after the overload

To balance out this mornings sugar overload of a post, I thought it timely to pop up my review of some sugar-free goodies that the lovely folks at Sweet Junkie sent me to review...

Now you know, I'm a BIG sugar addict and have nothing against eating sugar filled goodness on a regular basis,
but sometimes I want something to munch on that isn't going to give me a massive sugar rush, or I feel like being a bit kinder to my teeth, and at those times I reach for sugar free sweets.

I normally pick up whatever is available in my town (er, about two varieties then) or stock up on visits to places further away,
but now...Sweet Junkie has my heart (and soul) for their extensive range, awesome-ly designed website and fabulous service.
What I really love about Sweet Junkie is the care they put in to sourcing their sweets, I follow them on twitter and know they do extensive tasting before decided what to stock. This is very much appreciated, especially when it comes to sugar-free as some of the sweets can taste very artificial. These don't! The orange and lemon slices (at the front) were my favourite...I did have to check a few times that I hadn't picked up normal sweets instead!

For those who are sugar purists, Sweet Junkie also sell regular sweets including retro favourites
but if you can't tolerate sugar, are health conscious or want a gift for someone who can't eat sugar then you are well advised to check out their range (and slip in some more for me, please!)

xxx

P.S. you can follow them on twitter, here

Review; Burts Bees Pomegranate Lip Balm

I am a lip balm addict. It is more of a necessity for me to be obsessed with it than anything else as I have the driest lips known to man kind.
I am however, guilty of buying purely because it is cheap or on special offer which means I don't often try the best and on goes my saga of chapped, sore (not to mention un-attractive) lips.

Burt's Bees are a brand that have been on my radar for quite some time. Raved about in beauty magazines on on blogs as well as being widely available online and in shops I am not entirely sure what has stopped me purchasing this (other than perhaps, the price, which is a little higher than my usual lip balms).

I was sent a sample of their Pomegranate lip balm for review purposes. This is, by my reckoning somewhat of a cult product! When I mentioned it in my makeup essentials post many commenter's said they couldn't survive without it either and I know it has a large celebrity fan club including Glee's Dianna Agron (who plays cheerleader Quinn).

The expectations were high.





I love the packaging. In keeping with all Burt's Bees products it is distinctive but not in your face. Instantly recognisable by the colours and adorned with teeny little bees.

The smell of this lip balm is AMAZING. Neither overly synthetic or too herbal (both make me nauseous). It's 100% natural and contains the antioxidant goodness of pomegranate oil.

I HATE oily things. There is nothing pleasurable about the texture. Thankfully this isn't an oily textured balm. It glides on and left my lips instantly smoother and far less parched. The hint on colour isn't too harsh, but it is there enough to negate the need for lipstick, which is perfect for little miss forgetful me.





I've been using this balm about a week now, and the effects are very impressive. Sometimes I find a product to be a one hit wonder, but not this one. I'm usually the first to complain about any small fault with anything (just ask my friends or colleagues) but I'm struggling with this!

At £3.99 this will be a re-purchase for sure.

Have you used Burt's Bees? Do you have any favourites I should try?

What lip balm do you swear by?

Mighty Muesli! (a review)

Without a doubt Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. For me, it fuels me for the day ahead and means I don't have to worry quite so much about getting enough food later.
I'm a bit of a cereal hoarder, currently in possession of around 10 boxes. I like variety! From the chocolate flavoured kids stuff through to super healthy oats and mueslis, I have something to cater to whatever the morning has thrown at me.

((I don't just have cereal, I also have toast or a bagel)).

Juliette Cattell is the founder of Otter Valley Food Company and the creator of Mighty Muesli. She offered to send me some samples of her range to review, and being the breakfast fiend I am I jumped at the chance.

Before I get in to the review, what IS Mighty Muesli? From Julie herself...

"Back in 1990 my husband was rowing intensively in preparation for a world rowing championship. After his early morning training he was always hungry and trying not to fall asleep during the day. I did a lot of research on super foods and I developed a unique recipe for a breakfast cereal that would provide my husband with the energy and nutrients he needed for his grueling training schedule. The results were that I created MIGHTY MUESLI and my husband won a world championship!

Since that time MIGHTY MUESLI has become the key breakfast fuel for a number of elite sportspeople such as Rebecca Romero, the 2 gold medallist at the Beijing Olympics in cycling and the British Women's rowing team. But MIGHTY MUESLI is not just for champions. Breakfast has long been considered the crucial meal of the day for everyone and it is important to eat the right foods to start you off."

Might Muesli is a blend of whole grains and seeds with a dash of fruit. It contains most of the vitamins and minerals you need on a daily basis, protein to keep you full, fibre, low GI levels, Omegas 3, 6 and 9 as well as containing barely any salt or cholesterol.

None of the products contain wheat or nuts. Also No Hydrogenated fats, no GM ingredients, No Additives; No Chemicals; No Artificial Flavourings; No Dairy; No Trans Fats; No Added Salt.

Here are some of the benefits:

"Higher Energy Levels - MIGHTY MUESLI’S slow releasing carbohydrates will keep you feeling more energetic and more alive.

Look & Feel Healthier- MIGHTY MUESLI is like a big vitamin pill making you look and feel healthier.

Lower Stress Levels and Increased Concentration Levels- MIGHTY MUESLI will help you manage your blood sugar levels, (great for Diabetics too) ironing out the highs and lows, giving you more energy balance, making you less agitated and keeping you focused for longer. It will considerably improve your powers of concentration.

Lose weight – MIGHTY MUESLI leaves you feeling fuller and satisfied for longer; no hunger pangs means you won’t snack between meals. MIGHTY MUESLI contains NO Hydrogenated fats and NO Salt.

Stronger Bones- Everyone needs Vitamin D which is essential for the absorption of calcium in the body. Sunlight assists in the production of Vitamin D and it is also found in a few foods like some oily fish and eggs, but most people don’t get enough so we decided to give you a little extra to start you off - 20% of your RDA*- crucial for women, older people and growing children in particular. (See blog for further information.)

Faster Recovery after Exercise and Maintaining Muscle Condition- If you exercise on a regular basis and you don’t eat properly you will not be able to maintain the quality of your training. You need to eat after exercise to replenish your energy levels and rebuild and maintain muscle condition. Both MIGHTY MUESLI and POWER PORRIDGE can provide you with the right balance of quality complex carbohydrates, protein and fats before and after exercise. If you eat MIGHTY MUESLI after exercise you will not feel as tired during the day, you will have more energy and train better the next time."

Aimed towards Athletes with a view to 2012 and the Olymipcs, Might Muesli has a lot to live up to, so how was it?

First up, the original Mighty Muesli





Attractively packaged, the box shows all the nutritional claims as well as what the mix does and doesn't contain. Although seeming flimsy the cereal had remained fully intact. The back of the box indicates serving size and how much milk to add. The newly revamped recipe contains 20% of you RDA of Vitamin D and has dried cranberries and cherries added for anti-oxidant benefits.

Taste wise, this was great. Despite containing no nuts, this had a nutty taste (which I like in a cereal) from the seeds and grains blend. The dried fruit added a slight sweetness. A good 60g serving contains 212 calories (plus additional from milk) and kept me satisfyingly full all morning.

I was also sent a box of the Gluten Free variety, of which I was more sceptical about. My previous experiences of Gluten Free foods have been dense and somewhat compromised with taste.





This time I ate the muesli with Greek Yoghurt. Texture wise this was more interesting than the original variety with puffs as well as flakes in the mix. Although the recipe states dried apple and apricot were present, I didn't notice it and felt the cereal could benefit from a little more sweetness. This could however be because I didn't shake the box in my haste for breakfast.

The Gluten Free version is Vegan friendly, as well as suitable for those with Gluten Intolerance, Diabetes and IRS.
Despite my hesitations this wasn't at all dense, it seemed to be lighter than the original Might Muesli and lack of sweetness aside, this was my favourite of the two.

A 60g serving of Gluten Free Mighty Muesli contains 235 calories, plus whatever milk or yoghurt you choose to add.

For full nutritional information you can see the website where you can also buy the whole range. It's not the cheapest of cereal at £4.99 for 800g of Might Muesli and £6.99 for the same of the Gluten Free variety,
but if you are an athlete, or simply interested in eating well then I see it as a worthy investment and I shall be placing an order for a larger bag of the Gluten Free variety when my cereal supplies run low.

Juliette also sent POWER PORRIDGE for review...but I am an epic disaster with porridge making so I have passed that along for my grandparents to test. I'll do that review separately.

Also available are "Hunga Busta" Bars, for the perfect on-the-go snack. I'm curious to try these and if I do, I'll report back!

Are you tempted to try this?

Do you always eat breakfast?

What is YOUR favourite cereal?

xxx

dotcomchristmas

As much as we might be trying to deny the fact that Christmas is on the way, truth is there are only 39 days to go.
Dotcomgiftshop has long been a go-to place for buying Christmas gifts, with their fantastic range of unique and often vintage style wares to suit every one and every budget.

When they got in touch with me a couple of weeks ago offering to send me some cake tins I was delighted. You know I love baking. And I needed new tins. And I love dotcomgiftshop. It would have been downright stupid to say no. Right?

I've been saving writing this post until I'd had a chance to bake something to go in the tins


(here)

Today I finally had a chance, and whipped up a ginger cake to pop inside.





These tins, at £35 might not be cheap but what I really love is that you can use just one of them, or two, or all three. They also look pretty without being gaudy (as a lot of the tins I'd seen in shops were) and have the vintage feel that I love.



I don't think the cake is going to last very long in the tin. It's SO good. I had some whilst it was still warm from the oven. Delicious!

Check out dotcomgiftshop and their extensive selection of gifts for all. There are new arrivals every week, as well as special offers and extensive gift guides to help you find your perfect present.

What is your favourite piece from the site?



This is going on my wish list!

Bonus, random outfit photo from first thing this morning when a bleary eyed Mum played photographer.



xxx

The Bluebeards Revenge (a review)

So a couple of weeks ago I posted a picture of a product and left you guessing as to what it was. Today I am revealing all...

Introducing The Bluebeards Revenge.



Originally aimed at men, the brains behind The Bluebeards Revenge discovered that it was actually women behind their bumper sales.

This is a shaving cream that claims to reduce stubble by 40% over the course of 60 days. It was first thought that women were purchasing this for their husbands but it has since been discovered that actually, they want in on the action and have stubble free legs and underarms for longer too.

The magic ingredient of this cream is Decelerine which targets hair follicle growth and weakens new hair formation. As well as inhibiting growth it is also shown to have a soothing and moisturising effect on skin.

The company use totally recyclable packaging and is suitable for vegetarians as well as been paraben free. A percentage of every sale goes to charity supporting injured fire fighers.

I was sent a tub of this to review, having worked with Nick on the blog before (wickedelic lingerie).





If I'm 100% honest, I was incredibly sceptical. I hate shaving my legs (yet I'm not organised to remember to book regular waxing sessions) and something that could reduce the amount of re-growth really did seem too good to be true. However I was prepared to give it a go...and I'm honestly glad I did.

From the first shave my legs were smoother than they had been in a long time, and re-growth seemed to be about 50% slower than before.
I've used it several times since then and I remain impressed! I can really see why so many ladies are jumping on to this product.



The cream itself is lovely. It has a smell like old fashioned soap (you know, the white powdery bars!) and a lovely iridescent sheen to it.
You only need to tinyest amount, about the size of a small almond, and it lathers up suprisingly well; better than many cheaper shaving foams I have used.

A tub will cost you £14.99 from here which might seem pricey but should last you at least 5 months (as you'll be needing to shave less frequently and you use such a small amount!) You also get a free shaving brush with all orders, which you can use to apply the cream, although personally I go the messy route and use my hands!

For more information on Bluebeards Revenge and to learn more about it you can check out the website


So, that was a bit of an epic post for a wet and miserable (AND COLD) Tuesday. I hope everyone's week has got off to a good start. We have cold germs in the house and I am doing my very best to avoid them!

Outfit today is my trust floral harems from Matalan and a loose fit tee from Uniqlo (plus several other additions as the day has progressed!)



xxx

Review: Chocri

Chocolate is one of those foods I deprived myself of for far too long. I'm re-learning just how much I love it though, and was absolutely delighted when I discovered Chocri who have recently started selling their custom made chocolate bars to us UK folks.

A little about the company, from their website:
"Chocri was founded in September 2008. In early 2010 our company launched in the US and as of September 2010 chocri chocolate is available in the UK. Our aim is to create great tasting premium chocolate customised to the wishes of our customers. You can choose a base chocolate (white, dark or milk chocolate), and then add your choice from over 100 toppings. Our range of toppings includes nuts, dried foods, but also exotics such as real gold flakes, small pretzels or chilli peppers. We hand-make the customised chocolate bars in a careful process according to the highest quality standards and ship them to you"

you can read more here

The wonderful folks at Chocri were kind enough to offer me three bars to try out and review...I jumped at the chance and here were the results.


This was the bar I designed for my Dad. It contained: Milk Chocolate with Peanuts, Caramel Chocolate Drops, Roasted Peanuts and Nougat. As you can see, the presentation is impeccable. My dad is a man where actions speak louder than words, and this bar was devoured in one sitting. He said the chocolate was wonderful, and the nuts fresh and crunchy. His only complaint was "needs more caramel".


Next was the bar my Mum chose, containing: Milk Chocolate with Mini Biscuits, Orange Chocolate Drops, Raisins, Toffee and Mini Heart Decoration. We loved the fact you could add decorations to the bar as well as flavours. It really was a work of art. This bar came with the perfect balance of all the toppings and the chocolate base was wonderfully smooth and rich, without being sickly or overly sweet.


And then there was my bar: Milk Chocolate with Organic Salt Pretzels, Cinnamon Cornflakes, Fig Bits and Peanut Butter Drops. One word. AMAZING. This really made me wonder why I deprived myself of the sweet stuff for so long. This was right up my alley and I enjoyed every bite.

Because Chocri is completely personal and you choose exactly what you want on your bar, it's hard to give a proper review and verdict, as it very much depends on personal taste. But I do recommend them wholeheartedly, for the fantastic customer service, the massive range of toppings and bases and for making me fall in love with chocolate all over again.

Prices vary as you pay per base and then for each topping, so it can become quite expensive but well worth it for an indulgent treat or special gift. At the moment they also have festive packaging which you can choose instead of the regular red box.

Oh, and you can name your bar whatever you want.

Have you tried Chocri before?
Are you planning to?
What would your dream chocolate bar be?

Hearts & Bows at Ark Clothing

The other day I was lucky enough to receive a parcel from Ark Clothing. Up until this point I was un-aware that the website existed, if I am totally honest. I'm not very brave when shopping online and prefer to stick to sites of places I shop on the highstreet such as New Look, or if I'm really daring, Asos.

Ark is, however, a real treasure trove for fabulous brands such as Motel, Brat and Suzie, and another new discovery for me, Hearts & Bows. As you can see, this brand is my style exactly with pastel and floral dresses galore.

One thing I definitely want to mention is how beautifully wrapped the parcel was. Inside the plastic envelope was layers of pink tissue paper protecting the dress and skirt inside.
I don't know about you, but shops that make an extra effort with packaging their goods score automatic brownie points.

I was sent the "Graphite Paris Skirt" which is now hands down the most comfortable skirt I own. I love how it sits on the waist and the shape is brilliant. I know I haven't styled it to it's full potential here, but watch this space for something more exciting!







At £16.99 I also think it's a reasonable price for something a bit different, and the sizing was perfect.

I also received the "Pink Polka Dot Floral Dress" which is £22.99. It's a little bit too short for me to wear just as a dress for daytime, so I added denim shorts. One problem I often have with dresses is that the front is often too low cut, or gapes; that wasn't an issue here and I only added the long sleeve top for warmth!







Prettiest print. Ever.

Ark scores yet more brownie points with me for having affordable postage;

£2.50 within the UK for orders under £30 and FREE for orders of £30 or more.
International shipping is also available.
If you have any enquiries Ark endeavour to get back to you within 1 hour during office hours.

Ark pride themselves on speedy service; just 1-3 days after your order has been processed which means you won't be hanging around long to wear your new clothes.

Definitely a site to visit, and one I will be returning to for when I feel like treating myself.

Many thanks to Ark for the beautiful treats.

And extended thanks to all you wonderful readers and commenters for your continued support. I won't lie, things are hard this week, and you are ALL helping far more than you could know.
I'll hopefully get round to your blogs over the next day or so xxx

Black Milk part three and ecosystem

Hello, I hope your week has kicked off with a bang. You get a double post from me today; an outfit AND a review, to make up for what might be a lack of posting and commenting from tomorrow as my week gets hectic with Birthday (non) celebrations spending time with my family, and then a flurry of appointments.
Hopefully by the weekend I'll be back with you 100% ;)

So firstly, I know that like me a lot of you are suckers for gorgeous stationary. Well, look at these beauties:



Are they not the most bright and cheerful notebooks ever?
Not only do they LOOK gorgeous, these books by ecosystem are totally environmentally sound, too.
The lovely Ivy was kind enough to send me three of their Author journals (in watermelon, clementine and kiwi) so I could see for myself.
The books are also available in several other vibrant colours and styles including blank, architect and advisor making them perfect for all your fashion musings.

Here's some information for you:
"Like all of us, each ecosystem has a unique past, present and future. From the packaging to the paper, the book’s past brings together recycled parts to create a new chapter in the life of each component. Every ecosystem product is made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled materials using low-impact processes that are environmentally savvy and responsible. Made entirely in compliance with U.S. Fair Trade standards, ecosystem moves notebooks forward.

Want the full story? Just register your ecosystem online (www.ecosystemlife.com) using its unique ID number to learn the origin of every component in your book and the innovative way it was constructed and if your ecosystem become separated, we’ve got a way to reunite the two of you."





Like I said above, the books are so bright and cheerful and I just love that you can register and learn about exactly where your book came from! The quality is just fantastic and you can order inserts to extend the capabilities of your book such as a to-do list or calendar.

Check out the website for more information, stockists or order online!

Phew, this is turning in to a longer post than I anticipated! But I have to show you the third pair of leggings sent to me by James at Black Milk! I apologise now as the photos DO NOT do these babies justice, un-cooperative lighting and camera frustrate me!

This is the teardrop laces (side) style, available here. It was a bit chilly here yesterday so I added pink tights under mine for additional warmth and a cool contrast.









I have one more pair to share with you, but that will have to wait!
And well,
if you made it through this entire post then you deserve a cookie/cupcake/slice of birthday cake!

I'll be updating and commenting when life allows me too! Stay safe and have fun!

xxx

27.03 PennyDog Jewellery + Outfit

Clearly I've become a bit of a sellout lately, as when the lovely Kerry, creative genius at PennyDog Jewellery got in touch asking if I'd like to review her jewellery I jumped at the chance!
I'd never really heard of her site before she got in touch, but was smitten from the second I followed the link and found it impossible to pick a favourite piece. Instead, I asked Kerry to suprise me, and I was rewarded with this gorgeous necklace:



Kerry says on her website:
"I specialise in affordable, handmade costume jewellery made from resin. Every piece is unique, and though similar pieces can be made, no two are ever the same! From just £12 I offer a custom service to commemorate pets and loved ones by embedding their hair into a piece of jewellery, please contact me for a quote.

I source the embedded objects, mix and pour the resin, dry the piece over two days, then drill it, file it, polish it and varnish it, so each piece is carefully made entirely by hand!

Each necklace, ring or pair of earrings comes in a solid plastic box, and each bangle and bracelet comes in an organza bag. All items are provided with care instructions to help you get the most out of your new purchase. I also can create custom-made orders, so if there's a special photograph, trinket or name you would like embedding in a piece of jewellery, or you require hypoallergenic fittings, for example"

She really is a talented lady and each and every piece on her site is unique. My personal favourites lie in the Sweetheart collection and the Retro range

As promised, the necklace came in a sleek black box and was beautifully presented. It has a good weight to it, without being too heavy and it hung wonderfully around my neck. The quality of both the pendant, and the chain is outstanding, and knowing it is handcrafted and something you can't just pick up in Topshop or Primark adds a charming touch. I love the fact you can also request a custom piece for a special gift, or a memorial piece for a pet or loved one.



I wore it when I popped out to the shops yesterday and was complimented several times and I can see it working perfectly with much of my spring and summer wardrobe as a contrast against the nudes and florals I am favouring. I also have plans to team it with my much longed for maxi dress when I finally get my paws on one!

And because I can, here is a bonus outfit/what I wore my necklace with yesterday (excuse the blurry first photo, still struggling with the camera!)





Polka dot tights and floral dress? Loving it!

Anyway, it is payday weekend for many, so go and check out Kerry's at PennyDog and treat yourself. I demand it.

xxx

Nokia X6 comes with music + mini giveaway

Now, I'll preface this post by saying I am not the most technology savvy of people and until I was presented with this oppurtunity I was perfectly content with my faithful old Samsung phone that did everything I needed it to and more. Smartphones; be it the iphone, blackberry or latest release from anywhere really, always passed me by and I dismissed them, and the related gadgets as too complicated for my easily confused brain to handle.

This changed when Nokia and Comes with Music contacted me at the start of the year, coincidentally just as my valiant pink phone finally gave up the ghost. They offered me the Nokia X6 phone and subscription to Nokia Comes with Music and after initial hesitation (I don't blog for free stuff, I blog because I love to) I accepted, realising I'd be kicking myself for years to come if I let this pass me by.

So firstly, the phone...





Slim, sleek and touch screen, this is far more advanced than anything I have ever owned before (including my laptop!) I had reservations about a phone with no key pad as such but the touch screen has proved simple to use, as is the phone in general with it's easy to navigate menu, and built in help guides.
It's great to finally be able to check e-mails on the go, and keep up with social networking (particually fab for reporting the status of the doctors waiting room it seems), it also means I am never behind on any important advances in my friends and fellow bloggers lives.
But, the main feature, and main appeal of this phone has to be the music player.

I hadn't actually heard of Nokia's music service before now
but again "Comes with Music" has opened my eyes to a whole new world.

I guess the easiest comparison to make would be to itunes, which I have used before. I genuinely prefer Nokia's offering though, it is easier to navigate and the downloads are very fast.
There is a huge range of music, set out in a clear and concise way; categorised with an excellent search function and a constantly updated new releases list to make sure you don't get behind.

Linking the music with the phone could not have been any easier. In fact you can download the software directly on to the phone; although I opted to keep it on my laptop and just transfer the music across (takes seconds!)

Basically, I'm a fan. A convert. Finally up to date in an ever changing world.

I realise this is perhaps a mish-mash to read (it's 6am as I write this) and that potentially you have no idea what it is I am wittering on about,
so, for my UK readers at least, I have a wonderful oppurtunity for you to test out the player for yourself; my music collection has never been more up to date!

Giveaway Time

Nokia and comes with music have kindly provided me with FIVE codes each good for 10 free downloads from the Nokia Music Store
This will of course involve downloading the software if you haven't already, but if I can manage it...then well...the rest of you can!

How to enter:
- open to UK readers only (sorry, I have another giveaway coming up!)
- the giveaway will run until Monday 29th March
- there will be five winners each getting a code for ten free tracks e-mailed to them
- to take part just leave a comment on this post saying "I want free music" and your e-mail address
- winners will be announced and contacted on Monday

Simple!
(and anyone who doesn't want to/can't enter, give me music ideas, I need new stuff!)

Good luck,
and thanks for reading this post! I'll hopefully be sharing an outfit tomorrow...apologies for the scattered nature of my posting this week!

xxx

Marmite XO review

Long time readers of my blog will probably by now have noticed that I have a real addiction to a brown gooey substance called Marmite.
A couple of weeks ago I was flicking through a newspaper when I came across something that literally made me squeal;
Marmite were releasing a new, "extra old" variety of my true love. This new version, Marmite XO was officially released yesterday, but I was lucky enough to have a jar delivered to my door on Friday for review purposes.

Before I start my review, I'll give you the basics, as I know not everyone will be familiar with the wonder of this stuff.


(left is the original marmite, right is new, marmite xo)

- "Marmite is dark brown-colored savory spread made from the yeast that is a by-product of the brewing industry. It has a very strong, slightly salty flavor. It is definitely a love-it-or-hate-it type of food." (definition from www.ilovemarmite.com)

- The love it or loathe it nature of marmite is something which divides Britain.

- The most common ways of eating marmite are; spread on buttered toast or crumpets, in a sandwich either with or without cheese; or on crackers.

- My favourite way to eat the original version is as a dip for raw vegetables, or with cream cheese on ryvita crackers.

- As a child my favourite party food was cheese and marmite pinwheels which are swirls of pastry spread with marmite and sprinkled with cheddar cheese. I can provide a recipe if you wish!





As I mentioned above, yesterday marked the launch of Marmite XO in supermarkets (priced £3.99) and it is also available, with worldwide shipping from the official marmite website shop at £4.99

Described as "Using four specially selected yeast sources, our master blender has crafted the secret Marmite recipe and matured it for four times longer to create a Marmite so strong and full-bodied it can only be for the most devoted of lovers" could it really be better than the original? Or would it be too much for this devoted fan to handle?

As I've only had the jar since Friday I've not yet worked my way through all the ways I want to test this, but so far...SO IN LOVE
I first tried this straight off a spoon for the full effect. The familiar, addictive taste is there, but it is somehow more mature and perhaps a little less salty than it's milder companion.
Next up was the dip test. It fared well with my beloved vegetables, particually carrot sticks. I do love the sweet crunch mixed with the salty goodness.
Rice cakes, and ryvita and cream cheese were vastly improved by XO, as the stronger taste blended beautiful with the cool smoothness of the cheese and crunchy cracker.
I also, in a moment of pure genius, drizzled some on top of roasted butternut squash yesterday...JUST DO IT. NOW.

My list of things yet to do are:

- A tofu marinade (this works well with the original, so I'm hoping it'll be even better now)

- In a cheese and marmite toasted sandwich.

- Baked goods...cheese and marmite muffins, and a re-make of the old favourite pinwheels.

- Marmite and cucumber sandwich (another must try)

- I also plan to stir a spoonfull through some mashed potato, a childhood favourite with an adult kick.

I think it goes without saying that I have just made a new best friend



Are you a lover or a hater?

Never tried marmite, would you like to, and do you think you'd like it?

Have you got your hands on this new wonder yet, or do you plan to, like NOW?

I want to hear all your crazy marmite stories guys. Mad combinations, recipe ideas and memories.
Or, if you must, share your hatred..just don't expect me to agree!

xxx

27.01 keeping busy

Ok, I think I'm with it enough to resume blogging and commenting properly now. Thank you so much for the continued support and kind words. I appreciate each and every one.

I'm finding that I'm mostly okay if I'm busy, so I haven't spent too much time at home lazing around like I normally would. Monday I finally caught up with a friend for coffee and yesterday Mum and I hit Bristol for some retail therapy.

We pretty much took shopping till we dropped seriously and were exhausted by the time we limped back home. Despite missing the bulk of the sales there were still a lot of bargains around, though I bought new season stock only, clothes wise...pieces that can be worn now and in to Spring/Summer when they arrive.

Today I am wearing a dress from Next that Mum decided she was treating me to. Next is somewhere I often overlook, but was suprised yesterday when I found myself coveting much of their s/s range.







Also, a little while ago I wrote a post about www.wickedeliclingerie.co.uk and mentioned that they sent me a couple of pairs to review from their sexy hosiery selection.
I posted an outfit with the first pair last week, and today I am sporting the second, which means it is time for my thoughts.

I have found tights to be hit or miss in terms of quality, not always related to the amount I have paid for them. As you know I have quite a vast collection [in the region of 30 pairs at last count] with prices varying from 50p-£10.
Both pairs of tights from wickedelic rate up at the top quality wise, making them, in my opinion, worth the price on the website [£7 for the floral side pair and £10 for the back seam pair].
Often, with low denier tights I find they ladder almost as soon as I put them on, regardless of how careful I am. These didn’t, and are well made enough to make me think that they won’t any time soon.

The service from the website was excellent. The tights were with me within 48 hours of me making my choice and arrived well packaged in a discreet padded envelope.
Standard delivery costs £4, but is free when you spend £35 or more [which is easily done with me, where tights are involved].

It is quite hard to review something like tights, compared to makeup, food or drink so apologies if this doesn’t flow particularly well. I would like to thank Nick at wickedelic for giving me this opportunity and would urge you all to check out the website if you haven’t already done so…I’ve spied some new styles on there that are on my lust list.


Anyway,
I hope everyone is well, I promise to catch up with your blogs over the course of today and tomorrow, it's the perfect form of escapism for everything that is going on in my head.

There will also be another giveaway posted soon, so stay tuned for that.

xxx