My Big Sister Turns 30!

Hello Everyone

Today is my big sisters big birthday!

As it's only 3 days after mine it's really nice to have a nice family weekend together celebrating!

30 years ago she arrived into the world and all I can say is I'm one of the luckiest little sisters ever. I've been through alot of crap in my life and she has been one of the constants in my life. She has pushed me to be the better person I am today.

Although it sucks that she lives in Ireland I understand she moved there with her husband for a better life, this means we have to work harder to keep our relationship strong and after nearly 3 years I feel like we're stronger than ever.

Now she is 30, a wife and an amazing mother to my little mouse and I couldn't be prouder.

Now don't get me wrong we still can have huge fights even with the Irish sea between us but no matter what we know that we've not had it easy and need to be a strong family unit Anyway onto the good stuff!

I am so happy she decided to come over to England to celebrate it with us, but there in lies an issue.....What do I get her that will fit in a suitcase back to Ireland?!?!?!

So here is what I got her

Disney DVD's

A brilliant gift idea as she is now a mummy and also like me she is a Disney fan but never is a buyer of DVD's when they come out, unlike my fellow obsessive Daniel (One of my best friends) who get them on the day of release. I got the DVD's from Amazon

Frozen - Brilliant as it's about sisters and the main character is called Anna!

Dumbo - One of my favourites and never fails to make me cry

Cinderella - Classic and must have for all Disney lovers

Hunger Games Catching Fire DVD 

My sister loved the books and the first film so told her not to get this when it came out as I would be getting it for her.

Cath Kidston Mushroom Mug 

We love Cath Kidston designs and home ware and as I made her daughter look like a mushroom a couple of months ago I thought it appropriate

Mini Bin

You may ask why get her a bin???? Well the answer is clear once I tell you why. My sister has exceptional eye liner on a daily basis and achieves this by using cotton buds, but they go EVERYWHERE and she especially likes using mugs after her morning cup of tea and I'm sure her hubby finds it gross too so I got her a bin to dispose of them in a nicer manner. I found this in Wilkinson's for £5 BARGAIN!

My Little Pony PJ bottoms. She's an 80's baby and loved it when she was little so when I spotted these in Primark they went straight into my basket

Finally some H&M vouchers so she can splurge and get whatever she wants!

So here's to many more happy years Anna and I love you lots

Mybs xxx

Happy Birthday to Me!

Hi Everyone!

Yesterday on the 1st May I turned 24! Now, as it being on a Thursday this year and me not making such a huge thing of birthdays means I went to work. But as it's the beginning of May I always know I have a 3 day weekend on the week of which is very nice!

The best thing is that my big sister flew over from Ireland with all the dudes including my little niece Amara! I haven't seen them since the beginning of February so it's great seeing how much she has grown up. I love when Anna is over as we have such a tiny family and no one else lives in England so it feels like a reunion......all be it a small one.

The other reason she flew over is that she turns 30 just 3 days after my birthday so decided to celebrate it here with all her English friends. It should be a very swanky affair as I've already been told I have to dress really nicely. Already got my outfit sorted and I think it fits the brief

Now what did I get? In my family we have a rule when it comes to gifts, if you don't ask you don't get. It takes out the "surprise" element but even better it avoid the awkward "I don't like it" situation. Some surprise things are sprinkled in but overall I was really happy and spoilt by my loved ones. Now I'll try and give as many links possible, but some things I genuinely don't know where they got them and it would be rude to ask.

So lets get to it!

I got this little beauty about 3 weeks before my birthday as my mum wanted to make sure it fit. I had seen this blazer back in January and no matter what else I would see in the shops I would always think "I can't get over that blazer" so my mum took the initiative and got it for me :-) It's from New Look and cost £25. It comes in a couple of other colours too!

Toby got me this watch I saw on ASOS and I love it. It'll go with so much.

I got these uber comfy Trackies from Hollister

This cute straw trilby with a white lace trim from Oasis. Prefect for my holiday coming up

A Lush gift box and a white woven clutch from Accessorize.

My sister got me a couple of bits for my "future house" A Welly shaped chalk board, rabbit ear salad tossers, mini gnomes and a gift voucher for a local beauty salon called Dolly goes Dancing

My little niece got me this cute cupcake mirror with a personalised pouch from Snapdragon

This is really sad but I spotted these mint green scales in Wilkos and told my mum to get it for me :P

I love the Philippa Gregory books so my mum got me the king-makers daughter and the white princess. My sister got me the my little pony canvas bag from Primark and my good friend got me House of Fraser vouchers. Can't wait to use them!

I watched to kill a mockingbird on TV and really enjoyed it so my mum got me the DVD and the book

There is something else to come from Toby...... he said he couldn't find it before my birthday so I'm very intrigued to find out what it is.

So to keep it all low key I just wanted a meal out to a local restaurant called the Derby Arms which does AMAZING food. I opted for the fish and chips. As you can see it was rather impressive

And a couple of family photos :D

Me and Toby

Mum, Sister and Bro in Law Breffni

Anna, Toby, Amara and me. I couldn't stop giggling as she was yanking my sisters hair!

Anna and Me

Well I hope you all enjoyed seeing what I got for my birthday. I know I am very lucky to have received all these and thanks all of my loved ones for them.

Mybs xxx

Spring Shopping!

Hi Everyone

I've been naughty and gone shopping for spring. Now during this time of year I am pretty broke due to my cars MOT, Insurance and tax all being due and having to fix a broken alloy (BLOODY POTHOLES!) so shopping is a real no no for me. But I just couldn't help myself.

As spring has sprung quite fiercely I found myself lacking some bits and bobs I require for the change in temperature.

So here's what I got

Primark

I seem to either win or lose with Primark and today was a bit of a mixed bag.....

White vest top - Essential but a size too big as I couldn't find my size anywhere! I'll definitely have to keep a look out for my size next time and buy 5 as for £2.50 they're a bargain!

Black and white print trouser - Now with bottoms I keep it pretty safe with leggings or jeans but decided to go outside my comfort zone and try these and I'm very happy for £9!

Yellow cropped top - Now I love this kind of top for a mooch about the house day. I'm a sucker for yellow and thought the message of "Be Happy and Smile" very fitting as I was feeling like a bit of a miserable cow that day.... So £5 down the line I will have a reminder not to be such a downer!

Oasis

I almost walked past Oasis, but I'm so glad I went in! Oasis clothing seems to fit me really well and for a more "busty" lady like me it is a GOD SEND! 

I bought this coral and beige striped dress for a wedding in July and I think this is pure perfection for a summer wedding for just £45.

Needs a bit of an iron!

Superdrug

I was needing some spring coral blusher so wandered in. Now this was a new one for me. I spotted tonnes of girls hovering around a shelf and it got me really intrigued. Once the gaggle had dispersed I found my opportunity to have a look too and I am so happy I discovered what I did. It's a new lip gloss and nail collection by a Youtuber and blogger called Tanya Burr. 

Tanya Burr Nail varnish in Peaches and Cream - I'm usually a 3 coat to perfect nail girl but with this one I only needed 2! My mum was so impressed that I even
did hers too.

Tanya Burr Lip gloss in Afternoon Tea and Picnic in the Park - Very nice colours, smelt delicious and long lasting stay

Revlon Blusher in Coral - Perfect for spring makeup!

New Look

I saw this gorgeous Mint Green Dress in New Look but they didn't have my size so decided to order it online. The colour is very on trend for the spring and will look lovely paired with a black blazer.

I found this Gold Hammered Cuff. It's really flattering to small wrists and doesn't look too chunky.

Finally I got this Nude/Pink Clutch as I don't have one and it will go with so many outfits and at the reasonable price of £8.99.

Boohoo

I love a bit of a boohoo browse. As I've booked my summer holiday I thought this Black Kimono would be perfect for around the pool or with a colourful vest top and shorts.

Jaskye Jewels

I came across this facebook page by chance after a friend of mine added her. I'm so glad I was nosey that Sunday morning as I found so many beautiful statement piece jewellery for a really good price. Plus being a local small business near myself it makes it all the more special. I decided to purchase the Yellow Rosie Necklace and I'm so happy with it. It's just perfect to spice up a dull outfit so go check out the facebook page using this link and have a good nose around like I did. I already have my eye on something else so can't wait for my next purchase!

So I hope you enjoyed this blog post and got a couple of spring outfit ideas.

Mybs xxx

I'm Doing Race for Life!

Hi Everyone

This year I'm doing race for life in my local area over Epsom Downs. I did it last year with a load of work colleagues but this year I wanted to do it by myself.

My back sign and medal from 2013

Race for life is a fantastic event where you don't have to be uber fit and run the whole route you can walk it quite happily with others and this year I'm hoping to do a bit more jogging than I did last year.

It's run at the end of June during the boiling hot summer so I learnt my lesson last year as to what I need to bring/do

•  Make sure to wear something pink. I rocked up wearing a white top last year oblivious to the fact that pink is the general theme for it and was the odd one out. So this year on the race for life website I purchased this top that I will be rocking on the day!

• Plenty of suncream. I will be just coming back from holiday so should have a good base tan to prevent burning but as it's run during he hot midday sun you have to smother yourself in the stuff as burn marks is not attractive!

• WATER! So many young girls were fainting from the heat and a common theme was them not having a bottle of water to hand. Keep hydrated!

• A light and nutritious breakfast. I'm going to stick to some Marmite toast

• Get involved. There are warm up dances and chants and being shy or embarrassed is just unnecessary. Everyone is there for a good cause and won't be judging so have fun!

• Set up a just giving page. People feel more comfortable donating online knowing that you won't be pocketing the cash (unfortunately some people do) Also personalise the page with a picture of yourself and loved ones so people feel more inclined to donate as it's you doing!

If you wish to donate please click on this LINK and donate whatever you fancy

If you're doing it this year good luck and to all others why not think about giving it ago next year? 

I'll show pictures of the day when it comes around but until then

MYBS xxx

Becoming a Better Me

Hello everyone!

Well I've had some moments the past couple of months which have made me realise I'm not happy with myself as most people do in life. I'm usually the type of just get on with it and hope that surely the happiness will come, but alas it does not. 

Toby (the BF) keeps telling me if your unhappy about these things why don't you just do something about it as he understandably is getting sick and tired of me moaning on a daily basis about this that and the other.

So what are the issues and how am I to resolve them? Well I shall do a list below and explain how I'm now tackling them.

1. I Think I'm Fat

Now I know a majority of people feel like this so it's nothing new, but I'm not particularly "fat". I just need to tone. I'm hoping to go on a holiday and flounce about in a bikini and Toby's Sisters wedding is coming up this summer so I want to look my best but I always just hope it will miraculously happen. Let me tell you....it doesn't. So my solution is as follows.

• I purchased a pedometer (around £3 off ebay) and make a point to monitor how much I move in a day and I was shocked when I realised that I was doing well below the advised 10,000 steps.
  
  

  

  My steps in 1 day. Walking to work, my long hour walk and walking to pilates.

• With this pedometer I make a point to walk more. I live near a racecourse so I walk up there and do a longer and out of the way route from other people therefore I can easily on this hour or so walk add 9,000 or so steps onto the pedometer.

• I've started pilates classes, and I walk to the class. Now my aunt swears by pilates and is ecstatic I've now joined the bandwagon. I've so far been to 3 classes and it takes a while to understand the muscles you need to use and get into the correct positions, (thanks to the teacher putting you there) but in this last session I felt it alot more in my core but I have a while to go. All you need is a tight clothing so they can see your body position and a yoga mat/towel. I purchased my  yoga mat from Sports Direct  for £6.99 and purposely chose the pink one! It's lightweight and easy to travel with as well.

  

  Yoga Mat

• POLE DANCING! I'm still going and will be having my 1 year anniversary of pole in June. It's amazing how my upper body strength has built from my first class where it hurt to move my arms for a whole week after the first lesson, to me flying upside down and holding on with no hands. I am with a company called The Pole Studio who have amazing teachers and have loads of bases dotted all over Surrey. It was scary going to the first class on my own but you build up such great friendship with the other girls (No men in my class although men can join in too) through a joint hobby and helping each other out. I'd definitely recommend it. Just be prepared for the bruising, the calluses that develop on your hands which in turn make it less painful and the rare skin rip which happened to me in my last class. OUCH!

• Sit ups at home......need I say more. They're boring and sometimes make me feel sick (obviously doing it wrong) but it does work.

• Drink lots of water. I purchased a Bobble Bottle from Argos for £14.99 which has a built in filter so I can fill up with tap water rather than purchasing copious amounts of bottled water. I got 2 extra filters for the price too! I just fill up my bottle and keep it with me throughout the day and it reminds me to drink water all the time.

• Keep an eye on my diet but no real change there. As long as I move more than I did before I should still see results but not as "dramatic" if I were to adjust my diet. 

2. I Hate my Job

I'm a credit controller, which is in a way a debt collector. I chase people who haven't paid bills and send them off to court if they don't. It's not really good for my chi/karma but I fell into the job after being made redundant in my first job and I turned out to be quite good at it. It just sucks being good at something you don't enjoy. Now hates a strong word to use. I don't hate the company I work for as they're really sweet and have given me great opportunities but they have openly said to me "there is no progression here, use us to learn and move on to somewhere better". I value their honesty and as it is such a small finance department with people who have been there for over 10 years and wouldn't shift from this cushy job I have realised I could never make a career out of here so have to think about my next move. So what am I to do

• I spoke to a friend in recruitment and she gave me some fantastic advise as I don't want to be in the finance world as it's just crippling my personality. I need to go into a job agency and discuss it with them. As all my background is finance based, if I were to upload my CV online all I'd get is calls for other finance jobs.

• Figure out what I want to do. Now I thought that an estate agent would be perfect for me. I'd like to have a customer facing job, and as with all estate agents alot of it is commission based and I love a target and a challenge! Another my mum suggested was to be a trainer. In what? I'm not quite sure but I do have alot of confidence to speak in front of others. So that's what I shall do. I will go into my local Reed job agency and get the ball rolling.

• I have updated my CV. I advise anyone who is even happy in their job to add any new skill you develop in your job onto your CV, there is nothing more daunting than sitting down to update it all at once and thinking......."what do I actually do?" Also just a tip from my mum who used to work in HR. Keep it to 2 pages!No one wants to read an essay on your life when they have 30 others to go through. If your first job slips onto a third page reduce the information to the bare minimum and what is only essential. 

3. I Have a Glass Half Empty Attitude

After some shitty times in my life where I was badly bullied, a school drop out and losing my dad doesn't give you the most positive of attitudes. But this attitude has brought me into depression many times and I'm happy to say I've not been on anti-depressants for over a year now and am determined to stay off them! So what to do with this?

• Now the first 2 points will play a great deal in this so I have to persevere with my plans of action with them

• Treat myself every now and then. I'm terrible at spending money on myself as I'm trying to save up for a house deposit but every now and then you have to do it. I've got 2 things I need too treat myself to which I'm aiming to sort by the end of the week. Book a summer holiday with Toby and treat myself to a facial. They might seem trivial treats but trust me, this is a real first for me.

• Talk about my feelings. I'm terrible for bottling up everything so I don't hurt someone else but it never works out right. I usually end up feeling even more miserable and then it will just explode one day into something 100 times worse than if I were to say it in the first place.

• Accept the love and compliments the people you trust most. I'm always a funny one when it comes to compliments as I have this weird thought in the back of my head that they'll turn around and slag off whatever I was complimented on. (eg. Mean Girls when Regina George compliments a girl on her skirt then once her back is turned saying it's the ugliest thing she has ever seen) I think this is due to the days of bullying I had. 
  

I'm hoping that with these 3 points being addressed I will see my mood and view on life improve which everyone has a right to have.

I think the answer to true happiness is being proactive and putting in the effort needed to improve yourself. At 23 it's probably quite a late realisation but as long I have realised it happiness will surely follow.

I hope all of you are happy and if not take the steps no matter how hard to make it so.

Mybs xxx