Back to Blogging...

So I thought I was going to stop blogging as with work, a baby, and 8 year old I felt I didn't have enough time, however now I'm on summer holidays I think I'll give it another go, there's no hard and fast rule that says I can't just do it when it suits me, its a hobby for me, so I'm not going to put myself under as much pressure! The other thing that often discourages me is that I really don't feel that I'm as computer savvy as I should be, I start comparing myself to other blogs and seeing how there's are much better than mine, but once again, I'm going to remind myself I'm just doing this for fun, its not Vogue I'm writing for!! So, I hope everyone is enjoying their summer and I look forward to sharing some posts with you!!

Style for the First Holy Communion

My sons First Holy Communion was in May, we had such an enjoyable, special, memorable day. Senan was so excited to wear his suit, he knew it was an extra special day! I got his suit in Next. It was sold a separates which was brilliant because the trousers were age 9, the suit jacket was age 8 and the waistcoat was age 7! The shirt I put with it was actually a school shirt that came in a packet of 2 from Dunnes Stores. His tie was one belonging to his Daddy! I bought his shoes in Paul Byrons in Mullingar. Baby TJ's suit was also from Next, lucky enough I bought age 12-18months even though he's only 8 months old! His little shoes I picked up in Penneys.
His Daddys bought his suit in Galvins Menswear in Mullingar, it was a fantastic deal they're running at the moment, the suit, shirt, tie and shoes all for €199! Such excellent value and I was impressed at the selection to choose from!
Lastly, me, I of course ended up in a mad shopping panic trying to find the right dress! After shopping in Dublin, Navan and Mullingar I ended up spotting a dress online in Coast. Being honest, I would not have looked at the dress on the hanger in the shop, never mid try it on! But, the dress looked lovely on the model. So after phoning around I found a dress in my size in Dundrum and thankfully it fitted and I loved it!! My sister spotted the coral coloured Mango jacket/blazer in House of Frasier. The icing on the cake were the shoes I got, they looked like they were made to go with my dress and u'd neve guess where I got them! When I went to the beauticians the Thursday before the Communion Lisa at Beautique Beauty (The Downs) sells shoes and handbags and had a perfect pair of shoes, and they only cost €40!

The Nibbler- Review

Baby TJ got this as a present from his aunty and he loves it! (and so do I!)
She spotted it in Tescos and knowing how much he loved his food thought it might come in handy and that it has!
Basically it's a little net that you can screw off and pop in different food and it has a handy handle for the baby to hold. I found giving TJ fruit like strawberries and melon was tricky because it was so slippery it just kept falling out of his hand! But with this he can get a good grip and still suck the juices and taste lots of new flavours!
So far he has tried melon, strawberries, peeled grapes, orange, blue berries (they were a bit sour) and some peeled apple (juicy red ones).
To clean it I wash out all the bits left in the net, I soak the net in boiling water and pat dry with a tea towel, I wash the handle with soapy water. I find it really handy if I'm out for coffee or dinner, it keeps TJ very happy and busy! :)
As you can see in the photo 'The Nibbler' by Nuby costs €4.49 and is available in Tescos. It gets a big 'THUMBS UP' from me!

Baby TJ @ 7months old with his 'Nibbler' 

Ever have one of those weeks....that was just brilliant!

I had a full week off work this week which was lovely, especially since I'm only about 4 weeks back at work! Anyhow, my week off is nearly over and I'm just reflecting on how enjoyable it was! Just a perfect mix of kiddie time and me time!

I don't want to come across like I'm gloating because normally my weeks are fairly mundane and un-iteresting which made it even more important that I document the past week so I can look back and remember, you know what, life isn't all that bad or boring!

The Saturday of the May bank I met a friend in Malahide and we had a quick browse in Cari's Closet, some fabulous dresses and lovely friendly helpful staff. After that we popped back into Dublin Zoo with our kids, it was packed because of the nice weather but we enjoyed our afternoon strolling around looking at all the animals. Sunday was a day at home, no galavanting and I actually got into a cleaning frenzy (trust me, it does not happen often!) I even squeezed in a 5mile run, what a productive day! Bank holiday Monday we went to my local schools 50 year anniversary reunion, it was lovely seeing old faces and my brother had a piece of art work displayed especially for the occasion, he is so talented and his artwork looked amazing! After that I went to a hurling match, you know it's summer when there are constant GAA matches! But it was such a sunny day it was lovely to stand outside and watch the game, and to make it even better the team my boyfriend was on won :) To round off our Bank Holiday weekend off my boyfriend and I went to The Park Hotel (in Mullingar) for a quiet drink. In the picture I'm holding a wine glass but as you might have read in other posts I don't drink so its just 7up in the glass! I just prefer drinking out of the wine glass, call me crazy!
I am on a hunt for a dress to wear to my sons Communion this month so myself and 2 friends went to Dublin on Tuesday for a day of shopping! We started on Grafton Street, had a quick Starbucks coffee break and went over to Henry Street, after looking in soooo many shops I didn't find a dress, I ended up a bit stressed that I couldn't find a dress but we did get lovely food at The Church restaurant, very tasty! Cheered me right up!
Wednesday was a day at home with the kids, Senan loves when I (try) play the Xbox with him and TJ was happy watch me rearrange the wardrobe as I sang and played with him. Wednesday night I went to a play 'Move over Mrs Markham' in the Mullingar Arts Centre, it was a very witty, enjoyable show-lots of laughs!
Thursday was another kid free day and perhaps the best day of the week, I went to see The Lion King in The Bord Gais Energy Theatre, we went to the matinee show and it was absolutely fantastic, probably the best show I've seen yet, my only regret was that I didn't bring my 8 year old son, Senan, I know he would have been mesmerised by it! After the show we got a bite to eat in Elys Restaurant just across from the theatre , The food was so tasty and the waiter was so friendly and helpful, nice waiters make such a difference!
Week is nearly over, I promise! Friday I had lots of kids time in the morning, then I brought the boys on some more dress shopping in Navan! My main reason was to check out Ollie and Mac Boutique which I follow on Facebook and they are always posting fab dresses, I tried on a nice purple peplum dress but it just wasn't what I wanted for the Communion. Friday night I went for dinner to celebrate my friends 30th birthday, I can't believe it's all 30th's, feel like just yesterday we were celebrating our 21st's! We ate at Dominiques Restaurant in Mullingar, the food was amazing, I got the vegetarian filled peppers (I'm not vegetarian) and it was just divine! For dessert I got the chocolate brownie, unfortunately it was full of raisins and nuts which wouldn't be my favourite personally but 100% intend of going there again so will try out some of the other desserts! The food was presented so nicely and there was such a buzz and atmosphere in the restaurant it was lovely! I did have to leave straight after dinner though because the baby was awake and giving out, I think he may have bad
wind, he settled eventually!
Saturday and Sunday were normal, grocery shopping, parents over for dinner, hanging out with the kids, catching up on washing and watching Kim and Kourtney Take Miami! Back to work and normality in the morning!

Wardrobe essentials

Top ten basics in my daytime wardrobe that I could not be without!

1. Brown boots
I got mine in Penneys, love the heel, so comfy but gives me a bit of height at the same time :)
2. Blue denim jeans
These are Pepe Jeans, a friend actually gave them to me. I love that they have a bit of stretch. They get sooo much wear!
3. Beige mac
I got this mac in the kids section because the length is just perfect on me! Sometimes the adults ones can be too long (I'm a shorty!)
4. Black blazer
Again I picked my black blazer up in the kids section of New Look. I am in dire need of a black blazer as my current one has definitely seen better (less faded) days!
5. White & black shape wear tops
My sister introduced me to the shape wear vest tops in Penneys and I could not be without them! They just help smooth out the lumps and bumps under my tshirts and fitted shirts and jumpers. I don't have any pics because they're both in the wash-oops!
6. Brown belt
I actually have 3, every time I get a new one I am supposed to throw out the old tattered one but I admit I am such a hoarder!
7. Black skinny jeans
Such a basic for daytime and nighttime looks! I love the Penneys skinny jeans, they fit me nicely but also because they are so cheap I can replace them more frequently, faded black jeans are not a good look.
8. Wooly v-neck jumper
I find these so handy, the cream and coral ones in the pics I got in Old Navy in America and the checkered (golfer-ee looking one!) is Tommy Hilfigure. H&M have a great selection at the moment.
9. Brown handbag
I took a picture of my brown Guess handbag that I must have worn for a year solid! I loved it. At the moment I have a brown Kardashian handbag, the straps are beginning to show wear and tear so I have my eye out on a gorgeous tan/brown Michael Kors handbag, maybe I should change things up a bit and try a black one??
10. Stripy T-shirt 
Again, such a handy basic, pop them on with jeans and a blazer and its a simple yet classy outfit.

What are your wardrobe essentials?

How I try make my life easier

I think one of the reasons I love reading blogs and watching reality shows all the time is because we can learn so much from each other. Sometimes I feel we take for granted there is just one way of doing things, we grow up watching our mothers, who watched there mothers! However, in reality there are so many different ways to live out lives, raise our children, what to wear, what to eat, how to exercise, the list goes on! I love hearing new advice/information that can help make my family life easier and more enjoyable but also I love striving to live the best life I can live! Even if those around me think I'm a bit cracked! You can't make everyone happy all of the time, but as long as you stay true to yourself and what makes you happy and as long as your not intentionally trying to hurt anyone else, do what you want, the way you want! :)

Anyhow, that said, here are a few ways I like to simplify my life, or get the boring stuff done so I can spend more time on the fun stuff! ;)

How I make my life easier:

1. I use the tumble drier, I don't own a clothes line. (I know this may not be the best thing for the environment or my electricity bill, but it really makes my life easier!)
2. I make a menu /food plan for the week, so I'm not staring into the fridge every evening wondering what will I cook tonight!
3. I do one big shop once a week. I write my shopping list to correlate with the food plan I've made. I even freeze the milk. This way I don't have to make any stops to the local shop. Saves time and money!
4. I ask my boyfriend to help out. And I'm lucky to have a great family who are always willing to help! This makes an unbelievable difference, just knowing you have people you can depend on when you need a dig out is peace of mind.
5. I use batiste dry shampoo in between showers, its not the showers I mind it's how long it takes to dry and style my hair!
6. I use anti bacterial wipes to clean the bathroom. I give a quick clean round the sink and toilet, so a 'big' clean only has to be done every month (or two!) 
7. I use baby wipes to clean small patches of dirt on the kitchen floor instead of having to mop the floor everyday. Actually I use baby wipes to clean so many things in my house!
8. I don't iron clothes. I realise I'm lucky I don't have to iron men's shirts for work. What I try do is fold the clothes as soon as I can after the tumble drier is finished and for the most part they are crease free!
9. I hired an aupair, so no drop offs or pick ups with the baby, again such a time saver. I could do a whole post on how great having an au-pair is!
10. I bulk cook the babies food and freeze it.
11. I bought a good Hoover and steamer, and I've never looked back, it makes things quicker but also everything looks much cleaner!
12. Bulk buy stamps, a bit random I know but I always buy 10 stamps at a time which means I don't have to wait until Post Office opening times etc.
13. I don't drink anymore, again, I know a bit of a random one to put in here but it honestly makes my life so much easier! I don't have hangovers and I have more money at the end of the night which makes life a lot easier! 

Do you have any other ways you make life easy for yourself? Please share! :) 

Baby shower party!

I know this is going back a while but I was browsing through old pictures and thought I'd write a quick post about my baby shower just in case anyone is thinking of organising one!

I was about 8months pregnant for my shower, I got my cream lace dress in H&M, it wasn't actually a maternity dress just a few sizes bigger! My beige wedges I got in Dunnes Stores.
I made the invitations for the shower myself (lots of free time back then!)

Baby Shower Invitations     

I was lucky enough to have my sister and mother do the majority of organising for my baby shower. I didn't know if it was a boy or girl so we went with neutral colours! We had buns and cakes with tea and coffee. The main cake of a baby bump myself and my sister made! It was a chocolate biscuit cake with roll out icing on top, again, I had lots more time on my hands back then before the baby was born!

Baby Shower            

During the baby shower we also had a few games organised, while it seemed a bit awkward to get
them going at first, once everyone got stuck in they were great fun and I would definitely recommend playing some!
The first was easy, everybody had to guess and write down what weight they thought the baby would be (some crazy guesses!) and when they thought it would arrive! My friend Nicola was nearest with the weight and my mother nearest with the date.
The next game was a roll of ribbon was passed around with a scissors and everybody had to cut of a length they thought would fit around my tummy (have plenty of ribbon!) and then I tried each one on, this was great fun and someone actually had the length almost spot on!
Next we had a card with different attributes (eyes, ears, nose etc.) and people had to fill in who they thought the baby should/would take after! Some interesting answers! :)
Our final game was just a quick multiple choice quiz, the questions were aimed around baby facts, it gave us lots to chat and laugh about!
My mother made gorgeous white rose flower arrangements in glass vases as party favours that everyone got to bring home.

It was such a fun, special day with family and friends.

Baby Shower Games