Parcel Motel

For the first time ever I used Parcel Motel for delivery of a book that I had ordered.

It is so convenient!

I received a text with a pin number and then visited my chosen parcel motel entered my phone number and pin number and then one of the doors popped open to reveal my package.

Using Parcel Motel means that you don't have to be at home to receive delivery of packages which is very handy when working full time.

The other reason to use Parcel Motel is to save on shipping. Postage to the Republic of Ireland can be very expensive while it is less expensive to ship to the United Kingdom.  Therefore when buying things on line you can ship to a UK address which is the Parcel Motel Depot in Northern Ireland and they will then bring it down to be collected in the Republic.  

Quite ingenious!

There are lots of different sized parcel motel slots/boxes for various different sized deliveries. 

There's the book that I bought which came all the way from the USA.

Have you ever heard of Parcel Motel?  What do you think of the concept?

Dunnes Stores - Swan Centre

Dunnes Homewares in the Swan Centre has had a renovation.  It has an updated look and also a new range - Considered by Helen James.

The new store has a great look - kind of like a toned down version of the very cool "Industry" store on Drury Street.

It would definitely entice me to buy lots!!

Look at these adorable mini tart pans........so cute!

That red couch is part of the Carolyn Donnelly range and is very reasonably priced, in my opinion at €1,000.

Helen James also does gourmet designer chocolate!

Vintage Kitchen Poolbeg Street

I've been trying to get a reservation in Vintage Kitchen for the past few months with no success.  It probably is not helping my case to know that they are taking bookings 3 months in advance and I am always ringing looking for a reservation within a week!!

Anyway I emailed them a few weeks ago to try and get a booking for Ciaran's birthday weekend.  At the time they had nothing but they said they would contact me if they got a reservation.  They contacted me at 11.30am on Friday to say they could fit us in at 6pm that evening.  Result!!!

I was so happy!

I rang Ciaran immediately with the good news.  BUT then he turned me down!!!    It seems he had made plans with some lads to go boxing,

It all turned out ok though.  My twin sister suggested I try change the reservation from 2 people to 4 people and then meet with my cousin and her friend over from London for a visit.

They were able to accommodate the 4 of us so we all made plans to meet later that day.

Amy, Kasey and Erica all met for a predinner drink in O'Reilly's while I drove all the way from Donabate through the city to my house and then hopped on a bus back in to town and finally arrived at the restaurant at 6.25pm (I had left work at 5pm, arrived home at 5.55pm and was back out the door at 6pm!!).  Luckily they had not ordered yet (and sorry again Ladies!).

I should mention that this restaurant is BYOB and they don't charge for corkage if you order two courses.  I think that is a fair policy as I am not a fan of corkage charges even though I know there is a cost to the restaurant for this service.  Kasey very kindly offered to buy wine and she brought along 2 very nice bottles of malbec(!) - a favourite with Amy and I (Thanks Kasey!) 

The food was pretty amazing.  Lots of different ingredients and some that we had never even heard of - check out the chocolate looking sauce on my slate plate below.  Guess what this is?  It's...... black garlic!

For a description of each dish - have a look here on my sister's blog.

We had Risotto, Pate, Ling and Chowder with mussels for starters (all very generous portions except for Amy's ling which looked just right).

For mains, Amy and I had lamb shank while the others had poussin.

After dinner we retired to the very authentically Irish pub Mulligans on Poolbeg Street.  Hopefully our London friend got a good feel for Irish food and craic on this night out!

Nutrition/Twin Study - Visit 1

Today we were up and out at UCD at 7am for the first Study Visit. 

After meeting with the researchers we were brought to the Sports Science Building where a number of tests were carried out.  These included out Body Fat being tested in the Bod Pod.  Along with our weight and height being measured.  Our blood pressure was checked as well as blood samples being taken in order to do further testing on it.

We spent less than 3 minutes in the Bod Pod.  It is a little disconcerting as the air is being sucked out - you can feel pressure in your ears at some points but nothing to be alarmed about. Perhaps someone who suffers from claustrophobia wouldn't be too happy about sitting quietly in the pod but for us it was fine!

Here's all 5ft 6 of me getting measured.

Here's Amy giving blood - she doesn't look bothered at all!  It took the nurse awhile to find a vein as Amy's are so hidden and small.  

We were finished up in about an hour and a half and because we were fasting they gave us a snack to take away with us (apple juice, an orange and some biscuits).  We had been hoping that they would give us a hot breakfast of scrambled eggs!!!  

Nutrition Study in UCD

As outlined here  my twin sister and I are part of a Nutrition Study in UCD.

Today I had to pick up our "Study Packs".  I got a lift up to UCD but walked the 40 mins back.  I had Bones with me so he got a good stretch of his legs.

When I got home I investigated what was in the packs.

 

They basically consist of ice packs, a questionnaire and a urine sample container.   

The questionnaire is fairly detailed.  It asks about your personal circumstance, your health, the level of exercise you take and then about your dietary habits and attitude to food.

I'll report back further after our first meet up with the researchers on Wednesday morning.

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.