may in photos;

unlucky amy awhh // ice cream, nutella, peanut butter, and cookies. mmm // max sleeps weird // haircut

hello piercings // closeup of this collar // mr magorium's wonder emporium // so.much.chinese.food

absolutely gorg necklace from clothingloves.net // end of college countdown // sweets! // last ever day as a student

at the hospital with my sister // ghetto-fabulous earrings // watching the office with my cat // 2mm

fotd // big hair don't care // macarons! // i bought an iphone

switched to a new mobile network

I'M OFFICIALLY QUALIFIED!  As of the 10th of June 2013, I now have an honours degree!  Four long years of college have finally paid off, and now that I have finished studying, I have more time to blog.  Win-win?  So now that I have more time to dedicate to all of my lovely readers, I thought it was about time that I set myself a schedule.  From now on, I will post every Tuesday and Friday for definite, but I'll try to fit in as many posts as I can during the week.  How does that sound?  Thanks again for your patience.  I love you all!

april in photos;

re-dying my hair, finally // all finished! // panda ear college selfies // elastic band my counsellor gave me

snapchat, anyone? // peach & apricot mmm // bubble tea is yuck! // max is special

bailey sleeping with toast // notd // caramel mocha mmm //  bronze and gold fotd

last day of lectures with two of my favourite girls :(( // iced cocktails and pyjamas // nyx jumbo eye pencils review // pizza!

shameless selfie // best cuppa i've ever tasted!

Sorry I'm a bit late with this one!  As I mentioned last month, college and assignments are my first priority right now. Sorry!  April was a month filled with noms and memory making.  April 26th was my last day of lectures and my last day as a college student, and I'm really going to miss spending every day with my wonderful friends.  Thankfully we've got a few more deadlines before we all go our separate ways, but I'm missing them already!  My final hand-up date is the 23rd of May, so after that my blogging will hopefully become more regular and scheduled.  Thank you all so much for your patience, and thanks for reading!

tag: versatile blogger award;

I've been nominated by Vicky @ Perfect, I'm Yours and Jess @ JustSayJess for the Versatile Blogger Award!  The Versatile Blogger Award originated, and continues, as a way for members of the diverse blogging community to support each other.  Needless to say, I'm delighted to be nominated at all, let alone twice!

Rules;
(1)  Firstly, thank and include link back to the person who  nominated you.
(2)  Post 7 facts about yourself.
(3)  Nominate 15 of your favourite blogs for the award.
(4)  Be sure to let them know they've been nominated, and link them back to the rules.




7 facts;
(1)  Apple Macintosh Programming at 9am on April 26th 2013 was my last ever lecture as a college student.  Although I still have some assignments and exams to finish, I am finished classes forever.  During the break I took from this blog, I had seriously considering dropping out due to the stress I was under, but I'm glad I stuck it out now that the end (and my honours degree) are in sight!
(2)  Twinning's Earl Grey.  One sugar.  Drop of milk.  Thanks.
(3)  I love anything and everything peach.  The smell, the flavour, the colour... Mmm.
(4)  I'm not able to curl my hair with a curling tongs, only with a straightener.  I really don't understand it!
(5)  My favourite Pokémon of all time is Raichu.
(6)  I love taking really long showers.  It takes me twenty minutes just to wash my hair!
(7)  I am embarrassingly addicted to Candy Crush Saga.  I know.

Tagged bloggers;
appletoothpaste
loraloves
therawrdrobe
kimberley-xxx
samanthadewinter
charlotte-lauren
perfectimyours
melissagallagher91
oliviaroses
justdoingkatie
lifeinlipstick
josielcross
catherinemurphy2808
coleoftheballl33
daydreamkatie

Thank you for nominating me, and hopefully that helped you all to learn a bit more about me!  Thanks for reading!

photos by shona #2;

As some of you may know from this post, I'm currently studying a digital photography module at college.  In my first photography post, the module has just begun and I was only getting the hang of actually using my camera.  Since then, I feel like my skills as a photographer (albeit still an amateur at this point) have greatly improved, which is really exciting to me.  I've had an interest in photography with so long, so simply understanding what settings to use to get a photo to look the way I want feels like a huge achievement!  Like I've finally accomplished something I've always wanted to do. It really is a good feeling.

Over the past few weeks in classes, we've covered a number of topics/themes including college architecture (I chose parallel lines as my topic, if you hadn't guessed), parkour and free running (which was really cool and lots of fun), and working with flash and studio lighting (I'm sorry, Kate!), and my photography portfolio is coming along quite nicely!

As I mentioned in the last post, if any of you have any tips or ideas on how I could improve my photo-taking, be sure to leave a comment!  I just wanted to give you all a quick update on my progress, so thanks for reading!

march in photos & update/apology;

lots of lashes // winged liner all day erryday // blue & brown smokey eye // snow & sun in the same photo?

bought the Glinda palette!! // mmm peach ice tea // sleepy bailey // raichu wallpaper

panda eyes // lost a ball from my septum // amber's half/half hairdo // sleepy max

purple and gold fotd // me and kate in Shortt's // demon cat alarm clock // shameless selfie

Hi everyone!  I realise that today marks one month since I last posted.  I've been up to my eyeballs in college assignments and work (fourth year is proving more difficult than I bargained for), so unfortunately this blog has had to take the proverbial backseat.  And I'm sorry to say that this will most likely remain the case for the next couple of weeks, until my exams and presentations are over.  I'm sorry!  I hope you all understand, and I promise that everything will be back to normal before June begins.  Thank you so much for staying with me!

what's in my bag: college edition;

Doesn't look like much in the photo, but I assure you my bag weighs a tonne!  This is a bit different from your average "What's in my Bag" post because my average bag is my schoolbag, not a handbag.  I might do a weekend/handbag post soon, but here's what I carry around with me everyday!

First, the actual college-related stuff.  My dad bought this bag for me last year for college.  It's nothing special, just a rucksack with a padded pocket for my laptop.  Then there's my laptop itself (which gets heavier by the day, it seems) and my laptop charger, which I didn't bother photographing.  Next is a hefty pile of notes, which isn't even half of what I should have printed and which aren't organised yet.  And of course, a refill pad, which is rarely used yet somehow almost empty?  I have a handfull of miscellaneous pens and pencils, but no pencil case.  Then there's my external harddrive, which has my entire life on it.  At least as far as college is concerned.  Every project I've done since first year is on it!  I've a couple of memory sticks/flash drives/whatever ya call 'ems hanging around, too.  I usually have my camera (Canon EOS 600D) with me too, but I couldn't include it in the photo because I used it to take it!

I've been carrying a new phone (which I was given by Vodafone for free!) around with me with around two weeks now, too.  I'm supposed to be switching from Meteor to Vodafone so I'll need this when I lose my current signal.  That was supposed to happen two weeks ago, though.  It hasn't yet, so I'm keeping this phone handy just in case.  I bring my make-up bag with just a few essentials in it so I can touch up my make-up before work every evening.  And finally my purse, from New Look, which was a present from one of my bffs.

There you have it!  This is what I carry in my bag every day.  Thanks for reading!

tag: a - z of me;

I saw this post on Jodie's blog (sweetheartthingslooklovely) and thought I'd give it a go myself!  It's an interesting take on an "about me" survey, and it's a welcome distraction from study and assignments.

A. Age:  21.
B. Bed size:  Double.
C. Chore that you hate:  Hoovering!
D. Dogs:  I have two Labrador x Terrier, but I love Rottweilers.
E. Essential start to your day:  Really minty toothpaste.
F. Favourite colour:  Teal.
G. Gold or Silver:  Gold.
H. Height:  5'3".
I. Instruments you play:  Tin whistle.
J. Job title:  General Assistant.
K. Kids:  None.  Ever.
L. Live:  Kilkenny.
M. Mother’s name:  Sinéad.
N. Nicknames:  Shobear.  Nona.
O. Overnight hospital stays:  Not since I was born.
P. Pet peeves:  Anyone touching me for no reason!
Q. Quote from a movie:  "Unlikely adventures require unlikely tools."
R. Right or left handed:  Right.
S. Siblings:  Two younger sisters.
U. Underwear:  Yes, I wear it.
V. Vegetable you hate:  Parsnips.  Ew.
W. What makes you run late:  Losing track of time when I'm drawing my eyebrows on, and oversleeping.
X. X-Rays you’ve had:  I had an x-ray on my teeth when I was in school.
Y. Yummy food that you make:  I can't cook :(
Z. Zoo animal:  Hippolotamous.

Leave a link below if you decide to do this too, and thanks for reading!

(ps. There's only twelve hours left until my giveaway closes! Be sure to enter, quick!)

tag: the beauty blogger tag;

Hello, lovlies!  With college and work, I haven't been able to post properly in a while, so today I'm going to answer the beauty blogger tag.  Now, I wasn't actually tagged to do this, but I don't mind if you don't!


(1) Is your hair naturally curly or straight?
My hair is naturally curly, especially the shorter layers.

(2) What it your natural hair colour?
Naturally, my hair is a medium, mousey brown.

(3) Do you dye it yourself or do you go to a salon?
I always dye my hair myself.

(4) How often do you wash your hair?
Once or twice a week.  It sounds gross but, considering how often I dye and heat treat my hair, my hair is in great condition, so I must be doing something right!

(5) Do you wear the same hair style everyday or do you change it up?
Since I started working and seeing as my hair is quite long now, I almost always have my hair in a messy bun.

(6) Do you do your own nails or do you go to a salon?
I paint my own nails, yes.  I've been biting my nails (ew) since I was little and I hate having long nails, so I don't see the point in paying to get them done!

(7) How often do you change your nail varnish?
Once it starts to really chip away, so every few days.

(8) Do you always wear nail varnish on your toes?
Yes, always.

(9) How long does it take you to put on your make-up?
On a regular day, when I'm in a rush for college, it takes around half an hour.  When I have the time, I spend much longer doing it.

(10) What do you do first, your face or your eyes?
I usually do my face.  If I'm going out or wearing really dark/black eyeshadow that could potentially ruin my face make-up, I'll do my eyes first.

(11) Do you collect make-up or just buy it when your need to?
I collect it.  If I see something I like the look of, I need to buy it, even if I know I'll never use it.

(12) How often do you wear false eyelashes?
Regularly.  I never go on a night out without them, and I've been wearing them everyday with the last week or so.

(13) Do you wear a full face of make-up everyday?
Yes.  If I'm staying at home and I know I won't be going anywhere or seeing anyone, I won't wear any to give my skin a break, but other than that, I wear a full face every single day.

(14) Do you wear make-up just around the house?
Yes, I do.

(15) Will you leave the house without make-up on?
Rarely or never.  I don't feel comfortable leaving my house without my freckles covered.

(16) How many high end products do you have? 
Quite a few, but not a huge amount.

(17) How often do you wash your make-up brushes?
... Not that often.  It's probably my worst beauty-related habit.

(18) Do you plan what you will wear the next day, or when you are getting dressed?
I rarely plan an outfit, unless it's for an occasion.  Usually it's a case of throwing together whatever I find on the floor.

(19) How often do you change your handbag?
I don't often carry a handbag 'cause I usually have my schoolbag with me.

(20) What time do you get up and go to sleep?
I get up at around 7:30am, and I go to sleep around 1am.

(21) How often and when do you workout?
Sometimes I have to walk upstairs to get to a class.  Does that count?  No? 

(22) Left or Right handed?
Right handed.

(23) How tall are you?
5'3", only little!

(24) Do you speak a foreign language?
I can speak some french.

(25) How many pets do you have?
I have a cat, two puppies, three goldfish, and seamonkeys.

(26) How often are you on blogger?
I'm on blogger every single day, to check my stats and read posts.

(27) Do you read the comments posted?
Yes, I read all of them!

(28) Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?
Yes yes yes.  I'm so easily influenced.  Even bad reviews make me want to try the product for myself!

Have any of you answered this tag?  Leave the link below, I'd love to read it!  If you haven't, then I tag you!  Hopefully you learned just a little bit more about me.  Thanks for reading!

thirty before thirty;

I've been inspired by Annie's post @ appletoothpaste, and I've decided to write my own list of thirty things I want to do/achieve/experience before my thirtieth birthday!

(1)  Get a first on my honours degree. (I got a second! Close enough!)

(2)  Get my masters degree.

(3)  Move out of home.

(4)  Live in a different country. (I now live in Gloucester, UK.)

(5)  Eat sushi. (Delicious!)

(6)  Get a new car.

(7)  Get a Rottweiler.

(8)  Finally get the tattoo I've been planning with years.

(9)  Find a mascara that I really love. (Soap & Glory's "Thick & Fast" has become a holy grail product.)

(10)  Go on a date.

(11)  Go on a date on Valentine's Day.

(12)  Go skydiving.

(13)  Qualify as a make-up artist.

(14)  Go on a holiday without my parents.

(15)  Have cosmetic surgery.
(16)  Have blonde hair.
(17)  Learn to walk properly in heels.
(18)  Own a pair of Louboutins.
(19)  Fly first class to anywhere.
(20)  Get married.
(21)  Meet Bryce Avary.
(22)  Take my sisters out to dinner in an actual restaurant. (Nom nom nom.)
(23)  Work in a job I actually like.
(24)  Taste everything on the menu at Costa coffee.
(25)  Go to Mardi Gras.
(26)  Meet Gale Harold.
(27)  Have my dream kitchen.
(28)  Own a pair of Wildfox Couture Bel-Air sunglasses.
(29)  Watch every episode of Sex and the City.
(30)  Receive a bouquet of flowers.

 In December, I turned twenty-one, so I think it's about time I get a move on in regard to making something of my life.  I mean, in the grand scheme of things, nine years isn't a long time.  I know a lot of things in this list mightn't seem very important, but it's often the little things that make the biggest difference, and a small sense of achievement is better than none!  In that same vein, I hope I haven't set my sights on anything too outlandish.  I'll be keeping this list updated, crossing things off the list as they (hopefully) happen, so watch this space!

If any of you have written a post like this, please leave your link below!  Thanks for reading!

happy birthday, babies!

 Max

Bailey

Today is a very exciting day indeed.  This is just a quick post to mark the fact that my puppies babies, Max and Bailey, turned one today.  Yes, today is their first birthday!  This means that their first anniversary as part of this family is just a few weeks away.  Seems like yesterday that they were teeny tiny babies, and I was meeting them for the first time.  Sigh.  They grow up so fast!

(Just after we brought them home.  So little!)

Thanks for reading!

photos by shona #1;

This semester in college I'm taking a digital photography class, which means I'm actually learning how to use my DSLR for reasons other than taking very high quality Facebook profilers.  On Monday, to get some snaps for an upcoming assignment, a few of my classmates and myself took a trip to the Guillamene Cove in Tramore. It was cold and windy, but ultimately very productive, as I managed to take most of the photos I need for the assignment handup.  That afternoon in Photography class, while it was still quite sunny, our lecturer took us on a walk around campus to put some of the theory we were learning into practice.  I'm really enjoying this class, I'm really happy with some of the photos I took today, and I'm really looking forward to improving my photography skills.

Keep in mind, I'm still a total beginner.  Aside from owning a "fancy" camera, and the theory I've learned over the past few weeks, I know very little about taking a good photo.  My photos mightn't be the best, but I'm learning, and it's a start!

Have you any tips on taking a better photo?  Thanks for reading! 

january in photos;

max being a cutie // james corden is a babe // I GRADUATED!! // peach iced tea, mmm

i actually cooked breakfast // day out with emma // fancy water at lunchtime // organised my make-up, finally

cuddling with amber // pewds is a babe // night time face // naptime with max

early morning face // chillaxin' in class // college is bleak // new blog posts

fur-effect nails, hmm // best cuppa I ever made! // digital photography class // tattoo want

naptime with max and bailey :3

tag: liebster award;

I've been nominated by Sophie @ Burning Into The Night for the Liebster Blog Award (thank you, Sophie)!  The Liebster Award is for new or establishing bloggers with 200 followers or less.  It's a way of promoting these lesser-known blogs, and letting a fellow blogger know "hello, you're only new, but your blog is gr8!!".  I was nominated for this quite a while back, but I didn't want to post it so soon after the blogger tag, so here it is!  Better late than never, eh?

Rules;

(1) List 11 random facts about yourself 

(2) Answer the 11 questions which your nominator set for you 

(3) Create 11 questions for who you choose to nominate 

(4) Choose 11 blogs to nominate with less than 200 followers 

11 random facts;
(1) I used to be fluent in Irish, and I really, really want to get back to that level.
(2) I have a degree in Multimedia.
(3) I'll be getting another one this summer.
(4) I am clueless when it comes to fashion.
(5) I have already broken my 2013 spending ban.  Lots.
(6) I have my septum, smiley, and navel pierced. 
(7) Cold cheese makes my skin crawl, but melted cheese is okay.
(8) I love going to the dentist.
(9) I've made several attempts to start a youtube/vlog channel.  They've all failed miserably.
(10) I've never tried sushi, because I like the idea of it but I'm afraid I won't actually like it.
(11) Seeing people cry on the tv makes me cry.


Sophie's questions;

(1)  Have you been to any concerts? If so, who have you been to see? 
I've been to lots and lots of concerts.  It would take too long to list them all, but my favourites have been Enter Shikari in October 2008, My Chemical Romance in February 2011, and Mumford & Sons in December 2012.

(2)  Favorite band/musician?
I can never narrow this list down!  My all time favourites are Busted, The Rocket Summer, and My Chemical Romance, and at the moment, I'm loving Lana Del Rey and Mumford & Sons.

(3)  What style of clothing does your wardrobe consist of? 
All black everything.

(4) What makes you feel nostalgic? 
Almost everything does!  I have tons of scrapbooks and I collect keepsakes from even minor things.  I love making memories.

(5)  Favorite movie? 
I just wrote a whole post on this.  Read here.

(6)  What inspires you most? 
With regard to make-up, I'm inspired by looks I see in Youtube videos.  In life, I get inspiration from silly quotes from movies, or in Tumblr posts.  Fashion?  All the inspiration in the world couldn't teach me how to dress myself.

(7)  What was the first movie you watched?
Mary Poppins.  Even as an infant I had good taste!

(8)  Did you have any imaginary friends when you were younger? 
I had an imaginary bunny rabbit... Don't even ask.

(9)  Dream job? 
I haven't really figured this out yet, but I hope to be a programmer of some description.

(10)  Do you suffer from any phobias? 
I don't have any phobias, exactly, but I have fears.  Lots.  I'm afraid of creepy crawlies, horses, jellyfish, the ocean in general...

(11)  Who's your hero/idol in life? 
Kim Kardashian.  She's my spirit animal.


My questions;
(1)  What's your favourite tv show?
(2)  What's your favourite online shop?
(3)  Would more money make you happier?
(4)  What song sounds like it was written about your life?
(5)  What three words would you use to describe yourself?
(6)  What's your party piece/trick?
(7)  Do you have any piercings?
(8)  In what way are you different than you were twelve months ago?
(9)  If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would it be?
(10)  What three items would you want with you if you were stranded on a desert island?
(11)  What is the meaning of life?


My tagged bloggers;
beautybutterflyxo
aprilrose-xo
alexandradeanbeauty
thebracesarebreaking
coleoftheballl33
appletoothpaste
ellaybell
cgxox
lauracuddles
asprettyasyouplease
(I'm not following an 11th person with <200 followers :( oops!)

Thanks for reading!

favourites: movies;

Here's a fact about me:  I am a movie junkie.  My attention span is too short for books, and my schedule often means I don't get to watch any tv, but I always have time for movies!  For me, a trip to the cinema is always an occasion, and despite being able to record from the tv and stream online, I still insist on buying dvds.  I find it much easier to sleep with a movie playing in the background, and I have specific movies that I watch depending on my mood.  I just like 'em.  In no particular order (it was difficult enough narrowing it down to five, believe me), these are my top five favourite movies of all time.

(1) The Snapper:  Though this boxset as a whole is unreal, The Snapper is my favourite of the three.  The Snapper is about a girl called Sharon Curley, who gets pregnant and refuses to tell anyone who the father is. Firstly, it's Irish.  'Nuff said.  Secondly, it's hilarious!  Irish humour at it's best.  Thirdly, Colm Meaney is my favourite human.  It's an absolute classic, I'd recommend it to anyone!

(2) Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium:  Dustin Hoffman is also my favourite human.  This is the story of teh eccentric Mr. Magorium, his magical toy shop, and the story of what happens when he gives ownership of the shop to the store manager, Molly Mahoney.  I first saw this movie while babysitting my younger cousins, and it blew me away.  It has a much deeper meaning than anyone watching it as just a kids' movie will ever understand.  I don't want to give any of the story away (I really, really want all of you to watch this), but I will tell you that this movie truly taught me to be more positive.  It just makes me feel so happy.  I'm getting emotional just thinking about it!

(3) The Sound of Music:  A classic, I'm sure this one needs no explanation.  This is what I call a feel-good flick, and it's something that I put on when I've a few hours to myself and I need a bit of cheering up.  There's  no better feeling than snuggling up with a good cup of tea and belting out to the words to all the songs.  I think everyone wanted a Maria in their lives at least once, I know I did!

(4) Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging:  I will never, ever get tired of this! It's about 14-year-old Georgia Nicholson, and her venture into the world of crushes and kisses.  This movie is full of cringey stories, quirky slang words, and teenage angst, which I can totally relate to.  It's a little bit ridiculous (which tbh it what I like most about it) and you either love it or hate it, but I can't get enough of it!  I wish Georgia's life was my life.

(5) Mary Poppins:  Last, but certainly not least.  I can't remember the first time I saw this, because I was just a baby!  Mary Poppins is a magical nanny (practically perfect in every way) who comes to work for Mr. Banks and his family.  Even as an infant, I was a movie lover, and my parents tell me that I often refused to settle unless Mary Poppins was playing.  I've watched it so many times that I burned through the tape on my VHS!  Hopefully my DVD proves more durable.  This is something I turn to when I want something easy going and lighthearted to watch, and I'll never be bored with it.  It's been my favourite with 21 years now, I don't think that will change any time soon!

As you can see, the majority of these are kids' movies, but there's a reason for that!  I often watch movies when I have some time off from my busy schedule, when I want to unwind and relax, so I much prefer easy going, easy to watch movies that give me a bit of a giggle and lift my spirits.  Now, don't get me wrong, there is a time and a place for a high-powered, suspense-filled, heartstring-tugging action/drama/thriller/horror movies (horror/gore movies are another favourite of mine.  Opposites, much?), but I've always been drawn to kids' movies.  

What are your favourite movies?  Thanks for reading!

2013;

On paper, 2012 was one of the best years of my life.  I passed my driving test, got a Distinction on my degree, turned 21, reached a thousand followers on tumblr... but the reality is that I spent most of the year wasting time and being miserable.  I was unhappy, I am unhappy, but I'm making a promise to myself to not let 2013 pass the same way. 

Every year, I make dozens of resolutions and, although I make them with the best intentions, they're all outlandish, ultimately unreachable and my failure to fulfil any of them leaves me disenchanted.  Every year, the same routine.  But not this year!  I am going to make 2013 my bitch.

2013 resolutions goals:

(1) Eat Healthier:  This time last year, I vowed to lose a shed-load of weight, expecting it to happen quickly with minimal effort.  Go figure, it didn't work.  My health is beginning to suffer as a result of my weight, so this year, I'm going to try something different.  Instead of aiming to just lose weight and get stuck in that miserable boo-I'm-on-a-diet frame of mind, I want to just be healthier.  My insides need a make-over and hopefully, by upping my vegetable and water intake and cutting out as much junk food as possible, I'll stop feeling so ill all the time.

(2) Learn to Cook!:  As is, my culinary skills extend to buttering toast and boiling an egg.  Not very impressive.  I want to cook something from scratch at least once a week, even if it's just something simple.  I'm quite exited for this, if I'm honest!

(3) Stop Dragging my Heels:  A strange one, I'll admit, but I was given knees for a reason.  Plus, the heels of my shoes are getting worn and destroyed from being scraped along the ground with every step.  Bad habit, be gone!

(4) Experiment with Colour:  Every month, I spend a fortune on eyeshadow in every colour under the sun.  What colours do I actually wear?  Beige, brown, black, and more brown.  This year, I want to get my money's worth from my make-up collection, and work on how I can integrate colours into my everyday routine.

What resolutions have you made this year, if any?  Happy 2013, and thanks for reading!

december in photos;

tracksuit, so comfy // testing a board game prototype // camwhorin' // happy birthday to me!

exam snacks // birthday cake // heh // birthday face

demon baby // pretty christmas tree // max sleeping at the tree // ipad!!

amber sleeping on my laptop // babel // non-existent queue @ mumford & sons // barrier

encore // gentleman of the road // pretty girl // beddy byes

amber wanted me to switch channels // corrie mug // amber :3 // treats for santa...

90s DANCE ANTHEMS! // tyson // christmas face // photobooth trickery

'tis the season: the christmas tag;

It's been over a week since I last posted, I'm sorry!  I am up to my eyeballs in assignments and study, which leaves very little time for blogging, but I couldn't leave December pass without making a Christmas post!  Christmas is my absolute favourite time of year, for so many reasons.  I love Christmas trees (yes, we have two), Christmas lights, Christmas food, Christmas markets, Christmas weather... and of course, Christmas presents.  So today's post will be a quick 'un, but a good 'un!  Taken from lovely miss Niina @ It Seems Pretty Obvious.


(1) What's your favourite holiday movie?
They're not 'Christmas' movies, but every year I watch Mary Poppins, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and Bedknobs and Broomsticks on repeat during the holidays.  When I was little, they were played a lot on tv around Christmas time, so they always remind me of that ~magical Christmas feeling~.

(2) What's your favourite Christmas colour?
I know it's not exactly traditional, but purple is my favourite Christmas colour.  One of our trees is decorated in gold and purple, and our Christmas dinner table is decked out in purple too.  Still festive, but it's less gaudy than dousing the house in red and green.

(3) Do you like to stay in your PJ's or dress up for Christmas?
A bit of both!  I always wear new pyjamas Christmas eve to wake up in on Christmas morning.  Then it's into my Christmas finest for visiting family and eating my dinner, and back into pyjamas for lounging around eating crisps and watching tv.

(4) If you could buy one person a present this year who would it be?
I couldn't buy a present for just one person!  I love buying presents for other people, especially when I find something they'd really love.  How could I possibly narrow it down to just one?!

(5) Do you open your gifts on Christmas eve or Christmas morning?
Roughly 5am on Christmas morning.  It's become a sort-of tradition with my sister Chloe and myself.  Up at 5am, wake the rest of the family, open presents, eat fruit pastilles, go back to bed.

(6) Have you ever built a gingerbread house?
No :( I don't think I even know anyone who has.  Does anyone build gingerbread houses in Ireland?  I'm not even sure I like gingerbread!

(7) What do you like to do on your Christmas break?
I just like to relaaaaaxxx.  The weeks leading up to Christmas are always really stressful, with exams and that, and work is always hectic, so I relish the chance to do nothing.  I like to sit and eat and watch tv and not have to worry about a thing.  Well, for a few days at least!

(8) Any Christmas wishes?
To have a few extra days off work!

(9) Favorite Christmas smell?
The smell of a real Christmas tree mmm.  My grandparents always have a real tree (we never do. boo) and it smells delish.

(10) Favorite Christmas meal or treat?
It's not a strictly 'Christmas' food, but every Christmas morning without fail, the whole family meets at my grandparents house to exchange gifts, drink tea, and eat cocktail sausages.  It's my favourite part of Christmas, so in a roundabout way, cocktail sausages and tea is my favourite meal.

(extra question) What's your favorite holiday song?
A little bit typical, but Do They Know It's Christmas? // Band Aid 1984 (note: not Band Aid 20 no no no) is my favourite Christmas song.  Too good.

I tag all of you to answer these questions!  Thanks for reading, and Merry Christmas!

november in photos;

halloween! // eddie rocket's for lunch with the girls // joe gilgun as rudy = perfect human // me @ kate's birthday

the righteous butter // announcing the creation of this blog // yummy broccoli // yummy juice

testicles in the fountain // aaron's new hookah // bubblegum flavour! // rennie = lifesaver

max is a sleepy baby // yummy cidona // finally started to tidy my room