H54F {edition 6}

In the same vein as some of my favourite bloggers, I'm going to stick with 5 things that have made me happy this week.

1. Sunshine. Seriously, this will never be off the list as long as it exists. Ireland has a distinct lack of Vitamin D throughout the too-long winter, so every time we have a nice day even if it's cold, there is reason to celebrate!

2. Hooray for a good night's sleep! We're getting a new bed frame and a sound machine! Let me just say thank goodness for Wayfair and their free shipping. With the arrival of Spring the bird have chosen the tree right outside our window for their 5:30am gossip session. As the days get longer (and once Daylight Savings hits this weekend) it will only get earlier. I'm a light sleeper, but it even wakes R up which is saying something!

So we're storing the creaky bed base furnished by our landlord that wakes me up every time even I turn over, and replacing it  with this budget friendly beauty from Wayfair UK, and I splurged and bought my favourite white noise machine. In the US you can get them for slightly cheaper (around $50) but it is totally worth it to have a UK plug, as my last one met it's untimely death at the hands of an adapter/converter that wasn't doing its job properly.

3. Internet Switch to clear the mind. I've been pretty annoyed at Bloglovin for quite a while now. I understand it's a free service for me to use and beggars can't be choosers but in reality, we can. Inspired by Stephanie's switch to Feedly;and the comments from other's on her post, I decided to do the same. I'm also simultaneously switching from Safari to Chrome as my main browser. I know it's silly, but something about the layout of the two and the process of weeding out blogs I've been chronically "marking as read" (whether bloglovin has chosen to recognise it or not) has really helped to clear my head. I read so many currently that when I'm done I'm just blogged-out (does that exist? let's make it exist) and feel like writing up a post, even if I have inspiration, is more of a chore. I'm hoping this change sparks some creative juices too and lends itself to more blog posts in the future. I understand this whole 'once a week' thing has got to stop.

4. My Ikea Saga. When we moved into our new apartment, among the minimal furnishings came two Billy bookshelves. The only problem was that with the exception of the permanent middle shelves and the top shelf on one of the bookcases, all shelving had been removed and stacked in the hallway and the fittings were nowhere to be found. Whether this was the work of the painter or previous tenants, we had no idea, but having to bookshelves that were essentially useless was a pain in the butt. So I took to the internet, using IKEA's handy missing parts form (found through the FAQs section) and ordered 28 new fittings.

When they got here, I realised that our model is actually older, and while the parts looked similar the new version didn't fit at all. So I emailed customer service, explaining the situation along with photos of what was sent to me and what we needed instead. The got back to me immediately telling me they understood, to keep the previous order and they would send the correct parts. About two weeks passed until I got the new order, to find out they sent me the exact same thing. So now I had 56 pieces of the wrong fitting and nowhere to store my books. I gave up.

Fast forward to our St. Paddy's Day trip to Dublin, where I realised that their IKEA was actually somewhat on our way home. I made poor, hungover R drive me there so I could look in the extra parts section myself. He searched through bins with me finding approximated 6 or so of the part we needed until an employee came over and told us we were actually not allowed in this section any more (I thought the fake trees somewhat blocking it were more for decoration. whatever.). So I took a number, and explained my situation to a sweet girl who oddly had no clue you could order extra parts online in the first place. She took me back over to the forbidden area and searched with me, and eventually came up empty handed. However, she did find some parts for another bookshelf that were similar in size and gave me a large handful hoping they worked. We got home an hour and half later than we should have and hallelujah, although they weren't perfect fits, they held the shelves up fine and I did a big happy dance while very much regretting I didn't get the girl's name so I could write IKEA about how great she was.

So then the next day I'm rearranging and cleaning under the kitchen sink because thats what temporary house-girlfriends do, and in the back corner I see a little bank change bag. Thinking I've stumbled onto a fortune, I pull it out to reveal not a forgotten bag of euros, but all the missing fittings I'd been searching for since December.

To sum up how I felt, here's a link to one of my favorite comics from The Oatmeal.

It may have been frustrating at the time, but I have actually laughed out loud at how much of my time and thoughts have been consumed by something so trivial to have them right under my nose (albeit in a very odd place) the whole time.

5. I'm now booked to take a very last minute trip home to Florida over Easter. I am beyond excited. The change of scenery is, I think, exactly what I need to get my butt back in gear after a couple months of monotony. I've been finding it hard to be productive lately as my days have consisted of nothing but job applications and binge watching various shows through Netflix, with a couple social events thrown in here and there.

Here's a list of the top 10 things I'm looking forward to (in no particular order)

+ // Seeing family and friends

+ // Getting a tan

+ // Going to Target

+ // $0.25 oyster Tuesdays

+ // Buying all the shirts from Old Navy and Ross

+ // Playing golf with my Mom

+ // Driving, although like last time I'm still nervous about switching my side of the road mentally

+ // Pedicures on the cheap

+ // Wearing my new swimsuit at the pool where no one can judge me because I'll be eating ALL the...

+ // EASTER CANDY. Peeps and Reeses Eggs for the win. That being said, there better be either a  Cadbury or Dairy Milk Chocolate Egg waiting on me when I get back.

What has made you happy this week?

Linking up this week with: Oh, Hey Friday!, High Five for Friday!, and 5 On Friday

H54F {edition 5}

1. Reading: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn. I loved both Gone Girl and Dark Places, so I decided it was time to try her first book of the series. It's taking me a little while to get into it, but I'm not sure if that's the book's fault or my own (probably the latter). I've been assured that it is her best one, so I'm very excited to get into it.

 

yes that's my bike in the background. hooray for bike-able weather! 

2. Listening: (Other than the theme song to Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt pretty much on repeat in my head)

Last Monday I went to a singing session at a local pub. Despite everyone being a bit nervous at first, it turned into a really good night. Most people played guitar or ukulele and sang a few tunes. Since I have no instrumental abilities, I waited until I had a few pints in me and then forced others to let me tag along in their songs. It. Felt. Good. Although there isn't a singing session on this week because of St. Patrick's Day, I'd like to prepare something for next week. If anyone has some a cappella suggestions, let me know! For now I'm thinking maybe some First Aid Kit? We saw them live late last year and they were amazing. I admire those girls so much!

3. Watching: I've made my way through Parks & Recreation and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt (loved both so much.) But this Buzzfeed post took me right back to my favourite show. Also, it made me realise that Parenthood's Amber and Arrested Development's Bland Egg Ann are one in the same. Mind blown.

 4. Planning: On this side of the pond, Mother's Day is on Sunday. It took us by surprise last year (mostly me because I had no idea they were on different days) but not this time! I've got a nice little gift planned for R's mom (from the boys, of course). He's one of five boys and rarely has she ever actually got a gift on Mother's Day so I feel it's time to change that, especially considering she generously allowed us to stay in her house for far too long over 4 months so we could stay in Belfast after the lease on our last apartment ended.

When it comes to gift giving, I don't think extravagance is necessary. However, I like giving more small gifts instead of one big thing. I heard a saying related to children's gifts and I think it's pretty much spot on for all gift giving.

Something they want, something they need

Something to wear, something to read

So how about a bottle of wine and some special mother's day cookies (want), a phone case (need), a gift certificate for a spa treatment of some sort-- pedi, mani, blow-dry? whatever they'll actually use (wear), and a book they've been wanting or even just a heartfelt message in a card (read). Then you're staying away from the cheesy 'mothers day' labelled things, and giving them a variety. How can you go wrong?

5. Feeling: Pretty excited that spring has sprung. Even on the rainy days we’ve had some sunshine. I’ve really needed that Vitamin D as of late, and the tennis rackets left for us by our landlord so we can make use of the courts here as well as weekend jaunts along the coast have made for a happy girl!

Linking up this week with: Oh, Hey Friday!, High Five for Friday!, and 5 On Friday

H54F {edition 4}

Just a quick check-in, because I'm not happy with one post a week even though I am currently not doing anything interesting to actually report on. It seems like my complete honesty yesterday was a miss and not a hit, but I don't totally mind. It's my blog and I'll do what I want! 

1. Let me start by saying this video is everything. It made me tear up in the best of ways, and although it both has been and will be overshared, I really can't watch it enough.

2. I have the evening to myself. I may just teach myself to moonwalk. 

3. Tomorrow is supposed to be a high of 59F and sunny (for Ireland)! I truly can't wait. I need some serious vitamin D! 

4. I know it's silly and slightly superficial, but I got the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush earlier this week and it totally changed my foundation game. I've never used a foundation brush before, and the results are definitely worth it. No sucking up most of my foundation like most sponges, and it lasts all day now that the oils from my fingertips aren't all over my face. Game. Changer. 

 5. As previously mentioned, I've got a big night in tonight and I'm planning to watch the first episode of Netflix's Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt. I can't tell you guys how excited I am about this series. I've been craving a Tina Fey sitcom since the end of 30 Rock. I plan on pacing myself and not binge watching, but I'm not making any promises!!

source

Now I'm off to enjoy my weekend! What about you?

Linking up this week with: Oh, Hey Friday!, High Five for Friday!, and 5 On Friday

H54F! {edition 3}

1. Blank space update: Thank you everyone for your input! Like most of you, I do still think that the tapestry idea is the best solution. However, I don't want to commit to buying (or buying the supplies to DIY) one until I've found my tapestry soul-mate. In the mean time, I happened to find this post at Little Gold Pixel. She has a series of printable roundups curated as gallery walls that I don't have to think about. I went through the posts, grabbed the ones I liked, mixed in a easy watercolour (I have a couple more waiting to dry before I hang them up), and also hung a small poster from Paperchase (which I can't find online). They're all hung with poster putty and framed with washi tape (also from Paperchase) so I can move them around or relocate them completely to a different wall if I want. 

I'm also on the lookout for a nice plant that won't hate my green thumb to go into the corner, per Victoria's suggestion. I've seen a lot about fiddle leaf figs, and I know for a fact IKEA sells them. Suggestions are welcome. Although, I'd prefer suggestions on the cheap at least before I get a job. 

2. I've taught myself to weave. I was inspired this past summer when my friend came to visit and we got a whole explanation of traditional woven tapestries at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum but this recent tutorial from the Nectar Collective inspired me to try it at home, especially since I have all the materials already. But in true Sara fashion, I didn't realise her's was only 3.5 x 5 inches, and my cardboard is 10 x 12 so it's going a bit.. slower... than expected. But it's something productive to keep me busy while wasting time on Netflix.

4. Speaking of which, Gilmore Girls is finally over. I understand now why I never watched the last two seasons. No spoilers for those who have never seen it before, but it definitely felt like it got tedious. They were trying to hard to keep it quirky, and the characters started doing things their character wouldn't do and it just, well, you get the point. Anyway, inspired by Victoria's post ("I've Finished Gilmore Girls, Now What?") decided to not get committed to any more series at the moment. I certainly haven't given up any shows, but just not any that I won't be able to quit so hopefully that both increases productivity and gives me a bit more purpose again. Unemployment doesn't have to be a waste of time, ultimately. I truly don't believe I'll be on my death bed saying "If only I had finished The Good Wife my life would be complete!" but most likely the opposite. Time to stop wasting time, amiright?

5. Honesty hour: I only made it through half the month on the Blogilates beginner calendar. Even that was a struggle. Going from no fitness to fitness every day was challenging, but especially because at that point some of the shorter, more advanced workouts get thrown into the rotation and quite frankly I have major issues if I can't finish a workout because I'm confused as to what is even happening. I got majorly discouraged and gave up. However, since then I've tried to get on track with some other types of motivation. 

Now that its started to get a bit less frigid cold here (highs of around 50F instead of 30...) I've taken to getting myself outside a bit more and I even joined a beginner's spin class! The first class was BAD. Not anything to do with the instructor or anything, but being new to the whole thing I didn't really know what to expect and forgot my water (WHY???), and ended up getting really dizzy near the end. I wasn't the first to quit though, the guy next to me actually had to go throw up (it was his first time too). However, I still went back the next week with ridiculous padded shorts and a water bottle in hand and while I felt like death at the end and while I had to sit sometimes when we should be standing I still made it through. This past week I was able to last full songs and push myself harder on the sprints. I really enjoy being able to feel improvement, even if I can't see it on the scale. 

via: Buzzfeed's 17 Times Fitspiration Was Wrong (So We Fixed It)

On that note, I realised that Pinterest definitely plays a part in both positive and negative image. I think I may save my thoughts for a full post later, but this photo (along with the rest in this Buzzfeed article) pretty much sums up how I feel.

Favorite Links This Week (because I like sharing the love):

+ That being said, Pinterest can actually work for you. Chrissy shares how she overhauled her boards to inspire a healthier lifestyle.

+ This crocheted DIY is definitely happening soon.

+ This totally relatable post about going to get your hair done (I only go about once a year if that because I can't handle the anxiety!)

+ While on the subject, someone needs to come and do this to my hair. I want to rock like Riva.

+ A reading list I can really get into, even though I'm a couple years past quarter-life

Linking up this week with: Oh, Hey Friday!, High Five for Friday!, and 5 On Friday