Travel Haul

I have been on a huge budget lately as I'm saving for my trip. I do have one exception though, I still have to buy some bits and pieces for leaving. It's now 7 weeks until I leave so I am slowly starting to get some stuff together. I have a lot to do before I leave and don't want a huge panic or fuss in the last two weeks. I would love to be able to enjoy my summer which is about to start when I finish work in a week then enjoy my six weeks with family before I leave. This is why I am arranging everything already that way I can slowly get things done and just be ready to go. I even bought boxes in Ikea to pack up my room and plan on having a big clear out in the next week or so.

Here is what I have gotten so far.

My New Suitcase.

How amazing is this case. I love it so much as soon as I saw it I wanted it. I have been looking for one like this but didn't think I would find one so pink. When I was in Penneys (Primark) the other day I was browsing around the bags when I came across this.  I looked at the price and was equally amazed as it was only €40. This really surprised  me as the quality seems as good as the more expensive cases I have been looking at. My Mam and Dad ended up getting it for me as a little going away present. ( I think my Mam is now coming around to the idea and not crying any more.) Also it has four wheels that move sideways so can be pushed easily beside me as well as pulled behind me. I haven't had one like that before so can't wait to use it.

Make up bag and little bathroom bag.

I bought these two from ebay a few weeks ago. They weren't very expensive or anything and didn't really know the quality until they got here but they seem to be what I wanted. 

The little purple bag is big enough to hold some toiletries like moisturiser and shampoos and so on. It was only 77 cent including postage.

The travel mate is little but great it all opens up with little pockets and pouches and was only about 2.50 I think.

 It also zips up nice and neat.

Travel bottles

Another great find from Ikea and with the family card cost under €2. I love how colourful they are and are great for moisturiser and sun cream in my handbag so I don't have to carry the big bottle. I can't use hand soaps as they effect my skin so instead use silcocks base which I can put in the bottles and take with me when I'm out instead of not using anything but water.

FlipFlops

While doing shopping in Lidl over the weekend I saw these flipflops for €1.49 which is great and I love the colour so I picked up a pair and stuck them on when I got home to see how they are on. The size is 5/6 and I'm usually a 6. They fit all right but if my foot was even a cm bigger my heal would be over the back of them. I was thinking about picking up another in Pink so might try get a 6/7 for a better fit.

Laundry Bags

I got these laundry bags on ebay fro less then €2 and are great for packing. I always uses these when going away as I can separate clothes in my suitcase and find things easier its also great for doing my washing when away.

Other bits I've bought

Pink perfume atomizers I got two of these for just over a euro on ebay. I wanted one of these for ages so when I seen them I wanted to give them a try. 

A little black purse again on ebay only €1.20. I think it's really cute it is big enough to hold my phone, money and even a couple of little bits.

A pink Microfiber travel towel from ebay which was €5 and very very soft. I did think it would be a bit bigger as it was ment to be a bath size but I think I should have read the description better haha. I will remember that next time, it's still handy though. 

Last but not least I got a pack of five toothbrushes I picked up in Penney's for €1. I saw them at the till and just picked them up, I usually buy tooth brushes for sensitive gums so hope they won't cut the gums of me.

I also got a First aid kit

My Mam came home with this a little while ago for me. I am a little accident prone so she got me a travel first aid kit to stick in my case. Hopefully I wont have to use it but it is handy to have. I don't know how much it was but it's from Lidl.

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New lip stuffs

I bought these in the RDS at the Womens world show.

I seem to have a new obsession for lipsticks, glosses and balms which I was never that crazy about.

This is what I bought

Revlon

Colorburst Lip Gloss

002 - Crystal Lilac

This lipgloss is such a cute colour its slightly sparkly and I have worn it over the Bourjois sweet kiss lipstick and they worked so well together. I have also worn this on it's own and as a gloss it is glossy but not very sticky thankfully I hate really sticky glosses. Definitely one for summer days.

Revlon

Colorburst Lip gloss

046 - Sizzle

Vibrant colour that stands out again another orange shade which seems to be everywhere I look right now. Glossy and thick and didn't rub off too fast.

Bourjois

Lipstick

42 - Sweet kiss

I really like this shade and the slight sparkle it has to it. It's a nice light shade and makes my lips feel very soft. I first tried this on a sunny day and instantly felt more like summer it even has a nice smell to it, which is great as I've gotten lipsticks that turned me off instantly from the smell (yes I know that sounds strange). I think is a lipstick that I would wear more on a daily basis then for a night time look but is definitely added to the favorites list.

Revlon

Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

040 - Rendezvous

I bought this as an "I'm not sure it will suit me but I will give it a go" type of moment. I am very glad I did, sometimes I can be terrible for trying new colours, this is why I have so many reds I think. This colour actually works well for me it reddish but with an orange colour to it aswell and is soft and doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything on my lips. I wore it for the rest of the day when I got home and didn't rub off very much which is always a plus, nobody like having to keep reapplying lipstick or gloss every time they drink something, well I don't.

Visa, Shopping and Baking.

So this I week had a few exciting moment like applying for my 1 year working holiday visa for Australia. I applied and paid on-line through a company as I was interested in a package they had, not so happy with the package now though as including bank account and tax file number sounds like they arrange things with you or for you not email you a pdf with some information about how to do it all yourself and why you should. Felt a bit ripped off to be fair definitely not work the extra  money. I filled in the application for the visa and dropped it in to town and the next day was told it was approved. That part at least was easy and quick. 

I also done a little shopping on ebay for things that I need for my trip. I will do a post on them all when they arrive. I also got a couple of bits in Penny's (Primark) and Euro General shop which I may like a little to much but I do keep finding great things there. 

I got another Osiris CC Cream because I have gone through yet another one but accidentally got it in tanned.  I did a review a while back that you can find here. I tried it a little and it's not that drastically dark or anything so maybe if we keep up with this nice weather it might be ok .I may also be a little to optimistic sometimes. 

I also picked up this Argan Oil Night Repair Serum. I'm not sure if this is any good I haven't used it yet or heard anything about it but I have used the shampoo, conditioner, hair mask, heat defence spray and hair oil and was a fan of all of them even felt nice on my skin so hopefully this will too. I have done a review of the Hair mask that you can find here. I will also do a post on it after I try it out. This night repair serum was only €1.50 and so was the CC Cream.

In Penny's I didn't buy anything overly exciting just some socks two 7 packs one black, one white for €3 each. Then toothbrushes which I'm sure will be fine as I usually get the same type for sensitive gums but these where 5 for €1 and I couldn't leave a good bargain.  I also got a new top its a blue knitted string top which I thought I might like for the summer it was also €3 and my sister bought one to.

I finished The Fault In Our Stars on Friday and it was so sad I don't want to give anything away so I'll keep it short but even though it devastatingly sad it's also one of the best thing I've read in a while so I highly recommend giving it a go if your looking for something to read. It's not a book I would usually read but I was so surprised at how I just couldn't put it down. I didn't know what to do with myself when I finished the last few pages. I am just not sure if my next book I read will be as good. 

On Saturday I made a cake for a 30th Birthday. It was chocolate biscuit with white SugarPaste  icing and decorated with Yellow, Purple and Pink sugar paste including three handmade roses. I like making this cake I was a asked to make it colourful with a white base. That is usually the cakes I love to make. 

On Sunday as it was Father's day we had a family meal of Roast turkey that my Dad marinated and I cooked with baby potatoes, roast potatoes, lots of veg and potatoes that I'm not sure what you would call them but are mashed then piped into swirls and baked again in the oven until crispy and a little browned. Anyway they were lovely I kept seeing them and wanted to make them so thought today I would give them a try. Thankfully they turned out nice. 

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Round up of my week

I'm currently doing six weeks of work experience which I am really enjoying and also delighted that all my exams are finished. I have now done two weeks and have only four more to go then I can start counting down the time until I go away. I am also saving for my trip so not going out all that much and trying not to spend money on things that I don't actually need. I'm already trying to minimise the stuff I already have as I can't take it all with me.

My sister was also on holidays in Spain and when she came back this week she brought me home this gorgeous watch. I don't usually wear watches but I have hardly taken this off I just love it. I am made about the little diamonds and rose gold with the white strap. The watch face itself with the Eiffel Tower is so nice. 

She also brought home these nail polishes. The last few times she was away she has brought home Yes Love nail polishes and we both love them. They are only about a Euro and the quality is quite good. The other nail polish is Easy Paris which I haven't heard of before but so far it seems good too. My sister has been wearing the coral Yes Love polish and is really happy with it the colour is great and it hasn't chipped or worn off so far. I can't wait to give these all ago but unfortunately they don't stay long while I'm doing my work experience in fact my nails are not in good condition the last two weeks. When I finish I need to get them back in shape. 

Also this week I have been making invitations for my parents 30th wedding anniversary party this summer. I offered to make them and to be honest turned out to be a bit of fun. I used one of their wedding photos and turned it black and white and put it on the left of the invite so that I could put the writing and details on the right. I have of course covered most of that as I don't think they would be very happy to put them details up for everyone to see haha. I then put a black border around the the outside and printed them as size 4x6. I did have one glitch when I couldn't get them to print properly the black ink kept coming out very strange, then I realised that I forgot to that off the little tab on the ink before I put it into the printer. All I could do was laugh seriously something that I would do. I cut out the invites out around the outside of the black border and placed them on top of another piece of card slightly bigger. We bought the card in the Art and Hobby Shop, they where €19.99 for 100 A4 cards which is great value as we where going to buy them individually and it would have worked out much more expensive. I have been doing a few every night when I'm home and only have a few more to do, then have to write them slick them in envelopes and post them. 

My Mam came home with this the other day. It included a chocolate mould that looks like little presents, a box for the chocolates and little bags and ribbons that are meant to be for the marshmallows that are inside. I can't wait to try the marshmallows because I love marshmallows they are my favourite food ever. I try not to eat so much of them any more because if I could they would be all I would eat. But how cute is the chocolate mould and box, its a great idea as a little gift instead of buying chocolates I always prefer home made the shop bought but maybe that's just me.

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Sunny Saturday, Hair ,Make up and Haul

Today I went to the RDS to attend the Woman's World show.  My Mam and younger sister were going to collect their race numbers and goodie bags for the Flora Women's Mini Marathon on Monday. Myself and my older sister decided to go along as well. I was supposed to be doing the Mini Marathon as well but unfortunately my leg hasn't healed enough yet. I tore muscles in my calf and knee two months ago but it's taking so long to get back to normal. I did re hurt my calf last week so any hope of walking it I had went right out the window again. 

My hair and make up today.

I love this bun my sister put my hair into this morning. I really need to learn to do it myself. I also kept my make up simple with just some primer, cc cream, a little bronzer, highlighter and of course mascara.

This is what was in the goodie bag.

These where being given out ... yes and actual pan of bread.

Last but not least I picked these up at one of the stands. They where 2 for €5 or 5 for €10. I bought these four and another lip balm/gloss that my sister wanted.

More about this lot in a later post.

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. 

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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.