Friday 31 May 2013

Flavrbox for May.

I'm sad to say that this month's Flavrbox was the biggest disappointment. Nothing on offer really matched up to 'my kind of thing' and I wish even if that was the case that it had been the kind of thing I could have fobbed off on gifted others, as you can probably tell, it wasn't really.

I guess I feel a little guilty about writing a negative review, but given that I've been so positive about every other box, I think it's safe to say this month's box was just a total blip - after seeing Instagrams of this month's, I can't wait to get my chops around what's on offer.

Flavrbox seem to be going through a bit of a change, with fancy new leaflets and a more regularly updated blog, it looks like there are some really exciting things happening at Flavrbox HQ and I can't wait to find out what's coming up next.



[Linguine Organic Pasta, Seggiano]
We mixed this up with some parmesan and the pesto that also came in this months box, and despite reading that you could 'taste the quality', I'm honestly not sure I could tell the difference between this and our more purse-friendly pasta. It was nice, but it was just pasta, it was nice to have a bundle of items that could be mixed in to one dish though and I'm sure this will definitely all get eaten, so that's definitely something.


[Panforte Di Sienna, Seggiano]
I think there definitely could have been a bigger variation of brands in this months box, but I've noticed a few other blogs have noted a variety of products so I guess the sting of not really liking anything is worsened by this overload of Seggiano products. This panforte just didn't agree with my taste buds at all, it was kind of chocolatey but very bitter and the texture was a little strange, maybe I'm not sophisticated enough but I just couldn't get my head around it.


[Raw Basil Pesto, Seggiano]
Now, I said I didn't really like anything but this wasn't even like it 'was the best of a bad bunch', I actually loved this. I put it on an Italian salad for our Eurovision party and it's so tasty. I love basil and although I wouldn't go out of my way to have pesto, this was delicious and you could definitely see the difference in quality compared to both more common brands and own brand options.


[Sweet Garlic Cloves in Oil, The Garlic Farm on the Isle of Wight]
To my disappointment these weren't to my taste when having with nibbles of sundried tomatoes and olives as I would usually serve them. Saying that, it's pretty useful to have peeled garlic around ready to add into things so that's mainly what we've used it for and it's working out pretty well - even if the oil goes everywhere(!)


[Rovies Organic Green Olive Paste, Odysea]
I'm desperate to find a use for this and I think it will work really well with some really cheesy crackers, sadly all I had to hand was oatcakes and it just wasn't a nice marriage. Overall the taste of this olive paste is pretty bitter so I think it needs something kind of creamy to set it off. It's got potential, I'm just not sure how to unlock it, suggestions are very welcome. :)

Really don't let my thoughts on this month's box put you off, I think the great thing about Flavrbox is that it doesn't give you a choice so you're able to try things you perhaps wouldn't normally pick up. So, I knew I didn't like what was on offer this month, so I wasn't surprised, but the quality is still clear and it's still worth the price tag.

Use the code: BLOG13 to get £5 off your first box, they also make great gifts, or why not share the wealth and split items between a group of you?

Be sure to follow them on Twitter and like them on Facebook, they post such fun food-related things. , like the great 'Cut Food' Photography they posted a few days ago.


Thursday 30 May 2013

Lemon Dinosaur.


Here's what I wore to Dot-to-Dot Festival on Saturday, I went for being a little sunshiney to match the weather (who would have guessed this was just a few days ago?). My hair is entering an awkward phase where it doesn't quite know what it's up to - I think I want to grow it out again but having it shorter is so much easier. I think I kind of like having my hair done like this but would love some tips on how to make it stay this way for longer than a few hours; it seemed low maintenance at the time but ended up needing adjusting every hour before I finally gave up at around 5 o'clock.

I love this lemon-patterned dress, it's definitely one of my best Primark finds ever, I've had it for a couple of years now and it's still going, it does have a tendency to get a little 'boobie' but I can live with that for such a great, summery pattern.

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Cardigan: H&M
Necklace: Designosaur
Dress: Primark (about 2 years ago)]
Belt: New Look (with skirt)
Tights: Primark
Shoes: Converse

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20130525-21-2.jpg
I really am not happy with these shoes at all, I felt like I was walking around on painful blisters all day, not really painful but just painful enough to be annoying. Not great considering they're coming up to two years old and have been worn loads of times. I miss my turquoise Converse, which I stupidly threw away after coming back from Ireland, they were the comfiest shoes and the best colour.

...And now it's back to covering up in my parka, here's hoping there will be nicer weather by the time Glastonbury rolls around in a few weeks. I might just start dressing the opposite the what the weather dictates and stay summery, but it's so much easier to be floaty and bright when the sun is out, nothing really feels like an effort. I don't mean to complain about the weather so much and I know the rain is good for my garden, but I just want the days to feel longer and to be able to have teatime outside...

Wednesday 29 May 2013

Bumpkin.


We had a wonderful afternoon on Sunday at the Berkshire Country Fayre, a great showcase of all things agricultural in Berkshire. There were so many amazing dogs, and if you've taken note of my main reason behind going to carboots, then you might realise I was pretty much in my element. There were dog shows, car displays and even a (super cringey) Young Farmer's Parade. I really impressed Moon with how actually fun it was and I'm really glad our friends Kirstin and Dan, who also joined us for Dot-to-Dot, had a good time too - who wouldn't? There was hog roast(!)

I'm feeling a little smug because Moon got sunburn and I didn't, but what a brilliant day, frolicking on tractors, bumping on dodgems and basking in the sunshine. If only every weekend could be this chill and the sun could shine all the time.



Tiny sleeping lamb


Mr Moon's hoping for chickens, something I've always been for, we just haven't plucked up the courage to ask our landlady yet.



I wish we'd picked up these cute wooden mushrooms for the garden, will definitely note to myself to pick things like this up rather than come back to them later.




Tiny birds of prey.



Young Farmer's Parade; complete with Mr Bean!





Oh hai!



All kinds of sausage!


So much love for wool(!)


Bit weird.









So happy to have a snow cone.








Ghost Dog, Echo.


Making new friends.








I don't think I remember ever really having one of these before, at least, not for a long time anyway, it was so tasty, oh my. Something I just wanted to eat all over again once I'd finished.



Have you ever taken in your local agricultural fair? We were pleasantly surprised and it definitely has us thinking about looking around for a few more, they're a great day out and a fun way to take in local culture. Perhaps that's a little odd considering we're not 'real' locals, but Berkshire is beginning to grow on me the longer I am away from leafy, familiar Surrey.

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