Birthday Haul

This is purely for those of you who like having a nosy at different blogger hauls just because. So if your not one of those people feel free to ignore this one! I am in no way boasting or 'showing off'. All items below were gifted to me by family and friends. 

As some of you will know I turned 21 last Wednesday (the 18th for anyone who cares to know!) and my family and friends all went a bit mad with gifts. I got some really lovely things and am very grateful for each thought that was put into the day. So I just thought I'd show you a few bits now. There is nothing from Stephen here for the simple reason that he lost his marbles completely and bought half of Lush for me along with lots of other things and if I was to talk about that it would turn into a Lush haul!  

My mother got me three beautiful pieces from Newbridge Silverware. A flower shaped key chain, a little cat (sparkly cat for the win!) keyring and a set of gorgeous, dried, pink flower filled mirror and trinket box. I also got a lovely Argento necklace called Hope that has the cutest little pearl on the top and also a sparkly (Sparkly!) blue French Connection necklace from two of my friends.  

Everyone knows how much I love cards and I got the biggest bundle! Theres quite a few cat inspired ones too, which I just want to giggle at while jumping about in an overexcited fashion pointing. Two of my other passions, books and candles were clearly carefully noted as I received a sky high stack of both and I'm very excited about the lot. Cook books, owls, comedy books, yankee and even two cheeky dvds? Expect me to emerge from my room by say, Christmas? Ok, good!

Last but not least, I got a really thoughtful hand made scarf from a friends mother. She knitted and crocheted it in a fab dark blue with - the best part - loads of sparkles through it! To say I am excite is an understatement. I feel really fancy, movie star like when I have it on, hence the ridiculous face/pose and crazy hair flicking fashion show going on in the picture/my room right now.

Anyway thats the show and tell over with, now excuse me while I cat walk to the nearest chair to read my book! Have a fab day x

Bobo's Restaurant Review

L to R - 

Part of the restaurant, My Vogue face with friends, Energizer Juice ,

Friends and cow wall, Half and half, Banana split, Seriously big Conn Burger,

Me attached to my friends cool coloured chinos, Fancy champagne, Van our lovely curly haired friend, myself and Stephen.

As I said in my last post, I went out for a lovely 21st birthday dinner on Saturday night with some of my closest buddies and I picked the best place in town, even if I do says so myself! I decided on Bobos (Dame St) because myself and Stephen pass it a lot and always mean to go in, so what better excuse then a big birthday dinner. Bobos specializes in gourmet Irish burgers and sources as much of their menu from Irish suppliers as possible. I called a week in advance to book and they said not only was a party of 12 fine but there was no service charge. If you don't eat out in big groups a lot you wont have to deal with the dreaded service charge of anything from 15%+ of the bill that most restaurants enforce, oh its just not cool. 

When we got there we were all met with a great buzz and friendly waitresses that brought us to our table. The layout is lovely, the music was at really nice quiet level and art on the walls creative and fun. But don't let all that bother you, its down to the business of food, right? The menu has a wide range of beef, chicken, pork, lamb, veggie and even fish burgers, all with quirky names like the The Humpty Dumpty or even The Sex on the Farm. A quick warning? Theses burgers are huge! And you can't have a burger without a nice helping of chubby or skinny chips in a bucket to make a meal complete. You can also get a wide range of soft drinks, smoothies, coffees, teas, beers and wines to suit yourself. If your not totally stuffed after all that - and believe me you will be - you can chew down on one of their  death by chocolate sundaes or a coke float. I got the Conn Burger (€9.95) that is piled high with salad, Dubliner cheese, bacon, bbq sauce and more.. Need I go on? A side of Half and Half (€5.25) half onion rings, half chubby chips - truly the best of both worlds. If you go in and have nothing else, please try their onion rings, its like a party in your mouth. The thoughts of all this food is making me hungry now!

You can check out their menu here and they are also located on Wexford St if your down that way. Now I have to add something really awful, you can give out to me later... They do take aways too guys. I know, I'm sorry. Bobos have a Twitter offer here at the moment, any burger and chips for €7 before 6pm. Every. Single. Day. Have I made my point? Go check them out and see for yourself how yummy and fab the place is!

Dame St Bobo's, image source bobos.ie

What Happens When I Dress Up

Picture this; its Friday night, the night before my birthday dinner with friends who I see all the time. They have seen me sick, with no make up on and in pajamas, yet I am throwing every item of clothing I own around my room like its an Olympic sport. I am genuinely awful at dressing myself and my confidence level goes to zero during the slow excruciating experience. So as you can imagine when my poor boyfriend Stephen trys to give advice and a few encouraging words he is left ducking for cover as a high heel narrowly misses his head while I'm on the verge of tears. 

I have perfected the art of having two pairs of tights on at once so there is no time wasting when it comes to matching each with the right dress and shoe together. One is skin colour while the other is normally a black, unless of course I'm having a moment of inspirational 'lets throw in some colour'. Because after all, what did everyone learn from the mistakes of the 80's? From looking at my ensemble, apparently nothing. But even I will admit to looking a little crazy mumbling away to myself while my entire upper body has disappeared under the bed in search of those perfect heels. - Might I just add that the perfect shoes are never there, but you live in hope that someone has stolen all your old things and replaced them with shiny, new, perfectly fitting Christian Dior shoes that haven't even been seen on the runway yet.

Its like those scenes in chick flicks. The crazy haired 20 something running around her bedroom, dancing, trying on silly outfits and then transforming into a vision and been just on time for her date. But with me it stops at the silly outfits. I have yet to master the vision part. Well, I have a vision, but what I see in my mind and what I actually turn out like are two very different things. My latest text to my best friend was ''Swaying in crazy heels and can't breathe in tiny spray on shorts. Will be at home under covers eating ice cream, covered in a face mask crying to big girls are beautiful if you need to find me''. Yes, thats right. I am truly a real-life Bridget Jones, hello people of the earth. 

I have since calmed down, restored my room, apologized to Stephen and even found something that might be acceptable to wear for dinner tomorrow night. I haven't fixed my smudged nail varnish yet, but there is always the bus ride to town. I thought a life post would be a nice change from the recent product heavy stuff and also to tell you all I haven't gone anywhere and will be back posting lots again next week! I will have a review of the restaurant no doubt and also a birthday haul for those of you who are nosy as me when it comes to hauls. Til then keep being fab and maybe be a little happier that the crazy panic of getting ready for a night out isn't just something you do.