But go go go vote for my gorgeous girl Daniela here

Sad but true fact; the only bars that feature in my life right now are the snack ones, not the gin containing alcohol ones.

Actually…happy tummy vs. hangover from hell? I know which I prefer!

Bars are a staple in my snacking life. Portable and convenient for work, there are SO many out there that I never get bored. When the UK versions grow old, I place an order on iHerb (their international shipping is SO cheap) and stock up with snacks and cereal, or beg USA friends to swap some goodies.

Right now the main players in my life are…

Nakd bars! I LOVE these, pictured is gingerbread, but my absolute favourite is cocoa mint. I either buy mine from the Supermarket/Holland and Barret or order online.
Jordans coconut crunchy bar…basically a biscuit in bar form. These are GOOD.
Meridian foods peanut butter and oat bar. I won these in a blog giveaway, I’m yet to see them in any shops local to me. SO good and perfect if I have a longer shift at work and need something more substantial with a slower energy release.

Protein bars. Because sometimes I really, really need a protein fix. I can’t explain it but some days I am so tired and everything aches (it’s a remnant of being un-healthy for so long) and these seem to help keep me going. They taste quite artificial, especially the power bars (currently on special offer in Holland and Barret) but I got used to them and see them as a means to an end rather than an absolute staple. If anyone knows of any nice tasting protein bars, I welcome suggestions! The power pack bar is actually quite nice…a bit like milky ways with a protein-y after taste.

Large nakd bar. Apple pie wins. On cold afternoons I stick this in the microwave (minus wrapper) for 20 seconds for a hot treat.
The 9bars were another blog giveaway win. I really, really like these but don’t have them very often. I find them rich…especially the ones with the carob topping but I do like to take one with me if I’m out shopping, or as a makeshift lunch until I can get something more proper.

The lara bar I can barely bring myself to devour as we can’t get them over here. A wonderful friend sent me this along with the most AMAZING peanut butter in the world. I am forever in her debt.

I couldn’t not pop in a photo of my Friday snacky box for work (babybel cheese, dried fruit and bear yo-yos)

Are you a fan of bars? What are your favourite?

International readers, I’m curious as to what varieties you enjoy
(and potentially do a swap of some kind)

xxx

Woo, it’s Saturday again, which means SNACKING SATURDAY of course. This week will be a two-part review, with the second to follow next Saturday due to my OCD about only having one box of a certain thing open at once (please tell me I’m not the only one!)

This weeks top snack came courtesy of Dorset Cereals who’s products I have been a long time fan of.
Needless to say when they contacted me asking if I’d like to sample their latest offering I jumped at the chance.

Good Honest Crunch is the name, with the motto “life’s too short for boring breakfasts”…something I embrace heartily!

“Our brand new Good Honest Crunch is for those who like to live a little. Delicious rolled oats with crisped rice, coconut, sugar and runny honey gently baked to make a gloriously light, clustery breakfast. It’s perfect for those mornings when you feel like doing things a bit differently.

After all, time is precious – so why spend it drinking vending machine coffee, watching tired old repeats or eating breakfasts that are anything but glorious?”

Hello generous!

Good Honest Crunch is available in two delicious sounding flavours- toffee/pecan crunch and strawberry/raspberry crunch.
Being the sweet tooth devil that I am, I decided to start off with toffee/pecan.

Firstly, top marks for the gorgeous packaging! Secondly you’ll notice that my serving doesn’t look much like breakfast! That’s because I couldn’t wait and had some as a snack the same afternoon.
In a way I’m glad, this granola is every bit as sweet as it’s name suggests. This is no bad thing but even with my sweet tooth, there is a limit to what I personally can handle first thing in the morning…but we’re all different and I can see this being utterly incredible with ice cold milk, or thick creamy yoghurt!

The taste. HEAVEN! This stuff is addictive, incredible. Fresh. Crunchy. Everything you could want in a granola, really.
For me it makes the perfect afternoon snack, especially when I am at work and want something to pick at whilst I’m slaving away.

The only downside to this product is the price. At almost £3 a box in the supermarkets where I’ve seen it so far, this isn’t an affordable everyday breakfast.
That isn’t going to stop me buying it though, I’ll either take advantage of special offers or just splurge as an every-so-often treat.

If you see this on offer or fancy a special breakfast, I really do urge you to buy this. It’s probably not the kind of thing you’d eat for breakfast every day anyway, so why not save it up and make Sunday mornings special?

For those like me, who think that life is indeed too short for boring breakfasts, pop along to this page and share what else life is too short for.

Have you tried this yet?
Are you tempted?
What is your staple breakfast/favourite cereal/favourite granola?

My review of strawberry/raspberry to come next week.

Enjoy your weekend and stay snack happy
xxx

A while ago the lovely Deana at Sourz contacted to let me know they were launching a new facebook application called “Bling or Ming”?
Please let it be known I am not usually a fan of either of these words…but said rapidly together they are quite good fun, and the application is light hearted and fun! I’ve been following it’s progress over the last few weeks, and finally it has arrived!

Here’s the all important details:

Okay Fashionistas. Want to win a £50 shopping voucher just for showing off your outfits?

Head to the Sourz Bling or Ming Facebook Application now

Entering is simple, just upload 2 photos of yourself in 2 different outfits to their Bling or Ming application. The Sourz community will vote on which outfit they prefer. And you can vote on other people’s outfits too! So get your stylist hat on 🙂

They’re going to be giving away one £50 shopping voucher PER WEEK for 6 WEEKS, so you have loads of chances to win!

You can enter the Competition here

I promise you this is not some blogger version of Take me Out (although that could be good fun, too).
At some point you might see my face pop up on the app
and I’ll be looking out for yours, too!

What do you think? £50 to shop with guilt free sounds pretty good right now!

xxx

Presenting Tempus – Richard Parker (live)

Tempus – Richard Parker (live) from Ben Saffer on Vimeo.

It’s been a little while since I did a post about Richard Parker; as some of you know, this is my brother’s band
and whilst I may be accused of being bias…they are pretty damn good (and very nice young chaps too…mad as hatters but ever so cheery)

I know they have a few gigs coming up, let me know if your interested and I’ll pop the dates up when I have them!

Check them out on Facebook, too and let me know what ya reckon!

Hope your having a WONDERFUL Sunday!

xxx

EDIT

– I WILL SEND CHOCOLATE/some other random gift to the first commenter to tell me which band member my brother is! Further proof we really don’t look much alike in my eyes..but prove me wrong!