Silver Nails Essence Colour and Go

I'm really into trying new nail colours at the moment, it's such a cheap way to add a spin to your outfit. This silver Essence colour & go polish is a current favorite of mine just because I love the look of metallic nails. This essence polish is cheap, it's fast drying and this silver version is something a little different to add to your manicure routine. Essence is a nicely priced brand for testing out colours, I wouldn't be comfortable spending €10 or more on a polish I wasn't sure I would like on. Neon nails will definitely be my next manicure adventure. What neon polish has anyone tried or would recommend at the moment??

xox

Jewel Eyes and Ombre Lips

I have become a serious fan of anything sparkly lately, so I was very happy to model for my sisters beauty exam. The theme was disco meets high fashion makeup, it combined a jewel eye with ombre lips. I loved the finished look with the matching jeweled top and hair. I'm so proud of my sister, she is incredibly talented. I would definitely try a more subtle version of this look for a big night out, makeup false lashes with a few gems along the eyelash line or a sprinkle of small jewels on the eyelid. The ombre lip is a really fun look, it looks good in so many color combinations. Would you try this makeup look or a more subtle version?

 xox

High Shine

Is that summer I see? No need for a jumper, or coat or scarf today, so incredible to feel the warm sun and just relax. Today is a work free day, no thinking about it, planning it or worrying about it. It's a lie in day, mikado eating day and watching episode after episode of Made In Chelsea day. I am obsessed with Made In Chelsea and Parks and Recreation at the moment, both are hilarious in such different ways. Parks and Recreation is laugh out loud, tears running down your face funny, watch it! Tomorrow, I'm off to Dublin for the day to see a friend I haven't seen in ages, so excited to find something new to do in Dublin, any suggestions?

I love wearing this outfit, it's so comfy and sparkly. Leggings and loose layered tees are my go to wardrobe stables, but throw in a few diamante and it's way more fun. I've become such a magpie lately when shopping, I bought the embellished t shirt in H&M for €9.99 I think. It's alot better quality then I expected, I've been wearing it every week since I bought it and to my surprise none of the diamonds have come loose. The statement necklace from Primark (€5) is another recent purchase, I can't believe it took me so long to get one of these. There is such a great selection of statement necklaces on the high street right now, I love how they instantly make any outfit look different, I want to invest in a selection of these for the summer to throw on with simple tops and maxi dresses. 

T shirt- H&M,

 Leggings -Present from sister

Necklace- Primark

Bag-borrowed from mum

Converse-Won in Glamour Magazine competition, signed by Katy Perry 

Snapshots of Life

Casual in Primark tees, River Island leggings, Zara boots and mums scarf.

My favorite shoes (Bershka, €19.99). 

So spiky that they are actually sore if you rub of them, they're like Dorothy's red slippers with an attitude.

My new studded clutch from Primark (€9)

Cozy cozy bed, bedding from Primark

Statement necklace from Primark (€5), another new addition to the wardrobe.

Relaxing in my snugly hoodie when its freezing outside

Another crazy busy week, working 7 days and now I'm ready for bed! Not before a quick blog post to share some quick snaps from life lately. With tornado warnings for Ireland (I kid you not) right now, it's the perfect time to eat takeaway, read the new Vogue, search Pinterest for summer outfit inspiration and watch The Perks of Beginning a Wall Flower.  Next week it's back to training for the women's mini-marathon and try out some new smoothie recipes, got alot of training to do by June!

xox

Counter Burger

One of my favorite place to go all out on comfort food at the moment is Counter Burger, 20 Suffolk Street Dublin. I can't express how much I love this place. First of all you get to design your own custom burger from the most incredibly yummy list of options and there is little boxes to tick with your picks (ticking off lists is stupidly fun). The selection of cheese alone is seriously impressive. Next the 50:50 onion rings/sweet potato fries is out of this world, the onion rings are so light and crispy unlike any onion rings I have ever eaten, get this to share because there is loads. Then the burger...AMAZING, I always get the chicken burger with a selection of toppings, I get the smallest size I think it's 1/3lb but it is so filling. Lastly, they serve Long Island Ice Teas...that's all you need to know.

So many choices...

Crowned with a fried egg

The 50:50. You need to try this simple as that.

Long Island Ice tea to wash it all down.

On to desert. We headed over to the Irish Film Institute, a really nice place if you looking for something different then your plain old movie and popcorn to impress a date with. They have a really nice restaurant, I had raspberry roulade and some tea. We went to see The Paperboys, which was really really not my kind of movie despite it starring Zac Efron and Matthew Mc Conaughey but I would still definitely recommend the IFI, it's a beautiful building with great food and a jam packed shop with loads of Irish movies on sale.

Writing this post has made me so very hungry, I'm off to nibble on some leftover Easter Egg. Happy Friday!

xox

Cocoa Atelier: Macaroons

For a relaxing bank holiday Monday, I spent the day strolling around Dublin, searching for records with my boyfriend, scoffing delicious food at Counter Burger, having tea and cake at the IFI and stumbling upon  Cocoa Atelier. Cocoa Atelier is a beautiful chocolate store on Drury Street, Dublin 2. They sell a mouth watering selection of macaroons, chocolates, truffles, hot chocolate and the prettiest Easter eggs I have ever seen. It's the kind of shop that reminds you more of a jewelers than a run of the mill sweet shop, not to mention the gorgeous packaging for your treats. The sleek black bag leaves you feeling like you bought some diamonds not a handful of macaroons. These extra touches really make the experience of treating yourself so much more special. 

  Left to right: Chocolate, strawberry, raspberry AND chocolate again!

I decided to try their macaroons as I've never tasted one before. I selected three flavors: Strawberry, Raspberry and Chocolate. I loved the texture of the macaroons, the chocolate was my favorite, luckily I had bought two of those! I would definitely recommend a trip here, it's nice to try a special little treat once in a while.

Nom Nom Nom

Taste test: verdict these are delicious!

Cocoa Atelier

30 Drury Street

Dublin 2 

facebook page

xox

50 Cheap Ways To Brighten Your Day

Life can be incredibly stressful, we worry about work, college, money, appearance, relationships... the list just goes on and on. With all this stress and worry it's so important to do things to help ourselves feel happy, relaxed and uplifted. Sure it would be amazing to have bags full of cash and time to go on endless holidays and shopping trips to pep ourselves up, but in reality it can be hard to fit in the nice things as well as all the responsibilities. So here is 50 little things you can do to brighten up your day and make life a little happier.

1. Buy some flowers: Make your space look fresh and springy with a bunch of flowers, Aldi do cheap bunches in a great selection of flowers.
2. Listen to your favorite songs: Make a Youtube playlist of your favorite tunes, turn them up loud and dance/sing along, don't worry about how you look!
3. Browse attackofthecute: HOURS of cute animals to cheer you up, works for me every time.
4. Clean sheets: Snuggle down in fresh sheets and pillows so relaxing.
5. Grow a plant: This is really rewarding and anyone can do it. I've grown lettuce, basil, peppers in the windows of my kitchen, right now I'm growing sunflowers and tomato plants.
6. Get organised: Being disorganized can be really stressful, buy a diary and embrace list making so you can keep a track of what you need to do each day so bills don't go unpaid and emails get answered.
7. Write a list of what your grateful for: This will make you realize and appreciate the great things and people you have in your life.
8. Read your favorite blogs: Get following on Bloglovin' and you'll have a collection of daily free style, food and decor inspiration. Some of my daily reads right now are: abeautifulmess llymlrs shewearsfashion
9. Bake something yummy: Bake something for yourself or as a treat for a friend, chocolate makes everything better. Try a beautiful mess' recipe for Easter Candy bars
10. Embrace thriftying: The hunt for gems and getting a bargain is so much fun, listen to Macklemore Thrift Shop to get psyched up for your bargain hunt.
11. Reread your old mags: I keep my Company and Glamour mags to flick through on a rainy day.
12. Do a random act of kindness: Every now and then do something nice for no reason, buy someone a tea, wash up for someone else, bring a cake into work. Just spread the kindness.
13. DIY: Rework an old piece of clothing, refurbish some furniture, getting something new from something old. Check out apairandasparediy for ideas.
14. Get your vitamins: Take a Berocca for an energy and vitamin boost. 
15. Ring your family: Catch up with your family and find out all the news from home.
16. Make a life list: Write down your dream achievements and destinations to get excited about your future. 
17. Watch a Comedy: Get out a classic comedy, Ferris Bueller's Day Off, anyone? And laugh your head off.
18. Eat your favorite food: Make yourself a BLT, a steak, whatever you crave. I love ham and cheese crackers with a cup of tea.
19. Save Money: Saving money daily by packing your lunch gathers money for a big treat over time.
20. Try a new workout: Mix up your exercise routine for free with workouts on Youtube popsugartvfit has loads of brilliant workouts for targeting different parts of your body, they even have Victoria Secret model workouts.
21. Do a good deed: Recycle, plant a tree, volunteer at a charity shop, donate your old clothes...
22. Clean out your wardrobe: Donate what you no longer wear or fits, make room for the pieces you love and help worthy charities.
23. Write a letter: Surprise a friend with a thoughtful letter, it will brighten up their day too.
24. Put on your favorite dress: Even if your just at home and feel like a princess.
25. Moisturize: Buy yourself a fabulous smelling body butter and feel silky soft.
26. Get photos developed: Don't forget about special memories by getting some photos developed and frame them.
27. Be a tourist in your own town: Visit the galleries and museums close to you,
28. Make yourself a special breakfast: Pancakes, waffles?
29. Watch your favorite childhood movies: Charlie and the Chocolate factory, Spice World, Toy Story...
30. Read a book: Escape with the book of your choice.
31. Buy your go to treats: Hot chocolate, cupcakes, magazines, smoothies?
32. Know your cheer up tricks: Whenever you do something that makes you feel great, write it down so next time your sick/sad/tired you know what to do to turn it around.
33. Get a takeaway: No cooking + no cleaning + comfort food = Bliss
34. Make a hot water bottle: So cozy, a fluffy cute cover is an added bonus.
35. Write a letter to your teenage self: Write down what you have learnt now your older and supposedly wiser.
36. Solve that annoying little problem NOW: Keep losing your keys? Buy a huge colorful key ring. Cluttered car bothering you? Clean it out pronto
37. Feed the ducks: Go to your nearest park on your lunch break and feed the birds.
38. Light a lantern: Write your wishes and let it float into the sky, you can buy these in lots of pound shops
39. Watch hilarious programs: Turn on some Father Ted, Black Books, IT Crowd, The Big Bang Theory, New Girl and 2 Broke Girls and just laugh.
40. Read these 2 uplifting blogs: Be inspired by galadarling and hellogiggles
41. Have a bubble bath: Add a magazine and some chocolate for ultimate relaxation.
42. Make a fort: Watch movies inside and eat warm popcorn.
43. Meet up with a friend: Spend hours catching up and reminiscing  maybe even bake together! 
44. Embrace your inner Jessica Day: Learn from New Girl's Jess, sing all day, wear your girly-est clothes, live with great friends, try bangs and quirky glasses, giggle.  
45. Declutter your desk: A cluttered desk means a cluttered mind, don't forget to give it a good clean, desks harbor bacteria.
46. Play Monopoly: Or Scrabble, or Connect Four or Cluedo....in a onesie...with a cup of tea :)
47. Say I love you:  In person, with texts, on the phone, with post its, with a plane in the sky..or maybe that's too much?
48. Paint your nails every color of the rainbow: Or if your job doesn't permit paint your toenails.
49. Make an ice cream sundae: Add sprinkles, syrup, Maltesters, Skittles, go crazy.
50. Make your own beauty products: Check out Pinterest for ideas like this page

What are your go to tips for brightening up your day, I'd love to hear them

Image sources: 2, 3, 5

xox