Sweet-toothed people are everywhere - I'm one of them, and I never really knew why until I realised that everything contains sugar so obviously our bodies naturally become sugar addicts whether we notice or not. I mean, this probably isn't news to many of you, but at a recent university conventiony/pop-up stall thing I was shocked to find out how much sugar was really in some of our most beloved beverages!!!
Here are the sugar contents in some of our favourite drinks;
Whilst looking - bare in mind how many teaspoons of sugar, if any, you willingly have with your tea or coffee.
Starbuck's bestseller the Frapuccino contains a whopping 16 teaspoons!!
Flavoured water, 'the healthy option' has 7 teaspoons! Imagine 7 teaspoons in your damn tea!!
Red Bull gives you wings.. and 8 teaspoons of sugar?
Good ol' tap water boasting an impressive 0 teaspoons of sugar.
If you're super concerned about the amount of sugar you're taking in you can use this little sugar intake barometer thingy to measure how much you're taking in daily.. if you're super concerned.
It's probably good to remember that sugar isn't all bad, after all it can be found in a high number of natural as well as unnatural goods but like anything.. too much of it will kill you instantly.
Here are some quick links to some interesting articles:
As in my first ever post, over a year ago now, I am coming to you with yet another 'iMoan'. I promise you, this won't be the last either. If you are also under the thumb of the world's most valuable brand, Apple, you will know all about the problems that surround owning one of their products.
You don't get to the heights Apple have reached without being smart and that is exactly what they are. From accessories to repairs, Apple have their innocent, tech-savvy market forking out near-enough the same amount they paid for their apple treasure yearly. The product that comes with the most problems is undoubtedly the iPhone, obviously, it is the highest grossing product of all time.
There is an endless list of problems that you should expect to encounter, during your time as an Apple slave, I mean customer.... Here are some of them; POOR battery life (typically after about 6 months usage), over-heating, signal failure, cracked screens, cracked hardware, button failures, microphone issues and many more. If do experience any faults, you'll know doubt be advised to get it repaired by either Apple or a 3rd party, Apple repairs costs are exceedingly high and if you dare go to the cheaper option, Apple will disown you, as they know everything, down to your every move (no exaggeration, check my first post).
The issue that we are ALL familiar is the dreaded cracked screen, whether you own an iPhone or not, you would have felt this pain, either personally or you've felt the pain of a close friend/family member. From day 1, when you first touch your brand new iPhone, amazed by it's simplicity, the fear of dropping your phone will kick in almost instantly. I am sure it's all a scam and my view hasn't really changed much but I'm not really going to push that to you guys, I'm just saying BE CAREFUL.
A colleague, the owner of an iPhone 5S.. She's had her phone since January 2014 (1 year and 2 months) and it is MINT condition. I know, how the hell.. So unfair.. Here's a picture to rub it in..
She's obviously really careful with her phone, charging it only when it's below 50% and hardly ever dropping it, taking all this into account.. She's still dropped it numerous times, after all she is human and so are we all. We drop things. This admittance prompted me to ask the question, 'How is your phone so prestine?!'. She then told me, it's ALL in the case. She bought a shatter proof case that has well and truly lived up to it's name. So my first piece of advice is.. 1) Buy a shatter proof case.
This post however, is not going to be focusing on cracked screens (we're all fully aware of the possibility of cracking it). I am going to be drawing the issue of iPhones Chargers to your attention. With every new iPhone you can expect a new, unexpected, problem. You might realise that the iPhone wires since the 5s have become quite stiff, this is due to a tougher metal being used inside the wire. Don't ask me why, I'll just day it's all a scam.
Unfortunately Apple's Lightning cables do tend to fray and weaken at the point where the port meets the cable. It seems that the cable just gets twisted here, and over time the plastic coating wears out. This brings me on to my second piece of advice.. 2) Gaffa that - use either isolation or gaffa tape to support the cable, helping it to stay straight.
If it's starting to weaken and wear away then a similar pre-emptive measure may help to ensure that it lasts a bit longer before giving way. But if you've got to the point where the cable stops working, more drastic measures may be required.
The introduction of this 'upgraded' wire is coupled with Apple's new and improved software that can detect any charger/accessory that isn't an original Apple product. The world's most valuable brand has now altered the inside of it's products, this change means that the use of a Non-Apple product will actually cause harm to your phone, this is a sly yet in-your-face tactic that Apple have used to completely kill off companies such as Mophie, who invented the 2-in-1 case and charger, specialising firstly, in iPhones.
The main way to prevent this happening is by pulling the charger out by it's plastic port at all times and NOT by the wire itself. This should prevent any future malfunctions and should save you £15-25 every few months..
Here are 2 tips on how to treat this delicate piece of equipment, this should add a few more months, maybe even a year to your cable's life expectancy.
1 - Never pull it by the wire. 2 - Always pull it from both plastic ports, even if you are only using the USB. 3 - For your own good, don't bother using a third party charger as this will be detrimental to your phone's performance.
Gone are the days of phone's that could withstand falls from airplanes. You have to realise what you have in your pocket.. £600! You have to treat it like £600 and not like a Nokia 3310.
I must add before I leave you, that I am totally addicted to iPhones, I love everything about them and I know that a lot of you feel the same way, credit to Apple. It is for this reason and this reason alone that I am warning y'all to look after your precious mobile telephone device. The money Apple gets from it's sales clearly isn't enough, they definitely do want to take advantage of your blind love for this product, so open your eyes a little wider.
Cool, so I'm back as promised, with some AWESOME new deals. As you all know, I am addicted to buying clothes, especially cheap ones, I am a bargain hunter. If I see a good deal, I'm there. and if I don't have the money at the time, I will borrow it, and then I'm there. Good deals do not wait for anyone. Just like in anything you do in life, you must be an opportunist.
I've mainly sourced my clothing from charity stores, must notably, Iain Rennie, BHF and Cancer Research. Some of the items I am about to show you were also found in sample sales that I have recently attended (search google for 'local sample sales') where I was able to pick up some really nice things for under £2.
Some of the items I will be showing are for sale now too, so if you're lucky enough to have me on a social network, contact me via one of them, for more information. Notepads ready?.. Let's go.
This simple ASOS Black Bucket Hat was picked up at a sample sale for 25p.
You can't go wrong with the classic, Nike swoosh design. Copped this at the Islington Car Boot Sale for £2.
Now for some bottoms.. These high-rise Levi's 505's, have quickly become my life. Slightly different from the original 501's, these beauties cost me £10 (50%) from Beyond Retro, Dalston. Get yourself down to your closest BR if you're looking for a solid pair of jeans.
This 80s LA Sharks Ice Hockey jersey was bought aaaages ago now, I couldn't resist it at the time and still absolutely love it. One of the best things I've ever picked up for £1.
We all know how sort after Adidas Firebird Tracksuits are.. Retailing at a mean £50. I felt like the heavens were smiling on me when I found this on an Algerian man's rack at the wonderful Dalston Car Boot Sale. He charged me £4!
Again, another blessing. This was sourced a lot closer to home than my previous buys. I picked this Adidas Original Brasil World Cup edition shirt from my local favourite, Iain Rennie Hospice for £4.50. Again, that's almost 90% I saved myself on the retail price. This hobby takes a lot of patience, don't guy buying anything or crying because you didn't find something mind-blowingly cheap, that just defeats the whole object of bargain hunting.
D'you know a stylist? Luckily I know a few! They're fab because they're always looking to offload spare clothes. I actually picked up the next three items you're about to see, for free!
From my lovely friend Grace. That's a link to this cool chick's instagram.. Take a look at what she's about!
FOR SALE - Add me on Facebook (Zachary Ekpe) or contact me on a social network (@ZachEkpe).
Alternatively, you can email me at zacharyekpe@gmail.com or text me, if you're lucky enough to have my number.
This bad boy bomber is also for sale, again, hit me up.
Now for some slightly more upmarket finds..
To keep myself out of the trap of becoming
This FCUK top, as seen in my 'profile pics' all over the web, cost me £2, from an ASOS sample sale, just outside London. This shirt is loud and screams 60s!!! So I'll have to be in a certain mood or going to a certain event to wear this one.
To add to the classy buys I nabbed myself this ZARA jumper for men. This probably retailed at around £25-50 and I got it from Age UK, in Hemel Hempstead's town centre for £4.
And finally, to ensure that I can look smart with regardless of the bottoms I choose. I had to get this, a lovely North Face fleece that was only £6, from Cancer Research.
This was bought by a friend of mine, for me, as he knew it'd be right down my street, thank you Ross!
..
I trust that the items you have seen have given you all hope, but, I'm not done yet! I still have the shoes to show y'all.
First up, we have these beauts. These are classic Timberland walking boots, they are around 20-30 years old now, but knowing Timberland and they're high quality/prices, these would retail nowadays at somewhere near £80. You want to know how much I paid? £2, from Dalston Car Boot Sale. The lady really wanted to shift her ex-husband's old walking boots and as it was the end of the boot day, she was looking to get ANYTHING for them. I almost felt bad buying these. Admittedly, these needed abit of mending as the inner soles had holes in them! Not anymore though, I put some Supra insoles in them, making them clouds for my feet to rest in.
The Reebok Classic Workouts were also bought at the car boot sale in Dalston and they set me back £4, which again, is a really good price. Especially considering the condition the shoes are in and the way in which they've kept their value over the last decade.
So guys, this is the end. I've got many more items to show you in the near future, I just hope that this is evidence enough that good deals are accessible to all of us. The proof is in the post. Go out there and search for local sample and car boot sales. And pop into the odd charity shop, you'll DEFINITELY find something. If you're weirdly embarrassed by charity shopping, glance into them at the very least, when you walk past, something may catch your eye.
Remember, some of these items are for sale so please do not shy away from getting in touch with me.
You may have heard it. You may not believe it. You may not even have heard it till right now! Regardless! It's happening. The clash of the year, and one of the biggest clashes in grime history, has now been confirmed by both of the rappers involved. P Money, one of my favourite MCs, from Lewisham in South London, is clashing BIG H, straight out of Tottenham!! Both MCs have had their fair share of beefs, famously P Money and Ghetts, and then for Big H.. the list would find out and surpass Blogger's word count. Ultimately, this clash will be amazing for a number of reasons.
1. Both MCs feel as if their respective flows have been copied as grime has grown and new MCs have emerged. I think most will agree that they're both not too far from the truth here..
2. Big H speaks about his relationship with P Money being 'tense' on The Grime Show, claiming that P Money has maybe not been as polite as he could have been in their previous encounters.
3. Big H is a mad man, and is hell bent on the destruction of P Money. This mixed with P Money's composure and confidence, will promote this clash all by itself.
4. THESE ARTISTS DO NOT FLOP.
Both these MCs are very different. As people and as artists. In fact, they're completely different. That's where the main spice comes from, they're difference. One of the only things they share is confidence. Big H is a character, he's loud and it is very clear that he thinks a lot of himself, and not very much of those around him in the game. Big H talks about his recent EP 'Fire and Smoke' being his weapon of destruction. Big H wants to flush out all the s*** in grime and keep it real. P Money on the other hand is a completely different personality, he's a reserved character who I've been in very close proximity ha, check me. He hasn't commented much about the clash with H and you shouldn't expect to hear anything too revealing about the clash and his opinions on it. Although, P's personality can come across a bit arrogant, so can H's. With Big H though, it is different. He is almost too arrogant, the way he MCs and talks is almost as if he doesn't take anything that seriously. I feel that H should be a bit more careful in his approach to LOTM6, he needs to do his research on P, because P Money is a master lyricist. His wordplay and skippy flow attract reloads and massive crowd backing, this is a disadvantage to H as his flow doesn't warrant a reload as often.
But in the meantime, have a look at BOTH MCs, and come to your own conclusions! First up, we have both of their 1Xtra Fire In The Booth's released only two weeks apart from each other.
BIG H - FIRE IN THE BOOTH
How'd you find that?
Here's P
P MONEY - FIRE IN THE BOOTH
I'm allowed to have an outright opinion, right? A few of my pals are certain this one's going to Big H, but I am almost positive that they're all wrong. P MONEY FOR THE WIN. Listen to the guy, he's a lot more talented than most, not just Big H. Thaaaat said, Big H is a lot more suited to clashing so it is going to be close whether you like it or not.
Since starting this post, there has been all sorts of dramas surrounding the clash. Big H didn't turn up for the pre-clash contract signing, making people believe that he had 'wimped' out of things and ultimately proving me right about his character. But no! It's not over yet, according to H, his absence was due to mis-communications between him and Jammer (LOTM6 owner), something about Jammer telling him the wrong time. ANYWAY, here's a screenshot showing what Big H thought about rumours claiming he was too scared to clash P Money.
I don't know what will happen yet with regards to the clash, all I know is both Big H and P Money will clash! And it's going to be an epic one. Who will win? What will happen?
Follow both artists on twitter to keep up to date with their feuds and what they have to say about this upcoming clash of the titans!!
Good morning all! It's a beautiful Saturday and I am sure that a lot of you have woken up thinking 'What can I do with all me BLVCKJEVNS?!'.. fear not, here is the answer! Today, I'm going to be showing you how to save money on your style! I'm sure a lot of you are working towards a huge shopping trip with your best of friends, but in the mean time, while that dream isn't in sight, I have something a bit more tangible for you! All you need is a pair of scissors and a creative mind/internet. Make sure you have picked your clothes well, you don't want to go ruining your most expensive jeans to date.
Ok.. First of all I grabbed 3 pairs of black jeans that were in the eBay pile and started planning out what I'd do to each pair. I decided on.. a pair of slit knee jeans and a pair of shorts! I also thought I'd chuck in a style tip with the third pair, more down to the fact that I really couldn't think any wider than my 2 chosen styles, but HEY I'm sure you guys can come up with a few more!
So.. Here's the first pair!
£40 Topshop MOTO ( I'd just like to say that I'm an owner of plenty of jeans, they just don't get worn often! They can compete in terms of comfort and price!)
2 GOOD - COMFORT & QUALITY
1 BAD - a TAD too PRICEY
These were actually Laura's jeans! But I wore them a few times.. and ripped them. So they became mine! As they'd already been torn by yours truly, I thought that these jeans could be my perfect guinea pig for my little 'slit-knee' experiment..
Here, I simply put the jeans on nice and snug, then grabbed scissors. I started by cutting two eyeball-sized holes on each knee and thought 'cool, I'm gonna take these off now and cut them sooo neatly and accurately'.. that didn't happen. I just pulled the hole apart and they came out looking cool! I'll have better pictures one day soon (NEW CAMERA SOON I PRAY). You can also cuff the jeans for an added dimension..
Number Two!!!! I present to you..
Some UNKNOWN BLVCKJEVNS! .. These jeans were in an odd condition, I wore them today for the first time in a while across the road to a friends house and they under-performed on every platform! The material felt odd. Weird lines had appeared from where they'd be worn and they were randomly well-ventilated ideal for summer, torture in February. ANYWAY, I don't even know how I acquired these jeans but with all of the above in mind, it was very easy for me to decide that these jeans would be the jeans I'd cut into shorts. Although summer is far away, I still have 3 other pairs of BLVCKJEVNS to wear in the mean time.
£0 - UNKNOWN
0 GOOD
2 BAD - QUALITY & COMFORT
I quickly folded the jeans carefully and then lined them up against my leg. I then took the scissors and made a slight incision in the back of both jean legs. I then brought the jeans to eye-level and cut them as straight as I could! The result was actually awesome and I really can't wait to try these out in the summer!
They came to the perfect height for me and I've left a tad bit of growing space! Yes, that is a shoe lace and no, I'm not trying to be alternative. The shoe lace is a perfectly adequate substitute for a belt costing you absolutely nothing.
BUT YEAH. Those are what the shorts looked like!! You can make shorts for summer out of any old trousers, but remember when making alterations ALWAYS TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT, GROWING SPACE (if you're still growing that is)
The third pair..
£6 - Primark, Denim & Co (these are women's, I advised women's jeans if you're a boy who likes to wear tighter bottoms)
2 GOOD - PRICE, COMFORT
1 BAD - BREAK EASILY
I know you think that this is kind of pointless, but it's not! By rolling up your jeans to reveal your sock, your outfit becomes less about the trousers and more about your trendy sock of choice for the day! That little logo or that funky design on your sock can change a whole outfit.
Pls give me more ideas as I've been surprisingly unimaginative with this!! Also, do leave comments below if I've managed to ease any of your shopping addictions.
Stay tuned, stayed blessed!
@ZachEkpe - Twitter & Instagram
Next Blog's going to be music (Grime) : - Big H vs P Money Lord Of The Mics 6 Clash - 'WHO'S DV REVL OG?'
Afternoon beautiful people! After many years of procrastination, I present to you.. my FIRST post. As you've seen in my little bio section, 'I occasionally post things that I hope will fascinate people as much as me.' And boy o boy have I been swept off my feet by my latest discovery.
I'm sorry to say that if you do not own an iPhone 4/4s/5/5s/5c, with iOS7, you will not be able to participate. That said, the relative next to you or downstairs is probably in possession of one, so use theirs!
ANYWAY.. Ever wandered how true the gossip about our privacy actually is? Well, here's something that should help you form your own opinion on the matter. I personally was amazed when I stumbled across this, since seeing this I have probably told everyone I know with an iPhone about it from friends to customers at work!
Ok, so finally.. Here are the steps:
1- Go to Settings
2- Scroll down a LIL to Privacy
3- Then go to Location Services (make sure they're turned on, if they've previously been switched off then this may not work as well for you, but credit you for your battery preservation skills!)
- Scroll down,below all your apps, to System Services!
4- Now in your System Services you'll see Frequent Locations, GO TO FREQUENT LOCATIONS!
5- Make sure your Frequent Locations are turned on, scroll down and view your locational history, click on one of the locations if you're thinking 'hmmm.. this isn't THAT accurate..' (again.. if you previously switched off Frequent Locations then your results will not be as extensive as most, worry not though, this is a default setting and should already be turned by the cheeky buggers running apple.)
6- I won't show you all exactly where I've been and at what time but I feel as if I have taken you far enough. Press the addresses and your phone will pull an inch perfect register of where you've been for the past 2 months.
Amazed? I told you.
Although this may be seen as an invasion of our privacy, it is also an example of human lethargy! We all agree to these terms as we hurry to set up our brand new iPhones, but next time take a step back, have a read, see what information you're nonchalantly handing over to these massive corporations.
Thank you for reading! Eyes peeled for the next one. Follow me on Twitter and Instagram - @ZachEkpe for more blog info, and an look into my life!
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