What a Twit

Stay safe online!
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I'm not a total social media addict, but I must admit I like Facebook and Twitter as much as the next person. I think they definitely have their value (especially in the blogging world), and make keeping in touch easier than ever. Despite this though, sometimes social media can go bad. Here is a little story of something that happened to me recently...

One evening I got a missed call off an unknown number. This isn't anything out of the ordinary - a lot of market research companies (all those annoying calls asking if they can just have five minutes of your time) and other businesses hide their numbers so you answer the phone. I thought nothing of it. However about twenty minutes later I got another call, which I answered. I won't repeat what was said to me but it was pretty vile and so I hung up. I then received 17 calls from the same unknown number within the space of 10 minutes, none of which I answered. It was getting late and my phone just kept on ringing, which creeped me out a little bit so I eventually got a male friend to answer and ask the person to stop calling.

It basically transpired that this person had found my number on a Facebook group that a friend made after she lost her phone and tried to get everyone's numbers again. I try never to post any personal details on the internet, but for some reason I'd never really thought about groups like that.

I would thoroughly recommend that people avoid putting their phone numbers or any personal details anywhere on Facebook or other social media sites. I know that the calls I got were just from some pervy low-life with nothing better to do, but it was horrible all the same - stay safe guys!

Sarah x

Forms, forms, forms...

Right now my life seems to revolve around filling in form after form after form! I'm busy applying both for a Masters course and jobs, and it is all one long application form. It's one of those boring things in life that noone enjoys doing, but who knows it could lead somewhere amazing! I must admit, sometimes I do get a little tired of filling in every qualification I ever achieved (although I'm definitely still proud I managed that A* in GCSE Welsh!) and it often seems a little never-ending. Nonetheless, I keep reminding myself that it'll all be worth it.

Since my house is so chilly I've taken to working wrapped up in my duvet and have busted out the lovely woolly socks little sis bought me last Christmas. Although I sure do wish my room wasn't quite so icy, there's something quite nice about being all cosied up with a big mug of tea. 

Where there's tea, there's hope
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I don't mind the cold weather too much, or even a light dusting of snow - as long as the trains are running I'm a happy bunny! A low point last year was heading home for Christmas and spending 3 hours stuck in Birmingham New Street because of the snow. I don't think I've ever been so relieved to get home!

I know everyone is already super excited about Christmas, but I'm one of those people that refuse to consider any present-buying, decorating, turkey-stuffing, etc. etc. until 1st December. My favourite part is definitely the music and I've got some good stuff lined up for a listen - I have been recommend 'A Very She & Him Christmas' and I can't wait to get stuck in! I'm sure I'll blog something ridiculously Christmassy when the time is here, but for now though I'm staying shtum. 

Hope you're as cosy as me!

Sarah x

Recipe: Cajun Chicken with Pineapple Rice

My friends threw a little 'Come Dine With Me'-style party the other evening and we all had to take a dish. Now I am not the niftiest in the kitchen, but had a crack at it and this was the dish I made! I must admit I was pretty pleased with it, as it's tasty and actually quite healthy (although the mountains of yummy pudding after certainly weren't!). The only thing this bad boy doesn't win any points for is looks - I actually won 'Least Aesthetically Pleasing'! But anyway I though I'd share the recipe:

Cajun Chicken with Pineapple Rice – serves 4

Ingredients

·         Olive oil

·         1 red pepper

·         1 small tin of sweetcorn

·         2 tbsp Cajun spice mix

·         250g long grain rice

·         1 chicken stock cube

·         1 small tin pineapple chunks in natural juice

·         Chicken (standard pack)

Recipe

1.      Heat oil in pan and fry diced pepper, sweetcorn and half of spice mix

2.      Mix up stock cube in 700ml of boiling water, then add this and rice to pan.

3.      Bring to the boil, gently stir in and then lower the heat. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes.

4.      Meanwhile, cut chicken into chunks and rub in the remaining spice mix.

5.      Heat oil in a separate pan and fry chicken.

6.      Gently stir in pineapple chunks and juice into rice and allow to simmer for a further 3-4 minutes.

7.      Add chicken and serve.

8.      Enjoy!

It's also great cold if you fancy taking the leftovers for lunch the next day!

Sarah x

No. 17 Ruby Gem Nail Varnish

Another pretty quick fix from No. 17's Fast Finish collection. I am LOVING all things berry-coloured this autumn and Ruby Gem is a gorgeous addition! Like all the Fast Finish nail varnishes, this doesn't really last that long (no more than 2 days chip-free), but I always feel a little bit glam when I have painted nails (even when they are my little stubby ones)!

Ruby Gem - a lovely berry colour!

I've definitely been guilty of buying waaay into the berry trend at the moment - nail varnish, a cardigan and 2 dresses already!

Hope you're enjoying the autumn sunshine!

Sarah x

Back with a Veg-ance

Don't think that title really worked did it? Never mind, sorry I've been off the radar for a while, things have been so busy! But here I am once again.

I HAD to share my Innocent Veg Pot experience! I am not a vegetable lover at the best of times, and really struggle to try and get my five a day in. Recently I've been making a big effort to try and eat properly, as I know I'll always feel so much better when I've had plenty of fruit and veggies. One of my problems is that I find just plain old veg so boring (and broccoli is just plain horrible), so when I spotted this little pot reduced  in my local shop, I couldn't wait to try it!

Delicious!

I had the whole pot for dinner and it was delicious! I'm not a huge fan of spice, but it was perfect and although there were no noodles/rice etc., it was still really filling. For people like me who don't drool over healthy stuff, this is the perfect solution. I must admit, they're not cheap so I would only buy them reduced, but if that's your bag then I thoroughly recommend!

Well done to the lovely Innocent people :)

Sarah x

Looking Forward, Looking Back #2

Well it is definitely time for another one of these! I've been having a bit of a rubbish time lately, so time to refocus I think!

Looking Forward
I had a cheeky little ASOS shop and so am super excited to try on my new purchases once they arrive! It's not just parcels, I love receiving pretty much anything in the post, so also did a little search for some free sample, so I have some of the new Bailey's Biscotti Flavour heading my way too - a little random, but if it's free then why ever not?!

Looking Back
Looking back is kind of hard, since I must admit I've been having a pretty darn tough time recently, but in the spirit of Looking Forward, Looking Back, I accept that there is always stuff to be thankful for! One of my best friends has really taken me under her wing and done everything possible to cheer me up - I even arrived home to find she had baked me a cake yesterday! That girl is an absolute sweetie and I love her to bits, so looking back I am super duper thankful for her.

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Sarah x

Shh, it's a secret...

One of my favourite time-wasting things to do is faffing about on Stumble Upon. It usually produces a lot of rubbish, but yesterday I came across this video. It's about the Post Secret phenomenon, in which one man asked people to send in their secrets on a postcard. In this video, the same principle is applied, but this time it isn't anonymous...you'd be surprised how honest some people are!



PostSecret: Confessions on Life, Death and God from Frank Warren on Vimeo.

My favourite part is the couple telling each other a secret.

Sarah x