Monday's Moments - 19/01/15

How we've been getting on then? Resolutions still holding firm? It has to be admitted I'm wavering on the cutting back on the demon drink but all in all, I'm motoring along and happy with the little changes I've been making. 

One thing that won't be changing any time soon is counting my blessings in the form of Monday's Moments and this week's no different. Ready?

1. New Earphones Arriving The Day After 

I Tweeted About Busted Ones!

2. The Luas Stalling and the Driver Announcing

 'Well Thanks to that GOBSHITE Lifting the Door Off it's Hinges, We Have to Get Off!'

3. Being The First in the Country to Get My Sniffer on L'Occitane Cherry L'eau for 2015

4. Leaving Work This Week While

 It Was Still Bright!

5. Aaron's Landing a New Job Two Days Before 

He Finished His Christmas One! 

Tell me this and tell me no more, what's going on with you this week? 

What's making your Monday brighter? 

Monday's Moments - 12/01/15

How do, Monday, hopefully it hasn't been too painful thusfar? I'm just gathering thoughts having spent the weekend pub hopping in Port Laois, because what's better after a week of clean eating & excersize than a weekend of booze & bouldness. Nothing is the answer. 

As ever there's been Moments that mean Monday 'round these parts doesn't suck quite as much. Ready? 

1. Finding a Twirl Stashed Under My Pillow & Aaron Telling Me 

'I knew you didn't get one from the shopping'. 

2. Managing to Fill the Fridge & Freezer with Healthy Eats for the Week. 

3. All Sale Purchases Arriving at Once!

4. Adam Bringing Home a Tray of Red Bull from Work. 'You can't drink that, you'll have a heart attack' - 'Oh God I wouldn't drink it, 

I'm going to sell them at school'

5. Being Invited to Apply for a Two Year Graduate Programme in Work!

And that's them, the little things that made my second week of the year pretty great. 

Tell us, what's going on with you of late?  Anything amaze?

Monday's Moments - 15/12/14

All messing aside now, we're ten days from Christmas - TEN!

In other amazing news we're only one week from longer days again, something I'm genuinely looking forward to. 

As per, it's been an amazing week blog wise, job wise and family wise and these five Moments are just the cherry on top: 

1. Aaron Having His Lost Wallet Returned 

With EVERYTHING Still Inside!

2. Meeting A Chap Outside the Age Action Party in the Office 'I'm Waiting For My Mam, She's Paying Me Back for All Those Years I Left Her 

Waiting Outside The Disco'

3. A Pal Using Smart Remote Phone App To Covertly Turn Up The X-Factor Results on The Pub TV!!

4. Making My Radio Debut To Chat About Blogging (Link Here)

5. Opening THIS Surprise Gift On Sunday & 

Being Completely Blown Away

Tell us, what Moment has been the cherry on top of your week? 

Monday's Moments ~ 17/11/14

Morning, All, that was probably the quickest weekend in the history of the year but I'm not complaining. Well I would have been had I not taken a few minutes to recognise how Kick Ass last week was and how this week will be even better again. 

Wanna know the Moments pooh-poohing my Monday Blues? Yeah you do:

1. Both Lads Getting Work In The New Skate Rink!

2. Sending A Hailo To Pick Up Aar From His Party - No More Nerve Wrecking Wait On The Nite Link!

3. A Work Pal Buying Me A Nice Bottle Of Red Wine For Helping Her Choose Her 

L'Oreal Perfect Red Lippie!

4. Spending The Weekend Catching Up On Freelance Work ~ i.e. In Mah PJs!

5. Being Asked To Speak At The First Irish Blogger Conference!! 

So c'mom, what's awesome in your life right now? Something make your weekend? 

Lemme know!

Monday's Chattery - What Are You Grateful For?

Guess who's back, back again...

It would seem that, although not bursting at the seams with comments, that people are missing The Chattery! Apologies for the temporary suspension but I genuinely felt it wasn't to peoples' taste - I guess I was wrong. 

For the Monday that's in it, I'll start the chat off with a simple question - 

what's one thing you're grateful for today? 

You'll see five things I'm grateful for in just a little while as Monday's Moments go live but honestly, I can't tell you what just taking note of the little things each week has done for my equilibrium. 

It's easy to get caught up in the bigger picture, to always imagine your eyes on the prize and it's pretty hard just to take a moment and breathe. 

So tell us, what's making you happy today? 

Let's Chat!

Monday's Moments - 16/06/14

Oh what a beautiful mooooorning, oh what a beautiful day - what's not to love about the summer months, eh? Sure it's Monday but that means a fresh start and a headlong run into what the week might bring - all good stuff!

The sunshine is certainly lifting my mood but so too are these five Moments that mean Monday blues have vamoosed once again. Catharsis FTW!

1. Cut Price Coffee? Aww Yiss!

You know a product is going to be popular when one tweet about it receives more than 10 retweets in minutes. Lidl, the creative minds behind Secret Garden Dublin have come up with another master stroke. Nespresso compatible coffee pods, for very few pee that are feckin' delish. That ticks all the coffee boxes for me, thanks v much. 

Priced at just €1.99 for 10 (that's just over 20c a cup, coffee nuts), these capsules have replaced my dwindling Nespresso stash nicely and I didn't have to join a poncey queue to get 'em. Two pods over ice with a splash of milk (and occasionally a dash of caramel syrup) have been keeping me going all week & saving me a forch. Well played, Lidl, well played!

2. InstaThrilled

I was hella late to the Instagram party, despite people telling me how much I'd love it (soz, Karen). I bit the bullet last year though and you know what? Everyone was right - addicted. 

I use the instant, pic sharing, double tap mecca for micro blogging - that is sharing sneak peeks of products as they're wrestled from the postie, mini reviews, swatches and snippets of behind the scenes at events. I LOVES IT. It helps that I can creep on everyone else's pics too. This past week I passed 1000 followers, I know in the grand scheme of things that's not huge but pour moi? It makes me happy dance lik dis *does Mr Plough hip thrusts*. Come check out our carry on here  & leave your Insta below if you'd like me to check yours out too!

3. You Made Your Mother Cry...

I often share pictures, videos & threats that the Gorgebags send me daily because, frankly, they're hilarious but Aaron this weekend managed to make me blub with just one PM. 

I know there has been backlash about single mams being mentioned on Father's Day but you know what? Screw those guys. It's damn near impossible pulling double duty when your little ones are still little and yep, there were days I honestly couldn't see the light but truthfully, Moments like this remind me how far we've come and how great a job we've done together. 

If you're parenting on your own and struggling, take heart, it gets so much easier, I wouldn't have our lives any other way now and you'll feel the same way very soon, I promise. 

4. Tuesday's Travels

Speaking of parenting powerhouses, we made a little (ie HUGE) announcement on site yesterday and yep, it's a Moment and a half. My own little Sis, Corrina is joining the Cherry ranks and has signed up to be our getaway expert!

If there's a tip or trick about getting a better deal or picking the right destination in holidays then Stone Travel herself is the one to ask. So that's exactly what I did, I asked. Tuesday's Travels starts tomorrow, you can catch the intro post here. We're hoping that it'll be uplifting and informative and will give you (and your kidlets if you have 'em) the inspiration to pack a bag and see some of the world. YAY SIS!

5. AUSSOME!!

One of the pinnacles of an already kick ass week had to be the email to confirm that we have been chosen as one of the eight finalists in the Aussie Blog Awards, sponsored by Her.ie (check out what they said about little ol' us), not only that but we're in the running for Reader's Choice Award too!

Aussome Company to be in!!

If you know me, or you just read Moment 3 up there, you'll know that things like this are just not what I saw for us only a few years ago. I never imagined I'd find something I love doing so much and turn out to be pretty decent at doing it too. Even more astoundingly, people would like the cut of our jib so much that it would literally change the life we live and the future we now look forward to. That right there blows my mindhole, every single day. 

If you took the time to vote for us, I want to thank you, sincerely. If you'd like to vote for us in the Reader's Choice category, then I'm afraid I might have to kiss you, sloppily, at the party, bring your kissing lips! 

Tell me this and tell me no more - 

What the Moment kicking your Monday Blues 

in the shins?

Monday's Moments : 14/10/13

One of you reminded Mother Nature it was October this week, who was it?! Seriously, what the actual J happened? There was no Ned Stark solemn warning of the winter approaching just tropical swelterings then FREEZE. Not cool. 

On the brighter side, there's been several Moments this week to keep me chipper, wanna see 'em? Yeah you do:

1. Ébloui, That's French for Elusive Little Bugger

Have you ever gotten the goo on you for something and for the life of you can't find it? For the past 6 months I've been searching for Chanel's russet toned gem that is Ébloui to no avail. Now don't get me wrong, had I been fervently hunting it with hounds I would have found it but checking with at least half a dozen Chanel counters in passing constitutes searching to me. 

Now that I've gotten my grubby mitts on it, I'm raging I didn't call out the hounds sooner. The warm burgundy russet with gold and red sparkle throughout is luminous, incredibly soft to the touch, THE most flattering shade for blue/green eyes and worn over Catrice's made to Stay Charcoal, this sucker lasts for HOURS. J'adore. 

2. American Horror Story Returns & 

I'm Already Under it's Spell 

Having loved the first series of American Horror Story but given up on Asylum (the second) half way through, Lorraine's guest post last week made me very, very excited for season 3, Coven. 

You only have to look at the cast list above to see several reasons why this season promises to be awesome but if episode one was anything to go by, they've got me, hook, line and sinker. There was a Breaking Bad shaped hole in my heart and I reckon it's just been filled. 

3. Surprise Appointment

This week I managed to try out one of the newest hair care gizmowhajamacallits (technical term) the L'Oreal Steam Pod, not through a Blogger appointment but because himself won a voucher at a charity event he was gigging for. All by his lonesome he booked the appointment for Wednesday and never one to argue with a free do, I trotted along to try it out. 

I'll have the full deets this afternoon but, for serious, I'm trying desperately to convince myself that the lads' need to eat is greater than my need for this miraculous contraption. 4 days of sleek, shiny hair for just 10 minutes effort? Pesky kids and their selfish need for sustenance!! 

4. Face Off

The eldest Gorgebag has been settling into college life brilliantly and making a whole new group of friends on his course, for that I'm genuinely thrilled. Thing is? They've taken to pranking each other in more and more elaborate ways. 

This here is the handy work of one new pal, photoshopping Aaron's Facebook profile photo and the difference between his kisser and Mr Cage is so subtle that it, hand on heart, frightened the bejebus of me when I saw it. I may never sleep again. It's all fun and games, lads!

5. Sleigh Bells Ring, Are ya Listenin'? 

Source

Turns out, thanks to this bandy back and extended leave from work that we won't be getting our collective tuckus' away to the sun this year after all, so in an effort to cheer ourselves up, we've booked our annual Christmas Market trip!

The Sis and I have a tradition of visiting European Cities, in style but on a shoestring (she's awesome at that)(AND SHOULD HAVE A BLOG) and our eldest Bro and Sis in Law travel from Wales to be with us. This year we're mixing it up and bringing the Gorgebags with us. They've never shown an interest before but both have wanted to see Berlin for yonks so that's where we're off to!

I'll be strapping myself down to try and ease my back woes before then but if anyone has any hints or tips about the Berlin experience do please let me know. Ahhh, we're so excited!!

And that's what's chasing my Monday Blues away. Tell me, what's new in your part of the world? Anything awesome to report?

Monday's Moments: 02/09/13

Hai and welcome to September! So all of you lovely Americans are having a long weekend, eh? I'm pretty sure you're set on Moments to chase away the Monday Blues then. The rest of us though? We'll take all the help we can get, right? 

Here's my five and, as ever, do please share your happy happenings and Monday's Moments in the comments, tis so lovely to see 'em...

1. Sweet Relief

As some of you will know, because I've been housebound, online and lamenting the fact, I slipped a disc in my back last Monday. No notion how I did it, only to say that I've been through a drug free labour and suffered several months of gallstones and ALL of that would be preferable to this. 

Of course I'm chewing all the tablets the doc has prescribed but it was only when the always hilarious & very lovely Rosanne of LikeMamUsetoBake.com suggested these badboys that I actually felt some relief. Air activated and toasty hot for 16 hours, the ease of pressure with these is immense and should you ever, EVER need help with back pain, you NEED these in yo' life. Cheers R!

2. Chalk it Down

In my new upended turtle status, I was needing a little help during the week. Having winced in the shower for 10 minutes I asked the youngest to help brush my grúaig, only because I couldn't reach right back. 

'No problem, Mam, it's the 30th of August' he said, picking up the brush. 'So?'.. 'So you'll need the date when you're writing this into your will'... This was pretty much my reaction, hair an' all! (Yes, he was jesting. No he didn't suffer any serious concussion).

3. Night of the Living Debs

Saturday night saw the most exciting event for us this year, that handsome young chap (I don't call him a Gorgebag for nathin') had his Debs. 

Doesn't he scrub up well? I think I was most proud when he left the house first as his date (Linda) arrived to greet her and her parents. He shook her Mam & Dad by the hand and told Linda she looked beautiful. Boy's got manners, yo! *beams with pride*

4. Cherry Pick is a Toddler Hit!

There are some tweets that make me go 'Awww' instantly and this lovely one from @office_Mum today was definitely one of them. 

Apparently her little dude shares my moosical taste and managed to get a boogie in of a Sunday, while his Mum was checking out my Cherry Pick of the Week. D'awww :')

5. Moar Silver Linings

Last up this week is the Moment that I realised even though I'm resembling the Wreck of the Hesperus right now, it means I have time on my hands. Time to plot and plan and shape things up 'round this here blog. I've been plagued with tech gremlins of late but hopefully this week will see a turnaround, while I'm static and brimming with ideas. 

First up I'm planning a Take 3 series (two per week), where we take a squizz at the top three products that have been knocking my socks off, figuratively speaking, in each beauty category. Watch out for A/W foundations and coloured eyeliners this week and be sure to tell me which posts you'd like to see first - if you're considering a purchase say. Links in the comments will be welcomed - I reckon it'll be a great way to see what everyone's loving.

And c'est ca, the Moments that are keeping me afloat and helping me sail through this Monday (those and the meds). Have a great week, peeps and do be sure to share what's good with you, right now!