The Breakfast Club, Dreams & Warm Weather

It's pretty late to be writing this because most of my posts are either normally earlier than 10 and it's nearly 11. But that's ok, I'm getting it up anyway. First thing I have to mention is the amazing response I got from my CoderDojo 3rd Birthday Style Saturday Edition post, or something. I was so thrilled to see the views rise ever-so quickly. So yeah, thank you guys, don't think I would have had that response without you. 

So what do I want to talk about today? Seeing as it's a Thursday and we all know how random my Thursdays posts are, I'll make it blabber-y and generally just me. Well I just finished watching The Breakfast Club, which I had never seen before and I must say, better than expected. I was inspired, sounds extremely cheesy, but it was. It can't deny it. It kind-of inspired me to write this post as I didn't have any clue what to write. It's weird to think that a movie in the 80's was actually pretty good. It just shows that you don't always need great lights and effects, just a good simple message and music that prompts you. It's the old movies that make the impact on life today, unless it's Inception because that was some cool backstory. Loved that movie, especially after I watched it more than once. 

I'm going to move on well off of topic now, but it's that what Thursdays are about? Well, anyway, I have decided to keep a dream diary. You know that diary or notebook where you write the dreams that you just had? I have one, and have kept it for a good month or so. Now I haven't remembered all my dreams or I'm just too tired to write them down, but it does work. It's kind-of weird, it your brain is fascinating when you sleep. I remember one dream that I had wrote done in my dream diary, and looking back on it now, it shows me how I see certain people or situations. It's pretty creepy but cool at the same time. It definitely makes me think how amazing our brain truly is. Of course, I had only noticed this little thing when I had read it over today, over my extremely messy morning handwriting (not so good to see). So I have seen a good side to this, even though it can be tedious to write in the morning when you just want to sleep or gradually wake up (takes me a good 10-20 mins). I have also found some pretty interesting ideas for books as well, but I have always noticed that with my dreams. Too bad I can never seem to translate that onto paper, damn my not-so great writing skills. 

What else do I have to mention. I suppose I could mention the weather but that sounds boring. It's still too hot for me as I bake like a potato in an oven (reference to Dan's video from danisnotonfire). But yeah. I suppose you don't notice much difference, do you. Some seem to love the heat, don't know how but anyway. Wait, it's not even the heat that gets me, I have always loved the sunny weather when I was younger, but now I just can't seem to hold the heat. In general I am a warm person and I could die from heat in a winter coat during winter but in summer I can't seem to take the heat. I'm not going to be that person either who walks around in a bikini all day, because why? Especially with our unpredictable weather. 

Enough talk about being warm and stuff. I should wrap this up for the night and maybe head to bed, or just watch some YouTube, like always. Ok, ta-ta for now, Nee x

Tasty Tuesday #3 Mars Bar Cakes

Today I'm back, with (the maybe not so) anticipated recipe for the Mars Bar cakes that I made with my mum for the CoderDojo 3rd Birthday which can be seen here. So I suppose I'll get onto it.


Ingredients:                                           Also Needed:

• 7oz Mars Bars                                        28 x 18cm shallow tin
• 4oz Butter                                               Saucepan
• 3oz Rice Crispies                                    Tin Foil
• 7oz Dark Chocolate

Method:

1. Melt the Mars Bars in a saucepan with 3oz of butter until the chocolate mixture is in a liquid form (it is okay if it is slightly lumpy, Mars Bars melt like that).

2. Turn of the heat and stir in the Rice Crispies carefully, making sure they don't break until they are fully coated with the chocolate mixture.

3. Pour the Rice Crispies mixture into the shallow tin and smooth out. Lay some tin foil on top and allow it to cool, such as in the fridge, to set it.

4. Once the mixture has cooled, melt the dark chocolate and the rest of the butter in a saucepan. Pour the chocolate over the solid Rice Crispies mixture and allow to cool.

5. Once it has cooled, cut into squares and place into plastic boxes to keep fresh. Store in the fridge.

Style Saturday #3 CoderDojo 3rd Birthday Party

Today I have something a little different to a normal Saturday. Today we are celebrating the original CoderDojo's 3rd birthday, which is on the 29th of July. Co-founded by both James Whelton and Bill Liao,this organisation has helped improved people's lives, gained a popularity around the world and became a wonderful community. I don't actually code a lot (I'm terrible at it) but my brother is pretty good at it, seeing as he is one of the first people with a black belt (highest rank in CoderDojo). The atmosphere in this dojo is amazing, maybe because it the first one ever. It follows the only rule to all CoderDojos, be cool!

To celebrate the birthday, I decided to make some bunting, which can be seen here, and I helped my mum make Mars Bar cakes, which *hint* *hint* will be next weeks Tasty Tuesday.

 Another person, brought an amazing birthday cake with the CoderDojo logo on it (credits to Annemarie who sent her husband to bring the cake over). I also lighted the candles even though they just wanted to break off!

Now I mean, there wasn't a huge crowd as it is summer (wooh!) but there was still a nice amount. I should probably show you my outfit as it is after all Style Saturday (much the same as the last time.) I am wearing a top from Zara, maxi skirt from H&M (my holy grail clothing piece), flip-flops from Gap (another summer essential) and necklace from Topshop. I decided to blow dry my hair the day before but I half regret wearing it down as it is bloody roasting out, especially for me.

 Well, I guess there isn't much to say after this except just maybe a little happy birthday to CoderDojo and it's fabulous time it's had. Ta-ta for now, Nee x

DIY Bunting

Today's post is going to be different to my usual Thursday posts. Instead
of a page of blabber, it will be more how-to and blabber. So you won't be missing out on it. The blabber I mean.

On Saturday, there is going to be a small CoderDojo party in the original dojos (I'll have a Style Saturday on that) and I decided that I would like to make some bunting, not only for that but just in general. Now, my sister and my mum found some wallpaper in Laura Ashleys for €1 each! So casually I bought 9 rolls, how very like me. These rolls of wallpapers would make amazing DIY decor pieces, which I might kindly post here, when I make them. Anyway, on to the DIY.

What You Will Need:

• Paper/Wallpaper
• Ribbon/s
• Scissor/s (I used 1 with a scalloped detail, 1 normal)
• Rulers or Set Squares 
• Rubber and Pencil
• Template Triangle (A4 paper)

Instructions:

1. I drew out my template. To do this, I folded an A4 sheet of paper in half (the longest side) and cut it. I measured the half-way point between the shortest side on the new sheet. Join the points on the other side to the half-way point to form a triangle. Cut this triangle out.

2. Use the template to draw the triangles for the bunting. Make sure to leave space between the triangles if you are using a 'fancy' edged scissors. Draw the triangle side on the 'wrong' side, the side you don't want to show. Like so.

3. Cut out this triangles with either a straight scissors or 'fancy' scissors, like I did. I wanted to make scalloped edged bunting so I used this cute scissors

4. After you cut out the triangles, arrange them out onto your ribbon. I fit 3 triangles evenly on my ribbon. Glue the ribbon onto the triangles using PVA glue and hang. 

It gets pretty easy when you get into the swing of things, but it looks gorgeous at the end. This bunting would be perfect for parties, weddings, on stands at fairs and even in your bedroom. I hope you enjoy this DIY and maybe use it! Nee x

Tasty Tuesday #2 Spotted Dog

Hello again! Today is my second Tasty Tuesday post which has instead featured a bread recipe. Fancy! It is a bit more of a sweet and savoury bread especially when you don't add sugar and just add the raisins/sultanas. Actually without the sultanas the bread mixture makes a lovely pizza base, more so a crunchy one (love crunchy pizza bases). So I guess I'll move onto the ingredients and recipe. 

Ingredients:

450g plain flour 

1 level tsp caster sugar (optional, not really needed)

1 level tsp bicarbonate of soda

1 tsp salt

350-425ml buttermilk (best to start of with a small amount)

100g Sultanas/Raisins

Recipe: 

1. Preheat the oven to 230 degrees Celsius/ 425 degrees Fahrenheit/ Gas Mark 8

2. Sift all the dry ingredients into a large mixing bowl. Add the sultanas/raisins to the dry mixture. Make a well in the centre by pushing the dry mixture to the sides. Start by pouring in the buttermilk but leave at least 60 ml in the jug (approx.) Then bring the flour and liquid together by using your hands in the shape of a claw (weird, I know). If you feel like you need to add more buttermilk, do so and continue the claw mixing. The dough should only be soft and not wet or sticky. This can be caused by to much buttermilk so only add small bits. Also you don't kneed the bread as it will make it too heavy. 

3. Once the dough has formed, put it onto a floured surface. Bring the dough together a bit more and try and shape it into a round shape making sure it's 4cm in height. 

4. Lift the dough onto a greased and floured baking tray and cut a deep cross on top of the dough. Bake the dough for 15 mins and then turn the temp. down to 200 degrees Celsius/ 400 degrees Fahrenhuit/ Gas Mark 6 and cook for 30 mins. 

5. The loaf will be cooked when its golden in colour and when tapped makes a slightly hollowed noise. Allow for the loaf to cool on a wire tray. Keep in an airtight container to keep the freshness.

Photos:

The dough before it was cooked. I suggest greasing the baking tray with butter than some flour. It helps it to remove easily without the base still attached to the tray.

The final creation. It is basically like a great big scone! 

Style Saturday #2 Shopping and Chilling in Trinity

So today's Style Saturday is actually posted on a Saturday. I'm actually writing his on the bus home from a long and tiring day of shopping, walking and eating macaroons in the park in Trinity College. Although we bought basically nothing except one top on sale in Zara for myself and food (of course!), my sister and I are still buzzing from the day. And I actually managed to bring my iPad with me so I could take pictures for one this post and another for myself of course. Even though it weighed down my bag (my shoulders are slowly dying), it's better than bringing my camera because of the free wifi (whoop!) 

We started off the day by heading to Bewley's Cafe after a 3 hour long bus ride up. Even though we already had something at half six this morning, we were absolutely starving by 10, so we decided to head to Bewley's. We both had a continental breakfast which included a bowl of fruit salad with natural yogurt or cream (I opted for the yogurt. It's healthier after all), a croissant with butter and jam, a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice and tea for two. That's quite a mouthful! It was delicious and definitely lasted us 'til lunch/dinner (linner?) 

After that we headed to Space NK, which has only recently opened in Dublin. Although my sister and I were disappointed by the lack of makeup stands it offers, we think it would be perfect for our mum who adores skincare products. It stocks quite a few skincare brands including Ren, Rodial and Eve Lom. Perfect for skincare junkies. 

Now who couldn't resist going into a Disney store? Not us anyway! I think it's criminal not too, especially since I don't have one nearby. And look who we found while we were there, but ever-so adorable Olaf from Frozen. Look how cute he is! Sadly we did not buy him as he was €30 and we tried to look around for a smaller (and hopefully cheaper version) but alas, our mission did not succeed. Instead we opted for a photo to show everyone how cute they are. 

To end our day, we went to Trinity College, where I had never been to before surprising, and eat some Laudrée macaroons (Vanilla, Caramel and Chocolate). Of course they were scrumptious! And just to note, Essie nail polish is amazing at staying power. That nail polish has been on for 2 weeks now (hand curtesy of my dear sister). Would totally recommend Essie. 

Lastly here is the actual photo of my outfit, since it is Style Saturday after all. I'm wearing a grey v-neck t-shirt from Gap, black trousers from Vero Moda, cardigan from H&M, moccasins/loafers from Penneys/Primark and bag from Radley. I choose a simple more laid-back outfit for a long day of walking. My feet weren't that bad after all and no ankles were cut in the process (a common thing that helps to my sister and I). What you probably can't see here, is the heaviness of my bag. It was so heavy! It's my fault though, filling it with maybe not-so-essential essentials. Also please excuse my doozy face, this was taken just before we left for the bus, but we couldn't resist this cool spinning globe thing in Trinity.

So I guess I'll end it here with my outfit as the last photo (probably should have been the first) and I'm kind-of feeling slightly travel sick from being on the iPad on the bus. Ta-ta for now and I should see ye again on Tuesday for another (hopefully better) recipe. Nee x

Blabbers, Reactions and Nutcrackers

I am so done! I really am, I have just finished writing a long enough blog post that took me a while and then instead of picking 'Copy', I picked bloody 'Paste' by accident. All my work gone down the drain again. It was the same the last Thursday also. I am beginning to hate this, library. It's turning into a jinx-thingy for me, ugh! But the thing is you didn't come hear for a rant, well I don't think so anyway. 

Well! In the post that was deleted, damn, I talked about my allergic reaction to some sun cream and Micellar water that caused me to have a beautiful red blotchy irritated face, you don't want to see. I think it was caused by La Roche-Posay's sun cream and Boots Botanics Micellar Water, not going to try those for a while. But, alas! My salvation ending up being some aloe vera and Elizabeth Arden's Eight Hour Cream, very calming those two. Weirdly enough that seems to basically summarise my delete post. And only in a few sentences. Hmm... funny. I guess one writes less about a subject after they write it out. Could be a good study tip. Woop! Study tip 1 - Summarise! But let's not get into that.

Another idea of mine was to write about my night routine, which I feel is working (hopefully!) but we'll see how that goes. I better get into the hand of this thing first and foremost before that. Much like my cleansing routine. I tried it out a couple of times and got used to it. Sounds like a life lesson, or something. "Life is like a routine, you just have to try it out and get used to it". I wouldn't suggest following that, after all it's only a made up conspiracy (a word that I had to write out a few times before getting it right) 

I know it sounds modest, but I'm going to congratulate myself for getting this far without too many slip-ups (I'm talking to you, last Saturday!)! Either way I think I'm doing well. And you know what? I'm in the same place as I was last Thursday when I wrote my first blog post in nearly a year. Freaky, right? Seems to show how consistent I am (ha, ha, I'm so not consistent in life, I think!). That can be something I can work on, or work to my benefit. 

Now I suppose I'm blabbering into nothingness and I'm just typing whatever comes into my head. Like bananas are cool and handy, especially be use they have a high level of potassium (one day is good for us) and that 50% of our DNA is similar to a banana's. how weird and strange is that. I half similar to a banana, of all things. I'm trying not to insult any banana lovers or anything, but it's just peculiar. 

See how unusual and random I'm getting! Well, I cannot be as bad as the guy playing the nutcracker music loudly in the library. Honestly who does that? I kinda freaked out here. Turning a tad bit creeping but I'll be grand. 

Well I should probably go and escape the music and go for a cuppa with my mum. One thing, I means I wouldn't have to hear Nutcracker's music (my nickname for him now) and I'll also be refreshed and a bit socialable, even though I'm in a library...

Update: It's seems as though a small kid was playing the Nutcracker music, oops! Sorry for accusing you dude. 

Anyway, ta-ta for now, Nee x

Tasty Tuesday #1 Oat and Raisin Cookies

Today's Tasty Tuesday is Oat and Raisin Cookies which are both kind-of healthy (if you cut down the sugar) but filling with the oats. It's based on a few recipes from Rachel Allen's 'Bake' book.

Ingredients:

200g butter (softened) 

100g icing sugar (sifted)

1tsp vanilla extract or 1tsp vanilla sugar (we love the sugar best!)

200g plain flour (you can also use gluten-free flour or spelt flour instead for this recipe, sometimes I do)

1/2 tsp baking powder 

100g porridge oats

Between 1 to 2 Handfuls of Raisins 

1. Preheat for oven to 180 degrees Celsius. 

2. Cream the butter in a mixing bowl with an electric hand mixer until the butter is a soft and creamy consistency. Then add the icing sugar and vanilla extract/sugar to the butter mixture. Beat until the mixture is a pale white and has a fluffy appearance. 

3. Next you sift in the plain flour and baking powder and add the oats and raisins. Mix it until a dough comes together. 

4. Once it's a dough, cover it with cling film (you will need more than expected) and roll it out into a log. The diameter of the log should be about 6cm and the log 30cm in length, but that can be adjusted to your liking. 

5. Allow the dough it firm in the fridge for 30mins to 1 hour until it feels firm but not frozen solid. We made the mistake of not leaving it in too long and the cutting was harder to do as it kind-of fell apart. 

6. Now once it has chilled, unwrap the cling film (but hold on to it) and cut the long into I would say 5mm thick pieces. Again can be adjusted a small bit. Place them onto a baking tray with parchment paper lined already. Make sure that the cookies have enough room to expand a bit when cooking. 

7. Bake them for 15 minutes or until light golden brown or dry to touch. Allow for them to cool on a wire rack. 

Tips:

You can store them in an air-tight for I suppose a week but I doubt they would last that long. Another thing is if you don't want to use up all the dough, place it back into the cling film in its log shape and it should keep in the fridge for a few days before cooking so they are great for making in advance. However allow the dough it thaw out or a few minutes to make it easier to cut into slices. The raisins could also be replaced with the same amount of chocolate chips, if you want to be a little less healthy. 

For this one I don't have photos of (oops!) but I think they are delicious but easy and simple to make. Anyway, ta-ta for now! 

Style Saturday #1 (On a Sunday)

Style Saturday didn't turn out too well, and this was only my first week trying it out, wow! Truth be told, I was at my cousin's birthday party (sounds a little childish, but it wasn't). After I had come home, it was much too late and I was so tired. Anyway here is what I wore. It's kind-of like an OOTD (outfit of the day).

Top: New Look | Skirt: Zara | Tights: Penneys | Boots: New Look | Necklace: M&S 

So this is what I wore. I know, I know, black and greys seems to be my most worn colour (of course!) 

The skirt is one I got recently at Zara in the sales for €7.99! I thought it was amazing and I love it. Most of the stuff I'm wearing here was bought quite a while back, so they won't be available another (unless other stores make similar clothing). I also wore a denim jacket from Tommy Hilfiger which I didn't get a photo of.

Club Lemon, one of my favourite drinks. 

This was the cake. I thought it was so cute! I'm not too sure who made it but it's pretty amazing.

Again, food because who doesn't love it?

So that's all for  my first Style Saturday (on a Sunday) and I have only just realised that the date is wrong on my camera, how smart! Ta-ta for now, Nee x

Look Whose Back

I guess it's been a while, hasn't it? Nearing up to a year. I guess I'll tell you the truth about why I've been gone for a long time. No, it's not anything bad, although I didn't really enjoy it. I've been busy, simple isn't it, but sounds pretty generic. What else would you call it? A time where I couldn't post anything because other things got in the way. I think that sounds awfully like a long way to say "I was busy". In truth I was though. Like many people all around the world, I was sitting one of my 'big' exams. Sounds a bit childish, but when you're in that mode all you want to do it curl up in a big and watch Sherlock or Doctor Who on repeat. I didn't want to do my exams, simple as. They are boring and tiring, but I guess I can save that for another post. 'How I survived my exams. Sounds utterly dramatic but extremely like me. After all what's a part drama queen supposed to say? I should get back to topic, shouldn't I. 

Anyway, the timing wasn't great and my blogging schedule was just not working for me. Posting everyday about beauty and fashion, is just not like me. I am quite a lay-back person who sometimes finds it hard to stick to one thing. I mean, I dived straight into the deep end, and I know for a fact that I'm not a good swimmer at all so that didn't last. I should have started easier. Given myself time to think about what I wanted to write and not just slap down some stupid robotic-ness (not a word, but who cares!). I like to think properly about what I want to do and enjoy it. If you don't enjoy it, why do it?  That something I think you can take into life. Start with passion and you'll get the most out of it. However, I wasn't getting that. Posting everyday was a chore, and soon enough I abandoned ship (seems to me I must be taking a load of quotes today). Also posting about fashion and beauty all the time just isn't me right now. Someways it's good to post whatever you want. Take today for insistence. This is not a fashion or beauty or review post. It's a simple catch up and 'chatter' post and there are days when you need that. So you seize that day. 

Now I think I have said enough about not posting, instead I should talk about the positive things. Like for insistence, that I'm blogging and I hope to do so for longer this time. I have even planned a better schedule for myself. I will hopefully be posting on Tuesday, Thursday (today!) and Saturdays. These days will be easier to handle but still consist enough. And yes, rejoice! There will be variety. Tuesdays are going become Tasty Tuesdays, where I'll be posting my own recipes helped by my sister (who surprisingly a great baker!). Let's also include Style Saturday where I'll be posting them fashion-related posts. How could I resist! I'm a shopaholic at heart. For Thursday I'm not too sure but I kind of like this random posts, more chatter-y (here I am, making up words, again). I hope you will like this because I'm getting awfully excited by this. 

I guess it's time to leave because while this is fun and exciting, I could write a book instead of a post! You never know, this could turn into something amazing. Maybe it will be better than curling up on a couch and watching way too many seasons in a day (don't think you could that!). Ta-ta for now and see you on Saturday! Nee x