Belated Family Christmas

I was like a giddy child on Christmas Eve waiting to fly home; I couldn't sleep a wink (albeit my flatmate's party may have somewhat influenced the sleep deprivation), and I arrived at the airport 3 hours early resulting in me snoozing in the waiting lounge like a hobo. This naturally led to some crankiness on my part, and me having a bitchin' sesh with an old lady (who reminded me a lot of my Granny) moaning about the squealing brats and FOUR babies that were about to board our flight...

All of that ructions was worth it though because there was light at the end of the tunnel; my Mammy and lil' sister Laur surprising me by picking me up from the airport :) The day could have turned out miles better if my flight had been an hour earlier because I could have been crowned the 200th millionth traveler and won a few bob...However, I did get whisked off to Liffey Valley Shopping Centre where Mam bought me a Pandora ring (The Princess Tiara ring - see post Pandora Wish List) so that quickly slipped my mind!

I got spoiled rotten with Christmas presents! Santa was way too good to me; a GHD at last, See by Chloe perfume, and my beloved Stradivarius coat my Mam managed to get on sale (see post Strad Wonderland). My most treasured present of all is a Graduation photo album my Mam had made for me. My sisters' even surprised me with their outstanding presents; a Benefit makeup set, a New Look clutch I had my eye on (a mixture of a happy coincidence and loving sisterly senses), and a pair of tan Chelsea boots. BEST CHRISTMAS EVER !!

I arrived home to Ireland like Santa Claus with a suitcase brimming full of presents. I got my Mam and sisters' Scottish Tartan stockings filled with random bits and pieces, and they seemed to go down well! I treated Mam to a Dune handbag satchel, matching purse, and leather gloves - who else is going to spoil her if not her daughters!?

I would like to say thanks a million for everyone who is reading and following my blog, it means the world to me :) 40 Bloglovin' followers and 14 Blogger followers - Not too shabby at all!

See ye 2013, you won't be missed...
2014 you WILL be my year!
Happy New Year all!

raebelle
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Scottish Christmas

So here I am. In Scotland all by myself. In my bunny onesie..

This is the first ever Christmas I haven't been at home and it's really bizarre. On a good note for me, it doesn't feel like Christmas. My Christmas starts this Sunday when I fly home for belated festivities with my family.

All my friends flew homio to be with their family but luckily I had one Aberdonian chum who kept me company on Christmas Eve last night. Pub tea and Christmas cocktails instead of Midnight Mass - very weird sensation altogether!

My angel of a Mammy didn't disappoint with the Christmas stocking she handed me a few months ago. I'm so proud of my willpower that I didn't manage to open it until this morning! I was feeling a little blue yesterday so I treated myself to a maroon tribal scarf from River Island <3 It was in the sale so I instantly felt obliged to soothe my cravings and have a little something else to open this morning...

My stocking was filled with Irish chocolates that me and my sisters always eat Christmas morning, mini Santa's and Xmas socks - who doesn't need socks!? I have to say Mam surprised me with the cuddly Christmas decorations, although that bearded Santa is somewhat creepy!

With all that mad weather recently I might not have even made it home anyway. Trains and flights were cancelled everywhere so maybe it was a blessing in disguise because that would have been even more disappointing. Sure even Niall Horan himself, a 1D'er, didn't even make it home for Christmas!

 

Today my non-Christmas will consist of watching Disney movies, stuffing my face, and wrapping my family's presents, with a bit of housework thrown in for good measure.

 

Only 4 sleeps until my Christmas really begins...

 

raebelle

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Strad Wonderland

 

I have always had a soft spot for Zara's sister brand Stradivarius. Their A/W13' Fall collection screams English heritage meets urban cool. Zara's demographic consists mainly of the sophisticated and classy career woman. Whereas Stradivarius is more relaxed in terms of style and appeals to multiple groups such as teens, students, and lost souls trying to establish their own identity.

These are my two coveted coats of the season. The checked wool piece got the seal of approval from my Mam when I tried it on so that's definitely a WIN! I like the contrast of the cream shearling like collar against the muted browns and greys. The patterned option on the right resembles my current coat but I don't care, purely because my current coat doesn't have a collar as cute and as cosy as this one! I also like the slim lined nature of this coat.



<<<<<<<Checkered Coat £79.99 --------------------- Combined Coat £79.99>>>>>>>
 

Stradivarius also combines fashion and comfort effortlessly with their stylish jersey tops. They are long lined and loose, perfect for snoozing in lecture theatres or lazing around the house. The scoop neckline is also ideal for us busty ladies. And the benefits just get better and better because they are affordable; prices vary between £9.99-£15.99. Total bargain!

Unfortunately Aberdeen hasn't had the honour of being graced with a Stradivarius solos store. No doubt I will be constantly scanning the Strad website until the day their Christmas sale starts so I can nab some of these beauties to add to my collection :) Or my little sister may be a doll and keep an eye out in the store back in Kildare for me...

raebelle
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Family Reunion

I finally got to take a sneaky trip home to Ireland...to surprise my beloved Godmammy for her 50th birthday. And keeping it secret for an entire month was definitely worth the wait! So far, in this year alone, I have made not one, but TWO people cry with surprise by flying home for their birthday. I'm loving that feeling of accomplishment and happiness :)

I'm not gonna lie, I had a total PDA moment when I met my Mam at the bus stop. It had been 5 long months since I had gotten a Mammy hug so I feel it was completely acceptable! I got the biggest smile when we picked my lil' sis up from school - I say 'little' but she's actually 17 - however I just still think of her as my baby sister because I moved to Scotland when she was only 12. She even took a half day for the special reunion, bless.

I got to put the glad rags on and wear my new Warehouse guna >>>>>> However, the wear itself was severely disappointing when my cousin noticed two massive holes in the back of the dress. The stitching came away from the back black panels on both sides... Jaysus, I felt like a whale but it wasn't like I was bait into the dress like!? Luckily Debenhams were more than happy to refund the faulty dress but it was still sad to part with it... The sales Advisor said it was lucky I kept my receipt. I was quick to respond that I also work in retail. Enough said.

Me with my sis Laura, cousins Michaela & Niamh, and the Birthday girl Mary

I have the loveliest Mam in the world. I'm missing Christmas this year for the first time ever so I'm going to be a total Grinch. It will be the first Christmas in the new house, and I feel like an outsider as it is, so will be shit that I can't be there with them. Nonetheless my Mam has gone above and beyond by presenting me with my Christmas stocking early so I have 'a little something to open Christmas morning'. Bless her cotton socks! Apparently she went on Penneys (Primark) mission so I have 'my real' stocking when I come home for New Years...I feel very spoilt :) Yet I'm seriously gonna struggle with the anticipation of opening said stocking...It might be a good idea for my flatmate to take it hostage for me until D Day?!

raebelle
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