Dairy Milk Oreo

Oh my glittery goodness. 

Last year when Cadbury released their Oreo bars I was a very happy girl. What wasn't there to like?

Thick milk chocolate, with a creamy white filling and small pieces of the dark, dark, chocolatey biscuity goodness.

The only problem is when they come in a big bar, it is very difficult (if you are me) to stop at just one block or strip. 

Finally, the chocolatey powers that be have seen fit to deem us mortals fit to receive a smaller bar of this gorgeous nectar from the gods. 

I love chocolate and I adore Oreos. Ever since I discovered them on a Barnamint Baileys icecream cocktail in TGI Fridays more years ago than I care to remember.

Anyone who has seen some of my foodie posts in the past is probably aware of my issue with texture.

There is something about certain foods that even though I like the taste, they just feel really, really horribly wrong. On this list is salt and vinegar chipsticks, Pringles, Crunchie bars, well done bacon (there is a really small window between perfectly crispy and wrong), and yogurts. What can I say I'm a complex soul. 

But which do I prefer? The big bar or the (what I would call) handbag-sized bar (but then with the size of my handbag a brick could be described as a handbag-sized bar).

Just look at those chunks. The 41g bar has knocked it out of the park for me. The chunks are slightly bigger, with a bubble like feel to the shape. The chocolate creamy goodness gods have delivered more biscuit and more of the creamy filling into one bite of this smaller bar than was originally in the larger bar. 

Result I say. 

Now shush while I finish the rest of this bar! 

Blonde Ambition: Part Two

Earlier this year I began the journey from bright red hair to blonde.

I knew it was going to be a long and windy road heading from this:

To anything anywhere near blonde.

So my first set of highlights brought me to here:

A shade I lovingly named pinge, part pink, part... well I think you get the jist.

So here I am. A good 6 months later, frequently working longer than my contracted hours and without the time to spend the time being pampered at the hairdressers.

I turned to the dye section in my Avon catalogue and chose the lightest Ash Blonde they have. In fact my natural hair colour is a dark ash blonde. That is if you were going to try and find a colour match for it.

I used to dye my hair a lighter blonde during my early twenties, so I'm not a complete novice. Although it was the first time in a very long time that I had lightened my hair myself so I took my 2 boxes of lightest ash blonde (currently £4.50 in campaign 15) into the bathroom.

This kit differs slightly from those that I have used in the past. It is a three part system. 

Part one: a pre-treatment. Almost like a conditioner texture. You add this to the hair that is already coloured (ie not your roots). Massage this is well. 

Part two: the mad chemist bit. You add your tube of colour to the bottle and shake what yo mama gave you. 

I get the wonderful job of doing this bit twice. The joys of having uber long, and extra thick swaths of hair. I used almost a full bottle covering my roots. As directed I left this to cook for 20 mins. 

Then I added the remaining colour to the rest of my hair and made sure that it was well coated. 

I left this bit on for a further 10 mins. I could have gone for longer, but I was against the clock and about to go out for a presentation at the library. 

Part 3: The post dying treatment. What is it about hair dyes? They include the best ever conditioners. After gently wetting the hair, and working it into a lather, rinse until it runs clear. Be patient. If your hair is anything like mine it will take what seems like forever. Then using a wide tooth comb coat your hair in this very thick conditioner and leave for 2-3 minutes and again rinse until clear. 

Then you are done. Style as you see fit. 

I've loved how it hasn't completely lifted the colour on my ends. I'm rather attached to the reddy tinge that is left. There is something about having a bespoke colour going on that I like. I love to be slightly different to the rest of the crowd.

After photo doesn't quite capture the full lightening that happened, the joy of Autumn's changing lights. I've already added another two boxes to my next Avon delivery.

May your day Glitter & Sparkle!

BeeBee

Lindt Cookies & Cream Bar

I was wondering around my local Tesco store and noticed a large presentation unit of swish looking chocolatey goodness. 

Obviously my eye was turned. And I picked out these two flavours. Cookies and Cream and Salted Caramel. 

I don't always get along with Lindt truffles. The red ball one is high on my don't eat that list. The texture however is right up there. 

With strong coffee I sat down with the Cookies & Cream bar. It's indentations led to a clean 'snap' which revealed a soft centre. Almost like a Kinder bar on a giant scale. 

The texture again is very much like that Kinder bar, with and added dark chocolate crispy crunch. 

The outside layer of milk chocolate is thick enough to stand up against the crispy cream centre, however it seemed overly sweet, almost artificially so. It is not a bar that I feel should or could be eaten in one go. 

Mouth feel was ooh, followed by an almost claggy experience. I am glad I had a nice hot coffee to clear my palette. 

What I've Been Eating: Chicken & Chorizo Sandwich

Picture the scene...

You wake up late, the loaf of bread that you programmed the bread maker hasn't finished (yes my programming and maths both suck) so you have nothing for lunch. Before you run out of the door for that shift in the office you remember that you have some of Taste Inc.'s pre-made goodies in the fridge.

I'll hold my hands up and say that they are not items on my usual shopping list. But on day's like today they are a godsend, and when you only get a 30 minute break for lunch - speedy too. Handy when you have one microwave between 50+ people in a shared kitchen.

I wasn't expecting much from the sandwich to be honest. Chicken and Chorizo is a crisp baguette ticked all the boxes for me on a taste point, 380 calories didn't make too bigger dent in my daily allowance either.

The product:



The taste:

Not bad. The chicken wasn't the best quality, but then I've had worse cooked for me in restaurants, there was a bit of something tendony. The chorizo was like a bacon rasher... that I liked. Not too spicy but enough kick to beat it's way through the thick, creamy mayonnaise that was in the packet. The bread wasn't crispy though. It wasn't bad either, as a person with an aversion to overly crispy food the texture, if a bit wooly, worked for me. It could have done to be a little less sweet. The baguette reminded me of Bimbo bread I've eaten in Spain.



The preparing:



A time consuming 45 seconds per side!! Swift fast food.

What did I think?:



I am really surprised to say I really enjoyed this product and at roughly £1.99 (current price at Morrisons) I will probably buy this again as a standby meal, for those 'oh crap' days or when I'm in double shift mode at the office.

They do have a fairly short shelf/fridge life but surely that is a good thing.

When I first heard about the snacks, and the majority being under 500 calories I immediately wondered if they would be suitable for fast days on 5:2. Sadly, although they look good on paper for this this particular sandwich isn't. The satiation from it isn't great, and it almost begs for something to be eaten on the side (steaming chunky chips do come to mind).

Overall:

Not bad, but not great either. My mind has been blown by the idea of chorizo bacon though.

May your day Glitter & Sparkle.


*This is a sponsored post. All my views are impartial.

Asda Stuffed Crust Spicy Meatball Pizza with Garlic & Herb Dip

I rarely buy supermarket pizzas, this one I first tried after finding it in the Whoops.... section. I love a good Whoopsie bargain. 

On the box it looks appealing, I don't think that they'd let it look like a dog's dinner on the box. 

So how does it stand-up to the box? I have found on the times I have bought it that the toppings have slid off the base. I have transported it straight, on a side and generally thrown it around. Not once has it arrived without needing a makeover before going in the oven. 

Taste-wise it's got a kick. Not a huge one, but enough to know that the mini meatballs are there. The garlic & herb dip is a great complimentary side for this. Even my non-spicy child demolishes this when I serve it up for tea. There is a mildly spiced tomato base with a smattering of cheese on top on which the mini meatballs sit. 

It is probably just as well that there isn't too much cheese as the crust hides a tube of gooey molten goodness - I personally would have liked there to be a touch of chilli in here too. I am a bit of a chilli fiend though, just ask @thechillijamman 

Overall totally worth the £3.50 it costs. 

Exposure by Kathy Reichs and Brendan Reichs

Before it was a TV series Bones was a character dreamt up by former forensic anthropologist turned best-selling author Kathy Reichs. In her famed novels Temperence Brennan hunts down killers as she splits her time between Vancouver and South Carolina.

Her the author teams up with her son Brendan for the fourth novel in the Virals series.

Based around the adventures, and mis-adventures, of Victoria 'Tory' Brennan, great-niece of Temperence, and her school pals.

Tory, Hi, Ben and Shelton aren't your average teenagers though. After an experiment went wrong the friends were infected with a virus which changed their DNA, heightening their senses and turning them into a pack of 'Virals', almost superhuman with wolf-like mannerisms. They are linked by Tory's wolfdog Cooper, the original source of the man-made virus.

When twins Lucy and Peter miss school, and a video ransom is delivered, it becomes apparent that they have been taken. A cryptic clue is left behind in the form of a card picturing the astrological sign Ophiuchus. Wanting to help, the school friends take it upon themselves to find out where they went.

Able to tap into their wolf-like senses, and with some forensics knowledge, picked up by Tory from her aunt, the pack decides to hunt down the culprit. After searching the twin's home, Tory discovers that something bad has happened in the house, but gets the sense that she is also in danger. However, her reputation at the police station is shot and no one believes them when they present evidence that something is going on.

But when her best friend is also abducted, and a card with Cetus on is left behind, in the midst of a flawed manhunt, the pack redouble their efforts to get to the bottom of what is going on, even putting their own lives on the line to discover the truth.

I loved this book, yes it is aimed at Young Adults, however so was Twilight and I enjoyed those too. It flowed well and the shorter chapter style (eerily similar to James Patterson) kept the pages turning.

I have now downloaded the first 3 novels and the 2 novellas on to my Kindle to enjoy.

You can get a copy here.

Seasonal Flavours: Harper's Bizarre

Late last October I found myself wandering around a local craft fair in my home town. The scent as I walked in was amazing. After a leisurely meander, stopping by the Pampered Chef stall, a cupcake counter and some fabulous cross stitching I found out where the scrumptious smells were coming from.

I adore scented candles. But I find most of them disappointing. Never quite living up to the promise of their label or their initial sniff test. I am a huge fan of sweet caramel tones at the moment. Probably a comfort thing as both my mum and gran were bakers, at home and at work.

Made with natural soya wax Victoria, the lovely lady behind Harper's Bizarre, mixes each batch [of candles by hand. If you visit her stall you can also find limited editions that don't make it onto the website.

I'm currently burning Peanut Brittle, and have been since October - giving it a miss in December for a more cinnamon-based candle,  which is an incredibly cozy candle. I am lusting after so many others. On my long list are Cherries Jubilee,  Birthday Cake, Fruit Fairy, Spicy & Homey, Sweet & Musky, Sweet Pea and Cherry Pie. Those would last me a very long time indeed, and new ranges are brought out regularly. Recent additions have been Licorice Alsorts and Parma Violets.

If you are in the East Riding of Yorkshire you can find these vegan beauties at the UpMarket popup shop at Hull's Prospect Centre every Saturday 9-5pm and on the 1st Sunday of the month at Humber Bridge Farmers Market 9-1pm.

Her range is also available online at http://harpersbizarre.org.uk

At £8 per candle, or 3 for £20, each candle has an approximate burn time of 25 hours. Victoria has a fantastic nose and has even perfected a candle which smells like an authentic Jaffa Cake, which even now I still covet.

This is a great product which stays true to it's scent and lasts for ages, with a nice even burn and makes a wonderful gift for that someone special.

What I've Been Watching: Call the Midwife

This series is a gem in the BBC's crown, recent years Sunday night dramas have been lacking something.

As a child I was brought up with drama series including All Creatures, Great and Small and Heartbeat. In the absence of my closest family I find this offering both comforting and, at times, heartbreaking.

It's not as soft around the edges as some period pieces. Saying that I haven't seen either Downton Abbey or Mr Selfridge, there is only so much TV a girl can watch before her eyes begin to melt. I like the fact they don't shy away from difficult storylines and have included key moments in medical history into their world. Series 3 has noted the introduction of breathing through the pain during labour - which is still used today - and the use of antibiotics to treat patients. Seen as a cure all, it was where the over-prescription of the medication first started and resistance began to build.

Set post-war in East End London, the young midwifes and nuns are at the beck and call of the run down residents in slum like conditions. Times are changing and so is the series.

What used to be a nice comforting watch is now broaching tougher and more emotional story lines, following nurse Jenny Lee played by Jessica Raine, now a sister.

We've seen Chummy (Miranda Hart) develop from being an awkward midwife to being a confident mother and wife, and then returning to Nonnatus House as a part-time midwife.

I can't wait to see what is in store for Trixie and Cynthia this year.

My Life Mondays: What an Experience

Oh my word.

This weekend was surreal to say the least.

Along with a team of other Scout leaders I took my pack of Cubs (and 5 others) on their Humberside District Sleepover at The Deep in Hull.

What an amazing experience.

After the public had all left for the day over 100 Cubs arrived at the 'submarium' for their big adventure.

First we took the tour around the facility, stopping to marvel at the jellyfish as they glowed in their tubes, stopping to pet the starfish and a sea urchin the children's minds started to spark with what was ahead.

After marvelling at a purple-spotted and pregnant ray in the petting tank, we continued to a slightly larger tank filled with tropical fish. Including the most darling of a fish with a polka-dot belly and a rather deflated puffer fish. They're almost cute when not looking like they have swallowed a balloon.

We turned round to be brought face-to-face with a shark and some of the hugest fish I have ever seen. Not a clue what variety they were but goodness they were fast.

We got to eat supper near the shark tank, then moved on to design some t-shirts and badges. This is where I sloped off for a crafty latte in The Deep cafe. If you do go I wholly recommend that beverage, creamy and caffeinated just what I needed!

Quickly, 10pm arrived and with it bedtime for the cubs... believe that you'll believe anything. My pack were next to the shark tank. As soon as lights out happened the giant swordfish came out to play. There were truly a sight to behold.

One by one the Cub fell into slumber. That's when as I leader I got to play. I tend not to sleep on residentals/sleepovers if they are only for one night and they are going home soon after. I got to tour the facility with the lights off, the sharks were amazing and the fish sneaky.

It was such an amazing opportunity, and all my cubs loved it.

All the staff we had contact with were brilliant and I can't wait to return once the penguin's arrive, their new enclosure already looks like it is going to be out of this world.

January Favourites

Here are three items I have loved this month.

Hair Screws.

This little items may look like a device of torture but make bun wearing and updos so much more comfortable, easy and long wearing. You can get them here

Avon Eye Shadow Quad in Mocha Latte. 

I love this little bundle of neutral colours, and the fact that they come with instructions on where each colour should go on your eye to create a natural smoky look. Great for work and casual daily looks. A yummy mummy palette of goodness. Available from your local representative.

Cleanser.

This month I discovered this gem of a product. I tend not to use a lot of face washes as my skin can have some fantastically bad reactions to them. I was having a fair few breakout issues after the festive season, so I mixed up my cleansing routine. I remove my make up, then use this. I massage the fine beads into my skin and removed with a fairly hot flannel. It leaves my skin really nice and soft. Superdrug currently have this on offer here.

What I've Been Reading: Kate Harrison's The Secret Shoppers Affair

After the first two books I was really looking forward to reading this one. There was a stab of disappointment when I saw the cover when I picked it up off the shelf. The other two had a certain something that this one just doesn't. 

After the last two books the three friends have left their secret shopper past behind them. The things that kept them together have fallen by the wayside. Sandie is pregnant by Toby, Grazia has said goodbye to the great love of her life and is embracing an long-forgotten skill, Emily is still with Will in Heartsease working in and living above their homemade shop. 

Emily wants to be pregnant, Will has put a kibosh on that one for the foreseeable future. Emily is starting to become more and more resentful of the time that the shop demands from herself and Will. 

From the outside Sandie appears to have it all. The climbing career, the heir to Garnetts as her boyfriend and a new home being renovated. However, Sandie is struggling. The house looks like it won't be ready in time for the baby's arrival, Toby's family's empire is crumbling around their ears and Emily is just draining her. 

Grazia has finally stepped out from her late husband's shadow, and stepped into the arms of a loving man - with teenage children. She quickly finds her stride as the relationship looks like it could blossom into something more. 

Can these friends make their way back to each other or are they destined to float ever further apart?

What I've Been Reading: Kate Harrison's The Secret Shopper Unwrapped

This is the second book in Kate Harrison's Secret Shopper Trilogy. 

We meet up with Sandie, Emily and Grazia. Formerly, Charlie's Shopping Angels. After the success of the rebrand of Will's DIY store, Sandie is on the up and up with her new business helping troubled companies to keep the wolves from the door. 

Emily and toddler Freddie are now living with Will above the shop. They've re-opened as a village shop and are struggling to make ends meet. Over Christmas, with the help of her son, Emily visits the department stores of London to check on the Santas in their grottos. 

Grazia, has moved on from her old life. With wealth on her side, and a new toy boy, she is checking out the latest hotels. 

Can Emily and Will pull together and lift the shop out of certain financial ruin. Will Sandie find balance instead of losing herself in her work and will Grazia remember just how old she told everyone she was?

I loved this book, and was really difficult to put down. 

What I've Been Reading: Kate Harrison's Secret Shoppers Revenge

I've read quite a few of Kate Harrison's books before.

Knowing how they have the ability to suck you in I waiting until I had the full trilogy in my possession before I read the first one.

In The Secret Shopper's Revenge we are first introduced to single-mother Emily.

After moving into the City of London, Emily is left by her husband in the flat that they bought together. Struggling to make ends meet, and to find her way as a lone parent, Emily attempts to lose herself in her favourite department store.

Emily decides to try on some clothes, which then gets marked by her baby. In a muddle Store Manager Sandie comes to her rescue, but in the process seals her own fate at the hands of an unscrupulous colleague.

Both of them come into contact with glamorous widow Gazia. Where looks are at their most deceptive. Still mourning the death of her artist husband, Grazia is spending beyond her frugal means. Grazia helps to fund her lavish lifestyle secret shopping. Spying on stores to report back on the good, the bad and the ugly for the ultimate shopping experience.

After the event in the changing room, unassuming Emily finds herself out for revenge, Sandie who wants to bring down the shop assistant that ended her career doing the one thing she knows how to and Grazia signs them up to the agency that she works for. Together they are Charlie's Shopping Angels.

When they are sent to a small DIY shop the trio find that their loyalties start to become strained.

I loved this book so much, and couldn't put it down. I read it in just one evening.

You can buy your copy here

Seasonal Flavours: Kellogg's Special K Multi-Grain Porridge: Almond and Honey flavour

I was wandering around my local Asda the other day and happened upon this little pot.

At 50p I thought why not give it a go. Breakfast in the Princess Kitchen is often a hurried and stressful affair, so I tend to wait until the boys have got to school before I have mine. With a well deserved coffee.

How do you make it?: Boil the kettle, pour onto the line, stir, replace the plastic lid and leave for 3 minutes. Eat! Nice and stress free.

What does the packet say?: Not a lot to be honest. It has a mix of Whole Oats, Whole Rye and Barley, 7 vitamins and iron (I naturally need lots of iron or a get really poorly) and tasty in 3 minutes.

What I say: It looks good, when you decant it from the pot, and is in no way the same size portion that you would make for yourself if you made your own porridge. Which lets be fair isn't a tricky thing to do.

It's very sweet, overly so for my taste buds. I needed to add a reservoir of milk on top to detract away from that sweetness. The almond nibs were a great addition. With this being a multi-grain product the texture was amazing. I'm not one for a solid mass of smoothness. I need to chew. this for an instant product delivered that texture in just 3 minutes.

However, for what it is an on offer for 50p I would stock up. Not so sure I would pay full price for it.

Review: Avon's Line & Lash

I ordered this after seeing it come through for a couple of my customers.

I love a bit of glitter, and I adore silver.

The liner side is a liquid liner with a brush to apply and a mascara wand at the other side.

I love the glitter liner. It's not overly in your face and will lend itself to different coloured liners although I've only used it with black so far, plan to pair it with either a blue or a teal one next.

However, I'm not so keen on the mascara. It does have some good points. It's brush has a good bristle wand to it. I don't like the product's consistency, it's rather thick and doesn't do my short lashes any favours. I need a product that lengthens and thickens, probably why I use 2 mascaras.