Frills 'n' Spills

My mum first found this recipe in her Waitrose magazine and it has been a staple recipe for me ever since. Trashy food is always tempting but homemade chicken nuggets are a lot better for you than shop bought ones, especially if you use turkey like I did!

As uni draws to a close, the worry about adjusting to 'real life' looms even larger. It is impossible to know how easy the transition between uni and work will be but luckily I have a few things working in my favour. So many people I know don't know how to cook or clean or even how to open a bank account but luckily my parents equipped me with these essential life skills and hopefully this will make it a little bit easier for me... 

I have had this Tesco dress for a couple of years now and I originally paid £7 for it but I wore it so much that it actually wore through in certain places and the belt almost came off. Luckily my mum and grandma taught me how to sew when I was younger so with a bit of work I was able to patch up the holes and reattach the belt. It may seem like a small victory but it was a triumph nonetheless. I saved money on replacing a much beloved dress and proved that I could look after myself. 

These photos were taken next to a churchyard near to my house and provided a more unusual location than my usual brick wall backdrop. These ruins were once a gatehouse and I don't know how tall people were in the fifteenth century but even I struggled to walk through the doorways and I'm only 5'4"! 

The gorgeous reddy colour of the bricks looked lovely with the tan colour of my bag and I thought it looked quite cute perched up on this ledge! 

I am also considering whether to get my hair cut again as it just seems to be a bit unruly at the moment but I like the fact that I can tie it up when it is warmer...I just don't know what to do!

How did you make the transition between uni and work ? What skills do you think are essential? 

You may have seen my tweet about finding a grey bag and let me tell you, it was next to impossible. I have a pair of grey shoes that go with pretty much everything and have never found a bag to match them until now! After a morning traipsing around Leamington,  I finally managed to track down this beauty in Miss Selfridge. It is the perfect size and can be used for day or night so I am really pleased with it! I am hoping to wear this for the Aussie party next Saturday, are any of you going? 

(♥)

How do you cope with saying goodbye? What is the best way to relax?



P.S. Are any of you going to the Aussie party? What are you wearing? 

(♥)

Diabetes is a topic that is very close to my heart. As you may know I was diagnosed with diabetes nearly 14 years ago and it was probably the most difficult thing my family and I have had to go through. I have had some horrific ups and downs and at times it has felt like I was the only person suffering with this. Luckily, despite the lack of information and advice given to us by some of the doctors and nurses, Diabetes UK stepped in with their magazine Balance. I don't receive it any more but it helped me and my mum through some very difficult times and I will always remember the time I won £5 on the crossword (I was nine at the time!) So why am I bringing this up now you may ask? It is diabetes week and Diabetes UK are aiming to raise awareness and to get people talking about diabetes:

"A Diabetes UK survey has found that nearly one million people in the UK could be risking their health and experiencing emotional distress by keeping their diabetes a secret.

As a result Diabetes UK is raising awareness of the importance of talking about diabetes during Diabetes Week this year (12 to 18 June) and we are encouraging anyone having difficulty opening up about their condition to call our Careline service for help."

I know that I found it very difficult to talk to people about my diabetes and even if I hid it away that it would go away. It really impacted on my confidence when I was younger and this is why I think things like this are so important. I am lucky enough to have amazing family and friends that have been there to support me through it but not everyone is that lucky. If you know that other people are going through the same thing then you won't feel so alone which can only be a good thing, right? To raise some money, I am planning to sell all of the clothes that I don't wear and split the money between Diabetes UK and the PSP Support Network, another organisation close to my heart. I don't want to preach, I am not going to try and guilt trip you into donating money (although obviously that would be nice!) but rather to talk to people, do a little research and celebrate Diabetes Week with me! 

Do you know anyone with diabetes?

P.S. If you have any questions then I will be more than happy to answer them !

Ever since I bought this sheer black maxi skirt I have had visions of wearing it layered up with loose knits and my leather jacket, as inspired by the Olsen twins. I'm sure there's no-one who wears black or a maxi better and they were the inspiration behind this outfit. Coincidentally it is their birthday today so I guess I have to say happy birthday! I don't normally wear such a lack of colour but I think black and nude looks really fab together.

Normally I'm not a big fan of loose layers but this skirt encourages a more relaxed look and it was perfect for revising for my exam (which will be happening as you read this!) Originally I had planned to wear this with these nude shoes but the rain put paid to that! These shoes are the last of the three pairs I bought from New Look and they are the comfiest pair I own and perfect with any outfit...

I was trying to show off my shoes but it just looks like I am a flamingo standing on one leg ;) Mark and I endured pouring rain to get these shots but luckily they didn't come out too dark and I still look quite cheery despite the mystery wolf whistler of Kenilworth. As we were walking along, I had to hold my skirt up out of the puddles and this apparently was provocative to the mystery man of Kenilworth...ah well!

This necklace is one of my new purchases and it has been invaluable in exam season. it seems I can't get enough of cute necklaces with watches in! I have never really been into jewellery but recently I have been obsessed with finding pieces to add to my collection.

I cannot wait to finish exams and relax, there are so many films that I want to watch, places I want to go and people I want to see... bring on Wednesday!