I've Been Thinking... - 5 "Brain Bits" From The Past Few Days

Hi!!!


How are all of you lovely little people? I thought that it might be a nice idea to share some thoughts (or "brain bits" as they will be called for the sake of this post) from the past few days with you. They might be simple, they might be slightly unexciting but I think that they might just make for an interesting post when all compiled.

5 "Brain Bits" from this Week...

1. I have felt saddened by the news that both Robin Williams and Lauren Bacall have passed away, even more so because they were both screen icons in their own right and both starred in some of the greatest films. RIP.
2. I have felt excited by some ideas and plans that are being developed which involve family, trips and pantomimes, especially since they are all really cool. You'll hear more on these as they get closer. Yay!
3. I have felt a lot of love for long-sleeved tops used in a loungewear context, they are really comfy and cosy and pair nicely with pyjama shorts. Great for the massive lazy day that I had on Sunday - more on that soon.
4. I have felt confused by the amount of times I hear that all of these vegetable juices are the greatest thing in all of the world. I tried one the other day - supposedly of high quality - and I couldn't see what the fuss was about or why people like the taste. Might just be me...
5. I have felt interested in buying some of (THESE) new Revlon lip stains - they have some stunning finishes and bright colours and they are the two things that I look for most when buying a lipstick. Plus, I haven't bought much makeup recently, so. it might be time to treat my wee self.



So, there is a little insight into how my brain has been working over the past few days and the kind of things I have "been" lately. I hope that this has been interesting for you, and maybe a bit of a change from some of the other posts that have been put out there recently.

Have you had any key thoughts or likes recently? How do you feel about some of the topics mentioned? Have you had any similar thoughts or likes to lately? Did you find this interesting? Any thoughts, comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.
Thank you for reading!

Have an absolutely great day today!

GingerSnaps xxx

Celebrate Good Times! - Happy Birthday To You... - Happy Birthday Elf Girl!

Hi!!!


Today's post is a birthday post for my best friend Elf Girl. Some of you may read her blog (more on that later) but nearly all of you will have heard me mention her. I thought that it might be nice for her to have a little bit of a mention here, and I hope you enjoy..

Elf Girl is the most amazing friend I could ever have asked for. 
She's hilarious, lovely, creative, supportive and is such fun. She'll sing Disney songs with me, quote Miranda and talk/listen about all sorts.
She makes me, and so many other people, smile and laugh, and I wouldn't know what I would do without her.


Happy Birthday Elf Girl, I loves ya.




Elf Girl has two blogs, (HERE) and (HERE).
They are both great and you should check them out.

 

I hope that you will go over and check out Elf Girl's blog, and enjoy it as much as I do. Thank you for reading.
What is your favourite thing about birthdays? Are you going to check out Elf Girl's blog(s)? Do you have any comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.
See you soon for another post on this here blog.

 

Have a completely fabulous day!

 

GingerSnaps xxx

 

 

Never Forgotten - The Centenary Anniversary Of World War One

Hi!!!


So, a slightly sombre post today, but I do believe talking about these things matters greatly. I was unsure whether posting today was the right decision, but I have decided that it could be.
Today is the centenary (100 year anniversary) of World War One - for the UK - and as many people remember and commemorate this, I felt I should too.

I am not here today to give my opinions about what happened.

I am here, however, to commemorate those who were involved in the war, either on the battlefields, in the munitions factories, at home worrying or elsewhere.

To commemorate those who lost their lives, as well as those who came back.

To commemorate and remember the people who were involved in the war from all countries and backgrounds.
To respect, reflect and remember.

I hope that today you will spend some time reflecting on World War One and those involved and affected.

 

In memory of *all* of those affected and involved, we will never forget.

We salute and respect you.



Thanks for reading, see you all soon for another post!

Any thoughts to share on this post? Any ideas or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.

Till next time...

Have a great day,

GingerSnaps xxx



So, To Sum It All Up - July Summary.

Hi!!!


Another month, another summary. I have no idea where the time is going because apparently, we're already on August. Can someone please explain to me what is happening here? Is it the wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff? If you got that reference, then go you!

Beginning to Move Our Stuff To The New House.


So, after such a long time of perfecting the house, we've finally started moving our things in a transit van and now have an actual sofa in the new house (as opposed to a row of garden chairs) and have put clothes into the wardrobes IKEA delivered and assembled as well as making the beds. It's all coming together and there is only one room to complete now and some more pieces to move.

Exciting times, especially considering that I can near enough guarantee we'll be moving this month!

To see all of my posts about moving house, (HERE), (HERE), (HERE) and (HERE).


Enjoying Going Out and Spending Time In The Sunshine.

Something I have no corresponding posts to link up with is spending time in the sun. And I don't mean sunbathing - I'm ginger, therefore pale, therefore no.

No, what I mean is spending time doing things, going to interesting places and in turn, enjoying the sunshine. 

It's been nice to get out and do things which are a bit different and a lot of fun,

The Commonwealth Games

Aah, the Commonwealth Games, which are wrapping up as we speak. 

The Opening Ceremony was fabulous as were all of the sporting events.

I have really enjoyed having the opportunity to see so many athletes from so many diverse countries participate in sport and cheering on my favourite althetes. 

It has been great.

To see my post about the Commonwealth Games, mosey on over (HERE).

My Birthday and Celebrations.

So, as you may or may not know, my birthday was last Thursday and I spent quite a bit of time celebrating with all of my wonderful friends and family.

I enjoyed myself a lot and  I recived some lovely things.

It was brilliant.

I had such an amazing time and I'd like to say a massive thanks to everyone for that.

To see the post I wrote about my birthday and celebrations, click (HERE).

Lots of Lovely Little Things.

As you know, I am always one for the little things and I find nothing better than feeling happy.

In July, I spent time enjoying a lot of lovely simple things which made me so, so happy. 

I think we should all spend a bit more time appreciating how sometimes even just some eggs and toast can lift your mood.

To see my post about some of the things that made me smile, click (HERE).


My Favourite Blog Posts Of July.

"Yarn Bomb Pics!!!" on Chronicles of the Red Herring, (HERE).

Elf Girl got her photography skills out here and took some great photos of the time earlier this month that our neighbourhood got yarn bombed (she explains the terms in her post). 

I found this fun, interesting and unique.

"We did: An Indoor Fort" on Little Winter, (HERE).

I love quirky little things like this and since forts were a massive childhood fave, I really like this post.

It's nice to see something alternative on a blog like this.

"A Seaside Weekend with Friends, and a Video" on A Rosie Outlook, (HERE).

I liked this post because of it's friendly feel and because it showed off some of the delights found near Rosie's home.

It's also nice to have a video to accompany the writing as it added something else to the post and made it more interesting.

"Cuckoo Clocks & Late Night Kisses" on Charlotte 's Web, (HERE)

I love when Charlotte writes like this.

It's funny, it's sweet, it's endearing and the ending is adorable. It's great and you should read it, too.

"Lead the Way" on The London Project, (HERE).

It's a good set of photographs that look great.

It's unique and interesting and one for the creative amongst you.

"Friday Round Up" on Made Up Of Little Things, (HERE).

This post is a very "real" post, as it truly is just a life update.

This post takes the good with the bad and pinch of salt, and that is appealing as it connects a lot with you. It's more a conversation than a presentation.

"What Olivia Cooked: Salted Caramel Popcorn" on What Olivia Did, (HERE)

I actually discovered What Olivia Did this morning, not last month, but this recipe looks so good that I had to share. I've been having a wee butchers at some previous posts and I like what I see.

This blog could become a new addition  to the reading list and the popcorn could become a fave of mine soon.

So, that's all for today then, I hop you have enjoyed. I look forward to getting back on the blogging bus this month and posting more, I hope you are too. 

Did you enjoy July? What were your highlights? What do you think of mine? Did you enjoy this post? Any comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.

See you all soon for a lot more posts.

Have the most wonderful day!

GingerSnaps xxx

Oh My Life! - Tales Of My Life and Times - My Birthday, Chicken, Photo Booths, Awesome Gifts and Cards and Cake... Lots of Cake.

Hi!!!


So, as some of you will know, my birthday was last Thursday and I thought that I would share with you all the wonderful things that I did.

I just want to make everyone aware of the fact that I do know how lucky I am to have family and friends like I do and who can/do treat me on my birthday. I am in no way posting this to make others feel bad or to flaunt how lucky I am, it is just because I like to give you guys an insight into my life and thought that this kind of post might be of interest as its the kind of post I enjoy reading. I hope you enjoy and we are all on the same page as to my appreciation.

My celebrations began on the Friday before last, when I spent my afternoon with Elf Girl (HERE), opening my birthday presents from her early.
She got me such wonderful things, all of which I love, and I'm really grateful to have such a brilliant best friend.
We proceeded to spend the rest of the afternoon eating Pot Noodles and discussing Oasis, singing Disney songs, Paint (HERE) songs and Bowling for Soup - otherwise known as our skill set in a nutshell.
These are always such brilliant times.

My "celebration" celebrations began last Sunday, when my friends and I all went out to Nando's (that place is like our mother-ship, and you can find it HERE) to eat our usual (definitely the mother-ship) chicken burgers - beanie burger for Elf Girl - and chips with Peri-Peri salt and Extra Hot, Hot Sauce.

My friends (including Lauren - HERE - and H - HERE) gave me some lovely cards and presents, we all took far too many selfies and sneaky off-guard shots, posed for group photos and hugged lots.

Later on in the evening, after one of our friends, Z, had left and after we'd nipped to the loo's, we found a Photo Booth and jumped in (there were only 4 of us but it was a bit of a squeeze since it was an ID Photo Booth for passports...) and took a photo from the set each (because it was the same photo printed 4 times). We then went in in pairs and me and Elf Girl went all 2.0 on the pictures we did at Morrison's last year (HERE).

Then the others left and myself and Elf Girl stayed outside for a while, singing a very poor rendition of Copacabana (HERE) and rolling down a hill... We are such children it is untrue.

Thanks to all of my lovely friends for an awesome evening out and for the cards and gifts. I'm very fortunate to have them.

Then, it was left until my actual birthday to celebrate. I got up in the morning and opened some bits and pieces from my parents and opened all the cards that were sent through the post or dropped at the house by the sender. 

My parents truly spoilt me with a pair of Docs (Dr Martens - HERE) which I have wanted since forever as well as a load of other wonderful things - thank you!

My cards are really beautiful, with lovely sentiments, details and colours. Elf Girl got me a Moon Pig (HERE) card which looked like a cover of Vogue and had all of our inside jokes as the surrounding article names which was cool. 

My Mom and I went out in the morning and had some lunch from Pret (HERE) and then headed off to get ready. I sat and did my face/hair/nails while watching some of my reality TV guilty pleasures and then I got dressed up to go and have a meal with the family at my Nan's house.

I wore an Ombre, white and blue, dipped hem dress and my new Docs, wore my hair curled and used some Soap and Glory (HERE) makeup - which Lauren got me for my birthday - creating a white and blue eye with a nude lip.

I went to my Nan's house and met up with all of our family for curry, presents, cakes (I had three...)and photos.

The food was delicious, the (mainly juice based) Bucks Fizz was a treat and a half, the presents I was given were absolutely amazing and I had such a wonderful time.

I also liked spending time getting a couple of family photos with everyone dressed up and I just really enjoyed myself. I feel like a good time was had by all, even though we were fit to burst upon going home.

Thank you to all of my family for the wonderful day and for my gifts and cards. I'm very lucky to have such a brilliant family and very lovely things.

The final celebration was going to Belton House (HERE) with Auntie S (HERE) for a day out, a catch up and some library envy. Would deffo recommend for a visit.

I had a great time - thanks S!

That's it for today then, and I guess for this month. I'll see you tomorrow for my July Summary - it should be a good un'.

When's your birthday? What do you think about what I got up to? What is your favourite part about birthdays? Any comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.

Thanks for reading.

Have a very happy day!

GingerSnaps xxx





I've Been Thinking.... - The "Friendly Games" Have Begun... - The Commonwealth Games, Glasgow 2014

Hi!!!


So, since quite a few of you live within countries in the Commonwealth (or so my stats tell me) and I do too, I thought that I would do a wee post about the games this year.

The Commonwealth Games is known as the "friendly games", and if you've heard the humorous Radio One ads for the games, you'll know the "pleasantries" began today.

The opening ceremony, which I am watching now is quite simply brilliant, and one of the best opening ceremonies I have seen in a good while, and has me looking forward to the games.

I think Scotland is a brilliant country - it is very picturesque and pretty, it has amazing culture and traditions, its people are pretty cool as is its music scene (you know I love The Proclaimers) and I couldn't thin of better hosts for the games.

I also think its wonderful that UNICEF are working with the Commonwealth Games tonight - they are hoping to get as many people around the Commonwealth as possible to donate to helping children, simultaneously. I think it is a great cause, and that, if you are in a position to donate, and would like to, should donate and be a part of something great.

As you know, I think that sport is a great way of bringing people together (and I am by no means Sporty Spice) and I wish everyone lots of luck for the games (especially GB!).

Enjoy the games, get involved, feel the spirit of it all and if you can, donate to UNICEF tonight.

For a link to information on the Commonwealth Games, head on over (HERE).

Link to UNICEF's work with the Commonwealth Games, (HERE).

General UNICEF link, (HERE).

Link to Visit Scotland, for those who are heading there for the games, (HERE).

That's all for today then folks, and I will speak to you all very soon - watch this space.
Is the country you live in/are from in the Commonwealth? What do you think of the Opening Ceremony? Are you looking forward to the games? What sport are you most excited for? Any comments or suggestions for future posts? Let me know in the comments.
Love you all!

Have a totally brilliant day!

GingerSnaps xxx

I've Been Thinking... - Things That Have Made Me Smile Lately...

Hi!!!


Hello there! How are you? Good I hope. There's been a few things that have made me smile recently, and I just thought it might be nice for me to share and maybe make you smile too.


So...

Things That Have Made Me Smile Lately...

1.  Finding Easter Eggs that I thought I had already eaten in my kitchen cupboards at home. It made me smile because I got the gifts again in a way, and I really like chocolate.
2. Raiding the draw full of Sharpie's (HERE), at work the other week - it was all above board, it was decided we needed to do a Sharpie clear-out (there were two very deep drawers full...). It made me smile because we all turned into little kids over the pretty colours and it made everyone smile.
3. The Chocolate Trolley (a selection of free chocolate for everyone to enjoy) at work a few Fridays ago. It made me smile because it made everyone happy and I like chocolate buttons a lot. Especially when they are free. This isn't just a post about chocolate... promise.
   
   
   
   

   
   

   

   
   
   
   
4. Doing Prom makeup for a family friend. It made me smile because she was really pleased with it, had a lovely prom, and looked beautiful (as always).
5. Eating Eggs and Soldiers with my Mom at the weekend. One of the children in the school my Mom works at brought them in for her, his Grandad owns chickens and he goes with his Grandad to collect them and they sing nursery rhymes as they do. This made me smile as the story behind the eggs made me all warm inside, and the food itself reminded me of when I was very little.
   
   
   

   
   
   
   
6. The beautiful flowers in the garden at my Nan's house. This made me smile because I love flowers (as does my Nan) and they look and smell gorgeous.
   
   
   
   
   
7. The thunder storm that happened in my neighbourhood over last weekend. This made me smile because I ran outside into the rain and it was really strong and it was an awesome storm to be in. It reminded me of the weather in Northern Ireland a number of years ago now, and Northern Ireland is one of, if not the most special place to me.
8. Watching Mary Poppins and eating chocolate digestives. This made me smile because I love the film very, very much (its one of my favourites), I love Disney films, I love singing all the songs (regrettably I'm not the best singer) and the biscuits were very yummy.
9. Watching Sunshine on Leith. This made me smile because it is another one of my favourite films, I love it, I love The Proclaimers (and their songs are the soundtrack) and it made me feel very happy!
10. Getting my nails done at a nail bar. This made me smile because the colour was lovely, the design on the accent nail was lovely and, as I always do my nails myself, I felt very special having them done for me.
    (Excuse the chipped polish in the photo below) 
    
    
    

    
    
    
    
11. Seeing fairy lights in a shopping trolley at work. This made me smile as it seemed so peculiar and yet it looked so pretty. I should point out that it was in the creative department, not in the lobby or anything...
12. Purchasing Ben & Jerry's (HERE) Strawberry Shortcake Frozen Yogurt. This made me smile because, although I haven't tried any yet, its nice to know its in the freezer, it looks so yummy and it reminded me of the time a few years ago where I literally just ate Ben & Jerry's...
13. 
    

    Watching Big Brother. This made me smile because, as uncultured as some people find such programs, I love Big Brother and this series is good.

    
    
14. Going to see Who's Afraid Of Virginia Wolfe at the Malvern Theatre (HERE) on Wednesday night. This made me smile because it was a great production and I had a wonderful evening! 
15. Eating miniature sticks of rock (like the ones from the seaside). This made me smile because it reminded me of holidays at the beach and because I love the colours too.

That's that for today then, hope you've enjoyed! I like writing posts like these because I can revisit things and get all smiley again!

What has been making you smile recently? Did this post make you smile? Do you have any suggestions or ideas for future posts? Maybe you have comment  on this one? Let me know in the comments below.

Speak soon lovely people.

Have a spectacular day!

GingerSnaps xxx