When I was growing up, my Dad was a securities analyst covering consumer products, drug and entertainment companies. In grade school that meant I was always the first kid on the block to try the new products that Dad brought home from his meetings -- like the Eraser Mate pen when it was first introduced, or a new cereal brand. We always had lots of cereal in the house, and to this day I prefer to have at least two different kinds in my bowl at once.
So from a very early age, I was trained to crave the new new things. This week, I was fortunate enough to get two of them.
Reese's Elvis Cups
Hershey's is paying homage to the King's favorite sandwich with a limited edition Reese's cup featuring banana creme in addition to the peanut butter-in-my-chocolate, chocolate-in-my-peanut butter confection. They go on sale in July, but I was able to order a tin of preview samples from Hershey's website, thanks to a tip from Candyblog.net. I was excited to get them because not only do I love Elvis, I love banana and chocolate together, and I love chocolate and peanut butter together. Therefore, due to the transitive property of trans fats, I should love the whole darn thing.
So after inhaling the yummy peanut butter smell through the wrapper (like an oenophile prepares for fine wine) I opened the package and took my first bite. That first bite into a Reese's cup is always satisfying. On the palate it's not too mushy and not too firm in front, and you've got the the signature ridged texture of the perimeter to enjoy in back. I savor it for a bit, and then think....where's the banana? I can see it in what's left of the rest of the cup, but I'm not tasting it in the bite I just took.
The banana layer is almost the same consistency as the peanut butter, perhaps a bit more smooth. However, it's only 1/4 to 1/3 the height, so the peanut butter really overpowers the whole thing. Maybe the Reese's people need to talk to Daniel Patterson about banana essential oils. I know, not likely.
More info:
Review and great photos of the Reese's Elvis Cups on Candyblog.net
Buy a Limited Edition tin of Elvis Reese's Cups on HersheyGifts.com
I'm NOT a Plastic Bag
Anya Hindmarch is a British handbag designer who decided was high time to use high fashion to save our environment. So she created an adorable canvas tote that you can take to Whole Foods to pick up your Amy's Meals, soy ice cream bars, dried mangoes, CLIF bars, whatever - and when they say, "Paper or plastic," you can say "No thank you!" and sashay out in style.
The bags were first made available in the U.K. and sold out almost immediately. I've heard stories that they've been seen on eBay for 450 Euros. Their arrival in the U.S. has been touted in all the usual rags (InStyle, et. al.). Normally, Anya Hindmarch bags are priced in the $300 - $2,000 range, but these totes will only set you back $15 each. That is, if you can get your hands on one. They'll be available starting July 18th in select East Coast Whole Foods stores, but a limited number were being sold at Anya's stores this past Wednesday.
The minute I saw the bag I fell in love with it, and when I heard I could be among the first stateside to have one, I was determined to make it happen. But what's a girl in San Francisco with no A.H. store in sight to do? The environment needs me! Luckily, my devoted "Fro Fro Secret Shoppers" in New York City were ready to spring into action on my behalf. I warned them how wildly popular the bags had been in England, and that they might have to wait in line, but they were not deterred. Sure enough, when my Secret Shoppers arrived about an hour before the store was due to open, there was already a line half way down the block. By the time they emerged, the line was all the way around the block, but their mission was accomplished and thanks to them and FedEx I have my bags in my hot little hands today. P.S. The 4,000 bags that went on sale on Wednesday sold out in 3 hours!
More info:
Anya Hindmarch I'm NOT a Plastic Bag FAQ
A first-hand account of getting the bag
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