#3LittleWords

Hi everyone!

What a beautiful day outside! I hope you all enjoyed the weekend?

This weeks #3LittleWords we're happy ones! They were:

"See You Soon"

These are words that we hear all the time but I had a lovely weekend being visited by family! 

It started yesterday when my sister-in-law and 2 lovely nieces called for a DVD day that I had promised them for ages. It was quite miserable outside yesterday so we all got into our PJ's and let the fun begin.

The girls and their mom spent all day lounging around with Colin and I and we had an absolute ball. So much so that by 8.30 last night I was shatterred. I just don't know where they get their energy from?! Colin was fascinated watch them play and I know that once he's a little bit older he will be following them around all the time.

Today I heard those magic #3LittleWords again from my fabulous sister and her fiancé. They decided to call down to spend the day with us, which doesn't happen as often as we'd all like. We live 10 mins from my husbands family and over an hour from my family so it's not as easy to drop in for a cup of tea. 

We had lunch and chatted and spent a relaxing day having some family time. My sister is getting married in September so she is very busy with wedding plans so the "time-out" was a well deserved break for her and gave Colin some bonding time with his wonderful godmother.

It was so lovely having some family time. Thanks Mary, Ciara, Lauren, Orla and Darren for making my week! I'm full of positivity after a lovely weekend, it's a great feeling!!!

Have a great week everyone.

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Bringing The Glow Back to My Skin Week 4

Hi everyone

So it's week 4 of my little skin experiment and so far so good, apart from 2 blemishes (oh the joys of having oily, problematic skin). 

I developed Adult Acne at 23 and now, in my 30's, I still suffer from acne breakouts. Looking after my skin is a priority at the moment so I'm drinking 2L of water each day but I know that I'm probably not as strict on my diet at the moment so that's definitely affecting my skin (I'm going to make a huge effort to correct this). 

The main reason for my breakouts is stress. I've had a rough few weeks and the stress has definitely shown on my skin. My breakouts are always around my nose and chin areas and at the moment I have 2 horrible blemishes on my chin. 

Here are the comparison photos and an overall image:

My freckles are out in force, thanks to the beautiful weather that we're having at the moment! The redness has calmed which is great. The one thing that I haven't been able to change during this experiment is the size of my pores. Having naturally oily skin my pores are large and realistically I'd need to go for regular facials to improve this. I do use the Catrice Primer, with or without makeup, which I find fantastic. It evens out the texture of my skin.

Overall I have to say that I'm happy with the results of my skin experiment. I will be doing a home facial this weekend and every month after that. I'll have details on the blog next Thursday of my facial routine.

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

My Playlist | #IrishBlogCollab

Hi everyone!

It's Wednesday again so that means another post as part of the #IrishBlogCollab. This week we are talking about our favorite playlists/albums. Growing up my mother always said that I knew every song on the radio! I love music and I think that a good song can really lift your mood. I don't have any particular favorite genre, my cd collection/iPod songs are so varied but if I had to make a choice I think that rock ballads would be my favourites and more often than not you can hear these types of songs blaring out of my car. I tend to listen to different types of music depending on the situation or mood that I'm in. I've decided that in going to list 2 playlists and I'll explain a little as to why.

Over the last few months, anyone that reads my blog will know that I have increased my running training significantly as I am training for The Great Limerick Run Half Marathon in May. As a result I like to listen to dance tracks when Im running because I find it much more motivating than listening to something that has a slower beat. Now I'm not talking about hard core dance tunes, more like pop/dance songs. So here is a sample playlist of songs that I like to listen to when running:

1.  Avicii - Wake Me Up
2. Sunblock - First Time
3. Pitbull ft Ke$ha - Timber
4. Calvin Harris ft Kelis - Bounce
5. MGMT - Kids
6. Konshens - Jamican Dance
7. Avicii - Levels
8. Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World)
9. Labrinth - Let The Sunshine
10. Bingo Players - Get Up (Rattle)

With me being a sucker for a good power ballad or anthem I had to list some of my all time favourite songs:

1.  Queen - I Want It All (I play this when I want to give myself a lift!)
2. Brandon Flowers - Crossfire
3. Roxy Music - Jealous Guy
4. Def Leppard - Long Long Way To Go
5. Dire Straits - Romeo & Juliet
6. The Waterboys - Fisherman's Blues
7. Londonbeat - I've Been Thinking About You
8. Cold Chisel - Khe Sanh (An Australian hit that always reminds me of our 2 years over there)
9. Roxette - Listen To Your Heart
10. Ella Henderson - Ghost (This was No 1 when Colin was born)
11. Orleans - Still The One
12. Bon Jovi - Livin On A Prayer
13. Bon Jovi - You Give Love A Bad Name
14. Jessica Simpson - For Your Love
15. Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights
16. Elton John - Tiny Dancer
17. Bryan Adams - Heaven
18. The Pogues - Thousands Are Sailing
19. Def Leppard - Love Bites
20. Luka Bloom - You Couldn't Have Come At A Better Time (This was our first Dance at our wedding, a little different I know but we loved it!!)

I'm sorry but I couldnt resist adding in some notes beside the songs because they just bring back some great memories!!!! I also apologise for listing the songs and not putting them on a Spotify, etc, playlist but I dont actually have an account on these websites (I'm still old fashioned in some ways!!!!). So now you have an insight into my musical tastes. I hope you enjoyed reading about some of my favourite songs, I know that I certainly enjoyed compiling the list.

Below are links to the other members of the #IrishBlogCollab:

Catherine of Breathing Silver Linings
Eimear of Chirps From A Little Red Hen
Cat of Mentally Beautiful
Lara of The Love Song of Fashion
Maeve of Thrift O'Clock
Marie of The Beaut mum
Sharon of Behind Green Eyes
Zoe of I Believe In Romeo

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

#3LittleWords

This weeks #3LittleWords were positive. We had a rough few weeks with illness and being off work so it's nice to bring some positivity back into our lives. It helps that the weather has been glorious and I think everyone is in better from when the weather is good!

This weeks #3LittleWords are:

"Strong Healthy Boy"

Colin has always been a solid baby. He was 9lbs 10oz when he was born and I think it helped him so much because he was never a fragile newborn. He was always strong, not fat, just strong and healthy. He hasn't really been sick, apart from the odd sniffle so it was upsetting that I had to take him to the doctors last Monday. I was told that he had the same illness that I had picked up and that he was to be taken out if crèche and rest at home for a week. 

For a little boy that was sick, he got over it so fast! He was only really miserable for 3 days at most but I still had to keep him out if crèche, under strict doctors orders. We'll be heading back to the doctor tomorrow and we're both hoping for a clean bill if health!

My #3LittleWords reflect how strong Colin is because instantly when people see him they almost always say that he is a fine "strong healthy boy". I love hearing it because I know that I went through torture delivering him but the fact that he was a big baby has definitely helped him! 

What are your #3LittleWords, I'd love to hear them!!!

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Bringing The Glow Back to My Skin Week 3

Another week down and another week of wearing little or no makeup. My skin has had a real chance to breathe and let's just hope that this weeks photo comparison will reflect that!

My Skin

Below are the comparison photos and I apologies because I actually took this weeks photo of the opposite side of my face but you can still see how my skin has improved again.

Again the redness has gone down even further. The tone of my skin needs work and to be honest I really don't think I could reverse any sun damage with my little experiment. Realistically I need to go for regular facials that have a particular focus on sun damaged skin. Although so far so good and I am happy with how my skin is improving! Let's hope that I will be as happy with next weeks results!

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

9 Things My Family Taught Me | #IrishBlogCollab

 

As part of the #IrishBlogCollab Series our next post is all about things our parents, grandparents and family have taught us. Like most of us my parents and family have taught me so much and it's because of them that I am here today. So here is my take on "Things Our Parents Thought Me".

Educate Yourself: this was a big one in our family and I'm not just talking about going to college and getting a degree or apprentice, yes this was hugely important but my parents always said that you need to educate yourself on life. Read books, travel, speak to and listen to your elders!

Respect Your Elders: I totally agree with this one. It's amazing the stories that elderly people have and love to have someone to share these stories. On my dads side my Nana passed away when she was just shy of her 90th birthday and, unfortunately, I never met my granddad. On my mothers side my grandfather passed away exactly 1 week before my wedding at 91 years old! My granny is still alive, she's 87, and has so many stories that would fascinate people. She has the most amazing memory for details. I only hope I can have a long and healthy life like my grandparents. Growing up we spend lots of time with our grandparents and loved every second of it. Each of them were and are so special to us and I think my parents were so right to raise us to respect them as much as we do.

Travel: see what you can of Ireland and of the world while you still can. It educates the mind and will give you invaluable life experience.

Never be Cruel to Animals: This was a no no. It hurts so much to see stories in the news each day about different animals being tortured for personal pleasure. Respect for animals was and is so important.

Work Hard: Nothing comes easy and it's important to work for all that you have or want. 

Appreciate Others: appreciate others around you and what they do to help you in life. I know that, like a lot of people, I have taken my parents and grandparents for granted at times but in getting older and having my own child I now see why it is so important to appreciate others and to say thank you or I'm sorry when required.

Enjoy Life: Yes it's important to work hard but it's just as important to enjoy life. My dad is still saying this to me. I tend to get very stressed and he will often remind me, not in a bad way, that I need to relax more and enjoy being healthy and happy.

Save for a Rainy Day: We opened our Post Office account when we were in Primary School and would put money in each month. Our parents always said that it's important to be able to save money so that it was there when we needed it! I am still a regular saver and that's not going to change any time soon.

Look After Your Health: If you feel that something isn't right then get it checked out. Keep yourself fit and healthy.

Honestly I could have went on and on and on because I have learned so much from my family. It's very hard to pick out just a few little bits. A lot of the points that I just mentioned interlink but yet I still think that each point was as important and I wanted to mention them all. I only hope that I can pass on some of that wisdom to my little boy (and hopefully, in the future, his sibling(s)!!!).

You can follow the other members of the #IrishBlogCollab by checking out their blogs (Listed Below) or by searching the hashtag on Twitter.

Catherine of Breathing Silver Linings
Eimear of Chirps From A Little Red Hen
Cat of Mentally Beautiful

Cathryn of What Kate Loves
Lara of The Love Song of Fashion
Maeve of Thrift O'Clock
Marie of The Beaut mum
Sharon of Behind Green Eyes
Zoe of I Believe In Romeo

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

Twitter: @deeglamglow
Instagram: @deeglamglow
Facebook: www.facebook.com/deeterminedtoglamandglow

Sonny Murphy 10 Mile

Last Sunday saw Race 4 of the Run Clare Series, the Sonny Murphy Memorial 10 mile race in Kilnaboy Co Clare (to those of you who don't know where Kilnaboy is, it's the home of Fr Ted's house!).

Race Route





The morning of the race was very wet and generally miserable, but the day turned out to be a beautiful one. It was a sunny blue sky kind of day and so was perfect for the final event in such a brilliant series.


The pre-race atmosphere was electric. Everyone was so excited to be competing in the final race of the series. It was also bittersweet knowing that the series was over. None of that distracted from the craic though. The music was pumping and a local lady had the crowd fully warmed up with a brilliant routine.

The race started, and finished, at Kilnaboy church and took us down towards The Burren National Park. The views were fab and a bit distracting, which is a good thing as it stops you from thinking about actually getting over the finish line in one piece! I'm not too familiar with the roads that we took but we ended up running along some lovely quiet country roads into Corofin and then back to Kilnaboy. There were 4 water. Stations, which were needed because it ended up getting quite warm.


There were a few inclines but nothing too bad, that was until the last 600M when we had to run up the hill and take a right into Kilnaboy. That hill was tough and for me it's the only one that I remember!


At every house and crossroads,and just randomly along the road, there were supporters cheering us on. One little girl in Corofin had even made little banners to cheer the race participants. It was a hugely supported race by locals, tourists and passers by.


My 10 Miles





If you have been reading my blog posts you will know that I was quite sick the week leading up to the race. I was actually off work so needless to say I didnt get any training runs done prior to the race. Following my disastrous attempt at The Abbey Run in Quin the Saturday prior I was on bed rest for a week. By Friday I felt somewhat good again and by Saturday I had made up my mind to participate in the 10 mile (plus me being so stubborn I couldn't not do it, especially after training so hard and building myself up for it!). I decided that I would run as much as possible and when I felt weak I would walk and that's exactly what I did!

Orla said that she would stay with me for the whole race, as she was worried that I might get weak and faint or collapse but I made a deal with her that when I started to walk that she was to keep running. In fairness to her she pushed me without upsetting me or my rhythm.


I ran slow and steady until just after the 4 mile marker and I then began to walk for 1/2 mile before running again for 1 mile. I repeated this pattern until the 9 mile marker, where I ran steadily until the finish line. I crossed the line in 2hours 0 mins 59secs. I can't but be happy, even though I didn't run the full race, I did damn well considering how sick I was all week!










I did feel that I could've ran on to the 5 mile mark but I was so worried that I would get a weakness. Orla had warned me to ring if I got into any trouble but luckily I was fine. My energy levels were very low, due to being on bed rest and not having eaten as normal all week so Orla's concern was well warranted.


As normal we met the lovely Mary and Christina before and after the race. Both ladies completed all 4 races with us and it was so nice meeting them at each race.










Well done to all involved in the organization of another great, successful race. Thank you to John O'Neill, Ennis Injury Clinic and Kilnaboy AC for the photographs.


Until the next time, always remember to be:

 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow


Dee x