In focus is a fortnightly, online update on things that the focus team has loved. New places we have discovered, food we’ve enjoyed and events that have made us happy – here’s a glimpse into our lives from the past two weeks.
Solomons Gold chocolate
Dee Collins: ‘Who doesn’t love a piece of dark chocolate after dinner? As we’re running a competition in focus where two lucky winners get to enjoy loads of Solomons Gold dark chocolate, I decided it was time to step up and try the product … you know in the interests of research, etc. You’re welcome!
Truth is, I love dark chocolate and a well-known supermarket brand has always been my preferred after-dinner treat BUT, I have to say, the Solomons Gold Dark Orange and Dark Mint bars have knocked this off the proverbial perch.
As an extra bonus, Solomons Gold dark chocolate is actually really good for you so you can indulge, guilt-free! The bars are free from all the nasties – so there’s no dairy, gluten, nut or soy – perfect for vegans and people on restricted diets. There are only three ingredients in each bar – cacao, organic coconut sap sugar and natural oil (orange or mint oils in the case of the two bars I love).
The cacao beans are grown in the Solomon Islands, hence the name, then shipped to little old Tauranga where they are roasted and crafted into artisan chocolate bars.
Solomons Gold also recently launched their Artisan range – Dark Velvet (65% cacao) and Velvet Nib (70% cacao) – which has been eagerly embraced by lovers of fine dark chocolate. The flavour is intense and there’s a slightly smokey undertone, with little sweetness – you’ll only need the smallest amount to get your chocolate hit.
If you’d like to try Solomons Gold, don’t forget to enter the focus magazine competition.
Majestic Tea Bar
There are so many new eateries to discover at Tauranga Crossing but the perfectly located Majestic Tea Bar won’t let you pass without stopping. An alluring outdoor area and the cutest décor are in full view, right by the entrance to the shopping mall. So why go any further? Inside the café are rows and rows of decadent desserts (hello, red velvet cake!), pastel-coloured tableware and over 35 loose leaf tea blends to choose from. This place reminds us of Magnolia Bakery in New York City. You know, the one where Carrie Bradshaw used to indulge her love of cupcakes on a regular basis. It’s great to have our own NYC vibes here!
@camera_duels Instagram account
With 26 million followers on his main Instagram account (yep, you read that correctly), actor and photographer Cole Sprouse isn’t satisfied just yet. So, please welcome his second – tots hilarious – account @camera_duels with ‘just’ 5,4 million followers (you’ll get there mate, no worries!) It’s ‘dedicated to the people out there who secretly take photos of me, and how I take photos of them first’.
These photos of people pretending they are NOT taking photos of Cole made us laugh so hard, our stomachs hurt. But the best part is the captions that even the best editors out there would envy – long, creative and with a rich vocabulary. What a refreshing change from the one-word captions that celebs tend to post over the last few years!
P.S. Wondering who this guy is exactly? Go watch ‘Five Feet Apart’ and then come back and try to convince us you didn’t develop a crush on this cutie … we’ll wait.