The Christmas Tag!

Christmas has always, and most likely always will be, my favourite time of the year. The music, pretty lights/decorations, having everybody together, exchanging gifts, yummy food, and who can forget wine? This year, I'll be spending Christmas with my fiancé and some of his family, and I'm looking forward to it. We've already finished our Christmas shopping, and I wrapped it all tonight, as I was really in a festive mood. As Christmas is less than three weeks away, it's only right that I do a Christmas tag...

(source)

Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate?

I've actually never had Egg Nog, so I'll have to go with hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream and cocoa powder.

Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Does Santa ever just leave them under the tree?! Obviously he wraps them! ;)

 Coloured lights on tree/house or white?

I like both (not together) but this year, we went for ultra-bright white LEDs and I love them. I think they add a kind of 'classy' look to the tree. I still have coloured fairy lights up, just not on my tree.

Do you hang mistletoe?
Nope..never have.

When do you put your decorations up?

As I love Christmas so much, it's usually before the end of November. It just brightens the place up a lot and actually makes me really happy.

 What is your favourite holiday dish?

Holiday dish? Um, I like a big roast dinner if that answers that question, ha ha..!! Hold off on the turkey though, I'm not a big fan.

Favourite Holiday memory as a child?

I think every Christmas morning waking up with my whole family were the best memories, just being together.

When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
I was getting a bike for Christmas one year (I didn't know this) and heard noises downstairs. I went to investigate and saw my parents bringing my bike into the living room. I asked my older brother what was going on and he told me they were putting all the presents out. I didn't question it, but it was then that I knew. I was 11, so I think it was about time, ha ha..!! My parents obviously hid it well up until then.

Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? 

No, wait 'til Christmas!

 How do you decorate your Christmas tree?

The 'theme' changes every year really...this year, it's red, white, silver and ivory! Our tree doesn't need much as it has 'snowy' tips, pine-cones and berries already on!

Snow! Love it or Dread it?

Love! I'm sure I'll dread it when I'm driving, or if I have to sled down the hill to work ha ha..actually that could be fun..!! ;)

Do you remember your favourite gift?

Probably my bike! Or my Polly Pocket wedding set...I guess my engagement ring was one too ;)

What’s the most important thing about the Holidays for you?

Spending time with the ones you love.

What is your favourite Holiday Dessert?

Trifle always goes down a treat, and my mother-in-law makes a beautiful one.

What is your favourite holiday tradition?

Waking up at like 5am and begging our parents to open the living room door (it was always locked until everyone was up!) and being told to go back to bed until 5.30am or 6am. Things have changed now I'm living with my fiancé though!

What tops your tree?

 A star. We already have one angel in this house *cough* ha ha..!!

Which do you prefer giving or receiving?

Giving...it's so heart-warming seeing their faces when they open their gifts!

Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum?

I'll pass..!!

Favourite Christmas movie?

Miracle on 34th Street or Home Alone...can't choose..!!

Saddest Christmas Song?

Fairytale of New York always pulls at my heartstrings!

 What's Your Favourite Christmas Colour? 

Red and white!

Do You Like To Stay in Your PJs Or Dress Up For Christmas?

It's always nice to dress up!

If You Could Only Buy One Person a Present This Year Who Would It Be?

My mam, definitely. She's been to hell and back.

Have You Ever Built a Ginger Bread House?

Nope!

What Do You Like To Do On Your Christmas Break?

Eat, relax, eat, enjoy spending time with loved ones, eat, drink wine, eat.

  

Any Christmas Wishes?

Wishing I was spending it with my own family, but I'm working Christmas Eve..it's just not practical. I just hope they have a lovely Christmas, and that my brother, sis-in-law and niece enjoy their first Christmas in Canada.

Favourite Christmas Smell?

Anything EXCEPT cinnamon...Yankee Candle's Snowflake Cookie and Snow in Love are both gorgeous.
  

Favourite Christmas Treat?

 Cadbury's Roses!

* * *

I tag you if you're still reading this! ;)

Currently #9

reading: My Side Of Life by Shane Filan (still..slacking on life really..!!)
writing: a letter

listening to: Take Me To Church by Hozier

thinking: about sleep

smelling: my 'Midnight Jasmine' Yankee Candle

wishing: I was rich ha ha..!!

hoping: that Christmas is enjoyable

wearing: grey sweatpants and a cat pyjama top

wanting: to see someone...

needing to: go to sleep. It's not even 10.30pm but I'm exhausted..!!

feeling: happy that I have tomorrow off work..not leaving the house..!!
clicking:laptop keys! ;)

Currently #8

reading: My Side Of Life by Shane Filan...loving it..!!
writing: this...

listening to: Thinking Out Loud, by Ed Sheeran...possible wedding song..!!

thinking: about a good memory..!!

smelling: Yankee Candle 'Angels Wings'

wishing: I wasn't working tomorrow

hoping: for a good day tomorrow

wearing: my fiancé's tracksuit bottoms and a black string top..ha ha

wanting: to see someone...

needing to: take my makeup off..such a chore..!!

feeling: tired, but good...
clicking: the laptop keys! ;)

Home | Updated Home Decor

So I'm a little bit obsessed with decor...mainly that with a 'shabby chic' or floral look to it. I just love cute things, so can't resist picking up little bits when I see them. It's not my fault that THEY catch MY eye, right? I smile every time I walk into the living room, so that justifies it..i think.

A lot of what you're about to see has featured on my blog before, but I've picked up some more things over time. I love changing around the little bits in my living room, but I'm in love with it now..and I know, I say that every time, ha ha..!!

* * * * *

I'm not sure if I've featured this big wooden board on my blog yet, but it's from Dunnes Stores and I love it so much..the heart hanging is from the local pharmacy again and is something I will use all year round..this is why I prefer to buy 'Christmas' decorations that can be used for more than a few weeks of the year..!!

I'm not entirely happy with this shelf, but I'm getting there ;) I just love how the Sky modem and phone set off the look, ha ha..!!

My mantelpiece, probably my favourite part of the living room. I watch this more than I do the tv ha ha.. and I know the calendar says November 3rd, but hey I'm a lazy ass, so sue me ;)

Probably the cutest fake flowers I've ever seen...I got them in a local home interior shop for half price at €4.50..I mean, €9 would have been a lot to pay for them but how cute..?? I have cute ideas for these for my wedding, ha ha..

I picked up this little wooden pantry from another charity shop for €4 and obviously I wasn't going to leave it on the shelf, ha ha..!! I had no idea what I wanted to do with it, but the idea to fill it with spare tealights hit me when I got home...perfect ;)

Unsurprisingly, this is a Christmas decoration I bought from a local pharmacy, but it's the kind of thing I would use all year round, so I guess you could say it's a little investment, ha ha..!!

This metal 'Live With No Regrets' plaque was actually from a charity shop and my mom bought it for me..she knows me too well ;)

This decoration is from the local pharmacy too, how cute..?? Another one I'll use all year round.

I currently have nowhere to hang my name picture, so this will do for now ha ha..the lantern was a gift from my fiancé for my birthday and I love it so much. What I don't love is the nasty green candle that I currently have in it; it's just awful..it doesn't go with anything but it was the only one the shop had when I was desperate for a candle. I thought I could work with it, but apparently not, ha ha..the wax at the sides just burnt down to the ridiculousness that it is now, so no light comes out of the candle when I light it for that reason..I'll be chucking it out when my red one comes out for Christmas though..!! The stool is a small wooden one I've had since I was little, so I painted it white when I picked it up from my mom's house a few months ago..it's so cute! The hanging heart is from a home interior store...

My mom bought me this from a discount store for €6 (I know..!!) and I've yet to find a picture for it..i would like one of me, my fiancé and our 3 cats all in one picture but pigs will fly before that picture ever happens, ha ha..!!

This is obviously a Christmas wreath which 'll probably use all year round from Lidl of all places, ha ha..

* * *  

That's it..so far..!! I'm sure I'll have another post up in a few weeks, and I'll definitely get one up for Christmas with pictures of how I've decorated the place..we're going for a red and white (and maybe silver) theme this year. I say that every year but I'll hopefully stick to it this year..!! 

How To | Make The Perfect Omelette

It's no secret that I love eggs - fried, scrambled, poached, boiled, chocolate, fertilised...you name it, I probably love it. French toast, omelettes, scrambled eggs...yum!

I try to have a omelette for dinner at least once a week, and over time, I think I've come to make the perfect omelette...even my fiancé agrees (or maybe he's just biased, ha ha..!!) This recipe is great for making an omelette, so I thought I would share how I do mine...please be warned that my pictures explain more than my method, ha ha..!! When making my omelette, I always make sure to use eggs with the Bord Bia quality mark (Ireland), the equivalent to British Lion Eggs. These are any eggs which have been stamped to tell you that your eggs have been produced to the highest standards of food safety, which is pretty much the same as the Bord Bia quality mark. What's not to love?

Ingredients:
- Eggs (2 or more, entirely up to you - I usually use 3)
- A dash of milk
- Any veg or salad you want really!
- Salt and pepper

Sometimes, I use cherry tomatoes, cheese, scallions and ham, but I had none in the house..roll on shopping day tomorrow..ha ha..!!

Preparation:
Chop whatever veg you want in your omelette, if any.
Heat the frying pan over a high heat with a dash of oil. I use olive oil.
Optional - put the grill on..!! (I say 'optional' because I don't flip my omelettes like some people.)
After two minutes of cooking, I pop it under the grill and let the top cook. It's perfect..!!

Method:
1. Break the eggs into a jug.
2. Add milk, veg/salad (if you're using any) season, and beat
3. Pour the mixture into the pan. You can also sprinkle on cheese if you'd like.
4. Cook over a medium to high heat for 2 mins.
5. If you are using the grill, pop the frying pan under the grill now...handle facing out, and not near the heat, obviously ;)
6. Keep an eye on the grill, but cooking under the grill should take around 2-3 minutess.
7. Remove from the grill.

Then simply fold  the omelette in half carefully with a spatula, and enjoy. I love mine on fresh bread, can't beat it ;)

Enjoy..and you're welcome ;)

Acts I Want To See Live

One of the things I dislike about living in Ireland is that nearly every event I want to go to, takes place in the UK. I've seen adverts for so many artists and acts that I really want to see, but 99% of the time, they never seem to play here in Ireland *shakes fist*

I've compiled a list of artists and acts I want to see at The O2 in the UK, because a girl can dream, right..?? ;) now to win the lottery, or move to the UK...of course moving sounds more likely at this stage, ha ha..!!

OneRepublic - seriously one of my favourite bands, recommended to me by my brother! You can buy OneRepublic tickets here :)

Il Divo - I can only imagine myself crying seeing these guys live, I've loved them since I met my fiancé when he sang one of their songs to me (The Man You Love, fyi!) Il Divo tickets here..!!

Bryan Adams - Summer of '69, anyone? One of my favourite songs by one of my favourite artists. Tickets available here :)

Boyz II Men - being one of my mum's favourites to listen to, Boyz II Men's music rubbed off on me. Love! Boyz II Men tickets here ;)

Ennio Morricone - I love love love Ennio's compositions, and grew up listening to my dad playing a lot of them. This composition from Once Upon A Time In The West gives me goosebumps and brings tears to my eyes...tickets for this amazing composer here!

Basement Jaxx - I've actually only started getting into these guys lately, but already they seem to be turning into a firm favourite for me. Get your Basement Jaxx tickets here ;)

Michael Bublé - A sexy Canadian with a voice that has the power to melt you? Yes please..!! Michael Bublé tickets are available here..!!

Lionel Richie - Hello. Is it me you're looking for? Why, yes it is you, Lionel Richie. I could listen to him All Night Long ;) tickets here!

The Script - these guys make me proud to be Irish...and Danny can sing to me any day ;) tickets to see The Script here..!!

Michael McIntyre - one of the three comedians that can make me laugh until my stomach hurts (along with Lee Evans and Jimmy Carr!) tickets for Michael McIntyre here ;)

* * *

Do any of these acts take your fancy? Which ones?

A-Z of things I like!

I was challenged on Facebook this morning to write 10 things I like beginning with a certain letter. It gave me the idea for this blogpost. The title says it all really; this is the A-Z of things I like...

A - Adam Levine..that is all.
B - BMWs
C - cats/christmas/coffee/candles/candy crush..to name a few, ha ha..!!
D - dishwashers...mine is a godsend, I absolutely hate washing dishes
E - eating obviously
F - food..aside from the obvious family, fiancé and friends.
G - Galway - where I grew up, and where most of my family still live
H - hot chocolate on a cold wintry night
I - internet...need i say more..??
J - jewellery
K - Kodaline
L - lie-ins
M - men in suits...my oh my
N - naps
O - orange juice
P - pasta
Q - Queen Of My Heart, by Westlife. One of my all-time favourite songs..!!
R - roaring fires (we have one going right now!)
S - sex..did i just go there on my blog? Oops!
T - tea
U - umm..i don't know (does that count?)
V - Valerie, my amazing mum!
W - work
X - xxxx - kisses ;)
Y - Yankee Candles...perfect
Z - Zzzzz, sleeping

I'm thinking there's a post coming soon of A-Z of things I dislike ;)

To the person reading this - I tag you!

Another Questionnaire? Why not!

Okay, so dinner has been eaten, fiancé is quiet on the PS3, candles are lit, the fire is blazing and i have coffee beside me..and I really felt like doing a questionnaire, is that weird? ha ha..!! What better way to spend my Thursday night? ;)

What does the last text you sent say? And to whom?
- 'ha ha just saw you too, quit stalkin me ha ha' to my boss...
What does the last text you received say? And from whom?
- 'good stuff...saw you walking round like a lost puppy ha ha!!' from my boss.
What time do you wake up most mornings?
- 7.15am..even around that time on my days off, which is annoying..!!
Are you afraid of walking alone at night?
- Not 'afraid', just much more aware of my surroundings.
What do you do to relax at the end of a stressful day?
- vegetate on the sofa, usually listening to music/reading or 'relaxing' playing Candy Crush..which in turn just ends up frustrating me. 
Where did your last kiss take place and with whom?
- earlier, and with my fiancé
Do/did you get into trouble a lot at school?
- goody two shoes over here..ha ha..!! But no, I was a good student.
Do you enjoy your job? If unemployed, are you content being so?
- I love it! I work in retail for those of you who don't know.
Do you often pick up on double entendres and innuendos?
- I make them 99% of the time.
Have you ever been offered drugs but declined?
- Yep
Have you ever met someone who has completely altered your way of thinking?
- Mmmhmm.
Have you ever been offered drugs and accepted?
- nope
Tell us something weird that turns you on.
- Nicely defined calves and strong thighs..is that even weird..??
When did someone last admit romantic or sexual feelings for you? Was the feeling mutual?
- let me get my list out...ha ha..!!
What is something you have given a lot of thought to lately?
- where I stand with some stuff.
When did you last swallow your beliefs to avoid an argument or confrontation?
- I do it often enough to avoid silly little arguments, even though I know I'm right.. ;) that's all that matters, right..??
Do you usually initiate hugs?
- Usually, yeah.
Are you a very affectionate person?
- I am.
Can you roll your own cigarettes?
- Yup, even though I don't smoke, ha ha..!!
What are you looking forward to?
- something in the very near future!
Do you have any tattoos. Do you want any/more?
- I have four, and I do want more!
Are you mentally strong?
- I think so, yes.
Are you physically strong?
- Not really, but I do carry big boxes in work...plus they're almost as big as me, ha ha..!!
Do you think you’re a good person?
- i like to think so.
Name one thing you wish you could change about your life right now.
- I wish I lived closer to family.
What do you usually eat for breakfast?
- I'm normally bad and skip breakfast *slaps wrist*, but when I do have breakfast, it'll be toast and coffee, Ready Brek or a banana and coffee..what a health-fest!

Retail Problems

Don't get me wrong, I love my job so much so far. I work in a discount shop (or store for all you Americans) and meet so many lovely people everyday...as well as some very creepy men. I've been working there for over 7 months now (holy crap, time is flying) and I'm happy to say I still love it as much as day one, if not more..!! I think it's safe to say I've had my fair share of stupid questions or things that make me go 'hmm...' ha ha..!!

* * *

- When a customer asks you to help them find something that is RIGHT in front of them. Okay let me just help you find what is right in front of you.

- When parents treat the shop like a daycare. No, we will not look after your children while you shop.

- When people simply cannot control their awfully-behaved children.

- "You can save me the hassle of looking but where is..." or else I could just get on with what I was doing and you could open your eyes just a liiiittle bit more. The shop is tiny.

- Those customers who come in at like 5.58pm. I wouldn't mind if you were buying something worthwhile, but if you take your sweet ass time walking around browsing EVERYTHING, chances are, I'll begin to hate you..especially if you don't buy anything. I've never got out of work at 6pm.

- When a customer asks you to check 'out the back' for something in another colour, etc. We don't have a 'back' and I know what we sell.

- "Can I pay for this €1 item by credit/debit card?" Um, what do you think? NO.

- When customers OPEN stuff. Just no!!

- Please, I just love finding scented candles in the pet section. Or pregnancy tests in the party section. Rock on. It takes like two seconds to put it back.

- "Is it okay if I cut open this package which means the item will not be fit for sale, so I can look at it?" You're kidding, right?

- "Are you busy, can you help me?" I think the queue of people waiting to be served answers that. And don't you dare stamp your foot at me when it's your turn to be served.

- I love it when you come up to the counter with all your stuff, then decide you don't want half of it. Sure, I'd love to put it back. It's not like I have anything else to do, right?

- When a customer starts with 'this is a stupid question...' it is most likely VERY stupid. You have been warned.

- "Do you work here?" Mmm no, I'm just wearing my workplace's fleece (with our logo) because why the fuck not.

- Those customers who ask for a deal when they buy some stuff. Uh no.

- Greeting a customer and they ignore you. That's cool, I was just trying to be nice and start conversation, but whatever.

- When a customer asks to use the bathroom, which has a big 'STAFF ONLY' sign on the door. Can you not.

- When a customer asks if you have a certain item...

Me: Not on the shelf, sorry, but I know there's some in the huge order that has literally just landed. If you come back tomorrow evening, it will most likely be on the shelf then.

Customer: can't you just find it in the order for me now?

UM NO. 

- buying a pair of reading glasses

Me: that's €4.50, please.

Customer: but it says 4.00.

Me: that's the strength.

Customer: so they don't cost €4.00?

Me: No. And the sign on the glasses stand says "All reading glasses €4.50."

Customer: I don't want them.

* * *

I mean, I probably get all of these 'problems' at least twice a week..and despite it all, I still LOVE my job so much more than I thought I could ever love working in retail. A few people have told me I'll regret saying that as Christmas is coming, but we'll see..!! My days are brightened up a lot by the regular customers that come into the shop..some of them just to see me, if you would!

Top Ten Tuesday | Music

I'm one of those people who replays the crap out of a song. When I hear one I love, I'll listen to it on repeat...doesn't take long until I know every word to the song (seriously, why wasn't my brain this good in school..??). I've got more than one favourite song at the moment, which is a first for me ;) my top ten here are in no particular order as I just can't pick! Also, I've decided to go a little further (ooh) and add my favourite lyric from each track...no explanations though, as some are very personal to me.

Kodaline - All I Want

You brought out the best of me, a part of me I've never seen.

You took my soul and wiped it clean, our love was made for movie screens.

❤

Bell X1 - The End Is Nigh

Whose arms would I seek? Whose eyes would I meet in the final throes?

And say it was good to be human, to be a human with you here.

❤

Walking On Cars - Hand In Hand

Strangers connect tonight, but we don't know why,

and we don't know how, but we can fall into each other now.

❤

Kodaline - Way Back When

Time can move so fast, some things aren't made to last.

❤

John Legend - All Of Me

You're my downfall, you're my muse, my worst distraction, my rhythm and blues.

❤

Walking On Cars - Catch Me If You Can

Take me by hand, but please don't want to know me, 'cause I'm a little bit scared of life.

❤

Sam Smith - I'm Not The Only One

I have loved you for many years; maybe I am just not enough.

❤

Owl City - Fireflies

I'd like to make myself believe that planet Earth turns slowly.

❤

George Ezra - Budapest

But for you, I'd leave it all.

❤

Coldplay - Magic

With all your magic, I disappear from view.

❤ ❤ ❤

These are the songs on my most recently played playlist, and the ones I listen to the most.

What are your picks? Any of the ones I've chosen?

Things Men Do That Piss Women Off

If you live/have ever lived with a man, you will have most likely experienced at least one of these. After almost 8 years of living with mine, I can happily say he's getting a little bit better when it comes to some of these...which I'm so grateful for (there is a god!). This is just some light-hearted fun, so please don't take any of it to heart.

Okay, maybe some women do these things too, but for me, it's just my man.

1. Leaving the toilet seat up! It takes, what, a nanosecond to put the seat down? Do it, you'll be surprised at how easy it is.

2. On the subject of bathrooms, I have to throw in the fact that leaving the EMPTY toilet roll tube on the floor RIGHT BESIDE THE BIN just isn't acceptable. Seriously, it's like two inches away, stretch that little bit more, you can do it!

3. Right, so you've just made cornflakes/toast/whatever. I love the trail you leave behind you to make sure I know you've fed yourself. Well done! Random cornflakes, crumbs, butter (or worse, sticky honey or jam!), sugar and drops of milk left on the lovely clean counter are just what I love to see when I walk into my clean kitchen.

4. Hogging the TV remote. I think all men do this, but mine should win an award for his hogging skills. When I mention the fact that we appear to be watching the 500th football match of the week and ask if there's anything good on, I'm met with the lovely "well what do YOU want to watch?" question. No, I don't want the remote control, that is beside the point. I want us to watch something GOOD, not football. NOTE: As I'm typing this, our satellite signal is gone so himself is having to resort to streaming football matches on the laptop. Talk about moody. Sorry for your loss, babe.

5. On the topic of television, when you finally get to watch a show you like, you have a beautiful running commentary from your man. Oh please, keep going. Please tell me how much you dislike Denny from Eastenders and how almost every X-Factor contestant is annoying and can't sing for shit. Just kidding, shut up and let me watch my show in peace.

6. Stepping out of dirty clothes and leaving them in the middle of the floor. We have a laundry basket upstairs and a washing machine downstairs. Need I say more?

7. Putting the milk carton back in the fridge with a DROP of milk. Then I go to make cereal, see the milk carton in the fridge and think 'yay, we have milk'. Only when I pour the cereal into my bowl, I realise we only have a drop of milk and then I sit and wonder why bad things happen to good people.

8. When the PS3 comes becomes bae. Like hello, I'm your fiancée, remember me? We got together 8 years ago, nice to see you again.

9. You know I've emptied the dishwasher. Hell, you probably even watched me. Why bring in your dirty dishes and put them up on the counter/in the sink? I mean seriously. The empty dishwasher is begging for your dirty dishes. Give it what it wants, please, and give me a break.

10. Telling me to calm down when I'm fine makes me NOT fine. It just PUTS me in a bad mood.

11. Getting ready to go out

When he puts on aftershave -

Me: mmmm, you smell divine.

When I put on perfume -

Him: omg babe what the fuck is that, how much did you spray, I'm choking.

12. Hogging the duvet. I mean, we probably all do this, but when you wake up at 4am freezing your boobs off, the last thing you want to do is reach for the duvet to find your man has pretty much turned himself into a burrito.

13. Rearranging their nuts in front of you...please don't make me vomit.

14. Putting something away, then suddenly, you're the last person who touched it because they can't find it. Let me just have a better look at where you say you left it. OH LOOK, there it is. Right where you left it.

As I said, this is all just some light-hearted fun and has actually made me feel a bit better. I'm sure there are things I do that annoy the crap out of my fiancé, and if he wants to blog about it, by all means, go ahead ;)

Currently #7

reading: Perfect Match by Jodi Picoult
writing: this post!

listening to: All I Want, by Kodaline

thinking: ...for my mind only, ha ha..!!

smelling: 'Honey Blossom' Yankee Candle 

wishing: for a good sleep tonight!

hoping: that Sasha (our cat) is okay.

wearing: pjs and a black vest

wanting: to see someone.

needing to: take my makeup off and go to bed

feeling: like I'm missing something
clicking: the laptop keys! ;)