How to: Home-made Potato Salad

Hello my lovelies! 

I have something a little different for you today cause I've got food on the brain thanks to being on a 3 day carb curbing detox (why oh why is my liver so cruel?) so I thought I'd share with you my all time favourite thing to make from scratch... Potato Salad! 

I have given a list of ingredients plus alternatives so you can mix up what you may prefer to use

Serves: 4+

Time: 30-40 minutes

Best served with: Salmon & Vegetables

What you'll need:

• Big bowl 
• Table spoon
• Tea spoon
• Large chopping knife
• Mixing spoon
• Spoon to serve
• Pan of water

• 500g New Potatoes - the amount you use will vary depending on how many you are to serve
• Crème fraîche OR Greek Yoghurt
• Mayonnaise (I tend to use light mayo as it's a little healthier)
• English Mustard
• 1/2 a Lemon 
• Mixed Herbs (you can use basil, pepper, rosemary or whatever herbs you may prefer)
• Fresh Dill 
• Fresh Chives OR Fresh Spring Onions

Note: The amount of herbs you use is entirely up to you, some people like lots, some people like little. 

1. Heat the pan of water to boil before adding the potatoes. These will need to be cooked for around 20-30 minutes or until soft - check with a fork to see they are cooked throughout.
2. While your potatoes are cooking, prepare your dill and chives by chopping them in to tiny pieces, try not to crush or snap the herbs but rather use a clean cut. If you struggle with a knife it may be easier to use scissors. Place the chives and dill to one side, separately. 
3. In your bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise and 2 tablespoons of crème fraîche until smooth.
4. Then add 1 teaspoon of english mustard and 1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice. Mix well.
5. Now add your mixed herbs and chopped dill, again, mix well. At this point, some may also choose to add freshly ground black pepper.
6. Once your poataoes have cooked, drain well and run them under cold water. Now cut each potato in to either halves or quarters depending on your preference. Immediately add the potatoes to the mixture once cut and mix well. 
7. Finally, add the freshly chopped chives and top with a slice of fresh lemon. Serve in mixing bowl, simply add a serving spoon.

There you have it, a delicious home-made potato salad that can be eaten while still warm or kept in the fridge until needed. My family absolutely love my potato salad and I hope you do too! 

Bon Appetite!

Love you all!

T xxx

Freshers: Fresher's Week - Day Time

Hello my lovelies!

I know, I know.. "Tamsin! It's been over 2 weeks, nearly 3! YOU OWE FORFEITS!" and yes, I will be doing them for you all to be amused by soon enough but I do have a valid excuse. I have only just got my laptop back and although I tried, using the iPad to do blog posts is really rather difficult. OH-OH-OH! Also, you may have noticed the brand new template which was a rather lovely choice made by a good friend of mine, still not sure if it's quite me though, if you like it please let me know.. or even if you hate it let me know! Anywho, moving on to the actual point of this post...

In my last Fresher's post we'd got up to you moving in to your new place. Now it's time to get in to the stuff you reaaally want to know, however there's just so much to tell you! So, just to make my life a little easier and this post less confusing I have decided to split the information in to what goes on in the day and at night. Both are equally important but I'll start with the daytime events and things you ought not to miss.

During freshers week there is simply so much stuff going on that it can be hard keeping track of where you're supposed to be or what you're supposed to be doing! It is so so SO important that you don't forget to go and register your arrival, this is the only way you will find out exactly what's going on throughout the week and allows student finance to know you can have your money. It is also important that you register with your local GP and dentist, many students don't think this is necessary but you'll soon change your mind when you get the freshers flu (yes that is a real thing!) so please don't brush the registrations off. Most universities will use freshers week to give you either introductory days or introductory lectures so that you can meet the people on your course and get a little more accustomed to what exactly you'll be learning about. 

Fortunately it's not all about your course this week though! There are also many opportunities to figure out the social life at your uni and to make new friends and try new things. No matter where you go, there will be a freshers fair during freshers week where you will be able to find out all about local businesses, volunteering opportunities, get loads of freebies and learn more about the societies you could get involved with. Some universities like to have a separate sports and societies fair but both are fairly similar often with loads of free stuff including pizza, drinks, restaurant menus and gym membership trials so they're not to be missed.

If there's one thing you must do during freshers week, it's to go to that fair where all the societies are and sign up to something. You will get trials of anything you sign up for so it's not like you have to become a full time member. This is your chance to discover a new sport or activity you might love and there is absolutely no where else that you'll be able to try Quidditch (yup, most universities have a Quidditch team in the UK, YAY!), LARPing or join a group of people who also share your passion for stamp collecting. Plus, if there's not a society there that you think you'd like to join, you could always enquire about starting up a brand new one! 

There will be loads of points during the week when you will have time to yourself, when it comes to this then don't just sit around. Go and introduce yourself to the neighbours, get yourself accustomed with the local area and student bar, take yourself on a campus tour so you can vaguely figure out where everywhere is. The most important thing about freshers week is that it's there for you to settle in and make some new friends, so don't waste the week away. Your free hours could be spent deciding where you would all like to go on your night out or what you should have for dinner or even just chatting to one another and learning more about these strangers who will be your friends for the rest of the year (hopefully!) so choose what you do wisely. 

The next issue in this series will be discussing the nightly goings on of freshers week, get ready for some fun stories from my own personal experience! 

Love you all!

T xxx

Winter hairstyle picks

Hello my lovelies! 

Here it is, the long awaited Winter hairstyle picks for 2013/2014! I apologise for the lighting in pretty much all of the pictures but you'll get the gist. Most of the styles are suited for hair that is shoulder length or longer however some can be done with shorter hair too. I have chosen to do my Winter hair post using all simple hairstyles that are easy to do and can be used day or night for formal or non-formal events. I don't usually do posts like this but there have been requests so hopefully it meets the standards of those who have asked for it.

So this is my hair as natural as it can possibly be after a few days wear. People often complain because once you have a full fringe, it can be hard to do too much with your hair, but I've found a few hairstyles that are perfect for use both day and night.

First off we have the side bun. Starting with a simple side ponytail and either wrapping the hair around or folding it under to create a messy, quick up-do. This one's nice when your hair's beginning to get a little unruly or greasy and you just can't be bothered to do too much with it. It also works for hair of most lengths however some people may need bobby pins to hold a few strands over.

Next up are a favourite of mine, pigtails! These can be worn either high or low but I prefer low as it looks a little classier and most definitely less childlike. It can be little tricky to get the bobbles level but at least the style can look great either messy or neat. These also look great either with or without a fringe which is a big plus!

Similar to the pigtails, double plaits can be very flattering if you have a rounder face as they frame your features nicely. Again, these can be tricky to make even (especially if like me your hair grows wonky), but they are quick and easy and suit hair that's shoulder length or longer.

The side plait is a cute one but only really works with either no fringe or a sweeping side fringe. This looks particularly nice on an evening when your hair has a slight kink from the day and looks slightly messy. 

Winter curls are my absolute favourite. Now, you may ask why they are 'Winter' curls, the simple answer? The curls are softer and there are more of them, plus they are high pinned rather than loose waves at the bottom of the hair.

Want something a little more simple? If you have a fringe try large, loose curls at the end of your hair pulled over to or pinned to one side. Alternatively, if you have a side fringe or no fringe, make the curls larger and wavier using all of your hair but again, have it swept or pinned to one side.

Love you all!

T xxx