Travel Bucket List

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When I hit my 20s I decided to create a bucket list, and though I’ve managed to tick a few things off over the last few years, my list is still growing.  Quite a few of the things on my list involve travel, and though I’m not yet very well travelled, I’ve been lucky enough to tick a couple of them off fairly recently, albeit the ones that are close to home.  In 2013 My fiancé and I flew to Dublin for a fun-packed mini break, and last year we went to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival – something I’d been wanting to do for years.  However, I’m still saving up to go on my three big bucket list holidays, so I thought I’d share them with you today.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA(Copyright Naomi Willett, 2012)

1. Ontario, Canada

When he was young my dad lived in Ontario in Canada, and his stories of the hot summers and snowy winters of his childhood have had me longing to visit there for years.  I’m a sucker for a beautiful landscape, and from what I hear Ontario has an abundance of them, especially during Autumn, when the rust coloured trees transform the mountainsides into glowing dunes.  I’m a keen photographer and hope one day to hike through Canadian woods, and take a boat trip over Ontario’s lakes, so that I can photograph the natural beauty of the land.

I’d also like to visit Toronto whilst I’m there, as I’m not averse to the bustling city vibe either.  I can just picture myself grabbing some poutine from a little independent café, before wandering the streets and browsing shops full of books and trinkets, before stopping for dinner in Hogtown Vegan, a fab little vegan restaurant that I’ve heard nothing but good things about.

2. Pennsylvania, USA

California, Florida and New York tend to be the American holiday destinations of choice for most people, but I feel more drawn to Pennsylvania.  As well as Ontario, my dad spent some of his childhood in Pennsylvania, so one day I want to take a trip there to see where he grew up.  I’d love to stay for a while, and treat the state more as a home than a holiday spot, blending in rather than doing the tourist thing, so that I can really get a feel for what life is like for the people who live there.  I want to visit all the spots that my dad has told me about, and eat the food he used to eat.  I’d also like to go to some NFL games, as my fiancé is a big NFL fan.  It would be great if we could see his team (Minnesota Vikings) playing my team (Philadelphia Eagles)!

3. Oslo, Norway

Last but certainly not least is my ultimate bucket list travel destination, and that’s Norway.  Or any Scandinavian country for that matter.  Ever since I was a toddler I’ve been fascinated by space, and one thing that’s always intrigued me is the Northern Lights.  Every time I see a photograph of clear night skies lit up with smudges of green, pink, purple and blue, like an oil painting, my heart skips a beat at the sheer, phenomenal beauty of it.  It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to stay in a humble log cabin, in the snow, under the stars, next to a roaring fire, under a blanket with my fiancé, eating toast and watching as the magic of the sky dances above us.  It would be amazing.  Truly amazing.

Visiting Norway would also be a great opportunity to pack in some action, and create lifelong memories with activities like husky sledding, snowmobiling, reindeer spotting, and trekking through vast forests.  Imagine the stunning photographs that I could take!

This post is my entry into Transun‘s #TransunLights Blogger Competition, and the prize is to win a trip for two to see the Northern Lights.  Winning would help me tick a trip off my bucket list, which would be incredible, so I’m keeping everything crossed!

What destinations are on your travel bucket list?

Naomi x

Highcross Spring Beauty Fix

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A few weeks ago the Highcross in Leicester ran a two-day Spring Beauty Fix event, so I headed down on the Saturday to see what was going on.

I decided to get there early so I could appreciate the event before the centre got really busy, and already there was a buzz around what the Beauty Fix had to offer. There were several displays featuring this season’s fashion trends, with a colour consultant on hand to advise on the best colours to suit your style throughout Spring. I had a quick browse of the rails and spotted a cute dress covered in polka dots, which happens to be my favourite print for clothing, so I’m hoping to see more dotty items in the shops soon!

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Another stand which caught my eye was the Beauty Amnesty, which invited shoppers to discard five unwanted items of make-up, in exchange for a £10 gift card to be spent on beauty items that day. A great deal considering several brands were offering discounts, and brands such as Nails Inc, Urban Decay and Hotel Chocolat were all giving beauty advice during the event!

There were also many offers to be had on the day in stores, and several freebies up for grabs. Rituals and Decleor were offering complimentary skincare consultations, and Rituals, YSL and Clinique also had free samples and items to give away.

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Whilst at the event I also managed to do a bit of shopping, and whilst browsing Debenhams’ beauty offerings I spotted Ghost’s Eclipse fragrance, which I decided to treat myself to. Ghost perfumes are my all-time favourites, and Eclipse’s light floral and fruity notes will be perfect for the coming warm months. I also headed over to H&M as I wanted a new dress, and managed to get a lovely grey number, as well as some cute mouse slippers.

Overall it was a fun day, and I’m looking forward to the next event that Highcross puts on, as they’re always enjoyable.

Naomi x

Thrifty Finds No. 6: Car Boot

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It’s that time of year when the car boot sales start up again (yay!), so on Easter Sunday I went along to my first car boot of the year.  As usual I was on the look out for fashion bargains, and lucky for me the clothes were out in abundance.  I spent a good while rifling through boxes and clothes rails, and managed to come away with four good quality pieces.

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Next Button Wrap Front Dress £2.50

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Per Una Crochet Sleeve Jumper Dress £1

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ASOS Swallow Print Skater Dress £2

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Miss Selfridge Drape Front Cardigan £1

I also got a cute little ‘Sew Your Own Baby Owl’ kit for 50p, which I thought would be a nice little craft project to do one evening.

It total, including the craft kit, I spent just £7.  I’m really pleased with my latest thrift haul, and I hope I can keep up the pace and add more bargainous additions to my wardrobe next time!

Have you been thrifting yet this year?  Have you managed to find anything exciting?

Naomi x

Easter with Lindt

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Last week I was lucky enough to receive some yummy Lindt Easter treats, via the lovely people at Degustabox.  I love Lindt chocolate, so this came as a welcome surprise!  I was sent a large classic Gold Bunny, as well as a Lindt Gold Bunny Story Book, which is absolutely adorable.

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Easter wouldn’t be Easter without a Lindt Gold Bunny.  The foil wrapper, red bow and little bell are iconic, and the thick, creamy chocolate is delicious.  I always think Lindt’s bunnies are a little bit more luxurious than your average Easter egg, so while they’re great for kids, they’re also ideal for grown ups.

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The Gold Bunny Story Book is like an Easter version of an advent calendar, but isn’t dated, so you can open doors and enjoy the treats as and when you wish.  The book is quite large, and tells an interactive story whereby you have to seek out the hidden gold bunnies, and open the corresponding door when you find one.  The book has eleven doors, each with a treat behind it, and in total you get fifteen treats.  Three mini gold bunnies, two lambs, two chicks, three hollow eggs, and five small solid eggs, which is a decent amount of chocolate.  Each treat is made from Lindt’s signature milk chocolate.

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I hope you’ve all had a lovely Easter so far, and I hope you enjoy the bank holiday tomorrow!  What treats have you been enjoying?  Did the Easter Bunny bring you one of his gold babies?

Naomi x

*This Lindt Gold Bunny and Lindt Gold Bunny Story Book were sent to me via Degustabox for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*

Degustabox February 2015

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February’s Degustabox was one of my favourites in a good few months, with a good mix of the types of things that I enjoy eating, and new brands that I hadn’t tried before, including Whole Earth, Laimon Fresh, and Lily O’Brien’s.

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The box contained eleven individual items, with a total value of over £22.  Degustabox costs £12.99 each month, so this box saves you around £10, which is a pretty decent saving.

Also, this month I’ve decided to start rating each item of out 10, so you can get a better idea of which items stand out for me, and which don’t.  Here are my thoughts on each item…

Lily O’Brien’s Cocoa Cookie Crunch (RRP £2.60)

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Lily O’Brien’s is said to be Ireland’s ‘best loved chocolatier’, and being a chocolate fiend myself, these were without a doubt my favourite thing in the box. The bag contains a generous amount of large individual chocolates, consisting of Oreo-like cookie pieces, coated in milk chocolate. The cookies have a fantastic crunch and a deep, rich cocoa flavour, offset perfectly by the sweetness of the milk chocolate. As you can imagine, the chocolates are very moreish, and it didn’t take Charles and I long to finish the bag. I’d definitely purchase these again!

Rating: 9/10

Whole Earth Peanut Butter with Sunflower, Pumpkin & Flax Seeds (RRP £3.19)

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I adore peanut butter so this was another welcome addition to the box, especially as I’ve been eyeing up Whole Earth products in Morrisons for a while now. This particular peanut butter is new to the range, and contains a mix of sunflower, pumpkin and flax seeds, so is packed full of protein. The flavour is authentically nutty, as it isn’t overloaded with salt and sugar like some cheaper peanut butters are, and the seeds add a pleasant crunch and flavour. Perfect on wholemeal toast for breakfast!

Rating: 8/10

Jack Link’s Beef Snack (RRP £1.39)

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Jack Link’s Beef Snack is a beef jerky style bar, which aims to be a healthy, on the go snack. Being vegetarian, this one got passed straight to the fella for him to try. As soon as he opened it I was hit with the spicy scent of heavily seasoned meat, and it also looked very greasy. Almost sweaty! Apparently the flavour was a bit of a let-down. Despite the smell of spices, he said it tasted fairly bland, and was far too chewy. Not a winner, even by the meat-eater’s standards.

Rating: 4/10

Beet It Sport Pro-Elite Bar (RRP £1.85 each)

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Beet It Sport’s Pro-Elite Bars are predominantly made of oats and beetroot, and contain a high level of dietary nitrate, which is apparently used by universities around the world for research in lowering blood pressure and improving sport performance.  I’m yet to try these and I want to save them for when I start running again (which will happen once Spring kicks in, honest!)  I’m not sure I’d pay £1.85 for a single bar, but I’m definitely intrigued to see what these taste like.

Peanut Hottie (RRP £3.00)

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I tried Peanut Hottie fairly recently and enjoyed it, so was pleased to find this in the box.  Peanut Hottie is a peanut butter flavoured hot drink, and it’s exactly what it says on the tin.  It’s very easy to make, very much like a powdered hot chocolate, as you just need to add hot water.  When made up it looks like strong tea, but has a slightly salty, slighty sweet, nutty flavour, which is quite unusual for a drink.  I really like it, but a small mug is plenty enough, as it can get quite sickly.

Rating: 8/10

Laimon Fresh (RRP £1.99)

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Despite having a name that sounds like washing up liquid, Laimon Fresh is honestly one of the nicest drinks I’ve tried in a long time. It contains a mix of natural ingredients, including fresh lemon and lime juices and mint, which combine to create something deliciously thirst quenching. The fruit juices are balanced perfectly – not too sweet and not too sour – but the star of the show is the authentic flavour of fresh mint. I drank this alone, but it would make a great base for a Mojito – something I’ll definitely be trying in the summer!

Rating: 9/10

Schwartz Flavour Shots (RRP £1.40 each)

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Schwartz Flavour Shots have appeared in a Degustabox before, and make for quick and easy delicious meals. Each shot contains a mix of herbs and spices, as well as sunflower oil, and are used to form the flavour base of a tasty dish.  The Masala shot has a fantastic blend of spices which are full of flavour, and not too hot. I used Quorn chicken in my curry, and combined the shot with chopped tomatoes and milk, as suggested on the packaging, and it tasted great. A big thumbs up from me.

Rating: 8/10

American Muffin Company Chocolate Brownies (RRP £2.50)

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American Muffin Company has created a range of gluten-free cakes and brownies, and I was lucky enough to receive the exact item I would have chosen in store – the brownies. The tub contains six individually wrapped brownies, and though the texture is more cake than brownie, they are incredibly yummy. The cake is thick and moist, and the cocoa and chocolate used is very rich, which gives them a high quality flavour. Perfect as an afternoon treat with a cup of tea!

Rating: 8/10

Melba Thins (RRP £1.39)

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Melba Thins aren’t the most exciting snack in the world, but they are versatile, and work well with a variety of toppings.  As the box says, they’re great for ‘night owls & early birds’.  For an evening snack they’re fab with cheeses and pickles, and for breakfast or brunch they’re lovely with sweet spreads, such as jam or chocolate spread.  I like the fact that the thins in this pack come in generously portioned individual packets, as they can also be taken in lunch boxes to work.

Rating: 6/10

If you fancy giving Degustabox a go yourself, you can get a £3 discount by entering code 2S7LB at the checkout.  You can also follow Degustabox on Twitter and Facebook for more exclusive offers.

Naomi x

PS. You can check out the rest of my Degustabox reviews here.

*This Degustabox was sent to me for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*

Breakfast in Bed

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Working full-time all week means I get very little time to have a relaxed day.  Even at weekends lie ins are rare, so when I do get the chance to catch up on sleep and wake up slow, breakfast in bed always makes the morning that little bit more special.

No breakfast in bed is complete without a mug of strong tea, and a couple of slices of hot toast, with either peanut butter, marmite or lemon curd.  For me, great toast is thickly sliced, lightly browned, but still soft and fluffy on the inside.  Roberts Bakery bread is ideal for toast like this.  Just call me a toast connoisseur!

Of course, it doesn’t have to stop there.  I’m also partial to a hard-boiled egg, warm pain au chocolat and croissants, fresh orange juice or pancakes and waffles with maple syrup, but ultimately it always comes back to tea and toast.  Perfect.

Naomi x

What I Wore: Stag

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Primark Skater Dress / Primark Light Knit Cape / Primark Metal Waist Belt / Unbranded Stag Necklace / Schuh Biker Boots

After my foray into brightly coloured floral last week, today’s outfit post is back to my usual ‘black on black’.

I can’t get enough of my new Primark cape at the minute.  It’s lovely and light so is perfect for every day wear during spring, and looks great with pretty much anything.

The dress is one of my wardrobe staples, and has already seen me through a couple of years of wear.  I’m not usually a fan of high necks as I find them irritating, but this one is surprisingly comfortable and flattering.  Team it with a statement necklace, like this antique gold stag head, and a waist belt, and you’re good to go.

I found the boots lurking at the back of my wardrobe last week.  I haven’t worn them for years, and they were a bit battered when I pulled them from the depths of my closet, but I think they look all the better for it.  They were originally from Schuh, but I replaced the laces with black ribbon when I first bought them.

Naomi x

Debenhams Random Acts of Kindess

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Ben de Lisi Spike Drop Necklace

February 9th saw the start of Random Acts of Kindness week, and to celebrate Debenhams surprised me with their very own RAK, and let me choose a little treat from their range of jewellery.  There were quite a few pieces to pick from, and after much deliberation I settled for this striking spike drop necklace, by Ben de Lisi for Principles.

The chunky cord chain, large glass gems and silver plated accents make this necklace look effortlessly glam, and it really does make a statement.  It looks amazing teamed with a little black dress, either dressed up with a pair of heels and a clutch, or down with a pair of ankle boots and cute cardigan.

The necklace usually costs £18, but is currently on offer with 20% off.  Shop it here!

Naomi x

*This Ben de Lisi Spike Drop Necklace was sent to me by Debenhams as part of Random Acts of Kindness week.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*

What I Wore: Floral

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 Primark Light Knit Cape / Primark Floral Skater Skirt / Primark Basic T Shirt / Primark Tights / Gifted Cloudbusting Silver Necklace

It would seem that Spring is finally here, and brighter weather calls for brighter clothing!  I’ve been trying to add a few more colourful pieces to my mostly black wardrobe lately, and this skater skirt from Primark is a good start.  It’s floral and made of crepe, two things I’m not usually a fan of, but at £3 in the sale I thought I’d give it a go, and was pleasantly surprised.  It’s a lovely shape and very comfortable, and though I bought it to with the intention of wearing it to work, I can see it becoming an all round favourite this season.

The black cape was also in the Primark sale, half price at just £7.  It’s a lovely soft lightweight knit, so is perfect for keeping covered during the spring months, when it isn’t quite warm enough for bare arms.

As you may have seen in my 25th Birthday Haul post, this gorgeous necklace was gifted to me by my fiancé for my birthday.  It’s made of 925 silver and was personalised especially for me.  Cloudbusting by Kate Bush is one of my favourite songs, and holds many special memories, so I absolutely adore it.

Have you been enjoying the warmer weather this weekend?

Naomi x

Degustabox Healthy Box

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The most recent Degustabox has a healthy theme, and features a mix of food and drink items to help keep your New Year diet on track.  As is sometimes the way with Degustabox, they did an alcohol box and an alcohol-free box, containing either a bottle of Magners Light, or a carton of Simplee Aloe.

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Each box contains twelve individual items, with a total value of over £21.  Degustabox costs £12.99 each month, so this box saves you more than £7.

Alfa One Rice Oil (RRP £2.00)

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Alfa One Rice Bran Oil is ‘nutritionally well balanced and high in natural antioxidants’, and has been shown to reduce cholesterol absorption, which for me is a big positive.  The taste is practically the same as the vegetable oil I normally use, as is the calorie content, but its an all round healthier oil.  I’ve been using this a lot lately, and I actually like it a lot more.

Koko Dairy Free Coconut Milk (RRP £1.39)

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I like to use non-dairy milks whenever possible, so I was pleased to find this in the box.  Koko is made from freshly pressed coconut milk, and contains about half the calories of cows milk.  It also has 0% cholesterol, and is 100% allergen free.  I’m really impressed with the quality of this milk – it’s slightly more watery than cow’s milk, but it makes an excellent alternative.  In tea or on cereal you can hardly tell the difference, and it makes Ready Brek really smooth and creamy!  I’d definitely repurchase this and will be keeping an eye out for it during my next weekly shop.

Kabuto Miso Ramen Noodles (RRP £2.00)

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This Kabuto Noodle pot was included in celebration of Chinese New Year, and combines authentic Asian flavours with high quality ingredients.  I originally thought this was just a ‘posh Pot Noodle’, but it provides more of a meal than a Pot Noodle ever could.  For one the pot is larger, and I was surprised to find it packed (almost) to the brim with thin noodles.  After adding boiling water, leaving to ‘cook’ for a few minutes and then stirring, you end up with a substantial noodle dish in a broth of miso, soy and vegetables.  The whole thing is delicious, and the vegetable chunks, though small, are abundant.  I’m not sure I’d pay £2.00 for one of these, but they’re definitely yummy!

Sukrin Bread Mix (RRP £5.00)

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My fiancé and I both take a packed lunch to work every day, so this Sukrin Sunflower and Pumpkin Seed Bread Mix will certainly come in handy!  I’m yet to make anything with the mix, but its vegetarian, and completely free from gluten, egg, sugar, wheat, yeast, and soya.  It’s also really easy to make, as you only need to add water and bake it in the tray provided.  I’ve not tried many gluten-free breads, so I’m intrigued to see how this turns out, especially as it retails for £5.00, which seems quite a lot for a bread mix!

Finn Crisp Original Crispbread (RRP £1.20)

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Finn Crisp Original Crispbreads appeared in the May 2014 Degustabox, and my thoughts on them haven’t changed!  They taste nice, the crispy texture is really pleasant, and you get a lot in the box for the price.  They’re also low in calories, so are great for a healthy afternoon snack if you’re feeling peckish.  Check out my full review here.

Simplee Aloe Drink (£1.79)

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I’m actually still building up the courage to try this drink, as to be honest aloe vera doesn’t exactly sound very appetising!  I’ve heard good things about Simplee Aloe however, and the aloe is mixed with grape juice and a splash of lemon, which probably makes for quite a refreshing drink.

Magners Light Orchard Berries

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I only really drink cider when it’s flavoured with other ingredients, so the orchard berries in this are right up my street, and sound perfect for spring/summer.  I also like the fact that this contains fewer calories than your average bottle of Magners, which makes it that little bit more guilt-free!

Little Miracles Tea Drink (£1.49 each)

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Little Miracles teas are organic, and contain a mix of tea, ginseng, acai, fruit juice, and agave for sweetness.  My favourite of these is the white tea with cherry.  The bitterness of the tea is balanced with the fruity sweetness of the cherry, making for a refreshingly pleasant drink.  The 330ml bottles are also the perfect size to throw in your bag when out and about.

Mornflake Top Porridge Pots (£1.19 each)

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After loving the Mornflake Superfast pots that came in the April Degustabox, I was really excited to try these Mornflake Top Porridge Pots.  However, I was left feeling slightly disappointed.  There were two pots in the box – one with Tate & Lyle’s golden syrup, and one with Nutella – and you can eat them plain, simply by adding boiling water, or with the topping added.  The porridge itself was a little bit tasteless, and though the toppings added extra flavour and sweetness, I’d still rather have a bowl of Ready Brek.  Don’t get me wrong, I do like them and they are filling, and I get that these are great for an ‘on the go’ breakfast, but they just don’t have the yum factor that the Superfast pots had.

Haywards Piccalilli (£1.89)

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Ah, Haywards Piccalilli.  One of those foods that always reminds me of Christmas.  Piccalilli is definitely an acquired taste, and luckily it’s one that I’ve acquired.  Haywards is packed full of chunky vegetables, such as cauliflower and gherkin, in a bright yellow mustard sauce.  I’ve been eating this with cheese in sandwiches, and it’s delicious – full of robust flavour, tangy but not too vinegary.  It goes really well with a strong cheddar.

Clipper Green Tea

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The Healthy Box also contained a little gift from Clipper, in the form of a box of ten Green Tea with Lemon tea bags.  Clipper make an excellent cuppa, and the combination of green tea and lemon is incredibly thirst-quenching.  A nice little alternative to your usual tea or coffee, when you want a hot drink but don’t fancy something strong and milky.

If you fancy giving Degustabox a go, you can get a £3 discount by entering code 2S7LB at the checkout.  You can also follow Degustabox on Twitter and Facebook for more exclusive offers.

Naomi x

PS. You can check out the rest of my Degustabox reviews here.

*This Degustabox was sent to me for review purposes.  All opinions expressed are honest and my own.*

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