Be careful, stay safe!

I had an experience this morning which was a big reminder to me be more security conscious.

This morning on my way to my parents house I pulled in to a supermarket car park to go in to the shop.  I parked in a remote area of the car park where there was no other cars.

When I got to the shop entrance I saw that it wasn't open until 10am (Sunday hours).

I returned to my car and unaware of anything going on around me I started sending a text.  

The next thing that happened was that I felt a presence over me.  I looked up to find a man attempting to open my passenger door.  The dog (thank god I had him with me) started barking crazily at him and jumping at the window.

I was in a complete panic trying to both lock my doors and reverse away.  It was all very bizarre.  The man looked completely drugged but was staring right at me.  I stared right back as if to say "Don't even think of it".

I eventually got the car into reverse and got away (I was shaking!)

My thoughts are that he was probably attempting to open my passenger door and would have snatched my hand bag if it was on the seat next to me.  I think perhaps the dog stopped him in his tracks.

I hadn't thought he got the door open but as I drove away I could see the indicator on the dash was saying the door was open.

So all is well that ends well but I think it has made me rethink a few security issues.  
In future I intend to:

1. Park in an area where there are cars and people in the vicinity

2. Lock the car doors upon getting in to the car

And most importantly 

3. Don't be texting on my phone be aware of all that is going on around me

Do you have any other safety tips that I should be aware of?

Here are safety instructions from An Garda Siochana about  car security.

Nice shiny things in Campbell Jewellers!

As we were driving home from Blackrock this morning we passed through Donnybrook and saw Campbell Jewellers.  I've been meaning to call in for awhile so we took the opportunity to visit.

I love the exterior of this shop along with the other stores along the short street way.  They are all fitted out in a really nice light colour wood and are very chic looking.

I wish I had taken a picture of the interior as it is a beautifully laid out shop.  Unfortunately I got too excited by all the lovely shiny stuff inside and got waylaid!

There is a large range of jewellery and gift items for sale with a range for just about everyone.  Prices go from very modest right up to where ever your limit is!  Many of the pieces that they sell are custom made to customer specifications.  I was lucky to be shown two amazing engagement rings that were just completed.  Both were stunning - one of them had a total of over 3 carats in diamonds with the main stone being over 2 carats!  

If you are thinking of commissioning a custom piece you should make a visit to this shop - I find it fascinating to hear about how they source their diamonds and they really make some beautiful items.  Have a browse through their facebook page to be wowed!

Along with jewellery they have a range of wallets.  

I seriously think Ciaran has a compulsion in regard to wallets.  He seems to "need" to update his wallet every year or two.  I find this a little odd.  I think most men only change their wallet when it wears out or if they lose it.  Ciaran on the other hand really enjoys perusing and buying a new wallet - again I think most men just get on with the job at hand out of necessity and don't actually enjoy buying a wallet???  Do let me know your thoughts on this!!  Is this something I should be concerned about??!!!

However,  I will concede that this particular wallet Ciaran bought is fairly nifty.  It is a Secrid Mini Wallet and I think the security protection that it offers is excellent.  The metal element of the wallet protects against your RFID cards being scanned.  How brilliant is that?! 

These leather wallets come in a variety of colour.  Ciaran chose a vintage brown which I think is very attractive.

Another feature of this wallet is that it has a small lever at the bottom of the card protector which allows you in one small movement release your cards.  I have to say that this looks incredibly convenient.  I will report back how Ciaran finds it.

I wasn't intending to buy anything but as I scanned the shop my eye was drawn to a display of Calvin Klein Jewellery. I like very simple rings (I don't wear an engagement ring and I only wear my wedding band which is a double band with small stones set intermittently around the ring) but I really liked the look of the CK range particularly a rosé "Born" ring.

I decided to treat myself to a ring.  It was boxed up beautifully, and when I got home, within the gift box I found the ring was protected in an adorable little soft pouch.

Here is my new ring which I am very happy with!  I am currently wearing it and if looks great and the curved metal feels so comfortable on my finger and the rosé colour matches my Michael Kors Pressley watch.

If you are in the D4 area and are looking for a gift for the special someone in your life this shop is worth a visit.  

If you are in the market for a specialty item I highly recommend you consult with Jeweller Ronan Campbell - not only are his creations stunning, timeless, classy and more, he really knows his stuff and he will guide you in the right direction to the best investment you can make for your budget.

Are you a twin?

Are you a twin?  Are you over 18 and are both you and your twin living in Ireland?

My twin Amy and I have signed up to be part of a nutrition study in UCD starting in Mid-October.

On my way home from work today I heard the study being advertised on the Radio.  It seems that they are still looking for twins to take part of the study.  They are looking for both identical and fraternal twins.

If you are interested you can email nutritiontwins@ucd.ie 

Here's a picture that I have displayed in my bedroom of myself and my identical twin when we were young children.  Check out our great pudding bowl haircuts!!

Edit - here is how we got on at the first day of the twin study.

Scary letter in the post

Eeeek!  So it appears that my Car Tax has been overdue since July.  

I just received this Final Reminder for payment this morning.  It is so strange - I can't remember receiving the original notice for payment.

It seems that An Garda Siochana (the police) have been notified about the nonpayment and I could be liable to be prosecuted or my car could be seized.

Obviously I went straight to the Motor Tax website to pay my tax. Only to find the website down for maintenance!!! Aaagh!!

Bargain alert - Starbucks mugs

Starbucks currently have a special on of 50% off a coloured mug selection.  At only €4.50 I think these are a great deal as they are extremely good quality. 

My sister bought 4 of the funky orange (on the inside) mugs to match her Nespresso Coffee Machine.  All the colours are very nice - the blue are my favourite, so cheery!

Here is a mug nicely packaged up and ready to be posted to a friend who participated in a "Spreading kindness - Pay it forward" Facebook initiative that I was involved in.  Basically it is somewhat similar to a chain mail project.  You will receive a gift in the post at some point from the person you linked up with and you then have to send on 5 gifts to the 5 people who linked up with you.  These 5 people will then send on 5 gifts to the 5 people who they linked up with.....and so it continues.

I also put a €5 Starbucks card in with the mug and told my friend to "Have a coffee on me!"

Francis Brennan "It's the little things"

Amy and I are big fans of John & Francis Brennan and their TV programme "At your service" . When we heard that Francis Brennan had written a book about manners, a guide to life, we knew we had to buy a copy and also get it signed by Frances himself.

Today at 3pm he was in Easons in O'Connell Street and we lined up about 2.45pm in order to meet him.  Promptly at 3pm (well he was never going to be late given that he is an expert on etiquette!) he arrived and took his place with his silver ink pen to start his book signing.

In no time at all we were up with him where we had a little chat and also got to take a photo with him!

Francis came across as being a lovely man and had time for everyone and was great with the children organizing them in to order for a photo with him.

Here is the front cover of the book.  Amy and I both bought a copy as it was buy one get the second half price.

It's also available on eBook.

And here is what he wrote in our book!

Sick Hot Tub - call the doctor!

We had a problem with our hot tub whereby it was tripping the breaker every time we switched it on.  

I arranged for the Hot Tub Doctor to make a house call this morning.  He quickly was able to diagnose the condition and put in new parts to make it all good.

It is now all fixed up with a new heating element, a new pressure switch (corrosion was starting on this and he reckoned it could go soon and we would need him back out to replace it) and also some new seals.

He also took a look at out filter and reckoned it was good for another 6 months or so.

Currently the hot tub is up at 26 degrees so it will be hot tomorrow ready for us to have a dip.  Having been off for 2 weeks I was concerned that we may have to empty and refill it but the doc said it should be ok - I was thankful for this as it would have been bad timing with the introduction of water charges in Ireland this week!!

The Hot Tub Doctor was not the company that originally supplied our hot tub so I was very happy to hear him comment that a lot of thought had gone in to our set up (all Ciaran's original ideas!).  As you know our hot tub is sunken under our deck and we use a lever mechanism to raise the lid.  All very James Bond!

Here's a picture of the hot tub (being photographed for the Sunday Independent) - you can see the pulley mechanism above the lid.