Close your eyes & make a wish...

I never thought I would become one of those girls. But on Tuesday I felt the wrath of the 'Birthday Blues'. It came out of no where which was even more terrifying. I have been a firm believer in enjoying all parts of my life...I ran up to 30 and embraced it but this year was so very very different.
And to think it all started so well. I arrived to my parents house on Sunday with Mum doing her usual 'Celebratory Explosion' of banners, balloons, fabulous settings, cakes and a selection of food fit for a banquet - not for a family of 11. I was showered with cards, flowers, gifts...some a bit too sentimental for my delicate self (my niece handed me a pink tissue wrapped gift of a beautiful frame with her cute little face peering back at me) We ate, we drank and we had so much fun.
Cut to Tuesday morning when the boy leans over in bed with my card and gift...I walked half asleep to the bathroom, showered and that's when it hit me. God I am 31....THIRTY BLOODY ONE...what have I achieved, I still rent...my friends are married, some are parents...home owners...all of these thoughts went running through my head. As well as the 'God I wish I was 17 again!'. I got into so much of a lather that I didn't realise I had achieved the same with my hair thanks to overly aggresive use of tea tree oil shampoo. The rest of the day is a blur.

Then I had a conversation with a friend who made me see sense 'What's to be depressed about?' she said. 'Are you happy?' - yes I said -'Are you in love?' - yes - 'do you laugh at least once a day, are you surrounded by friends and family who love you unconditionally' -yes, yes, yes - 'Well then stop bloody moaning' she said. Like that I was out of my birthday funk.

Sitting at my desk this afternoon I hear people singing Happy Birthday & walking my way with a chocolate covered cake - colleagues surround me asking what age I am (getting compliments when I tell them 31)
I sit back, close my eyes and make a wish as I blow out the candles...a different wish to the 17 year old me*, less selfish...Today I wish for my family and friends, my boyfriend and OUR future together...It's not a bad life so don't waste it in a bad mood...that's my motto from today :)

This week I mostly......Got my new Celine.....Welcome Home Baby :)

Celebrated Mum's Birthday....

Followed a few days later by mine!

 Moaning about the rain but then today the sun came out...

and so did the paddle surfer's on the Liffey...bizarre!!!

Adding another bikini to my shopping basket,
this one from H&M is a winner with taupe and fluoro shades

Eating way too many treats...Laduree Vanilla Macaroon's

Red velvet cupcakes (courtesy of my office angels)
& a lovely chilled glass of Birthday bubbly

My Basic Buy...

1. Zara Basic V-neck
2. H&M Denim Leggings & the Perfect Cotton Bra
3. Zara Black Pocket Cigarette Pants
4. The Lovely Celine
5. Topshop Studded Loafers

Splashes of Colour....

1. Urban Outfitter's Skull & Peace Thread Necklace
2. H&M Trend Floral Black, White & Fluoro Scarf
3. Topshop Grey Jersey Dress, H&M Fluoro & Diamond Stud Necklace
Penney's Denim Jacket

Dublin's newest Frozen Yogurt.....

Now I am off to enjoy some more of the sunshine &
sit down to some M&S best....all I need now is the vino!

Love

Ali

x

Bella Coachella....

The epitome of California cool, Coachella was back for another year. It was always considered the younger, cooler festival...the Kate Bosworth's and Diane Kruger's of this celebrity world would attend in their fabulously bohemian style. Looking effortlessly cool in their wayfarer sunglasses sitting on the grass listening to some amazing bands, sun kissed tanned limbs on full display in denim cut off shorts.

Now this is a festival I can do. Cut to Ireland during the summer time and our own festivals are so very very different.

Number 1 The Irish Weather: ruins any outdoor activity - sunny skies one minute and then a full blown rain storm - meaning us Irish can't out do the Coachella Crew in the style stakes when we look like drowned rats which brings me nicely on to point Number 2

Number 2 Fake Tan: What was once only ever used on the dance floors of the ball room hall for perma tanned dancers has now over populated the festivals of Ireland. Now I am a major fan of the fake tan....when it's done right! One light layer so you can still see your freckles. But it appears I am of the minority because Oxygen and Electric Picnic is immersed in what can only be described as Tangoed girls...some with streaks...girls get paler by the day and are left with blotches of colour. I can only think that at that point they wonder why they packed denim shorts and little dresses for a concert in what can only be described as a big muddy field.

And finally...
Number 3 Celebrities: What makes Coachella so appealing is the Celebrities photographed. We just can't compete. A few footballers wives and Irish models (usually posing on streets in bikini's with high heels accessory of ice cream cone in hand or whatever else they are endorsing) - are simply not up there with the Diane Kruger's of this world I am afraid!!!

So I guess I better start saving for my ticket and flights to California for next year..that will be the cheap part, the money I spend creating my wardrobe for my time there will be extortionate but hey it's got to be done if I get papped beside my celeb mates:)
Until then I will have to make do with Kate Bosworth's Coachella Video I came across on You Tube.


This week I have been mostly.....


Adding to my jewellery collection
New Look's flagship store in Jervis Street Shopping Centre is one of few
to stock their Limited Edition range of clothing and jewellery.

I just had to get this neon strand necklace...really works against my
new Cos Grey sweater.

When I got to the till and was told there was a 2 for 1 special I grabbed
this fabulous collar...ooh kismet:)

Monsoon is also going mad for neon brights...racks of bracelets which
brought me back to my 12 year old self. Do you remember stacking Friendship
bracelets up your arm and swapping with your friends?

Well I feel the diamante trim is like the grown up version

Competing with my sister for our holiday wardrobe

She denies she has been shopping & then let's slip she has purchased another kaftan
so I have decided to give her a run for her money!
I picked up this cute striped jersey dress from Selected Femme, a Forever 21 Bikini
(as recommended by my other sis...bargain for €8.80)

I had to get these bad boys after seeing them on the beautiful Anneli from
http://www.whatiboughttoday.com/zara-tan-silver-leather-sandals/

And while I was there....just call me Imelda Marcos

Continuing my Beauty on a Budget mission
1. Hawaiian Tropic Body Butter - I always make sure to buy tubs of this each year
and constantly get compliments because of it's mango, shea, cocoa butter, avocado and coconut oil extracts

2. Real Techniques Brush- this has been getting rave reviews on every blog and I finally
decided to pick one up...will let you know how it goes

3. MeMeMe Flawless Loose Powder - Picked this up in Superdrug as I had run out of my usual bareMinerals and it is amazing..and for €7.45 I was amazed

4. Boots Large Sectioning Clips - (barely seen) but they have cut down my blowdrying
time significantly

Became a Pretty Ballerina
New Look get's even better with these laser cut nude ballet shoes

Eating Out....
Way too much but this Chilli Chicken Linguine was so very good...but it didn't stop
there oh no....

Saturday night was sushi night...I enjoyed it so much that I forgot to take a photo
WHOOPS

Following our long meal we hit the restaurants karaoke room. We had one of the largest
rooms to fit all 20 of us and it felt like we had our own mini disco!!!

My version of Fergie's Lady Lumps brought tears to all eyes:)

Carbing it up 
It may not look pretty but god it was good...
omelette's are my new quick fix dinner 

Now I am retiring to my home made lemon fizz & the couch for the night

Ali
X

Easter is over and the proof is in my fridge. I returned from the supermarket with bags full of fresh vegetables, fish and salad...but I can't avoid the entire section dedicated to our chocolate egg's from Easter Sunday. Last week I spent a part of my afternoon packing up Easter treats for myself and my boyfriends little nieces and nephews...I love to get into any holiday season so with gift bags covered in chicks and bunny's with different coloured tissue paper - I filled the bags with egg's, Easter crackers and other goodies.

When I reached my Mum's I realised who I get this excitement from, my Mum. In the dining room as usual Mum had decorated the entire room in Easter mode. Even down to each person getting their own little lindt bunny as part of her table setting.

I remember as a child Lent was always a really competitive period. Of course all Irish children would give up chocolate or crisps during this time. My preparation started back at Christmas when I would collect an empty biscuit tin and put it under my bed - this was to be used during lent. Any sweets I received (which in the case of my grandparents Paddy and Nellie, was twice a week) I would pack into my tin and then slide it back under my bed...so basically by the time Easter Sunday arrived my biscuit tin was full to the brim. I would then receive loads of Easter Egg's almost forgetting my biscuit tin full of goodies.
It was the funniest thing as I had spent weeks dying to have chocolate and then overdosing on it in the space of a day...so as an adult I am learning to be a bit more restrained...I said LEARNING...no excuse me while I put on the kettle and crack off a bit of egg...

This week I was mostly......

Going Bagel Mad

a mini obsession with philly

 With veggie burgers and some hot spicy jalapenos

Forever21
Mad about these purse friendly silk cami's

Trying some more affordable beauty products

and discovered certain brands should be used more often
especially when it comes to nail varnish. My favourite purchases;
Catrice Eyebrow Pencil, double ended, with a lovely sculpting brush



 This fab coral shade from Catrice

 030 Meet Me At Coral Island
I applied a few coats but looks just as nice with one
faded coat...this will be my summer shade

Loved Easter

Woke to a tasty brekkie, beautiful flower's from the boyfriend
and then a visit to Mum's for more chocolate egg's and desserts to die for



Now I need to get rid of these lodger's in my fridge

Ali

x