The Academy Awards and Rainbow Belts

Tic Tac red carpet/dress in honor of the Academy Awards last night (not exactly the event they made this for, but I'm borrowing the whole idea for a fun fancy Oscar picture):

Pretty classy, eh?  This dress and necklace is made entirely out of tic tacs (and some sequins)!  Happy Oscar day, everybody!






Last night we were most invested in the Oscars to see one movie shine.  Really, Wreck it Ralph was my favorite movie of last year.  It's the most adorable thing, from the Candy-world, to deigning your own race car, down to the cutest characters ever.  But....sad news! It lost to Brave!  I liked Brave just fine.  Even as much as any other red-headed girl. But i didn't see it winning over Wreck It Ralph.  Luckily...I had some Rainbow Belts to cheer me up. They made me feel a little better.

These Sour Rainbow Belts are pretty self-explanatory.  They are just the right amount of sour, and a little too much sugar. :)  Perfect for someone who needs cheering (They are shaped like rainbows, after all). From this picture, can you see how this may be the most monumental candy movie of all time?  I mean, really, how can something this sweet not make it?:



 Just the most adorable candy-concept movie EVER MADE!!!! Not to mention my favorite movie of 2012...it's so inventive!  Oh well, hope you all enjoyed the Oscars and had some pretty "sweet" candy to eat!

Guava, Zotz, and my search for a Scrumdidlyumptious

Today I'm in the mood for something fruity.  So, I tried out a variety of fruit candies today at work including:  guava, watermelon, cherry, apple, orange, lemon, grape, and blue raspberry.  Okay....... I'll have to tell you that all these flavors were all in only 2 types of candies.  First, let me talk about the most exotic one. 

Choward's Guava:

If you ever run across one of these in a store, pick it up and smell it.  It tastes just like it smells.  In fact, this is probably my favorite guava-flavored anything, because I don't typically like Guava.  It smells sweet and tropical.  And it is.  (As you may notice, it even advertises itself as tropical candy on the wrapper.)  It's in the form of a hard candy/mint, however, don't expect it to freshen your breath.  It's all for taste, and doesn't create lasting freshness.

ZOTZ flavored candies:

Remember Warheads?  This is like a sweet-fizzy version of those.  Instead of being sour and then becoming sweet after sucking on them, these Zotz are sweet, and then fizzy once you get to the middle.  To those who try them for the first time, it can be kind of weird.  It doesn't really create an explosion in your mouth like poprocks, but it definately fizzes a whole bunch and feels different than just the sweet hard candy it starts out as. 

They come in 7 flavors.  Once again, I'll list them:




Watermelon
Cherry
Apple
Orange
Grape
Lemon
Blue Raspberry



Watermelon really is my favorite....♥






For those candy-lovers who can only eat sugar-free, there is an assortment fruit chews that I just can't have enough of, at work:

Hillside Sugar Free Fruit Chews!

These look so regular, they could easily be dismissed without a second glance.  But they're sweet and addicting.  If you're in the fruit mood, eat a banana, or apple, or something healthy! But...if you're like me, you'll just need fruit candy instead of the real thing. :)

Just don't be eating 5 fruits a day ;)



 I almost forgot...I'm on the hunt for a Scrumdidlyumptious bar!  Anyone know where to get one?  As soon as I find out, it'll be all over my blog! :)

A Trip around the World!...or SLC ♥

Yesterday was President's Day, which means no work for Blake and me! :) :)  We decided to go up to SLC and look around a bit at the cool stores they have there.  We stopped in at a store named Souties.  This is a specialty South African bakery and goods store.  Because we're going to visit Capetown and Port Elizabeth in October, we thought it would be extra fun to see some of the African candies they might have over there.  However, we went, and they were out of stock of almost everything and awaiting shipment.  We did, however, get to see the boxes of many of the different things they carry, and are SO excited to go down to South Africa and try them out for ourselves!

One of the candy bars that Souties carries is also at Blickenstaff's:

the Cadbury Flake:

This is a pretty fun candy bar to eat, although it comes off as kind of dry to me.  We've had a few South African guys come to the store and buy them.  They say that in South Africa it's popular to put these flake bars down the center of a soft-serve ice cream cone and then eat it with a spoon.  However you eat it, they are definitely exotic and fun.  However, on taste, they're nothing super special. 

I actually like the taste of Twirl bars slightly better:

Twirl bars are basically the same thing, but with an outer layer of smooth cadbury over the top to bring more moisture to the chocolate bar.  (Plus it comes in 2 so you can share!)  However, I think the twirl detracts from the unique texture of the Flake.  It's a give-and-take situation.

We also had the chance to visit a store named Pirate-O's.  I've heard nothing but good things about this exotic goods store.  However, when I went in to have a look around, I found their workers to be unhelpful and one of them was quite rude.  They had a really great selection, but I'm hoping to find a different shop to go to next time.  Maybe the World Market?  The best thing about our trip to Pirate-O's was most definately the candy bar we purchased there:

A Toffee Crisp Bar:

 This is a delicious candy bar!  First off, I LOVE toffee.  So, any chance I get, I try anything with toffee in it.  However, I was surprised even by how much I liked this candy bar.  It reminds me of a Lion bar.  They are almost identical in taste, although the toffee crisp is a little creamier, and the Lion is a touch more savory.  It makes your mouth water like crazy.  Both of these are excellent candy bars.

 

Any chance you have to try either of these, I highly recommend it.  

After eating some candy, we stopped over at Tracy Aviary to take a look at the birds.  The Owls are adorable. Back to the Toffee Crisp, if you're feeling super adventurous, I found a recipe for a giant Toffee Crisp chocolate bar, that could double-function as a cake. In this case, it was a birthday cake somewhere in the UK.  Let me translate really quick what ingredients you could use here:

1.  5x200g Tesco value choccy bars = 5 cups chocolate chips

2. 1 box rice snaps= 1 box rice crispies

3. 1 bag of Tesco toffee = 1 bag Brach's Golden Butter toffee candy, or 2 bags toffee chips

**Anytime she says to put in 1 melted candy bar, that's one cup chocolate chips

Here's the link: 

http://www.pimpthatsnack.com/project/212/2
Happy Eating! ♥♥

Ferrero Eggs, Toblerone, and salted caramel truffles

Last week Blake and I went in for a health evaluation at his work.  We got just about everything tested--including our cholesterol.  We passed all the tests with flying colors, except for our HDL (Good) Cholesterol levels.  In order to increase the level of our good cholesterol, we need more healthy fats such as: nuts, avacados, and olive oil.  The good news:  HAZELNUT!  We have been focusing our energy on this delicious nut this week.  It can be found in Nutella, Ferrero Rocher's, and even the tasty Ferrero Eggs that we tried out for the first time on Valentines!!! :)  It just happens that Ferrero's delicious treats are "filled" with hazelnut creams (which means lots of good cholesterol, right?)  We are determined to have a high level of HDL Cholesterol next year, but not sure how our blood sugar test will turn out.....:)

I came into work today to find some delicous truffles waiting for me to eat them!  My co-worker got a ton from her fiancee and doesn't want to eat them all.  Nothing is better than FREE salted carmel truffles!!!!  If you haven't tried salted caramel, you are MISSING OUT!  It is so fantastic!  It takes all the wonderful things about caramel and highlights them with a savory touch that will not let you stay away--until they're all gone!  If you ever want to check them out, they are made by VChocolates and they are divine!!!



Plus they come in a pretty cute Valentines box! :)



Another fun thing at work:  Our toblerone expired.  I got to eat a 2-day expired toblerone.  As always, it's a great choice for a chocolate craving and a pretty safe gift.  I have yet to try their new Salted Almond flavor, but it's on sale this week at Macey's grocery store for .75 each (if you buy 2 and if you can find the coupon).

Finally:  The review of the Ferrero Eggs from Valentines day!

Hazelnut
Okay...this was simply amazing!  If you can see for yourself in the picture it is a chocolate coated wafer with hazelnut cream inside. Ferrero has done it again! I would definately recommend this for any occasion.  Especially Easter, now that Valentines is past.  How much would kids love finding these instead of real eggs died colors?  Annnddd....they have nuts in them, so they're sooo healthy, right?!?! 



Cocoa

However, I was not as big of a fan for their cocoa egg.  I don't like dark chocolate (Sorry to all those chocolate fans who hate me now) and it didn't say anywhere on the package that the actual egg was made up of dark chocolate.  The middle of the egg is quite tasty, but doesn't quite do the trick like the hazelnut.  If you're going to go Ferrero for your eggs, I would try the hazelnut. So good.

 

 



Anyway, I have been giving these treats some pretty great reviews because I have only picked things to try that I know I'd like (Or things I thought I wouldn't like and did--like the Barley Sugars).  I just wanted an excuse to eat yummy treats.  However, I'll branch out and try something totally different as soon as I find something challenging enough for me. Maybe like a succor with a bug in it? I don't know...hope you all had a great Valentines Day yesterday!  If you didn't....there is a TON of discounted candy all throughout the stores that could cheer you up!

Valentines Day 2013 and something new!

Hello Candy fans! :)

Tomorrow is a wonderful day in the world of sweets.  It's Valentines Day!  The day of love-during which numerous people are hit with cupids arrow and decide to date/marry/be in love forever.  Do you know what this means???  Lots and Lots of CHOCOLATE!  And candy hearts for the kiddies.  According to Holidash.com (I'm no scholar, so I can find my sources wherever I want), Americans buy an average of 58 million pounds of chocolate each year in the days leading up to Valentines!  Guess how much that costs?.......Americans spend an average of 345 million dollars (collectively) on thoughtful heart shaped delicacies for their special someones!  Holy Moly!!!

So...obviously there are a lot of candy options to choose from...What, oh, what to get this year?

This was an easy question for me to answer this year because Ferrero came out with a brand new product.  Say hello to my sweet love's Valentine candy this year:

Plus a little bucket of Ferrero Rocher, just for fun ♥

 You may be thinking:  WHAT?!?!?!?!  Those Ferrero eggs are no doubt a candy meant for Easter!! Why in the world?!?!  would it ever make a good candy present for Valentines??

And the reason is this:  it doesn't matter that they are egg-shaped. (I know I'm breaking all the rules, but can you really wait 6 weeks to try these out?)  I know they'll be heavenly because they are made up of a crispy wafer shell, filled with hazelnut and chocolate filling (the same thing Happy Hippos are made up of!!).  Usually, I'd like to have some new flavors of tic tacs all wrapped up in bows and hearts for Blake, but apparently Ferrero put these out instead. I can't wait to try these out tomorrow!

 Check out what I gave Blake in 2011 (I forgot to take pics of 2012):

 These are tic tac trees.  The picture is before I put a few bows on them and put a bunch of tic tacs in the display holders!  These might be old enough to entitle as "Vintage", they are from the 80's. (not quite there yet, but still about 30 years old).  I bought them from Germany and it took them 8 months to ship.  Thank goodness they arrived 2 days before Valentines.  I "restored" them with rubbing alcohol and q-tips (They were quite rusty) and filled 'em up with tic tacs and that was that!

 Whether it's candy hearts or fancy chocolates, or even a edible bouquet of fruits-for the health concious-I'm sure you'll find a perfect gift for your special someone this Valentines Day! :) 

If you have a tic tac fan, you can send them a customized tic tac E-card through an app on facebook.  Here's a link:

 www.facebook.com/pages/Tic-Tac/28960537848?ref=ts&fref=ts

Happy Valentines Day!! ♥♥♥

Barley Sugars, Cadbury Fingers, and Galaxy Minstrels

 



 A few weeks ago a man came into Blickenstaff's to buy some international candy.  I asked him if he had lived in a foreign country (I love asking people that when they buy foreign candy becuase they almost always have, and have cool stories about it).  He told me he'd been around the world and back.  It turns out, he's a seasoned travel agent.  Which was cool, because Blake and I are planning a trip to South Africa this October.  We set up a time to meet with him and sent him our info for a quote.  After the meeting he gave us some super "sweet" british candies that I had NEVER seen before!!!! :) :) :) 

The first:  Cadbury Fingers

Cadbury fingers!!! :)  These are a pretty simple chocolate snack.  It's just a little wafer covered in Cadbury dark chocolate.  I'm not the hugest fan of dark chocolate, but...it was cadbury.  So it was definately good.  However, nothing super special when compared to other british treats.

BUT
The Second: Barley Sugars (blew me away)

These little barley sugars are so tasty! They don't have as much flavor as you'd think, but their flavor is very subtle and addicting! I've almost had the whole bag on my own!  (But they don't contain any alcohol or any harmful substance besides sugar, no worries!!) I was pleasantly suprised.  It has a honey-like flavor, and I absolutely love it!!!

The other British candy that I am going to talk about is not from the travel agent, but something I tried in Blickenstaff's today! Introducing......

The Third:  Galaxy Minstrels

Galaxy Minstrels:  A hard-coat of chocolate on the outside, smooth galaxy milk chocolate on the inside.  The more I eat these, the more I like them.  However, they are more expensive compared to other international candies (Not by much) so pick and choose, but I like this one. 

I just happen to work at an amazingly "sweet" store named Blickenstaff's.  It's a pretty new place, only about 2 1/2 years old! Here at Blickenstaff's you can find a variety of Vintage toys and candy, as well as new toys you've never seen (Unless you go to AWESOME toy stores all the time)

Here are some pics of the vintage (and other) candies we have here:

Classic Favorites

A bit of vintage flavor

We have some Wonka brand bars, but I have still yet to try a Scrumdidlyumptious!!

It will take me quite a bit to blog about all these candies!  If you have any requests from the pics, I'm so excited to jump in and write about how cool/different/tasty these are!!! :)

Here are a couple of pictures of the other stuff in the store! ♥:

 

 

 

So, as  you can see, It's a great atmosphere to be around when you're blogging about the latest and greatest (plus oldest and...NOT moldiest...haha..that may be a little much.)! I've been working here for 10 months and still find fun and crazy things to play with!  Hope you guys are ready for some fun candy reviews, because there's a lot of candy to go around! 

The Sweet things in life

Have you ever woke up and asked yourself, "What am I going to do today?"  Well, one day (Today!)  I woke up and thought to myself...."Today I'm going to be a candy blogger".  So, I'm getting right to work...setting out on an adventure to find the coolest and most exotic candies! In the world! (The world part might take me a while, but I'll start from what I already know.)

"Today I'm gonna be a candy blogger!!!"  "ehh" "yay!"

Reasons I am totally qualified to blog about candy:






1. YUMMMM-O! I eat it every day!!!

2. I work at a vintage toy/candy store and am SURROUNDED by it!!!

3. The dreamiest man in the world (My husband, of course!!!) collects tic tacs.  I am constantly searching out the latest and greatest flavors to suprise and delight him with.

4. Did you know that different countries sell different flavors of tic tacs?  Annnnd  that in foreign countries the cases are colored instead of the actual tic tac candies?  I KNEW that!  Therefore, I know cool things! yay!!!

Reasons why Candy is a cool thing to know about:

1. It doesn't cost that much money

2. Most people like it! yay #birthdaypresents #coolestgifterever #yum

3. It is a powerful anti-depressant (Especially Kinder's Happy Hippo biscuits from Germany, which were created in the adorable shape of hippos obviously for the sole reason of making ppl happy!)

How Adorable!  (I'll do a review of these later)

Happy Hippos are made by Ferrero. Inc.
(Same company that makes tic tacs, makes Kinder products!!)

Anyway, so...I love candy and tic tacs, and if you love sweet things, then you could read my blog maybe?