Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Running Around The Orchard ♥

 Last week was sweltering hot, the long awaited Irish summer has finally lived up to expectations and I wanted to get out of the house. Yes, the backyard is lovely for relaxing in the sun but ours has no grass, is full of pebbles and is quite uncomfortable to sit in (we've no sun loungers!) so I went in search of a quiet, grassy area where my boys and I could just relax and enjoy the sunshine. We ended up in Barryscourt Castle, a lovely castle situated just ten minutes from my home but this was only my second venture there, shameful I know and worse still I haven't even been inside. That'll all have to wait though as it appears they're doing renovations on it at the moment. The great thing is though, unlike other castles around Ireland this one and it's grounds are free to visit so a big hurray for thrifty family outings!

My little toddler absolutely loved the grounds, the last time we visited he was just a little baby and was perched in mine and his daddy's arms the whole time, this time though we couldn't even get a grasp on him, he was gone like the wind the moment we set him down. He was running between and underneath the apple and pear trees having a grand ole time and enjoying every second of it. Watching him run around I just had to think where the hell does he get all his energy from? I wish he'd be nice and share some of it with me, God knows I need it (I couldn't even wake up this morning I was so tired!). He delighted the passerby American tourists who thought he was just adorable and I was questioned by one lady about his name, age and where he got his curly hair from, funny how my child always leads to people sparking up conversations and question sessions with me now, he seems to be a great talking point!

It really was an unbelievably hot day and the more my little dude ran around the redder his face got, I'm sure he was even breaking out in a sweat at one stage but he would just not stop running. Finally though he settled on the grass, only for a spot of baby yoga of course. It always amazes me when fellow bloggers and the marvelous people of Instagram are able to get their little darlings sitting down or standing still for wonderful looking photos, my child is a moving target, it's incredibly hard to get a decent photo of him but I think the slightly blurry, out of focus shots capture his spirit quite well, he's a whirlwind which shall never be tamed.

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Monday, July 28, 2014

Living Arrows - Week 30 ♥

I am taking part in I Heart Snapping's weekly Living Arrows project, a photography project to capture an image which represents childhood to you through the actions, likes, dislikes, looks and movements of your own children. As we were away last week below is my picture for the thirtieth week of Living Arrows. 

 I got this shot of my boy whilst he was running around the orchard of Barryscourt Castle on a sweltering hot day. He wouldn't stop running around and his face was getting redder and redder until he finally lay down on the grass and put his feet in the air to do a spot of baby yoga. I love when he does this, it reminds me that even though he seems like a proper little person he still has some small baby qualities to him. How I love him and all his kooky little ways.

 
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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Facebook My Dear... It's Over ♥

I have been on a go-slow all week, taking a step back from the internet having become disillusioned with it all, particularly my old buddy Facebook who has taken up multiple hours of my day ever since I signed up to the bloody thing way back in 2009. First it was good ole Farmville, a game which seemed to be top priority for every student in UCC back in the day. Looking around the Boole computer rooms it was all you could see on every screen, shame it didn't count towards any of our degrees otherwise we'd have all come out of their with First Class Honours, instead all we came out with was wasted hours of our lives, masses of digital currency we couldn't use and enormous amounts of virtual livestock, looking back now I really do wonder what all the hype was about?! These days Facebook seems to just be a boasting paradise, a place for people to say "hey look at me, how many likes can I get for this, look how great my life is compared to yours", etc, etc, filled with people who are not really your 'friends' at all and only add you so that they can get a nose at what's been going on with you since you left school, a place where I feel I have to update people about what's going on in my very mundane and uneventful life, nothing has happened! No wonder on Jeremy Kyle (yes, yes I have been known to pop it on just to get confirmation that my life is a little better then those featured, I needed a pick-me-up okay?!) Facebook is the number one reason for everyone's relationship going to the wayside, it's social media, without the social. 

Facebook, you even got a mention on my Bebo page. The shame.
 I've been logging on all week for my daily check-in and a tumble-weed may as well have appeared on the screen, the news is that there is no news. Facebook has all become a bit too Bebo-ish for me. What is Bebo I hear you ask, well it was Facebook before Facebook existed, a site where you could give people a daily 'luv' and befriend anyone who would have you just to say you were popular. It was filled with poser pictures, (I'm sorry to say I was one of the biggest offenders), I had two accounts, one was named 'Phenominal', I'm dying with shame! Bebo is basically what Facebook would have been like as a teenager. My timeline is now flooded with shops that sell handmade items (because the boy just had to have more handmade toys that he will never play with or love) that I simply can't resist, people looking for me to do something for them (like this picture if you really follow my updates, blah blah blah) and the blogging groups which I do enjoy being in but become overwhelmed by at times, just how many bloggers does one world need?! I'll never have time to read them all. I'm also sick of being told it's someone's birthday, someone who I then realise I have NEVER spoken to in the whole time of our Facebook friendship which makes me delete them, on their birthday, what a bitch I am. 

The other side of Facebook which has really made me all the more miserable is the fact that anyone can contact you, namely in my case, people from the past who meant so much and probably still do yet all they want is to chat to you simply because there is no one else. Oh dear Facebook, I never thought I'd say it but I hate you. I hate that when people tell me they don't have a Facebook account I'm both shocked yet envious of how strong they are to resist the temptation of you. If only we could have the wondrous times of the great Bouncy Balls addiction back. It's never coming back though is it, along with those valuable hours of my life... I'm afraid deactivation may be imminent, even if it is only for two or so hours. Why are you so hard to resist? You handsome blue fiend you.


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Where Rainbows End Blog Hop #5 ♥



Hello and thanks for stopping by my little blog! I've decided to re-introduce the Where Rainbows End Blog Hop back into my blog, I originally started this link up in January and it was quite popular then so hopefully it'll be the same now. I hope that you'll all link up, have fun finding new blogs which you'll hopefully fall in love with and have some great posts to follow from your newly found fellow bloggers. You can link directly to your main blog or your favourite post from the past week or a giveaway you're running it doesn't matter, just enjoy it! You can submit Bloglovin or main blog page links for GFC users too.  All blog genres are welcome too!

This blog hop starts on Sunday and ends on Wednesday so you can link up posts from previous and present weeks if you wish. This is a weekly blog hop.


This weeks lovely co-host is Bex from Futures. 
Please do stop by her gorgeous blog and share the bloggy love.


Please let us know if you've followed our blogs by leaving a comment on this post and we'll be happy to return the favour!

The rules are simple:
Please follow your hosts if you like their blog, don't just leave your link and leave, please do visit other people's blogs too, that makes the blog hop work properly and be beneficial for all involved.
Leave a comment on someone's blog if you have the time to let them know you've stopped by.
Thanks for taking part!
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Thursday, July 24, 2014

Fluffy Fields - La Millou Toddler Blanket, Pram Pillow & Long-eared Bunny ♥

Tyler Lee recently received some gorgeous new cuddly bits for him to snuggle up to all from Irish baby and toddler product site Fluffy Fields. Fluffy Fields are a distributor of La Millou products, a new brand which uses vibrant colours and eye-catching prints to make their products, fun, unique and memorable - all things which a childhood should be. 

 Tyler Lee got the Hipster Lady/Electric Blue toddler blanket and I can honestly say that this is one of the nicest blankets he owns (I have a think for blankets if you didn't know!). The print is so fun with a little hipster bear and fox, musical instruments, positively worded speech bubbles, pennyfarthings and mustaches. The blanket is double sided, the other side being covered in super soft minky and popcorned electric blue fabric. This blanket is filled and actually has the feel of a cot duvet, it's fantastic quality and Tyler Lee has already been snuggling up to it at bed time, it's a lovely addition to his cot and really is gorgeous. Fluffy Fields have so many gorgeous prints to choose from in their products, I have my eye on the Cupcakes and Hipster Lady/Dusty Rose prints if I ever have a girl, they are so pretty!

 The second item Tyler Lee got was the Hipster Lady/Electric Blue Sleepy Pig Pram Pillow. I thought this was such a fun looking pillow with the pig shape, minky ears and tail. I got this in the same print as the toddler blanket as I wanted it to match for Tyler Lee's cot. He loves cuddling up to things when he's going to sleep so I thought that this pillow would be just perfect for him as it has the minky bits as well as normal material. It's also thin enough to support his little head but be comfortable for him at the same time and not put any strain on his next. This is a lovely, soft pillow and Tyler Lee loves it.

 Finally Tyler Lee, the lucky boy that he is got the Turquoise Long-eared Bunny which is just adorable. He loves bunnies so I knew this would be a real winner with him. The minute he saw this his little face lit up and he gave it a cuddle. The bunny features long, floppy ears which Tyler Lee had great fun playing with. The bunny is made from the same minky material which features on toddler blanket. This is such a lovely soft toy and Tyler Lee has even been using it as a pillow, he keeps putting his head on it whilst he's sleeping.

 All of these gorgeous products are stuffed with anti-allergic filling ensuring the best comfort possible for baby/toddler. Each of these products also came in an eco-friendly linen bag with a little heart hanger printed in the various fabrics which the Fluffy Fields products are available in. I now have three of these little hearts hanging above Tyler Lee's cot, they're such a lovely little touch to the product packaging and it's great that the packaging can be reused for other things too. 

Fluffy Fields have such a gorgeous range of high quality products which are absolutely adorable and perfect for making little ones comfy and content. I really can't get enough of their toddler products, it's safe to say they're my favourite product from the range. I also have my eye on a gorgeous buggy liner from Fluffy Fields, the perfect excuse to make Tyler Lee's buggy look a little bit more fashionable in a fun, vibrant print. Tyler Lee is truly sleeping in style with these new Fluffy Fields additions to his cot.

You can find the above mentioned products and browse more of the range on the Fluffy Fields website.


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Sunday, July 20, 2014

Where Rainbows End Blog Hop #4 ♥



Hello and thanks for stopping by my little blog! I've decided to re-introduce the Where Rainbows End Blog Hop back into my blog, I originally started this link up in January and it was quite popular then so hopefully it'll be the same now. I hope that you'll all link up, have fun finding new blogs which you'll hopefully fall in love with and have some great posts to follow from your newly found fellow bloggers. You can link directly to your main blog or your favourite post from the past week or a giveaway you're running it doesn't matter, just enjoy it! You can submit Bloglovin or main blog page links for GFC users too.  All blog genres are welcome too!

This blog hop starts on Sunday and ends on Wednesday so you can link up posts from previous and present weeks if you wish. This is a weekly blog hop.

Please let me know if you've followed my blog by leaving a comment on this post and I'll be happy to return the favour!

The rules are simple:
Please follow your hosts if you like their blog, don't just leave your link and leave, please do visit other people's blogs too, that makes the blog hop work properly and be beneficial for all involved.
Leave a comment on someone's blog if you have the time to let them know you've stopped by.
Thanks for taking part!


 Have a great week and happy blog hopping! 

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Friday, July 18, 2014

My Favorite Memories - A Post To Support The Alzheimer's Society ♥

Yesterday I was approached by a lovely blogger named Laura who blogs at Laura Lollipop asking if I would like to take part in a charity drive to help raise funds for The Alzheimer's Society, all I had to do was simply write a post about my favourite memories and publish it on my blog along with some information to help The Alzheimer's Society, well I jumped at the chance. I like to think I'm quite a charitable person and I like to help people whenever I can. Since I was a young child charities revolving around the care of old people have been close to my heart, I have no idea what started this as I was very fortunate to have four very healthy both physically and mentally grandparents, two have now sadly passed away but still charities which help old people are still very close to my heart to this day. 

‘’To help lead the fight against dementia, to end the distress it causes, take action and raise awareness and money for Alzheimer's Society. The idea is to post a picture related to one of your favourite memories and make a donation by texting 'ASFM90' followed by the amount to 70070. So for example: ASFM90 £2’"

 I don't remember this picture being taken but it was taken at my grandparents house and I always loved going there as a child. My cousins were always there and we used to go up to my aunts room and play with her amazing dolls house which even had an ice-rink! We always got a nice feed of freshly baked petit pans, butter and ham too - delicious and 20p for some penny jellies, those were the days! There was a really nice man too who was a neighbour of my grandparents who used to bring my cousin and I a big bag of jellies each, we always loved seeing him for the jellies. So many happy memories.


Some of my favourite memories ever are the nights out I had with the girls way back in the day when I had no responsibilities and actually liked going to the pub and club every weekend. This one night stays in my mind particularly and it may have just been the best night out I've ever had! I don't know why but we were all wearing these rainbow coloured, cut out glasses and spent a considerable amount of time drinking in the train station (oh the glamour!) whilst waiting for out train to the city. We then had cocktails, selfies with strangers on balconies, lots of dancing, the obligatory end of night McDonalds and some very hilarious scenarios along the way which I won't disclose as one particular friend will kill me if I do. It was such a laugh, those days of being 18/19 were some of the best I ever had.

Finally, probably my most favourite memory ever in my life, giving birth to my son and making my family a three instead of a two. To have a child with someone you love and who loves you back unconditionally is one of the best things someone will ever experience in their life. I cannot believe I have a mini Jacek, only he's even cuter. Tyler Lee was the best gift ever and i will never forget his birth.

What are your favourite memories, please do share in the comment section below. Please donate to The Alzheimer's Society by texting 'ASFM90' followed by the amount to 70070. So for example: ASFM90 £2’


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My Summer Makeup Picks ♥

 Hello dollies! We are now in the middle of summer so I thought it was high time I showed you all some of my summer makeup picks. The majority of these products are pretty new to my makeup collection but I have been really loving them and wearing them everyday since I got them, I think the look and effects they all give to my everyday makeup look are amazing so I just had to share these little gems of products with you all. I think all these products have a great summer vibe to them and are great additions to anyone's everyday makeup bag.

First up is MeMeMe Cosmetics Shimmer Stack in 'Pink Zest', €12.50 and available from various pharmacies nationwide. I fell in love with this Shimmer Stack during the Cork Meetup when I spotted a tested on display during the MeMeMe showcase. I applied this to my face (with a MeMeMe makeup brush I may add that was absolutely amazing so that's next on my wish list!) and instantly fell in love with the colour. I mixed all the shades together prior to applying and loved the colour result it gave to my cheeks. This shimmer stack gives the most gorgeous pink, orange-tinged glow to the cheeks which just exudes the feel of summertime for me - you can't beat a pink/coral blush shade in the summer time! This product can also be used as an eye shadow thanks to it's five individual lines and the white shade can also act as a great highlighter for the brow bone - winner! This product is well worth it's price and is my new favourite blusher for the summer season.

Next up is another fabulous MeMeMe Cosmetics product, their Goddess Rocks, €15.99. This is another product I fell in love with at the Cork Meetup, I applied this product on my cheeks over the Shimmer Stack in 'Pink Zest' and was blown away by the effect it gave to my face when the light caught it. The Goddess Rocks work in the same way as bronzing balls only they have more of a cube-ish shape to them and are a mixture of a gold and pink-tinged tones. One swipe of this product across the cheeks gives a gorgeous highlight effect which gives the skin a beautiful, golden glow, I absolutely love it! It's such a great product for summer and really makes the skin look fantastic, I really can't get enough of it!

No summer makeup look would be complete without a gorgeous lipstick and my lipstick of choice lately has been MAC's 'Snapdragon', €19, which was part of their limited edition Fantasy of Flowers collection. I think this shade was deemed to be more of a spring shade but I think it's perfect for summer with it's pink/purple hue and the lustre effect really makes it a nice formula for summer too as it gives a slight gloss to the lips. You can see more of this shade by reading my review of the Fantasy of Flowers collection here.

My eyeshadow of choice lately is a stunning shade for both day and night-time summer looks, Urban Decay's 'Bordello', €18. 'Bordello' is a pink toned shade with hints of purple and a golden shimmer throughout, it really is stunning and the pigmentation is great. I picked up this shade from Debenhams Cork store after they very kindly gave me a €50 to spend on whatever I wanted at the Cork Meetup. I was instantly drawn to this shade, it's so pretty! This shadow is super long-lasting too especially when used with one of Urban Decay's amazing eye shadow primers. I think as this is such a pretty shade that it's perfect for summer time and I think it goes quite nicely with MAC's 'Snapdragon' lipstick as they both have that pink/purple hue to them.

Finally another MeMeMe Cosmetics product (sorry but I'm just loving that brand lately, high end makeup at low end prices, what more could you want?!) Arch Angel Tinted Brow Gel and Highlighting Cream, €10.50. This is a fantastic duo product containing both a dark brown brow gel and a highlighting cream. The brow gel comes with an easy to use wand-type brush and the product goes on the brows so easily, not only giving them colour but keeping them in place for the day. I think this shade may be a little too dark for me as I have light blonde hair but I actually love the light hair/dark brows look (don't judge me!). The highlighter is great for using on the brow bone to give eyebrows an instant life. I love this product, the more defined I can get my brows looking the better and as this isn't a heavy feeling product on the face and it doesn't run it's a great product for looking glam on hot summer days.

There you have it, my summer makeup picks. I don't think these are traditional summer shades but I think we all know that corals/orange are winners for summer so it's nice to have another option and I think light pinks/purples are the way to go.

Have you tried any of these products? Do you love them as much as I do?

Stay pretty people!












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