Thankful Thursday

A little tbt for ye guys... just a few days back I had a lovely day out with my bestie.

I just love how the lighthouse in the back is popping up on the horizon.

I have abandoned you fellow peeps for the excuse of not getting things done on time. I procrastinate a fair bit lot you see, especially when I don't have such demanding things such as work or assignments to do.

So, my 'Thankful Thursday' includes

Having a weird Mother

Every parent embarrasses their child, but for me I've become a little proud of the strangeness she carries with herself. Last week, we were sitting out by the river with cones, looking at the boats, next thing she mutters something about the toilet. An hour passes and still she hasn't returned. I have an old couple sitting beside me. She then comes back and remarks something like, "Oh I see you've made some friends!" That is her humour sadly (even though I don't laugh)

Day out with Edel

We took a brisk walk on the beach, saw 'Walking on Sunshine' in the cinema (Edel has sworn she will find the main guy in the movie... Italian you see), and during the movie, Edel was sighing whenever he came on screen, with a mischievous smirk as though she was planning on kidnapping the fella. You seriously don't want to know what we talk about during a movie. We end up creating our own script!

House chores & BBQs

I had the sun on my back while I painted the front garden wall and the pleasure of a refreshing shower afterwards. I actually can't picture myself having a desk job. I'll need a job that requires practical work. I hate being bored. I get frustrated with it. And by the end of the day, coming home from the hospital, I'll feel happy to return to a bed, a bath, a steaming cup of tea... just thankful that I have these simple, joyous things to come home to.

Yoga

This week I have been moving a lot. I bought a pair of new sports leggings, so I don't want them to go to waste. In the mornings, I'm mostly alone. So the house is quite, great time for a long session of yoga. I find that it's great for my back. Wah hey, I'm 21 years of age and I suffer from backaches! I blame the 100 year old bed... Haa! But I'm happy for the me time I get in the morning. Bad mood swings come with my personality package and yoga really helps.

Movies & 'Bones' marathons

Every night I've watched all kinds of movies. I unwind and forget where I am when I see another story being told. My brother is always interested in how I rate movies. He says I'm quite harsh with my decisions. Let me know what your utmost favourite movie is :)

I have such a love for acting, directing, the work that goes behind writing the script. It would be a job I would love to have, to produce, but you need a lot of talent and luck for that in this world.

I've managed to get to Season 8 of my 'Bones' collection. David Boreanaz (Booth) is-a-god! And Emily Deschannel! I love how she portrays her character. I see her as the female Sherlock.

I got my love for movies from my Dad and my Nan. And I feel like it's a special thing to have. Talking about the greats from the black and white times and the scores through a film.

Shells Cafe

We've been putting it off since I've been back from England and last Sunday we actually went. I felt so chirpy when I sat down with my cake & hot cocoa. I thank god for my parents, for having good, stable jobs and for being able to afford leisure's such as these. They know I appreciate it, through helping out in the house work, and taking care of my younger cousins.

Choir Group

 The people that are in it are so welcoming and friendly. I find it so strange how you don't see many young people in choirs anymore. It's a great thing to be able to help out in the community.

 I've been gone 2 weeks, so this will go towards my absence.

Thanks for reading lovies, and be sure to let me know what you've been thankful for this week.

'Shells Cafe' | Strandhill Beach, Co. Sligo

Last Sunday, I had a lovely day with my parents, out shopping, eating and walking by the sea. 

I got a lovely, simple jumper & a set of PJs from 'Pennies' (Primark). I always feel better going home with something, even if it's something small.The idea of jumping into new PJ's is sadly exciting... Haaaa, how pathetic am I?

The photos aren't exactly great quality, I know, but I just wanted to show you the little metal basket pot for the chips. My Mum is obsessed with these little things. And the best place to hunt these cool tools are in 'Ikea'. I myself chose the beef roast. In England it's all currys and kebabs, so having the traditional food, that is quite bland but homely in its taste, was nice and familiar.

And afterwards, we went for dessert in one of my favourite little spots, 'Shells Cafe'.

The cafe itself also has a little shop, with some cakes, jams, organic foods and handmade crafts.

The couple that owns it have a very hippy, save-the-planet, recycle attitude with how they decorate the place. No chairs or tables match. Colanders for lamp shades. The staff have no particular uniform. And everyday they have different cakes out on display. It's one of the reasons why I love the place, with always having the chance in eating something new every time you visit.

Of course, the cafe has the view of the beach, of Strandhill. So, that is amazing. A while back they had some of the stars from 'Home & Away' in the cafe. I feel like I'm in the show when I'm there (some of the staff are Australian, so maybe that's the reason why)

I asked for the gluten-free chocolate cake with cream and a skimmed, organic hot chocolate. Both were so delicious. Next time I'm planning on buying a packet of their organic hot cocoa powder.

My Mum told me to take a picture of this for Edel (Bestie), cos she knows of her love for popcorn. Seriously though, it does look cool!

And another thing, look at the labels... all drawn! I love the originality the place has.

Mummy bought me this soap from the gift store. She asked me, 'How do you use soap?... Do you wet it?' like she was serious as well. I was hoping the shopkeeper could hear her.

Anyway, let me know of any other little cafes you like to go to or that you have heard good reviews on.... I love my hot drinks, cakes and exploring around you see  :)

Thanks for reading cupcakes,

Thankful Thursday

Hello hello & with another week gone by I've had the pleasure of finding the little things to be glad for in life.

Of course being home in Ireland, during the summer means I have the misfortune of becoming extremely lazy. So this coming week I've made myself a list of things to do so I can get back into action. It's time now that I got back into the old routine of yoga and jogging.

My Thankful Thursday

Cuddles with mummy bear while watching Corrie

Planting the new roses

Having a therapeutic day of cleaning the house

Tea with my posh tea pot and china cup

Sitting in a ditch - just going for a brisk walk & deciding to relax in a ditch seems pretty hilarious compared to busy London!

Getting lost & excited with starting my 'Bones' marathon! - On Season 1 :D

Choir Practice - playing along with the other guitar players

Singing with an echo in the room - I love the days when I'm happy with the way I sound

Wearing my new tops - Mint top with Sundaes all over it & another crop top from Primark

Tea lights making night time even more special

So yes this is late AGAIN but I've had my Nana and cousin fly over today from Scotland. Plenty of fun trips starting from tomorrow. I'm hoping to show my Nana one of my most favourite cafes in Standhill beach, in Co. Sligo.

Also, my cousin saw cows for the first time today which was a little amusing and then with another ping to the heart, I had the joy of talking to my little cousin CoCo from London. She's like me with hating to talk on phones, but she spoke to me for ages! I can't wait to have her back to me next week.

I hope all of you are thankful for all your loved ones and every special person that enters your life. I feel lucky knowing that I have the love my family gives.

Thanks for reading little biscuits x

Thankful Thursday

Source: Pinterest

Hello lovely petals,

10 days of being back in Ireland, does not seem real!

I wake up in the morning feeling as though it's a dream.

There's no noise, no fuss... I think of all the stress I was dealing with back in England. Not bad stress, just the sufficient amount that a 21 year old should be dealing with. But being here, at home, I think how it's SO different.

I had a lovely week, especially time spent with my Parents and visiting the neighbours and family.

Thankful Thursday

- Time spent with Dad, such as having breakfast during the weekend at his Aunts Café, watching a fight in the pub (with him trying to break it up, extremely entertaining for me) & going to the local village races.

- Cleaning my room!

It took me days to come around to doing it!

- Having Edel over at my place.

Night time strolls, an episode of 'Downton Abbey' and chatting till 6am.

- Cinema: '22 Jump Street'

I loved the humour, the music, the guys! And me being a crazy DVD collector (seriously I have trouble with knowing where to fit the lot in/on my shelf) will definitely be getting this second installment to stand up against '21 Jump Street'

- Evenings spent with Mum, having lattés in pubs and cafés after a bit of Mother-daughter shopping time.

- Box set Marathons!

It's only been ten days like I said and yes, I've already gone crazy with the movies and tv shows. I watched seasons 3 & 4 of 'Gilmore Girls', seasons 8 & 9 of 'Bones', season 1 of 'Sherlock'... I sound as though I'm a lunatic. I've gone to bed quite late (4am) everyday so that may have something to do with it... maybe!

- Great news!

My head tutor emailed me, on congratulating me that I passed everything in my course. I'm very much like Channing Tatum in '21 Jump Street', with being a person that has half a brain. So for me it was all luck, open mouths of confusion and shock... basically I sat there looking at the email, making sure that it was correct.

- Choir practice with Mum.

Going to mass every Sunday sounds daunting for some people, but there I feel closer to my Gran. When I read the scripture at the alter, I imagine my Gran sitting where she always had every Sunday, for the last 19 years or so. I love both of my churches for its familiarity and its peaceful affect that it seems to give off on me. Singing with no microphones, with just the voices and instruments echoing throughout the chapel. We're singing this Sunday, and it will be difficult! Why? Mum sings like a country singer, so most of the time I'm laughing!

- Easter Eggs.

- Meal with old school friends, Chinese :)

- 99 cones (even though they're pretty damn expensive).

- Sitting out on the bench with tea and the sun rays on my face.

I'm expecting a lot of lovely things this coming week. Family day outings (gonna have some fun on my camera that my Grand daddy gave me), and I'm expecting some family over next Thursday, so that'll be nice.

How did your week go if I may ask?

Thanks for reading lovies,

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 #29 | Primark shopping & Family Meal in Wetherspoons!

My second last day in Scotland was pretty slow and relaxing.

I went shopping in Primark with Edel and Mummy. I bought my first crop top (a coca cola), I've never been comfortable with how they look on me. But I decided I wanted something different. I always wear dresses, but I do love jeans. So I need a little more change with my wardrobe. Even though I will never stop buying dresses, they're me. The pinkish/ cream dress below was only £1 in Primark! Unbelievable!

I went for a meal with the whole family and ordered a Carbonara pasta (without mushrooms) and a chocolate fudge cake with vanilla ice-cream.

When I arrived back in Ireland I took a picture of each item of clothing, just for you to see.

Thanks for reading lovies,

30 Day Snap #28 | Edinburgh Trip: HMV, Primark & Wetherspoons!

Edinburgh!

Castles, amazing buildings, train rides, Costa mocha mint frapachinos, Primark shopping followed by a meal in Wetherspoons (I loved the old telephones on the wall in the restaurant... Alexander Graham Bell: Wetherspoons)

Myself, my parents, brother, cousin and bestie went to the city for the day. If we had taken an earlier train we may have had a longer day of strolling about and also I wanted to go into Jo Malones (I took a picture all the same).

I bought a Slytherin top in Primark along with a pair of shoes, so that was fun. Edel also bought me a new bag. A twenty-first gift. Oh she also took the picture above of me on the train. So thank you Edel for that. Purple lady on the purple train. And seeing the wonderful statues and gardens also was amazing for the camera on my phone. Some amazing memories to hold on to.

We went into HMV, there I got my Downton Abbey Season 4 and Little Dorrit. Anything BBC production is always amazing. I found out after buying Bones Season 8 THAT I ALREADY HAVE IT! So I gave it to Edel to keep.

My 11 year old Scottish cousin stepped in for a photo of a Braveheart cut out. I think he liked our craziness. He loved giving hugs to my Mum, which I thought was adorable.

At night we cozied up on the couches with quilts watching 'The Walking Dead'. My brother and I helped in paying for the 3 seasons for our cousin. He was thrilled with having it.

Family time is always something I love to take pictures of. There needs to be more cuddles in the world :)

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.

30 Day Snap #27 | Sterling Castle & Pastry Delights!

I visited Sterling Castle last Friday with the family. I thought the outside was beautiful with its scenery compared to the inside. I didn't really like the fake decor so much. But I did love the view of the mountains and the silvery-grey sky from the Castle.

The sound of bagpipes all around.

I will post up a blog on my time spent in Scotland sometime this weekend.

At the end of our visit, we went to Greggs bakery. I bought my brother and myself some pastry delights with a latté to go.

There was one house I loved seeing while walking back to the car. It had such an eye catching affect to the public. With its colourful flowers drawing the tourists in.

Have any of you visited Sterling before? Curious to know whether it is indeed where sterling silver had come from.

30 Day Snap #26 | 'X-Men: Days of Future Past' & Woodland Walks!

I got to wake up in a fairy-like four poster bed, so that was pretty cool. My eleven year old cousin put up glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling for me. I thought that was so adorable. I was given a set of stars for my bedroom in Ireland as well. So yeah! My room is gonna look pretty darn awesome now :)

I loved looking out the window and seeing the family chatting and playing football in the garden. I went to the cinema and saw 'X-Men: Days of Future Past'... I've been the X-men movie fan since I was seven. My first celebrity crush was Hugh Jackman... weird with the age gap... but he's a total god! This movie was amazing. James McAvoy did a brilliant job on his performance. The ending of the movie was so shocking as well. I can't wait for the next and final installment. It'll be a very emotional ending, just like it was for Harry Potter.

In the evening, I went for a walk in the nearby woodlands, with Edel. I caught up on her videos and pictures, so that was nice.

Did any of ye see the new X-men movie? I still believe today that I am a mutant. It's the dream! To be something different and to have amazing/scary/thrilling adventures.

30 Day Snap #25 | Edinburgh Airport & Family Reunion!

Day 25: You're probably questioning me why I didn't get a train up to Edinburgh, instead of flying over. First off, the plane ticket was cheaper and second, I got to have my clothes and personal belongings sent over to Dublin. I had the chance in leaving it all in Dublin, then flying over to Edinburgh with a empty enough case.

Dad and myself had breakfast early in the morning, which is one of the things I like to do,going out for breakfast. I packed for Scotland then watched some Wimbledon, football and 'Catching Fire'.

I met my Mum, brother and Edel, all hugs and gifts given. Aww....

I bought my brother his first Starbucks, sprayed some Jo Malone perfume, followed by some selfies, then having a comfortable flight over to Edinburgh. My Grandad 'John Smith' (nicknamed from Pocahontas) and Auntie picked us up at the airport. He had a sign made up for us, with a picture of my brother and myself when we were children... as though he were a taxi man waiting to collect us.

We were staying at my Aunts house, along with her son. The house and garden were so big. and their two dogs were amazing. Rico and my favourite Buster. We didn't go to sleep till about 3am.

It was so strange seeing everyone after so long. my Mum, brother and bestie after 4 months and grandparents after 5 years.

Thanks for reading,

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,