Monday 30 December 2013

Preparing My 2014 Bucket List

Now I'm a list maker out and out. I go nutzo for a good pro and con.

But surprisingly I don't tend to make them for the New Year. I used to think a year was too long to live off one list. I could make several in that time!

But this year I'm changing my tune. And I'm making the list of all lists. I want to change, to better, to laugh, to enjoy and to adventure.

But in my mind to make a truly great list you need the perfect notebook. And, that way you can continue additions to the list all year long!

So, before I get down to letting you in on my list, here are my favourite notebooks with fresh pages for some new memories.




1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

And If none of these take your fancy I've just discovered the greatest stationary website, Sloane Stationary. I'm a little in love with all their stock!




Friday 27 December 2013

Festive Before The Festivities

Ok so as some of you like know, the weather in my part of the world was absolutely awful, and thus played havoc with my internet access. So after playing with some antennas I've finally go it back!

Yipee!!

So even though this post is extremely late, here is the tale of my pre Christmas weekend tales.

This weekend in my house seemed to be all about food, we have all been so busy working in the run up to Christmas this weekend we finally got a chance to breath and enjoy a family meal together.

Which resulted in this beast arriving for dinner. I guess its what you get when your roast potato addicted father, hasn't had a roast dinner in at least a week and a half.



No vegetarians in this household, we are complete carnivores.

After completely stuffing ourselves, we busied ourselves with the next task & in my mind the most important activities of the holidays, decorating the tree!


We always have a real tree in our house and this year I think we got a beauty. It's pretty even all over and smells terrific.

After a couple of hours, a pan of slutty brownies (there will be a post on these VERY soon :) ) & one Michael Buble Christmas CD later, this was the final product.



I have to give credit for the tree to my mum, she's a class act when it comes to a Christmas tree. But don't fret bloggees, I'll be holding up my end of the workload once I decorate the sitting room and the rest of the house.

Other than a couple of last minute things to do, I'm almost totally set for Christmas and for the family to pile in on Wednesday.

How have your christmas preparations going? Any tips for those pesky fairy lights?



Friday 20 December 2013

Dreaming of The Beach

Now I love winter, I do and if you're a frequent reader of B.A.S. then you'll know all the reasons I do.

But when your fingers are frozen to a heater is a freezing cold marquee attempting to sell smoked salmon in the dead of Winter, your mind begins to wander.

And my mind goes straight wanderlust.

And right now I'm planning my bucket list of travels for 2014.

I am extremely fortunate that I have lots of friends all over the world so when I travel I like to go to the places they live and not only journey around a new place but also catch up with people I don't get to see a lot.

So this is my wander-list (see what I did there, hehe) for 2014 so far.


Dubrovnik; Its been on my list for a while now and It's pretty much at the top now ever since I started watching Games of Thrones. (which just happens to be filmed in Old Town Dubrovnik) Just look at that crystal water, the sunshine... Teleporting superpowers would be SO good right now! 



Bruges, I just want to wonder around this place. There's something a little magical/medieval about it. Somewhere I badly want to tick off the bucket list. 




Copenhagen, My uncle lives here with his family, but I've never been! Shocking I know, but the last few times my Mum and Dad have gone I'm been busying or away myself. Its a beautiful european city and a definite place to go. 




Florence, ever since I started studying Art History I've wanted to go here and never leave all the wonderful museums and stare at the masterpieces of the city for hours. And it just so happens an American friend of mine is doing a semester study abroad there in the New Year. Hmmm, decisions ;) 


Now, I already have a job lined up for new Summer for June, July and August in a terrific Arts Summer Camp, and when I'm in America I always do my best to get a trip to the greatest city in the world, New York City baby. I love NYC and I want to perhaps live there someday but for now I'm happy to spend as much time there as I can until then.




But I'm also so eager to see other parts of the USA. I've been stateside several times over the years, but I've only ever been around the East Coast, from Rhode Island, Boston up to NYC. So when I'm over this Summer If I'm lucky enough and I can get enough time and money together there are a couple spots I definitely want to check out. 




A dear friend of mine lives in California, I haven't seen her in a couple of years which is so sad because from the moment we met, she became a sister from another mister to me. So Cali... I hear you calling my name. 




New Orleans, this place for me needs no introduction. Bourbon Street, the French Quarter, I want to go there and just soak it in. Let the jazz set in and learn all the juicy history all over the french quarter. 




Ok, this one is a bit of a stretch admittedly, but I have a feeling it might be a wild card for me this year as to whether or not I'll go. But it's on the list either way. I have... a lot! of friends and family living all over Australia right now. I was there 3 years ago and just loved it. So who knows, never say never. 


I make these lists all the time and they grow rapidly but I've been working like crazy this last month and I'm hoping to put as much of the money I have earned as possible into my next set of travels, ticking off this list as I go.

Do you have any travels planned this coming year? Or any dream places you want to go to? Sounds off in the comments and let me know. Maybe theres a hidden gem thats missed my list.



Wednesday 18 December 2013

Lets Nail This

What's that I hear, the ping pong sound of back to back Christmas office parties, dinners out and family drinks evenings. 

Yes indeedy its that time of year again! The time with the Little Black dress is worn more than anything and the seasonal heels are well and throughly dusted off. 

Now I have a style post coming your way, but it's still being fine tuned. 

So, today I thought I'd start with something that if done right can last you through all your nights out and adds *polish to any outfit - A good manicure! 

I've always been good with my nails, even being dubbed model hands in Secondary School.  (Hey, I've been called worse! ) I always figured that if Life plan 'A' didn't work out, I could always become a manicurist. 

My methods are simple, but hey most of the best methods are.

First off start by washing your hands, soak in hot water and give your hands a good ol scrub and apply a generous sum of your favourite hand cream. 
I like go for Green Angel, its infused with seaweed and feels wonderful. 



Next, take care of your cuticles I got given this ointment from a friend back in Australia. Its called PaPaw so I put it on my Paw Paws!

Its used for a million different things; burns, cuts, scars etc. But, I like it for my cuticles. It is hard to come by so chose your own poison wisely, there is nothing worse than butchered cuticles.





Now thats the paws taken care of, now on to the main dish - the nails!

I wear nail varnish quite a bit, so it's vital that even though your covered the nail, you keep them strong.   Think of it like the building and its foundations. 

I tried various things for this, having landed on Rimmel London nail rescue. One coat on before the nail varnish.

 If possible take a 2 week gap from polish every now and again coating this on everyday and you won't believe your nails after it. 





I go wild with the colours in Summer, but for Winter I go pretty traditional and go with some reds or nudes throughout the season. 

I'm an O.P.I  girl out and out and my colour of choice for the Christmas party time is a bottle of their 'Manicurist of Seville'. but they have tons of great reds and release more all the time. So choose one that suits you and it'll last you ages. 

There colours are strong so one coat could do, but if you want your manicure to last you a while go for 2 coats, even 3. 

And top off with a clear top coat for a seal and more shine. 
More shine at Christmas is mandatory! 




Looks pretty good right! 




Now go get your glam rags on, and party the Festive season away. 

Enjoy! 


Monday 16 December 2013

My Festive Loves

Ok, So if you're a frequent reader of Because Amy Says you'll know by now I love Christmas. 

I've listed my many loves of this time of year already, but one I forgot to mention is Tumblr this time of year. I love it! Every time I log on its like looking into Santa's Grotto, should you follow the right blogs. 

So as an early gift to you, and to perhaps to get all you readers into the Festive spirit. 

Here's little collection of my favourite Christmas inspired Tumblr finds. 

Enjoy! 



You can also look at these and more on my own Tumblr page

This last picture I had to give its own solo spot. How cute, I love it so much I'm thinking about making 
it my christmas card this year. 



I hope this spot did the trick my readers and you're now off to wrap gifts or bake gingerbread. Speaking of which, If you have any good recipes for some, send them my way!


I'm also thinking of making this Tumblr selections a regular thing on the blog, what do you think?

Friday 13 December 2013

Disney Darling

I'm feeling in a Christmasy mood today, and with Christmas only days away,  I'm more than happy to start the celebrations a tad early.

While I do sympathise that yes Christmas can bring about plenty of stress and mournful groans from the old purse strings but Christmas for me -and I find this more and more the older i get- is about time with your family, some nice food, a bit of time away from work and enjoying the traditions you've had since you were a child and maybe now sharing them with your own children or any kids in your life.

And one big tradition for me is Disney!

Ever since I was little I have loved Disney. I was one of those lucky kids who had all the movies on VHS and literally watched them to death! I loved it. And now that I'm only It is such a home comfort to see an old disney movie on TV. 

After much deliberation, and those of you out there who have made this decision knows the agony of it! I finally chose my no.1 favourite Disney movie... Drumroll Please!.... Peter Pan.

.
Fly away with me?

And, every Christmas since I was a kid at some point in the festive season I sit down beside the fire and watch it.

 Of course, singing along to all the songs and being completely jealous I can’t fly!





Where is a bit of fairy dust when you need it!

Then is something just fantastically magical about a boy who never grows up and gets to live his life in a dream land. Seems like an alright way to spend ones life with dreaded thoughts of the alarm clock going off in the morning.


So the question I pose to you and one of my favourites to ask people; what is your favourite Disney movie? Sound off in the comments, and let me know.

Or, what are your favourite holiday traditions to take part in ?



Wednesday 11 December 2013

Drink Up Starbucks



Can I just say man, oh man, It is cold outside! 

This whole global warming is really starting to get on my nerves!
And I know what your thinking, If the problem is global warming then why isn't the sun shining?! Well smarty pants, due to Ireland's (Where I am right now) place in relation to the equator, Ireland will only get colder with global warming instead of actually warming. Unfair I know, sunshine all year round seems pretty good as I warm my frost bitten toes off a radiator.

I mean people in California seem pretty happy right?

Well, there can be plenty of bonuses to winter, and despite the cold, it is, my favorite time of year.

Christmas, fantasy inducing twinkle lights, comfy scarfs, roaring fires, strictly come dancing back on the TV, lazy Sundays, oh the list goes on!

But one of my favorite things has to be sugar coma inducing hot chocolate and syrupy coffees.
And, as a mucho fan of a good mocha, this year Starbucks has handed me down an early christmas gift. 

Feast your eyes on this bad boy!



Now I'm a definate Caramel Mocha girl out and out.

But this right here is a Peppermint Mocha!, yes you read right...Peppermint...Mocha!

So beautifully yummy and perfect for this festive time of year.

Well I'll take it at this point you have all run frantically away from your computer screens to the nearest Starbucks with your tongues hanging out.

So I'll say goodbye now! 

Happy Drinking All!! 

Monday 9 December 2013

Chunky Knits & Messy Hair

A bit of a relaxed post today.

I'm been quite busy lately working and this weekend I stood in front of the pile of clothes formally known as my wardrobe.

And, I came to a realisation (well several, but thats another story) I own a staggering amount of sweaters.

I admit openly I go gaga for a good sweater and at this time of year, all I want is a chunky comfy sweater to wrap up in and to let my messy blonde locks rock freely in the wind.

I guess you could all it my winter uniform, especially because where I'm working right now has no uniform and a casual festive vibe to it.


Another benefit of wearing sweaters and jeans most days; it really cuts down on outfit decision time in the early mornings, which means only one thing. MORE DUVET TIME. Bliss when all thats waiting outside is a frosty windscreen.




Thursday 5 December 2013

RIP Nelson Mandela

Tonight the world has lost one of the most inspirational and aspirational men in History.

A man that changed not only Africa, but the world; with grace, strength of character & will and someone who tackled the problems of humanity with humility.

His family mourns him tonight, as does the world he moved and bettered.




A man who moved nations with his words, spoke so beautiful on multiple topics, below is just one of his many quotes, but my personal favourite

 "I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."

He was a man, that became a hero and will now live on forever in our hearts as a legend.

Rest in Peace Mr. Mandela, and Thank You. 




Below are some responses to this great mans passing for current world leaders

Barrack Obama



David Cameron



Wednesday 4 December 2013

Ho, Ho, Holidays!



Well guys December is finally upon us, though the time has gone specially fast
I couldn't be more happy it is december. Because that means one thing... Christmas!

Tumblr_me5tjp5oj91rig7vyo1_500_large
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

I love christmas! The lights, putting up the tree, the christmas festivals that abound the countryside and of course the fantastic food!
Feast your eyes on this spread...

Yummy in my tummy!
Yummy in my tummy!


That feast can only be topped by the spread my Step-Dad prepares on Christmas Day, with my Mum as Su Chief of course. 
What isn't to love? And what could be better than seeing the delight on people’s  faces opening gifts you've got them. I simply adore it.
Everyone just seems to be in a happier mood at this time of year.
But should you know any Grinchs out there, in desperate need of some Christmas cheer, then I’ve got the solution for you!
Then serve them up a big hearty helping of some of this AMAZING hot chocolate.



One sip of this sugar coma inducing goodness and Christmas cheer will be coming out of their ears!

I'll be back with more Christmas cheer, tips and treats all this month, so stay tuned.

Tuesday 3 December 2013

A Nice Little Tumblr

Tumblr, Tumblr...TUMBLR!

You know in movies when the main character is madly in love they want to scream it from the rooftops or if in real life and you're Tom Cruise, from a sofa.

That is kind of how I feel about Tumblr.

I started my account over a year ago on the insistence of my best friend Kate after she started her account.

And really, I've never looked back.

Its whatever you want it to be. Somewhere you can let your personality through and no one will judge. This has been my experience anyway.

Tumblr houses all kinds of people from millions of walks of life and billions upon billions of images, gifs and videos to feast your eyes on and place on your own blog should they take your fancy.

I could spend hours on tumblr and believe me I have, eventually residing to dizziness from scrolling my dashboard so much.

I would encourage everyone to give it a go, you'll probably know after an hour if you love it or hate it, but if you're anything like me it'll be love at first sight.

You can find my Tumblr page by clicking on the 'Tumblr' tab at the top of my blog home page.

And for your viewing pleasure here are a couple of images I put together for you that have been passing through my Tumblr sphere lately.





And if any of you are encouraged to start a tumblr from reading this, please leave me a link to your page in the comments below. I'd love to have a peek.