You only get what you give

When your child is born it suddenly becomes the most perfect and proudest thing you have ever achieved in your life. It is an undescribable love that you never even knew you had in you,  and all you can hope for is that your child will be happy and healthy. Not all of us are as lucky and the road  isn't always as straight and narrow for some. It's not until something personally happens to you or a family member that we really understand the hardship or sorrow some families endure everyday.This of course is understandable because if something doesn't effect to our lives then why would we really need to have awareness of it.

No matter were I've worked I've always got involved in whatever charity the company works with. 

The company I currently work for does alot of work with Enable Ireland (supporting children with disabilities). Reflecting on some of the fundraising we have done recently I've really got thinking and even though I always give to whatever charity is having a collection I never really give it a second thought after donating a few euro. A lady (who shall remain unnamed) whose son avails of the charity we fundraise for told me the story of her sons journey and I don't know why but I always blindly assumed that children were born with disabilities. As a mum I arrogantly thought that once my child came out with 10 fingers and 10 toes that was it, everything would pretty much be okay from here on out. But it's not always like that, tragedy can strike at any time and it is why it's important to dig a little deeper sometimes. You never know when life might through you a curveball and can you imagine depending on other people to help you. It doesn't always have to come down to money we can give our time, time doesn't cost a thing! Believe me when I say it is the most rewarding thing that you will ever do.

Again as a mother any kids charity really pulls at my heart strings and I always look at the kids envolved and admire their strength and resilience. On further thought today I realised that the true strength really comes from the parents. Imagine your child on a day that they are not well..... and now imagine that being your everyday or worse. The emotions that these parents must go through all while trying to support their child by whatever means possible, the financial burden and the stress must be huge on top of everything else. I know I would want to do whatever possible to give my child a better life and it would be hard having to rely on other peoples generosity. Many of us walk by numerous charities everyday and feel that we can't support them all and yes of course it's hard to support everything, but there is so many people relying on our generosity for these much needed funds.

As a country we tend to be extremely generous and I want my kids to grow up understanding the importance of helping those less fortunate. It will possibly be the best lesson I can ever teach them in life. 

 "Never look down on someone unless your helping them up" 

"Be kind, you get back what you give out"

Lisa xx

Insta-perfect

Let's face it most of us lead double lives!! The one we have on social media and the real one. Hands up I'm as guilty as any, I love to share details of my life on Facebook but the majority of the time I carefully choose what I want to share because I know I'll be judged. Lets be honest most of us of have done it, (judged) someone else on a picture or a status they've put up. Hell I've even blocked/deleted or unfollowed someone because I didn't like or agree with what they had said, depending on my mood at the time. We've all been in the situation were someone we barely know has sent us a friend request and of course we HAVE to accept because that would be just rude not to, wouldn't it! Endless facebook friends that we never speak to or that would barely say hello to you on the street but yet still virtual buddies.. It's crazy when you think about it all of these friends, but not really friends, and we are so eager to share our lives with them all.

I remember when I was younger hearing the term "to show face" which meant that you would show (to the public) that everything is good or okay, I often wonder is this what we do on social media every day? Happy holiday snaps, great nights out, fun family moments etc. We love to share these moments with the best intentions that loved ones or long lost friends get an update on how we are doing. But how many of us personally reach out to these people on a daily basis? You could be mistaken for looking at someones online profile and thinking that they have it all. Perfect life, family, always happy. It's what you call Insta-perfect. But nobody's life is as perfect as it seems, it's only what we choose to show to the world. Nobody really knows what's going on "behind closed doors" or in somebody's mind, sometimes things aren't as rosy as they seem, and it's hard to share these thoughts with your "online friends" without becoming the topic of conversation or gossip.

I'm well aware that I've shared some personal things online since I've set us this blog and I'm also aware that not only friends but total strangers may read these things. I call it my online diary but in 

reality would I let someone read my personal diary if I had one (probably not)....Ive refrained from 

posting negative things on my own personal page a long time ago because I was conscious of how it would come across. But we all have bad days so of course the negative should come with the positive so you'd think. It's not always like that though because if your too happy people be-grudge you and if your a bit down in the dumps you can come across as a bit of a "Moaning Michael". Fact is your 

never going to please everyone, and the strangest thing is these people are meant to be your friends right, friends that you have accepted into your online life.

On a final note being online, 

I sometimes feel so connected with life but I'm really disconnected in reality.

Drop me a comment and let me know what you think?

Luv lisa xx

Wedding Fever

There is nothing more I love about a wedding than getting to see all the guests dressed up in their beautiful outfits. It's the one occasion that us ladies tend to go all out for and yesterday I was blown away by all the glamour at my friends wedding. So much so that I was pestering girls for snaps of their outfits. There was that many stunning outfits we would be here all day and night going through them all so I just picked a few to share with you guys

First up was the ever so glamorous Arel. I think you'll agree she looks like she has stepped off of a Hollywood red carpet. I really don't think this picture does justice to how amazing she looked. The dress is from Boohoo and is still available online. Arel teamed the dress up with a elegant pair of black stilettos and black and gold drop earrings

Next up we have the stunning Michelle and this floral number from Asos. The colour was just divine (a mix of blue/mint green) with s beautiful print. The shape of the dress hugged her figure perfectly with a sexy with the off the shoulder detail. She paired it with a fab pair of nude shoes from River Island.

 

This beauty Linda opted for a 2 piece, a black satin skater style skirt from ASOS matched with a beautiful lace nude top by Mylene Klass for Littlewoods. The colours really complimented each other and Linda matched them with these amazing Carvela shoes. The pop of colour in the shoes gives this classic outfit a personal touch. I love this and I think Linda looks stunning

                     

The mother of the Bride wore an amazing metallic blush toned dress from Jenny Packham. The jewel detail around the neckline was to die for and she matched it with a similar toned bag and heels. The fascinator added an extra touch of class to the outfit and I think you'll agree she looks amazing. One of the, if not the nicest mother of the brides outfits I have ever seen

Samantha looks like a goddess in this slinky green jewelled number. This dress is a definite eye catcher with its rich jewel toned detail and it is so beautiful no accessories needed as it speaks for
itself. I love the sexy side slit and you really get a Bollywood/Grecian feel from this dress. It is from Virgo Lounge, look the brand up their dresses are amazing, real head turners

I think you will agree that these ladies look so beautiful and would give any celeb a run for their money. I honestly would wear each and every one of these outfits.

A lot of bloggers do posts on what they have worn themselves (outfit of the day) but that's not really my thing, however I did put up a picture of what I was wearing yesterday. I want to start sharing fashion posts on outfits other girls are wearing because I get very inspired by other peoples fashion choices. I believe women should compliment and empower other woman. We can be a strange bunch, and a lot of the times we will see another woman and in our heads we think "wow she looks amazing, I love her top etc" however we are not great at sharing those thoughts by telling them. 

On a side note the bride looked out of this world. I haven't shared a picture of her as I want her to be the first to share her wedding photos but I will tell you her dress was stunning and she was so beautiful. I just want to end by saying Congrats Mrs Cowan, I hope you and Danny had the day of your dreams xx

Body Image

I've been thinking alot lately about beauty/body image and how hard it must be to be a young girl these days. Especially growing up in the world we now live in, it's hard enough being a teenager without the constant focus on how we should look. The endless beautiful celebs, magazines, tv, social media highlighting these beautiful women making us ordinary people feel ever so insignificant and basic. It seriously frustrates me that we have become a society that generally looks up to a person for their beauty and not their achievements. Young girls idolising celebs/models/reality stars, comparing themselves to them which is totally unrealistic because these people do not have a normal lives. Who gets out of bed in the morning and has instant access to a make up artist and a hairdresser waiting in the wings. Some of these influential celebs have nothing of any substance to say, they can be just a walking product. They make young girls feel that surgery is the only option or dieting is a must for the perfect figure. What is the perfect figure anyway? Where is the definition of what is beautiful?

I'm like every other girl that I know, I can tell you a million things I don't like about  how I look. I have days were I wish mirrors didn't exist. Yes I am a "skinny minnie" to say the least and I constantly get told how lucky I am to be the size that I am (especially with my unhealthy ways). To be honest I know I am very lucky, I really am... but that doesn't stop me picking apart my flaws and finding myself disappointed I wasn't gifted with better skin or nicer hair for example. It's ridiculous I know and totally materialistic and I actually get angry with myself for not just being happy with who I am. I often wonder why I think like this, why do these things matter to me? I'm not really sure to be honest, have we been brainwashed into caring about our looks so much that it can be all that seems to matter sometimes? In reality I would rather be a nice person than a supermodel (not saying supermodels aren't nice people) and the older I get the more at peace I have become with how I look.

I am happy I have 2 boys because I would be very worried about what kind of world my daughter would be growing up in. Not saying that boys don't have these pressures I just think that girls have
that little bit extra. Such a constant focus is put on weight that girls are starving themselves or making themselves sick. Some sittimg at home flicking through social media, self loathing in turn leading to depression. I urge every young girl and woman to be inspired by you..work on loving yourself for who you are. We might not always like what we have got but it's what we've  got so make the most of it. Tell your friends that they are beautiful, tell a stranger even but most importantly tell yourself

Luv lisa xx

Crossroads

I make decisions in my job everyday for a living but when it comes to my own life I often wish that someone could make the decisions for me, especially the BIG ones. It's hard being an adult and having to make very important choices about your life and that of your families. Having kids, buying a home, getting married, can be scary and have huge financial attachments. 

I'm at somewhat of a crossroads in my life at the moment with quiet alot going on. Normally I'd be stressed out about it all but I'm oddly calm which for me is strange because I overthink, worry and I stress about most things not to mind the big things. Three years ago we moved into our house (it's a rental) and for those past few years we have been paying rent and saving for a deposit to buy this house.We are lucky I suppose that we both have full time jobs with decent pay which has allowed us to do this. So back in February we applied for a mortgage just before the 20% rule came in and since then we have been in limbo, 8 long months in limbo...see many many years ago when the banks were handing out loans for fun this young stupid girl got one of those said loans and long story short it has ruined my credit history. The loan was repaid in agreement with the bank but the bank refuses to clear the ICB report (irish credit bureau) which means no mortgage for this girl. However if I got married.......my name would be different and I could re-apply under the new rules meaning I would need a massive deposit. As some of you may already know I have been engaged for  4 years now and we did plan on eventually getting married once we had a home sorted first. Imagine how bewildered we were when we found out if we got married it could actually help us get a home. The irony in that, the last 3 years trying to sort a house out and it would have all been sorted by now if we had got married first.

A deposit for a house, and a wedding, throw the fact that we need to change the car into the mix just for fun and that's a good few euros. Money that we just don't have. I see people all around me buying new cars, homes and having big weddings and I must say I sometimes wonder how they can afford it especially when some of them don't even wotk. Am I doing something wrong?? Obviously I must be. I honestly don't know what decision we will make going forward, will we keep renting or will we get married and then try to buy. It's like it has been beaten into us by society that we have to own a home (something to hand down to the kids) and when you get to my age the added pressure is on to sort out your life. I do think the reason I have been so calm about it all is due to the recent headlines in the news. Life could be so much harder.These things are all just materialistic and yes they do matter but they are nothing without your life or your health.

When I started this blog I promised myself I'd be as honest as I could which can be hard when some things are very personal and you don't know who is reading your posts. But this is real life and it can be tough. I want to give a true reflection of what's going on in mine so that maybe others who face the same issues can relate and not feel alone. 

Lisa xx 

Banned

I tend to indulge in a drink or two every now and again like alot of other hard working people in this country 

I wouldn't call myself a big drinker but is that REALLY true!! In Ireland it's not a big deal to head out and get drunk, its actually quiet normal and it's almost strange if you don't drink. Either you are on antibiotics or pregnant because it's hard to believe that anybody would want to head out and NOT drink in this country. Does that make us alcoholics??? We sure don't feel like we are but when you actually think about it......it's questionable.

After holidays myself and John decided to stop drinking for a little while. Now when you work hard all week and you don't socialise that much anymore, one of the only vices you have is a little drink at the weekend while you get chill out on the couch. So for us this is HUGE.

Now here is the really silly part. We decided not to drink until the 17th of September which is Yes.... only 17 days. A friend of ours is getting married and it would be crazy to go to a social event and not drink.! Wouldn't it? Which really makes me think that we have a problem  Why does two weeks not drinking seem like a massive task, it shouldn't be a big deal. So let's see how we get on, will we be able to last, god knows one stressful day at work could break us :))

I'll keep you all posted xx

P.S I've decided to give up coffee also........ So if you see me in the morning and I'm cranky, sorry in advance ;)