Teapigs Matcha Tea | Review & Giveaway

I'm a big tea drinker. I mean, I'm the kind of person who has to start every day with a cup of tea. However recently, I have swapped the English Breakfast for a strange bright green powder called 'matcha'. I'm guessing most of you will have heard of matcha by now, but just in case you haven't here's how teapigs describe it...

"Matcha is 100% natural, organic ground green tea leaves- essentially a concentrated green tea."

"Matcha contains a very special amino acid called L-theanine. This works to slowly release matcha's natural caffeine to give our bodies a gentle and sustained energy boot lasting 4-6 hours."

I was extremely excited when I was given the chance to try out the teapigs matcha powder as it's something that I've been very intrigued about for a while. I won't lie, I was a little sceptical when I opened the box and read that 'A 1g serving of teapigs matcha is equivalent to 15 cups of green tea'. I literally thought that as soon as I started adding this stuff to my food and drink that I would be bouncing off the walls. But as teapigs mention, the point is that it releases the energy slowly. Two more very interesting and positive sounding things about this powder are that it's extremely high in antioxidants and that it boosts metabolism. It seems to do so much! 

The really great thing about the powder is that you can add to anything you want! I even saw a matcha cocktail on a drinks menu when I was on holiday the other week. You could also try sprinkling it on top of food instead of adding it to drinks. You can buy it as part of a kit, which comes with everything you need to mix it up as a drink. On day one I added it to hot water and used the electric whisk that teapigs provide in their starter kit to whizz up the concoction. I love the taste of green tea but this powder is extremely strong and I really didn't enjoy the taste of it with just water. On the second day I decided to use the shot glass and mix the powder with orange juice. Now this...I like! But be careful not to fill the shot glass to the top like I did or you'll end up with green worktops when you start whisking! I guess it depends on how much of a fan you are of the strong green tea flavour, but I really enjoy the taste of it mixed with orange juice. I've been drinking it every morning at 8.30am before I go to work. I did go on holiday for two weeks between using the matcha so it gave me a chance to see if it was making a difference. I haven't noticed the matcha massively affecting my energy levels. But now that I'm back on it I think it will be something that I will drink every morning. 

If you'd like to order anything from teapigs (I highly recommend their delicious range of teas) then you can use the code blab to get 10% off (this excludes cheeky, bulk buys, pick & mix and matcha kits) until the end of June.  If you'd like to sign up for any extra discounts, there's a newsletter on the teapigs homepage. 

I am also giving away one of their modern matcha kits so if you would like to be in with the chance to try one out then please enter by logging into the Rafflecopter below. This giveaway is open to UK residents only and will close on Thursday 12th June so get entering while you can! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Video: Meet Biggie the Cat

Mr. Bigs features frequently on this blog and when he does he seems to get more attention than the topic I'm writing about. I mean...just look at that little face! I thought it would be fun to film the crazy cat so that you guys could meet him. 

He's very greedy and is always looking for food...he even ate half a pumpkin pie that was left out on the side once. And only the other day he stole a whole block of cheese and tried to run away with it between his teeth when my friends and I had our backs turned!  Because of this we had to put him on a diet. So he's actually looking a lot slimmer these days, compared to the photo below which was taken last year. 

You can find the video here and be sure to subscribe if you want to!

Fortnight in Photos #15

 This used to be the 'Sunday Post'. But I decided that I would just give you guys an update if I've been up to something interesting. Exactly a week ago I flew back after a fantastic two weeks in the States...that's interesting enough for a post right?? (It's also the reason the blog has been quiet for a couple of weeks, sorry!). 

 We spent the first week exploring Philadelphia and Washington D.C- both were very lovely places. My dad is American (but he lives in the UK) so we then spent the second week visiting our amazing family in Missouri. Take me back there please...

I went a bit overboard with the Instagram photos whilst I was there, so I thought I would share them with you. I'd love to hear if you've been to any of these places, are planning on going or can recommend any other places to visit in the States. I would definitely recommend taking a trip to Washing D.C if you can! 

 Exploring Phildadelphia, The Liberty Bell and Benjamin Franklin, New Watch, the room The Declaration of Independence was signed in, Lincoln Memorial in D.C, Beautiful Washington D.C.

 Pretty new wallet, Marceline- Walt Disney's boyhood home, my mum and me chilling on the porch, The Arch in St Louis, Old Time Soda Fountain treats, my cousins absolutely wonderful dog Ferris. 

 My cousin Jessica and I enjoying some $1 hot dogs at the KC Royals baseball game, stray kittens- they were very very scared, a skirt I found in the thrift store for less than $3!

What have you guys been up to recently?

Instagram @hannahcelder

I Recommend...The Garnier Micellar Water

Thanks to this miracle Micellar Water, the days of make up wipes are long gone. I've never tried Bioderma but I started using the L'Oreal Micellar Water last year. I couldn't believe how effortlessly it removes make up.

Garnier recently brought out their own version in a bottle twice the size for the same price as the L'Oreal water. After being told by a friend that the ingredients are the same and reading Kat's review on Blushing Rose  I decided to go for Garnier's version this time round. It's strange because I do actually prefer it, even though it's exactly the same product. This is because it's much easier to get the product out of the bottle without wasting any and because I feel like it works quicker to remove my eye make up. It's so easy to use too, just apply to a cotton pad and hold over your eyes/face/lips for a few seconds and then wipe. 

This Micellar Water is brilliant and I would recommend it if you are looking for something that removes your make up quickly but thoroughly.