Festive Feelings :: 12 :: Winter Sales & My Christmas Day!

Merry Christmas Everyone! I hope everyone has had a splendid day! And is continuing to do so.

One of my favourite things about Christmas is the sales... Haaaaa! So tomorrow it begins. I try to not buy much until after Christmas Day. Tomorrow though I'm more excited for the cinema, rather than the shopping, heehee.

Today started off very sweetly. I had such a good sleep, waking up at 9:30am to some glorious sunshine and a blue, clear sky and getting half dressed for mass. After mass, we opened our pressies, then some breakfast with some festive music. I got a new flavour of tea, a book and an amusing mustache stick from my lovely friend Peachy. Pressies like these always delight me, as it makes me happy knowing that the giver knows me so well. My Mum gave some cute outfits. I apologise for not taking any pictures as they are all in the wardrobe. She and dad got me a big Mac selection of makup and brushes. I was surprised, let me tell ya! My parents and I left our brother behind to go into town to have a drink in a pub. Surprisingly enough we found one that was still opened.

In the evening, after our dinner, which was steak, we all spoke to my grandparents, aunts and cousin in Scotland, on Skype. We all had a great laugh, telling each other about our gifts. And telling funny stories about our family members.

There was movies on all day, but I strangely enough didn't watch any. It came to the evening, and so it was time to lie out on the couch with my blanket and get started. Along with the dessert; sherry triffle, vienetta and tonnes of chocolate there was Coronation Street, Miranda and of course the exciting Downton Abbey Special. My dad laughed at me when I kept tearing up. It was perhaps my favourite part of the day. I wish that I knew some of the characters.

So the following pictures were all taken on my phone, so not so great quality, but I did promise a picture of my dress from Topshop.

Let me know how your day went. Did you have your family special moments?

Was the food as good as you thought it would be? Mmmm fooood, heehee. I myself am now gonna get some cocoa pops and watch my brother xmas pressie from moi, 'Guardians of the Galaxy', honestly it's a gift to me as well.

Thanks for keeping up with this little series of blogmas. Hope you enjoyed!

Festive Feelings :: 4 :: Christmas Cards & The Joy of Giving Gifts!

Even with everything going on, I've managed to send all of my Christmas cards, and have all of my Christmas shopping list sorted. It feels easier knowing that I don't have to stress so much about it. It is dear enough to buy gifts for people, but instead of buying things for me, I prefer to save up my money and treat the people that matter so much to me.
I do fear though that whether or not my friends and family will like them. My family are very much like me, where it's the simple things that please them. And as well as that, Christmas is the time where we buy gifts. Birthdays we feel as though we don't have to give gifts. Once a year is surely enough for us.

I get excited though finding the gifts. Sometimes, it comes to the situation where I think that maybe the gifts should belong to me, heehee.
As well as that, I pride myself on the gift accessories. The wrapping paper suiting each person.

Christmas cards to me also are a very treasured possession to have. They might not contain any money, but it's the thought that counts.

30 Day Snap #30 | June Photo Challenge Conclusion!

Final day of the 30 Day Snap Challenge.

The day was long with saying goodbye to my family in Scotland, then listening to music with mum on the plane, having a delicious roasted butternut squash & thyme soup with a Cornetto afterwards, looking at all the lovely presents I got from family & friends, seeing the new lambs and plants at my house with the sunset over the hills, followed by a night of watching 'Little Dorrit'... Pheww!

I kind of joined the 1st of July with my final day. It was a pleasant day spent with Mum. I've missed my shopping days with her. She treated me to a ecotool makeup brush set and a new No. 7 Stay Perfect foundation. I got my colour tone tested and it seems I'm a 'cool ivory'... hmm, never knew! I've always been either too pale or dark.

I loved opening up the gifts my grandmother gave me. An angel statue which she's always carried with her from travelling. She bought it in Florence which is also meaningful to me, as it's a place I'd love to see one day. The crystal box is beautiful for holding my rings, so that too will not come to waste.

Edel bought me this china tea cup, knowing I am a lover of tea and all old things. As well as, this Elizabeth Arden mascara. Both are perfect!

Before going to Edinburgh my Mum presented me with my gifts. First off, a Jo Malone bag... YES... very exciting! And thankfully a fragrance I actually love, Nectarine Blossom & Honey. She also gave me a lovely gold, ruby ring.

An egg? Hey! I was in Mauritius for Easter, so I didn't get to celebrate. And I am a choclaholic. Mum kept this huge one for me. So I sat myself down with finishing 'Little Dorrit' with a few cadbury (all of them) creme eggs.

June was a hard month for this challenge. With finishing up at College, packing and repacking, seeing family and friends, working.

But I think I preferred this month to last year. I enjoyed it a little more :)

Do any of you think you'll be interested in taking part of this challenge next year?

It is worth it in the end and plus having the photos are very special to have. I love going back on last years challenge. I wonder what next years challenge will be like.

Thank you for coming along on this journey xx

30 Day Snap #11 | Buying gifts & Having lunch in the sun!

Yesterday, with being blessed to having such great sunlight, my friends and I decided to eat out in sun. I only got a latte and a yogurt with granola. The organic chocolates were devoured when I got home hours later.

We chose a card for 'Picky Pete', our Slovakian, head tutor. He's also been our therapist and friend along this road trip in Barnet. So we feel he deserves to get just a little something. The card will be edited with humourous comments and the other little thing just gives a few pages of the meaning of his name. That too will be edited. (So, Peachy, I know you're reading this, tomorrow morning, I need ya to sign the card.) I'll buy the wine in Waitrose in the morning as well, along with an apple ;)

He's on a diet guys, with a personal trainer, so he'll be delighted to see the apple!

Tomorrow is our class group meal together at lunch. We're heading to Prezzos for an Italian. I know what I'm getting already! Plus for dessert... tirrimasu... Mmmm.

How's everyone enjoying this fine weather?

I feel so free when I see no clouds in the sky.

Love you all lots & lots like jelly tots,

Thankful Thursday

Source: We heart it

I really don't know whether my week will interest you. Nothing exciting really, just plain old giving in last module assignments and working  A LOT of shifts. Working half days I think is perhaps the worst as you dread the beginning of the day. I feel as though I don't have enough time to do what I want.

But since it is summer mid-term break over here in the UK, I at least have my chance to get some money earned for the summer. It's the reason why I smile at work, cos it's not a death sentence being there. I see people sulking around wanting to go home. They should be happy that they have a job at all, and with good pay.

So what I've been thankful for...

Being able to earn money for this coming summer. Not to be badgering Mum for it heehee.

New blog design by Edel... cheers Edel, it's amazeballs. I love how the house on the hill reminds me of my home back in Ireland, placed on top of a great hill with a view of the Sligo mountains.

More pressies - some beauties such as revlon lipbutter in strawberry shortcake, a Next Nail set and lastly on Saturday I was surprised by a parcel at my door. My friends in Ireland all bought me a lovely Pandora bracelet, with a 21 charm, a bar of Milka chocolate bar (they know me so well), a collage photo & a card. I do love the sterling silver bracelet. So beautiful.

I'm thankful for knowing the wonderful mother Linda in my class. She reminds me of my mum so much. She's happy and uplifting to be around. Her infectious laugh has me in stitches all the time. I admire how she handles her stress. So, naturally, I sit with her in the library, hoping her stability will rub off on me.

Getting to listen to my bestie Edels voice. I haven't heard her singing in such a long time and I miss her funky music.

Having a nice chat with mum on the house phone with a cupcake and a pot of tea.

Costa time with my little cousin 'Coco' as I call her, with her chocolate brown eyes. Me with my caramel iced latte and her with her trying-to-be-grown-up baby chino.

I have only 3 weeks (not counting this week as it's almost up, plus it sounds much better) until I'm on the plane back to Ireland. I'm taking each day as it comes but my heart is thumping for the yearning of getting back to my home. Of getting to see the beautiful scenery, and seeing my new lambs... so cute. Oh and seeing my brother with his curly red head. Poor lambs think he's one of them.

Thanks for reading.

I imagine next Thursday I'll be all hyped up, getting closer to departure :)