Discontinued... ??

Don't you just hate it when something you have used for years gets discontinued... I think to myself, how can they possible do that, I use it all the time!! Then again, because its being discontinued its very possible I am the 'only' person using it!!

I just discovered that the cuticle and nail oil that I have been pretty much using since the year dot has been discontinued! I was shocked! I love it because its got the smell, texture and feel of the ones used in salons and so when I do my nails myself it makes me feel like they've been done professionally.

So now I have to find a nice new replacement... all suggestions welcome!

Bon Appetite!

When my darling James is in a theatrical run I like to surprise him with some of his favorite meals for dinner, when I can, as he really comes straight home from work and straight to the theatre. [He is currently playing Shawn Keogh in Playboy of the Western World, in the Millbank Theatre] Today I decided I would make my own personal lasagna, which he loves.

I had every intention of taking loads of pics for you all to see, but alas it was not to be and you are only getting some before and afters of my masterpiece ( I promise to work on this!).

When I make lasagna, its almost a meal in itself. As well as mince I love to add a veg layer too and today I used cherry tomatoes, mushrooms, spring onions, cauliflower, carrots, sugar snap peas and courgettes! Of course I make my own bechamel sauce too, well in this case two, as I burnt the first! The aromas as I type are intoxicating! I've always been a real 'in the moment' cook and whatever I feel like I stick in. So my lasagna is also seasoned with chilli, garlic, cinnamon, black peppercorns, coriander, rosemary and bay leaves! Yummy!!

Tonight I'll serve it with some backed potaotes, a lovely green salad and a bottle of Red! All this talk of food and the aromas have made me very hungry indeed, off to make myself a lovely tuna salad wrap and some air popped popcorn for lunch - Bon Appetite bloggers!

Getting to know you a little better...

During the course of my surfing I read many blogs, some I follow, others I don't. Today on one of my favorite blogs, aptly called My Favorite Things we're all invited to share a little about ourselves and answer 4 simple questions. I've decided opposed to answering in the comment section of the post that I would do the same here and ask you all to share a little more with me too!

1. Name an author you love.

Well I love to read and go through many 'author's of the moment' but 2 I suppose that always stay with me are Marian Keyes and Liz Ryan.

2. Books you love.

I love all kinds of books, amongst my favorite are; Bloodlines, By Liz Ryan, Little Women, By Louisa May Alcott and PS I Love You by Cecilia Ahern.

3. Something that always excites you.

I get excited about getting letters and cards in the post. [No not bills or silly circulars] Proper cards, with news and stories from friends and family. I get uber excited if they are in coloured envelopes!

4. Something you hate.

Dust bunnies, can't stand them! They always seem to hide under the couch and Tilly's day bed.

Want to participate? Leave a comment so I can hop on over to your space. I'd love to know a bit about you too!

Letter to the Universe

So I've mentioned before that I am a would be writer! When I say that, what I mean is, that I would really like to be a writer. There seems to be many schools of thought on what exactly makes you a writer and, it would appear, that having published work doesn't necessarily guarantee you the title! So perhaps I should clarify even more;

Universe what I would really like is to have a writing career that will span a life time. A career that is both lucrative and successful. That my many readers, who are spread across the world, will eagerly anticipate my latest work and that it will bring them joy and happiness. I would like for my novels and books to transcend the ages and be enjoyed for years to come.

I want for my writing career to open me up to new experiences, for it to be rewarding and to allow me to live a very comfortable, exciting and rewarding lifestyle. I would like for some of my books to be turned into movies and TV series. That not only will my work bring people joy, but jobs, that it will allow them to realise their own dreams and goals.

Universe please send to the gifts, talent, luck and resources that I need to reach, achieve and exceed this dream and goal of mine.

Will I look good naked?

In my life I've been prone to doing many mad and odd things and while I am willingly taking part in this latest venture (if they'll have me) I can't take credit for the idea. About a week ago my bbffff called and said;

'Blá can you talk?' [this should have been my first indication that what was to follow wasn't going to be good]

As it transpired my darling bbffff had decided that we, YES WE, were applying to Channel 4's 'How to look good naked' and had just downloaded the application forms. She informed me that I had no choice in the matter. Now, having never actually seen the program the title alone put me off, as I expected that it would involve, showing to the world, 'what the stork saw'... not a pretty sight in my mind! Needless to say she talked me into it with the lure of copious amounts of vino and nibbles while we fill in the sizable application form!

Today I got around to watching an episode online and while I don't relish in the fact of potentially getting my kit off in front of total strangers I think the experience will be very positive! Thats not to say that if I am actually successful and get on the show, that I won't be ABSOLUTELY terrified of showing my bits to the public, or even a small room of trained professionals!

So tomorrow is the night when my bbfff and I, will strip down to our undies, take the required pictures (hopefully while blind drunk) and complete the mammoth application form in the hope that some big wig TV boss will think that 'our booty' will make good TV!! Wish me luck!

Dirt, dirt, go away and don't come back another day!

We previously established that I am not great at the auld house wife skills, although I must admit over the past few days I've been putting in a HUGE effort. Yesterday I even attempted some baking and while my scones did turn out more like biscuits, today's attempt was a vast improvement! Perhaps there is some credit, after all to the old adage 'Practice makes perfect'?

However I digress, we're having some visitors tomorrow, in the form of 3 of James' Aunts. Sometimes I feel like the family, (his family) has an AGM and collectively decides, ok who's turn is it to take one for the team and head to Dublin and makes sure 'that wan' is feeding our James and that the house looks right?? Anyone else feel like that? Well anyways, regardless, 3 of the Aunts are coming to stay, not only am I in a quandary and a pickle as to where they are all going to sleep, I'm also EXHAUSTED from the deep and thorough cleaning frenzy I've been on. I know I make it sound like we live in a pig sty - WE DON'T... but you know what West of Ireland mammy's are like - they'll look in presses, run fingers along fireplaces and check the fridge for adequate levels of rashers and bacon and cabbages. So because of all this I am stressed!

Stressed and astounded at the amount of dirt there is if you go looking for it!! Needless to say that the house is clean most of the time, but there are those behind the chair and under the lamp areas that perhaps I'll admit to 'sweeping' past on a regular basis. So today I've spent the day trying to clean (when I have a million and one other things I could be doing) and even after the day I've had... well this picture puts it better than I ever could;


Possibly unequivocal proof that I am indeed a desperate housewife (see earlier blog post I am a desperate housewife! ) But regardless I clean, clearly I'm not a perky, or as well dressed a cleaner as the pictures above would suggest, but all this is giving me new appreciation for my Mother. My mother is the picture of domesticity. Even her 'mess drawer' is clean and ordered! Today has made me realise, the tireless and thankless hours she put in year after year while we were growing up and to end I just wanted to say, Thank you Mum.

Tea Cup Tea-light Love?

Am still exhausted from working all weekend but I had to share with you all the cutest present my darling husband had waiting for me when I got home.

I came home, exhausted and with aching feet and James produced a small paper bag... I was like a child on Christmas morning! Inside, delightfully wrapped in pink tissue paper, was the cutest little tea cup tea-light from The Dolly Tub , I can tell you my little face lit up when I saw it! It was the sweetest and cutest little gesture he has EVER done... thank you darling!I may have mentioned briefly before that I now BIG into my tea cups in a BIG way - its the only way I will drink tea and I'll use any excuse to take Granny's tea set out of Granny's China Cabinet (yes I was lucky enough to inherit both!)

I popped onto The Dolly Tub website this afternoon, while sipping my tea, and just fell in love with the other products in her range. Suzanne, the owner, has made me have romantic notions about moving to rural Galway and living in a pink cottage and making tea cup tea-lights too!! You never know... it could very well be 'what blá does next'!