EAT CHOCOLATE, BE THIN!

(or not)

Recently, findings from a study in the US have proven that those who eat chocolate a few times a week are, on average, slimmer than those who only eat chocolate every now and again.

The study that chocolate makes us slimmer was still proven to be true even when taking into account how much exercise individuals do. The study also found no link with the quantity of chocolate consumed, it was based on just how often people are eating it. So a chocolate bar a day, keeps the doctor away! ...Or does it?

Scientists have claimed this idea in the past, that chocolate can be good for the heart. However, I have been lead to believe that every mouthful of chocolate I consume in a day is sprinkled with guilt and will lay like lard in my stomach. This is due to the immense amount of calories displayed in bold numbers on the front of every single chocolate bar wrapper.

I also believe articles such as these can be very misleading. For me, if it's proven by scientists and experts, this is all I need to believe that it is fact, and before I've read down to the bottom of the story, which then warns the readers that there is "still some unanswered questions" and "eating too much might be harmful because it often contains a lot of sugar and fat", I have already indulged into half a bag of Minstrels.

Obesity has hit an all time high and wherever we look we are being forced away from take-aways, sweets, chocolate and alcohol, and are instead being directed to the fruit and vegetable isles. It is very concerning and this new idea that chocolate is healthy and slimming could take a turn for the worse. Britain has taken many attempts to stop obesity through improved school dinners, to including nutritional information in restaurants. It fears me that children will now have an excuse to consume so much chocolate which could seriously affect their health.

Chocolate may be proven to make us slimmer, but does it make us healthier? Life isn't all about being thin but this new idea may encourage people to eat chocolate instead of fruit and vegetables, which pack all our important nutrients and vitamins in, which keeps us physically healthy.

Photography by Philly Lockitt

THE VOICE v BRITAIN'S GOT TALENT

Britain's Got Talent Judges

The Voice Judges

The battle between two talent-based TV series has commenced. Last Saturday, the BBC launched the first episode of The Voice, which has arisen from America after proving to be a hit. This was the same night ITV began yet another series of Britain's Got Talent, featuring the comeback of the Cowell.

It has been proven over years that what appeals to a British audience is watching talented hopefuls seek the chance of stardom in front of thousands of people, (or watching talent-less nobodies dream too big for their ability).

The two series over lap each other by twenty minutes, and last Saturday in this time period it was proven that The Voice gained a bigger audience than BGT.

But why?

The Voice has now aired in Britain after proving a hit in the US last summer, gaining more hits over all than X-Factor USA did in the Autumn. Being a brand new show, audiences will be intrigued to see what differs from the conventional talent search, (four millionaires with either their pants or head too high).

The judges alone are a selling point for The Voice with an impressive line up of Will.i.am, Jessie J, Tom Jones and Danny O'Donoghue from The Script, which all come from a different background of music.

The shows signature gimmick is that the auditions are done with the judges having their back to the singer, judging them on their voice and voice alone. I applaud the BBC's intentions of sticking solely to their true talent and having less hope-fulls gaining recognition for their physical appearance.

Daring to be different, if more than one judge agrees to take on the singer in their group, the auditionee must then choose between the handfull of celeb judges themselves, (which leads into a rather embarrassing public display of begging from the panel).

It seems a mature, straight to the point way of finding talent across our nation. They've cut the novelty acts such as Wagner from The X-Factor, who provide laughable entertainment for a few weeks and then just become irritating.

But is this what we want? There is a reason conventional star-search programmes such as Britain's Got Talent has been airing for five years. It seems we as pubic would happily sit and be entertained for 80 minutes, lead through by Ant and Dec running round different cities and showing us the best and the embarrassing of each.

Are we actually not sick of seeing the "everyday person become a popstar" and help them sire to stardom and become yet another multi-millionaire singer? Or are we secretly more entertained by laughing at those talent-less nobodies? 

J Marie Cooper, The Voice UK, Blind Auditions 1, hosted by YouTube
Photography by Google Images

PETROL PRICES PUMPED UP

The price for petrol in the UK has hit an all time high, with petrol upping to 145p a litre, and diesel rising to 150p per litre.

In our economical climate, this is the last thing the public want to hear and no doubt a fight will be put up from the hard-pressured motorists and businesses which rely on fuel. PM David Cameron is already advising the public to fill up their tanks in case of a fuel tanker drivers strike. David Cameron also believes we must start making the most of other goods, become less reliant on hydrocarbons and "speed up the move" to the use of electric cars.

Video hosted from YouTube, posted by Telegraph.co.uk/video

But what gets me, is in this day and age we are all so dependent on modern day facilities, that we forget life will  indeed go on without our cars. There was once a time where cars and motorbikes didn't exist, people still had to get from A to B, make a living and make the most of what they had around them. Granted, people of that time didn't know any different, of course, and while it's perfectly normal to feel affected, there are ways around it.

Petrol prices are not the only thing on the up. Obesity in Britain is at it's highest and there are too many excuses for the public to cut exercise, and driving too much could be seen as one of them. Why not save your health and your petrol at the time same? The plea to encourage public transport is an on-going cycle which is becoming more appealing and popular across the UK. Understandably, sometimes traveling by car for a long journey is easier and less time consuming. However, I often find it extremely rewarding to walk to local amenities rather than to drive less than five minutes to get there.

Although you may miss the heating and comfort of a car, cycling or walking will see a huge benefit to your fitness, and a big saving in your fuel tank, which will leave you feeling positive and good about yourself at the end of the day. Instead of waiting for help, we should be helping ourselves.

eBAY - THE SHOPPING UNIVERSE

Leggings - eBay

Crop top - H&M

Cross necklace - Miss Selfridge

Pocket watch necklace - Forever 21, NYC

eBay is one of the worlds most successful .com's and I've recently become quite amazed and impressed with the quality and price that the virtual store's Fashion Outlet has to offer.

The Fashion Outlet launched in 2010 and has huge savings up to 70% on both high street and designer clothing, bags, accessories, shoes, and for us that feel we're born into the wrong generation, it even has it's own "vintage" section.

Some turn their nose up at eBay, and I hold my hands up and admit that a couple of years ago I didn't fancy the idea of somebody's old hand-me-downs, and felt I'd need to wash the items several times before wearing them. However, after giving it a go, I found many stores are using eBay to further sell merchandise. Brands such as Karen Milen, French Connection, Superdry and many more are selling unworn, new products.

eBay has always been very well secured and safe whether you pay by card or PayPal, and delivery from experience is always on time and never damaged or ill presented.

I recently came across these leggings.

This item is either a love it or hate it item. When I first saw them I loved them, once I'd ordered them I hated them. My mind started doubting whether the stripes would add another two stone on my legs, whether I'd suit them or whether I'd look like I should be starring in Beetlejuice. But, I'd already clicked the little finish button and thought I'd best wait until they arrived before I made up my mind they were going to look awful.

However, to my surprise, they are actually quite flattering. They add a good few inches onto my leg length making them look longer and slimmer, especially with heels. They are a tiny bit see through towards my bum and thigh area, so I'd have to wear a top which covers them up. The material is extremely soft and genuinely, one of the comfiest pair of leggings I own. They are perfect to spice up a plain jumper in the day, or make a statement with heels and a nice top for the night time.

For under £5, priced at £4.99, these leggings are a must have. It makes me wonder how much they would sell for if placed in Topshop, or American Apparel?

Along my eBay travels recently, I also came across this quirky, cute anklet.

This is actually supposed to be a bracelet, however with it's adjustable tie string I thought it would be perfect around my ankle. Priced at £1.80 including postage and packaging, it's the perfect little add on to bring "peace" of mind that even your feet look fashionable! 

Photography by Philly Lockitt

CONTACT

The Social Sponge is written by Philly Lockitt, whom is currently studying Journalism at MediaCityUK with Salford University.

With an interest in just about anything, this blog combines both fact and opinion to create debate and ideas for every body to share.

Please feel free to contact with any queries, questions or opinions, they are all valued.

Phillylockitt@gmail.com

OLYMPIC TRIALS 2012


2012 brings more Olympic excitement than ever, being hosted in our capital, London. The trials are taking place this week for swimming, a sport I have always loved and been involved in for pretty much my whole life, whether that's swimming myself for City of Salford or teaching for Worsley ASC.

Even though I quit swimming a few years ago, the buzz and excitement of watching it gets to me every time. It's a sport that brings joy, nerves, excitement and disappointment. This week, our swimming stars of Britain face all these emotions and more at the British Champs, also known as the Olympic 2012 Trials.

London 2012 Olympic Pool

We've seen some amazing swims, some nail biting finishes and lots of young talent which shows an amazing future for British swimming. 

It's amazing and a little scary when more and more familiar faces are on my television screen swimming for Britain. I am absolutely bursting with pride for all of them no matter what the outcome. 

With our Olympic team looking strong and powerful, Heather Frederikson winning the MC 100m Free and both Hannah Miley and Sophie Allen qualifying for the 200m IM, I cannot wait to feel the nerves and excitement this July. A true, proud Brit.

Talent from your home town and home club is the kind of talent you appreciate the most, knowing the people and the effort put in. Amanda Nugent, taking 3rd place in the semi's and breezing through to the finals of the womens 200m freestyle and Salford swimmers Jaeger Turner and Katrina Alder also making the semi finals for the 100m backstroke.

The most annoying and frustrating thing I have always found with swimming, lies with just how close you can be to winning, losing, having your dreams made or dreams broken. Split seconds come between a triumph and disappointment, and it's the pressure which these professional swimmers face which makes them forget how far they've come and how talented they really are. For example, British Record Holder, Michael Rock, soared ahead in his 200m butterfly final, entering first fastest, only to be pipped into third position within the final 10 metres of the race. The effort, determination that has gone in to that one race over weeks, months, years, to miss out on qualifying for the event at London 2012, should not be forgotten or looked over because of a bronze medal. 

Swimming is a sport that requires a brave face and a strong back bone, it's a tough, tough sport to crack and there's always new talent arising and always disappointment to face. There's good days and bad ones, but there's always chances, and always hope. And that's one thing to remember. In swimming, you don't have 90 minutes to prove yourself, you have one minute, two minutes, and everything you've worked for goes in to that short space of time. It's all about learning from difficulties and channeling the emotion into a positive stride forward.

Go get em' Rocky in the 100m butterfly, we're all so proud of you!

Photography by Abbie Lockitt

TOPSHOP BACKS NEWGEN FOR 10 YEARS


This year signifies Topshop's taking part in London Fashion Week for ten years. The store has internationally been a leading fashion store and through launch of collaborations it's Unique line is now in stores.

Topshop supports emerging British designers through the NEWGEN scheme and this year has shown much promise for the future of the fashion world.

In the duration of London Fashion Week, the designers Mary Katrantzou, Erdem, Christopher Kane, Holly Fulton and many more have designed their own t-shirts to represent their own signature style and have been sold online and in store. The t-shirts are priced at £30 each and together reflect imagination and originality, with vibrant prints, florals, animal imagery, mirrored sequins and distinctive patterns.

Graphic Print Tee by Gareth Pugh

Photo Sequin Tee by Ashish

Deer Print Tee by Emma Cook

Katrantzou's collection is proving a big success and her "breathtaking" SS12 show won her the Emerging Talent Award at the British Fashion Awards. Her vibrant, floral's come in scarves, leggings, t-shirts and beautifully made dresses, ranging from £30 - £130. The up-coming fashion star has already dressed several celebrities including Alesha Dixon, Poppy Delevigne and Topshop heiress Chloe Green, daughter of Sir Philip Green, Topshop owner. Mary grew up in Greece, and moved to The United States in 2003, where she attended Rhode Island School of Design and completed both her BA and MA at Central Saint Martins. The rising star is now currently working based in London and plans to work with both Topshop and Longchamp in 2012, as well as creating big investments for their own range.

Mary described "The Mary Katrantzou woman" to have a "liberated spirit and a strong sense of style". This certainly is reflected in her designs and styles. 

Floral Tee by Mary Katrantzou

Printed Scarf by Mary Katrantzou

Printed Trousers by  Mary Katrantzou   

Proceedings from buying these NEWGEN tee's go towards the Centrepoint charity, which provides emergency accommodation, support, information and training for homeless, young people in London, so an invest like this would do something great for your wardrobe, and also for your conscience.

Photography by Topshop