Birmingham Bound!

On a night out during the summer (and after one too many drinks...) me and two old friends from college booked flights for a weekend away to go to Alton Towers! This was as spontaneous as I have ever been! A real #yolo moment lol! And yes, I did just say that! 

Trying to keep to a small budget, we rented a car (in future people don't get a 1.1 as going up the hills to the Theme park will be the most daunting driving experience ever!) and stayed in the Holiday Inn Express in Birmingham City Centre! The hotel itself was super clean, and sooo cheap! I thoroughly recommend it, even to do a bit of Christmas shopping during the Winter as it's so close to the Bull shopping centre! 

Alton Towers itself was great, you need to go on their newest ride- 'The Smiler'! I nearly had heart failure lol! My only gripe about the park is the cost of getting in and the fact that you have to buy fast passes to access the rides- if you don't, the queues are huge and you won't get to do them all! In fact- the price of Alton Towers was what my flight, hotel and car rental cost all together which really is a shame! We went out to the GAY district that night- drinks are super cheap and they had pumping tunes in the whole night! I'd love to go back even for a night out on Broad St- which is supposed to have some gems of a nightclub! Anyone ever been out in Birmingham? What did you think of it?

My outfit of the night-

Blazer, skirt, heels and bag (All Zara), Necklace (Xevana) and tee (Topshop)

Back to College

Starting College this month? Here are my top essentials for getting around campus...

Firstly, everyone needs a good rucksack! This isn't school- there is a serious amount of walking between campus. Plus, your never going to find a close enough parking spot so you need all the space for your afternoon lecture books....Grafea do a sick range of leather bags. I love this oversized wool coat by River Island and the fur collar is detachable. A DW watch to keep you on time for your lecturers...trust me...you don't want to walk in a 300 seater lecture late! *Mortifying* A rad looking notebook to 'pretend to take down notes but really doodle'. Chelsea boots to keep your toes warm, 9am lecturers (if you make it out of bed on time...) are sooo cold! iPad air- 'eh...ma, course I need one- I'm taking a class in social media management!'. A travel mug. Oh, you don't drink coffee do you? You will now! A Heisenberg one is just much cooler...And finally a decent pair of headphones- not only to get you pumpin for student night out but the Libary is a LOT louder then its supposed to be and well there will be a time when you have just 20 mins to come up with a 1000 words....

Chelsea Ankle Boots- Topshop

iPad- Apple

Faux Fur Collar Baby Blue Jacket- River Island

Monochrome Leather Rucksack- Grafea

Daniel Wellington Classic Trinity lady- Campbell Jewellers

Heisenberg travel mug- Urban Outfitters

'Don't kill my vibes' Notebook- Urban Outfitters

Beats Studio Headphones- Apple

My beauty regime...or lack of it more like!

I didn't realise my lack of a beauty regime untill I was having a conversation with one of my good friends. She told me about her passion in going into the beauty section in department stores and trying out new creams, make-up and products that were reviewed by trusted and renowned YouTube bloggers. 

When I hit a store, I go straight for the fashion section. Instead, she spends her money on fancy face masks and foundation. And it made me question my own products that I own. Why did I buy them?

Most of the make-up I own, is purely because one of my sisters already bought it and I liked it. In fact, I have the exact foundation, mascara, lipsticks and eyeshadows purely based on what she bought and I then tried and tested! A bit cheeky of me eh?!

I'm not even persuaded by the marketing of a product- or the cute little bottle it might come in?! I just can't fathom to spend loads on a new product and end up not liking it! What a waste! Where with clothes-you can always return them if your not happy with them?!

My makeup routine is quite minimal (I teach six days a week so a shovel of makeup tends to slide right off...), my skin care routine is however reasonably high, but only because I have eczema. So think more non smelling creams and tubs full of aqueous cream! And well my hair routine is so utterly boring! I can't stand blow drying my hair ( I get in such a fluster...) and never seem satisfied with my hair colour or cut! It's just meh all the time!

Anyone else like me?

I'd love to hear what your ruts and recommendations are? Am I the only one that's lazy or do I need to get into a routine to get into the swing of things?

What works for you?

Style Diaries 3: Portugal

Pop of Neon

This Missguided duo was something I ordered just before holidays. The skirt is a hot pink neon crepe maxi (and was in the sale...winning!) and the cream crop is new season.

I love a bit of neon, especially on holidays, and this maxi has a real body con feel but the material feels lovely, even during a hot evening over here! I think you could even rock this skirt during winter with a rock band graphic tee and biker jacket!

My sandals are Zara. You can never have enough bling! And my rings are H&M.

Missguided are constantly updating the 'new in section' and if you subscribe to their e-mails- you'll always get some great offers and discounts that keep you reaching for your purse! 

Happy Shopping! X

Fierce Shoe Friday

These boots were made for walking...

I.love.these.boots. And guess where they are from? Pennys!

These Pennys/Primark beauties are an absolute steal at €20. I love the dark olive colour as it will go with virtually every colour trouser you own. The heel is super chunky and sturdy and the faux suede keeps the boot looking a lot more expensive then it is!

Well done Pennys! These are on my A/W list! 

Style Diaries 2: Portugal

Love me some Leopard...

Anyone who knows me, understands my love of leopard! I'm obsessed! This skirt is an old season mullet skirt from a brand called UNIF. Nasty Gal stock a wide range of UNIF pieces and I have spied some really nice autumn pieces that have just come out!

I paired the skirt with a Topshop crop tee and gladiator sandals (that I got in the summer sale!). My bag is a Zara last season mini office bag! I know it's not really holiday style but I try to bring as little as possible away with me- and I love this bag for travelling as it's so small and compact! And finally, my braclets are a mixed metal trio from Pennys/Primark.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

Summer Mantra

I am very lucky that I'm on my second holiday this summer! With my profession, summer is a quiet time of year- I chose to do camps for the month of July and give myself a whole month off during August. I find it quite hard to sit and do nothing but that was my goal this Summer, to switch off! I do the occasional bit of work here and there (my fingers get twitchy lol!) but other than that, I have spent the last month breathing, eating and sleeping!

Personally, I think back in Ireland, we all work and stress too much and not live enough! People begrudge when you have that much time off during the summer- with the 'it's well for some' attitude being used. People have even said that my job isn't a real one as I don't necessarily work a 9-5. I said it before and I'll say it again, find a profession that you love, not necessarily what pays well (though I'm not ignorant to personal circumstances...) and you won't feel like you have worked a day in your life. Don't work to live, but live to work! 

With only a week between Morocco and Portugal, I got the opportunity to catch up with friends and venture around Dublin.

Myself and Ev went back to Portugal this Summer- only because it's soooo cheap, we already know it and it has guaranteed sun all day!

We eat fish every day, squeeze oranges for breakfast every morning and go on walks/runs as much as possible!

Pure Bliss! I'm about half way through my  stay here in Porches, Portugal...and I couldn't be more revitalised! I'm also super excited to start the new business year in Sept...