Honey I'm home!

Dear blog,

Ive missed you!

This summer has been crazy. I've come crashing back to reality with a bang and I am ready to start blogging again. New post coming in the next few days :-)

Kel x

Sunday Blues

Good morning everyone,

I had the Sunday Blues from the minute I woke up this morning. When I say the Sunday blues, I’m referring to those niggling thoughts in the back of your mind that this is the last day of the weekend and you have work tomorrow. Urrgggg Yuk!

I was watching some clips on Youtube when I came across an incredibly sad yet inspiring video that I just had to post about.

Watching it was like getting a slap in the face. Stop wallowing and be grateful, it said! So what, that you have work tomorrow. Appreciate the fact that you have a job to get up to, or even that you were able to get up this morning. A powerful video with a powerful message.

Sunday is a great day for that kick up the bum. A little perspective people!

Hope you enjoy the clip. (Box of tissues at the ready!) And I hope you enjoy the feeling of appreciation afterwards.

Kel x

 Bette Midler sings, "Wind Beneath My Wings" to Anna Greenberg as dying wish

(Click on the link above to watch the video)

CastleMartyr Golf and Spa Resort, Cork

I was eager to write a review on the Castlemartyr Resort in Cork from the minute we arrived. It was truly love at first sight! As things go, work and life got in the way and I am only getting around to it now.

Where to begin…The grounds are absolutely stunning. Away for the weekend was myself, my husband and my 6 year old. Before setting off for the hotel I showed her a few pictures online of the hotel and described were we were going. As an animal lover, the picture of their ‘resident dogs’ quickly caught her eye and the swimming pool was downgraded to second place on here must see/do things for the weekend.

While I don’t want to bore you with every little detail of the weekend,our stay was too enjoyable not to let you in on a few. When we arrived, Saian asked where Earl and Countess (The hotel dogs) were. A young man behind the counter, called her around the other side of the counter, and much to her delight, there they were. Within 30 seconds, he had all 3 of them, (child + doggies) on their way out the door to play outside. That little personal touch started our weekend nicely. We arrived early and although check was not until 3pm, they allowed us to check in early because we had a child with us and they didn’t want us hanging around.

Over the weekend we found all of the staff to be very pleasant. The manager in particular was very friendly and made an extra effort with all the guests. He approached guests in the bar/restaurant/breakfast room to have a casual chat, see how their stay was going and to offer advice on what was on in the local area.

I booked myself into the spa on the last day (to really make the most of the weekend) and it turned out to be my favourite part of the weekend. Again the staff were extremely polite. The girl who was doing my treatments was very relaxed which in turn made it all the more enjoyable for me. Afterwards, you are free to hang around and enjoy the free treats (smoothies, fruit etc.) while taking in the sights from the second floor. All in all, the spa is heavenly.

A lot of reviews argued that this hotel although 5* is not up to scratch and I can see where these remarks come from. There are elements, some of which I have described above which are excellent and then there are little things which let the hotel down. The service for example is extremely slow. It was frustrating for me to see some staff letting others down. I overheard a couple of complaints during the weekend, mainly to do with the service or lack of.  We were there to enjoy a relaxing weekend so we were happy to sit around and wait, unfortunately others were not. Something that the hotel would benefit from is music in the evening to create a bit more atmosphere.

Price wise, we found it very reasonable. The cost per night for a suite was around €220, this included breakfast and 1 evening meal. The meal itself was absolutely delicious and would have easily cost €100 euro in a restaurant.

A couple of little points to add;

There is a specified playroom for children.

Bikes are available free of charge.

There are a couple of outdoor games for all the family to enjoy.

Foto Wildlife Park is about 20 minutes drive away.

 

I would look forward to a visit at The Castlemartyr Resort again in the hopefully not so distant future.

Have you ever stayed at the Resort, or would like to recommend another? Let me know in the comments below.

Kel x

D For DIET

It wouldn’t be my typical Monday morning if I wasn’t jimmying the scales out from under the bed, stepping on and looking down with one eye squinted closed(somewhere in my head I think it’s easier to accept what the scales says, if I only see it through one eye!).  Big Sigh…ram scales back under the bed and saunter off leaving behind me the promise to kick start the diet again.

It’s now Wednesday, and I am 3 days into ‘this weeks’ diet. (I’m even embarrassed for myself saying that). I have to say though; it is going quite well for a change. Instead of the usual arguments in my head about the reasons why I should not deny myself chocolate, I have been more motivated and willing to say no to sweet treats.

What’s different from this month’s diet to last month’s diet?

Well according to diet enthusiasts there is absolutely no point in starting a diet unless you are in the right frame of mind. This is probably my biggest down fall. I never start a diet because I want to, or because I want to get fit and healthy, it is usually motivated by a comment from my 6 year old “Mammy, are you growing a baby in there” “Dad, when mam laughs her belly jiggles” “Mam, how come when you wave, your bum shakes too” . Oh yes people kids can be very…..Honest!

This time around, I am doing this for me (and motivated by comments). As one of my older posts pointed out I am turning 30 this summer. I don’t want to start my thirties with junk in my trunk. I gained it in my 20’s and there it shall remain.

I’ve downloaded the ‘my fitness pal’ app to my iphone and I am finding it very useful and easy to use. My fitness pal is the world’s largest nutritional database with an easy calorie counter to help record your daily diet trends. Studies show that keeping track of the food you eat and the activity you do play a major role in weight loss. Most successful weight management programs suggest that you should keep a food or activity diary. Fitness pal gives you all the tools you need to be the boss of your own fitness and diet plan….Best of all, it’s FREE!

I will keep you posted as to how I am getting on J

Let me know if you have used the app/or similar app and if you found it useful?

Kel x

 

 

Holy Moley

So I am told that one rule of blogging is to always give a shout out to your blog inspiration. Today’s blog inspiration comes from the hilarious Karen over in @lovelygirlybits. Karen’s (and Joanne’s) YouTube videos are an absolute hoot! (while being very informative too, of course). Thanks to Karen, I finally (after 3 years) with matching bra and knickers, made an appointment to get my odd shaped mole checked out.

Here’s how the days events played out….

Do Do Do….’minding my own business’. Karen posted a video about skin care, which included a funny story about her visit to the hospital to have a mole checked. While I’m telling my pal in work about it, it dawned on me that I too have a dodgy mole that I needed to get a doctor to have a look at. I had it looked at before but never attended the follow up appointment.

All right, no big deal, I will be proactive and call the doc to arrange a new appointment. So I tell the receptionist what the appointment is for and that I was there about a year ago and would like to follow it up. Receptionist informs me that it was 2010 when I was last there. HOLY MOLEY.  She says she will get the doctor to ring me.

Meanwhile back in the ranch, I was on twitter and someone retweeted “Skin cancer fact: Melanoma is the deadliest skin cancer among 25-29 year olds.

Faster then a Lamborghini on the autobahn, I diagnosed myself with skin cancer. I kid you not. A TO Z in a matter of seconds. Panic set in and my hypo personality reared its ugly head. I phoned 4 mole clinics in Dublin but couldn’t get an appointment. “Wait ‘til next week, are you kidding me, I’m terminally ill”.  I managed to get an appointment with my own doc. T.G.  I hotfooted it up to the clinic to tell my doctor the bad news.

Brought the hubby with me to soak up the diagnosis….gulps

“Up on the bed please and we’ll have a look” … 30 seconds later, trousers up, chest pains deceasing and a clean bill of health.

It turns out mole is fine (although it had bled and changed shape – I don’t create illnesses, I am not that bad…yet!!). The other mysterious looking spots, which I diagnosed as ‘the spread of cancer’, turns out to be, Ehmmm, what was the medical term…. Freckles!

I was mortified but relieved.  Although I know that I was OTT, I have learned a valuable lesson, not to let these things go on..and on..and on. It just ain’t worth it in the long run. 

I don’t want this post to sound like I am making fun of cancer. I lost my mam to cancer a few years ago so I know how serious it is and how funny it is not. It's more of me making fun of myself.  It keeps me sane!!!

Kel x

Weekend Break

We are on the verge of a long awaited Bank Holiday weekend. The June bank holiday seems to be one of the most popular of the year. Most people tend to head away as temperatures begin to increase and that feeling of summer starts to creep in.

Myself and my family are heading to Co Cork. Somewhere, I havn't been since my early 20's (and if I'm honest, I can't remember that much of it as...well....it was my early 20's !! ). We are staying at the Castlematyr Resort which I have heard amazing reviews about. If the pictures are anything to go by, I'm already sold on the place!

Have a great weekend everyone :-)

Kel x

Au Naturale

Natural Collection Water Guard Mascara

Last week, I got caught short ….. (without my makeup bag).

I was having a slow morning and my skin was screaming at me for a makeup free day so I happily obliged and toddled of to work. I was in work about an hour when I remembered that I had a team meeting that night which I was due to give presentation at.  I’ve no shame in admitting that I nearly died at the thought of getting up in front of everyone with no ‘war paint’ to hide behind! I wanted to kick myself for not having an emergency makeup kit for just such occasions.

In the afternoon, I high tailed it over to boots to purchase the essentials. As I have been on a budget for the last year (mortgage…don’t ask!! ), I really didn’t want to spend a fortune on bits that I already had in my suitcase of makeup at home. I headed straight for the budget brands (Who am I kidding; I always head straight for the budget brands ha ha).

Foundation, Blush and Mascara that should do it, I thought. I picked up the Natural Collection Water Guard Mascara for a couple of euro. (Approx 3 euro) Thinking it’s probably pants, but as it is so cheap, I won’t mind dumping it if it is.

I used the Mascara that evening but I didn’t take much notice of whether it was good/bad as I was busy rehearsing what I was going to say in the presentation. Over the following days, I used the Mascara a couple more times…and I Love it!

I have to say for mascara that is cheap as chips, it does the job.  (ignore that, I can’t believe the price of chips these days, lol) For everyday Mascara, for work or just running out to the shops, I would definitely be reaching for this one. 

What is it good for:

- It's cheap and cheerful

- It doesn’t clump or leave you with spidery eyes

- It gives some definition to the lashes.

- It comes off easy with make-up remover

- The brush is a good width

What is it not good for:

- You may need to use a different mascara on top, if you are looking for HD lashes.

Let me know, if you have used this Mascara before. Are you impressed by this budget brand?

 

Kel x