Knilly Frickers

For the majority of this year, every time I've come onto my laptop to write something, I've very swiftly given up and decided to do something else.  I don't know if it's a lack of creative spark or just a general sense of nothing mattering enough to be bothered.  I accepted this week that I'd hit a wall mentally.  After being on furlough for the majority of the year, my role was made redundant, and I haven't been getting far with my job search. I took some time to process this, I've eaten plenty of comfort food, I've had some days where I've vegetated, and I've binged watched just about every series I possibly can on Netflix.  I know that I'm not alone in my circumstances and compared to others, I am reasonably lucky.   Diversion -   I actively try not to compare myself to others as I'm biased in favour of others so will always find a way to come off worse, but I do know that there are people who have it far worse than I at the moment. ...

So, here's the story from A – Z   I don't think I ever actually made it past the waiting list for the official fan club or completed my collection of those polaroid photos you could buy in Woolworths for about £1 but as far as I was concerned, from the age of seven onwards, I was The Spice Girls most enthusiastic fan. I had concerts for my stuffed animals or reluctant family members in my back garden, their first album was the first cassette I ever bought. I've no idea what the first CD I ever bought was - I have a feeling it was probably Spice Up Your Life or Robbie Williams - I do know that the first song I ever downloaded was The Hampsterdance Song, purely because I was a massive fan of Disney's Robin Hood and Roger Miller's Whistle Stop song is forever running through my head and my heart, I digress, back to The Spice Girls.  I tried to start my own Spice Girls fan club in the playground, I made membership cards out of the flimsiest paper in the universe for ...

I mentioned in a previous post about Broghies that they are versatile and quirky, but I wasn't mentally prepared for my mind to be absolutely blown by the new kid on the Broghies block... Broghies Wheat Minis Oh my actual goodness, I think, were my exact words when I first tasted what I can only describe as heaven in the form of a low-calorie cracker or bread substitute!  Much like the larger Broghies, they lend themselves well to rice-based dishes, sweet recipes and bread-based meals. This isn't a sponsored post, but I did speak with Broghies to learn more about Wheat Minis. Fast Facts 5 Broghies Minis - 23 Calories Available in Morrison's stores throughout the UK Retail Price - £2.00 per bag (Most likely to be near the Bagels and Thins) No fat, added sugar or preservatives Suitable for all recipes - Hot, Cold, Sweet, Savoury Check out the Broghie website  www.broghies.com  for full nutritional information. Here's one of my favourite savoury recipes -  Bruschetta B...

I started writing this post months ago and then my brain got taken over by work and other mind consuming things and it got left sitting in my drafts! Something I've been loving since I started trying to have a healthier relationship with my body is Broghies.  They have been a real find for me.   This is not a Sponsored Post although I did contact Broghies for permission and some information.  I first found them in Iceland but you can find your local stockist by checking out their website here .  One of my favourite things about Broghies is that they are so versatile - they can be sweet or savoury. I must confess I usually eat them a bit a like a prawn cracker with a curry or chilli but here are a few recipes my boyfriend helped me cook up!  Beef Tacos: 500g lean or less than 5% beef mince 1 tin of chopped tomatoes 2 teaspoons of garlic salt  1 onion (chopped) 1-2 teaspoons oregano 1 medium pepper 2 teaspoons of Tobasco Serve with boiled rice and Broghi...

When I first found out about my furlough from work I had great plans, I was going to bake loads, I was going to do a different online course every single day and get up early to do Yoga every morning. Fast forward a few weeks and I've largely watched Netflix and emptied my buscuit supply. I did start the Curly Girl Method on my hair so I'll give myself productivity points for that!  💪 I decided today with some encourgement from my boyfriend to hit up the garden with a deckchair.  The wifi works out the front under my bedroom window so I can listen to Disney songs through my earphones and footer about to my hearts content until my laptop loses power or I succumb to Springtime sunburn. Combining vitamind D and fresh air with a bit of creativity.  I don't know how often I'll feel the urge but I figured it might be fun to use the garden as a bit of a Staycation.   I can read, I can listen to a podcast, I can write. Provided the old man isn't cutting the grass or on...

Around this time of year I have a tendancy to feel self-depracating and make a list of things that I feel I need to change about myself in order to be the best me I can be, tick all the right boxes and meet the societal standards of my every day surroundings.  I decided a few years ago that this nonsensical notion was counterproductive and have now decided that instead of thinking how I will change myself for the year ahead, I will spend this time reflecting on what I've learned about who I am.  Yes, I know I'm a 30 year old woman but anyone who tells you they have all their ducks in a row in order of date of birth, know exactly who they are, what they want and have the secret to obtaining/maintaining it, is either extremely lucky or talking rubbish.  In the spirit of reflection, here is what I've learned about myself in 2019.  I let the big things go, not the little ones. I let a lot of things go, sometimes big things that I should really call others out on and I'm ...

I've been camping before but only for a few days. About 8 weeks ago I agreed to step completely out of my comfort zone and partake in a week long camping holiday.  I'm really more of an indoors kind of girl so the idea of sleeping outside for the whole week was a little daunting.  I'd be lying if I said the whole week was entirely up my street, I have a pollen allergy, I hate dirt and like my home comforts but I did enjoy my time camping.  I learned a few lessons about myself on that holiday which have been useful since I came back: 1. Being a light sleeper isn't the worst thing in the world, it's annoying at home when I have work to be up for in the morning but when you are in the middle of a field and are woken by the sound of a barking dog or someone coming back from the toilet, it doesn't really matter.  2. There is plenty to enjoy that doesn't come from a screen.  Yes I had my phone with me, was able to charge it and could keep in touch with friends and...