I use either dark colored compost or 3-way soil as mulch. The 3-way soil I buy is an equal mixture of sand, compost and sandy loam. (It also works great when dug into the dirt to break up clay soil.) I've also seen nut shells (such as filbert or hazelnut) and pine needles used. I don't use pine needles, though, as my soil is already acidic because of how much it rains here in the PNW. I don't like the look of bark and I especially don't like the slivers, but that's just personal preference.

Thanks again for your advice. Will be ;putting the 3 way on my list to pick up.

Cedar mulch on top of plain newspaper layers and compost. It breaks down fast, about a year for the newsprint, two for the mulch, and suppresses weeds wonderfully.
I am lucky though, and have good soil to begin with.