The Town House Norwich – Crown Carveries*

I love eating at new places and trying new food so when I was invited to The Town House in Norwich for a meal I couldn’t wait to sample the new Winter menu. The Town House is on Yarmouth Road in Norwich overlooking the River Yare. I was interested to find out it was the final resting place for one of the Kray's! It’s a lovely family pub famous for its amazing carveries, how could I resist?

The Town House recently launched a new menu with some amazing winter warmers and new additions such as Shepherd’s Pie, Gammon and Eggs and Chicken Balti Pie. The menu also offers more traditional dishes like Fish and Chips, Sausages and Mash and plenty of vegetarian options. This place really is much more than a carvery and there really is something for everyone. I arrived convinced I was going to have a carvery as the Traditional Carvery is available from £4.39 on a Saturday but the other delicious menu options really threw a spanner in the works!

When we arrived we were greeted by Phil who kindly took us over to our table and let us look at the menu. I decided to have a bottle of wine which came in an ice bucket which I was impressed by. 

As we were sampling the menu we decided to go all out and have 3 courses. For starters we ordered a selection to share as it was such good value! We ordered the Hunters Gammon and Cheese Melts for £2.59. This consisted of a  garlic bread baguette slices topped with gammon strips, BBQ sauce and melted cheddar. They tasted delicious, the BBQ sauce came on the side so I could add as much or as little as I liked. We also went for the Southern Fried Chicken for £3.19 which was delicious. The skin on the chicken was crisp, they were cooked to perfection. Our third choice was the Nachos for one which was £2.89. The tortilla chips were layered up with cheese, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños. We noted that the cheese was layered throughout the nachos which we were really impressed by. Often you go to a restaurant and the nachos only have cheese on top so after the first layer it’s all gone but The Town House Nachos really hit the spot! The starters were served hot and came quickly after we ordered them. The waiter who brought them out to us couldn’t have done enough for us, he was very kind and helpful.

For the main course I had to go for a carvery to see what it was all about. The traditional carvery is £4.39 on a Saturday and I decided to go large for an extra £1.50. Going large meant I got a giant Yorkshire pudding and a sausage added to my meal. My plate was stacked with carvery meat. I had the choice of Gammon, Turkey, Beef or a mixture of all 3. I went for Turkey and then piled my plate with all the veg, potatoes and gravy I could have wanted. I was absolutely stuffed by the end of the meal. It was all served hot and I noticed the food was regularly being rotated at the carvery station. All main courses come with unlimited accompaniments. We could help ourselves to as much chips, vegetables, mushy peas, baked beans and sauces as we liked.

James had Gammon and Eggs which was £5.09 and couldn’t believe how much Gammon he got. The waiter told us to let him know when we were ready for our mains and they would make sure there were fresh eggs ready which was great service. Although you can’t see the eggs on the plate, James said they were cooked to perfection with the perfect runny yolk. He filled his plate with chips, beans and for some reason cauliflower cheese. That’s the best thing, if you want to add vegetables you can! You can really make the meal your own and if you want a healthier option you can skip the chips and just add vegetables.

By dessert we were pretty stuffed but couldn’t leave without sampling the sweets available! The selection was great, the menu boasts both hot and cold desserts and there’s something for all tastes. James decided to go for the Mega Chocolate and Cookie Dough Tower which cost £3.29. He had a layer of chocolate brownie, cookie dough and caramel topped with chocolate sauce and cream. It looked absolutely amazing and he only just managed to eat it all. I had the Rocky Road Sundae which cost just £3.49. The sundae was layered with ice cream, chocolate brownies, shortbread and chocolate sauce with cream and a Cadbury’s flake. The serving was plentiful and well balanced with the ice cream and the added extras. I’ve been to other restaurants and had similar desserts for £6+, I couldn’t believe how nice this was considering the great price.

Overall, the meal was really lovely and I can’t believe I have never been here before. Some people use the phrase ‘you get what you pay for’ but this really isn’t the case at The Town House. The food is excellent value for money and tastes great. I had absolutely no complaints. It is also good to know that the pub continues to support the Armed Forces and Emergency Services through participation with the Defence Services Discount Card and Blue Light Card offering 10% discount on food for serving personnel so I will definitely be returning in the future with my discount card. I would love to return for breakfast, an adult ‘unlimited breakfast’  served with bacon, British pork sausage, free-range eggs, hash browns, plum tomatoes, beans, toast and fried bread, together with porridge, cereals and toast available as lighter options for just £3.99!

We really enjoyed our meal at The Town House, Norwich. Thank you to all of the staff who contributed to a great night! Have you ever been here?

*I was provided with this meal free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

Working out in my Skechers - Feat. Cloggs*

I don’t know about you but whenever I get new gym clothes I am instantly motivated to start working out again. I’m more excited to wear the new outfit than I am to exercise but it definitely gets me in the mood. When I received these gorgeous Skechers from Cloggs, available at £49, I couldn’t wait to test them out and add them to my gym bag.

Cloggs is predominantly an online shoe shop with a massive range at fantastic prices. From boots to trainers there is something for everyone, even the kids! Cloggs believe that everything starts with a good pair of shoes and have almost 40 years of experience selling footwear. Cloggs stock an ever-growing list of specialist brands such as UGG Australia, Converse, Dr Martens and many more.

I received the Synergy Moonlight Skechers in navy with a touch of aqua. They’re such a lovely colour, I want to buy a whole outfit to match now! Skechers is one of the world’s leading sports footwear brands and boast a great range of technologies at work in their shoes to enable you to reach your full potential. The first thing I noticed when I put these Skechers on was the memory foam cushioning inside. It was like a dream. These trainers also have a shock absorbing FlexSole which soaks up any impact from the ground below. These are light as a feather and an absolute treat to wear and run in. The upper portion of the shoe offers an engineered mesh providing maximum breathability.

I have never owned a pair of trainers as comfortable as this and they are fantastic value. They also came with a spare pair of navy laces so you can choose which colour you’d prefer.

My order arrived very quickly and it is worth noting that it is free delivery in the UK on all orders over £40, and also free returns if needed. They were packaged in a Skechers box and then inside an outer packaging bag and arrived with no problems at all.

Head over to Cloggs to check out the amazing range available. Treat yourself!

*I received these Skechers free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

National Breakfast Week - Coast to Coast Norwich*

I love breakfast, it is the most important meal of the day and I always make sure I get a nutritious filling breakfast in the morning every day. This week from 25th January is National Breakfast Week and I was very kindly invited to have a delicious brunch at Coast to Coast in Norwich with my boyfriend James. Coast to Coast is an American restaurant that serves breakfast until midday so you don’t have to get up really early to indulge. The breakfast menu is vast and plentiful ranging from a healthier option of eggs on toast to a full English or even sweet and savoury pancakes and waffles. I couldn’t wait to see what they had to offer.

We arrived at 10:30 and were promptly seated by a polite and friendly member of staff. We were each given a menu and left to decide what we wanted. There was so much choice on the menu. The waitress came back and took our drink orders. I ordered breakfast tea which came out in teapot with enough for 2 cups of tea. If you order a hot drink with breakfast then you get unlimited refills which is great. James ordered an orange juice which came in a tall glass with ice.

For breakfast I ordered the Eggs Benedict for £6.95. This consisted of two poached eggs, honey roast ham served on sourdough toast topped with hollandaise sauce. The bread was perfectly toasted with just the right amount of crunch without it being overdone and was served in lovely thick wedges. The eggs were cooked to perfection, the yolk was the perfect consistency. I had absolutely no complaints and breakfast was served promptly after our drinks arrived.

James ordered the Coast to Coast Breakfast for £7.45. His plate was topped with Cumberland sausages, streaky bacon, fried eggs, breakfast potatoes, tomato, corn fritter and baked beans. The beans came in a separate ramekin which I thought was good as some people can be fussy if their beans are touching other foods! Neither of us had ever heard of corn fritters before and James doesn’t like sweetcorn so I wasn’t sure how he would get on with it but he really liked it. I tried a little bit and thought it was lovely although I am not 100% sure what it is made of. He enjoyed his meal and said it was served hot and everything was balanced well on the plate.

We both left feeling nice and full and couldn’t have asked for a better service. I would love to go back and sample one of the sweeter menu options – the banana and salted caramel pancakes sound amazing! Thank you Coast to Coast for providing us with a lovely breakfast in aid of National Breakfast Week!

What will you be having for breakfast this week? To find your nearest Coast to Coast, head on over to their website.

*We received free breakfast in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. Please see my disclaimer for more information.

January 2016 Glossybox

I was looking forward to this month’s Glossybox as I love a fresh start with cosmetics and products for the new year and could do with a bit of a spring clean with my old products. My box arrived over a week ago now so I have had a good chance to use all of the products I received.

Unani Dermo Defense Face Mask - Full Size £11.36
When I first tried this mask out I expected the consistency to be thick but it's clear and light. This mask is ideal for sensitive skin which is a bonus as my skin doesn't always take to new products. The packaging is simple yet effective and it was clear to see what I had to do with this. I have been using this once a week after cleansing and my skin does feel softer and more hydrated.

Glossybox Eyeshadow - Glossy Mauve - Full Size £7.10
The second item I picked up was the Glossybox Eyeshadow.  I am really starting to build up a collection of Glossybox make up now. This satin eyeshadow appears dark in its pressed form but once swept across the eye this is sheer and blendable. This is definitely a colour I can see myself wearing and it is suggested if you use a wet brush you can get a more dramatic colour which I can't wait to try on my next night out.

Madara Cellular Repair Serum - Full Size £38.00
When I first opened this item I wasn't 100% sure on what I actually had to do with it. A quick google search prompted the answer, apply this serum morning and night before moisturising. The serum is a liquid consistency and aims to plump skin whilst boosting hydration. I am colourblind so I can't be 100% sure on this but I think this is green, although applies clear on the skin. Results have been known to arise after 4 weeks so I look forward to continuing to use this.

Teeez Cosmetics - Oasis Gem Lipstick - Full Size £11.93
This lipstick packaging is brilliant, I love the vibrant colours. I definitely won't be losing this in the bottom of my cosmetic bag! I love the coral/pink shade of this aptly named (coral onyx) lipstick and it does look really nice on. I suggest using a lip balm first as if this is applied to dry lips it does seem to emphasise that so I add a bit of vaseline first. This isn't as long lasting as other lipsticks I have tried but with funky packaging like this I don't mind having to get it out and reapplying it.

Angele Paris Red Nail Lacquer - Full Size £6.32
The last item I tried out was this gorgeous classic red nail varnish. I own a few different reds and always welcome trying new brands. I applied tow coats of this onto a base and then finished with a clear top coat. This nail varnish was long lasting and I even gave myself a matching red pedicure. The colour is perfect for this time of year when I just want to use something with a deeper colour.

Halfords Boardman Competition*

If you don’t know who Chris Boardman is then where have you been? Chris Boardman is a British former racing cyclist and Olympic gold medal winner. Halfords are delighted to announce the launch of the brand new Performance bike range from Boardman on Friday 29th January, exclusively available in-store and online at Halfords.com.

The new Performance range from Boardman has been rigourously tested by the Boardman team to ensure that the latest models are more than a match for the rigours of British riding. With something for everyone, from the commuter, to the thrill seeking mountain biker, and the all-out racer, each of the 23 new bikes in the range has been designed with the needs of the modern cyclist in mind.

To celebrate the launch of this exciting new range, Halfords are offering you the chance to win one of the fantastic Boardman Performance bikes, in the discipline of your choice, as well as the opportunity for the first prize winner, to put their new bike through its paces on a ride-out with the icon and inspiration behind the brand, Chris Boardman.

As the UK’s leading cyclist and motoring retailer, Halfords is the first place I go to when in need of bicycle accessories. I will definitely be entering this competition myself, although I may have to forfeit the prize to one of the cyclists in the family!

Halfords are hosting a competition and if you enter your contact details and sign up by February 29th 2016 then you could be in with a chance of winning one of these amazing exclusive prizes as shown below. You definitely don’t want to miss out! Here’s what’s up for grabs..

1st Prize Win the opportunity for you and a friend to partake in a ride out with Chris Boardman and a fantastic new bike up to the value of £1,000 each from Boardman's Performance range, in the discipline of your choice!

2nd Prize Win a new Performance Boardman bike up to the value of £1,000, in the discipline of your choice, signed by Chris Boardman himself.

3rd prize Win a signed Boardman bikes cycle jersey.

All you need to do is head over to Halfords website and click on their competition link here and answer a simple question which appears on the right hand side of the page. It only takes a minute or two to enter, and you could win some amazing prizes. What have you got to lose?

*Sponsored Post

The Gluten Free Cafe - Norwich

A couple of weeks ago me and Kim from Romanovs Views met up for lunch. As Kim is a coeliac (read more about this here) she suggested we meet up at the new Gluten Free Cafe that has recently opened on Timberhill in Norwich.

(Photo taken by Kim - Romanovs Views)

The Gluten Free Cafe is run by Louisa Kiddell and Tony Garrick, who used to run The Gluten Free Shop at Hellesdon Barns. Downstairs is a small cafe area and upstairs you have a shop. The cafe only opened a few weeks ago and was quite busy when we went inside.

The menu is displayed on the back wall and there is plenty to choose from. You can have soup, filled rolls or even quiche. Everything is gluten free and there are also plenty of vegan options too. There is also plenty of delicious looking cakes if you fancy something sweet afterwards. After we had queued at the counter and paid for our items we sat at our table. Our food was brought over to us shortly afterwards. The staff were friendly and attentive. Kim wanted a different spoon for her soup and they happily swapped it over for her.

 I opted for a ham salad roll which came with some vegetable crisps. The roll was filled to the brim and very tasty and cost just £4. You can see how colourful and vibrant the salad was that came with it. Kim went for leek and potato soup which was also £4 and served with a gluten free roll and dairy free butter. I also had a green tea which cost £2 and came in a little teapot which was nice.

After our food we had a look around the shop. There wasn't LOADS in there as they are fairly new but there were plenty of gluten free and vegan treats and they will be expanding the range once they are up and running. They have moved from their hellesdon barns location recently and will have lots in store to choose from! I enjoyed my food and the atmosphere of The Gluten Free Cafe. I think once they have been open a bit longer and running a bit smoother then this will be a really nice place to come for lunch and no doubt me and Kim will be returning!

Mars Bar Rice Crispy Cake Recipe

A couple of weeks ago I was looking for an easy sweet treat to make for my colleagues that didn’t need much preparation and I came across a recipe for these mars bar rice crispy cakes. With the perfect amount of gooeyness and crunch I couldn’t wait to knock up a batch of these and they literally took minutes to do.

Ingredients
8 mini mars bars
2 tbsps golden syrup
50g butter
Rice crispies
200g milk chocolate

Method
Combine the mars bars, golden syrup and butter in a pan and heat on low until melted. When you have a liquid consistency, stir in rice crispies until they are coated in the melted mars bar mixture. Once coated, press into a pan. Cover with 200g melted chocolate and pop in the fridge. Once cooled, slice into squares and enjoy!

These are so easy to make and take no time at all. They went down really well with my colleagues. I bought the mini mars bars from pound land so it’s a great value treat too and would be great for a bake sale.

Have you ever made these?

January's Weight Progress Feat. Nutribuddy*

January is the month where I always try and get back on the straight and narrow with my diet and exercise. After an indulgent month in December I couldn’t wait to try and shift some of those pesky Christmas pounds that I piled on.

When I was contacted by Nutribuddy to try out an exciting range of natural sports supplements which aims to aid weight loss in a healthy way, I jumped at the chance and knew it would be the perfect addition to my January routine. I was kindly sent the Nutribuddy's Weight Loss Starter Kit which costs £69.99 and contains Sculpting Whey, Hunger Fix, Multivitamins and a Shaker bottle. Everything you need to kick start that weight loss. I received the chocolate flavour but there was also the option of vanilla. The pack also came with a handy weight loss guide packed full of recipes and a meal plan that you can follow alongside the Nutribuddy products. I like to think I eat fairly healthily anyway but loved adding some of these recipes to my diet which I think really helped to contribute to the results I got.

The Sculpting Whey comes in a 908g pouch and works best as a snack replacement. This whey based protein drink is made from the milk of free-range, grass fed GM-free cows. It also includes natural ingredients such as green tea and guarana to boost metabolism. I drank this mid-morning to replace the chocolate bar or packet of crisps that I would have usually grabbed. I mixed 30g of the whey with 300ml of water but you can also mix this with milk. I put this in my Nutribuddy shaker bottle which was the perfect addition to the essential pack I received as I don’t own a shaker. The more you shake the mix, the smoother it gets. I half expected it to taste artificial but the drink was actually really tasty and a pleasure. I did notice that it took the edge of my hunger too and I would happily replace my unhealthy snacks with this. The Sculpting Whey is suitable for vegetarians and contains 30 servings so will last you a month if taken once daily. At first I realised the scoop in the whey pouch was slightly too big for the bottle but Nutribuddy have now introduced a smaller scoop and are offering a £3 discount code to anyone who has the larger one. I think that’s great customer service and shows the company are really thinking about our needs.

I then received some Hunger Fix capsules are there to help reduce hunger cravings. I took 1 capsule just before each meal. You can take 2 if you need extra help but no more than 6 a day. The capsules need to be taken with a full glass of water. I am not sure if it’s the water that reduced my hunger cravings or the tablets but I definitely noticed a difference and found myself snacking less frequently than usual. The tablets takes up space in your stomach to help naturally suppress appetite. These capsules are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

I also received the Nutribuddy Multivitamins which you only need to take once a day at any time that you can fit into your schedule. These are good for general health and wellbeing and whilst I didn’t notice any specific improvements I felt better and healthier overall which could contribute to taking these. There is enough tablets for 2 months and these are also suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

I added the Nutribuddy products to my diet straight after Christmas and continued for a total of 3 weeks alongside a healthy lifestyle and exercise regime and I am really impressed with my results. To see the types of food I ate during these 3 weeks, head over to my Instagram. I tracked the 2 things that are most important to my progress which were my weight and my waist circumference. I am trying to lose weight and tone up so by tracking these 2 elements I could really see the progress and I think the photos and results speak for themselves. After just 3 weeks I lost 7lbs and 2.5 inches from my waist. I was so impressed and could definitely see the difference in my waist in that it curved in more and my stomach bloating decreased rapidly. All from introducing Nutribuddy to my lifestyle!

When I showed my boyfriend my before photos he thought I was pushing my stomach out but that is genuine Christmas bloat! I can see my waist is already more defined from the before photos!

Starting stats:
Weight: 12 stone 5
Waist Measurement: 34"

Ending Stats:
Weight: 11 stone 12
Waist Measurement: 31.5"

I am happy with the range I received from Nutribuddy and recommend it to anyone wanting to aid and improve their weight loss. I feel more energetic, my clothes fit better and I have even noticed improvements in my skin and my hair. I am a happier person and this is only after 3 weeks. To see results so quickly from only making small adjustments is simply fantastic. I can’t wait to continue on my Nutribuddy journey and see what the future holds! To try the range for yourself, head over to the Nutribuddy website and chose your products now.

*I received these items free of charge in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not influenced in any way. This post contains affiliate links.