My 2017 Goals

 

  

Become a mum

3 weeks to go until D day lol I cant believe I am 37 weeks pregnant! It has honestly been the quickest 9 months ever and I cant wait to be a mum for the first time.  It is a daunting prospect and I know it will be filled will challenges but bring it on! 2017 defiantly is bringing change but I cant wait for this new chapter in my life to start and to do it all with the most amazing supportive Hubby ever! I am very lucky.  This year I will definably blog some of my baby trials and tribulations but don't worry im not going to be a full time mummy blogger describing every time the baby blinks lol.  I still love my make-up , reviews, fashion and more and will continue to have a varied blog.

Get my Driving test

I was practically ready to do my test last year.  A lot was going on at the time and then I got pregnant  didn't feel comfortable to continue.  A goal for 2017 is to get driving asap! I know it will give me more freedom to travel and make life easier with a little one.  So as soon as I give birth and get settled and into a bit of a routine .. let the driving lessons commence!

Travel Home

I haven't been home to Belfast since August.  It had been so strange not seeing my family for that long as I would of went home every couple of months.  I am really looking forward to getting home this year! We have provisionally booked a trip home in April to introduce baby to the family. That will in total be 8 months since I was last in Belfast so it will be such a good trip, no doubt an emotional one for me.  I do love living in London but the only downside is being away from family. So more trips home are defiantly on the cards for 2017.

 

 

 

 

Get to the Beach

Now when I say get to the Beach I don't mean a tropical island somewhere.  This year is going to be kept simple with babies arrival. We will get in trips home and aim for a holiday abroad next year. In saying that I need to get to a Beach this year! I miss living close to the water so much and living in London you miss the coast! So weather it is Southend - on - sea or Brighton, we will be making a trip this Summer! Bring on the Fish and chips!

            

 

Travel into London more

With pregnancy brought fatigue and the thought of getting the train and tube didn't really appeal after awhile.  This year I am really looking forward to getting some trips into London. Some mate dates are on the cards and of course shopping trips.  I also want to bring baby to London and have that experience. Im sure it will be hectic but it will be fun.  London is such an amazing City with so much to do, I feel lucky to live so close to it.

 

Try something new

Now when I say try something new I have no idea what that it yet.  I don't know if it will be some kind of hobby or interest (if I find the time) but I feel with every new year we all have great intentions of being different or trying something different.  One thing I really wanted to try last year was video editing, trying to do some Vlogs (video diary) or something. Maybe this year I will work on that! With the arrival of baby it would be nice to get some video keepsakes and be able to edit them.  So watch this space

 

 

 

 

 

Be Happy, Healthy and Positive

No matter what you have to have a few mantras on the go. I think my favourite of last year was Keep er lit.. a saying from back home really .. keep going! At the end of the day you are the only one who can control your mood or your outlook.  My health has been one of those tricky ones for a couple of years but you have to keep er lit .. stay positive and in the end you get there eventually.  I felt very blessed in 2016 to get pregnant. It has been one huge learning curve and an amazing experience.  So for 2017 I wish you all happiness, health and positivity for the New year and I hope you reach your own personal goals.  The year its what YOU make of it .. so make it a good one.

 

 

 

Lots of Love

Purple Poodle xx

Christmas 2016 in photographs

 

We had such a lovely Christmas.  It was a little different this year.  It was he first time we wouldn't be home to Belfast as I couldn't travel being so pregnant. We woke up in our own house and opened presents and then got ready to head down to Surrey to spend Christmas with our friends. It was such a lovely day.  Not only very relaxing but good craic.  We had a beautiful Christmas dinner, watched a good movie and played some games.. all the usual things you do on Christmas day. We also video chatted home lots so we could still feel apart of our families day. I thought I would show you our Christmas 2016 with some photographs below.....

 

 

 

Above: Christmas Décor

 

          

                                Above: Deano and Lola getting into the Christmas spirit lol

           

                      Above: Presents for bump                            Above: gift to Francis from Bump

        

                                                              Above: Christmas Presents

 

Above: One spoilt bump

 

 

Above: Video chatting home

                                                          Above: Epic Christmas dins

 

Above: Christmas dessert - Hummingbirds yummy!

2016 was an amazing year and here are just some memories of it below.  Really excited for 2017

 

 

Lots of  Love

 

Purple Poodle xx

Belfast - Part 2 - Family time, birthdays, weddings and chill...

 

  Long awaited second part.... Hi everyone I know its been awhile since I last blogged and ALOT has happened in the last 6 months so here is what I have been up too the last 6 months starting with April and the second part of a trip home for family time, a fab wedding and general home chi!

In April it was great to get home for a long weekend to Belfast.  We had to travel home for a family wedding but it also coincided with my sisters birthday so it was to be a fun filled, busy trip.  In my previous post Travelling to Belfast Part 1 which including packing, prep and the journey, I thought it would be nice to have a separate post detailing what we got up too on our travels.

When we arrived home we had two days before the wedding and it happened to be my Sister, Annemarie's birthday on the Friday.  On the Thursday I went to see my folks for a catch up  and sleepover. Good to have some quality Mum and Dad time.  On the Friday I had a nice girlie day with my Sister , Mum, Aunt and Niece. We headed into Belfast for some shopping and Lunch.  (For anyone who reads this that isn't from Belfast.. I would Highly recommend it for a city break.  Belfast is a Vibrant City with great eateries, nightlife, culture and close to some of thee most breath-taking coastal scenery!)  We started our day going around the shops having a look see and then we went to the Queens Bar for a fantastic lunch an drinks! I would recommend the Queens Bar, Queens Arcade, Belfast for a quality lunch. The service is excellent and it was so nice having a booth reserved so it was nice and private and we had a good giggle as always.

Below: Me , my sister Annemarie and niece Kerry, My mum and Auntie Ethna and Me and Kerry

Friday night I went back with Francis to the In Laws for wedding prep! Always have to make sure everything is organised so the morning of the wedding isn't too hectic. I had dyed my hair my usual L'Oreal Feria Hot Chili Red, but the formula was different and I felt my hair wasn't as bright a red as it usually was.  So my Sister was a legend and found me a red toner when we were in Belfast so that night I did my hair .. standing at 10 o'clock the night before going to a wedding.. risky I hear you say?? I was freaking out as I had never used a toner after dying my hair before and I didn't know how strong it would be! Thankfully it did the job and just brightened it a little .. thank god! The morning of the wedding was pretty busy.  With Francis' parents, my sister in law Megan , Francis and myself all to get ready there was a buzz in the house.  My other Sister in Law Julie-Ann arranged a make-up artist to come to the house, so she came up as well.  The make-up artist was Christine Downey who actually was my makeup artist for my wedding so it was great to see her and have a catch up and get all glammed for the day!



    

Above : Glammed and ready to go and my outfit a Collectif Cherry dress

  

The wedding of Francis' Cousin Orla to David was beautiful.  The ceremony was very traditional. Lovely Irish style music at the chapel set the Tone and the service was lovely.  After the ceremony there was lots of excitement and lots of photos taken before leaving to go to the reception venue. After some photos and congratulating the happy couple we drove to the Dunadry Hotel, a beautiful venue.  A converted Fort it was very traditional and had lots of character, great for photographs.  We checked into our hotel room and then we down to the drinks reception.  It was lovely to catch up with family while the bridal party were getting their photos taken.  The meal was amazing, 5 courses and the room was stunning. Beautiful wedding décor, in keeping with the vintage theme, it was a really lovely setting. The speeches were excellent and the best speech came from Orla and David's son who even gave us all a song! too cute! That night we were entertained by The Breakfast Club band.  Great mix of tunes, old and new. Lots of dancing and fun to be had, with an evening snack of chicken and chips! yummy! Have to mention the Dunadry made one hell of a good Strawberry daiquiri cocktail.  It was a great day, and staying at the hotel made the occasion even more special, waking up the next morning and the buzz at breakfast.

Above: Bridal party and the Lovely Bride and Groom

 

 

 

 

 

 

Above: Stunning cake and a little selfie of my sister in law Megan and me

The Hubby and me x

After checking out of the hotel Francis and I grabbed some lunch and headed to one of our favourite spots, the loughshore at Jordanstown. It was so peaceful and got some nice pictures and watched some boats sailing into Belfast.

Above: Loughshore, Jordanstown and a wee cheeky selfie

Before heading back to London we had a little family gathering in my mum and dads to have a catch up and celebrate my sisters birthday with a good old cake! (had to be done!) It was great to catch up with my brothers and have some drinks, food and craic.  I have to say we really did fit in a lot this trip home and it was fantastic.. really good for the soul!

Below: My brother Gerard and me, Anna my sister and her cake,

Anna and Mum, My brother Kevin and Nephew Kevin, Me getting a go with the cake as I wouldn't be home for my birthday in May!

We headed home by boat to Liverpool and then drove down home here are some lovely pictures of us docking in Liverpool.

 Thanks to both our families for spoiling us as usual when we come home and thanks so the Webb family for an amazing day at Orla and David's wedding.  It was a truly lovely day and all the best to Orla and David.

Lots of Love

Purple Poodle

 

xxx