone calls to three diferent people and eventually we established exactly where we could find the product and she took me to it personally. All of this on a very busy Friday afternoon. I was more than impressed. At the till the operator was exceptionally friendly and helped me to pack my shopping. It's service like this that will make me return to a shop time and time again.
On the whole, my local Tesco is a great place to shop. It is well laid out and has a great range of products. I feel it is a little more expensive than my local Morrisons, but less expensive than Waitrose.
This store ahas a good range of household items which are well designed and attractive. Their bed linen is particualrly good value and nicely designed. They also sell CDs, DVDs, books, greetings cards and stationery. All of these items are good value, especially the tesco own brand stationery items.
The clothing section has saved me a few times! They have a good range of very reasonably priced mens, womens and childrens clothes and accessories. It's particularly good for holiday clothes, bikinis, sarongs, hats etc as it's inexpensive and you probably wont wear it after your holiday.
There is an aisle selling electrical items including TVs, radios and electronic kitchen equipment. I haven't purchased any of these items, but they look good quality and very well priced.
And....they sell food!! The fresh fruit and veg seems to last quite well. I have had disasters with some supermarkets where it goes off so quickly. Alongside the fruit and veg there is a fresh flower section. They really have some lovely flowers, and it's worth a look if you are buying them for a gift (take note, boys!)
I have bought several items from the Tescos value range, all of which have been fine. Tinned tomatoes, kidney beans etc are all great store cupboard staples at half the normal price. I think with these items you need to just try them as sometimes you do get, or not get, what you pay or don't pay for.
Tesco sell just about all the items you would expect from a supermarket, and at reasonable prices. They have a club card system where you earn a point for every pound spent. It's great to save these up and use them to do your Christmas shop.
All in all a pleasant place to shop and service with a smile!!


text: Album artwork An album Third Day Members: Mac Powell • Tai Anderson • David Carr • Mark Lee Albums: Third Day (independent) • Long Time Forgotten • Contagious • Third Day • Conspiracy No. 5 • Time • Offerings: A Worship Album • Come Together • Offerings II: All I Have to Give • Wire • Live Wire • Wherever You Are • Christmas Offerings • Chronology Volume 1 • Chronology Volume 2 • Revelation • Live Revelations Singles: Revelation • Tunnel • Cry Out to Jesus • Born Again • I Believe • Mountain of God • Sing a Song • Thief • Come Together Related Acts: Newsboys • Michael W. Smith Retrieved from "http://heavenmusic.wikia.com/wiki/Christmas_Offerings?oldid=27830" Ad blocker interference detected! Wikia is a free-to-use site that makes money from advertising. We have a modified experience for viewers using ad blockers Wikia is not accessible if you've made further modifications. Remove the custom ad blocker rule(s) and the page will load as expected. Categories: Albums by Third Day Albums from Essential Records Albums from Reunion Records Albums released in 2007 Christmas albums Add category Cancel Save

subset: commoncrawl


text:
London, July 8 (ANI): The mother-in-law of Brit-Indian businessman Shrien Dewani, accused of plotting to kill his wife Ann during their honeymoon in South Africa, has said she feels sympathy for him as she begged him to reveal what really happened to her daughter.
Grieving Nilam Hindocha showed astonishing compassion for the prime suspect in her daughter Anni's murder as he continues to fight extradition.
According to the Mirror, the 33-year-old will find out later this month if he is to be sent back to South Africa to face trial.
Anni, 28, was kidnapped and shot dead in Cape Town in 2010 during her honeymoon.
Dewani has denied hiring a hitman and has been deemed unfit to stand trial while he is in a secure mental hospital near his home in Bristol, suffering from post-traumatic stress and depression.
Nilam, 62, said Dewani is 'as ruined by this as they are', adding that 'he is ill, and she have sympathy with him. His life is broken for ever'.
She added that Shrien was truly in love with her daughter, adding that she wanted him to tell her what happened. (ANI)


text:
The Fox House Hathersage Road, Longshaw, Sheffield, S11 7TYHotel tel: 0845 11 26 041
Food & Drink
Contact reservations: 08451 551 551*
*Calls will cost 2p per minute plus your telephone company's access charge
How satisfied are our guests?
Guest feedback over the last 12 weeks
Lodge Homepage
Just three miles from the historic village of Hathersage, this charming country lodge dates back to 1773 and is one of the cosiest hotels in the Peak District. What's more, it's only a short drive from Sheffield and Chesterfield.
The lodge, which you'll find within the Longshaw estate, offers 9 comfy, characterful rooms, a menu of hearty, seasonally inspired food, and a wide range of regularly changing cask-ales and well-chosen wines.
Longshaw is a lovely place with many hidden gems: spectacular views, ancient oak woods, sleepy meadows, heather moorland, archeological treasures and millstone quarries. Locals will proudly tell you that it's also home to the oldest continuous sheep-dog trials in the country.
If you've brought your walking boots, head for Hathersage - a great place to start your exploration of the area's intriguing rock formations. The area is a haven for walking and climbing, but it's also a popular with swimmers. That's because it's lucky enough to have its own heated outdoor swimming pool, set within a lawned enclosure and usually open from March through to September.
There are plenty more pursuits to keep you busy, with Chatsworth House, Sheffield Botanical Gardens, Sheffield Ski Village and the ancient village of Eyam all on the doorstep.
Where would you like to stay?
Where would you like to stay?
Rooms from£49
Includes complimentary buffet breakfast
Get £5 off per night
Register for our short-break deals and discounts, starting with £5 off per night on your next stay.Sign-up
*new subscribers only
Our location
By Road
- From the M1, exit at Junction 33 and follow the signs for Sheffield City Centre
- At the large roundabout, follow the signs for Railway Station then for Bramell Lane
- Follow signs for the A625 for Castleton and remain on it until you enter the Peak District
- Join the A6187 to Hathersage Road and you'll find the lodge shortly after the Parsons House Outdoor Pursuit Centre, at The Fox House Vintage Inn
By Rail
- Grindleford Station is a mile south along the B6521, with a 15-minute connection to Sheffield
- Sheffield City Airport is at Junction 33 of the M1
Grindleford Station: 2.3 miles
Sheffield City Airport: 14 miles
Manchester Airport: 38.6 miles
Your map is loading...
Offers available
Make it a hot one
Put the 'break' into your breakfast – upgrade to eggs, bacon and the full works from just £6.95.
Save £5 per night on your next stay in the Peak District
Looking for a great hotel offer in the Peak District? Get £5 off per night on your next stay at Innkeeper's Lodge when you sign up for our free news and offer updates.
Make yours the gift that stays
Innkeeper's Lodge gift cards treat the special people in your life to the complete short break, and are easy to buy and redeem.
Advance bookings = smart savings
Enjoy our early bird discount on all advance room bookings.


text:
Bad Math by Cheryl Niamath
Welcome! You are browsing as a guestWould you like to see 24 projects made from this pattern and much more? create a free account What am I missing?
Bad Math
This pattern is available for free.
Bad Math is a scarf that happened by happy accident. It's a two-row pattern that you can use for any yarn, any gauge, to make a nice scarf. And while it's not actually reversible, it looks equally good from both sides. Depending on your yarn choice, you can make it bold and masculine or floaty and feminine.
For more information, see: http://www.fetchingknits.thruhere.net/?page_id=296


text:
ESPN's Tony Kornheiser Suspended For Slobbering Over Hannah Storm's "Very, Very Tight Shirt"
Dear Tony Kornheiser, host of "Pardon the Interruption" on ESPN,
You are not Tiger Woods. You are somebody named Tony Kornheiser who I have never heard of before today, i.e., you are not so famous that you should be thinking normal people's rules no longer apply to you. Did you reeeally think not a single person would care when, on your radio show, you said of ESPN colleague Hannah Storm, co-host of Daytime "SportsCenter":
"Hannah Storm [was] in a horrifying, horrifying outfit today. She's got on red go-go boots and a Catholic school plaid skirt … way too short for somebody in her 40s or maybe early 50s by now … She's got on her typically very, very tight shirt. She looks like she has sausage casing wrapping around her upper body … I know she's very good, and I'm not supposed to be critical of ESPN people, so I won't … but Hannah Storm … come on now! Stop! What are you doing?"
Uh, no, you should stop. What are you doing?Other than some old time-y ass-grabbing, could a more clear-cut instance of sexual harassment exist? (I don't know if that's what Kornheiser was officially suspended for by ESPN; I'm saying that's what I call it.) How brazenly sexist, not to mention creepy! Storm is a good-looking woman who wears flattering outfits both on "SportsCenter" and off-camera, but Kornheiser's comments go beyond the bounds of what's appropriate.
ESPN was not amused — heck, they are probably still smarting from ex-baseball analyst Steve Phillips emblazoned on the front page of the tabloids for schtupping his 22-year-old production assistant. According to SportsByBrooks.com, ESPN Executive Vice President of Production Norby Williamson issued a statement to say:
"Hannah is a consummate professional and one of ESPN's most respected voices. The comments were totally inappropriate, which Tony recognized. He apologized to Hannah and addressed it on his radio show. We are in the process of reviewing the entire situation."
So, like the non-Tiger Woods joker that he is, Kornheiser made a public apology on his radio show:
"I apologize unequivocally. … I was wrong. This is sort of what I do, and I'm sorry for it. … Not the first time and won't be the last time but I apology for it this time."
SportsByBrooks.com said Storm was "cordial" accepting his apology and even offered to send a pair of her "red go-go boots" to Kornheiser's studio to be auctioned off to charity. Yet he still got suspended.
Here's hoping ESPN doesn't bring Kornheiser back, making it clear that sexual harassing comments are unacceptable on their network. And, in the future, Kornheiser should leave the fashion commentary to The Fug Girls, the only people allowed to use the phrase "sausage casing."
The Frisky


text:
* Offers are subject to availability. Taxes are extra. You may have to pre-book and/or mention
the promotion at the time of booking. Please check with the operator for more details.
This packages delivers the very best of what NL has to offer. Highlights include; St. John's, Trinity, Twillingate, Fogo Island Inn, Quirpon Island as well as Gros Morne National Park.
Your self-drive adventure includes expert travel advice, 7 nights' accommodation, 7-day mid-size car rental with unlimited kilometres, 2-day Gros Morne park pass, whale-watching boat tour, and admission to L'Anse aux Meadows and Red Bay National Historic Site.
Your self-drive package includes expert travel advice, 6 nights' accommodation, 6 day mid-size car rental with unlimited kilometres, whale watching boat tour, interpretive tour of Prime Berth Fishing Heritage Centre, and admission to select museums and attractions.
A truly once in a lifetime experience, not to be missed!
Package includes expert travel advice, 8 nights' accommodation, 8 day mid-size car rental with unlimited kilometres, one hour Gros Morne orientation, a Lighthouse Picnic and admission to The Rooms.
We've designed this package especially for those who want an opportunity to catch their breath in the freshest air, with a hint of mist from the sea. Spend your days exploring magical coastlines and your evenings enjoying some of the province's most luxurious accommodations, including three nights at Fogo Island Inn.
From St. John's, you will partake on a cross-island adventure to the coast of Labrador, visiting rural communities and small fishing villages along the way.
Value Add - To celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday - enjoy complimentary entrance to All National Park Sites!
For two centuries Battle Harbour was a thriving fishing community and known as the "Capital of Labrador". Today, the historic premises at Battle Harbour offer visitors a true living history experience.
The rich and diverse human history of Newfoundland and Labrador is unlike anywhere else in the world. This self-drive tour will guide you to a series of Historic Sites and UNESCO World Heritage Sites representing all the cultures who have lived here – from the oldest known burial mound in North America to some of the earliest European settlements and industries in North America.
Observe archaeologists uncovering the past before your very eyes!
Value Add - To celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday enjoy complimentary admission to All National Park Sites.
Mon-Sat 11am-6pm (NST)
or Call 1-800-563-6353
Boat Tours
Canadian Signature Experiences
Cultural Experiences
Culture & Heritage
Festivals & Events
Fishing - Guided
Food & Dining
Geology & Fossils
Hiking & Walking
Kayaking and Rafting
National Historic Sites
Outdoor Adventure
Packaged Tours
Rural Retreats
Shops and Galleries
Top Destinations
Urban Getaways
Whale Watching
Winter Fun
Start Date
End Date
Yes it was! MT @TRo_338: Glorious day at Cape St. Mary's! https://t.co/dsejJml0wQ


text:
In the country, rain is a good thing. Rain makes corn, corn makes…cornflakes, or however that song goes. Out in the country, rain is what makes the flowers bloom and grass grow.
But rain here in Birmingham? It's not quite as desirable. Our tall buildings do not exactly need help from Mother Nature to serve their societal purpose. Crossing six lanes of traffic is less than ideal when the weather is under forty degrees and storms are brewing.
This Fashionisto, however, managed to look pristine despite the monsoon-like weather. The polka-dots on his sweater serve to camoflage the rain droplets that lay all over his cardigan. Wearing dark colors on a rainy day is helpful while avoiding the fashion faux-pas of having your clothes become see-through when wet. Layering up, or using a heavier fabric, is essential so that, if your clothes do get wet, they won't cling to your body as lighter fabrics would.
It is not everyday that you see a guy rocking a patterned cardigan. The key to pulling off this look is to stay in the same color family. Mixing mix two different shades of the same color can be a little complicated, but once mastered, it becomes effortless. Pairing a blue-gray with a navy creates a cohesive style while keeping this Fashionisto from looking too matchy.
If you attend church, class, work or any occasion that requires you to look like you are dressing up, you should own a pair of loafers. They are the perfect dress shoe because not only are they classy, but also because you can wear them with practically anything. Also, because you can just slip these on, no socks are required.
Hint: Play around with different looks! Do you like it better with a patterned shirt? Or a striped cardigan? Mix and match different solids and patterns to create a look that encompasses your personal style.


text:
Adults: Initially, 4 pills under the tongue every half hour for the first 4 doses. Thereafter, 4 hourly. Children 2 to 12 years: Initially, 2 pills under the tongue every half hour for the first 4 doses. Thereafter, 4 hourly. Use only as directed. If symptoms persist consult your healthcare practitioner.
Active Ingredients - Pilules
Each gram of lactose/sucrose pilules contains:
Arnica montana 6C 12 mcL.
'Arnica is traditionally used in homeopathic medicine for temporary relief of bruising and sore, aching muscles. Thus it may be particularly useful for the relief of muscular pain caused by over-exertion, heavy work or sporting activities.'
Customer Reviews
Orders within Australia – Regular Post
Orders will be delivered by Australia Post.
$8.95 for orders weighing less than 3kg
$13.00 for orders weighing more than 3kg
Delivery is FREE if your order is over $149 and weighing less than 3kg.
Extremely heavy parcels may incur additional postage costs. We will contact you prior to dispatch if this is applicable to your order.
Orders within Australia – Express Post
Express Post is available for orders under 500g at a cost of $11.95 and between 501g – 3kg for $19.95. If your order qualifies for Express Post, this will be offered at checkout.
Orders outside Australia
International orders will be dispatched via Airmail. Please allow up to 14 days for international Airmail delivery.
Shipping costs depend on the order weight and destination country. Once you have added the products you require to your shopping basket, select your country from the dropdown list and the shipping cost will be displayed.
Returns Policy
We hope that you will be delighted with your order. However, if for any reason you are not completely satisfied then please contact us within 7 days of receipt of your parcel, and our customer service team will be pleased to assist you with organising a return authorisation. All returned merchandise must arrive back to us in their original, unopened and unused condition.
Payment Options
We accept credit cards and PayPal:
* Visa
* MasterCard
* American Express
* PayPal
For your peace of mind, credit card information does not pass through or stored on our servers. Once you pay for your order, your credit card details are encrypted and processed through the our PCI-Compliant Payment Gateway.


text:
Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Ambien (Zolpidem) in the Treatment of Children Ages 6 to 17 With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)-Associated Insomnia (Zolkids)
This study has been completed.
Information provided by:
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
First received: March 14, 2006
Last updated: April 6, 2009
Last verified: April 2009
- Full Text View
- Tabular View
- No Study Results Posted
- Disclaimer
- How to Read a Study Record
Detailed Description:
There has been an increased interest in the association between ADHD and sleep disorders over the past years. A high incidence of sleep disturbance, ranging from 10% to 70%, has been identified in ADHD children regardless of whether or not they are receiving stimulant therapy. This study will assess the safety and efficacy of zolpidem in children with ADHD associated insomnia.
|Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
|Drug: Zolpidem (SL800750)
|Phase 3
|Study Type:
|Study Design:
|Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double (Participant, Investigator)
Primary Purpose: Treatment
|Official Title:
|Efficacy, Safety and Tolerability of Zolpidem in the Treatment of Children Aged 6 to 17 Years With ADHD-Associated Insomnia. A Multicentre, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Resource links provided by NLM:
MedlinePlus related topics: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Drug Information available for: Zolpidem Zolpidem tartrateU.S. FDA Resources
Further study details as provided by Sanofi:
Primary Outcome Measures:
- Latency to persistent sleep (LPS) measured by polysomnography
Secondary Outcome Measures:
- Clinical Global Impression (CGI) Severity and Global Improvement item scores (from child and parent/legal guardian scales)
- Actigraphy measures of sleep characteristics
- ADHD Rating Scale-IV
- School tardiness/Attendance Reports
- Adverse events
- PE, lab
|Study Start Date:
|April 2006
|Study Completion Date:
|August 2006
|Primary Completion Date:
|August 2006 (Final data collection date for primary outcome measure)
The study is being conducted in the United States. It consists of 3 segments:
- Segment A: 2 to 21 day screening period
- Segment B: 8-week double-blind treatment period
- Segment C: 1-week follow-up period
Subjects will have a polysomnography in a sleep lab two times during the study (at baseline and between visit 4-5) and also be required to wear an actigraphy monitoring tool. There will be several questionnaires completed throughout the study: CGI-child, CGI-parent/legal guardian, ADHD Rating Scale-IV, and the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale.
|Ages Eligible for Study:
|6 Years to 17 Years (Child)
|Sexes Eligible for Study:
|Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
Inclusion Criteria:
- Male or female between the ages of 6 and 17 years, inclusive
- Children with diagnosed ADHD (as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition, Text Revision [DSM-IV-TR] criteria)
- Complaint of childhood insomnia as defined by repeated difficulty with sleep initiation or consolidation that occurs despite adequate age, appropriate time, and opportunity for sleep
- The sleep disturbance must not be attributable to either the direct physiologic effect of drug abuse or misuse of a prescribed medication.
- Subjects should be stabilized on all long-term therapy, including treatment of ADHD, for at least one month prior to study entry.
- Subjects, if females of childbearing potential (as determined by the initiation of menses), must have confirmed negative pregnancy test prior to randomization and be using a recognized effective method of birth control (oral, implant, depot or transdermal oestroprogestatives, intrauterine device, double-barrier with spermicide). Abstinence is an acceptable method of birth control for this study.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Mental retardation
- Autistic spectrum disorder
- A history of sleep apnea
- A history of bipolar disorder, conduct disorder, major depression, or generalized anxiety disorder (not obsessive compulsive disorder), as determined by clinical interview and DSM-IV-TR criteria
- Current history of substance abuse/dependence
- Known hypersensitivity to zolpidem or previous adverse experience with zolpidem
- Pregnant or breast-feeding
- Current use of hypnotics, antihistamines, melatonin, herbal products, or other sleep aids
Contacts and Locations
Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study. To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below. For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00318448
Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00318448
|United States, New Jersey
|Sanofi-Aventis Administrative Office
|Bridgewater, New Jersey, United States, 08807
|Sanofi-Aventis Administrative Office
|Laval, Canada
Sponsors and Collaborators
|Study Director:
More Information
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
Keywords provided by Sanofi:
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on August 22, 2017
Publications automatically indexed to this study by ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier (NCT Number):
|Responsible Party:
|ICD Study Director, sanofi-aventis
|ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
|NCT00318448 History of Changes
|Other Study ID Numbers:
|Study First Received:
|March 14, 2006
|Last Updated:
|April 6, 2009
Keywords provided by Sanofi:
Child Psychology
Pediatric Psychology
Additional relevant MeSH terms:
Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Attention Deficit and Disruptive Behavior Disorders
Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Mental Disorders
Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic
Sleep Wake Disorders
Nervous System Diseases
Neurologic Manifestations
Signs and Symptoms
Hypnotics and Sedatives
Central Nervous System Depressants
Physiological Effects of Drugs
GABA-A Receptor Agonists
GABA Agonists
GABA Agents
Neurotransmitter Agents
Molecular Mechanisms of Pharmacological Action
ClinicalTrials.gov processed this record on August 22, 2017


text:
We prepare US Provisional Patent Applications and Non-provisional Patent Applications. We also provide a self-prepared Provisional Application option to help secure a prompt, early filing date at a reduced fee.
A US or foreign patent gives you the right to exclude all others from making, using or selling the claimed subject matter of your patent, or its equivalents.
Before you decide to pursue your idea, you should be confident that a market exists for you new idea that is at least large enough to cover your investment costs to obtain a patent and preferably, significantly larger than that.
Determining Patentability
It is a usually best to have a patentability search conducted before you invest time or money in a new project idea. If cost is a factor initially, you can conduct a free preliminary patent search on the Internet. However, before a patent application is filed, a search should be conducted at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
We are located in proximity to the USPTO and have a working knowledge of the area and the examining groups. Typically our patentability opinions include patent search data obtained from:
- A computer based search at the USPTO;
- A manual search fine-tuned based on the results of the computer search; and
- If necessary, a follow-up with a patent examiner in the group art unit where your patent application will be examined.
A patentability search and opinion provides you with a set of patents and/or published patent applications that are the most closely relevant to the subject matter of your idea. By knowing the closest patents and published patent applications, we are able to prepare your patent application with claims that provide you with the broadest possible coverage for your invention. Also, we can use the closest patents and published patent applications to serve as a basis for comparison when preparing your patent application. This comparison can be useful to show why your invention is an improvement over what is already known.
Provisional Patent Applications
You can obtain an early filing date and extend the deadline to file a Non-provisional Patent Application by filing a Provisional Patent Application. The fee to file a US Provisional Patent Application is as low as $195 plus the government filing cost. You can file online quickly and inexpensively here and select a review by a licensed US Patent Attorney or submit the application fully on your own.


text:
At Waldorf Woolloomooloo Waters Apartment Hotel, the Waldorf Lounge offers a light breakfast at an additional cost every day and a relaxing environment throughout the day.
The complex recreational facilities include an indoor spa, sauna and pool to offer guests absolute relaxation.
A gymnasium and a children's playground are located opposite the hotel, whilst harbour side swimming is available at the Boy Charlton Pool, within walking distance from the hotel complex. Golf courses, beaches and a racecourse are all within a 6km radius of the hotel.
Public transport is on our doorstep including the Sydney Explorer tour bus.
If shopping is for you, Waldorf Woolloomooloo Waters Apartment Hotel is so convenient to the main Sydney city shopping venues including the magnificent Queen Victoria Building.
Woolloomooloo is well served with both fine dining and casual restaurants and cafes as well as picturesque alfresco restaurants along the length of Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf and no visit to Sydney is complete without a visit to Harry's Cafe de Wheels which is located at the end of the street.


text:
Indicated below are types of Electronic Fund Transfers we are capable of handling, some of which may not apply to your account. Please read this disclosure carefully because it tells you your rights and obligations for the transactions listed. You should bookmark this notice for future reference.
Preauthorized credits:
You may make arrangements for certain direct deposits to be accepted into your checking or savings account(s).
Preauthorized payments:
You may make arrangements to pay certain recurring bills from your checking or savings account(s).
Telephone Transfers-types of transfers:
You may access your account by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the following numbers:
(573) 438-4636 Potosi
(866) 35 UNICO Toll Free
using your personal identification number (PIN), a touch tone phone, and your account numbers to;
ATM Transfers- types of transfers:
You may access your account(s) by ATM using your ATM Card and personal identification number or Debit Card and personal identification number to;
Some of these services may not be available on all terminals.
Types of SHAZAMCheck Point-of-Sale Transactions
You may access your checking account(s) to purchase goods (in person or by phone), pay for services (in person or by phone), get cash from a merchant, if the merchant permits, or from a participating financial institution, and do anything that can be done with a credit card (that a participating merchant will accept with a credit card)
Computer Transfers- types of transfers and charges-
You may access your account via the Internet by visiting our website at www.unicobank.com and using your personal identification number and your account number to;
We do not charge for direct deposits to any type of account
We do not charge for preauthorized payments from any type of account
Except as indicated elsewhere, we do not charge for these electronic fund transfers
If you use an automated teller machine that is not operated by us, you may be charged a fee by the operator of the machine and/or by an automated transfer network.
Terminal Transfers-
You can get a receipt at the time you make any transfers to or from your account using one of our automated teller machines or point-of-sale terminals.
Preauthorized Credits-
If you have arranged to have direct deposits to your account at least once every 60 days from the same person or company, you can call us at (573) 438-5421 to find out whether or not the deposit has been made.
Periodic Statements-
You will get a monthly account statement from us for your checking and money market accounts.
You will get a monthly account statement from us for your savings accounts, unless there are no transfers in a particular month. In any case, you will get a statement at least quarterly.
Right to stop payment and procedure for doing so.
If you have told us in advance to make regular payments out of your account, you can stop any of these payments. Here is how:
Call or write us in time for us to receive your request 3 business days or more before the payment is scheduled to be made. If you call, we may also require you to put your request in writing and get it to us within 14 days after your call.
Please refer to our separate fee schedule for the amount we will charge you for each stop payment order you give.
Notice of varying amounts:
If these regular payments may vary in amount, the person you are going to pay will tell you, 10 days before each payment, when it will be made and how much it will be. (You may choose instead to get this notice only when the payment would differ by more than a certain amount from the previous payment, or when the amount would fall outside certain limits that you set.)
Liability for failure to stop payment of preauthorized transfer:
If you order us to stop one of these payments 3 business days or more before the transfer is scheduled, and we do not do so, we will be liable for your losses or damages.
Liability for failure to make transfers:
If we do not complete a transfer to or from your account on time or in the correct amount according to our agreement to you, we will be liable for your losses or damages. However, there are some exceptions. We will not be liable for instances;
1. If, through no fault of ours, you do not have enough money in your account to make the transfer.
2. If you have an overdraft and the transfer would go over the credit limit.
3. If the automated teller machine where you are making the transfer does not have enough cash.
4. If the terminal or system was not working properly, and you knew about the breakdown when you started the transfer.
5. If circumstances beyond our control (such as fire or flood) prevent the transfer, despite reasonable precautions we have taken.
6. There may be other exceptions stated in our agreement with you.
We will disclose information to third parties about your account or the transfers you make:
1. where it is necessary for completing transfers;or
2. in order to verify the existence and condition of your account for a third party, such as a credit bureau or merchant; or
3. in order to comply with government agency or court orders; or
4. if you give us written permission.
(a) Consumer liability (1) Generally. Tell us AT ONCE if you believe your card and/or code has been lost or stolen. Telephoning is the best way of keeping your possible losses down. You could lose all the money in your account (plus your maximum overdraft line of credit.) If you tell us within 2 business days, you can lose no more than $50 if someone used your card and/or code without your permission. If you believe your card and/or code has been lost or stolen, and you tell us within 2 business days after you learn of the loss or theft, you can lose no more than $50 if someone used your card and/or code without your permission.
If you do NOT tell us within 2 business days after you learn of the loss of theft of your card and/or code, and we can prove we could have stopped someone from using your card and/or code without your permission if you had told us, you could lose as much as $500.00.
Also, if your statement shows transfers that you did not make, tell us at once. If you do not tell us within 60 days after the statement was mailed to you, you may not get back any money you lost after the 60 days if we can prove that we could have stopped someone from taking the money if you had told us in time.
If a good reason (such as a long trip or a hospital stay) kept you from telling us, we will extend the time periods.
(2) Additional Limits on Liability for SHAZAMCheck, when used for point-of-sale transactions.
You will not be held liable for any unauthorized transactions using your SHAZAMCheck, when used for your point-of-sale transaction if:
* you report the loss or theft of your card within 24 hours of when you discover loss or theft.
* you can demonstrate that you have exercised reasonable care in safeguarding your card from the risk or loss or theft
* you have not reported to us two or more incidents of unauthorized use within the prior twelve-month period, and
* your account is in good standing. If any of these conditions are not met, your liability is the lessor of $50 or the amount of money, property, labor, or services obtained by the unauthorized use before notification to us. "Unauthorized use" means the use of your debit card by a person, other than you, who does not have actual, implied or apparent authority for such use, and from which you receive no benefit.
(b) Contact in event of authorized transfer.
If you believe your card and/or code has been lost or stolen or that someone has transferred or may transfer money from your account without your permission, call or write us at the telephone number or address listed here.
In Case of Errors or Questions About Your Electronic Transfers, Call or Write us as soon as you can, if you think your statement or receipt is wrong or if you need more information about a transfer listed on the statement or receipt. We must hear from you no later than 60 days after we sent the FIRST statement on which the problem or error appeared.
1. Tell us your name and account number (if any)
2. Describe the error or transfer you are unsure about, and explain as clearly as you can why you believe it is an error or why you need more information.
3. Tell us the dollar amount of the suspected error.
If you tell us orally, we may require that you send us your complaint or question in writing within 10 business days.
We will determined whether an error occurred within 10 business days (20 business days if the transfer involved a new account) after we hear from you and will correct any error promptly. If we need more time, however, we may take up to 45 days (90 days if the transfer involves a new account, a point-of-sale transaction, or a foreign-initated transfer) to investigate your complaint or question.
If we decide to do this, we will credit your account within 10 business days (20 business days if the transfer involves a new account) after we hear from you and will correct any error promptly. If we need more time, however, we may take up to 45 days (90 days if the transfer involves a new account, a point-of-sale transaction, or a foreign-initated transfer) to investigate your complaint or question. If we decide to do this, we will credit your account within 10 business days (20 business days if the transfer involved a new account) for the amount you think is in error, so that you will have the use of the money during the time it takes us to complete our investigation. If we ask you to put your complaint or question in writing and we do not receive it within 10 business days, we may not credit your account. Your account is considered a new account for the first 30 days after the first deposit is made, unless each of you already has an established account with us before this account is opened.
We will tell you the results within three business days after completing our investigation. If we decide that there was no error, we will send you a written explanation. You may ask for copies of the documents that we used in our investigation.
PO Box 398
Potosi, Missouri 63664
Business Days: Monday-Friday
Excluding Federal Holidays
Phone: (573) 438-5421
Site definitions by SomethingCool.com LLC


text:
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
[Updated from the archives with new photos and writing. Originally published October 2011]
I'll go right out and say that these Cinnamon Roll Pancakes are pretty much dessert for breakfast, but there are definitely weekends for that, if you ask me. And I mean, cinnamon rolls…and pancakes…combined?!? Only good things can happen in that situation.
I first saw this recipe about 5 years ago on the blog Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts and instantly had to try them for myself. They are admittedly VERY messy to make, but you're rewarded with something delicious, and I think there's something very whimsical about them. You drop big swirls of cinnamon roll filling right onto the pancakes while they're cooking, then drizzle them with a cream cheese frosting to serve. Though my usual pancake toppings are butter and pure maple syrup, it's nice to have a change every once in a while.
To get started, let's make the pancake batter. Whisk together the dry ingredients, which is flour, baking powder, and salt:
In a measuring cup, whisk to combine milk, an egg, and vegetable oil:
Pancake dry and wet components, done!
Make the cinnamon roll filling by combining melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon:
Whisk until relatively smooth:
Now let's put everything together!
Add the measuring cup liquid to the dry ingredients:
Whisk together until the dry flour disappears, but making sure to leave the little lumps alone so you don't overmix the pancake batter:
Drop ladlefuls of pancake batter onto a hot griddle, then when the pancakes start to form bubbles on the first side, drizzle on a swirl of the cinnamon filling:
I find it easiest to use a squeeze bottle, but if you don't have one, simply use a spoon.
Flip the pancakes and finish cooking, until golden brown on both sides:
You will notice that the cinnamon sugar swirl spreads out and griddles into a crunchy, sweet caramelized "crust" for the pancakes.
Finally, whisk to combine softened cream cheese with butter, confectioner's sugar, and vanilla:
Drizzle the cream cheese frosting on top of the pancakes before serving:
Enjoy, and have fun with this one!
I made a full video on how to make these that you can watch right here, and the full recipe is just below. Happy cooking!
Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
Fluffy pancakes with a cinnamon roll filling swirl, then topped with a cream cheese frosting. Perfect for an indulgent weekend brunch!
For the pancakes:
- 5 oz all purpose flour (1 cup)
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup milk
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 egg
For the Filling:
- 4 tbsp butter, melted
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
For the Glaze:
- 3 tbsp butter
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Whisk to combine the flour, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, whisk to combine the milk, vegetable oil, and egg. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry, and stir until the flour has disappeared, but there are still plenty of lumps.
- Make the filling by stirring to combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
- Prepare the glaze by melting the butter and cream cheese together in the microwave. Stir in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract and stir to combine.
- Heat up a griddle over medium heat, and if desired, grease the pan with a little bit of butter. Use a 1/4 cup measuring scoop to portion out the pancakes. Once small bubbles start to appear on the surface, spoon over a tablespoon or so of the cinnamon swirl, in an outward circular motion from the center.
- Cook for another minute, then flip. Cook for one or two more minutes.
- Top the pancakes with the glaze, and enjoy!
Recipe adapted from Dinners Dishes and Desserts.All images and text © .
Products used in this recipe:
(may include affiliate links)


text:
* Prices may differ from that shown
I have just finished Final Fantasy 12. When I say I've just finished it, I don't mean to say that I have just completed my third play-through or that I have finally achieved the completest game or downed Yiazmat...I have literally just finished the main story. This particular game has taken me over two years.
It got me to thinking about how I felt about Final Fantasy games in general. I have long been a devotee of Square and later SquareEnix, but it's a devotion that comes hand in hand with a certain amount of frustration and ire. They are long, involved and convoluted, everything I both appreciate and condemn about them. I like the stories that are told through these games, but feel much is lost 'in translation' both culturally and linguistically. Much of this is my own fault, I still don't think I could accurately explain, for example, what exactly the deal is with Cloud and Zack, or the flashbacks that Squall and his friends suffer. Perhaps that's due to a lack of attention to detail, or absentmindedly working my way through Garnet's escape from the castle without really reading the text on screen.
I want to experience these games again, while actually paying attention to what's going on, gleaning as much as I can from the experience as possible.
While finishing the cutscene-heavy final minutes of FFXII it occurred to me that while graphics are appreciated and certainly in the later games rich and beautifully designed, they were not what the success of the franchise was built on. In order to examine exactly what is, and why I happily commit hours of my life to them, I will take this project back from the beginning. Starting with the earliest game I can reasonably play (without emulators and so on) and not including the Nintendo revamps for the DS. Starting with FFIV as released for the PS1 in the anthology I will play through every core numbered Final Fantasy game that is not an MMORPG. I make the list: 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,12 and 13. Because I own IV and V as this anthology, this review will need to be in two parts.
I've very nearly completed Final Fantasy IV, under it's Japanese number, rather than the American release calling it Final Fantasy II. I'm playing the version that was released for the Playstation as an anthology together with FFV. As a side note, for some reason most sellers of the anthology list the collection as containing FFV and FFVI, even Amazon.co.uk. This would be the case in the US, where the two later games were released together I believe, but the European version of the 'anthology' contains IV and V.
It seems strange to me that these games have always suffered a certain amount of regional controversy. I can't fathom the logic behind making two different anthologies for the US and Europe. I can, perhaps see a certain selfish justification in making games like FFVII: Before Crisis available only in Japan, but it makes tracking down the correct references to games quite a task. I was to learn, for example, that the translations of the script for FFIV for the SNES, the PS1 anthology (Europe) the DS remake and the 'complete collection' version all differ from each other, sometimes quite significantly.
Let's take the line "You Spoony Bard!" - An infamous insult from very early on in the game, which has consequently been spoofed many times over and even been ported in it's original translation into the DS remake. I went looking for the history of the quote and found some of the literal translations. - So far in FFIV I am largely unimpressed by the script. I am beginning to realise this may be due to the translations rather than the writing. I am having the same reaction to it as I do when I watch anime in English dub. For some reason American writers/translators seem to underestimate the intelligence and sensitivity of their audience. We are treated to recaps of things we have just watched unfold and extensive explanations of context that are simply not necessary. It puts me in mind of the original Thundercats, it wasn't a translation issue, but the writing suffered the same flaws. Mark and I recently attempted to watch it, thinking some nostalgia would be fun. We found ourselves constantly addressing the characters on screen. "Thank's for that recap Cheetara, without your input I would never have understood that Lion-O was being attacked by those Lizardmen!"
"Spoony Bard", as it turns out is an apt description of Edward's state of mind, a lovesick and sentimental fool. The FFWiki points out quite rightly, given Tellah's anger, it's unlikely that's the choice phrase he would have used, therefore it jars quite badly with the rest of the admittedly poor script. With such better writing (take FF9, FFX and FFXII) later on in the series proving it is at least possible to write games well, its a wonder we put up with it in the first place. Xenogears didn't have this problem.
Giving your own characters credit however, seems to be low on the priority list here, I found myself wondering, as Cecil returns from his mission in the opening scenes, why Cid sees fit to threaten Cecil after welcoming him home. He's worried about his daughter's feelings, I get that, but it's the equivalent of my Mother greeting Mark at the door with "Hi Mark, glad you made the drive here safely....if you ever make Alice cry I'll gut you and feed you to the dogs!"
Rosa offers to 'visit' Cecil after this encounter, since he's on his way to bed, I can only raise an eyebrow. Turns out she's just worried about him and wants to let him know, I wouldn't be, the man sleeps with his helmet on...
For all that I am wishing for a more believable group of characters I am finding myself enjoying the world and it's inhabitants. I was charmed by the lady in Kaipo who was very interested in showing me her synchronised swimming dance. Lovely. The same could arguably said for the monk in Fabul who wanted to do the same but lured me in by dressing as a woman, only to leap out of the dress and dance around in his monkish garb...startling. The graphics are charmingly retro (I can't believe I just said that) without being clunky, although it's funny to see NPCs who are stationary walking on the spot, making it look like this is a world inhabited by ADHD sufferers.
Being an RPG though, I am struck with the irresistible desire to explore every nook and cranny of the map. EVERY ONE! it takes far too long and does me no good, no ultimate equipment is every found that way and as in every other FF game I play I know that I will likely ignore items almost entirely by the time I hit level 20-40 or so as my HP outstrips the capabilities of potions or hi-potions (I'm looking at you FFXII). I always seem to end up by the last boss fight with an inventory stuffed to bursting with pointless dark motes, x-potions, softs and whathaveyou.
As part of this play-through I've been considering the issue of grinding. From what I can remember, and it's been a while I admit, I never had to do much grinding for the main story line or regular boss in later FF games. The notable exception being my first encounter with Seymour Flux on Mount Gagazet in FFX; that fight's a real doozy. I noticed however, that each new area of FFIV is significantly harder than the last and I suffered what feels like an unusual number of party wipes. It's possible there's a setting I missed out but I checked everyone's equipment and all seemed fine. There just seems to be huge steps of challenge rather than a gentle curve. I'm starting to think that's something they ironed out in later games.
There was a distinct lack of forced grinding, for which I am grateful. The situations where the writers knew there was a boss coming up and rather than trust you to have been taking the game slowly for a bit they insert an area you have to inch your way through, random battles hitting so thick and fast you get dizzy. (Highbridge and Mount Nibel, I'm looking at you.) The dungeons in FFIV seem well paced and a good length, although the dungeon crawling element far outweighs the rest of the game. There's not much extra story progression here, just small vital speech screens between dungeons. There's a distinct lack of convoluted sidequesting going on, which I'm choosing to take a blessing in disguise, considering my dislike of the script.
Is the existence of grinding in games like these simply an effort to 'pad' out the game? Do you really get your money's worth when you spend x amount of hours walking backwards and forwards across a world map looking for random encounters to beef up xp/gil/items? It's a 'perform task, get reward' cycle that rings too close to Pavlovian for me. That doesn't stop me doing it though, I know I'm just ringing a bell to get a treat...but I like treats. In an MMORPG environment, WoW or FFXI I actually find it relaxing. 'catch 15 fish get a point in fishing skill' is superficially satisfying, especially when accompanied by a flashy little animation and a cheer. It's one reason why facebook games are so popular. You add the chance to catch a rare mount or something worth a lot of cash and it becomes a little like gambling, effort and time vs the chance to catch something cool, with tiny payouts along the way.
The difference between the MMORPG grind and the grind in a single player RPG however is one I find quite distinct. If I get bored fishing in Azeroth (MMO) I can always go grind one of a hundred other things or play PVP/instances but if I'm bored of fighting mist-monsters and I haven't yet collected the gold I need to buy that mithril plate for everyone, I'm still not going to survive the next boss.
In FFIV, so early on in the series the variation of monsters and areas in which to grind are limited, so there's not even a change of scenery to be had. In this respect, I'm looking forward to the later games where both the need to grind has been absorbed into the story and there's a much greater aesthetic variation to be had.
I would still recommend the game as a piece of gaming history. It seems to have stood the test of time very well. Square were very clever in recycling the music from this game into it's beloved and revered FFVII as I'm getting flashbacks to parts of that game when I play this one, even though I played FFIV first! It creates a powerful reaction, and while the plot is very fairytale-esque and the script is terrible, its still a great game. Although to be honest, if you want to play it, you'd do yourself no disservice by playing the DS remake, it's practically the same but with more monster variation, improved dialogue (mostly) and no 16-bit graphics.
What a fantastic idea to re-release final fantasy 4,5, and 6, on to the playstation from the old snes. I bought both when they came out and they kept me entertained for 50+ hours each, Square are genious. I started off with 6, which was the first one that I got, I thought that it was excellent, (now you know where they got all the monsters and music from for 7,8,and 9) The graphics are that from the snes but who cares...its still ace, this one track. (the one that Celes sings in Opera) stuck in my head for several weeks and the rest of the music is very good as well. Story is fantastic, love the fact that they include all the Espers ever created (summon monsters). *I chose not to include any spoilers here* Final Fantasy 4 was next. This is one of the easiest games I ever played in this series (give them credit as it was one of the first ones ever made) And here you see the real begining (on the ones released over here) But when you get to the end, even with leveling up, on average you are level 55-60, I find that they went wrong here (the only fault I can find) they expect you to be level 90+ to defeat the end boss, because he just wipes you out otherwise! It does get boring levelling up as the mosters are not worth much experience. ( I got there in the end and I was happy!). Finally Final Fantasy 5. Yet again a good game but a unique game in this series with the "jobs" you have to assign characters to a job to complete the skills, sop you decide there strengths and weaknesses, I found this quite good but I didn't like the way they had no unique skills, but No more complaints...a good game and very entertaining. Brilliant...recommend all of the final fantasy games to anyone but as with all RPG's they require time and pacients, if you played 7,8, or 9; 4,5, or 6 would be any welcomed addition.
I purchased this game on release date after seeing it advertised on the official squaresoft website and also on online game websites such as gameplay. Final Fantasy Anthology (FFA) is two games in one, FF4 and FF5. These games are PSX releases of FF1 and FF2 for NES and SNES. The game features many extras that the old versions did not, including the bonus feature obtained for completing the game and the special FMV scenes that have been added in. The graphics. For the time they would have been good, the graphics for the cut scenes are still pretty good but they seem crap if, like me, you were used to the super smooth graphics of FF9. I now have all the FF series from FF4 to FF9, and alternating between smooth 3-D graphics to the 2-D graphics of 4, 5 and 6 is really weird, altough the gameplay more than makes up for it. FFA takes gamers back to the roots of RPG games. This game introduced many features that have been present in all other RPG games, including mini quests, summon monsters and of course, The ATB (active time battle) system. It has all the things that you would expect from an RPG, including weapons, magic spells and special skills. FF4 has 12 characters. The main characters are Cecil, a dark knight who is the commander of the Red Wings, a fleet of military airships, and Rosa, a white mage who is a childhood friend of Cecils. Each character has a different skill which can be used in battle. These include stealing, throwing items and summoning monsters to aid the party and cause considerable damage to enemies. The game will take you through 6 kingdoms, each with its own cultures, customs and type of people who live there. The game will take a long time to complete, as with all FF games, but to fully complete the game with level 100 characters and all mini quests completed will take almost double the time. Set aside a few months for this one. And another thing. Its not an easy games. You will often
find that you are often resetting as your party has been annihalated. But what would be the point if it was easy? FF5 has loads of cool features in the game. Various modes of transport, including hovercrafts and airships, and it also has chocobos. Different types allow you to do different things, including flying, swimming and even running over mountains. There are 4 characters in FF5. Faris, a pirate, Galuf, a soldier, Reina, a girl searching for her father and Bartz, a wandering traveller. They are all brought together after a catastrophic event. Then again, which final fantasy doesn't involve a catastrophic event at some time or another? A great feature about FF5 is the ability to change your characters 'job'. This will allow you to learn different skills and be better equipped to take on different situations. The controls are easy to get used to, but you may find yourself pressing the wrong button at a crucial time, especially if, like me, you are stepping back from FF7, 8 and 9. At the end of the day though, they are just the same as normal FF controls and wont take much getting used to. FFA is a great value for money game, as you are getting at least 50 hours gameplay for each title, and all for under £20. This is probably the best value for money title released on the PSX to date and is definitely worth buying. Fans of the FF series will purchase this game immediately, and even if you aren't a FF fan, buy it anyway. You'll be glad you did.
This is the history of the game and how it was developed: The basic concept was really a mythical idea of how the Earth came into being, with fire and water representing everything on Earth. I represented those elements into a crystal and that essentially became sort of the core theme of Final Fantasy," explains Hironobu Sakaguchi, executive producer of the Final Fantasy series since its introduction in Japan way back in 1987. It is now the unchallenged worldwide leader among interactive role-playing games, with the most recent instalments in the series, Final Fantasy VII and VIII, selling record numbers on the PlayStation format and achieving number one chart positions all over the world. The first Final Fantasy game had offered what were, for the time, hugely impressive graphics and massive gameplay on a 2 MB NES cartridge. It was an immediate success in Japan, shifting 520,000 units (and an additional 780,000 when it was released in the United States in 1990). And despite the long-running nature of the series, number IX was still able to take Japan by storm on its NTSC release in July 2000 and whetting European anticipation for the PAL conversion. Of course, one of the remarkable aspects of the Final Fantasy series is the fact that most of the titles are not true sequels, but actually stand-alone games with varying characters, storylines and time periods. But what they share is an epic approach to role-playing adventure, similar themes and rich gameplay. Such games are big business in Japan, but don't always translate to other international markets. Indeed, several of the Final Fantasy titles were only initially released in Japan (although were always popular import titles). In the early days of the series, the titles appeared on Nintendo's NES and Super NES systems (FFIV was the first RPG to appear on the new SNES in 1991) – but when Squaresoft released its three-years-in-the-making Final Fantasy
VII in 1997, it wasn't on the N64, but the CD-based Sony PlayStation. The massive three-disk adventure became a huge international hit, and has been widely acclaimed as the finest RPG on the PlayStation (but not the best in the series, according to stalwart fans). Doubly annoying to Nintendo fans, both it and the equally huge Final Fantasy VIII were also released on the PC. The Final Fantasy series reaches yet another level in the year 2001 – not only is the tenth game, set in a wholly real-time 3D world, scheduled for the PS2 (with or without online capabilities), but a feature-length CGI animated movie, Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, was released across America and Europe in the summer of 2001. FINAL FANTASY IX The latest release takes players through an immersive storyline with numerous subplots as they play with eight unique characters and a variety of weapons and magic in a quest for good over evil. The game centres on a greedy queen's desire to dominate the world. Brahne, the Queen of Alexandria, has begun using highly advanced magical weapons to terrorise neighbouring kingdoms. Players follow a group made up of bandits, knights and magicians lead by a skilled thief, Zidane, who all must team up to try to stop the Queen. Soon after embarking on their quest, they discover that the Queen's threats merely cover a far more sinister plot. For the sake of mankind, Zidane and company must put an end to the Queen's reign before she and the evil forces that accompany her can carry out the deadly plan. The story begins with Zidane, a member of the bandit group Tantalus, travelling to the town of Alexandria to perform a play in front of Queen Brahne and her daughter Princess Garnet. The group's real aim, however, is to kidnap the princess. Zidane's scheme is disrupted by Steiner, the loyal knight of Alexandria. During the process, their group is joined by the tiny black mage, Vivi. Zidane a
nd company manage to escape the city with Princess Garnet, with Steiner following to protect her, but the Queen soon discovers them, and their airship is destroyed. The trouble does not end there: the party is pursued constantly by the Queen's men, some possessing incredible magical powers. Disturbed by what they have seen, Zidane, Garnet, Vivi and Steiner decide to team up to solve the mystery behind the Queen's evil troops. They discover eventually that the Queen is being assisted by the mysterious figure, Kuja, whose real purpose is unknown... Final Fantasy IX features eight playable characters, with up to four taking part in each battle. The characters have unique profiles affecting skills, abilities and weapon types. The intuitive menu system allows for customisation of character attributes, enabling the player to select the appropriate strategy for the myriad monsters and bosses which will be encountered on the adventure, set in a fantastic world of medieval cities and uncharted territories. Spread over four disks and boasting around 80 hours of gameplay, this, like previous instalments, is not a game to approach lightly - while non-RPG fans will find themselves bored, those who are familiar with the genre will probably devote endless hours and days of their lives to exploring and completing the adventure. A detailed strategy guide will also be available to help them do it, while in addition Square Europe's website will reveal extra secrets.
Classic Final fantasy good or bad? I say it's brilliant, sure it's got old Snes graphics, but game play is the most important part of a game. Final fantasy 5 is a very good game, you have this special job system, you can chose what your going to train to be, say a knight for example, but if you get board learning all of a knights skill's you can train to be a mage. Once you have learnt how to cast some magic, then you can use some knight's skills to combine to your mage, so you could be a mage who can have the true knight skill. The plot isn't that good but not bad, a creator hit's the Earth and the wind starts to stop, then you go to explore the wind crystal it shatters, then you Bartz, Galuf, Reina and Faris are chosen as warriors to protect the world. Final Fantasy 6 is probably as good as Final fantasy 7 and 8 it's Excellent! To start off with your characters start off with their own skills. E.g. Edgar is good at mechanics so he has a special skill called tools, this is ware he can equip special weapons. To start hardly anyone can cast magic, but as the game progresses you get Espers, these are summons basically, you can then equip an Esper then learn magic, e.g. if you equip Shiva you can learn ice skills. The plot is good in this game, but I can't give too much away. Basically the 1000 years ago there was a war and it decimated the world and put back technology 1000 years, now everything has been reinvented. Now the Empire is trying to rule the world with magic. Sounds simple but like every other Final fantasy it gets better. In both games you have 4 slots to equip weapons and armour your hands were you can equip weapons and shields, then you have your head and body for armour. Also in both games there is added FMV for the Playstation version, but only at the start and the end. This game is only out in America but it's worth getting if you're a Final fantasy fan,
but not worth getting if your fussy on graphics.