My day at the Working Abroad Expo

All week I just kept thinking of having a nice lie in on at the weekend. That was until I heard about the working abroad expo that was taking place in CityWest. I decided to go along and find out about Visa's, working and insurance for traveling. So I got up nice and early and headed over. It's about an hours drive from me, I had planned on taking the train and luas but my Mam had decided that she wanted to go along and find out more ( shes a bit nervous of me going travelling) she took the car. 

When we arrived we paid out €10 entry fee and had a little look around to see what was there. 

I had so many questions about when I should apply for my visa , what sort of jobs I could get over there, how to set up a bank account or if I could before I left here. I had them all answered today which has put my Mams nerves to rest a little and my confusion. I talked to a man from the bank who told me that I could have it all set up before I leave and nominate a branch to collect my card from. I also talked to a woman about my visa and how long it will take ( not so long actually) and how much it is. Then I went to find someone about travel insurance. I like the sound of the VHI backpackers travel insurance and have arrange for them to contact me in July when I will pay and finalize my insurance. It covers a lot like  accidents and trips to the hospital (which me being so accident prone I really need), lost luggage, canceled trip and some sports too. I also talked to some others about jobs and other things like that.

My main plan is to save as much money as possible and to get my insurance and visa set up in the next month or so. I also got some information from Goforless about there visa packages which also include sim cards, tax numbers and lots more. I will probably go with them for that sort of thing so that its all done at once.

Another week, another cake

After the last cake I made for a book club member I was asked to make a another. I got a phone call from the woman that asked for it and said that she loved the cake and so did her son. As he is making his Confirmation and liked the cake she asked if I could make one similar but in white and blue and instead of books on top could I put a dove on it. A dove is the sign for Confirmation.

The cake I made was chocolate sponge with chocolate fudge icing. I cover it in white and blue sugar paste. The decoration was white and blue beading, Confirmation day on the top and the name Alan in the center on the front. I also made a white sugar paste dove. I had not originally planned on doing this as I have a dove plunger but I couldn't find it so thought I'd give making one go.

So this is how it turned out and they where very happy with it as was I. I was so organised for this as I'm also studying for exams so had to be on top of everything but then just as I was about to decorate it I re tore the muscle in my calf so had to hobble around the kitchen for a few hours. I was exhausted the next morning. hopping around on one leg takes alot of effort. I also burnt my hand while melting the chocolate for the fudge icing. I'm a bit of a disaster if you haven't noticed but I do get the job done in the end. 

New Lipstick, Make up Academy

So a little while ago I entered a competition on facebook for a lipstick from Makeup Academy and I won one of them. I have been waiting to try it out and finally got around to it. The lipstick is Makeup Academy's juicy lipstick shade 15. It's a nice coral colour and makes me think of the summer.

I do really love this colour but at first I wasn't sure it was for me. After a little while of wearing it I got used to it and started to like it a little bit more. I think it is such a different colour then I would usually wear but I suppose that's a good thing as it I wouldn't have picked it myself but now that I have it and after wearing it I like it.

Also I just noticed that the end of the lipstick screws off and is like a little pot of lipstick. I can't believe I have never noticed this before now. I'm going to check all my other's to see if there the same.

100 happy days challenge

On Friday I picked up a copy of the latest issue of Stellar Magazine. I really like this magazine and love their articles including this one about the 100 happy days challenge. On Saturday I sat down with a lovely cup of tea and began to read through the magazine. That one article stuck with me and I found myself thinking of what happy things I would photograph every day for the challenge.

Today I went back to the magazine and reread it and then looked up the website aswell and searching the hashtag #100happydays on twitter and Instagram to see what others photographed. I loved what I found so decided to sign up straight away. I'm taking part on Instagram and can't wait to see what I find to photograph everyday. If I have counted it right it should end on the 5th of August which is actually my dogs 16th Birthday.

Since this magazine article is the reason I'm taking part I thought it should be my day 1 photo. 

Find me on Instagram here  neadsk

or 

Find me on Twitter here TWEET TWEET

This weeks Baking

This week I was asked to make a cake for someones 50th birthday and of course I said yes. I love any excuse to make cakes. They asked for chocolate cake and as it was from the other members of her book club that it had books on it or something along those lines.

When I got home on Thursday and I got stated on making the cake and then icing and decorating. It worked out quite well that one of my favourite movies just happened to be on so ended up watching Saving Private Ryan and decorating a cake. I surprised it didn't turn out army themed.

I made a chocolate sponge and chocolate fudge icing, it smelled so good and the smell of chocolate kind of lingered in the house all evening. I used white sugar paste to cover and decorate it. I had never made sugar paste books before but it wasn't that hard to do.

I wanted to keep the colours bright so I went for pastel type colours in pink and yellow. I'm very happy about how it turned out.

Easter

I started off my Easter morning by going to the battle of Clontarf festival in St Annes park in Raheny. They had viking boats on display as well as tents and a craft fair with people dressed as vikings and selling things from that time. This is where I got my silver coin. There was a man making them by hammering the imprint into them like they would all those years ago. They also had a reenactment of the battle but unfortunately there was a lot of people there and I was too small to see over them :(. But still it was very good.

After the festival it was all hands on deck to get dinner made. In my house Easter dinner is like Chirstmas , it always has been more about a family meal them chocolate eggs not that chocolate isn't important. For dinner we had Ham, Turkey, Mashed potatoes, lots of veg, roast potatoes, home made croquet's (which I usually make but have now thought my sister to make), Yorkshire puddings ( I was up late the night before making these in advance) and of course the best stuffing in the world (my dads recipe). Ohh and not to forget Bisto gravy because no proper dinner is complete with out it.

I didn't make desert so instead after dinner ran to the shop ( I say ran but since hurting my leg it's more like a slow hobble) and myself and my sister treated everyone to icebergers, which went down a treat. After recovering from a very heavy dinner (and maybe a nap.. my leg was very sore at this stage)  it was time to relax with a glass of chilled Preseco and a bit of Easter egg.

TimTams sent from Australia

Nothing To make you feel better when you have the flu then getting chocolate in the post. I got this package the other day sent all the way from Australia. My Aunty posted it over full of TimTams. While my I was there last year with my sister we loved them so we where so excited to get is. Aslo there are alot of stamps on this 94 actually I got curious and counted.

The flavours are Original, Vanilla, Caramel and strawberry. The caramel are so good.

Best Moisturiser for dry skin.

I have been suffering with eczema my whole life. Some times its can be mild, others it can be severe. I was told over and over that I would grow out of it but unfortunately I didn't. I have learnt to adjust to it but it will always cause problems no matter what I do. I have to be very careful what products I use and eating certain foods can all cause it to flare up. The best thing I can do is to make sure my skin is well moisturised and that I don't use products like washing powder, soaps or perfumes that will affect it. 

The best product I can recommend is Silcocks Base.

This stuff is amazing it can be used as a moisturiser or as a soap substitute by applying it to the skin and then gently washing it of. I use it everyday and recommend buying the 500g tube which is usually between €4 and €5 depending where it's bought. I even use it to take off make up by applying it to my face and gently rub it in then remove with a wet face cloth. It's also great to use intead of a shaveing gel or foam. I literally use it all the the time to wash my face, as soap to wash my hands, in the shower instead of shower gel and of course as a daily moisturiser. The list goes on. I even have others in the house using it. My mam told me she used to put a spoonful of it in the bath when I was a baby. It keeps my skin soft without it feeling heavy or greasy and although it may not seem like it but it does clean my skin very well. It also come in a smaller tube that you can take with you instead of lugging around a huge tub.

So if you suffer from eczema, dermatitis, dry/sensitive skin or are just looking for a good moisturiser then this will definitely be for you.

You can buy it in most chemists and can get it online from Mccabes pharmacy Here

I won a competition :)

I recently enter a competition on beautycouture.ie and with Dealz Ireland . This is what I won.

2 packs of peppa pig multivitamin gummy peppa pigs

Vit heros children's chewable multivitamins

Glucosamine Sulphate 

Skin hair amd nails 

Vitamin B Complex

Multivitamins and Iron

Pregnancy

50+

Cod Liver Oil (With vitamins D aand A)

Chewable vitamin C 

Vitamin D

Energy effervescent with vitamin B complex 

Fruit and nut energy bar

Energy Gel

I really cannot beleive how much was in the bag. I am going to be beyond healthy pretty soon. The childrens vitamins I am giving to my younger cousins who are 4 and 5 and my mam has already claimed the 50+ bottle. It's such a great range that the whole family can benifit from. Well except the pregnancy vitamins but I wouldn't worry I'm sure I will be able to find them good home just not this one haha. I am going to be taking my vitamins in the morning and looking forward to seeing a differnce in my health and skin. :) 

Gluten Free Pancake Recipe

As it is almost pancake Tuesday I thought I world share my recipe for gluten free pancake. I love pancakes and these are very easy to make and taste great too. In the past I have tried out recipes that where unnecessarily complicated sometimes its better to keep things simple. My favourite topping is marshmallows and chocolate buttons but also nothing beats plain old sugar.