This week Snacking Saturday comes to you via a long-term favourite of mine, Nature Valley. I blogged about their gardens competition a couple of weeks back, and at the time also mentioned they had sent me some of their new bars to review! Mmm.

I would like to apologise, this isn’t going to be the best review. The suspected kidney infection is now maybe a kidney stone…and hence, I am on a little less than top form!
Haul!

I remember first seeing these bars a couple of years ago…and they vanished for a while before I really got a chance to try them. Now they are back. And yummy! I’m not a major berry girl but it was still enjoyable to me…the fruit and nut was divine! I like cereal bars with a softer texture (although it does break quite easily, meaning I get a messy desk!)

The very latest addition to the range are the crunchy and more bars. I confess, I am yet to try the oats and hazelnuts variety…but this was because I am too busy enjoying the oats and berries. What I really love about these bars is that they are reminiscent of hobnob biscuits, but better for you! The berry variety (despite my earlier claimed dislike for berries) has me hooked!

I also managed to finally track down the elusive ginger crunch granola bar, which isn’t on the website yet. This bar is part of the original line up and hugely delicious! If you see one, grab it (but only if you like ginger…this isn’t for the faint hearted!)

Who else is a Nature Valley fan? I remember once upon a time there being a banana variety. Unless I dreamt it. Any one else remember?

(I know the USA has more flavours…peanut butter I believe…if anyone fancies a bar exchange…)

xxx

*Drool Worthy Collection Alert*

“Taking inspiration from the past, Oasis has created the New Vintage Collection, compromising of exquisite prints and designs, these beautiful pieces encapsulate the romance and nostalgia of eras gone by”.

There are five dresses in the collection, all with matching scarves and bags.

£125

£110

£35

£16

At the very least, I NEED a scarf. These prints are right up my street; and the cut of the dresses looks amazing. Vintage with some modern kicks. Laura loves.

All are available now from Oasis stores and online.

Oasis also kindly sent some amazing biscuits from biscuiteers. I took them in to work for some much needed spoiling…and they didn’t last long enough to snap a photo. Take my word for it though guys…most stunning biscuits ever!

xxx

The currently smokin‘ hot with gorgeous dresses Missguided dropped me an e-mail the other day, with a challenge. The challenge was to create an outfit suitable for a Summer event.

Sad fact. I have no typical Summer events planned; no weddings, days at the races or garden parties (not even a BBQ) but never one to turn away a challenge, I decided to proceed anyway.

And because it’s most likely that you’d find me at a garden party (preferably an old school TEA party), here’s what I picked as my dream outfit for it.

I decided to keep it minimal and simple. I don’t want to be keeping track of stray hats, sunglasses and other various accessories. I want to have fun and eat cake.

I picked a bright dress to make an impact…

The Aldara Tailored Lace Pleat Dress (currently sold out) in burnt orange has the fit and shape I love, whilst not being too “out there” in terms of colour and pattern. The lace keeps it girly and the colour reminds me of hot summer days.

On my feet you’ll find Tropez Floral Print Super High Wedges because an all out floral outfit would be a garden party cliche, but an outfit for me, wouldn’t be complete without some flowery action. The wedges add height (lots of it) without that awful “heels sinking in to grass” issue that plagues thousands of women all summer long.

And to accessorize? Nothing but bright polka dotted nails, using the Love Nail Polish set. The colours clash delightfully with the dress and there is plenty of scope for nail art goodness.

What do you think? Garden party worthy? What do you think of the Social Style range?

xxx

(please note, this entry will later be used as a competition entry so once again I will be pleading for votes!)

This is the latest blogger competition I’ve got myself involved with. I guess I’m feeling brave, after taking the plunge with the Matalan competition.

This pink Filofax of wonder is going to feature in a special outfit post soon. This book of wonder is also known as the Filofax Apex, inspired by this season’s colour block trend.

From 9th of June, voting will open on the Filofax facebook page and I will once again be canvasing for votes to declare me as the winner (trust me, it’ll be worth it!)

I’ll be posting my outfit on the blog some time next week (once I’ve actually decided). If any one has any suggestions or just wants to wish me love/wish me failure/declare their Filofax love, I’d be most grateful.

xxx

I’ve already proclaimed my love of bars, so when Eat Natural sent over some samples of their new toasted muesli bars (and more!) I was ecstatic.

Generous!

The new toasted muesli bars fall under the website “stuff for breakfast” category. Not one to break the rules, I dutifully tested these for that all important first meal of the day. Crumbled in to whole grain peach yoghurt, as you do.

Out of the two flavours; multiflakes and marmalade, the multiflakes was my favourite. But both were delicious and to be fair, I’m not really a marmalade kind of girl. These are brilliant for either a quick breakfast on the go, or as part of a more drawn out affair. The bars are 198 calories each, and contain lots of yummy dried fruit and nuts so really are a good start.

Of the other bars, well, I have several favourites! They are all so good and FRESH tasting (ya know how some bars can taste…stale?!) The dried fruit was sticky and sweet and the chunks of nut were huge and generous.
If I had to narrow it down, I’d put my top three as:

Almonds, Apricots and yoghurt coating. Three of my favourite things in one bar. WINNER.

Cranberries, Apricots and yoghurt coating. This is the only nut free bar at the moment, and it made the perfect afternoon pick me up, instead of the handfuls of chocolate fingers I have been eating. Even without the nuts, it was a fairly substantial bar.

Dark 70% Chocolate, Brazils and Apricots. Described as Tropical Heaven….it really is so.damn.good.

I’m now on the hunt for the newly launched little bars so I can mix and match my snacks. Decisions are not my strong point. This way I can eat three at once!

Who else is an eat natural fan?
What’s your favourite?

xxx