Also on an interesting and pretty cool side note, Eamon De Velara and wife Sinead also spent part of their honeymoon in this hotel in January 1910! (very important man in Irish history)
Honeymoon crisis averted :)
So our ferry to France on the 27th was cancelled... after a slight panic we managed to re-book 2 days later and book into the Woodenbrigde Lodge, the oldest hotel in Ireland while we waited (lost our Rouen hotel payment though grrrrrrr). It's in the beautiful County Wicklow and was a good place to rest, re-organise and take stock.
Also on an interesting and pretty cool side note, Eamon De Velara and wife Sinead also spent part of their honeymoon in this hotel in January 1910! (very important man in Irish history)
Also on an interesting and pretty cool side note, Eamon De Velara and wife Sinead also spent part of their honeymoon in this hotel in January 1910! (very important man in Irish history)
Loving up Dublin on Honeymoon! (part 2)
St Stephens day was spent wondering the beautiful green opposite our hotel, a touch of bargain shopping, relaxing, and found the best Italian food in Dublin!
Loving up Dublin on Honeymoon! (part 1)
On the 1st night we christmassed up the room for santa :) Then did the obvious thing to do
when your given a 5 star room with a magnificent king size bed...
In the evenings we wondered around Dublin's streets, they looked fantastic with all the city's character magically highlighted with twinkly lights. It was so romantic, perfect start to our honeymoon!
I refuse to be tempted...
I am very proud of myself - I'm just back from a trip to town, Al had something secret to do and I needed some funky tights to wear with my LBD for his work party tonight. We separated in the mall and I wondered around the shops for an hour and did not buy 1 single thing!!! (apart from the cool tights £2.99) I knew I had nice gifts already and didn't need anything else, so I just looked, admired the pretty things, bargain deals and people watched.
I know for some of you seasoned frugal living experts this may not be a big deal but for me, the week before christmas I must say I am quite pleased :)
Astra and her self control 1 - shops and all their clever selling tactics 0!
I know for some of you seasoned frugal living experts this may not be a big deal but for me, the week before christmas I must say I am quite pleased :)
Astra and her self control 1 - shops and all their clever selling tactics 0!
Planning next years veg garden
I've really missed gardening this last year and can't wait to get my hands dirty again, get a bit closer to nature, be eating our own home grown food on a daily basis and be saving a fortune :) Making the most of our gardening space is going to help us save money in a big way, not just saving on the cost of the veg but when we're growing so much lovely fresh veg we eat far less meat.
While I'm recuperating (from what i think must have been a chest infection, don't know for sure since I stay clear of the doctors - just healthy food, vitamins and rest) I've been going through our old photos and getting so excited planning our garden for next year, these pictures are from 2010 at our old home in County Mayo (west coast of Ireland).
We should be able to successfully grow all these again next year, and tonnes more - I'm an ambitious planter you see and tend to have to let the garden go wild because there is to much to do around july/august LOL but as you can see it seems to work for us :)
I'm thinking that we could fit 2 bantam hens in the garden for eggs too but we'll see, I'm worried about all the cats around here (including our wee hunter!), they couldn't free range and would need a roof on their run... This topic definitely to be continued!
What better way to get better than to sit in your PJ's sifting through your seed box and dreaming of all the brilliant things that will be happening next year - 2012 is going to be amazing - I can feel it already :)
While I'm recuperating (from what i think must have been a chest infection, don't know for sure since I stay clear of the doctors - just healthy food, vitamins and rest) I've been going through our old photos and getting so excited planning our garden for next year, these pictures are from 2010 at our old home in County Mayo (west coast of Ireland).
We should be able to successfully grow all these again next year, and tonnes more - I'm an ambitious planter you see and tend to have to let the garden go wild because there is to much to do around july/august LOL but as you can see it seems to work for us :)
I'm thinking that we could fit 2 bantam hens in the garden for eggs too but we'll see, I'm worried about all the cats around here (including our wee hunter!), they couldn't free range and would need a roof on their run... This topic definitely to be continued!
What better way to get better than to sit in your PJ's sifting through your seed box and dreaming of all the brilliant things that will be happening next year - 2012 is going to be amazing - I can feel it already :)
My lovely hubby :)
He knows how to put a smile on my face thats for sure :)
With this kinda looking after I'll be better in no time! Ps only 9 days till our honeymoon!
Brilliantly busy weekend!
Last weekend was brilliant :) Our friend Baz was up from dublin for his birthday, you might remember we went to Dublin to stay with him for Als birthday in October so its becoming a bit of a tradition! We headed out on Friday to the Belfast continental market, which was beautiful and so so christmassy.
The men got stuck in to the german beer and we ended up drinking at a table with the Ulster Rugby team! Ended the night at a funky bar then Little Italy's pizza - all round great night :)
Saturday was my staff christmas do - massive success, got my boss to do a shot (LOL) and had the absolute BEST of craic with the girls and somehow only spent £25!!!
Unfortunately now I'm a bit under the weather with a chesty cough thing... Have booked tomorrow off work though and had Thursday off anyway so I'll be resting up and getting better :)
On a much more exciting note, it's only 10 days till our honeymoon!!! The time has crept up so fast, I still have so much to do - must go and make a list :)
The men got stuck in to the german beer and we ended up drinking at a table with the Ulster Rugby team! Ended the night at a funky bar then Little Italy's pizza - all round great night :)
Saturday was my staff christmas do - massive success, got my boss to do a shot (LOL) and had the absolute BEST of craic with the girls and somehow only spent £25!!!
Unfortunately now I'm a bit under the weather with a chesty cough thing... Have booked tomorrow off work though and had Thursday off anyway so I'll be resting up and getting better :)
On a much more exciting note, it's only 10 days till our honeymoon!!! The time has crept up so fast, I still have so much to do - must go and make a list :)
Oh twinkly lights, how I love thee!
Its December, we held out and didn't decorate until last weekend. Our neighbours put all theirs up 2nd week in November... Not cool. Anyway Al and I had a lovely evening decorating our home, somehow now it feels warmer and cosier. We decided not to get a real tree this year since we leave for Dublin on the 24th and aren't back till the 7th jan but we have our wee tree up and I love it, small but perfect and our presents to each other are under it already!
Last year we were between homes and had so much on we didn't do pressies so this year it's been extra special, choosing little gifts I know he'll love and hiding them away, I cant wait till christmas morning to see his face :) and to see what he got me! I have no idea! It's all so exciting, I love christmas :)
I feel like this christmas we've got the magic back.
 |
| I love twinkly lights - they make me happy! |
 |
| Thats my stocking from when I was a child! |
Last year we were between homes and had so much on we didn't do pressies so this year it's been extra special, choosing little gifts I know he'll love and hiding them away, I cant wait till christmas morning to see his face :) and to see what he got me! I have no idea! It's all so exciting, I love christmas :)
I feel like this christmas we've got the magic back.
My 101 in 1001 list is up!
I took a few days to write this up and it was so much fun :)
I could have written 101 more fun random ones but I'm really happy with what I chose and it's gonna be so much fun crossing them off and writing about them as I go, I hope you'll kick my butt if I don't keep crossing them off and celebrate with me when I do :)
Have a look and tell me what you think!
Ps I'm nearly at 1000 page views! Thank you all so much xx
I could have written 101 more fun random ones but I'm really happy with what I chose and it's gonna be so much fun crossing them off and writing about them as I go, I hope you'll kick my butt if I don't keep crossing them off and celebrate with me when I do :)
Have a look and tell me what you think!
Ps I'm nearly at 1000 page views! Thank you all so much xx
Sealed pot challenge...
OK so yesterday was the start of Saving for Travel's sealed pot challenge, here is my sealed pot/tin :)
Until we get back from honeymoon in January this pot will probably be empty as we have a honeymoon fund one on the go already but after that Im determined to squirrel away every spare bit of cash lying around (spare bank money will go to our savings to earn interest) and I already can't wait to see what's in it when I open it Dec 3rd next year!
I hope it's full by then :)
 |
| A collage I did last year, one of my favorites |
 |
| Sealed properly so no dipping in! |
Until we get back from honeymoon in January this pot will probably be empty as we have a honeymoon fund one on the go already but after that Im determined to squirrel away every spare bit of cash lying around (spare bank money will go to our savings to earn interest) and I already can't wait to see what's in it when I open it Dec 3rd next year!
I hope it's full by then :)
Liebster Love!
Yesterday I was given a Liebster Blog award by Bee Girl from Sky Minded & Ever Growing, I couldn't believe it! Her blog is so inspirational and to be selected by her for this award is an honor :)
I've been quite ill these last few weeks and I'd been worrying that my blog was suffering but getting this has given me confidence to just keep being myself and to stop stressing! So thank you again :)
"Liebster" is a German word meaning dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. What a gift to be awarded with such kindness!
Alright, on to the details. The Liebster is a way to show a little Blog Love to bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers.
The rules:
Now for my five picks, in random order...
Living Without Money
This one's a diary type blog about money saving and living a frugal life, always
a great read with some interesting opinions and ideas.
Frugal Living UK
Such an exciting blog - I wish he'd post more lol he's in the process of moving to the
country from London to create his own downshifted dream, exciting times :)
I've been quite ill these last few weeks and I'd been worrying that my blog was suffering but getting this has given me confidence to just keep being myself and to stop stressing! So thank you again :)
"Liebster" is a German word meaning dear, sweet, kind, nice, good, beloved, lovely, kindly, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome. What a gift to be awarded with such kindness!
Alright, on to the details. The Liebster is a way to show a little Blog Love to bloggers who currently have less than 200 followers.
The rules:
1. Thank the giver and link back to the blogger who gave it to you.
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have fun!
2. Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3. Copy and paste the award on your blog.
4. Have faith that your followers will spread the love to other bloggers.
5. And most of all - have fun!
Now for my five picks, in random order...
Saving for travel
A great blog written by a frugal woman successfully reaching the goals in her
101 in 1001 challenge and encouraging her loyal followers to do the same!
A great blog written by a frugal woman successfully reaching the goals in her
101 in 1001 challenge and encouraging her loyal followers to do the same!
Eco Footprint - South Africa
A blog full of really inspiring posts about a new eco homestead coming
together and practical ways to be more environmentally friendly anywhere!
A blog full of really inspiring posts about a new eco homestead coming
together and practical ways to be more environmentally friendly anywhere!
The Joy of Farming
I've only just found this blog, it's so close to my dream its crazy! Stunning pictures
and happy words from a happy family, I love it :)
I've only just found this blog, it's so close to my dream its crazy! Stunning pictures
and happy words from a happy family, I love it :)
Living Without Money
This one's a diary type blog about money saving and living a frugal life, always
a great read with some interesting opinions and ideas.
Frugal Living UK
Such an exciting blog - I wish he'd post more lol he's in the process of moving to the
country from London to create his own downshifted dream, exciting times :)
So those are my 5 picks and a wee bit about why I love them, I hope you'll check them out and love them too!
Bring on the freeze!
Christmas Eve 2010, down the road at Lough Neagh, the largest lough in the northern hemisphere, frozen over! A group of guys actually carried a boat out to the island and back! I know the ice causes havoc for millions of people but I can't help seeing the positive, it turns our country into a magical winter wonderland. You can't do anything about it anyway so when it gets here, wrap up, find your inner child and try to enjoy it! xx
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
