The lull was due to something of a kitchen disaster, more of which I’m sure I’ll have to get used to. But yes, the frizzles, Marmite on one slice is definitely enough!

GDave

I’m no follower of fashion either and design certainly isn’t a strong point. We undoutedly owe some credit to the marketting men (and women) for keeping our great brands ticking over, although in Marmite’s case a quirky glass pot and a yellow lid proved far more effective than any multi-million advertising campaign ever would. Personally though, I’d like to think unsusceptible to the hard sell. Commercials are merely there to raise my awareness of a brand so I can make an informed choice.

Again, all the best with the kitchen renovations. Dusty building sites are one of the least pleasant environments, but I’m looking forwards to our gang’s evening tea and macaron soirées.

GDave

Hi there! Glad you enjoy stopping by. I’m sure it’s only a fraction of the enjoyment I get reading yours. I love the new religious order of the Marmotines though I’m not sure I’d want to join. Secret handshakes, one trouser leg rolled up passed the knee and an overwhelming smell of yeast extract is not my bag!

My blogging around has been seriously lacking and I’ve really neglected this place over the last few weeks. I have a little break from work coming up after tomorrow and I fully intend to get back to the things I enjoy. (The brew pub definitely being one of them! )

GDave

Well, I look forward to that cup of tea. I’m sure your “old pile of bricks” is oozing with charm. I can’t imagine otherwise.

And GDave — I hope we haven’t run you off to the brew pub.

Melissa

The kitchen is painfully progressing. At the moment it’s plaster dust city but I am assured things will get better. Old houses are trouble guaranteed and around every corner there’s a horror story… having said that my old pile of bricks have revealed so much disaster in the past that very little shocks me now.

Of course I’m only doing this so that you and the gang can come on over and sip a cup of tea in relatively civilized surroundings

Cid

Branding and style, now there’s a meaty subject. I was recently caught lecturing certain members of my family about the whole ‘dated’ look as they refer to it. I’m not much of a fashion follower, I like style in general from all eras. For some time now I’ ve been trying to tell my father that an avocado suite, floral bathroom with long pile carpet was never that stylish in the first place

Getting back to Marmite…. how much is good product design and advertising due to highly skilled/paid marketing companies? It looks easy especially when we see a jar of Marmite…. simple use of colour, shape and messaging, but I doubt I’d be any good at it…. for a start the public would get sick of the sight of Colin Firth’s face on all my products

Cid

Marmite? Never heard of it, but it sounds a bit like a religious society. You know, those tightly-knit, break-away English Puritans — the Marmonites.

Sounds pretty healthy, although luckily I’ll have to pass because of that gluten thing. And the bread, can’t have that either. Guess I’ll stick with my Nutella and flax crackers. Nutella comes in jar that is uncannily similar to your Marmite spread.

Love your video choices, GDave. Very entertaining.

Good one all around. Now I can end my day with a smile. Thanks!

Melissa
P.S. Cid, how is the kitchen coming along? I’m anxious to see the end result. I’m sure it will be charmingly eclectic. And how are you holding up under the renovation stress? I see you’re over here at GDave’s getting a good laugh as well!

You’re so right, Tate & Lyle is a fantastic example. My Mum has a tin of that in her baking cupboard without fail, and has done for longer than I’ve been around. Syrup tart and ice cream was and is a firm favourite with my family.
The chap in the video has got me wondering whether I shouldn’t pick up a few bits of brand memorabilia from eBay and elsewhere, just to dot around the flat a bit. I’m sure he had a similar thought shortly before becoming a fanatical collector.

GDave

I’m afraid I fall into the camp of ‘haters’…. which surprises me a bit since I love all things soy and tamari, yeasty pastries and fabulous bread. As a brand it’s a real winner though and at least half my extended family love the stuff. There can’t be many brands whose logo or ingredients and packaging have stood the test of time, a very difficult task for all manufacturers. Incidentally I also admire the branding of Tate & Lyle’s golden syrup…. I keep a tin as a pencil holder (perhaps I should have taken the contents out first ) and would much rather spread that on my bread than the more healthy Marmite.

Cid