Got five mins to spare? Then read up about a new and tasty career move, shwopping, shopping and the young blogger who has made a big difference AND more!

A tasty career move

Fancy a new career? Even better, a career in chocolate. Yes, you can gen up on the chocolate biz with two new courses from chocolate events company Chocolate Delight. One of the courses, Fundamentals of Chocolate, is a two day-er and is perfect for anyone considering a career as a chocolatier. Lactose intolerant? No probs – the courses can be adapted to suit your dietary needs….

Shwop and get money off
It seems we’ve all gone shwopping crazy. Since Marks & Spencer launched their initiative 6 weeks ago the nation has shwopped a mahusive half a million used and unwanted clothing items – the equivalent of eight items a minute. All the clothes are being donated to Oxfam for re-sale, re-use or recycling. The great news is that a special ‘money off’ Shwopping event on 21st – 24th June will see customers who shwop receive a £5 money-off voucher when they spend £35 or more on fashion in-store. Start rifling through the wardrobes ladies…

Keep safe this Summer
There were 420 accidental deaths from drowning in 2010 – that’s nearly one every 17 hours. Worryingly more than half of people who drown know how to swim. According to the Royal Life Saving Society UK the majority of deaths from drowning are due to lack of awareness of water dangers. Water Safety Awareness Week (running until the 24th June) is ‘all about education. If people can become aware how to avoid dangerous situations in, on, or near water, then lives will be saved,’ says Di Standley. Make safety your priority by reading the water safety tips and learning the SAFE code on www.watersafetyawarenessweek.org.uk

Martha serves up a blogging victory!

If you missed last week’s story about Martha Payne, whose school-dinners blog was temporarily closed down, I want to know where you were! Nine-year-old Martha, from Argyll, had been posting pictures of her dinners in the hope of raising enough money to buy a new kitchen for charity Mary’s Meals (the charity sets up school feeding projects in 16 different countries where poverty and hunger prevent children from gaining an education). However, when staff complained about the attention her blog was receiving the local council decided to take her down. What followed was a huge outcry, over 4million hits and an embarrassing U-turn by the council. Now her site is back up – her post on Friday 15th June says: ‘I think you know why I don’t have a picture today but I will have on Monday!’ If you take a quick look on her site you’ll see that Martha has now raised £83,125.76 – enough for a few kitchen for the Mary’s Meals. Why not take a look?

Festival fashion (yes, you do need to dress the part!)

It’s about this time of year when I start obsessively checking the weather forecast for Glastonbury. However, a portaloo shortage (due to a little event called The Olympic Games) put a stop to this year’s Glasto and instead we’re off to the Isle of Wight. I’ve had a little snoop around for what to wear and I’m thinking it’s going to have to be a kimono top – summery but with enough coverage for the not-so-balmy temperatures. There are plenty around but by far the best selection is on ASOS. Check out this gorgeous fringed number from their Curve range.
WANTED.