Thankful Thursday | Youth Conference '14 & Shopping in Dublin

Well it's been a long time since I last spoke to ye guys.

My week was not exactly busy, seeing as I have no work or responsibility... so pretty much I just had a no-stress week. There was shopping of course, seeing as it was in Dubin. I treated myself to the new fragrance candle in 'Jo Malone', wood sage & sea salt, I bought myself a bathbomb from 'Lush', Company magazine & a lovely winter scarf from 'Pennies' (Primark) (will hopefully do a future post on this haul)

Thankful Thursday

Fun - With Edel. We laughed at fallen bags in puddles, played cards, took strange selfies, and had a relaxing time getting our arms & hands messaged in Jo Malones'.

Moisturised skin - It's a weird thing for the list, but I was grateful with my moisteriser, No. 7 Beautiful Skin

Tea & cake (Arrow) - having it while watching 'Arrow'. Edel is in love with this show, so pretty much I have to watch it, otherwise, she'll explode if she can't talk about it. For those of you that are planning on watching it, for me, I'd compare it to almost like a movie, rather than a tv show. Very much like Spider-man or Batman. The whole damsel in distress, oh my best mate is in love with my ex.

I was a true 'Lost' follower/fan and it kinda, in the smallest way reminds me of it (who doesn't enjoy a good flashback!) You'd enjoy it.

Faith - I was asked to attend a youth conference in Dublin at the weekend and I brought along Edel, so that we could enjoy a day or two out shopping as well.

Like last year, there were people trying to brainwash believers into delicate matters (issues would be the harsh word they'd use) and I found myself upset for feeling as though I was the only one (along with a handful of others) that my beliefs were indifferent. I however didn't feel as though my time was a waste. Usually when people tell me to believe in something or to do something, I carry it out in the opposite way. I felt stronger by the end of the weekend in what I believe in and in what my true morals are. To how the church thinks that gay marriage shouldn't be allowed is just a load of bull to me. But alas, there are hardly that many young believers out there. So the ones that are in power are a few decades behind and are a little old fashioned and narrow-minded.

Hot-dogs and milkshakes - I really REALLY enjoyed my milkshakes this week in 'Eddie Rockets'. Myself and Edel went twice. The second time I went in I had planned on only getting a milkshake (brownie, Mmm) but I gave in (very quickly) to a beef hot-dog. So good!

Oh no, not Christmas decorations already! And it's not even Halloween. Well you can blame Arnotts in Dublin. They're already getting prepared in selling the festive decor.

Thanks for reading guys,

Thankful Thursday | Family & Food

This week was pretty fun, even though there were days when I felt blue, but gladly enough I had my family and pleasurable leisure's to keep my mind occupied. It did feel slow though, this week. A lot happened and it was all pretty random.

Last Friday evening, I had a lovely meal with my parents. Dad had his usual burger and Mum went for the pasta. My parents pay attention to each other rather than to their kids, but hey I'm happy that they're happy. At least I get free food out of them from time to time.

Afterwards, we drove to Knock Airport which is perhaps the tiniest airport you could possibly see. It's on a huge hill and is positioned in the middle of no where. The best thing about it is not having the fuss to go through all the security. It doesn't take very long.

We picked up my grandfather who came over for a weekend visit, just to collect some belongings and to see the family. Of course we stopped off on the way home to get him a pint of Guinness. It was nice to see how excited and relaxed he was with his drink. Looking forward to meeting people that he hadn't seen since six years ago. It always feels good after being away from home for so long, to return to a place that appears the same yet so different. I knew how he felt in a way, coming back and feeling pretty damn emotional.

I enjoyed spending the weekend with him and my Dad. We snuck into our relatives homes, and surprised them with great joy. No one knew he was coming over you see, all part of the fun. And as well as joy there was also a little sadness. A cousin of ours in the family has cancer and seeing the change in them has brought back memories of my gran. It must have been hard though I thought at the time, for my grandad to see them. Who knows when he'll visit next. Could be five years, could be ten? You make the most of it. The time you spend with your loved ones.

And there they were, my grandad, dad and their cousins drinking pints in the pub, getting reacquainted after so many years gone by, and there I was running after the kids, trying to keep them entertained (and distracted).

On Monday, I stayed the night in Dublin. Got around to seeing Malahide at last. Mum has been ranting on and on how one day she'll be living there. Supposedly because the celebs of Ireland (if there are any) are living there.

The town itself was cute with its many boutiques, its own Starbucks (have been away from it for too long) and lovely restaurants. We had two lovely meals there, Monday and Tuesday, because it seems the burgers in 'Scotch Bonnet' were too amazing to just have the one time.

Mum was very cheeky to have bought herself a Jo Malone candle. Was I jealous? YES!! But alas, do not worry, I myself will buy one in time. I already have my eyes on one particular. My Mum favoured the English Pear and Freesia scent, which I have to agree is a wonderful, fresh smell.

Are there any great spots for food in Dublin that you know of? Do let me know, I'm all ears. And to those of you that may enjoy Jo Malone, or as my brother mistakenly called it, Johnny Maloney, let me know of any favourite scents of yours that deserve to be put by my bedside.

30 Day Snap #24 | Goodbye England!

Hello *shy wave*, don't yell at me for posting these last day posts so late but I was away visiting family in Scotland. I'm back now in Ireland typing away. I will some day this week post a blog on my Scotland/ family adventures.

So the 24th of June, I hopped on to the 8.30pm flight for Dublin. I was on perhaps one of the only flights that departed on time, with the whole air traffic control strike in France.

All excited to be returning back to a 'no-stress' zone, back to Dad.

We had McDonalds, then he treated me to some goodies with watching Die Hard 4.

I had my new book and lovely view of the fluffy clouds, so I was happy with the journey.

Thanks for reading peeps,

My 1st Bloganniversary (5th May)

 "I want to thank my Mom, my dad, my pet rabbit Robert, the gardener-------" *Exaggerated crying with a microphone*

Well guys it's actually been a full year since I wrote my 1st blog. I can remember that day so well. My friend Edel had urged me to start one *real lame attempt of a cowgirl* and boooooy was she right!

Life has changed so much since last May. I was living in Galway, in the west of Ireland and I was in a course that was full of lads (nothing bad there every girl says). But since September I've been living in England in a class full of girls. Slight bit of a difference.

What do I enjoy most about blogging?

I have gotten on so well with many different bloggers from all over the world. Each having something about themselves that I can relate to. Lifestyle, beauty & fashion, even travel. I've taken my blog as a diary. I do write a journal but difference with a blog is people get to read it (scary somewhat)

Since September I've only been putting up posts that I know will suffice. But now it's been a year and I realise I have a lot to catch up on. I have two more assignments to finish. And hopefully I will REALLY PUSH MYSELF! To start some new exciting blog posts. My inspiration comes from the amazing bloggers I follow. I've seen their confidence soar and this gives me so much joy in how much they've accomplished with themselves.

What's next for 'The Giggles of Life'?

Well I've been thinking of some ideas, but please, any of you that do know me and have a sense in what interests I have, please let me know :)

Monthly favourites:

I had infact given this a chance last September but wasn't sure how confident I was with it. So maybe I'll be willing to give it another go.

Sit down Saturday:

This was only an idea I thought of a while back. Once a week, on a Saturday, I could just have a chat with you, on what's on my mind. It could relate to anything, life, fashion/media, movies, books, whatever it is I'll be looking for ideas on what to discuss.

Season style Album:

I LOVE fashion and beauty, so it only makes sense that I combine the two together and organise a post series with it. Each season I would give you a few examples into the outfits that I would wear.

Advice for new bloggers?

 - Relax and be yourself. Don't try to be like some blogger you idolise. You want people to relate to you not BE you!

- Keep to a consistent plan on when to publish your posts. Trust me on this. This is the only way on getting people to follow your blog. This allows them to know that you're not a waste of time, that you will write posts on a weekly/monthly basis.

- Add your original touch to it. You want your blog to be eye catching whether in the photos or in your writing style.

- Connect with others. This can easily be done with emails, twitter, instagram, pinterest, etc. It's a great way in advertising your blog and reaching out to people that you never expected to speak to. People that have the same interests you do or are going through similar difficulties that you are facing.

What I got up to

So on the day of my actual bloganniversay, it was a bank holiday so what best to do than to take a brisk walk in the sunshine.

I never knew there were little woodland pathways right beside where I live. So I have no reason to say no to jogging anymore. I dislike jogging with my headphones in, with being so close to the main road you see.

So from now I have a lovely quiet area to go to.

Today, I had a lovely morning with walking through the park, lighting a few candles in church, getting my free cappocino in Waitrose with a fruit salad and then meeting my lovely Peachy pal for some breakfast. We got ourselves some pastries to bring along with us to College. I myself chose a cinnamon danish twist, Mmmmm, tasty and well Peachy chose some paracetamol with her chocolate, hazelnut croissant, strange combo I must say.

I spent the day laughing mostly. Firstly, there was a fire alarm. I was packing away my things in the library, with the librarian telling me it wasn't a drill, Haahaa! I decided to leave my work (not fully finished yet, due in today) hoping that if there was a fire it would shrivel up and be gone forever. No need for the whole 'my fish ate my homework' excuse... fish, dog, whatever!
I then bought myself a little cupcake for my little special occasion on celebrating my 1st bloganniversary.

After legging it out with my friends from College, hiding from a certain tutor (not in the least way bothered to finish her work) I got home to organise some wonderful flights. Yes that's right Mauritius was simply not enough. What could be better than 3 weeks in Mauritius, I'll tell you, 22 hours in Dublin, along with 5 days in Edinburgh.

 These plans may sound silly/daft/WHAT THE HELL LIKE! but I just want to step on Ireland soil again and kiss the ground. So, silly plan being, on the 24th of June I will be going to Dublin, staying the night with my Dad in the Capitol, have my Mum, brother Aran and bestest pal Edel meet us the next day to go to the airport AGAIN! Reason being, that we will ALL be traveling to Edinburgh to visit by grand-parents, aunts and cousin. It will be 5 days of awesome and plus I get to practice my Scottish accent again.

I chose this silly way of getting to Edinburgh because the funny thing is, the plane ticket to Dublin and there, is cheaper than the train ticket from London.

What a year guys.
I hope that I have scared you a little with my weirdness. That way I make great friends.

Thank you all to everyone that has followed my blog up until now, I will try my best to keep you interested and entertained.

Love you all lots and lots like jelly tots,