Friday 24 February 2012

Sam's Irish Adventure

So I did not have the best start to my holiday. I had set my alarm for 5:30am and I had planned to have two hours to get ready. Unfortunately my alarm was on silent. Yes I know, well done Sam. So instead I woke at 6:45 am. Yep I gave myself 45 mins to get ready and out of the door by half 7. Funny enough I managed it! Of course I had to sacrifice my makeup regime  and had to do the rest of my makeup in the car ride to the airport. I tell you now doing eye makeup in the car, on the motorway is hard! 
Here is a picture of us with our tickets...ok a slight dodgy picture but we weren't aloud to take pictures...(note to all there was no such sign saying 'no photos allowed' This was Gatwick Airport.) 
 
Anyway once I arrived at Gatwick, my parents decided to come in with me. As adorable and sweet as it may sound, it was slightly embarrassing. Once through security we all have had our fair share of trouble at the airport. A regular occurrence for me. The airports seem to hate me. Do I look like a terrorist to you? Rhetorical question, do not answer that. 
Anyway lucky old me, I had my hand luggage checked. Brilliant. Apparently my makeup wipes looked like a liquid...really? Always one ey? Other than that sailed through the airport just fine. And...I totted in my heels from the boarding gate to Ireland. (So yes not all the way through the airport - like I said I would...but I was pressed for time.) I found it manageable. Surprisingly though I did wear wedge shoes. But yes, I still do not suggest them. Also not to walk around Ireland in them. (We didn't walk that far and spent a lot of our first few hours on a tour bus...but still my feet absolutely hurt!) 
Here is the tour bus ticket, it cost  €16 for two days...luckily we managed to use ours for three...Just work some charms ;) The Irish are pretty friendly.



Anyway other than being indecisive about dinner...which in the end we went to Flanagan! Lovely restaurant, the first day was great.Which reminded me of Rory Flanagan from Glee lol. Dinner was lovely :) Unfortunately I didn't take a picture of the main but I did for dessert. 
Mine is the ice cream...I am rather fussy when it comes to desserts...I tend to just go for ice cream or cheesecake. I don't really have a sweet tooth...lots of desserts I don't like lol. Anyway in the top left hand corner, there is a banana boat (eew) on the banana boat's right there are profiteroles, bottom right hand corner is a banoffee pie. (eew) and finally my traditional...boring ice cream :) 
Homemade ice cream.


Our first night, I didn't sleep much...about two hours sleep...One friend and I stayed up till late talking...I didn't even realise we stayed up till 4 am...and we woke at 6 in the morning. An early start to our day! After breakfast we went to the Leprechaun museum! Amazing! I definitely recommend going there if you ever go to Dublin. If you are a student just flash your student card and you get it at a cheaper price! Also look out for little cards in your hotel/B&B and perhaps other places, sometimes you can get discount or free gifts. Like this one. At the Leprechaun museum, where I got a free rainbow pencil. And apparently the drawings we drew will go up in their gallery! So watch this space.


 Here is my drawing! Mine was more of a fashion design...not the best drawing I must admit. 

This is one of my favourite pictures from the trip, this was at the Leprechaun museum.That is us in the giant's room, check out the giant chair! It was amazing!
 


 Anyway after that we got onto the tour bus. This bus driver was not good...he went way too fast for us to even take pictures...and he wasn't as outgoing or as jokey as the first bus driver! Barry! He was awesome, telling us jokes and singing Irish songs! Anyway we headed for the Guinness Factory, at first I was a bit like..meh, Guinness, bet it taste disgusting etc. (Also you can get student discount here too.) Actually I was surprised to find I actually liked Guinness, it cost us about €10.60. So not bad, plus we got to either pull your own Guinness or you get a free Guinness...I recommend pulling your own one! It was so much fun! We also got to try some Guinness too! And we got to take photos in a photo booth where they let us print four copies of the picture, that was so nice of them :) Anyway we all pledge that St Patrick's Day is the friendliest day of the year. I was number 230! lol 


And here is the picture of us making funny faces in the photo booth! (I have permission from the girls to post pictures of them.) Yes like I said silly faces lol.
Anyway I took loads of photos, but won't post them all on here lol. We got to try our own Guinness before going to another floor to pull our own Guinness! That was sooo much fun!


I did it all right! And that was the first time I ever pulled a pint! And you get a certificate at the end! What more do you want? lol 
Below is me with my certificate and my Guinness! I was so proud! Look isn't it perfect! :)


Anyway...I should stop gloating at my successful Guinness pint and continue blogging. Anyway after pulling the pint we got to drink it! I only managed half of the pint...but in my defence this was my first pint! I am not really a pint drinking girl so I did well. (And I already had quarter of a pint before) Yes I know I am almost 21 one and only now have I had my first pint...but I like my alcohpops and cocktails! Anyway after that we went for dinner, which we didn't eat much off...the portions was huge..and it was well a waste of my money but oh well...Then two of the girls went on a ghost tour, while me and another stayed at home...I am a wuss...and well my friend she was ill, really ill...poor thing, and I really didn't want to leave her on her own in the B&B...so yes I got out of getting jumped at by actors, where I would scream and probably cry. lol Though the girls loved it, so at least they enjoyed it. That very night, I got woken up at an ungodly hour...about 4ish, by the people staying upstairs...and they where still really loud till about half 5 when they woke all of my friends...did I mention that I am a light sleeper? I wake at anything...yeah...they woke me up...Americans...no offence to my readers...if you are American...but I really thought they where really inconsiderate, to be that loud with loud music in the early hours of the morning...so take no offence at my rant about you guys...I was just targeting the INCONSIDERATE bunch at the B&B. I really could have killed them...they left me with about 2 hours sleep...since they woke me and I couldn't get back to sleep...Once I wake fully I can't get back to sleep...and when I did finally drift off the rain woke me up...and then I had to get up...I was like a zombie that day. I drank my way through six cups of teas...yes SIX. It didn't do me any good...I had the first 4 within a space of two hours and I was still very drained...I just needed to pee A LOT. lol Anyway once we left the B&B we headed for the bus and made our way to the free attractions. (This was when our bus ticket wouldn't work, but the bus driver was such a gent he let us on) I think it was because we where four British girls. So work your charms girls! :)
Anyway we did a lot of walking outside and I can tell you it was freezing, though it was a beautiful day...very windy. I would not recommend wearing false eyelashes...not that I did, but seriously they would fall off..unless you use A LOT of glue lol. The weather had been pretty nice while we where there, unfortunately we did get caught in hailstones...and yes they hurt. We took shelter in Costa...and that is where I had cup number 5 and 6. 
I am a big kid at heart, we found this play area during our walk around Dublin.
 
Anyway after sheltering from the hailstones, we did our souvenir shopping, real tourist. Well we where on holiday after all! And we had the best pizza we ever had, well mine was good...though it was REALLY spicy...and I am normally one who can take spice...but my mouth was on fire. I guess it did have seeds, and chillies too. I bought a hoodie for myself. I don't tend to wear hoodies, but I really wanted one! And I LOVE it! :) Not the best photo, but yes my new hoodie!

In the evening, our last night in Dublin, we decided to have a traditional Irish Night, with a three course meal, costing €29.95. The starter was lovely, minus soda bread...I don't like Soda bread not one bit. It was rather disgusting. I even smothered it with butter, and I still couldn't taste the butter, it was slightly more bearable dipping it into the soup. For my main I had chicken, and quite honestly was very disappointed, my chicken was really dry, could have done with some sauce. The vegetables were lovely though. As for dessert, mine was called, 'Irish Strawberry Shortbread Fool' (I think) It was YUMMY! I thought I wouldn't like it, but I actually did...though I couldn't finish it. 

That night since it was our last, we made it through quite a few cocktails...I had three. One called 'Scroll on the beach' and the other a Apple Martini, and I can say the Apple Martini was my absolute favourite! Yummy :)
 If you haven't tried an Apple Martini, I would definitely recommend you try it...of course drink in moderation. Anyway here is my dress I wore that evening we went to watch some Irish singers and dancers.
So to end, I would definitely recommend a trip to the beautiful Ireland. Dublin is a small city and lots of famous attractions are within walking distance. I definitely recommend going to the Guinness factory, though do watch out while you are there, watch out for lurking children/people...then tend to like to target tourist and will try to pickpocket you. Now I am not trying to put you off, but it is a warning, our lovely bus driver warned us about the innocent looking children lurking around the factory, so do beware. And be careful. Another than the dodgy looking figures I would definitely make a trip to the Guinness Factory, as well as doing the tour bus, it is a great price for two days, or you can do the three days one which includes a bus to the airport, bonus! On a nice day the city is very pretty, though very windy, so if you want to sit on the top deck...be prepared to lose your head...A lot of people have said to me, 'why did you go to Dublin, It is just windy' Yes it is windy and cold, but I still would definitely go again, I really enjoyed myself and if the accent isn't just enough! The views are pretty, though if I do go to Ireland again I would definitely make my destination perhaps Cork or Galway! 


But yes this 3. Spend a weekend in Ireland. can be crossed off my list! I went for more than a weekend, four days...well more of three. And I wished I was there for a week to be honest, I just ran out of time! But it was great fun, great laughs and we all melted at the accent. :) Dublin definitely gets five clovers! 


So I hope I have convinced you to go to Dublin and not bored you to death with my mega long blog!


Sam x

Friday 10 February 2012

A Traveller's guide

So to keep up the Irish theme, I thought I would blog about every girl's travel essentials/guide for a short trip. (As you can tell I am running out of ideas relating to Ireland.) I thought about blogging about New York but then thought I would keep it to the Irish theme, after all I leave for Dublin very soon!

So...every girl's travel essentials/guide for a short trip. 


No.1 - Golden rule, Make a list. 

It makes packing so much easier. Make a list of what you intend to take, that way when you are packing you can tick things off and take out things you do not necessarily need. (If you are anything like me and like to carry a load of crap...then a list is VERY important.) I mean I know if I make a list it helps me not panic as much...I am one of those people...who have to check over and over again that it is in there...even though I know I put in there...a little OCD? Perhaps. 



No.2 - Be Practical.


From my last blog, I may have blogged about fashionable outfits...with a beautiful pair of Louboutin's. And it may look cool to tot around in a beautiful pair of high heels, it seriously is not practical. I mean a celebrity wouldn't need to carry anything other than their precious bag. Not that I have any experience of totting around in heels at an airport, but I do have experience wearing new shoes at an airport...and they rubbed. Anyway, it does look like I may have to tot around in heels...4 inch wedge shoes too be precise...I'll have a go and see what it is like to run around an airport wearing shoes and I will tell you the outcome. Probably won't go down well...since I am bit of a klutz...but hey perhaps I'll take this talent of mine and be a damsel in distress and fall into a handsome (preferably Irish...I am not too fussed ) stranger? Only one could hope...instead of...the other worse case scenarios...a) me falling flat on my face...making even more of a prat of myself...as not only will I fall, I'll scream to draw even more attention to myself. b) I'll or we will miss our plane because of my kick ass slowness...though I could always run, but me running? Scenario A will happen. c) I could trip...knock into something...and cause a domino affect of things falling. d) Or I will fall into someone...making them break something. 
Yes, I will fill you guys in, what it is like to be a celebrity and tot around in impractical shoes.  Yes perhaps I am being a little contradictory, telling you to be practical and I myself will be totting around in impractical shoes...but hey someone has to be a guinea pig...why not clumsy old Sam? 
Anyway...other than just practical shoes...seriously need to wear practical clothes...it is freezing on the plane...trust me...I have been on my fair share of 12 hour flights...and even two pair of socks is not enough. It is ridiculous the amount of girls I see wearing shorts onto planes. Yeah sure the place you may be landing in might be kick ass hot, but you can always change at the airport or even on board. Or you do what I do, plan your outfit that suits ice cold plane conditions and your destination. Say, wear leggings and a cute dress with a cardi and pumps...and then pack a pair of socks...or perhaps two...into your bag along with a cute scarf that can double up as a blanket, and bingo warm feet, and sort of warm self. 

For example:

With music, your phone...(not that you can use it) and a good book you are all set. (For a long haul flight anyway)




Summer sunshine, barefoot in the moonlight

No.3 - Think Ahead.

You will never know what will happen, say you get to your destination and the heavens opened and you get drowned and look like a drowned rat...then, yes it is important to pack an umbrella. Or your checked in luggage gets lost, delayed...some spare clothes in your hand luggage is godsend. Also girls. Remember your girly essentials...you will never know. :)

No.4 - Documents. 


The MOST Important thing while travelling. Make sure you keep all documents into a nice little folder/plastic wallet. It saves you fishing into your giant bag looking for your documents.  Like Rachel in friends...no one wants that.
Also it would be a good idea to create duplicates of your flight information. For you and say if you are flying with someone else...just in case you leave your copy at home...but if you are flying by yourself...then...you would be screwed. lol 


No.5 - Have patience.


I know there can be many problems at the airport. Flights being cancelled for a variety of reasons and you can get pretty pissed. I know I would be, the amount of times the bus or trains have been cancelled or delayed. I would suggest not to take it out on the poor people at the desk, it is not their fault, really it isn't. So what I would say is, breathe...bitch about the cancellation or delays to your friends and family, and if you are flying solo then the random person next to you. That way when you bitch you cool off and the poor person behind the desk would have one less person yelling at them. Trust me, the poor person probably has been yelled at already and probably really wouldn't want to add another person yelling at them, to their ever growing list.  Besides the person who works there are only human, like you and I.  


No. 6 - Be Prepared.

Very Prepared...This is not like catching a bus or train, when there will be another in half an hour, if you miss your plane...you are screwed...and I am not entirely sure, but you most likely will have to pay for another flight...don't take my word for it, I don't actually know, since I am normally quite an early person, so I get to the airport hours early. Anyway, yes, you need to be prepared, figure out when your flight is, when you have to be at the airport, and what time you should leave for the airport, judge the distance, and whether you will be likely to be caught in traffic. It is better to be bored out of your mind at the airport than sitting in a traffic jam, panicking about your flights.  But I bet you guys already knew that...but thought I'd throw it in here anyway.  


And if you are wondering whether I got the title for that polyvore thing I made...it is from a song, by...you guessed it...Lady Antebellum, from their Own the Night album. It is called Friday Night. And yes I have posted this song before, but I love Lady A.



So this is hardly Ireland related...but next week I will blog about my Dublin experience, and this week...was just to fill in the gap. :) 
I hope this travel guide, thing helped...though you probably all knew this anyway.


Sam x

Sunday 5 February 2012

Flying In Style

So here is another fashion related blog, in regards to Ireland. You may have seen many pictures of celebrities walking around airports in well styled outfits. And even changing into a separate outfit before landing, well I decided to create some outfits, ones that I would wear, if I was said celebrity and another of normal old me, the practical outfit. 

Here goes:

Celebrity Outfit: Top Fashion Stylist...Sam.

Celebrity on board Style
Here is an outfit I would wear if I was said celebrity, It is perfect for the winter, though perhaps those beautiful Louboutin's are really not practical for the snow...but who cares, if you are a celeb you won't have to worry about walking far. Anyway, I thought the cute blouse and dark blue skinny jeans will keep me warm on the plane, with a beautiful Burberry trench coat. Very chic, and somewhat practical...also to accompany the outfit, there is a beautiful Mulberry satchel bag. You are no celebrity without the famous oversized sunglasses, and the ones I have chosen are Gucci. Also to add to the collection, I have a fancy looking passport holder and a cute hat, to cover up my A Lister status ;). Last but not least, I have chosen the world famous Louis Vuitton suitcase, normally I am not a huge fan of Louis, but I have to say I quite adore this suitcase. 
Like any other celebrity, I will have too many suitcases and well I wouldn't even have to lift a finger, all I would have to do is tot around in my beautiful Louboutin's ;). 


Practical Outfit: Education Studies Student Sam. 







Flying With Style 


Right, here is student Sam's high street outfit, high street yet very practical and most important of all affordable. This outfit is very similar to the outfit I will be wearing on board on my way to Dublin. It is simple and warm, and I don't have high heels to trip in. The black top and boots are from Dorothy Perkins, the jeans are from Miss Selfridge and the coat is from H&M. This is pretty much what I am taking with me on board. (Since I am restricted to one item in the cabin, I do not have a handbag.) Anyway the passport holder in this collection is much more prettier than the one I own. 

I am super excited for Dublin, I have already started packing...though I still have yet to put my heels into my suitcase...sooo I may end up like a celebrity and have to tot around in my heels...because well my heels are heavier than my boots and well...I am restricted to 10kg :( 

So my copy of Leap Year came and I watched it. (Twice) and yes it is cheesy but god do I love it. I love 'Anna from Boston's' Louboutin shoes and how she totted around in those beautiful shoes, with her Louis Vuitton suitcase! Brave, brave woman, I think my feet would have fallen off if I had to walk around Ireland in those shoes! Yet they are very beautiful. 
It is quite a funny movie and despite the geographical nonsense, I do adore that movie. 

Leap Year - Anna O' Brady Callaghan

Leap Year 

Here is my interpretation of Anna Brady's outfit, well what I would wear anyway. As you can see I have used those beautiful Christian Louboutin shoes twice...well three times if you include my Gossip Girl one. Anyway, those Louboutin shoes are absolutely gorgeous...they are called 'Viola' and cost £525. I would wear them everyday...lol Anyway, I thought that blush colour blouse would go well with a cute belted black pencil skirt and with the Burberry coat, a very cute outfit, and very business like. With the Louis Vuitton suitcase and a cute cream bag.Ooh and I have the traditional Irish ring called the Claddagh ring.It's not quite Tiffany's but still a beautiful ring. And of course Anna's Blackberry. One of my favourite lines from the movie involve her Blackberry. 
Anna: 'You fried my Blackberry.'
Declan: 'You fried the whole village!' 
Anyway my all time favourite quote from the movie is this one:
' May you never steal, lie, or cheat, but if you must steal, then steal away my sorrows, and if you must lie, lie with me all the nights of my life, and if you must cheat, then please cheat death because I couldn't live a day without you.' 
This is such a cute quote! Soooo cute!

This was the song in the movie, well at the end of the movie and I think it is quite cute. 'You got me' by Colbie Caillat.
Also what I loved about the movie was Declan O'Callaghan, and his man ways of not understand the value of Louis Vuitton and Christian Louboutin! Lol but he was a lovable character.


Anyway my travel bracelet arrived. It is beautiful, I will be adding some charms to it soon! I will wear this with me on my travels.Here is a picture of it: 



To continue the Irish theme, I recommend reading 'Something From Tiffany's' by Melissa Hill, It is a wonderful story, absolutely wonderful and if you didn't love Tiffany's before you sure will now. The book starts of Christmas Eve New York City. It sounds absolutely magical, makes me want to spend Christmas in New York. Anyway, you will instantly fall in love with Ethan, and well absolutely hate Gary. Ethan is British while Gary is well Irish. The bulk of the story is set in Ireland. Anyway Ethan, ever the lovable character, goes to Tiffany's to buy his girlfriend an engagement ring, while Gary the douchebag, goes to Tiffany's to buy his girlfriend a charm bracelet, to thank her for a trip of a lifetime to New York and because he left his Christmas shopping to the last minute...see what I mean by douchbag? Anyway their bags get mixed up...and yeah...drama drama drama. Here is my favourite quote from the book, and it inspired the name of this account. 
"Bread- like real love- took time, cultivation, strong loving hands and patience. It lived, rising and growing to fruition only under the most perfect circumstances. If the water was too warm, it killed the yeast; too cool and the yeast was not inspired to grow the bread. Without enough sugar, the yeast would starve, leaving the bread flat and lifeless; if the air was not humid enough, the yeast could not spur the bread to reach its full potential."

Anyway Dublin soon! Let's hope this snow doesn't ruin my plans!

Love Sam x