The month of August...at a glance!

 

 

It started how July finished, not feeling too hot. I was left with no other option than to briefly hibernate. With the boy away for a good week I had to entertain myself...turns out it wasn't that bad...with the help of the three f's...food, fashion and em, fake-tan!

 

Bunches of flowers scattered around the apartment brightened my mood - I stocked up on magazines, loads of fruit (to aid the old immune system) and new pj's so I could recline in comfort.

Okay so they don't exactly scream LOVE GODDESS but the boy WAS away and sure feck it comfort comes first. Resembling what can only be described as 'long john's' from Penney's pj collection.

A trip to ALDI and I jumped between eating these bad boys for brekkie, in smoothies, sometimes in my salad...I was starting to feel brand new.

On a rainy day I woke to find a Marilyn Monroe classic - Gentlemen prefer Blondes - on TV...so accompanied by a pot of coffee I resumed my position on couch and vegged for the day - a tray of mini rainbow bright donuts kept me company..(my cheat day away from my fruit obsession)

During August I added to my ever growing make-up bag with some of these beauty finds -

Return to school with these kitschy palettes from benefit -
full of flawless foundation, concealor, porefessional and bronzer -
it's almost too perfect to use!

Sleep - In Rolllers have become my saving grace
I have cancelled many a blow dry in my salon since using them -
Pop them into blow dried hair for even an hour before you go out and you have body and flicks that any Charlie's Angel would kill for

 

Karora Organic Gradual Tan
I have never been a big fan of the tango chemical tan so when I heard about the Irish brand of organic tans from Karora I had to give them a try. Since returning from my holidays I have begun to top up my colour with this tan and it's amazing..leaves skin looking sunkissed ( but still with plenty of coverage)



MAC Powder blush in Margin
As I have a bit of a glow to my skin I decided to change my blush from the usual pink which suits my pale skin tone to something with a hint of peach. Step forward margin, it has the perfect combination of matte and shimmer without making you look like a disco queen...so it can be used both during the day time and evening. After years of using NARS orgasm blush I think I have found an even better replacement!

My obsession with Navy hasn't disappeared...
1. Navy Suede Peep Toes ASOS
2. Navy Scuba Cut Out waist Dress H&M Trend
3. Drop Earrings F21

4.Navy Black Knit COS
5. Diamonte brooch necklace F21

6. Navy Speckled Cardi Jacket RIVER ISLAND

7. Boots OFFICE
*Since I couldn't afford the ACNE Pistol boots, these are a great and affordable alternative

8. Black Patent Ballet Flats NEW LOOK
9. Pu Leather Skirt RIVER ISLAND
10. Green Fabric necklace COS
11. Nude Tshirt COS

August brought us the bipolar weather of Ireland -
Leaving for work in sunshine wearing sandals by afternoon were inappropriate attire
for a rain soaked and winter like climate...MAKE UP YOUR MIND!

Sunday brunch in beautiful Greystones at The Three Q's Restaurant
- highly recommended with a pot of coffee and the Sunday papers!http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Three-Qs-Restaurant/241341669733

Lunch with the girls from work in our new haunthttp://www.pyg.ie/
I went for a chorizo stew with patatas bravas...although I tried to avoid it (carbs will always win) I couldn't help using the slices of ciabatta placed on the side to soak up all the juices on my plate.

I tried to break away from my caffeine addiction but as you can see it started off well but as the sun came out so did my penchant for something with bubbles:)
Ali

x

 

This week I have mostly....

Obsessed over the new Zara CollectionAnd delighted I finally got my paw's on this cardigan/jacket after seeing it on the beautiful http://www.polliani.com blog. I will definitely wear mine with a grey t shirt and loose curls!

Snapped up a new peplum top from H&M trend for a more formal look.

Polliani = This month's Style Crush

Feeling sorry for myself, stuck in bed feeling sick...

But I was all set following a trip to Penney's to stock up on some comfy pj's and fluffy slippers...

Accompanied by The Help on Sky Movies -

I cried and I cried...and will never look at chocolate pie

in the same way again :)

A nice block of cheese, multi seeded crackers and some divine
onion chutney turned my frown upside down!

Mum's BBQ

A trip to Mum's for a delicous BBQ (though I did still pack my fluffy slippers)

Lying on her couch plate after plate of food came my way!!!

 One of my fave's - hotdogs with a spicy onion & pepper mix,
mustard and ketchup...so good I had two!

A citrus infused crumble concoction...served with a healthy pouring
of custard (I even managed to sneak a slice home)

Ali

x

Holiday Memories....

My holiday has come and gone and I was slightly worried. (this was my first holiday with my family in nearly 16 years and it was the very first time my boyfriend had spent this much time with them) The pressure was on.

But after two weeks of holiday bliss, I have to admit it was one of the best holidays I have ever had....


Saying good bye to Dublin Airport & grey cloudy skies.... 

Myself & the Boys very different holiday drinks!

Our home during our two week holiday

 First morning by the pool in Matagorda...followed by walks

along the promenade

Nearby Playa Honda Beach 

Puerto del Carmen views over lunch

Puerto del Carmen also has a fantastic ZaraPicked up this coral delight for €50 less than at home
BARGAIN!!!

Market purchasesI must have bought about five of these bad boys
- the perfect arm candy!

Taking a break in the shade with some of my daily must haves

The Hunger Games trilogy, a glass of cold beer, Ray Bans, SPF
& some water (though it was mostly the beer that passed my lips)

A strawberry smoothie pit stop

And then came the food....how we enjoyed the food
Bowls of pasta - the Spanish use a lot of olives in
their pasta dishes so when I returned home I stocked

up on some for my own arrabiata dish!

Ciabatta's on the balcony

San Miguel was the one staple in our fridge

Shellfish

I had fish overload on holidays, the best calamari, cod fish,
jumbo prawns all washed down with a lot of Rose

Mum's Snack HourWhen my parents arrived a few days after myself & mysister, Mum quickly

introduced her  drinks hour. Every day we were called to her apartment late afternoon
- Prosecco for the girls - frosted glasses of beers for the boys. Oh & her 'snacks' - you could find crisps, chocolate or my personal fave the most amazing glazed ring donuts (a hint of lemon in these delicious darlings)

By the way it was during this hour that we arranged where we were to go for dinner ha!
Hilarious...we still managed to think of food:)

The view from our balcony = happy times

See you soon Lanzarote!

Until the next time,

Ali x