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List Week 2018 kicks off by celebrating 12 great albums that just missed cracking the Top 50.
Austen's Fav Albums of 20182 Comments
Well, 2018 is almost done happening, so it's about time for me to drop a year-end roundup or something… emphasis on the "or something." Unlike in the past few years, I'm not really feeling the album-by-album write-ups this time. Music writing is generally not a passion of mine, but I do still want to provide what semblance of a platform I can for the music I enjoy. Granted, this year I didn't so much find myself returning to contemporary albums as I did listening to older ambient music, minimalism, and stuff of that nature. Too much Morton Feldman, for instance. And fuck, I've even been nostalgically returning to some early vaporwave like Vanishing Vision—how ironic is that?
Anyway, my taste has for a long while gravitated to music that gives me plenty of space in which to get lost, so around halfway through this year, I pretty much drifted away from most in-your-face music. Might explain why an undoubtedly great album like Haru to Shura didn't carry over from my mid-year list. The top 10 I came up with this year is still somewhat dynamic; just figured I'd explain my prevailing listening habits. Hopefully you dig the albums that ended up making the cut. If anyone wants to discuss them down in the comments, I'll of course be as responsive as possible. That's more fun than me just solipsistically writing a mini-essay for each one.
If you're just dipping in and out, thanks for checking out this list and for following TND this year! It has now been five whole years since I started here, and I'm happy and grateful to still be aboard this ship. Wishing you all happy holidays.
Notes: The titles don't display on mobile for whatever reason, even when I take them off hover-only. Sorry, mobile users. The list is in ascending order and the last slide is just for you. / Honorable mentions were added on 18 December.
Oh wait, to pad out this article I can tell you about my best live music experience this year, which was seeing a free improv set by the legendary Keiji Haino and Mitsuru Nasuno in Tokyo about a month ago. They were billed as "No Not Jazz" (frankly I'm not sure if that refers to the duo or the event) and performed at a tucked away space in Shibuya called LUSH. It was a perfectly intimate venue. Its capacity is apparently 200, though I'm having a hard time imagining even half that fitting into the room. The drinks were relatively cheap, but I'm cheaper, so I met the one-drink minimum with a tumbler of Jack and was good. The pre-show music consisted mostly of the blues, which was appropriate considering the genre's influence on Haino. I'm mostly bringing this up because several tracks from Gil Scott-Heron's final album I'm New Here were played and it served as a reminder of what an unsung masterpiece that album is. It's a swansong on par with Blackstar (or Lulu if you're a sick fuck such as myself), so please check it out if it has gone under your radar, or if it's been a while.
Now, I knew going into this set that Haino would be on percussion, so I wasn't disappointed when I saw no guitar on stage. He has become a guitar hero of mine through Fushitsusha and solo efforts like Watashi Dake? and This Is the Son of Nihilism, but my introduction to his work was the Tzadik release Tenshi no Gijinka, on which he primarily played exotic percussion instruments. I also quite like Origin's Hesitation, a later Fushitsusha release that has a similar drum kit / bass set-up. All that being said, I was a little taken aback when all I saw on stage was a bass guitar and a snare drum. That's right: Haino, the absolute madman that he is, was about to play nothing but a snare drum for about two hours. Not even with a variety of mallets—just a pair of brushes!
The set was divided into 40-50 minute halves with an about 10-minute-long intermission. The first half in particular played out like a conversation between Nasuno's bass and Haino's drum. As with any relationship, sometimes the instruments got along smoothly and sometimes shit got downright argumentative. The two performers had unbelievable chemistry and sold the musical exchanges in an actorly way. It was such a joy just watching them play and reading their facial expressions. To his credit, Haino managed to explore a wide range of sounds considering the intense limitations he imposed upon himself. He could of course vary the attack and interval of his strikes, throw off the snare, and run the metal bristles of the brushes across the drumskin, but it speaks volumes about Haino's ability as an improviser and showman that he was able to keep those things riveting the entire time. So yeah, he expressed himself just fine with nothing but the snare and a few shouted words, one of which was "allegro." During a particularly allegro part, he knocked over his drum in the heat of the moment. There are few musicians I'd call badass for doing that, but he's one of them.
Though if I'm being completely honest, Nasuno stole the show. I was transfixed by him most of the time and I'm embarrassed to admit I didn't even know he was on the bill—can't blame it on not being able to read kanji, either, 'cause his name was written clear as day in kana. For those unaware of Mitsuru Nasuno, he was in a recent iteration of Fushitsusha and is also an Otomo Yoshihide collaborator, going as far back as the Ground-Zero days. As far as I'm concerned, effectively improvising on bass is a lot harder than on guitar, but Nasuno is a veteran in the scene and made every note count. He also had what appeared to be a contact microphone attached to one of his tuning keys, which amplified the creaking of the instrument. I shit you not, there was at one point a bass creaking solo performed solely by leaning.
The first half was a breeze. I was surprised to hear it went on for almost 50 minutes, as it felt like half that. During the intermission, I went to drain the vat while my less frugal friend got another bourbon. Then we retook our seats for the second half, which started with a serious change of pace. Nasuno controlled a bass feedback drone that reverberated through Haino's snare. I suppose Nasuno was the bassist and percussionist for this phase, easily the loudest of the set. Imagine the "It's Not Jackie Chan" sketch's low frequency counterpart—suffice it to say we'd all answered "Jackie Chan." My head and my cojones were neck and neck in a race to see which would explode first. After about 10 minutes, just before any anatomical detonations could occur, it was back to business as usual for the remainder of the performance.
I'm not sure if the drum and bass came to any sort of resolution by the end of it all, but c'est la vie. If such a thing did happen, it was probably during the encore, which sounded like a deconstructed version of "Nattanjanai" from Fushitsusha's Live 1. Then Haino bowed and uttered a "dōmo arigatō." After all the musical turbulence that had just transpired, those gestures were almost ironic in their modesty. And that was that. Moral of the story: you haven't lived til you've seen Keiji Haino in his element. No matter what instrument is at his disposal, you're guaranteed an intense experience.
OK, for real now…
YUNOREVIEW: October 2018Comment
The magical monthly segment where Anthony briefly touches down on a gauntlet of albums he didn't get a chance to review this past month.
Austen's Mid-Year Faves 201812 Comments
Hey NeedleDrops, it's ya boy Literally Who back with another (albeit paltry) list. At this time last year, I went all-out with a mid-year top 10, prematurely blowing my load on some of the albums that would end up making and even topping my 2017 list. This time I'm basically keeping it to shout-outs... and I didn't even muster a top 10, so I'm especially half-assing it. Though, in my defense, I'm still in the refractory period following my Koz review. Without further ado, here's my current 'loved list' for 2018:
I will say that although I only came up with a top 8, I REALLY love the above releases. So, it's certainly been a half-year of quality if not quantity. For now I'm splitting a spot between DAYTONA and ye for obvious contextual reasons, but I'm also enjoying both about equally so far. I'm more fascinated by the latter, though, which may give it the edge. I feel as if all the other names on the list should be familiar as well, particularly if you've been following my yearly articles. That is with the exception of Haru Nemuri, whose music I discovered just recently. Really, if there's one takeaway from this sorry excuse for a list it's to check out her shit 'cause it's sick! Her sound on Haru to Shura is a marriage of J-pop, rap, noise rock, and just a bit of electronic experimentation that goes off without a hitch. I'll link to one of the songs I'm addicted to below.
Happy listening, and thanks as always for reading.
Forever, Austen
YUNOREVIEW: June 2016Comment
The magical monthly segment in which Anthony briefly touches down on a gauntlet of albums he didn't get a chance to review this past month. These are just his short, straightforward, passionate, biased opinions.


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The Telugu film industry had a shocking start ahead of their weekend. The SIT(Special Investigation Team) team issued notices to high-level individuals in the film industry. The nation is pitying the state of drug abuse in Telangana, especially in and around educational environments. The latest crackdown on such drug rackets has lead to the involvement of influential individuals in the Telugu film industry. Tollywood was startled when the names were released on Friday. Among the names, against whom notices were issued, are superstar Ravi Teja, renowned director Puri Jagannath and actress Charmi Kaur. The celebrities are required to appear and provide a statement and co-operate with the investigation held by the Excise Department and the SIT.
The notices issued were based on the investigations and the conversations with the 12 individuals already arrested regarding the drug racket case. These individuals possessed personal contact details of Telugu actors, directors and also art directors. The alleged mastermind Calvin Mascarenhas was duly investigated and contact details were found on his phone as well. The accused is found guilty of peddling drugs such as LSD, MDMA and other class A drugs to young students. Some actors who were issued a notice such as Navdeep and Subburaju have come out and stated that they do not abuse drugs and do not endorse them. Actors Ravi Teja and Charmi Kaur, too have denied any involvement. Even though Ravi Teja has maintained a clean history, his brother was known to be an abuser of drugs who had just passed away recently.
The Telugu film industry has responded with a public statement stating that it will co-operate completely with the investigation. They also stated that the industry maintains zero tolerance apart from few individuals. It is very disheartening to see individuals who are looked up-to, being involved in such cases.

subset: commoncrawl


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5 Things to Do on The Last Week of Your Study Abroad/
You have reached your last week of your study abroad - you made it! While it can be a happy time, it's also a very stressful one. Having to pack, to say goodbye to this new and amazing place you called home for a while, and finally, to say goodbye to your new friends.
On your last week, focus on making the most out of it. Here are things to consider doing on the last week of your study abroad.
1. Spend the rest of your foreign currency
If you have any foreign currency left, now it's time to spend it. You do not want to go back home with foreign money that won't be useful to you. Remember the things you did not buy because you did not know if you would need the money later? Maybe you can purchase them now. Also, buy some extra souvenirs and your favorite candies. You can thank me later for the last one!
2. Try a new restaurant
We know that there is a great possibility that you visit the same restaurant and eat the same type of food over and over, but now you have reached your last week abroad. Therefore, now is your last chance to try new food and restaurants. Invite your friends and go explore the best food places in your neighborhood!
3. Follow your friends on social media
You have met many people during your study abroad experience and now that you are returning to your home country, the best way to keep in contact is via social media. Make sure you have added all the friends you wish to keep in touch on your social media. That way you will be able to not only follow their new journeys, but you will also be able to stay in contact. You never know where you are going next!
4. Visit your favorite place
You should stop by your favorite place one last time before you leave back home. After all it is your favorite place and you would want to experience again. I suppose you will feel like the first time, even though it will be your last - at least for a while.
5. Take lots of pictures
Last week opportunity to take photos, so go ahead and take as many as you would like. Photos are a fantastic way to keep your memories intact. Memories inevitable fade away over time, and you want to keep those great moments you lived abroad and what best way than with photos?
What are your plans for your last week of your study abroad? Let us know in the comments below.


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Last Updated on
Is your child outgrowing their rear-facing car seat? Are you in the market for a booster seat that will grow with your child?
If either of these are dilemmas you are facing you need to take a closer look at the Evenflo advanced Chase LX.
With the ability to hold up to 110 lbs. the Evenflo Advanced Chase LX will last for years to come. Keep on reading to find out what else this booster seat has to offer.
Evenflo Advanced Chase LX review
The Advanced Chase LX is the improved version of the Evenflo Chase.
With the Evenflo Advanced Chase LX, parents will notice all of the same great options they loved with the original Evenflo Chase, plus a few extras.
With the Advanced Chase LX, longer car rides are more enjoyable for your young child as the booster seats features ComfortTech padding. Parents also like the style and convenience the seat offers for booster aged kids.
The Evenflo Advanced Chase LX is designed to be used for children ages 2 and up and will safely fit children up to 110 lbs. How you use the seat will depend on the age, weight, and height of your child.
The Evenflo Advanced Chase LX has been tested at levels that are about two times the federal crash test standards to ensure its structural integrity.
The Advanced Chase LX comes with a head pillow and a machine washable seat pad in addition to two integrated cup holders.
Features & Benefits of the Evenflo Advanced Chase LX
Harnessed Booster
If you have children who are at least two years of age and are ready for a forward facing seat the Evenflo Advanced Chase LX can be a great option with its harness in place.
The 5-point harness provides a safe and secure fit for children inside of your vehicle. The 5-point harness is designed to be used for children weighing between 22 to 40 lbs and children who are between 28 and 50 inches tall.
To determine if your child fits properly with the 5-point harness option check to ensure their ears are sitting below the top of the restraint headrest.
Seat Belt Booster
Once your child outgrows the 5-point harness there is no need to purchase a new booster seat as the Advanced Chase LX converts to a seat belt booster.
The first thing you must do to convert the Advanced Chase LX to a seat belt booster is to remove the 5-point harness.
To safely use the seat belt rather than the 5-point harness your child must weigh between 40 and 110 lbs. and be at least 43.3 inches tall, but no taller than 57 inches.
To safely use the seat belt booster feature your child must be at least 4 years old and their ears need to sit below the top of the restraint headrest.
ComfortTech Padding
Long car rides can take a toll on children and parents alike. The Advanced Chase LX was designed by Evenflo to offer a comfortable ride even on the longest trips.
To make the booster seat as comfortable as possible the Advanced Chase LX features ComfortTech. ComfortTech offers three separate and unique layers of padding inside the booster seat.
The layers of padding are designed to help alleviate pressure points caused by car seats during long car rides, which these pressure points tend to get worse as children grow.
What others are saying about the Evenflo Advanced Chase LX
I spent several hours looking around at various websites to try and discover what other moms think about the Advanced Chase LX.
What I have found in my search is that most moms highly praise the seat, including moms who have been in some major and minor car accidents as the Evenflo Advanced Chase LX kept their kids safe even in a rollover.
Alternatives to Evenflo Advanced Chase LX
Graco Atlas 65 2-in-1 Harness Booster Car Seat
No products found.
Like the Evenflo Advanced Chase LX, the Graco Atlas 65 offers a harness and a seat belt booster seat.
Before switching to the high back booster children need to be at least 3 years old and 38 inches tall compared to the Advanced Chase LX where children need to be 43.3 inches tall and 4 years old.
Evenflo Chase Select
- This 2-in-1 Combination Booster Car Seat fitting children from 22-110 lbs. converts from a 5-point harnessed to belt-positioning car seat allowing for extended use for your child
- The Chase LX Combination Booster Car seat helps protect harnessed children from 22-40 pounds(Height: 28 - 50 inches) and belt-positioned children from 40-110 pounds(Height: 43.3 - 57 inches); Age: At least four years of age
- This lightweight Combination Booster Car Seat comes equipped for LATCH systems allowing for easy installation and transfer between multiple vehicles
The Evenflo Chase Select is the original version of the Evenflo Advanced Chase LX.
The biggest difference between the two seats is the ComfortTech padding, but there are a few other minor differences and a lot of similiarities.
Eddie Bauer Harness Booster 65
- 2 modes of use: Forward-facing harness 22-65 pounds and Belt-positioning 40-100 pounds
- Side Impact Protection
- 5-point harness with up-front adjustment
With the Eddie Bauer Deluxe 65 parents have an excellent combination seat that offers a forward facing seat with a 5 point harness that converts into a high back booster seat.
The headrest with the Eddie Bauer Deluxe 65 is easily adjusted by a bar on the back but the harness must be rethreaded each time you change its position.
The Evenflo Advanced Chase LX offers you the best of both worlds.
With the Advanced Chase LX parents have the option of using the 5-point safety harness in a forward facing seat and then switching to a high back booster that works with the car's seatbelt.
With a "Best Bet Booster" rating by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the Advanced Chase LX offers safety and style that you can rely on.
Related posts:
Elizabeth J. Galloway
Evenflo Advanced Chase LX
Last update on 2019-10-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API


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RCBOs (Current Breaker with Overload protection) are used to protect individual circuits that need that extra level of safety, but overload protection is still a vitally important aspect.
We hope you find the RCBO (circuit breaker) you are looking for however if you have any trouble finding a circuit breaker product to meet your needs please get in contact with our customer service team.
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Taxi Renato
San Cassiano
Taxi Renato is at your disposal for short transfer or destination services.
The vehicle can trasport maximum eight persons and it is the ideal solution for a lot of baggage, efficiency and comfort.
Str. Costamorin 12
San Cassiano 39036
Phone: +39 345 6393680
Show in Google maps


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Rate Cut Leaves Stocks Mixed
JAKARTA, Indonesia -- Stocks gave up earlier gains to close mixed Wednesday in thin trading as regional markets were disappointed with the Fed's decision to cut a key short-term interest rate.
The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite index edged up 0.142 to 276.15 on volume of 167.5 million shares valued at 142.69 billion rupiah. Declining issues led advancers 57 to 45, with 73 unchanged.


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So we had a birthday in our family on thursday...our gorgeous Meganne turned 15...
Her one request was that we have a bbq on the beach for her birthday...unfortunately, gail force winds and rain meant that we wimped out and had to do it last night instead!! It was definitely worth the wait...in true British style we huddled behind windbreakers...shivering after an hour of bodyboarding...and cranked up the barbeques!
One bbq collapsed as soon as it was set up...epic fail...but Jon managed to redeem it with his Jonny Rambo skills...burning himself in the process!! By the time it was all cooked we had purple lips and had lost all feeling in our outer extremeties but we kept calm and carried on...giving the kids the line 'it's a memory maker'!!!
So here's my boys...even the dog who managed to get himself a burger!
and finally...camera shy Ethan!
And lastly Abi...
We had a great time...and to top it off we had the most amazing sunset...followed by a couple hours of thawing out with a cup of tea!


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Ik weigh 135 pounds at 13?
hi.. im 135 pounds and 5'1.. and im 13.. i was just wondering do u think thats fat??? i need some tips on how to lose weight fast.. helppp!
btw.. i used 2 weigh 140..
btw.. i used 2 weigh 140..
Update: i only drink water.. no sodas or juices.. i dont eat much junk food.. i dont look fat at all.. my bf..sed that im skinny.. but idk? i have curves.. and a flat stomach
Update 2: i also workout like 2 times a week for 2 hours.. at a gym.. my dad makes me go.. for sotball training...
13 answers 13
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The most hands-on approach we could take was to start with the raw cacao. We are able to source the finest fairly-traded cacao and perform all the steps in-house to turn the raw ingredients into delicious chocolate, all in our small factory in Eureka, California. This entire process takes approximately three weeks to complete but allows us to make some of the finest chocolate possible. We use organic cacao and organic cane sugar in our chocolate. By not cutting corners or taking shortcuts in our process we are able to leave out vanilla, additional cocoa butter or other emulsifiers, in hopes of capturing and highlighting the subtle flavor nuances in the cacao we source from around the world. We hope you will get as much enjoyment eating our chocolate as we do making it.


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Gutting of the California Tax Board, a real problem for small businesses.
With the passage of SB 86 & AB 102, dismantling of the Board of Equalization (BOE) may be completed by the Governor on Thursday when he signs the budget. Some lawmakers say SB 86 & AB 102 may be illegal and dismantling of BOE cannot be rushed through. Several groups/individuals expressed concerns that the replacement of elected officials by civil servants would result in fewer cases being determined in favor of the taxpayer.
If the board loses its authority as a tax court, big business will still be able to hire attorneys and fight the state in civil court. Smaller businesses would lose an avenue for representation.
The concern of both large and small businesses is whether the Franchise Tax Board and BOE become more aggressive in proposing adjustments on positions taken on tax returns. Will a permanent civil servant be as open and sympathetic in reviewing a taxpayers position? While I can understand the concerns, having been the Taxpayers' Rights Advocate for the FTB (a civil servant) I continuously fought for taxpayers rights and objectively reviewed taxpayers arguments on issues. I believe there are civil servants capable of doing the job. However, the selection process for judges to fill these positions should be strictly monitored. Also, replacing a civil servant for poor/questionable performance should not take an act of God.
For more check out this link:


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In 2019, the Washington State Legislature passed a bill that removes the personal/philosophical exemption to the MMR vaccine requirement for schools and child cares. The new law removes the personal...Continue Reading
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These webinars include information for healthcare providers on HPV vaccination. Details and registration are available below. Getting Parents to "Yes!"…
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There Never Was an Age of Reason: Vaccines, Vaccine Hesitancy and Vaccine Decision Making This e-course offers continuing education credits,…
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Pertussis is a serious disease for young infants. Pertussis epidemics occur in the United States every three to five years….


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Fizzle Podcast | Video Intro Maker Illustration
Here is our illustration of this awesome podcast!
> From "Could 1 Small Tweak Change Everything in Your Business?"
Fizzle Podcast | Could 1 Small Tweak Change Everything in Your Business? If you want a growing business, you're going to need to know how to make little tweaks over time.
This video was created from a Fizzle podcast which holds the copyrights of the audio content of this video.
Love this video illustration? Head to our main page and get your own illustration or explainer video in only a week!


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Fancy chalkboards at weddings are a major trend right now.
But writing perfectly on a chalkboard doesn't always come easily.
So I tried a number of the tips recommended on Pinterest and found the easiest way to do it.
First, print out whatever words or design you want on your chalkboard.
Then turn the paper over and rub the area where the text is with a graphite stick.
Tape the paper, graphite side down, to your chalkboard and trace over the outline of the text/design with a pencil.
When you remove the paper, your design will be visible on the chalkboard.
Using a chalkboard marker, trace and fill in the design.
Here's how it turned out:
Nailed it!
Watch the full video here:
Here's A Simple Way To Save Your Wedding Cards


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Sagework Guitar Support Review
The Atlas guitar support
Hi fellow guitarists. In this article I'm going to give you my thoughts about the guitar support that is often regarded as the best guitar support currently available to guitarists today. I have listed below the salient features along with the pros and cons of this highly desirable support. Finally, I'll discuss my personal experiences with the support and provide links to two videos -
- Video One - Complete review
- Video Two - Installation guide
- Solid Rosewood + Reinforced Nylon materials
- Beautifully presented in a high quality box
- Cork pads protect the finish of the guitar
- Small & light for ease of use
- Comfortable & Practical
- 5 adjustable points
- Extremely high quality materials (Solid wood + Reinforced nylon)
- Grips the guitar firmly with little to no chance of slipping
- Fits inside your guitar case with ease
- Detailed installation booklet
- Compact and lightweight
- Highly adjustable
- Installation is more complicated than other guitar supports
- Adjustable points can be a tad overwhelming
- More expensive than other supports
My conclusions:
I have to say that after having installed this I will never go back to using a foot stool. I look at this as the nemesis to the foot stool. Here are my reasons:
- Practical. Just leave it attached to your guitar!
- Comfortable. The curved thigh mount feels great
- Adjustable. So many options allow you to seat the guitar in the perfect position
- Compact. This support packs up into a tiny space allowing you to stow it conveniently in your guitar case
- Posture. I love having both of my feet flat on the ground. This feels far more natural and stable.
Here's my video review of the Sagework 'Atlas' guitar support:
Watch my installation video for the Atlas/Umbra guitar supports below.
For performers I feel this is the way to go. When you walk out on stage with your foot stool or even if you've set up your foot stool in advance it just looks clumsy. Very rarely will it ever be set in the right place and bending over to place it in front of your chair is never flattering. With this support you can just attach it before you walk out on stage! As soon as you sit down you're ready to go and that for me is a beautiful thing.
Pricing - don't let the cost of the support put you off. So what if it's a bit more expensive than other guitar supports on the market?! Given the fact that it will probably last as long as the guitar you're playing it's a small investment to make for years of comfort and control.
If you want a support like this head to the Sagework website and buy one!
Let your fingers fly!


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The average Briton can expect to become debt-free at the age of 69 – 12 years later than they hope to – a report has found.
People typically expect to be clear of their debts – including mortgages – by the time they are 57, according to the report compiled by economics consultancy the Centre for Economics and Business Research (Cebr).
But in reality, they are likely to have hit their 69th birthday before they have paid off all their loans, according to the research – which compared people's expectations in a survey of more than 2,000 people with Office for National Statistics (ONS) data covering actual debts held by households.
People reaching adulthood now are likely to have an even longer wait to reach their "debt-free birthday", the research, commissioned by peer-to-peer lender Zopa found.
Someone aged between 16 and 24 years old now could be aged 74 by the time they can celebrate becoming debt-free, the report found – as rising property prices lead to bigger mortgage debts.
And someone aged between 25 and 34 years old now could be aged 71 by the time they are free of home loans and other debts.
Regionally, there were also large variations in when Cebr projects that people with a mortgage will have cleared their home loans and other debts.
A home owner in the North East of England could become debt free aged 57, as people there tend to buy homes earlier in life, pay cheaper property prices, and take on less debt.
Home owners in Wales can expect to be debt-free by the age of 56, while those in Scotland can expect to clear what they owe by 58 years old.
But households in London will not celebrate their debt-free birthday until around 20 years later – at the age of 77 – the report found.
Although people in London tend to have bigger incomes, they also typically take on bigger debts and get on the property ladder later in life.
Even when mortgages are not taken into account, people are still generally over-optimistic about when they will be able to clear other types of debt, such as personal loans, credit cards, store cards and car purchase agreements, the report found.
The consumer research found that on average, people expect to be aged 50 years old by the time they have paid these debts off.
But the report found that actually people are more likely to be aged 64 when they have cleared these non-mortgage debts – 14 years later than they expect.
Despite having the most non-mortgage debt typically and owing £14,200 per household on average, the report found that 18 to 24 year olds are the most optimistic – expecting to be aged 38 typically when they have paid off their non-mortgage loans.
But in reality, people in this age group are unlikely to be free of non-mortgage debt until the age of 66. Student loans are the biggest single contributor to non-mortgage debts for this age group, the report said.
Giles Andrews, executive chairman and co-founder of Zopa, said: "There are lots of explanations for why people are overly-optimistic about the time it will take them to pay off their debt.
"One is that younger generations are guided by the experiences of older ones as people used to become debt free earlier in life, as they owed less."
When mortgages are taken into account, households containing people aged 35 to 44 years old tend to be the most indebted, the report found, owing £87,800 typically.
This is because of the high level of borrowing against property for this age group, the report said. As the average first-time buyer is around 31 years old, many households in the 35 to 44 age bracket still have big mortgage loans to pay off.


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Often we look at some room in the house and think "Dude, it looks like something is missing," is not it? Usually lacking touches of decoration and a simple and practical furniture that helps a lot in these final touches is the gold sideboard, yes, that small table high and narrow to the corner. Today we will teach you how to decorate a space with a dresser and how to decorate it the best way. And you already know which style of dresser you want to have? Check below for the best for your home and some inspirations. What to put on a dresser?
It depends on where it is, but basically, you will put the dresser everything you like! Thus, the function of a dresser is to reflect your personality through decorating items. They can be plants, books, magazines, photographs, watches, sculptures, and miniatures, anything of your own. Just not worth stuffing and leaving what was to be decorative, messy. "Less is more!". The essential thing is that everything matches the decoration of the house, especially the room you are in, that everything is always organized, respecting the space of the dresser, and that everything has to do with you. Where to use a gold sideboard?
12 Photos Gallery of: How To Decorate Gold Sideboard The Best Way
Sideboards can be used for decoration anywhere in the house: living room, dining room, kitchen, entrance hall, bedrooms, etc. The ideal is that it is always organized and in tune with the decoration of the space. And more: there are more functional models with drawers and small doors down, turning into a kind of small cabinet; becoming a type of decorative furniture that can also be functional, adding usefulness in the space in which it is inserted. A gold sideboard with retro decor aims to bring lots of energy, color, good vibes and space fun (with the exception of the retro minimalist).


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Hide Forgot
Description of problem:
If, while suspended, my laptop does not properly "unsuspend" (say the battery
died) and I do a fresh power-on, the pm-utils lockfile is not removed from
/var/run/pm-utils/locks and subsequent attempts to suspend silently exit.
Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable):
How reproducible:
Steps to Reproduce:
1. Put machine to sleep
2. Kill the power and boot from cold
3. Attempt to put machine to sleep again
Actual results:
pm-suspend exits without any warning. The lockfile never gets removed and
nothing ever warns me that the lockfile is still there
Expected results:
I should get notified that my attempt to suspend has failed (with a "stale lock
detected" warning) or something should detect and remove stale lockfiles.
Additional info:
Maybe an initscript could detect stale locks during a cold boot and delete them.
Or storing a PID or somesuch in the lockfile and doing a comparison in order to
detect a stale lock. Anything that's better than pm-suspend just exiting with a
1 no matter what you try (even "pm-suspend --help" silently exits) while the
lockfile is there.
Which version of initscripts are you using? This should be fixed in
initscripts-8.70-1 (see bug #442178)
initscripts-8.70-1 does fix the issue.
I had been travelling and hadn't been getting updates for the past couple of
days and only just caught up with updates. Thanks!


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Holidays in Nyika National Park, Malawi - True Luxury Travel
The True Luxury Experience
True Expert Advice
Every member of our team has lived, worked or travelled extensively throughout our destinations.
True Personal Service
We approach every holiday as if it was our own, ensuring you experience a most personal service at every step.
True Transparent Price
Our founding promise is to create unforgettable holiday experiences at truly transparent prices.
About Nyika National Park
Nyika Plateau is a beautiful, montane, highland area, lying on the Malawian border, at the eastern-most tip of Zambia. The park is actually an extension of the National Park on the Malawian side, which incorporates the rest of the Plateau.
Sitting 2000 meters above sea level, the views from the Plateau are spectacular with dramatic cloud formations on the horizon. This is surely one of the most beautiful places in Africa.
True Luxury Lodges in Nyika National Park
Chelinda Lodge
- Idyllic escape in the highland wilderness of Malawi
- One of the log cabins is larger, offering ideal accommodation to families
- This is the only big game Afromontaene area in south-central Africa
Independent Guest Reviews
Make an enquiry
Enquire Now
Contact us for your truly bespoke itinerary
What happens next?
- 1
- One of our experts will reply to you within 12 hours.
- 2
- We will customise your requirements with the help of our true expert knowledge.
- 3
- We will create the best experience possible at a truly transparent price.


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Spring EventsSponsor an Event
In the Spring we host some amazing events for the children and their families. We always have a few shows at the Tilles Center in March and April. We also do a private movie screening at one of the local movie theatres where we provide drinks and popcorn for the goods in a safe environment.
Tilles Center's Free Family Fun Series
Penelope's Odyssey and Tilles Center for the Performing Arts work together to support children and their families impacted by pediatric illnesses. This collaboration helps foster family fun and builds childhood memories in a safe environment closed to the general public.
As an extension of Tilles Center's Family Fun series, we will be offering several shows throughout the year for children and their families impacted by pediatric illnesses. All performances are closed to the general public, and are free of charge.
New York Philarmonic in Very Young People's Concerts on Sunday, March 29 at 5pm
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley on Friday May 1 at 5pm
Rapunzel on Saturday May 16 at 5pm.


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HP L26500/L28500 L260/L280 Latex Ink
Our compatible cartridge to replace the HP792 is formulated to deliver the highest performance with even greater image quality, highly accurate color reproduction & superior print longevity, Image Inks Latex ink is manufactured to the highest standards specifically for Hewlett Packard's DesignJet L26500/28500 L260/L280 printers. The water based formulation is practically odorless and environmentally friendly while the use of our proprietary pigment dispersion gives this inks an exceptional print durability in both indoor and outdoor applications. This ultra premium pigment based ink also provides exceptional durability & media compatibility. The HP792 is a dead on match of the original & since it's so incredibly close to the original there's no need to change the color profile or flush the lines, It's Plug & Print just like the original. Image Inks ultra premium ink is Made in the USA for outstanding quality and performance you can count on. 775ml cartridge.
- Formerly the HP L26500/ HP L28500 Inks
- 775 mL cartridges for the HP Latex L260 and L280
- Latex ink technology
- Available in 6 colors: Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Light Cyan, Light Magenta
- OEM Quality & Performance
- Mix & Match Specifically manufactured to match the properties of OEM inks
- No Flushing Required There's no need to flush the ink lines, just replace cartridges as needed
- Color that Matches OEM Profiles No need to spend time creating new profiles
- 100% compatibility with printer components
- Will not cause clogging or misfiring
- Prints are completely cured and dry inside the printer and ready for finishing
- Environmentally friendly ink for healthier printing
- Excellent adhesion and compatibility for a wide range of coated and uncoated substrates
- Durable output ideal for outdoor applications
- Wide color gamut & clean intense colors Also available in Green and Orange
- Smooth tonal gradations
- Smudge, Scratch and Water resistant
- Plug & Print
Our inks boast Plug & Print compatibility, allowing you to mix and match inks without the need to flush the lines or change the color profile, just like the original.
Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black, Light Cyan, Light Magenta
There are no reviews yet.


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Chances are high that you've bought something on Amazon before. Or maybe you've even sold an item or two on the online shopping giant. But have you ever tried the Amazon trade-in program?
If you're like us and you didn't even know the Amazon trade-in program existed until now, you may be missing out on a great money-saving opportunity the next time you shop on the site. Yes, really.
As Brandt Ranj reveals in a Business Insider piece, Amazon has a pretty "robust" trade in program that allows you to trade in your unneeded or unwanted products for store credit. That's right: The items that may be collecting dust in your home could potentially be your ticket to spending less on something you actually do want or need. And it's pretty easy to do, too!
Amazon trade-in program
According to Ranj, all you have to do is go to the product page that sells the item you want to get rid of and see if it's eligible for the trade-in. If it is, you'll see a "trade in" button on the right hand side of the page. The number shown there is highest trade-in value possible that you could get if you decide to try trading in your item.
But like most trade-ins, the credit you'll get for this item depends greatly on its condition. And if it happens to be an electronic item, this will also depend on whether you have the product's accessories (like wires and chargers) available to trade in as well.
Next, you ship the item in for consideration, either for free through a prepaid UPS shipping label or through the shipping carrier of your choice that you pay for.
"After sending in your trade-in, you should expect to wait a week or so before they receive and inspect your product and send you credit," Ranj wrote. "I'm in the process of an Amazon trade-in right now, and the process took me all of two minutes to complete."
Too easy! We know what we're checking before we make our next purchase on Amazon.
h/t Business Insider
More from Woman's World
Looking to Make Some Extra Cash? Get Paid to Shop Online
Here's How to Get Cash Back for Your Walmart and Target Receipts
If You Saved Your Old Cell Phones, a Lot of Money Could Come Your Way


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Decorative Living Room Ideas
Published on 2013-08-28 12:14:38. by
The decorative things are the recommended things to be put in the room in a house. You have to be great to create the great design of the room. There are a lot of decoration you can use for your rooms in the house. Every room should be well designed. You can choose the design of the room based on the room itself. What room it is? Let's say it is living room. You design the living room in your house. You have to determine what the living room needs.
When people go to the living room, they want to get some entertainment and be relaxed, so you have to create the entertaining and relaxing living room. The feelings should also be a consideration of the style and the decoration of the living room. If you do not have ideas about your living room design, you can get the inspiration of the living rooms from some sources.
You can ask your friends about the right thing to have in the living room, you can choose the decorative things for your living room. You will have the decorative living room in a house. You can get the decorative living room ideas for your house. The decorative living room ideas will make your living room to be the comfortable place to stay and get relaxed. There are many decorative living room ideas you can choose for your living room. You can choose the ideas that is most suitable for your house. You can choose the ideas that are the most decorative. So, in the living room you will feel good when you are enjoying the entertainment and when you are being relaxed. Get some more inspiration and references of the ideas for your living room. Make your living room more alive, that's the point.


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NWT ~~ Handmade "Luck of the Irish" Heart Shaped Pin, Retail $12
$3.00 by Goal in NAPERVILLE, 6 days ago
Ya Yas by Mary heart shaped pin says "Luck of the Irish". Heart is 1.5 x 1.5 inches.Sold at Von Maur and retailed for $12.
Posted in: Jewelry.
Find out how close you are to this item!


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The Petition
This petition is on behalf of the HSCT Technobots, who are the robotics team for the High School of Computers and Technology. We and our mentors are working towards the goal of implementing robotics programs into all schools in the city and if possible, the United States. We are not able to come up with the funds on our own so we are putting out there a petition to be signed by you the senators so that we can see all schools with robotics programs. We appreciate your support and your signatures for our cause.
Outreach Group
Many of the reasons that we want robotics programs in many schools and hopefully the United States is because like us it will encourage many other to begin a journey to achieve in school by cooperating with the teachers that will work with if they ever do go to a robotics program. Many others benefit from learning more than they should but nonetheless they will be able to learn engineering. That is also the FIRST Robotics® chairman wish that all schools start implementing more Math and Science so that more kids would be interested in Engineering.
Outreach Group


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How we are different
We are committed to excellence in understanding your needs and delivering the right solution at the right price.
Honesty and integrity are key to how we interact with customers, suppliers and staff.
Our commitment to delivery is underpinned by a set of values which govern how we think and act. It is these, along with a clear vision for growth, that set us apart.
Looking beyond the 'quick sale' and basing our customer relationship as partners for the future.


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NEW YORK (CBS.MW) -- The Nasdaq took another hit Tuesday, pressured by the tech and biotech sectors, which were dragged down by significant losses in shares of Motorola and Biogen following their earnings releases.
"We'll probably test the lows of last week on the Nasdaq," opined Peter Cardillo, chief strategist and director of research at Westfalia Investments. But this week's selling, he said, is occurring in an orderly fashion compared to last week.
Over the next few weeks, the market will continue to separate the winners from the losers and scrutinize quarterly results.
"What counts isn't necessarily earnings but revenue growth and what management has to say about the future. You'll see more victims if there's talk of lower profit margins," Cardillo added, referring to Tuesday's news from Motorola. "It's a wake-up call for many in the market."
"Motorola made the market nervous, but companies that come up with good revenue growth and earnings are going to be rewarded," said Jon Burnham, president of Burnham Securities.
In the broad market, paper, , utility, airline and stocks rose while and gold stocks backpedaled.
The Dow Industrials DJIA, +0.17% put on 100.52 points, or 0.9 percent, to 11,287.08, propelled by gains in its "old-economy" names such as Coca-Cola, Honeywell, Alcoa and McDonald's. The Dow is still off 1.8 percent for the year.
The divergence continues to favor the Dow as investors look for a safe-haven place to park their money, Cardillo said. He believes the blue-chip barometer can reach new highs in the short term. The Dow's last record close was on Jan. 14, when the index ended at 11,722.98.
The Nasdaq Composite $compq tumbled 132.30 points, or 3.2 percent, to 4,055.90 after falling as much as 179 points in morning dealings. The Nasdaq is down 0.3 percent for the year but has climbed 406 points from its low of 3,649 last Tuesday.
"Much of the selling activity will likely become more earnings and group-specific [going forward]," said Brian Belski, chief investment strategist at George K. Baum.
He believes the big-cap tech stocks have a better chance of outperforming the small- and mid-cap techs over the next months due to their stronger near-term fundamental readings.
Many segments of the market were priced for perfection and investors are punishing any minor disappointment -- on the earnings front and otherwise -- with steep selling, said Bill Schneider, head of block trading at Warburg Dillon Read.
The Standard & Poor's 500 Index SPX, +0.28% lost 0.3 percent while the Russell 2000 Index RUT, +0.13% of small-capitalization stocks fell 1.6 percent.
Volume came in at 971 million on the NYSE and at 1.67 billion on the Nasdaq Stock Market. Winners outpaced losers by 15 to 14 on the Big Board while decliners clobbered advancers by 30 to 12 on the Nasdaq.
A drop in shares of Motorola mot, off 27, or 17.9 percent, to 124, put a damper on the tech sector Tuesday. The company mot warned Tuesday that its wireless phone business is likely to face pressure on profit margins for the rest of the year due to a shift away from more expensive wireless phones to cheaper models as well as shortages of key components. Motorola thus expects to earn 67 cents in the second quarter and $3.14 for the year compared to the First Call estimate of 70 cents and $3.18, respectively.
J.P. Morgan downgraded Motorola to a "long-term buy" rating from a "buy" on slower-than-expected expansion in operating margins in the personal communications systems sector. And First Union Securities reiterated its "buy" rating on Motorola and upped its price target to $209 from $159, saying the company's results were solid with the only concern stemming from European handset margins. See Rating Revisions.
Late Monday, meanwhile, Motorola registered a profit from operations of 59 cents a share, a penny ahead of the First Call estimate. Merrill's Broadband Holdrs bdh, which include Motorola, fell 6.7 percent.
Losses in Biogen, off 12, or 18.5 percent, to 53, pressured the biotech arena. After the close Monday, the company bgen posted a first-quarter profit from operations of 41 cents per share compared to the First Call estimate of 43 cents a share. See full story. Biogen was downgraded to an "attractive" from a "buy" rating by PaineWebber and to an "outperform" from "buy" by ABN Amro. USB Piper Jaffray lowered its price target to $84 from $69 and reiterated its "neutral" rating on the stock.
Merrill Lynch's Biotech Holdrs BBH, +0.44% fell 5.3 percent with the largest losses seen in Millennium Pharmaceutical mlnm, off 15 1/2 to 134 5/16, and Celera Genomics ", down 11 1/8 to 88 7/8.
Meanwhile, B2B companies remained under pressure, with Merrill's B2B Holdrs bhh losing 8.0 percent, led by SciQuest, off 3 5/8 to 20 1/16, and PurchasePro, off 4 1/2 to 43 1/2.
In specific issues, Abbott Laboratories ABT, +0.91% saw its shares rise 1 to 38 1/16. The company posted first-quarter earnings of 44 cents per share, in line with the First Call estimate.
Separately, TAP Pharmaceutical Products -- a joint venture between Abbott Laboratories and Japan's Takeda Chemical Industries -- said an FDA subcommittee recommended approval of Uprima for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Pfizer PFE, +0.93%, maker of the impotence drug Viagra, ended flat at 39 13/16.
Shares of ViroPharma vphm tumbled 48 1/2, or 67.6 percent, to 23 1/4 after the company reported results from three late-stage trials of its drug Pleconaril that didn't meet statistically significant primary endpoints. See full story. The company received downgrades from Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, J.P. Morgan and USB Piper Jaffray.
Shares of Dow-component International Paper IP, +1.24% added 9/16 to 43 11/16. The company registered a profit from operations of 60 cents per share, 2 cents ahead of the First Call estimate. See full story and view Earnings Surprises.
The added 2.3 percent.
Shares of Sears S, +0.63% added 2 15/16 to 40 7/8. Banc of America raised its 12-month price target to $51 from $44 and reiterated its "strong buy" rating.
Nike NKE, -3.43% rose 2 1/8 to 45 1/8. Banc of America raised its 6- to 12-month price target to $51 from $46 and set a $57 12- to 18- month price target. The brokerage also reiterated its "strong buy" recommendation.
See After Hours for post-market trading activity.
In the Treasury market, prices fell sharply, erasing earlier safe-haven, Nasdaq-driven gains. Speculation that a large fund was unloading government paper to scoop up cheap agency bonds sparked a swift turnaround.
The 10-year Treasury note fell 26/32 to yield $TNX 5.88 percent while the 30-year bond tumbled 1 20/32 to yield $tyx 5.78 percent. See Bond Report.
Regional market coverage Currency rates Intl' Indexes
There are no economic numbers set for release on Tuesday. A string of market-moving data will be unveiled later in the week. Wednesday will see the release of the import and export price indexes. In the meantime, Fed Chair Alan Greenspan's speech at the National Skills Summit at Howard University didn't mention monetary policy. View and .
In currency markets, dollar/yen was recently trading at 106.97, up 0.5 percent from the previous close, while euro/dollar slipped 0.3 percent to 0.9589. In the commodity arena, May crude added 29 cents to $24.14 while the Bridge CRB index edged down 0.31 to 208.29. See full story and view latest commodity prices.


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Marketing Clinic acquires Motion Consulting, a renowned consultancy in the Swedish market, focused on fast-transferring shopper items and retail industries. With the person profile information accessible, substance ought to be made appealing as in logos, subtitles, on-line journals, and so forth which ought to combine their advantage. In case you are interested by using latest digital innovations and work with fashionable technological smartphones, then it's best to opt for a career in marketing.
Our graduates usually take up roles as diversified as marketing supervisor, promoting director, brand manager, communications coordinator and marketing data analyst. It includes a agency basically basing its marketing plans across the marketing idea, and thus supplying products to go well with new shopper tastes.
Our Grasp's programmes are designed to arrange you for a profitable career, wherever in the world you propose to work. As acknowledged beforehand, the senior management of a firm would formulate a common business technique for a agency. In this article, my goal is to not present you how you can create essentially the most comprehensive content strategy document that's ever existed, or one used to market a Fortune 500 company.
The Marketing and Media Institute (MMI) college has been involved in English training for greater than 20 years. Businesses can use it for marketing of products in addition to companies and acquire shoppers. From a product's putting on the map, a agency would tailor its marketing communications to suit meld with the product's perception among consumers.
Promotion and advertising is a really advanced marketing idea, however must be considered for any kind of business and its products and services. Rutgers Enterprise School students graduate from the marketing program with a robust enterprise foundation and are effectively ready to enter the job market.


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COTTESLOE councillors agreed on the draft deed of agreement with seniors care and support provider Shine at April's meeting.
The deed outlines the role and funding for Shine, which is co-supported by the councils of Cottesloe, Claremont and Mosman Park and Shire of Peppermint Grove.
The current agreement with the councils ends on June 30, before which the remaining councils will also consider the draft.
Cottesloe's share of Shine funding was $78,445 in 2016-17 but the service has yet to request its funding for 2017-18, which will be decided in pending budget discussions at each council.
MORE: Netball charity tournament raises thousands for type 1 diabetes centre
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MORE: Surf Life Saving WA calls for shark sighting verification


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Fressen Restaurant 478 Queen St. W. Toronto
We started with cocktail style juices. My husband had apple ginger juice - the ginger had a real kick, so it was an awesome sipper. I had pineapple, strawberry lemonade. The pineapple made it really sweet, so it wasn't tart enough to be lemonade to me... however it was a delicious drink in its own right if you took away the expectation of lemonade.
I loved the concept at this place. Each item on the menu was $9. The waitress (who was the nicest of the lot) recommended that we order 5 plates for two people. It was so hot and humid yesterday that we decided to order 4 with the intention of ordering one more if we were still hungry. Each dish was served on a giant white plate with a beautifully presented tower of food. From where we were sitting at the bar we could see the chef labouring over each plate that left the kitchen until it was perfect. We had asparagus on a bed of quinoa with a sauce that I don't remember. We had a shitake mushroom and spinach mix in phillo. I had my first good experience with tempeh!! Woo hoo! That plate as an adorable tempeh fish and chips - the chips were sweet potatoe the size of those hickory sticks, but longer - yummo! We also had squash raviolo in a tomatoe sauce that was so fresh it tasted like they got the tomatoe plants straight off the vine that afternoon. We skipped dessert. They only had one on offer and it really didn't appeal. I had read a review that main courses were better than desserts so we decided to fill up there. It would have been nice if they had done something with fresh fruit thought.
Anyway, this is my new favourite veggie restaurant in Toronto. It is definitely worth the price of a babysitter... so we will definitely be having romantic nights out there in the future - but, we will call ahead for reservations.
I will link you to some of the reviews of the restaurant.
Now's Review
By the way I think it is heads and tails above Live (but I don't really like raw food) and I love Cafe 668 - the food is outstanding there... but Fressen is different, a great place for a nice night out if you want to get dressed up and make it really special.
Yummy Baguette
Martini Boys
Anyway, I highly recommend it. It was totally awesome.
The whole night was awesome. Just strolling Queen St. W. before and after dinner was so fun. I got a pair of really cool sunglasses from a street vendor and I could have spent my entire life's savings on hand made jewellry offered by another street vendor. After dinner we went to hear a friend of ours play in his band at the Bier Markt in the distillery district in Toronto. It was a total blast! We danced the night away with all the other 30 and 40 somethings in Toronto. This place had over 100 beers on tap. My husband and I broke our usual sobriety and enjoyed a sampling of beers from around the world. (I have a total weakness for beer - I think there should be beer tasting, the same way there is wine tasting) The best beer of the night was one from Kenya (where my husband was born) with a really cute elephant on the front. We tried to bring the beer bottle home, but the waitress cleared it while we were dancing. I can't remember the name of our friend's band right now, but I will ask him and post to their web site too. It was so cool because the band took pictures all night long with a digital camera of them and the crowd. It was like we were their best friends and they were partying with us. Apparently they post the pictures on their website so I will link to them when they are up. I love Toronto, there is so much fun to be had!


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If you're looking for a financial planner in San Francisco, CA, Marin Wealth Advisors LLC SF is the only name you can rely on. We take great pride in our financial services. When it comes to a financial consultant, no one can approach our level of dedication. You can trust us to handle your finances.
As a wealth manager, our work is unrivaled and we always live up to your expectations because we hold ourselves to a higher standard and never settle for less. We'll maintain a growth trajectory for your portfolio. As your wealth advisor, we know you'll be more than pleased with the results.
Our skills are unmatched and you always get value for the price. We offer great stock compensation advice because you deserve nothing less. Let us know what you need and if you have any questions about your solo defined benefit plan, don't hesitate to ask. Get in touch with Marin Wealth Advisors LLC SF today.
Marin Wealth Advisors LLC SF © All Rights Reserved.


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Fibre Cotton Thicken Flowers Flat Sheet
Fibre Cotton Thicken Flat Sheet
New Better & Improved Version - An authentic King Size Fitted Sheet 400 Thread Count weave delivers the durability of Bed Sheets.
Made of 100% Natural Cotton ,Use it indoors as a cover for your bed, carpet, couch or anywhere you need to protect against liquid spills and messy wetness. Great for people and pets - seniors, babies, dogs and cats.
- Recommended population
- Baby bedwettingMenstrual period
- Postpartum care
- Elderly care
- Mattress moldy
- Pet damage
- Fully active printed Natural Cotton fabric
Plant printing does not lose color
- Repeated washing, no fading, no deformation
Product Description:
This type of Flat Sheets are soft blankets with a Natural Cotton internal membrane, designed to fullyprotect your furniture and bedding while looking great in your home. Whether you have pets on your bed, spill-prone kids on your sofa, or a family member with occasional incontinence, this blanket is a lifesaver.
1. Due to manual measurement, the product will have 1-5cm error.
2. Due to different shooting conditions, the product will have a slight color difference.
- 30 Day Money Back Guarantee, ZERO risk in buying something and trying it out
- Tracking number for every order
- 24/7/365 Ticket and Email Support. Please contact us if you need assistance.
- Safe payments via Stripe® and/or Paypal
- We use encrypted SSL security for 100% protection
Click the "Add to Cart" button now!
Limited Quantity - Will sell out fast!
We Also Recommend
Waterproof Breathable Irregular Pattern Flat Sheet
Sale price $34.99 $34.99
Regular price


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A broken car key can be a rare occurrence, but when it does happen this can be at a great inconvenience to you. It's often at a time where you need to be somewhere or when you just don't have the time. Often there are signs of wear and tear and like most of us, many leave it until it's too late and the key has either worn out so much it isn't working or it has snapped into two pieces. It's not always the key that has the wear and tear either, at times it can the the ignition or door barrel which has worn away leaving the key unable to enter or stuck inside.
Below are some Frequently asked questions.
Why has my key worn out and what can I do?
The answer to this is pretty simple, with more and more use and how we store our keys over time the cut of the key and grooves can soften and wear down altering the structure of the key. Eventually this will cause many people some frustration and use force to try and get the key to work better. Often this causes bent keys, and snaps in the key. There isn't much you can do about wear and tear of your keys, however by having two or three keys and alternating their use will reduce wear and tear on a specific key. Contact Cheshire Auto Locksmiths for a quote to receive a replacement key.
I've snapped my car key, what should I do?
When keys do not work as well as they used to this can cause us to use a little more force than often necessary which can lead to a snapped key. Unfortunately there is nothing you can do to repair the key.
Cheshire Auto Locksmiths are able to bring our mobile locksmith vehicles to you and cut a new key from the remaining fragment of the key. We are then able to remove the other fragment from inside the lock. If your car key has a transponder chip we'll then take the transponder from the old unit and place it into your new key if there has been no damage to it.
I've got my car keys stuck in the ignition or car door. Help!
As mentioned previously it can be quite easy for a key to get stuck in a car door or ignition. This isn't necessarily due to a problem with the key, often it can be due to a faulty lock or barrel, these too can have wear and tear and sometimes this causes the key to get stuck.
In the event of this occurring don't use force to try and get the keys out. You could cause further damage which would be more costly to repair.
Call Us, Cheshire Auto Locksmiths and a member of our trained and experienced staff will drive to your location with their mobile auto locksmith vehicle to remove the keys and get you back on the road to take or continue your journey.


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Like so many other mom's, my love for photography grew out of the desire to capture the fleeting moments of my boy's childhoods. I believe life is beautiful even when it's messy (sometimes, ESPECIALLY when it's messy) and documenting it is meaningful! Nothing makes me happier than to walk away from a session not only with photos I'm confident my clients will love, but also knowing everyone had fun! Yes, you can have fun at a photoshoot! I'm happy to share that many families have texted me afterwards to say; "Thank you, we all had such a good time!"
Session fee is non-refundable and required to reserve your spot. The session fee covers my time and talent ONLY and does not include digital files, prints or products. Session fee is NON-REFUNDABLE and REQUIRED to reserve your spot. A cancellation means a lost opportunity for me to work with other clients who value photography as a way of capturing what's most dear to them. Should you need to reschedule due to illness or an emergency that's completely understandable and we will find another date that works for both our schedules.
Remainder of payment is due day of your session in the form of either cash, check or a Venmo payment. Please make checks payable to Patty Connelly Photography. Venmo username is @Patty-Connelly.
Sessions take place at your home or at an agreed upon location. With a Family Session you will receive both posed and lifestyle images of your immediate family with up to three children, each additional child is an additional $50.
1 hour session
25+ hand-edited, high-resolution digital files to print and share as you like.
1 fine-art (8x10/12) print
These mini sessions take place at your home or at an agreed upon location! Mini sessions include posed images only. A good fit if you are looking for that perfect holiday card shot. *Immediate family only.
30 minute session
6 hand-edited, high resolution digital files. Additional files available for purchase.
1 fine-art custom (5x7) print
Due to the individual needs of Extended Family Sessions prices vary. Please fill out the contact form below and I will call you to discuss details.
Sessions take place within the first 48 hours of your newborn's birth. Either in the hospital or at home. Just parents, siblings and newborns please - it gets crowded in hospital rooms. ;-) My goal is to document those beautiful first days being a new parent and to preserve the tiniest details of your newborn's first hours.
1 hour session
25+ hand-edited, high resolution digital files for you to print and share as you like.
1 fine-art custom (8x10 or 8x12) print
When booked with a newborn session, you will receive 20% off the Fresh 48 pricing.
I take a Lifestyle approach to photographing newborns. Your newborn can be sleeping, nursing or wide awake. I want to capture the first precious few weeks when you bring your baby home. Happy to include siblings, mom and dad and the dog, if you have one. Newborn sessions take place in-home and at your baby's pace.
Session paced for newborn's schedule (no time limit)
25+ hand-edited, high resolution digital files for you to print and share as you like
1 fine-art custom (8x10 or 8x12) print
We will capture your high school senior with images as unique as your child.
45 minute session
20 hand-edited, high-resolution digital files for you to print and share as you like
1 fine-art custom (8x10 or 8x12) print.
Happy to photograph anything from your child's 1st birthday party to grandpa's 85th! These sessions are photographed documentary style and DO NOT INCLUDE TRADITIONAL PORTRAITS (traditional portraits are available for an additional fee). For baptisms, communions, and second weddings, please contact me for pricing. (Includes hand-edited, high-resolution digital files carefully chosen by me).
*Session fee is applied to first hour.
If you'd like to book a session, please fill out the form below and I will send you information on pricing and availability. I hope we get the chance to meet soon!


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Earth's Oceans Flip Chart Set
Do you need a visual aid in the classroom to help teach about oceans? Try the Earth's Oceans Flip Chart Set. Each Curriculum Mastery Flip Chart is mounted on a sturdy easel and features:
• 10 Double-sided, laminated 12" x 18" charts
– Side 1 features a colorful, graphic overview of the topic
– Side 2 serves as a "write-on/wipe-off" activity chart featuring questions, labeling exercises, vocabulary review & more!
• Activity Guide featuring black-line copy-masters & exercises
The Ocean Set Includes the following 10 charts:
1. Ocean Zones
2. Tidal Zones
3. Coastal Wetlands
4. Coral Reefs
5. The Everglades
6. Ocean Mammals
7. Sharks!
8. Ocean Invertebrates
9. Ocean Birds
10. Ocean Ecology
When you research information you must cite the reference. Citing for websites is different from citing from books, magazines and periodicals. The style of citing shown here is from the MLA Style Citations (Modern Language Association).
When citing a WEBSITE the general format is as follows.
Author Last Name, First Name(s). "Title: Subtitle of Part of Web Page, if appropriate." Title: Subtitle: Section of Page if appropriate. Sponsoring/Publishing Agency, If Given. Additional significant descriptive information. Date of Electronic Publication or other Date, such as Last Updated. Day Month Year of access < URL >.
Amsel, Sheri. "Sharks - Multiple Choice" Exploring Nature Educational Resource ©2005-2019. October 16, 2019
< http://exploringnature.org/db/view/1444 >


text: "I would like to thank you for your tremendous efforts in selling my house and assisting me in purchasing a new home. My experience with realtors in the past has been ghastly. I've been misrepresented and given many empty promises by other agents, but Cindy has restored my faith in realtors and the business of real estate. When I decide to sell my home again, I wouldn't dare to think of any other real estate agent than Cindy Stewart."


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What's your Excuse?
Here's the latest video I published - and it's so useful, you don't want to miss it. In case you would rather read, here is the transcript, published for you below.
Let me know what was most useful for you in the comments!
Hello! I'm Jessica Hansen, I am your Systems Magician, and today I am here talking about excuses. We are going to bust through all of your excuses and I'm going to tell you exactly how to do that.
But First, I am going to give you a challenge.
How many names can you come up with for an excuse? We hear them all the time... All those things that people say - excuses - could be considered a crutch, an obstacle, a hurdle, a challenge, or any reason why you "can't" do something. That is always it.
What are you really saying? You're making an excuse. Let's get one thing clear - CAN'T and WON'T - they are not equal. OK? STOP. They are not equal. Can't means it's physically impossible. If you imagine a quadriplegic in a wheel chair, can't get up and walk across the room. OK? That is physically impossible for that person. THAT is a CAN'T.
MOST of the time, we are talking about things that we're not doing - it's because we WON'T do them. We use can't and won't interchangeably, and that's not actually correct. So can't and won't - can't = physically impossible, won't = you are making a choice. You have made a conscious choice that you don't want to do it, you're NOT going to do it. Some examples: I don't have time to ... or I don't know how to ... That's not the truth. The truth is, you're choosing not to, and you won't do it, not you can't do it. So, let's dig in a little bit deeper. What's actually behind your excuse? What do I mean? What's behind your excuse? It could be fear, it could be something that's difficult to do, it could feel like a big stretch, or work... A lot of us shy away from work we don't want to have to do it. But, the really juicy thing that could be hiding there ...you might have to own something that you really don't want to. OOOOh . juicy....
For real, think about it. Dig into it a little bit. So that's what excuses are, what they really hide as in our current vocabulary, and what's actually behind those excuses - so what are you going to do about it? You're going to own it! That'a right - OWN it. If you want to achieve your dreams, you have to do the work. There's no other way. You have to do the work. Sometimes that simply means busting through the excuse. Sometimes it means you have to dig, and then dig, and then dig, and then dig, to get through all those layers to find out where is the actual excuse. You will find it! If you dig deep enough, you will find it. And - the thing is, let's go back to this cliche phrase, "Rome wasn't built in a day." And neither was your excuse. OK? It's going to take time, it's going to take effort, and you have to put in that work. And I would challenge you to take a look the next time something's not going the way you think it should. REFLECT ON THAT. Dig into it a little bit. Where is the excuse? Where is it?! I guarantee that there's an excuse in there somewhere.
So, Now that you know what to do about your excuses, I'd love to help you on a deeper level - to get through those excuses. I'm offering right now an amazing intensive. Within two hours, of your time, you're actually going to share enough information with me to create this amazing, life-changing/business-changing Book of Business, and a super-clear strategic action plan for you, so that you can know exactly what you're doing and move forward in your business, and stop having the excuse that you don't know what to work on or that things aren't working out for you.
Because there's no question any more. So you can go to the website, it's www.thejessicahansen.com/intensive, you can find out more information about exactly what we're going to cover and how we're going to take care of that. So, apply today! You won't regret it. Have an amazing day!


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If over the holidays you decide to indulge your inner child and see the new Disney film "Frozen," keep an eye out for the times when the two female characters -- sisters Elsa and Anna -- appear on-screen together. Do they both look upset? Well, then you are truly witnessing Disney magic.
According to Lino Disalvo, head of animation for the film, female cartoon characters have always been really hard to animate. As he explained in a recent interview at Disney's studios:
Historically speaking, animating female characters are really, really difficult, 'cause they have to go through these range of emotions, but they're very, very — you have to keep them pretty and they're very sensitive to — you can get them off a model very quickly. So, having a film with two hero female characters was really tough, and having them both in the scene and look very different if they're echoing the same expression; that Elsa looking angry looks different from Anna being angry.
Erin Gloria Ryan at Jezebel found a GIF showing some recent female Disney characters' eerily similar faces. No wonder it's a struggle to make their emotions look different -- can we get a little diversity up in here?


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About Us
Conceived as MDL Computer Solutions in 1999, evolving into Galactus I.T. in 2002, and rebranding as LP & Associates in 2017 – we are celebrating our second decade in business! We are a leading provider of Information Solutions to the non-profit, government and SMB sectors. With 17 years of experience in the I.T. field, our goal is to provide our customers with exemplary service. In doing so, our customers are satisfied and we continue to grow.
All of our consultants combine extensive information systems experience, developed over many years working in complex computing environments, with knowledge gained from continuous research into information technologies.
Our core focus is on Social & Digital Technologies, Managed Services, Systems Administration, Custom Programming and our Products – LP CMS, LP BI and LP E-commerce.
Why choose us
We're the #1 Most-Independently Reviewed and Trusted I.T. Provider on BizXPro
We're Really Good at What We Do
for free consultation
free consultation


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The results show a clear indicator of the crucial role battery storage, will play in the future of the national grid
The recently published provisional capacity market auction results reveal that approximately 500 MW of battery storage projects have been awarded 15 year contracts. Over 1.4 GW of Demand Side Response projects received one year contracts.
TLT acted on a significant number of the projects that were entered into the National Grid Capacity Market auction, including many of those that were successfully awarded capacity market contracts, particularly in relation to battery storage.
TLT's Maria Connolly said, "We've been at the forefront of the battery storage market from a legal services perspective and have advised on wide range of transactions over the past 12 months. It's great to see so many of these projects having been awarded contracts in the recent Enhanced Frequency Response (EFR) tender and now in the capacity market auction as well. The results show a clear indicator of the crucial role battery storage, will play in the future of the national grid."
This result builds on the success that our clients achieved in the Enhanced Frequency Response tenders, which saw them being awarded 40% of the successful projects.
TLT's Energy & Renewables team is one of only a handful of law firms that has real experience advising on storage projects. The firm has been involved in initiatives such as the Energy Storage Alliance, co-sponsoring REGEN SW's energy storage paper as well as advising a range of clients who are developing, buying, selling and funding energy storage projects.


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Today, the Insights grid is mostly read only - there are some cells that can be clicked to take you to clients etc.
I'm proposing that we extend the Insights grid to be editable and to support bulk operations i.e. the idea of doing something across multiple rows.
I can think of many situations where this would be useful but keen to hear from others - not just if this is a good idea (in which case upvote) but also examples of situations where this would be useful.
Here's a few to get started:
Editing attributes belonging to a number of clients with a set criteria (via Insights) rather than going into individual client postcards to change attributes sounds like a much quicker way of editing practice data!
This feature idea is 100% supported by another client of ONKHO's!


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It's no secret that Procter & Gamble has struggled over the last few years (notwithstanding the most recent quarter). Revenue growth has been stagnant and below inflation. Profits have not faired any better with earnings more or less flat. This is despite years of productivity improvement programs and significant investments in advertising and promotion. The weak performance has resulted in the shares significantly underperforming the market and most peers over the last decade.
This lackluster performance has attracted activist investors, including Bill Ackman's Pershing Square (2013) and Nelson Peltz's Trian Partners (2017). Both of these firms have historically looked for companies that have unique characteristics (orphan businesses, conglomerate structures, underperforming operations, etc) where they can come in and be a catalyst for positive change.
These activist investors were attracted to P&G for their stable end markets, leading market positions, and attractive cash flow. Both Pershing Square and Trian issued presentations critiquing the company and proposing strategies for improvement, but it was Peltz who eventually got a seat on the board.
In their 94-slide long presentation on P&G, Trian Partners explicitly said they were not advocating for a break-up of the company through divestitures or spin-offs. Rather, they want P&G to improve operationally, regain market share, and reorganize the company's operating structure.
With the recent organizational change announcement, it looks like Trian is getting their wish.
Procter & Gamble's Historical Operating Structure
Traditionally, Procter and Gamble's operations were structured as a "3-way matrix". The matrix was comprised of Global Business Units (GBUs), Sales and Marketing Operations (SMOs), and Corporate & Global Business Services (GBS).
The Global Business Units are where the product categories sit (Fabric Care, Home Care, Baby Care, etc). The Sales and Marketing Operations are charged with sales and marketing responsibilities at a regional and local level. The Global Business Services consolidate corporate functions across the whole organization.
Source: Company Filings
The purpose of the matrix operating structure was to leverage P&G's vast scale and minimize redundant operating costs by leveraging functions across the entire organization. However, this structure actually created redundancies and a lack of accountability throughout the organization while increasing complexity.
While P&G tried to fix some of the issues with the matrix over the years with "End-to-End" and "Freedom in a Framework" structures, none of these initiatives appeared to make a large impact.
The Trian White Paper does a nice job summarizing the historical operating structure.
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Procter & Gamble's New Operating Structure
At Procter & Gamble's 2018 investor day, they announced a complete reorganization.
"We believe this is the most important organizational change we've made in the last 20 years. The design eliminates the 3-way matrix and moves to one axis: sector business units."
David Taylor, Chairman & CEO at PG's 2018 Investor Day
Starting July 1, 2019, P&G will operate through six Sector Business Units (SBUs) that will manage ten product categories.
- Fabric & Home Care
- Baby & Feminine Care
- Family Care & Ventures
- Beauty
- Grooming
- Health Care
Each of the SBUs will be led by a CEO with complete profit and loss responsibility and the autonomy to run the business as they see fit. This means that each SBU will have more control over their resources and be much more independent. P&G will also significantly reduce corporate resources by moving ~60% of the corporate roles down to the six business units. Decisions regarding sales, marketing, human resources, etc will now be solely made by the leaders within the SBUs.
Ultimately, this will push resources closer to consumers and increase accountability for performance (sales, profit, and cash flow).
"Importantly, the SBUs will determine the optimal level of services needed to efficiently support their businesses."
David Taylor, Chairman & CEO at PG's 2018 Investor Day
This new structure should help P&G make decisions faster and become more agile in the market without losing their scale advantages.
It appears that much of P&G's historical problems were related to accountability. With the previous operating structure, there were too many people involved in the decision-making process and no one singularly owned decisions. This new structure will decentralize the business and give the Sector Business Unit CEOs the autonomy needed to act quickly while also holding them accountable for the performance of the business.
Another interesting aspect of this reorganization is that it allows P&G to more easily manage their portfolio of businesses. Since the segments will be less integrated, P&G could acquire, sell, or spin-off businesses much more efficiently. Some of P&G's businesses are unique assets and have the characteristics of top performing spin-offs. These could be unique opportunities if the board ultimately decides that is the best way to create per share value.
Overall, this is probably the right step for the organization going forward. The consumer packaged goods industry has been structurally changed by e-commerce (unlimited shelf space) and social media (enables micro targeting of consumers by small brands). However, P&G has the resources to continually develop new products, advertise on all platforms, and get products to market across the globe and through every channel.
Change at a massive company like P&G with 92,000 employees will take time and will not happen in a linear fashion. With the shares rallying over the last few months and trading at over 20x forward earnings investors should be patient.
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- Recent Spin-Off Transactions
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Concerned about IT/business alignment? Is your IT strategy a subsection of the business strategy or a separate document? How does it relate to the core business that your company carries out? If the relationship is hard to see, how do you make sure it provides your organisation with the IT it needs?
Members of the IT department of many organisations refer to 'The Business', as if they are a separate entity and not part of the whole. I've always wondered why this is and how to correct it to ensure that IT, or 'business systems' as I prefer to call it, goes much further than aligning itself with the business and becomes an integral part of the overall business.
In CIO's 2010 State of the CIO survey, most CIOs rated 'aligning IT and business goals' as their number one priority. I may be wrong, but I can't help but think that if they are not aligned from the start, somebody must be doing something wrong. Nobody talks about finance-business alignment or marketing-business alignment, so why do organisations persist in talking about IT-business alignment as if they are two separate entities with little relationship to each other?
Many businesses seem to have separate IT strategies, which do not always directly align with the overall business strategy and which do not tend to be updated along with the changes to the strategy of the business they are working within.
So how do you get out of this cycle of alignment and into business where you belong?
Firstly, stop thinking about alignment and start thinking of the business as your own. If you were running the business, what would you need your systems to be doing for you? From my perspective IT needs to be at the heart of business, not a standalone separate entity.
Start with the strategy.
Your business has a strategy which will have several outcomes that it wants to achieve. You may also have an IT strategy document. Take a look at them both and work out how the IT strategy fits as a logical subsection of the main strategy. Think about the elements of the IT program that must be put into place to make the desired business outcomes become reality, and make sure that they are included in the IT strategy. At the strategy setting meetings, logical IT streams supporting the business outcomes need to be identified and to be specified.
Let's say your organisation needs to gain greater visibility of their sales patterns to enable better decision making on product, pricing and so forth. The logical IT outcome from this may be as simple as ensuring that the analysts are properly trained on how to extract the data they need, or as complex as implementing a new point-of-sale system and reporting suite. If you understand what your business has in place and what it needs, the IT strategic elements start to fall into place fairly rapidly during the strategy sessions. The IT section of the business strategy you end up with should be a series of subsections relating to each part of the business and directly to their goals, objectives an the culture in place within the organisation.
There may need to be a subsection relating to infrastructure and maintenance. If properly handled with intelligent outsourcing and services arrangements, the infrastructure and maintenance services sections of the strategy become statements of the requirements for the services and provide a guideline for governing them. This treatment of IT extends beyond the strategy and into the policy and risk governance frameworks for your business. IT policies need to be integrated into the business' policy framework, not standalone policies. The main areas these mesh is with information access and usage and should cover paper and document management in addition to information systems.
Read more about IT leadership in CIO Australia's Management category.
Establishing a risk governance framework that covers all risks facing the business. IT risks must be incorporated into the overall business risk governance. Ensure that you have senior IT representation at the risk governance committee and cover IT risks off in each business segment as well as overall infrastructure or operational risks. In our organisation we extend this paradigm into the budget process. There is an IT budget which is abstracted from the IT costs associated with each business unit and any centralised costs associated at a group level. The key is to ensure that each business unit has a clear line of sight of its IT costs and that it can control its expenditure on IT services.
It is inevitable that this may lead to issues around governance and control of architectural integrity. It is better, however, to have these arguments than arguments about how IT spends the business' money. Overcoming the issues takes good negotiation and influencing skills and a keen understanding of where it is important to draw the line in respect of controls.
Giving each business unit control of its costs develops accountability for the costs and, provided you establish good project governance around how the big ticket items are handled, the outcomes are likely to be better than attempting to centrally control all IT spending. That said, it is important to keep a global eye on the costs — abstracting out an IT-centric view from the general ledger and budget is essential in providing the best view of what the organisation is spending.
It also usually opens up the issue of the introduction of new technologies. An example is the introduction of Apple's iPad. The device has introduced a level of demand from people within organisations — sometimes regardless of need — resulting in a lot of angst for IT risk managers. The only sensible approach is to ensure that you are on the front foot with these disruptive technologies; rather than putting a blanket ban on the devices, determine the real risks and develop structured, but flexible strategies for dealing with them.
Recognising that the technologies are not going to stop coming in the future and developing strategies to identify them early and determine adoption strategies is important, but make sure that it does not become simply a gadget playground for your architects. Putting structure into the introduction of disruptive technologies gives you a level of control over their adoption into your organisation and helps have meaningful conversations with the early adopters and gadget fiends within your business.
Running your infrastructure and operational IT like a business is probably the most important thing you can do as a CIO. It won't necessarily garner any great kudos, however making sure the 'plumbing' works is the essential ingredient to making life simpler. With the essential services in good operational order, your level of trust within the organisation rises and allows you to get on with helping your business generate income.
Team understanding
The other stream of activity that needs to be addressed is the services provided by IT and ensuring that your team is delivering services in such a way that they feel a level of ownership of the business unit they are working with. Giving your team an understanding of the business ownership paradigm will assist in orienting them towards providing services that focus on their customer business unit needs.
Having them work closely as business partners, rather than just service providers also gives them the satisfaction of working together on problems and issues that arise as part of doing business.
It is imperative that the IT service providers you use are also cognisant of the business impacts they can have and the contracts that you establish with them reflect these impacts. Contract structure can be critical to ensuring the right mix of carrot and stick to achieve the right outcomes.
Forging strong relationships with your management peers from around the business is the final key in successfully transitioning to being in business rather than being in IT. These relationships must be based on trust and on your record as a trusted ally in improving the business' performance.
Ensuring that the IT function is integral to the business and working as part of the business removes the pain of alignment, because your are already in lock step with the way the business is run. Trust development is critical in your quest to get out of the alignment and into business. If your management colleagues trust you to get the job done, then they are likely to trust you enough to be in business with you.
Grant Swinbourne is the former general manager for business systems with the Jetset Travelworld Group.
Join the CIO Australia group on LinkedIn. The group is open to CIOs, IT Directors, COOs, CTOs and senior IT managers.


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Chocolate peanut butter slabs and silky chocolate mousse have been appearing and re-appearing in my kitchen lately. I have been feeling the weight of the festive season's perpetual cheese and mince pies, so I am experimenting with lighter sweets – removing refined sugars and dairy for a change. This is something I do periodically, but I was re-inspired in California last summer; translating the treats popular in Los Angeles and San Francisco to suit my London bakery – and British tastes – brings some welcome change for the new year.
These two recipes, which are free from refined sugars, dairy and gluten, sit in their own category of desserts, because their ingredients are used for what they can uniquely bring to the recipe, not just as a replacement for something you want to avoid. Good in their own right, unusual ... but so delicious.
First, the slab, which is made by combining cocoa powder, melted coconut oil and maple syrup. Together, they create a pouring texture that hardens perfectly into a candy-like wedge. In the middle is natural peanut butter sweetened with pureed dates. With their caramel tones and toothsome texture, dates are one of my favourite sweeteners. When blitzed and blended with water they become thick and rich, combining well with a chunky natural peanut butter (you could substitute almond butter, if you preferred). A bit of hot water and some coconut oil bring it together into a chewy, gooey filling – a grown-up peanut butter cup, if you like.
While on that trip to California last year, I spent a few days in the kitchen at my favourite bakery, Gjusta in Venice Beach, and I was oddly drawn to a chocolate mousse that they made every day. I say "oddly" because I don't really like chocolate mousse. Not the eggy kind, anyway. But this was different. It was made with avocados and coconut oil – two ingredients I love – so I made up my own version with the addition of cocoa powder and, once again, dates. It is very rich so you just want a little – a beautiful thing in its own right.
Chocolate avocado mousse
Serves 6
400g avocado (about 3 avocados), peeled and stone removed
150g maple syrup
1 tsp flaky sea salt (plus a little extra, for finishing)
100g cocoa powder
80g coconut oil, melted
1 tbsp vanilla extract
225g water, boiled and cooled slightly
100g almond milk
100g dates
Cocoa nibs, for decorating
1 Put all of the ingredients in a food processor, and blitz until smooth and creamy. Chill in the fridge for 30 minutes.
2 To serve, scoop the mousse into bowls or pretty glasses and decorate with a sprinkle of flaky sea salt and cacao nibs.
Chocolate, peanut butter and date slab
Serves 6
150g coconut oil, plus 2 tbsp extra
100g cocoa powder
70g maple syrup
150g dates, preferably medjool, pitted
2 tbsp date syrup, or agave syrup if you can't find it
3 tsp vanilla extract
5 tbsp natural unsweetened chunky peanut butter
2 tbsp water
1 tsp flaky sea salt
25g salted roasted peanuts
1 Line a loaf tin with clingfilm. Whisk together the melted coconut oil, cocoa powder and maple syrup. Pour half of the mixture into the prepared tin, then chill in the fridge until set.
2 Blitz the dates, extra coconut oil, date syrup and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth. Add the peanut butter, remaining vanilla extract and water, and blitz again. Spoon the date mixture over the set chocolate. Sprinkle with 1 tsp flaky sea salt.
3 Pour over the remaining chocolate mixture, then top with the peanuts. Put in the freezer for 20 minutes, then slice into slabs.
- Claire Ptak is a pastry chef, author and food stylist and owns Violet Bakery in London. She is the author of the Violet Bakery Cookbook (Square Peg); @violetcakeslondon