The Two New Loves of My Life: Bob & Bert

Bob & Bert's is a Northern Irish artisan coffee chain I first became aware of when we spent our week up in Portstewart last month. Because we know and love Ground Espresso, we were already set for coffee while we were up there, and didn't venture into a Bob & Bert's. Now we are back in Bangor, with our nearest Ground Espresso in Belfast, we decided to give Bob & Bert's new Bangor store a try. It's located above Tempest in Main Street, and you can access it via the escalator in Menary's.

We weren't expecting to fall in love with the place, but we did. The interior is very quirky, and the cakes are to die for. They do food too, baked potatoes, ciabattas etc. as well as big, American milkshakes and Ben & Jerry's sundaes. 

We went for coffee, pancakes and rainbow cake. There's also a huge Belfast sink with rows & rows of sparklingly clean glasses for you to have free, fresh tap water. We will definitely be back. Check where your local Bob & Bert's is on their website.

Espresso topped with fresh cream is my current favourite £1.90

Short stack, I couldn't even finish it all! £4.25

Hampstead Iced Teas, Low Calorie Refreshment

Five years ago asking someone in Northern Ireland for iced tea would be met with a blank look, but now we are all slugging coconut water, ice cold coffees, and the European mainland staple, fruit iced tea. Try as I might I just can't get into coconut water, even the local brands I sadly can't truthfully rave about as I don't have the refined taste, or health kick persistence to drink it. Iced tea is another story. Hampstead premixed teas aren't wishy washy, they are punchy and refreshing.  

They come in four flavours, three of which Michael and I tried and loved. I simply didn't ask to try the elderflower variety as I for some reason just don't like the flavour in any drink or food, but I'm sure if you do like it the Hampstead tea will probably be delicious, as the other three certainly are. They retail in Tesco for £1.39, or you can bulk buy on the http://www.hampsteadtea.com/ site. If we get another heat wave I'll be stocking up, as they really are far more refreshing than fizzy drinks.

http://www.hampsteadtea.com/ site. If we get another heat wave I'll be stocking up, as they really are far more refreshing than fizzy drinks.

Purple Sauce, Flamingo Croquet, Sneaky Sushi & Climbing Walls

We've had a mega busy day and it's only 2pm as I start writing this. Our first stop this morning was Belfast's Premier Inn. Today sees the launch of their exclusive purple breakfast sauce, so we popped along for a bacon butty & a cuppa.  

The sauce is available in all Premier Inns throughout the UK, and non-overnight-stay-guests are welcome to call in for breakfast to try it any day, and grab a Costa blend coffee too. It's really tasty, but I can't put my finger on what it reminds me of.  The base is blackberries, but it goes really well with savoury flavours. It isn't obnoxiously purple, like the green ketchup of the 1990s, but you can see the violet hue off it in real life.

Our next stop was Victoria Square, which is all dolled up with an Alice in Wonderland theme for the summer. There's a hedge maze and flamingo croquet to play. 

We then hit Yo Sushi at 11.02am, two minutes after opening, to try to get some takeaway sushi to bring home with us for later. Sadly nothing was ready, but they made some boxes up while we waited. Of course we got too tempted by the treats going round on the sushi train and ended up eating a few dishes while we waited too. 

Our afternoon plan for today was to drive down to Castlewellan. My brother & his wife are down at the Methodist Holiday Week and today is the open day. It's been raining all morning though, and the thought of trudging round in the drizzle wasn't too appealing, so we stopped off at Ikea in Holywood and decided against the long drive to Castlewellan. 

They have a free climbing wall today, which Michael scaled up whilst I held my breath. He's a lot braver than I! 

So that's been our busy morning. Michael is now building a Premier Inn in Minecraft, and I'm about to tuck into my takeaway Yo Sushi, with maybe a little splash of purple sauce! 

The Sanitas Electronic Facial Brush from Lidl: Is It Worth Buying?

A quick Google of electronic facial scrubbers shows you prices ranging from £12.99 up to £150, so what about Lidl's Sanitas version? At just £9.99 does it do the job, and is it worth buying an electronic facial brush at all? 

The Sanitas is in Lidl this week, so they sent me one to have a go with. It comes with batteries included and three different heads, one hard and two softer bristled circular fittings. The action of the brush can be rotation, or a to and fro motion, which I found better for cleaning with. The straight 'round and round' setting felt like your skin was being twisted, but if you want a good proper exfoliation treatment, that's the setting for you. 

You apply your facial cleanser or scrub to your skin, not the brush, and it does a really good job of lathering the product. I've used it every evening this week and my skin does look brighter. It's helped me to stick to a routine, as I'm now 35 and still prone to going to bed with my makeup on. One thing to note, you have to remove your eye make up first, as even the soft brushes aren't suitable for your delicate skin around the eyes, and you don't want to spread your eye makeup all over your face anyway. 

Electric facial scrubbers then, a thumbs up, and for £9.99 it's a very fair price compared to the £159 models which when it comes down to it, do the same thing this does. If you fancy grabbing the Sanitas they are in store this fortnight, but I've a feeling the price will make them very popular, so maybe phone your local store to check if they still have them available before making the trip. 

Here's to shiny, fresh faces everywhere! 

(Someone had to get in on the act, of course!) 

Ostrich Burgers & Holidaying at Home

A little bit of a random bits & bobs post today. We had planned on visiting Cairn Bay Lodge this afternoon after seeing lots of lovely pics on their Facebook page recently, but we ended up deciding to head their for breakfast/brunch tomorrow instead.

Today instead we took a dander round the travelling fun fair that has been set up in our home town of Bangor all summer. The prices were crazy; we went to pay for both of us to go on both the Ski Jump ride and the Chairaplanes and the woman asked for £9!! For two rides! So we just went on the Ski Jump.

We then took a look in some shops. Michael is getting some teeth out next week so he wanted to check out the Playmobil in Stewart Miller, which will be his being brave reward.

I'd seen someone post exotic meats on Instagram this week, and it was surprised to find they were from Iceland, so we went there to check out what they had. Iceland is somewhere I never shop due to it's location in the town centre of Bangor, and the lack of free parking nearby. So I hadn't been in store in maybe a couple of years, out of it's complicated location rather than any snobiness! 

This isn't a sponsored post of any kind, sadly it haven't been given all these lovely treats free by Iceland, but I thought I would share anyway, as they've some surprising things to choose from. 

And these bubblegum swirl lollies definitely had to be bought! 

Stay tuned tomorrow to see how we get on at the Starfish Cafe at a Cairn Bay Lodge. 

Russian Dolls & Giant Butterflies: Snixy Swoons Autumn 2015 Collection

There are lots of new pieces this week on the  SnixySwoons Etsy stores. I'm going to buy a couple of the large sized butterflies.

Holiday in History at Hanna's Close, Kilkeel

We've certainly stayed in some unique places this summer during our accommodation reviewing season, and our latest location, Hanna's Close Cottages in Kilkeel didn't disappoint either. The exclusive close has ten original buildings, which date back to the 1600s, when the Scottish Hannas settled & farmed right here at the foot of the Morune Mountains. In fact right until today the Hanna Family live along the road from the resort.

Hanna's Close is like a mini version of the Irish Folk & Transport Museum. The ten cottages, which can be  viewed and booked online have between one & three bedrooms. We stayed in the Carthouse, a petite, compact cottage with original stone floors & huge open fireplace. 

You have all the mod cons you'll need, a full kitchen, bathroom with shower, central heating, tv & wifi, but the interiors still retain their rural charm. The decor, doors, floors and rooms are traditional, which makes you feel like you're comfotably at home staying in one of the folk museum cottages. 

As you know I suffer from M.E. so on all our trips this summer, we've turned in quite early, ending up just hanging out and relaxing at where ever we were staying from about 7pm in the evening, and Hanna's Close was a joy for this. We lit a huge roaring fire with the coal, peat, newspaper & matches provided and sat together reading while munching on the wheaten bread they'd kindly left for us to try. 

Should you have any problems, the caretakers are simply at the end of the phone. We had a question about the heating and they were able to talk us through it and sorted it out with very little fuss. The weather was atrocious that night, but we slept like babies, and for the other cottages being stayed in also, there was no noise from anyone else. You'll be well rested should you stay at Hanna's! 

In the morning it was a little drier, so Michael and I went to investigate the wider area. You can head down to the river, and fish if you are so inclined, or simply walk through the grounds that belong to the Hanna's. Should you be brave enough there are two sets of stepping stones crossing the river, however we chickened out and took the bridges!

We really felt at home during our stay at Hanna's Close, and would recommend staying there especially to those from outside Ireland, for a real old fashioned feel of our country. If you've any questions you can connect with Hanna's on  their Facebook page.

(Stay was complimentary for blog review purposes) 

What's New in The M&S Food Hall This August?

As blog posts go, some of my favourites are when I get to visit the huge M&S at Sprucefield in Lisburn, and pick lots of delicious treats to fit the particular theme that time around. I've had posts with their healthy eating Count On Us and Fuller Longer ranges, BBQ inspiring blogs, and picnic ideas, but this visit I wasn't sure what the topic of my foodie haul was going to be. 

As Michael & I perused the shelves of the colourful and fresh food ideas, I decided just to go with 'what's new this August', as there are so many new products to try in every section of the store. 

I featured their wide range of BBQ meats & fish a month ago, but these new ones caught my eye. I love their ranges like this where you get a great cut of meat in the perfect sauce. It's fool-proof to cook and always tastes amazing.  

They are all on 2 for £7, or 3 for £10. 

M&S are well known for their exquisite smoked salmon already, but this limited edition black treacle salmon is to die for. The little seafood selection packets are great for a quick stirfry to change things up if you usually just use chicken. Go a little exotic next time with the coconut & lime dressing, or lime, mint & chilli. 

Again these are 2 for £7, or 3 for £10. 

Some times for me the difference between a healthy snack & a packet of crisps is pure laziness at having to chop the veg for the healthier option, so the preprepared crudité selection is perfect for lazy folks like me! It's £3, but also falls under the deli range offer of 3 items for £6. 

If you're snacking in work there's actually a crunchy veg & houmous pot available in the lunch aisle for just £1.75. I also picked up the new sweetcorn, chilli and coriander dip (£1.40) and a pack of croutons to add to salads & soups (£1). 

M&S have a fab selection of these little vegetable & salad pots all year round, which make for great sides to main meals, or a healthy snack on their own. They usually fall under the 2 for £3 offer too. 

If you are fed up of sandwiches this summer, there are plenty of alternatives like sushi, or a protein pot. The salmon and edamame pot is £2. There are also packs of seasoned & prepared meat that simply need added to bread or a bap for a tasty lunch. The caramalised Apple ham hock was £2.60. In my previous M&S post about picnic items I had tried a roast beef sandwich which included their blacksticks blue cheese, which was delicious, so I snapped up the spreadable version for £2.50.

We haven't had great weather this week, but it's still the summer and these two drinks will at last give you the taste of the season where our climate is falling short. The watermelon & coconut iced tea is £1.80 and the melon, pineapple & passion fruit juice is £1.50. 

The rhubarb iced buns are £1.30 for two and also come in a lemon variety. They are sort of lik a doughnut/bun mashup, filled with jam. 

Lastly a couple of dessert options that are new this month. A healthy treat of strawberries, cream & crumble for £3, a pair of gooseberry custard crumbles in reusable glass jars for £3.80, and a trip of tiny summer traybakes for £1.20.