Make A Splash

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Isn't this just one of the cutest ideas ever.

I love the thought of having a splash of colour hidden somewhere in my outfits. As anyone who has met me can testify - I rarely wear much colour - although S did comment earlier this week, when I was wearing an all black ensemble, that it was a little unusual to see in in head to toe black - I usually favour black, grey, black and grey stripes and more grey. Even though my clothes are muted in palette I love the idea of having something really bright hidden away;

• wear shockingly bright underwear - citrus, fuschia, turquoise
• if you fancy a full skirt like Dawn, Doe Deere or Sal you can perk it up with a petticoat like the one above
  
• wear brightly coloured jewellery - semi precious stones, acrylic, whatever takes your fancy
• wear a jewel colour cami inside whatever you're wearing, let the lace peek out just a little
  
• seek out a coat with beautiful and vibrant lining
• even the lining of your handbag can bring a touch of colour related joy to your day

but my favourite is

• wear a sombre outfit and completely transform it with a beautiful scarf

How do you like to wear your colour? On your sleeve, bright and vibrant like Franca over at Oranges & Apples or are you more like me, with hidden colour within your outfit?

fuckyeahchubbygirls

I have found the most wonderful tumblr page called fuckyeahchubbygirls.

Normal, everyday girls send in their photos and are celebrated for how wonderful they are. In a world where body image is so prevalent and every where you look you are bombarded with images of perfection it's absolutely fantastic to see a site that celebrates a person for everything that they are.

Learning To Sleep In The Middle Of The Bed

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Right so... I've been single for about 4 months now and some aspects of the single life are fantastic and some are a little lackluster.

I can't say that I miss having to try and co-ordinate our schedules in order to spend some time together, shaving my legs regularly, and cooking for Mr T. I do miss having someone to talk to, having someone who 'gets' me and I really miss hearing a familiar voice on the other end of the phone. BUT... the most difficult part of being single for me is as follows...

... learning to sleep in the middle of the bed.

When I came to Limerick, before I met Mr T, I decided to stick with student accommodation for my first year in UL - hello single bed - and out of laziness I spent my second year in the same student village. I started seeing Mr T in November of that first year and he also had a very single bed in his accommodation. So we learned to snuggle - and I learned to sleep on my side, with my tummy held in, in fear of falling out of the bed if I dared to turn over in my sleep. In my third year I finally found the holy grail - a room with a double bed! I reveled in the new found space, I had a whole side of a bed to myself - and four months later I was back in a single bed - crap! In fact my next encounter with a double bed wasn't until I graduated and moved in with Mr T in Galway and I've never looked back since (I choose to just ignore the 3 months I spent in a box room in 'cardboard city' on starting the postgrad, it didn't really exist).

Even thought Mr T and I dated over distance for most of our relationship I still always slept on one side of the bed, I never had a fondness for one side over the other but I would always make sure to keep within my allocated space, two piles of pillows letting me know of the imaginary dividing line in the bed. Even when we broke up I still slept on my side of the bed for a few weeks.

One of the most definitive moments of being a single woman was when I realised that the whole bed was now mine. I got some new, very feminine, bed clothes, remade my bed and put all of the pillows into one pile at the head of the bed. I spent the entire day looking forward to going to sleep, having a ocean of bed all to me, being able to stretch out my legs without feeling like I was taking someones space.

I didn't sleep that night - I just felt strange. I felt a little lost in my bed, like I almost didn't recognise the space around me. Over the past few weeks I have slowly gotten used to having an entire bed to myself, and I now love the feeling of stretching out and not touching the edge of the mattress. I feel like a princess, with my own special, selfish place to hide away! My bed is now mine and for me alone, I don't want to share it at all.

What was the one moment that you realised that you were single, and how did you deal with it? Let me know readers.

Irish Blog Awards Roundup 2010

Here are the top things I learned this weekend;

- It is not unusual for EllyBabes to walk up to you at the Irish Blog Awards, tell you that you have amazing cleavage and proceed to put her face into your chest

- There is no dress that I can't fit into - with enough spanx that is!

- Dawn is an amazing person to spend a weekend with

- At least one person, in each group of female friends, should carry a handbag large enough to fit everyone's flats into

- Drag queens make for the best acceptance speech writers, congratulations Panti!

- Captain Morgans and coke is actually a lovely drink

- Some pairs of tights are worth spending more than the cost of the dress on - with thanks to Val

- Salthill to the Radisson Blu isn't really a 40 minute walk - only took us less than 30

- Bosco is still a legend when you're 27

- Laughing at a funeral cortege is perfectly acceptable to the world of Irish bloggers

- Not being bothered to take your camera out of your handbag all night is a really stupid move - please hurry up and put up your photos Ruth!

- The Ladies Tea Party is a must to attend next year

- The Irish Blog Awards is a savage party - thanks to all of the organisers and sponsors

Pretty Walls

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Today I'm getting the feeling that a collection of something pretty on my wall might be a good idea. I really love the idea of random letters spread over an entire wall, but the small, very pretty frames are so cute for a bedroom.

What do you think about the idea of a large collection being displayed on a wall?

Letting You Go

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With thanks from Sonya this morning.

Engagement Photos

Sonya and Colin's engagement photos have arrived and they are so gorgeous.

The whole concept of engagement photos is still relatively new here in Ireland, and is usually offered by the photographer as a way to get to know the couple before their big day. Back in June I got some friends a photo shoot as their engagement present, but they seemed a little taken aback by the whole gesture.

My three favourites are above, I am totally in love with the photos taken on the jetty. They even had some really great jumping photos but Sonya made me promise not to put them up on the blog. What a spoil sport.

Their photographer is Liam Kidney, and I can't wait to see what he'll do for the wedding photos.

My Sympathies

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It is with my deepest sympathy that I tell you all the following.

My friend's mum went out for a walk on Mother's Day along the coast, lost her footing and slipped off the cliff. Her son, a friend of mine, was at the time away in New York. As a member of the Gardai he really wanted to experience St Patrick's Day in New York. He is now on his way home to Ireland with a very heavy heart.

My thoughts and prayers are with Jonathan and his family and friends at this terrible time.

'Ligean Dia a bheith aici agus a teaghlach'

Things I Love Thursday

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Writing - I write so rarely that today it was an incredible novelty to write up a quick article covering all the amazing events of the past two weeks for our archery club. Nine days, four competitions, 19 medals, 12 Personal Best scores, another National Champion for UL Archery, and a fundraiser. I feel very proud to be part of such a great bunch of people.

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Feeling Better - Having been plagued with sinus and chest infections since Christmas I am finally on the mend. I have taken 2 weeks off and am getting enough sleep, good food, no stress, antibiotics and plenty of vitamins. I hope to be back to full Magatha Mode by next week and will start taking on the world again.

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Treating Yourself - This week, just to make myself smile, I bought a small bunch of orange roses for my bedroom. I really didn't think that something so small and insignificant could make me feel so good. Every time I walked into my room I caught sight of them, all cheerful and pretty, when I walked up the stairs I could get the smell. I don't know if I would buy flowers every week - but treating myself might just become a more regular occurrence.

Honourable Mentions - soup (there really is nothing better when you're feeling unwell), the buzz that comes with Students' Union Elections on campus - all week long we've had flyers, guys in very bright t shirts, buskers, a sky dive on campus and even a candy floss machine, sleeping in with no alarm set, finding new ways to tie my scarf - courtesy of Dawn

Monday Truth

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It's true

A Beautiful Friday

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I hope you are having a wonderful Friday

Things I Love Thursday

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Coffee Loyalty - Our local coffee shop in college, Javas, have finally issued loyalty cards. I got mine on Tuesday and it was already filled by yesterday afternoon. The great thing about the Java card? You only need to get 5 stamps to get a free hot drink and not the usual 10. Yea!

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Photo Shoots - Sonya and Colin's engagement shoot took place a few weekends ago and I finally got a chance to see some of the photos from the event - they are so gorgeous. I can't wait to show you all. Watch this space in the coming week for a special engagement post.

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Spelling - I finally got an appointment with a dermatologist this week and my skin condition was diagnosed. Now I'm not particularly happy that I have problems with my skin but I completely love the fact that I was able to spell what was wrong with me on my first try. I have a non-contagious but non-treatable thing called pityriasis rosea and to be honest I don't really mind it too much as it supposed to clear up after a few months without any medication.

Honourable Mentions - the fact that it is still a little bright a 6pm, hot ribena to sooth a sore throat, heading to the GMIT InterVarsities and the Irish Nationals this weekend to cheer on my team mates, late night shopping on a Thursday, white chocolate chip cookies a la Cian

Neon Boneyard

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I've been meaning to put up these photos for ages. They are from the Neon Boneyard series by Pam Sattler. Aren't they gorgeous?

Comfort Food

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What's your go-to food for when you're feeling under the weather?

Is it tea and toast? Toasted ham and cheese? Beef stew? Macaroni and cheese? Chicken soup?

I always look to rice pudding. Sweet, creamy, rich but still light. I've a cold that I just can't seem to get rid of no matter what I try and have started craving rice pudding. Rice pudding reminds me of winter evenings at home with my mum, waiting for the pudding to be done, spooning great big servings into bowl and adding a dollop of strawberry jam to the centre.

Do you have memories of a particular comfort food?

March Monday Morning

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Good Monday Morning in March to you all my lovely readers.

I am very aware that my blog has been a little on the quiet side for the past few weeks - but no more - I will strive to update a little more often; images, quotes, snippets of my 'oh so interesting' life.

When you get busy what aspects of your life end up getting pushed aside? You friends, family, relationships, me time, social life, digital life? My internet usage always suffers when the push comes on.

I love all of my readers and love reading comments left on posts. Thank you for brightening my mornings.