Aran Islands - A Day and Night In Inis Mor

Hi all,

It's been a mad two weeks. First of all thanks to everyone who read and shared my last post "29 Things I Learned Before Turning 30," I didn't expect half the positive feedback that I have received so thanks for that.
Secondly, Maria's Scribbles has been longlisted in the lifestyle category for The Blog Awards Ireland 2018. The awards are judged by a panel of judges so not to worry, I'm not asking for your votes or anything, I'm just letting ye know the news!!
As some of you already know I turned 30 on Tuesday. Myself and the family headed out to Inis Mor for the day and night.

How Did We Get There?
We got the 10:30 ferry from Rosaveel to Inis Mor. The crossing took 40 minutes and the cost of a ticket is €25.00 return.

What Did We Do?
Rented bikes - It cost €10.00 to rent a bike for the day and €15.00 to keep them overnight. We went with the latter option. We cycled for miles that day!

Dun Aonghasa - We cycled here and it's about 5 miles from the main village. It's free if you are staying overnight on the island. There is a charge however if you're just doing the day trip.

Worm Hole -
This has become a huge tourist attraction in the last few years as it was chosen as a location for the Red Bull Cliff diving series. It's a bit off the beating track so make sure to get good directions from the place you're staying. It's not well signposted!

Where Did We Stay?
We stayed in The Aran Islands Hotel. It's about a 13 minute walk from the pier. It cost €60.00 per person sharing for the night including breakfast. It was in an ideal location and was lovely and clean.

Where Did We Wine and Dine?
Rua Cafe -
We went here for lunch before our big cycle. The food was delicious and staff were very warm and friendly. I would definitely recommend it.

Aran Islands Hotel-
We had a three course meal here that evening. The food was beautiful and again the staff couldn't have done enough for us.

Tigh Joe Watty -
This was one of the highlights of the trip. I said to my family on the way to the pub that all I wanted was a seat and one man and a guitar singing something like Nancy Spain. What do you know I got my wish, and he was singing Nancy Spain - so strange. That man finished up at about 10pm. Two of The Mulkerrin Brothers (that won The All Ireland Talent Show in 2009), Sean and Eamonn, took over from him. Some of you may have seen them on my insta-stories. They were absolutely brilliant. They played songs for all ages and they really were the perfect ending to the loveliest birthday.

Shops -
Aran Sweater Market

Carraig Donn -

Summary - This was my second time to The Aran Islands this summer. I was in Inis Oirr in June. I can't pick a favourite but like Inis Oirr, I would recommend Inis Mor for its beauty and laid back vibe. It's perfect for an overnight break away from the hypocrisy of the mainland (Father Ted reference, I hope ye get it).

Have a good week,
Love,
Maria
x

29 Things I Learned Before Turning 30!

I'm turning 30 on Tuesday August 21st and I actually can't believe it. My twenties have flown by in the blink of an eye. I remember when I was 17 or 18 thinking I was in control of my life. I was confident I would build a house and be married by 28, have a baby at 29, and I'd be well settled as a nurse in my local hospital at that stage too. My future husband and I would both have expensive cars and my mother would mind the baby when I was back at work after my maternity leave because that's what our mothers are for, or so I thought at the time.

I laugh back at my innocence and complete naivety. At nearly 30 years of age I can say with certainty that you cannot plan out your whole life. You certainly can try but it doesn't always run smoothly. There will be plenty of slips, trips, falls, wrong turns and detours along the way.

I have some mixed feelings about my twenties. It really was a decade full of ups and downs. I can definitely say I learned many life lessons in the last 10 years.

29 Things I Learned Before Turning 30 -

1. You will make loads of mistakes - big ones, small ones, and ginormous ones. Learn from them, forgive yourself, and move on.

2. Your brain doesn't fully develop until you're 25. That might explain some of the behaviour in those late teens and early twenties years. I had little regard for consequences of some of my actions.

3. You can't please everyone, you really can't. All you can do is be yourself and try your best. 

4. Nobody really gives a damn about you. Apart from your family and a handful of close friends, most people are too busy thinking about their own troubles to give you and your mistakes a second thought. I really wished I had learned this in my early twenties as I would have saved myself a lot of anxiety.

5. Try not to over think. We can be our own worst enemies. You will end up creating a problem that wasn't there to begin with. What you focus on grows.

6. Spend time with those you want to, not those you feel you have to. You don't owe anyone any excuses.

7. Stop blaming yourself for past mistakes - Going back to point 2. If it was before you were 25 it doesn't really count and if it was after that simply, let it go.

8. Everyone has their own stuff to deal with; you're not the only one.

9. Don't sweat the small stuff. Don't make mountains out of molehills.

10. Try and eat well. You'll get less colds and chest infections. It's an inside out world. Enjoy everything in moderation.

11. Wear sunscreen and look after that skin. I see lots of patients having lesions removed from their skin due to sun damage.

12. Don't romanticise the past. Some things weren't actually as good as you remember them.

13. Practice gratitude. Write down three things each night before you go to bed that you're grateful for. Every day might not be good but there's something good in every day.

14. Comparison is the thief of joy. Don't compare your behind-the-scenes to someone else's highlight reel.

15. Change from vodka to gin. It's saved me a lot of hangovers in the last two years and a lot of fear!

16. Travel while you can, but only if you want to. Not because you feel it's something you have to do because everyone else is doing it.

17. Make time for the people that make time for you and be polite to the rest of them.

18. Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one.

19. What people think of me is none of my business.

20. Practice mindfulness, which really is living in the present moment. You can waste an awful lot of time ruminating about the past and thinking about the future.

21. That awful thing you said to Nancy, Joe or Tom when you were 19 really can't be changed. Accept it and move on.

22. You can't put an old head on young shoulders. You are not the same person you were 10 years ago. Stop blaming yourself for her mistakes.

23. Eat the cake, just eat the cake. You're not 'bold' for doing so.

24. Try not to gossip. A lot of stuff you hear ends up growing legs and isn't true anyway.

25. Don't let anyone put you down. Whether it is a consultant, a CEO, the president, or a street sweeper, we all piss in the same toilet at the end of the day.

26. Treat people as you'd like to be treated. Manners cost nothing.

27. Try meditation. It’s great for helping you sleep, easing anxiety and quietening down that mind chatter. There are loads of helpful guided meditations on You Tube.

28. Your relationship with your significant other is so important. Be with someone that makes you feel equal, is your best friend and most importantly that makes you laugh. Oh, and don't forget date night!

29. You're allowed to have fun and be happy. It's up to you and only you.

Thirties, I welcome you with open arms. An important thing I learned this year is not to complain about getting older. It's a privilege denied to many.

Hope you enjoyed this piece. If you did please pass it on and let me know!

Lots of love,

Older, and maybe a little wiser,

Maria

x

What's In My Head This Week - Recycling Statement Pieces!

Hello guys,

Happy Friday! I'm so glad it's the bank holiday weekend and I've no doubt you are too. August has come round in a the blink of an eye yet again, and with that brings my birthday, the big 3-0! But I'll talk about that in a few weeks. I'll just be here clinging on to 29 for dear life in the mean time! Lol..kinda..

This weekend - one of my friends, Muireann, celebrates her 30th birthday. She's the one that makes the fabulous lasagne - remember, from the Inis Oirr post!! Most of our school friends have either turned, or are turning 30 this year so we have seen a lot of each other this summer and it's been lovely. There's a big gang of us! Having said that I'd say most of us are broke but sur' look we're all having a great summer, that's the main thing.

With all these 30ths, weddings and hens I am having to recycle clothes and outfits to beat the band. I'd love to have a new dress for every occasion, but obviously that's not going to happen, well, not on a staff nurse's wages anyway. If I've worn a dress to an event before I might change the look up up a bit, maybe wear my hair up to make it look a little different, or add a different pair of shoes or change the bag. I try to buy statement pieces that I will get the wear out of it and dress them up or dress them down. I usually buy dresses that can be worn again in winter with tights and boots for example.

Missguided dress I wore to a wedding in April with New Look shoes.

I wore the same Missguided dress to a wedding in July, instead I threw the hair up, wore Amy Huberman Bourbon stilletos and left The Liam McCarthy at home.

My outlook now is completely different to a few years ago. I used to hate wearing the same outfit twice, or being pictured in the same top or dress twice. Now, I honestly don't care. Maybe that's one of the good things about approaching 30. You start to care less and less about these sort of things! As long as your healthy and feel good in your clothes who cares if you've worn the same dress to two weddings in a row. They are probably a different crowd anyway!

Have a good weekend and chat to ye soon,

Love,

Maria
x

My Top 6 Favourite MAC Products!

Hey all,

This week I thought I'd write about something completely different - for this blog anyway! Make up is such a huge thing now. I think Makeup Artists have such a tough job these days. When I was in school and in college I'd say I had maybe five or six things in my bag. My make up routine would have taken about 10 minutes. It consisted of moisturiser, foundation, pencil eyeliner on the water line, liquid eyeliner on top, a bit of brown eye shadow (sometimes no eye shadow at all), a lick of mascara, lip gloss and maybe a bit of bronzer to finish off the look. I didn't even own concealer, highlighter, blusher and as for the eyebrows - I mean don't even go there!!

In the last 5 to 6 years the make up industry has become massive. I definitely spend more time on it now but it can be tricky, especially those eyes and that dreaded eyeliner. One thing that hasn't changed throughout the years is my love for MAC cosmetics. I just love them!!! I know they're not for everyone but I'm a huge fan. I thought I'd share with you some of my favourite MAC products.

Studio Fix Fluid -This is my favourite foundation and nothing beats this for coverage on me. I've worn it since I was in secondary school and I honestly don't think I'll change to anything else. I wear shade NC25 for night time or if I was tanned and going out for the day. I wouldn't wear this for normal day to day as I'd find it a little heavy. If I'm working I wear very little make up and some days I don't wear any at all. At work I wear a lighter foundation which isn't from the MAC range. Studio Fix Fluid foundation retails at €32.00 a bottle.

Strobe Cream -

This is one of the best products that has ever been introduced to me. I put it on my face after my moisturiser and it gives a lovely dewy glow under foundation. Some days I just wear moisturiser and strobe cream. It gives me the feeling of having something on my face, yet my skin can breathe. This product retails at €12.00 for 30mls. A 50ml bottle will set you back €34.00 so you're better off buying two 30ml bottles. It's a saving of €10.00 so it's a no brainer!!!

                                                              

Soft and Gentle Highlighter -

This is my favourite highlighter of all time. It lasts for ages too. I have mine a few years now and there's loads left. This pretty highlighter costs €31.50.

Soar Lip Liner -

I love the colour of this lip liner. As well as lining the lips with it I also put it all over to give the lips a fuller looking effect. This beauty will set you back €17.50.

Cremesheen Modesty Lipstick -

My lips can get quite dry so I never wear a matte lipstick or lip gloss. I like to wear something with a bit of moisture in it. I wear this lipstick 90% of the time! I've nearly run out! You just can't beat a good nude lipstick! This lipstick is €20.00.

MAC Pro Longwear Concealer -
Like studio fix fluid, I find this concealer has excellent coverage. I apply it to eyelids (acts as a primer for eyeshadow), underneath my eyes, a little bit on my forehead and a small bit at the end of my nose. I wear shade NW20. This concealer costs €23.50.

That's my little round up of some of my favourite MAC products. What's your favourite makeup products? It doesn't have to be MAC. I'm very much open to all suggestions on these sort of things! Hope you enjoyed this post and if there's anything in particular you'd like me to write more about please let me know!

Hope you have a lovely week!

Love,

Maria

x

Sunny Spain - 4 Nights in Calpe!

Hello folks,

I was away last week in Spain celebrating the wedding of my friend Michelle and her now - husband, Trevor! It was my first time at a "foreign" wedding and it really was the most wonderful experience. It was so lovely going away with our group of friends.

I can't write this blog post without mentioning how lucky I was to make this wedding. As mentioned in my last post I was away with college friends in London on the weekend before last. I arrived home the Sunday and thought there was no point really taking my passport from my handbag as I was leaving again early Tuesday morning. I was super organised and had my bag packed at 9:00pm on the Monday night. As always I double checked my handbag to make sure I had my passport. It was gonzo! Nowhere to be seen. I searched the house high and low. I even checked the oven and the fridge (desperate times lead to desperate measures and all that). I rang home and had my parents and brothers and sister searching their cars. I rang the guards and the airport in case I let it fall there on Sunday, all to no avail!

At 11:00 pm I phoned one of the girls and told her that I didn't think I'd be able to go, warning her not to tell the others yet. Weirdly, I did have a feeling it would turn up somewhere. Poor St. Anthony was definitely sick of my prayers that night! When I got off the phone, I opened a message in my facebook messenger saying that my passport was found in Penney's in Castlebar!! I can't describe the relief!! I exchanged a well deserved bottle of wine for the passport the next morning. A huge thanks once again to the Penney's worker that contacted me. Only for you there would have been no Calpe for me! You're an abslolute star!

Flights -
We flew Ryanair on the 10:45 flight from Knock to Alicante on Tuesday 3rd and got the 07:30 from Alicante to Knock on Saturday July 7th.

Calpe -
I honestly had never heard of Calpe until Michelle told us she was getting married there. I absolutely loved it! Calpe is just over an hour's bus journey from Alicante Airport. It's located on the south east coast of Spain, overlooking the gorgeous Medditeranian Sea. One of the main landmarks in Calpe is 'The Rock' (pictured below). It was a great way of letting people know where you were. As I've mentioned before I'm not a big fan of heat but there was always a lovely cool breeze so it never felt like you were stuck in dead heat. It was 29 to 32 degrees celcius while we were there.

The Hotel -
We stayed in Hotel Porto Calpe. A double room for the four nights cost €446.00 between us. The hotel was nice and clean and had a small swimming pool and deck chairs to chillax on. It was very near the beach so the location was ideal.

The Wedding -
I'm not going to go into the ins and outs of the fabulous wedding because that's Michelle and Trevor's story to tell. All I'll say is the staff at the villa were excellent. They filled us with food and drink all day long. We never had an empty glass! Michelle was the first from our school girls or "The Old Gang" (as we call ourselves) to get married. It truly was a special day! #shelandtrev

The Nightlife -
There was a large group of us so no matter where we went we enjoyed it because we were all there! The first night we landed we hit an Irish bar - of course, where else?! The pub was called The Irish Sea Tavern.The two lads behind the bar definitely weren't prepared for the influx of Irish wedding guests that night. Bar La Copa was only a short walk from The Irish Tavern. We went here every night of the holiday. It really felt like our own private disco bar. The music was brilliant and we soon made it our local. This played stayed open until about 04:00 am. You'd think we'd have had enough by 04:00 am but no, not us! We headed to Disco Cameleon on the sea front for more fun. This place stayed open until at least 06:00am, it could have been even later to be honest!! We even ended up here after the wedding!! It was very near our hotel so it all worked out perfectly. We watched the sun come up here three mornings in a row.Yeah - we liked this spot!

The Food -
Unlike other holidays where I'd be noting where I'm eating and sussing places out, I really played this one by ear. Food was very cheap in Calpe so we just ate anywhere reasonable. One place that stood out was Restaurante Tango on the main sea front. We ate here on the final night whilst watching the Belgium v Brazil World Cup Quarter Final. The food was delicious!

I would highly recommend Calpe for a couple who wanted a chilled time or else it's absolutely IDEAL for a wedding group! We really had the best week there and it’s all down to the newlyweds, Michelle and Trevor Nally!!! Enjoy the honeymoon!

Trevor, doo doo doo doo doo,
Awh, Nally Nally,
Doo doo doo doo doo doo,
And Michelle Flatley,
And he got down on one knee.

Repeat Chorus x Forever!!!!

Have a good week all!

Love,

Maria

x

48 Hours In London - North of The Thames

Hey guys,

I think I've had about a two week break from this. The last few weeks have been hectic with a college gang reunion and a school gang wedding abroad.

At least once a year our Sligo college gang meet up. As Grainne now lives in London we said it would be an ideal excuse to go over and visit her. As some of you may know, I lived in London for two years after I finished college. I was based in Tooting Broadway, in south west London. My socialising in London was mainly done in Clapham and Stockwell so it was a nice change to spend some time north of The Thames.

True to her nature, Grainne had everything planned with military precision.

Friday 29th June 2018
Drinks in The Shard - We enjoyed cocktails overlooking stunning views of central London. Entry was free, the cocktails however were not cheap at £17.00 a pop. Having said that, it was something I never did when I lived there so it was a nice experience. We felt very posh!!

We went back to Grainne's house in Mile End for food, more drinks and a quick change of clothes before hitting Camden.

KoKo's Camden - This was a night club in what must have been an old theatre. There was a deejay on stage and it stayed opened late. I think entry here was £5.00

Saturday 30th June 2018
Sands Hair Salon Mill Hill - We wanted to make the most of the day so we booked in for six blow dries that morning. I would highly recommend this when there's a big group a girls trying to get ready at the same time. It saved so much time.

Where Did We Eat?
Grainne booked us in for food in Blue's Kitchen in Shoreditch. I got the prawn salad and got chips on the side. You know those salads are usually full of lettuce anyway so the few chips were essential!!

What Did We Do?
We went for a quick drink in The Hoxton (£10.50 for an espresso martini here) before heading to Bounce. Bounce is ping pong. A table can be booked for an hour for £15.00 per person and you can drink and play ping pong together. It was so much fun and would highly reccommend it to anyone looking for a fun event in Shoreditch.

Where Did We Drink?
We headed to The Magic Round About after this and were here for most of the evening. Although I will admit my head was stuck in my phone following Mayo G.A.A's updates from the Mayo v Kildare game on twitter for a good hour and a half. Apart from the obvious disappointment of Mayo's loss we had a wonderful evening catching up and reminiscing before heading to a nearby nightclub (I can't for the life of me remember the name of it).

A huge thanks to Grainne, Micheal and John Og for having us over for the weekend!! Also, thanks to Olivia, Marisa, Naomi and Marian for the lols.

Hope you enjoyed this post,

Love,
M
x