A Scottish guide to Summer...and a part time blogger!!

Hello Lovelies,

I know, I know I am the worst blogger in the history of blogging but here's the deal for the last month we have been blessed with some truly gorgeous weather, I even got myself a little bit tan.

Unfortunately sunshine in Scotland means you spend as much time outdoors and as little time infront of a computer as possible, sorry blog world you took the hit this time!!

However in typical Scottish style just when your getting used to the extra vitD it goes and changes... today we had rain (warm rain I suppose but rain none the less)


So this brings me to share with you all a My guide to summer....

BBQ - IF the sun is still shining at 3pm you are guaranteed to have been invited to no less than one barbecue and obviously you have to accept because you might not get the chance again for another year! Burgers, Beer and Bestfriends 

Attire: I recommend a maxi dress and some sandals however after an hour or so you'll be sitting as close the BBQ as you can with thick, warm blanket wrapped around you!!!!

 

 

Wimbledon - the only time of year I ever want to play tennis, the only time of year all the the tennis courts in town are fully booked!

Yes, I know Wimbledon is in London so this is more a British thing than specifically Scottish but the British No1 and World No2 just happens to be a local lad, so were all watching, praying, hoping he gets it this time! 

C'mon Andy Murray!!!!!!!!!

 

Festivals- There are a fair few festivals around Scotland but the biggest is T in the Park - I have graced the fields of Balado every year since turning 18 and seen some of the best music artists in the world live there, when the sun shines on T in the Park it's like heaven great music, great friends, great times when there's a downpour it's not far from hell! Last year was the worse I'd seen weather wise, hence this year I'm hanging up my wellies....unless I get a ticket for my birthday that is ;) 

Attire: probably the only place I've ever worn a dress and welly boots...anything goes, regardless of weather!

 

 

  

 

 

 

 

 

Birthday- This is why summer is my favourite season, I'm a July baby!

This year it's a kinda special bday I'm planning lots of celebrating with my favourite people! Mid July, our average hottest/driest month yeah I remember it being a scorcher on my birthday ONCE in the last 29years....oh wait...yeah that's because I was in Ibiza for that birthday! 

Attire: party dress and heels were heading out for a cocktail or two ;)

 

That's ME!!!

Sunburn - (celtic colouring)Red hair and pale skin combined with unexpected sunshine makes sunburn, prepare yourself to see lots of red headed, red faced, red bodies...red people! 

Phew, I missed out on that one!

Holiday/Vacation - I like nothing more than getting away, generally somewhere with guaranteed sunshine and beautiful beaches so I can relax and explore. Bliss! Wait, we don't need to pack a wooly jumper, wellies or waterproofs!? What!

Last summer holiday was Sharm el Sheikh in Egypt 

Attire: BIKINIS!! Yahh you can finally wear that cute Victoria's Secret two piece!

 

Summer wardrobe - aren't they the cutest, floral prints, bright colours, floaty tops, frilly dresses, crop tops, cut off jean shorts, strappy sandals and who doesn't love wearing sunglasses?!.....just remember your summer handbag has to be big enough to carry an umbrella, a scarf, socks, wellies...

Strawberries - I'm not sure if I'm slightly biased or if its just because they are fresher but nothing beats scottish strawberries! My favourite fruit ever, ever, ever! Much love for strawberry season!

Camping - I strongly dislike being without my home comforts but Mr is very much the outdoor type so it's become a tradition that we go camping when it's nice, this always turns out to be a one night camp as you generally wake up to rain or eaten alive by midges (the Mosquito's less aggresive but more annoying Scottish cousin)

Attire: layering is key - shorts and tank top, jeans and sweater, jacket and scarf, gloves and hat! Remove and add items to suit temperature!

 

Loch Lubnaig camping trip

 View from our pop up home!

 Bike rides

 Boy cooking....I'm still in shock! Ha

 DIY drinks chiller

  DIY BBQ

Out for a hack

Ice Cream - yummmmmmm!!

Beach - although I mentioned going abroad to exotic locations we do have some pretty amazing beaches here just an hour or so drive so if the sun does come out we'll head out to one with our friends! Beware, if its only slightly warm in the city it's guaranteed to be freezing at the coast, the beloved North Sea, it just never gets remotely warm!!

Also if your planning a picnic on the beach prepare to have actual sand in your sandwiches, it can get a tad windy!!!

Attire: same as camping (see above)

 

St Andrews Beach 

Road trips - I love road trips sometimes the sky can be deceiving, beautiful blue skies with no clouds but flipping freezing, road trips are great for days like this, crank up the heater in the car and pretend its a heat wave ;)

Attire: see camping and beach

A guide to packing for a summer weekend in Scotland.....

Just bring EVERYTHING we really can have four seasons in one day!!

 

Have an amazing summer everyone have lots of fun and...

 

 

KEEP SMILING :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Smile.....to make you HAPPY!

Hello lovelies,

I've been AWOL again, apologies!

I have been kinda uninspired of late and that little thing called life keeps getting in the way!

I had planned to start this blog post with a little grumble about the weather and how it should be summer already, however the devestating events in Oklahoma yesterday have made me truly thankful that all we have to deal with here in Scotland is a prolonged winter and a bit of rain.

My heart is breaking for all those affected by the devestation of the tornado, I can not begin to imagine what they are going through right now, I pray that with time they can rebuild the lives that were ruined in an instant. <3

I try to stay positive in every way I can and find that even if I am feeling down and have to force a smile it always becomes a genuine smile -

'Smiling proven by scientists Angela to make you HAPPY'

Have a look at a few things that have been making me happy recently...

I got an iPhone several years ago which put these guys into retirement, I found them hiding at the back of a drawer so I charged them up and have been listening to some of my old favourite tracks :)

I actually I might use the little Nano again it'll be handy for the gym!

 

Obsessed with these Marvelous Creations the jelly bean, popping candy one is AMAZING- not the best addiction to have 10 weeks before holidays though!

 

 

Bright Nails - the weather seems to have forgotten about spring/summer, I guess we can just pretend!

My sisters Cookie Monster cupcakes - adorable, right?!

 

She took part in the MS CakeBreak (basically she baked cupcakes and sold them at work to raise funds for Multiple Sclerosis) she raised £120 at her workplace and is making more cakes this week for her fiancé to sell at his workplace.

 

I bought a little box to share with the girls in the office, who doesn't love Friday treats?!

Yup all I've been doing is eating cakes and sweets since I seen you last, oops!

Date Day - On Sunday, BF had his first day off work this year (talk about married to the job, huh!?) so we went for a drive to Loch Lomond had a walk around on the shores then went for some lunch and drove some more....he didn't complain once about my 1D album being played repeatedly -I guess he's a keeper! Ha

I believe Loch Lomond (or any Scottish Loch-they're all pretty similar) was the the inspiration for JK Rowlings setting for Hogwarts, you can imagine the castle standing on a hill around the loch....I must be a muggle because it didn't appear :(

When we got home we went to Nando's then caught a movie,

Olympus has Fallen - have you seen it? I loved it, I wasn't much of a Gerard Butler fan before it but I am now ;)

Will.I.Am - The Voice UK has left me obsessed with Will.I.Am.

I love that he is a little bit.....different!

Source:Google

Charity Night Success - my friends organised a Rod Stewart theme ladies night we had the best time and raised almost £5000 for Cheryl's Wish.

We hired the chapel hall, we had raffles, a quiz, a live singer (our talented friend Brian), a DJ and the a few of my friends Mums/The Rod Lovers put on a little show for us too...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrB8c-BcvCkhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MrB8c-BcvCk

*Cheryl's Wish* - was started by our beautiful friend Cheryl who sadly lost her battle with cancer last year, all funds go to the Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.

Last but most definitely not least I went to Beyoncè's Mrs Carter Show with my sister and honestly no words can describe how amazing she was, it's the 3rd time I've seen her live and everytime I've been blown away....

Do you ever get so excited you can't work your camera, ha?

So lovelies if you have a frown turn it upside down!

I'd love to know what's been making you smile recently?

Have a great week <3

Keep Smiling :D

Then I realised.....I'm Carrie Bradshaw!

Hey lovelies,

I hope your all doing good?

**WARNING**

This blog post may get a bit lovey dovey and may include scenes of psychotic female behaviour!

Yesterday Kevin(boyfriend has a name!) and I received a wedding invitation, this is the 14th wedding we will attend together in 5 years.

Crazy right!?

Last summer we had a wedding every Saturday for 8 weekends in a row, that's what happens when you get to my grand old age of 29.

I LOVE attending weddings and feel truly blessed when people want to share their day with us!

However there is one thing I truly dislike about weddings....

'You'll be next!' 'When are you two getting married?' 'You better hurry up if want to have kids?

Last summer it really got to me, every time I pulled on another wedding outfit, watched a couple say tearjerking vows and have a beautiful, intimate first dance together my heart sunk a little and I started to think ....

'Why hasn't he asked me?'

I thought I'd try subtle hints like pointing out that couples we know had been together a lot less time than us when they got engaged, I'd leave any magazine's or brochures open with pictures of engagement rings, when it was my turn to choose movies I'd make sure they had proposals in them, I played Beyoncè's Single Ladies over and over and over(subtle, right!)

I had become a psychotic girlfriend, which I very much am not(normally)

This behaviour seemed to have Zero effect on Kevin but actually made me annoyed at myself.

I finally snapped out of it after a couple of weeks when my little sister got engaged and instead of being ecstatically happy for her I was slightly envious, I knew this had to stop. (I'm totally happy for her now and can't wait for her big day)

So I asked him....NO, not to marry me, I'm not that desperate, yet. Ha!

I asked him his thoughts on marriage he assured me that he loves me and wants to spent the rest of his life with me and he does want to get married, some day!

And now, well now I know I have a great guy who loves me and wants to be with me if he proposes, he proposes if not I still have a great guy who loves me with all his heart, no ring or wedding day is going to change that <3

...what more does a girl want?

Other than a closet full of shoes, obviously!

Have you been in the same situation?
Do you have any relationship dramas?
Have you had any psycho girlfriend moments?


Have a great week!

Keep Smiling :D

Frock Horror!

Like most girls I love fashion, I love getting dressed up, trying out different looks and basically playing around with style however I have fallen out of love with 'fashion trends'....let me explain.

I was going to a party last Saturday at my boyfriends cousins house, she lives over an hour drive away so I decided I'd wear a comfortable, recent River Island purchase and current trend....the Midi-Dress

Being vertically challenged I had to take it up a little (ok a lot) an inch too short or long and the 'midi' just doesn't work!

Anyway a combination of leaving myself too little time to make alterations and a snow storm (what is with that, White Easter???!) meant I unfortunately had to choose a different outfit :(

I wanted to wear my new dress, I was sad...until I got the party!!!

Almost every girl at the party had followed the Midi-Dress trend and 3 of them had the dress I had been about to wear!!!

After the initial shock/relief and a few French Martini's I started to find the situation amusing although the fact that no one mentioned it made me think they didn't find it quite as amusing.

The stats: 24 girls at the party, 19 in Midi-Dresses, 3 in my dress and 2 other sets of midi-dress 'twins'. That is crazy!!!!

I returned the dress the very next day i couldnt bring myself to wear it, as much as I loved it, it seems too many other girls did too!

I had a close shave from this frock horror but I guess, I love fashion I will continue to follow trends and buy on the high street my time will come soon enough!

Are we ladies or sheep?

Do you follow trends?

Have you ever turned up to an event and someone has the same dress on?

It's almost the weekend :) have a good, Good Friday and....

Keep Smiling :D

You're Hired!

Hello Lovelies!

I hope you all had a good weekend!
After saying my partying was over for a while I ended up partying. FAIL
Well you can't have Irish roots and not party on St Paddy's Day now can you?

Did you celebrate St Patricks Day?

Enough rambling and back to the Random Little Thought...

A friend pointed out to me yesterday that I have a pretty good sense of direction, after stating that 'I'd add that to my CV!'
I thought I'd share some other talents I think I should add to my CV (because exam results, degrees, masters and work experience....well that's just boring, right!?)


• I can sing/rap along to any 50cent song missing out all naughty words (as pointed out by the guy next to me on the treadmill at the gym)

• I have been the cereal box game champion for 8 consecutive years!

• I can, although only 4ft11 take up more space in a queen size bed than any regular or large sized human

• I am an excellent hug giver

• I can and have on a few occasions eaten a whole (large) jar of Nutella in one sitting

• I can walk succesfully in 5 inch heels. Currently working towards perfecting the 6 inch heel!

• I'm a good listener

• I can smile when I'm sad

• I am an avid collector of shoes

• I could play any part in any Harry Potter movie, I could also play Tom Cruise as Maverick and Macaulay Culkin as Kevin McCallister! (Annoying as it is, I quote these movies almost on a daily basis)

• I can mimic accents very well and believe I have mastered Irish, Jamaican and Australian thanks to friends accents rubbing off on me!

• I have the ability to fall over any place, any time and in any situation!

• I can fit a closet full of clothes into one suitcase

• My greatest achievement this year so far is completing week 1 of the Insanity 60 day programme.....it's TOUGH!

• My greatest achievement in life so far was getting my drivers licence, I've still no idea how I managed that one!

There that's better would you hire me? Haha


Do you have any hidden talents?

Have a great week!
Keep Smiling :D

Friday! Fundraising! Fun!

Hello Lovelies,

All Fridays are happy but this Friday was designed to turn frowns upside down, make you giggle till it hurts and even draw some happy tears!

Today is Red Nose Day or RND, I'm pretty sure if you are from the UK you will be familiar with Comic Relief and RND.

For those of you who aren't Comic Relief is basically a British Charity in which most of the funds go to Africa (it was originally founded in the early 80's for famine in Ethiopia).

I read this week that in the 25 years since Comic Relief was founded the Great British public have pulled together £600 million and changed the lives of 50 million people in the UK and in Africa! That's impressive stuff right there!!

RND is the day they host a huge Telethon and a TV production where we see what all the Comedians, TV stars, pop stars and such like have done to raise funds! My favourite was the year Britain's best loved stars climbed Mount Kilimanjaro.

Source: Google

 

 

This year I believe Jessie J is shaving her hair off and Britain's....well THE WORLDS favourite boyband, One Direction have recorded this years soundtrack...which obviously I've been playing constantly.

 

 

Source: Google

The 1D boys visit Africa for Comic Relief

 

 

Of course then there is the beloved Red Noses which I guess are for kids but hey I'm a big kid at heart!

They are cute little Dinosaurs this year :)

 

Heres me being silly with my Red Nose :D

 

Across the country today people will have gone to work or school in PJ's or some form of fancy dress, men will be getting body hair waxed, heads will be shaved and all other sorts of silly fun to raise some cash!

The company I work didn't do anything (Bah Humbug) but my 6.15am BodyPump class were sporting our favourite PJ's and made a donation to do so!

Who could complain at an extra 20mins in bed - fall out bed, wash face, brush teeth. GYM!

I was very cautious though, the last time I drove in my PJ's (don't judge me ha, I was driving my sister to work at 5am on a Sunday, yawn) and yeah you guessed, I had a bump and had to get out the car swap details then wait 45mins on a recovery truck....embarassing!!!

 

What are you doing for Comic Relief?

What fun things have you done to raise money for charity?

Have an amazing weekend!

Keep Smiling :D....or Laughing Out Loud :D

 

 

Don't forget to donate to this great cause if you can <3

Overdosing on Birthday Cake..

Hello Lovelies.

Remember Me?...

Huge apologies for neglecting my blog these last few weeks.

I have had so much socialising (which I'm not used to) that I didn't even realise 3 weeks had passed since I last posted, how did that even happen?!

2013 really is flying past my eyes!

It's pretty much been birthdays, birthdays and more birthdays.

The Boyfriend turned 31 at the end of Feb and he is currently hating the fact that I'm still in my 20's! Hehee!!

His biggest hobby (he has many) is amateur motor racing so when I asked what he would like for a birthday gift my options were, gloves to match the race suit he got for Xmas or underwear for his race suit, I opted for the underwear then made a joke about it on Facebook! ;)

Lets be honest you cant buy someone UNDERPANTS as a birthday gift and not laugh about it.

I must add they were rather expensive, had it been regular mens underwear from H&M, I would have expected David Beckham to come free with them, haha!

Source:Google Images

that was just an excuse to share some eye candy with you!!

We had a little group night out in town to celebrate as 3 of his friends share the same birthday!

My sister and I, the boys are behind avoiding the camera

Next I had one of my good friends birthdays, the girls all got together and had champagne at hers

then we headed in to Edinburgh to celebrate in Lola Lo's which is a tiki bar/nightclub we all had a great night

Group Photo

Cheers!!

The Birthday Girl

they even brought her some cupcakes to our

table...which were delicious!!!

The CREEPY dancefloor photo

...some silly ones

Another birthday... my friend from school, Lynsay, she recently had some Indian cooking lessons and rather than having a night out she invited us round to put her new skills to the test.

The food was AMAZING!! She made us all cocktails too :)

Goanese Crabcakes/Salmon Achari Tikka
Mango Sorbet/Strawberry Daquiri

She even made a mini (Angela-Size) Strawberry Daquiri just for ME!

Last but not least I had my godson's 5th Birthday, where they didn't let me win pass the parcel....how rude!! haha

So lovelies I have pretty much been eating my weight in birthday cake, drinking cocktails and having fun!

Sadly (or not so) my working out has taken a slight side step but the partying is over now (for a few months anyway) and just to be sure I started THIS last night....

Wish me luck, I know I'm going to need it!!!

I hope you all have been having fun times too!

Keep Smiling :D