I am the Mum who......

Hi everyone!!

I'm the Mum who......

• Loves when people say that my son looks like me
• Craves sleep but somehow manages to live without it
• Will sneak a few minute of sleep in my car during my lunch break at work 
• Melts every evening when I see the welcome that my son has for me
• Loves that my son is such an active baby
• Knows every cartoon and song on Baby TV
• Gets stressed and overwhelemed at times
• Loves that my husband will give ma a "night off" by letting me sleep in the spare room while he looks after our son
• Loves my cup of tea and some "me time" when the babba has gone to bed
• Sometimes gets so overwhelmed with love for my son that I will shed a tear
• Loves how my son reacts when his grandad sings "Home on the Range" to him
• Constantly runs down the battery on my phone looking at photos and videos
• Has maxed out the storage on my phone, from taking so many photos, on more than one occasion
• Loves that people tell me that my son is such a happy baby
• Enjoys watching reality tv
• Loves family time
• Doesn't go out much anymore
• Doesn't wear much makeup anymore
• Enjoys running and hiking
• Enjoys being in the outdoors
• Wishes we could win the lotto!!!
• Hopes that the summer will be nice
• Works fulltime
• Hates seeing my son get sick
• Loves watching the giggles from my son when he plays with his dad 
• Wants to be as fit and healthy as possible 
• Wants only the best in life for my son
• Would go without food, clothes and shelter so that my son could have them
• Thinks my son is the cutest, best, nicest, cleverest, bravest little boy in the world
• Loves my husband to pieces
• Feels blessed to have such a great family

This post was a real fun one for me and I'd like to thank Eimear of Chirps From A Little Red Hen for the nomination. Now I'd like to nominate:

Sharon from Behind Green Eyes

Marie from The Beaut Mom

Until the next time, always remember to be: 

Dee-Termined To Glam & Glow

Dee x

#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
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