A Very Potter Christmas

Yes its February, but hey don't we all love Christmas? I know I do, and this year was just magical (pun intended) that I had to share the serious over-doing it with Potter gifts I received. My brother just gets me completely, like he even wrapped up my gifts in brown paper and string stamped with a wax seal.. if that doesn't scream I- know -you -are- obsessed -with -Harry- Potter -that- you- will- cry- over -this -wax -seal, I don't know what will.

I opened the purse package first and was like wow that's crazy I really need a purse.. then I turned it over and seen the Hogwarts crest and inside is written 'Hogwarts Alumni', I cried I kid you not. Like a practical everyday item, yet will show my total geekyness, I love it. Same goes for the Gryffindor backpack, I use it quite a lot when traveling and just love showing off the I'm a Potterhead and proud.

The amazingly wrapped package contained the super cool mugs which I don't really want to use as I know clutzilla over here will drop them, so in the mean time they're on my Potter shelf. 

I was so amazed by this Qubbler notebook, I've never seen one around before and its nice to get something totally different. 

Later on in the day I opened up some more gifts to find even more Potter gifts so had to retake the collection again. In this lot is the crazy amazing Hogwarts pillow which also is so pretty on the back with little Sorting Hats, brooms, lightening bolts, Phoenix's, owls and pixies. 

Next up was a really rare goblet I again haven't seen before and am in total love with. It changes colour when filed with hot or cold drinks which is what I picture how they serve in The Three Broomsticks. 

I am totally geeked out for the rest of the year now :) 

BLOGMAS Day 25 : ITS CHRISTMASSSSSSSS!!!

I was absolutely spoiled rotten this year and was given the most beautiful presents, I couldn't be more lucky. I want to share what I got so I always remember who gave me these meaningful gifts.

First from My brothers girlfriend this AWESOME ' #'  Pilliow and then my brother got me the  'OMG'  pillow. Harry Potter t's, amazing books, THE BEST PRESENT EVER a surfing lesson, a box of delish sweets and a Penny's voucher. 

From Bobby, Millie and India (the pets) I got this bath products for looking after them.

From 'Santa' I got this gorgeous tin which I love because it is so bohemian/Artsy, this amazing diary which is unlike any other because day by day it gives  you inspirations to reach your goals and last years diary really made a difference to my life and this most amazing family picture frame that I can not wait to start filling with beautiful family pictures.

Christmas is so much more then presents and I'm getting today's post done early so I can spend the rest of the day with my family. I hope you have had the most amazing Christmas.

BLOGMAS Day 24: Christmas Eve fun

I've never left presents till the last minute but I did this year so me, my dad and brother headed into town to pick up (little did he know) my dads present. The town was chocka of course but I kind of love it because you met so many people you haven't seen in years and everyone is wishing you a Merry Christmas and just generally nice. Finally after my brother looked in every new shop he hasn't seen before we headed home for a nice family dinner (curry and chips, real festive). Then like the true kids we are my brother and I sneakily went round the presents at the tree guessing what they are, and also (mainly me) opening some just a crack (quite a bit and taping it back together). We then headed to the graveyard to say some prays for my grandparents, and now its back to watching some Christmas movies and the traditional thing we do on Christmas Eve, light a fire in the sitting room, have little snacks and play board games.

BLOGMAS Day 23: Home for the Holidays

Today consisted of back to back Christmas movies until my brother arrived home for the couple of days over Christmas. Things were all hush hush as he had a present for my parents and wanted to surprise them (a new mattress). After there was lots of hugging, tea and mattress moving we had dinner, a nice big stew I had on the range all day. To me this is the start of Christmas when all the family's home and we have a family dinner. So again I'm keeping the post short today because not much is happening other then movies, movies and mince pies. Hope your having a fun holiday too.

Here's my dog Bobby's reaction to my brother coming home.

BLOGMAS Day 22 : Sleeping on bins

Back volunteering today and boy I was lucky the fella I was working with had been out four nights in a row and was wrecked because I was not prepared for a lot of work. We got all the jobs done by 10.30 and then I found him asleep in one of the rooms on top of a load of bins.. and that is really how this day went. I sat on the floor while he laid on the bins, we'd have a chat every so often, get up do some more jobs that needed to be done then went right back to napping. It was by far one of the weirdest days I've had but at least I know they trust me to sleep on the job when I'm around.. I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not, probably not one for the CV anyway. Even though I did poop-all today I was wrecked out and don't even remember getting home just waking up when the car stopped. Of course the night your wrecked tired and in your jammys all the neighbors come calling with Christmas cards and what not, Lets just say it was probably one of the most horrible cups of tea they've ever been giving by me.

BLOGMAS Day 21

Honestly today consisted of the longest sleep in ever and a bunch of Christmas movies. The weather is horrible, my mood is horrible and I'm extremely tired so it is a proper lazy day for me today. At least there's always new Christmas movies to rely on.

This picture just sums me up right now in a nutshell. 

BLOGMAS Day 19 + 20: Sleep deprived

Today I was back volunteering at the ISPCA for the day along with a great new friend I met who is also a volunteer, Kate. We were on Cattery and once we had that done were asked to clean a room. The things is though when you ask me and Kate to clean something expect it polished, organised, categorized, labelled and to be fair looking brand new. Our idea of cleaning is to take absolutely everything out of the room and put them back in order. And boy did we do that. This took us pretty much five hours but we had our Santa hats on, the music blasting and had a great time. When we finally got finished and made sure to put a giant note on the door saying 'touch or mess anything and you die' we headed back to Kate's and I spent the night at hers. We watched Frozen, FINALLY only a year late I can finally say I have seen it and I am a changed person. Then we watched Bad Neighbors which was absolutely hilarious. Thing with us is, we didn't just sit watching these films like normal people they had to be paused constantly whenever we had to tell each other something, or when we randomly took her dog up to play the piano, or when we sang to loud to actually hear what was going on in Frozen or when we just plain fell asleep at 5.30am.  It was a great night but the reason we had the sleepover was because she was volunteering on the 20th as well so we thought it would be fun for us to be in together again and so it began another day at the ISPCA with 4 hours sleep. We were giving another room to clean (shouldn't have done such a good job on the first) and we literally spent all day on it and I swear the room has never looked so clean. We found out there was a sink in the room (news to us) and also there was this strange thing called a 'floor' in the room. Anyway it was some weekend and all I need right now is roughly a weeks sleep.

BLOGMAS Day 15 : Never taking anything for granted again

Today was my first day in the office at the ISPCA they needed help doing the Christmas orders and I got picked and thought it would be a nice change anyway. For about two hours I sat cutting cards. The Christmas cards were too big to fit into the envelopes so I had to cut them.. every single one.. on each end. Finally though something I quite liked, the orders. It was a challenge to remember what you were at because I was getting handed orders left,right and center and had to go round collecting what each person ordered, package it ,label it , leave it in the post pile and then go with the order form to be filled. It thought me never to take anything for granted, something as simple as a letter goes through many stages to get to you.When all this was done it was PUPPY TIME.. my favorite part of the day. We had to take pictures of 11 puppies and boy were they trouble. Not alone was the one on the table that we were trying to take the picture of as hyper as a kid at Christmas but whilst I was doing that I had two pulling off my shoes, one in my pocket, one tugging my jumper and the rest chewing everything in the room they could find. Let's just say it took us an hour and 25 minutes to take pictures of 11 puppies, it was a struggle. In the evening more orders came with the post so had to package them up again, then I was shown how to do some computery thing.. basically I knew what I had to do, I didn't know what it was for or what it did but after coping and pasting 209 peoples information from one Excel page to another I never really want to see a computer again. Moral of the day: I never want to work in a office.

BLOGMAS Day 13 +14 : Making Christmas Treats

After searching Pinteret for fun little festive treats I came across these little beauties and couldn't wait to try them. First up 'Elf cookies' made from Cheerios with icing sugar,coca powder and some dipped in melted chocolate with sprinkles then was possibly my favorite Cinnamon bun flavored popcorn. I can not put in to words how good the house smelt and how good these taste you just have to go with me on this one and try them for yourselves. Lovely take on popcorn for this time of year.

BLOGMAS Day 12: Winter is a coming

WOOO woke up to the best sight.. SNOW. Even if it was only an inch thick, but it was prettyful. Today I dawned the hat, scarf and gloves from winter pasts and headed up to the ISPCA to volunteer for the day. When I got there though there wasn't a sign of snow so I didn't really get to have a fun snow day.. yet. I was on Cattery today which pretty much goes the same as always. Clean the cats, feed the cats, water the cats, give meds to the cats, feed the cats, water the cats, clean the cats, feed the cats...put the cats to bed. In between all this I cleaned the rabbits and canaries, took pictures of some dogs for adoption profiles and brought four boarder collie puppies for their first adventure outside. Two of the four went brilliant, one isn't a fan of the outdoors and the other was a wanderer. It was quite a quiet day so don't have much to tell on that basis although I have some very exciting news to do with the ISPCA that is happening next Wednesday.. I'll keep it a secret for now.. keep the suspense.

BLOGMAS Day 11: Shop to till you ..Train

Today I started the morning in the newly relocated Charity shop I Volunteer in. It wasn't the busiest but boy was it a relief to be in a warm shop instead of the Antarctic conditions of the other one. I finished in the shop at 1PM and had exactly 15 minutes to get to the train station,  find a parking space and get my train ticket before missing it and having to wait till 3PM. I headed down to Sligo with my mum for the evening. I needed to return books to the library ( I go there because its the most amazing library around) and get a pressie for a friend. We stopped for lunch in Subway which I'm pretty sure I mention before, but they have the most UH-MAZING Veggie patty subs. Yeah so we had to past the time then till 6PM to get the train back, joys of living in the Country, theres only a train every two hours. It was super dark by the time we got the train but that meant we got to see all the decorations up in houses on the way home. It was a fun evening with my Mum and hopefully the books I got will last till after Christmas.

BLOGMAS Day 8: Traditional Christmas

For me Christmas is all about the traditions. I think every family have their usual set of things they do each year. Although there is some changes, we are older now, every year there's always the same things. For starters every year on the 8th of December we put up our Christmas decorations (take them down the 8th of January). Every Christmas Eve we would gather in my Nan's house and have a mini party and give each other our presents. It was always the best because it would normally be snowing and on the way home we'd always say we could see Santa's sleigh. We'd always start Christmas day the same. Super Early. We would all bring our presents and stockings into my parents room and open them together then 'Santa' used to hide our presents around the house starting with always a toothbrush and paste in the bathroom, working our way to the kitchen. In the kitchen though the real fun began because 'Santa' was a right messy fella and would knock things over and spill the milk, then there's Rudolph who would leave dirty hove prints everywhere. Back in the old day we used to go to Christmas mass in the village and then would run back home to open the rest of Santa's presents. Then it would be the long day of passing time watching Christmas movies till Dinner. Now what we do is sleep in till about 12, still find 'Santa's presents, have a nice family breakfast then watch endless movies till Dinner. After dinner we would all do the washing up so we could spend the rest of the day opening our presents from other friends and family, plus eating a lot of sweets. I really love Christmas traditions I think its what makes it a special holiday.

Do you have any Christmas traditions ?? let me know in the comments below.

BLOGMAS Day 7 : Christmas Shoppppppping

I've never been so unprepared for Christmas than I am this year but finally today I got my shopping-till-I'm-a-dropping shoes on, money in the pocket and list in hand. We headed to Athlone for the day. Penny's was of course the first stop and to be honest I got more stuff for myself than I did for others, they just have the nicest room decor in and with the Christmas music blasting and the trees and lights everywhere I'm super in the Christmas mood. I really enjoyed today everyone was really in the spirit although at times it was like the Apocalypse was starting with the way people would shove you to get the first snowman. But finally by the end of the day I had all my gifts got, including the cat and the dog of course. To top it all off we stopped for dinner on the way home and ran into Santa at a Christmas Party in the hotel.. I rather seen to much of Santa though, he really needs to learns to close the curtain while he's getting changed.

BLOGMAS Day 6: Santa Claus is Coming To .. our village..

Every year Santa makes a grand entrance (on a horse trap) to our normally quiet little village, but on the day he's arriving there's hyper kids every where, all you can see for miles is red Santa hats and for the first time this year they even had a snow machine. Going to the Christmas party in the village was one of my favorite parts of Christmas it meant the start of the Season and all that is yet to come. One of the best parts was, every kid in the village was there so you got to meet all your friends as well as Santa. To be honest though when me and my brothers names got called to go in and see Santa in his Grotto it used to frighting the 'tinsel' out of me. This little dark shed in the corner of the room with this big fella, a very excited Ms Claus and very dodgy looking elves was enough to traumatize anyone. But we did come out with presents so it was always worth it. I still remember getting a (odd looking) doll and car one year and then another year getting the game Operation. Ah reminiscing Christmas's Past you gotta love it.

 I'll admit I was too excited waving to get a good picture but.. isn't Santa's back lovely.

BLOGMAS Day 5 : Festive Fashion Wish List

I'm super into the Christmassy mood this year and have been thinking about my Christmas Day and New Year outfits since October. Also this year I've been invited to a few Christmas Party's with the places that I volunteer in so I have those to look forward to.. and also find outfits for. I really love Velvet fabrics and sparkles for Christmas and the great thing is there's no set colour for Christmas its completely up to your style.Christmas is the perfect excuse to go all out on your outfit because its all about the celebration. With all the amazing TV adds for all the great stores and online shops I have some great inspiration, here are just a few of my favorites.

BooHoo.com

Elysia Lace & Velvet short Playsuit 

Niami Velvet Skater Dress

Gemma Sequin Shoulder and Sleeve Shift Dress

Kelly Velvet Long Sleeved Maxi Dress 

Molly Metallic Keyhole Skater Dress

Hattie Gold Metallic Lantern Mini Skirt



Miss Guided

Rita Lace Panel Midi Skirt 

Classic Shaggy Faux Fur coat 

Steph Lace Front Skater Dress. Navy

Well the only thing I've learnt from searching these outfits is.. I can't choose one and I FREAKIN LOVE CHRISTMAS. 

BLOGMAS Day 4: Cat Attack

For the third time this week we have organised to go do our Christmas shopping.. and for the third time its been put at halt. Today because we woke up to the kitchen flooding because the boiler in the range broke and so instead of shopping till we're a 'droppin we spent the day with hats,gloves and coats on INSIDE and eating as much soup as we could take in. I also spent the day getting to know the neighbor hood kittens, as the front door was left open with the builders traipsing in and out the kittens welcomed themselves in, one especially made his self at home. I've never seen such a confident kitten to come into a house make his way upstairs and come up on the bed, chairs, laptop and also the Christmas Tree. Currently as I write he is sitting on the keyboard trying to catch my fingers. It's such an in-you-face cat, if your not looking at it, it will make you look at it by chewing your shoes, jumping up in your face or as it's kindly just demonstrated.. running off with you glasses case. I don't know if Blogmas is meant to be only Technically about Christmas and not too much about your neighbors cat but I'm planning on doing BLOGMAS about what happens each day leading up to Christmas.. and I don't think I'l ever forget this one, possibly because I'm allergic to cats and will never stop sneezing once this one goes to its real home.
So now I bare you far well and leave you with some examples of what I had to put up with today. All in the name of cuteness

Just giving me a leg massage

And finally asleep.. until the second i move 

.

BLOGMAS Day 3: Spreading the Christmas joy

I saw this beautiful idea being shared around Facebook and it admittedly caught my attention. Such a simple and easy thing to do but yet would make someones life,Winter or Christmas just that bit easier. We all take so much for granted and that is seen simply by the items on this supply list that can mean feeling good and happy about yourself to someone living on our streets. I'm going to get straight to work preparing this little package for someone who very much needs some spirit this Christmas. Can you imagine if every household did this it would mean the world to someone who would be going without anything for Christmas, it could become a tradition every year for the family and would show children this is the true spirit of Christmas and what a better thing to do then make someones day.






One thing I would say do a little different is to use a plastic box instead of a shoebox as the likes of the box and their gifts getting wet is very high.


Spread some joy this Christmas and we will show how much we stand together and fight through terrible things like homelessness.

BLOGMAS Day 2: Sick day :(

Well December has arrived and with it flue season in Ireland and don't ya just know it, I got the bug (I don't like saying bug it makes me feel more icky, lets change it too....Ladybird). I got the Ladybird. So after coming home from Volunteering (went for a half day because they were short staffed and did really need me today) I've spent the day in bed with a onesie, a hot water bottle and a nice bowl of soup (packet though, nothing beats homemade). There's plenty of 'My Sick Day' videos on most beauty YouTube channels, thing is the last thing I want to be doing when I'm sick is capturing it on camera and putting on make up. So I want to be real with you guys, as I'm sure everyone does spend there sick days a bit different I think the majority of us spend it in bed with the remote. When the outside world feels too much, you can always rely on daytime TV or second best the Kids channel. Not that I'm saying there's anything wrong with being a fully grown adult and watching the Tweenies. Being Irish I have the great remides of past ancestors that, no joke here, will revive you to your former health. Flat 7UP is a thing of miracles,one half glass and your out of bed fit for running a marathon.. or in my case putting up the Christmas Decorations (which some might say is like running a marathon). 7UP, toast and soup that's all you need and some good This Morning gossip and you'l be right as rain.

BLOGMAS DAY 1: It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

I'm well and truly in the Christmas spirit today, and it being the first of December I can officially shout it from the roof tops without getting odd looks. I love everything about Christmas, obviously like whats not to love.. decorating, food. family and SNOW (hopefully). Starting off yesterday with baking Christmas cookies which I spotted on Pinterest and are so easy yet adorably delicious. Then today I brought down my Christmas decorations and even did a spot of DIY with a bow on my window. Blasting the xmas tunes all day and going around in my Santa socks. I think it was the best way to kick of December and Blogmas.