Blogmas - Day 12 - Do You Still Believe In Santa?

Source: Pinterest

Ever since finding out the truth about Santa as a child, Christmas has never really been the same. It has slightly lost that excitement and belief of magic that we all had as children.

The first incidence where I almost believed that he wasn't real was when I was pretending to be asleep and I heard 'Santa' in my room carrying a bag of presents. I then heard the fella curse under his breathe as he tripped over my toys.... My room was a mess as a child. I was never told to clean it up, but I would do it myself as the clutter would get way out of hand. So at that instance I thought I had heard my Dad. But I let it slip from my mind, saying that it was impossible!

The actual moment where I found out the truth was when I was probably nine or ten.... I was old enough to be believing in magic. I had found the presents in the boot of my parents car. My heart was broken!

I was happy though with the school that I went to, with everyone made sure not to tell the other kids. I remember playing on with still believing just so my parents (Santa) would keep giving me gifts.

I miss getting excited with seeing Santa being on the tv and the announcement of him landing in Ireland. My dad would play jokes on me and my brother, where he would be stumping around in the attic, or he would get the ashes from the fire and splash them a little on the rug, implying that Santa had come down from the chimney. I remember thinking how funny it was seeing the bitten mince pie beside the empty glass. "Santa actually ate that!" I used to have my relatives always dressing up as Santa Clause. They knew how much I loved him! My aunt dressed up one year and knew I was with my mum and brother driving to my Grans house. I saw Santa in my Grans field, waving at us and strutting up the field again as though he was on a catwalk. Such a funny memory! 

Sometimes I think my brother would be excited just because I was. Strangely enough I think he had no idea what was going on. He just knew something good was gonna happen! Brothers huh!

When I spend Christmas Eve night with my Godmothers kids and my cousin, I get all hyped up, putting on my best "Santa's Coming" face. I just love to see them so excited. My aunt (dressed as Santa) also came into my house another year when my grandparents were visiting from the Caribbean. My granddad played Santa one year at the community centre but unfortunately lost his beard, so he opted for the dishcloth. Trust me the kids were extremely confused!

I remember my favourite Christmas gifts were a bike and some Harry Potter books. Mum knew how I kept getting complaints from my Primary school teacher saying that I would never return them. Then also I got a gift from my dad, when he drove me up with his cousin to visit my mum and brother in Dublin. He treated me to this little ugly monster of a teddy, Ferbie! He would kinda talk, but with a weird Stitch kind of voice. He made me laugh anyway up until where he annoyed me so much that I threw him in my wardrobe under all of my clothes and left him there. I still remember his voice in my wardrobe as I tried to sleep.... heehee. That Christmas memory will always stay with me. As me, my cousin and my dad drove home from Dublin, Ferbie on my lap and listening to "Driving Home For Christmas".

Deep down I do still believe in a little bit of magic. Sometimes I feel as though there's a spirit in the room or that I'm not alone. I feel as though there may be witches and wizards out there. I just get that magical belief feeling from time to time.

Let me know any stories ye may have about your Christmas memories.

Blogmas - Day 4 - Secret Santa Christmas Gift Ideas

Source: Etsy

Etsy

These beautiful gems I recently bought for my housemate (for Secret Santa) from Etsy. The problem with Secret Santa is that for certain people you would know well what to buy them, mine was quite difficult. In the end if she doesn't like the gifts she could give them to her sister or mum. Not a total loss.

But I have come up with an idea. Something of which I'd like... not so sure about my housemate.... sure we'll see on the 14th of December, the day we have our Christmas dinner and open our gifts.

Onto the gifts....

I bought a medium sized blue glittery box for all of the gifts to go inside. I also bought a long white lace strip of snowflakes, so that will be stuck around the box to add a little more Christmas dazzle to it. Not forgetting the silver bow on top... duh!

Inside, stuck to the lid of the box will be a note to my housemate.

"Nurse's Survival Kit.... Especially for you.

+ Sweets (fudge freshly made from a shop in Canterbury town) - to give you energy.

+ Candles [3] (oyster filled turquoise soy wax candles in rose and vanilla scents) - your smiling face lights up the room.

+ Matchsticks - to keep your eyes open from working the night shift.

+ Teabag - relax and put your feet up with a cuppa.

+ Coffee - to keep you awake during long shifts.

+ Marbles - to replace the ones you have lost.

+ Elastic band - for when you are stretched to your limits.

+ Safety pin - because you keep your patients safe.

+ Wooden plaque - a sign that your heading down the right route.

+ Oyster (used to hold jewellery) - You can do anything you want - the world is your oyster."

Let me know what ideas you have. Opened to anything really.

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

Thankful Thursday

Hi peeps,

I am back in Ireland... "At Laaaaaaaaaaast!"

I was away visiting family in Scotland, so a break from blogging was needed.

My Thankful Thursday

- Happy to be back with my family. Getting hugs and pressies.

- Seeing my grandparents, cousin and aunt after so many years. A lovely family reunion.

- X-MEN: DAYS OF FUTURE PAST!! Hugh Jackman *Sigh* What-a-movie! Another for my collection... can't wait!

- Edinburgh Primark: I got a Slytherin top... Proud over here.
I also felt so thankful for the meal we all had in Wetherspoons. Also I got a few boxsets in HMV: Downton Abbey Season 4 and Little Dorrit.

- Seeing the beautiful scenery in Sterling. I had a laugh with everyone in Sterling Castle. My brother was joking with the mannequins & Edel was taking selfies with the statues and pictures.

- Getting treasured presents from my grandparents... crystal box, angel statue and a camera.

- I was thrilled to meet my cousin after so long. He really is the cutest boy there is. He loves hugs, movies and having a laugh over silly random things. I'm thankful for having him. I have only 2 first cousins and really do want to be in both of their lives as much as possible.

- Getting a letter in the post (from Peachy). I'm hoping to find a writing set for her :) I felt so happy in the car reading her letter... and it was two pages :)

This week I was a plane four times... crazy huh? I just wish I could travel by boat. Planes are so much hassle. By boat at least you can see the waves crashing, watch movies in the cinema, go to restaurants, go shopping... WALK! Sit in comfortable seats.

Well at least I won't have to be on a plane until a long time yet. I hope to get this camera set up and running asap.

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 :)