Showing posts with label #BloggersDoDublin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #BloggersDoDublin. Show all posts

Monday, 9 June 2014

May Favourites


Where did May go?  I think this month is a more rambling-type post then a product heavy post. I want to talk about how hard it is to get coffee stains off your pajamas bottoms, (note: Its impossible!) how lovely the blogging community is and that you all really need to go see Maleficent the cinema. I know it was technically out in June but its amazing and I'll totally go see it again and over use the dvd once its out! 
 Its just one of those months. The squinty-eyed-selfie-with -random-objects kind. It was the month of trips to the dentist (if you live in Kildare you need to ask for Peter in Park Dental, the sweetest little fella you ever clapped eyes on!) many cat videos, voting and healthy (aka, shameful) eating.

So lets start off with the biggest thing blog-wise last month, the #BloggersDoDublin meet up that I organised. Holy moley I did not know what I was getting myself into there! I am still so overwhelmed by how lovely all the companies were to support the day and we raised over €150 for The Irish Cancer Society. Deadly, right? The blogger peoples that came on the day made it what it was - fun, friendly and just so warm and fuzzy! Sometimes there can be serious bitching in the blogger community and I personally can forget how great most blogger ladies and gents can be. So to all that came, to everyone that interacts with me on social media and on the aul blog, thank you. x

I'll go back to normal babble for a sec and tell you about the shampoo that stole my heart in May, Toni&Guy cleanse for advanced detox for occasional use. Now don't think I took a ride on the crazy train, I know its almost €8 but I found it in the pound shop for €3. (I almost keeled over with the shock too.)  Its in the fancy posh bottle, it smells really nice in a chemically-over-processed way and the best part, it works wonders on the aul head. May was not a month to be proud of my head. It need to badly do my roots, the purple is a constant upkeep and the condition its in is a woeful situation - yes, I am pulling out all the overly Irish phrases for this one. Thats how bad it is. But this shampoo makes my hair feel weightless and more shiny. Not a necessity, but if you see it in the pound shop, nab it!


Another product I couldn't have lived without was my MUA Underdressed eye shadow palette. I got this in SuperDrug about a year ago and occasionally use it, but in May and now this month too, I've needed it like air. My eyelids have never looked better for less then €5. You can clearly see what shades I've been favouring cos' with me, glitter is always in. I don't care if its summer time and natural minimal coverage is the thing. Hell, my eyeballs look better when their framed with smoky warm brown and gold glitter plastered on! If you can find one of these palettes, I'd suggest buying one for me and posting it out. Oh, get one for yourself too!

Food wise this month, there are only two things I can think and talk about obsessively. Chinese and chai lattes. I'm not sure what sparked this, but if you follow me on Twitter you'll no doubt have seen my craving tweets. The silence between tweets? Pauses to pick back up the chop sticks or order another mug full of goodness. Even now I am contemplating venturing out tomorrow just for that drink. My regular haunt is Kokoro sushi bento on Lower Liffey Street. Allergic to fish, but man that can't put me off their noodles and cute staff! Plus the weird and wonderful conversations people strike up with you in that place is an worth going in for alone. And the best chai latte in Dublin is Hippety's Temple Bar. Oh man the layout of the cute coffee shop, their amazing food.. The fact that they have board games! (for after the many Instagram worthy photos) If your about Temple Bar its a must. But the one down fall is they don't do coke, so Stephens not a fan. But I won him over with their chocolate cake. On a ranty side note - Costa do the worst chai lattes I have ever had. The taste buds jumped out of my mouth and ran away when I ordered one. Sweet divine... Ugh.


Now pause and watch 7 seconds of Wiggle Cat. I wish it was longer as I've had it on repeat so much. Its still not lost the shiny funny new video feeling yet!


Lastly a new shop that I have found through the twitters, Scene Designs. The lovely Emma runs a LGBT Etsy shop that sells cards and mugs with such feckin cute designs on them! I ordered from her about a week  ago in preparation for some friends birthdays. I had the pleasure of a chance meeting with her the other night too and she is just such a lovely and very funny lady. A small Irish business that sells amazing quality things? Yeah, you know I'm loving it. Plus check out the heart 'You're Fabulous' mug, its next on my list of life essentials. See everything over here. 

Tuesday, 3 June 2014

What Happened At #BloggersDoDublin

When I started sending emails to companies and trekking across Dublin in an effort to find a venue, I never thought that the day would actually come together and so many lovely bloggers would turn up! I really have a new found appreciation for anyone who organises an event and I can't decide if they are really lovely people, or really mad in the head. I think its a little of both.

So before I tell you about what we got up to, I have to tell you about the companies that made this day possible. After all, I am only one big lady and as much as I would like to grow that extra arm, sometimes you need a hand from someone else. FindaVenue.ie really rocked my socks, they are a free venue finding service for every type of event you could imagine. They found me a choice of places to look at in like 24 hours. Holy be da jasus if your organising something you should really use them. In fact. I insist.

Next on the list of saviors is where the event itself took place, Pacinos. Now if you've been hanging around a while you'll know I'm not one to hold back if I feel I could bitch about it, so when I tell you that the manager (Mick, heya fella!) and the staff were one of the nicest groups of people I've ever had the pleasure of knowing, you'll know I'm not messing. They didn't mind over 30 crazy women, balloons, glitter, confetti thrown round the place or even sex toys. They were so accommodating and friendly and if there was something they could do to make the day better, they would have bent over back ways to try and do it for you. I loved the gorgeous resturant and the food even more. I actually pre booked my birthday dinner there after the event, it was that nice. Are ya's sold? Good. Now don't all send me flowers at once when you see I wasn't just jabbering on.


Anywho, on the day loads of lovely blogging ladies and some companies that kindly contributed to the raffle prizes came together and had the lols, the noms and the natters. What an amazing day it was! I got to meet so many new faces and I'm delighted that people from as far as Cork and Belfast were able to make it. Fair play lads! Upon arriving there was utter excitement at the Cosmetic Outlets goodie bags. Man those things weighted a tonne! Paul very kindly gave us 30 of them and I've been told there were some really lovely surprises in them. So make sure to keep an eye out for any of the bloggers reviews of them! (you can see the full list of bloggers who attended here)


The first demo on the day was done by Matte to Matellic, who just launched their new site so take a look at it over here! The gorgeous Jennifer and Ciara took turns to show us how to create a day time summer look only using budget brand make up. This was right up by street as we all know how much I hate forking out on expensive stuff if I can basically get the same thing for less elsewhere! I couldn't have asked for two lovelier ladies to help us out on the day. They were nothing but helpful answering beauty questions while doing Nickki's (limesandstars.blogspot.ie) makeup so she looked stunning. (But then again, doesn't she always.)


The second demo of the day was given to us by Secrets Ireland, a sex toy company. You know me and my sex, I just can't get enough of it. I thought I'd give other bloggers the opportunity to get to know a few toys better while learning about all the high end and low end things on the market. Who knows, we might have more sex bloggers joining the ranks in future! I couldn't have asked for a better response and everyone was positive asking questions, feeling some of the toys and lets face it, having a lot of giggles too. This was a lovely change from the more childish and famous alcohol infused Ann Summers parties that are normally associated with sex toy talks. The lovely lady who gave the demonstration was a mind of information making sure that we understood everything and asked that if we had any questions that we weren't comfortable with to email and ask her. Professional, friendly and knowledgeable doesn't even begin to describable this company and I recommend everyone to have a look at it over here.


Lastly I have to thank all the companies again for giving prizes to raffle off on the day in aid of The Irish Cancer Society. Some of the things are below and I'm sorry to say I'm very jealous of all the girls who won on the day, there were really exciting things! You can see the full list of companies that took part in my #BloggersDoDublin post. 

I really can't thank the companies, venue and all the bloggers who came enough. It was such a fantastic day and maybe next year I might even do it again. (but for now, let me sleep for a week!) 


Thursday, 29 May 2014

#BloggersDoDublin Updates


Hello there lovely blogger people! I have just a few quick updates for you all and thought it would be best to do a blog post instead of trying to get the general info across on Twitter where everyone might not see! After running round Dublin yesterday like a headless chicken I can now tell you that the venue is going to be at Pacinos. You can have a look at their site over here.  We have a private room downstairs and the menu is just to die for! (Me? Like food? Well, just 10 more chips...)

Now for you ladies that aren't familiar with the streets of Dublin, Pacinos is at the bottom of Grafton street. If you stand at the traffic lights and look right (following the flow of traffic as its a one way street!)  you will see the restaurant. It has a red front with lovely big bright windows. You'll basically feel yourself being pulled in, its just that nice. If your still not sure and google maps is giving you a headache, make sure you DM me and I will give you my number :)

I'd love you all to wonder in and have a look at the menu asap! I'd like everyone to have plenty of time for lunch (and many cocktails) before the lovely girls from Matte to Metallic start their demo at about half 2 for us all! 

After the ladies from Matte to Metallic give us a demo we will be treated to a demo by Secrets Ireland. They are a fantastic Irish sex toy company and are coming out especially for us as they don't normally do demos. How lucky are we! You can find them on facebook and twitter to say hello and follow them. Or how about a sneaky look at their website over here. 

Paul from The Costmetic Outlet is giving us 30 goodie bags on the day (eeekkk!!) Make sure go and say hello and a big thank you to him on Twitter and Facebook! The goodie bags are going to be gotten on a first come first serve basis, I'm really sorry about that.

The Irish Cancer Society holds a very special place in my heart, so on the day there will be a raffle in aid of this charity. I am so excited to be able to tell you that loads of Fantastic companies have got on board with me and donated prizes for this. So ladies, heres what your in with a chance of winning!



Tuesday, 27 May 2014

#BloggersDoDublin


It all started with myself and another blogger chatting about Lush, which turned into lunch and before I knew it I was organising this #BloggersDoDublin day out. Considering theres not a lot of time to put this altogether, I am still in the middle of talks with companies, venues and lots more! So the details are a little fuzzy still. But fear not, I will update here and on twitter as I find out whats happening! I am hoping to have the event really near Grafton St, so it will be easy to find for everyone. The venue will be giving us good deals on lunch specials and of course a sneaky drink or two. It should be starting by 1pm.

Paul from The Costmetic Outlet is kindly giving us 30 goodie bags on the day. If you've been reading my blog for a while now, you'll know my crazy hauls obsession with this shop! Make sure go and say hello to him on Twitter and Facebook, the star!

The Irish Cancer Society holds a very special place in my heart, so on the day there will be a raffle in aid of this charity. I am so excited to be able to tell you that loads of Fantastic companies have got on board with me and donated prizes for this. So ladies, heres what your in with a chance of winning!



List of companies/bloggers attending:

Beth Young   bethyoungmakeup.com
Kathleen O'Rourke   squidgemoments.ie
Robyn Morton   robynrantsandraves.com
Siofra Corry (+1) somepretentiousname.blogspot.ie
Lisa D   scatteredbrainedblogging.blogspot.ie
Kerrie sempresorres.blogspot.ie
Aishling ashlingoneillphotography.blogspot.ie
Elaine   rubylainemakeup.com
Debra Wray  (+1)  overdressedandunprepared.co.uk
Stephaine Barry   polishedandprimed.com
Stephanie Buckley   eatsleepchic.ie
Girl Friday (+1) girlfridaybeautyblog.wordpress.com
Aisling   covetedmess.com
Claire   lovesandlooksramblings.blogspot.ie
Sarah   adoreabubbles.blogspot.com
Miriam and Aoife townmousecountrymouseireland.wordpress.com
Kate   rubyduchess.blogspot.ie
Laura moustache-mouth.blogspot.com
Karen Flynn astitchtowearblog.blogspot.co.uk
Alex and Becky pinkelephantbloggin.com
Katie   katiescorner.blogspot.ie
Aisling   rosysmiles.blogspot.co.uk
Anita Whyte dolledup.ie
Manal Awan sopolishedireland.blogspot.ie
Linda oceana-spa.com
Bernie marykay.co.uk
Katie Wheeler bloggingitbeautiful.blogspot.ie
Kassi makeupartistas.com
Nickki limesandstars.blogspot.ie
Lesley bellinsandblush.wordpress.com
Jennifer and Ciara frommattetometallic
Audrey nail-affair.blogspot.com

I'm going to have to cap the number attending at 40. There are a few places left if you would like to leave a comment below and I can add you to this list.

For some of you ladies this will be the first blogger meet up you attend. Don't be worrying or stressing out! The very first blogger event I attended I got lost and ended up sitting in the loos for a good 15 minutes on the verge of tears before I managed to make it out. (But hopefully no one will freak out as badly as I did!) The dress code is whatever you feel comfy in. You can glam up or come in a tshirt, no one will mind.  I am more then happy to give you my number in case you get lost on the day or need to ask me some questions. Just Tweet or DM me and I'll give it to you.

I'm so excited and can't wait to see everyone on the day!!