Guilty Pleasures

I was watching re-runs of Sex and the City a few nights ago and it was the episode where Aidan had moved into Carries apartment. Carrie was at the coffee shop with the girls complaining that now she couldn't indulge in the little things that she loved that she would never let anyone else see her doing... like eating buttered crackers while standing in the kitchen.

When it comes to guilty pleasures mine are a little more embarrassing than that.

• Walking around the house in short shorts and knee high socks thinking that I am the queen of the roller derby (I don't skate by the way).

• Asking my housemate to not throw out the dusty, crushed cereal at the bottom of their cereal bag and saving them all up until I have a bowl full of cereal mush.

• Eating the most comforting of all meals when I'm all sad and lonely - tinned spaghetti hoops and a jar of drained baby carrots, all heated together and eaten from a bowl with a spoon.

• Getting into the car and cranking up the stereo to sing along with Taylor Momsen and Ke$hia, complete with disdainful stares and glares at all the cars around me.

• Refusing to put on a pair of pyjamas in winter time but still complaining of being too cold to sleep until I put on a hoodie and pair of socks.

• Putting on completely over the top eye makeup and getting straight into the shower and washing it off.  

What are some of your guilty pleasures? Don't leave me hanging all alone out on this limb of honesty...

Things That Turn Me On

Sunshine

The Smell of Coffee

Toned Limbs

Good Conversation

Sheer Clothing

A Lingering Hug

Over Ripe Pears

A Genuine Smile

A Firm Handshake

Coconut Flavoured Anything 

Lunchtime Love

Lunch in Aubars with Raymy obviously wasn't nice at all. 

Judging by our empty plates (don't count Raymys lack of salad love) you should try it too. Aubars can be found on Thomas St here in Limerick. 

P.S I can vouch for the fish pie (and maybe the flourless chocolate cake too) - yum

Confessional - A Simple Thought

My mum and I share a simple belief. 

That when a loved one dies they sometimes like to come back and visit on a sunny day, disguised as a butterfly.

If you ever spot me wearing something with a butterfly on it... it's because I want to remember someone special that day.

Beaches Is More Than A Movie

At one stage, when Mr T. and I still dated, he lived beside the sea on the west coast. Even though it was the middle of nowhere, with no phone reception and no broadband and very few TV channels I loved to visit and walk the beaches all day long.

I miss the beach, I miss sand under my feet, I miss the smell, I miss the sounds of the ocean crashing off the rocks, I miss the feeling of being insignificant.

I think a little spin to the coast may be in order soon. A chance to roll up my jeans and get my toes wet, to bring back a little of the seaside in the sand in my car, to get some of that gorgeous sea breeze in my hair. Some days I really lament the fact that I grew up in a land locked county and that I live in a county on the coast now with little or no beaches. 

Is there anywhere that you feel at peace? Where do you feel completely at home?

Appreciate It

I appreciate -

- the sacrifice my parents made to put me through college - having the opportunity to keep learning all my life - the love of books that came from a childhood of being read to - being able to see and hear and taste and smell and touch - hugs from friends - the well being that comes from petting a dog or cat - the freedom my car gives me - the variety of friends that I have in my life - the healthy body I stand in - that while I am by no means financially stable I am not living in poverty - a home cooked meal - the fact that I have family who will always stand by me 

Just A Little Ink

Have you ever thought of getting a tattoo?

I love the idea of having a tiny little inked image hidden away on my person. Something just for me, something to make me feel special and to smile about every time I think about it. The kind of tat that you almost forget you have until you get a glimpse of it in the mirror when you get dressed and you can't help but smile to yourself. I don't know if or when I will get this done but I do know that I really want something that is just mine.

'A ruffled mind makes a restless pillow' - Charlotte Brontë

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A few months ago I told you all about how I learned to sleep alone again when a five year relationship ended. It was strange and liberating to have a whole bed to myself again and I loved it. But then S moved out and I moved into her room - cause I really wanted the electric shower - and I found myself back on one side of the bed again.

How did that happen? I don't have another significant other, I'm not looking to make space for one in my life right now, so how the hell did I end up drifting back out to the edge of the mattress. I woke up one morning last week after another night of edge hugging and asked myself what was going on? And then I realised.... when I had made up my new bed I had automatically put the pillows into two piles at the head of the bed, and therefore I had automatically slept on one pile of them... on one side of the bed.

That evening I stripped the bed and as I remade it I carefully put just one huge pile of pillows at the top... and it worked. I was back in the middle of my bed.

Have you ever found that you do things out of habit that impact of the rest of your day?

A Morning Routine

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What's your morning routine?

Do you like to crank up the stereo and dance around your room while you get dressed, or do you like to sit and enjoy a quiet cup of tea before heading out into the world, or do you throw on whatever clothes you can find and rush out the door at the last minute?

Most mornings I hit the snooze button at least once before getting up and dragging myself into the shower. By the time I have my hair washed I have figured out what kind of humour I'm in, and by the time I'm drying off I usually have figured out the majority of my outfit for the day.

Back into my rather messy and stuffy room and I open the curtains and window to let in a little fresh air (one of the downfalls of having a room that faces the sun in the morning* ) and start hunting in my overflowing wardrobe for whatever items I need to get dressed. Once dressed I blow dry my hair if I'm leaving it down, if I'm pinning it up I leave it damp (I'm lazy about my hair most days), put on a little make-up, sometimes foundation, sometimes eye shadow, sometimes blush, always mascara and lip balm, rummage in the wardrobe for a bag to match my outfit and transfer the contents of yesterdays bag into it. I rarely leave the house without some form of jewelry on.

I head downstairs to see who else is awake in the house and to see if anyone wants to car pool into college (it's easier to get parking if you car pool). I usually forget about having breakfast at home but sometimes remember to throw a cereal bar or yogurt or apple into my bag, I fill up a travel mug with coffee and I'm out the door doing a mental checklist of purse - keys - phone.

Isn't it amazing how habits form? What morning habits are ingrained in you?

* my housemate just reminded me that my room doesn't face the sun in the morning... doh