December (October & November Recap)

I know I’m a little behind on recapping (whoops 6 days!) but I’ve been super busy with work! December has finally got its claws in, the cold is creeping up on us quicker each morning and I can’t feel my fingers as I type this. So Winter is well and truly here!

Things I Have Completed Since October 1st:

• OH! I found out Myfabricheart was nominated for Best Craft Blog at the Blog awards, Ireland. How awesome is that? Now if I only checked my emails regularly I would have found out at the time rather than THREE MONTHS LATER. Typical me!
• October had me running riot in a haunted house with a bunch of other crazies for the month (I work Ireland’s Only Haunted house, The Nightmare Realm each year!) so I learnt a few things about myself, one being I can never have too many bruises. Another being I can turn absolutely everything I am capable of lifting upside down in the realms ‘local’ and not get barred. Thats a success if you ask me.
• Literally as soon as I was out of the realm I was back up in Cork for another Job interview, which I aced and got the job. So working my socks off every day has become the norm (and I love it). So money wise I am happy to be saving again.
• I read on the train to work, currently halfway through The Book of Shadows (I took a little break to read some other books..tut tut) and I’m really enjoying it.
• I’m not sure about dropping a jean size but I’m coming up to completing a 2.5 week Detox in a few days! Its been really tough and I’m glad I’m near the end of it. Scales are not my friends (nor do I own one!) so I’m just having to go by what friends/parents/boyfriend’s judgements say.
• On the 11th of November my boyfriend and I celebrated our third year together, making it the longest relationship either of us have ever had. It’s a big milestone! <3
• Around our anniversary time we were lucky enough to get our paws on some free tickets to Bon Iver in Dublin! They were phenomenal. I can’t even put into words how it felt to see and hear them live. A concert I will never forget. Permanent tingles.*
• Because my job involves constantly talking to people I don’t know (and I know this is going to sound really silly) I no longer have a fear of making/receiving telephone calls from people I don’t know! I know what you’re thinking.. I used to avoid the phone at any costs.. I still hate the phone but for different reasons, dealing with idiots on a daily basis will do that to you!
• And I guess you can say I moved out! Not fully but I live 90% of the time with my boyfriend now, going home every two weekends to see my family. I can’t wait for Christmas break to get a whole week at home!

Things I Have Started since October 1st:

• In early November I treated myself to a new watercolour paint set. It’s beautiful and fits so nicely into my satchel. I did keep up painting daily for a while but things just got too hectic in life. When I have more free time I plan to create lots of art!
• Also, my 365 Project has seriously been lacking recently. I haven’t done it since the end of October so I have a lot of days to catch up on! I plan to have this finished before the year is out.
• Mini goals! Myself and my lovely decided to set ourselves some mini goals, set to be complete by the time Katies back from Budapest as she comes home often. I think next year I’m going to take a leaf out of her book and set monthly goals rather than a long list of yearly goals. It makes more sense to me as I’m always changing my mind about things!

Things I Haven’t Started but Should because They Aren’t That Difficult:

• Yep. You guessed it. Doctor/Dentist/Driving lessons. I’m ridiculous, I know.

So that was October and November wrapped up goal wise! Lets hope December takes it’s time and we can actually enjoy the month before it’s out! XO  (you can see my other monthly recaps, January, February, March , April, May, June, July , August&September and my resolutions here!)

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OCTOBER! (Aug & Sept recap)

I can’t believe my favourite month of the year is fiiiinally here! I didn’t get around to doing my recap of August due to being away on my travels and September came and went pretty darn fast so I decided to just smack the last two months together in a big recap post instead! BOOM!

Things I have Achieved Since August 1st:

• Achieving my biggest dream of travelling around and living in South Africa for 6 weeks was definitely the highlight of August and September for me, if not my entire year!
•  Whilst I was over in SA I kept my word to filling my scrapbook with everyday goings on and sketches which I’m hoping to show you once I’ve tweaked the last few pages.
• I also kept up Yoga and some running whilst I was out there, not to mention the physical activities we were doing like climbing, zip lining or snorkelling.. as well us the usual gremlinging we got up too! :]
• I’ve stocked up on new (to me) books over the last two months and have been dipping into some basic Japanese and learning about neuro linguistics programming!
• I’ve been to Mozambique, London, Johannesburg and South Africa all in the last 6 weeks, travelling on my own and not getting lost in each new airport!
• I’ve snorkelled in the Indian Ocean,Walked alongside Elephants (even fell off one!) in Kruger National Park, I’ve held & fed crocodiles, seen and touched more plants and animals that my brain knows what to do with, made my own jewellery and experimented with glass & aluminium blowing. I touched everything that was new to me (even the things I was told not too!) I’ve been ziplining and freefalling through giagantic valleys and gorges, sustained more injuries than I ever have in my life, I’ve been to Gods Window and stood on the railings over the edge.. I’ve had the best time of my life and grasped every opportunity that came to me.
• Seems a little silly to call an achievement after all the above but after months of practise..I can finally fully split again! I used to be able to do the splits in school when I was younger but lost it over the years..Keeping up my flexibility has been a big thing for me over the years so now I’ve come back to the same level of flexibility I once had is awesome, imo!

Things I’ve Started Since August 1st:

• My SA Scrapbook journal has been with me through every step of my journey and it’s SO chock0-a-block full with scribbles,drawings,paintings and keepsakes! It was the one thing I was bringing with me that I really wanted to make sure I stuck at.. and I did! My first finished proper scrapbook! Next all I need to do is upload it!
• I’ve kept up my 365 project even though I pretty much abandoned it whilst I was on my travels.. I did keep little notes of each day so I could catch up when I got home..It only took me 2 days but I’m now up to scratch! :)

Things I Haven’t Started but Should because They Aren’t That Difficult:

• Haven’t returned to the dentist for my treatment…Now that I’m back and working again I’ll have more time/money to do this!
• Driving lessons. Same reason as above, I’m hoping to get some done now I have more time/money.

The last two months have been the best in my life, moments I will never forget and will cherish for the rest of my life.. but I’m ready to take this month in full force! October will be filled with large measurements of fun and awesome times and hot coffees snuggled up inside from the blustery winds outside ripping the dying leaves from the trees. I love this month, the change in seasons is beautiful and full of inspiration. This month my wonderful friend Katie is back from BP to spend her 21st birthday with us, I can’t wait to see her again!

(you can see my other monthly recaps, January, February, March , April, May, June and July and my resolutions here!)

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July Recap (hello august!)

Waaaaaa It’s finally August! I’ve been waiting for this month to start since May, thinking it would take forever but lo’ and behold it’s crept up on us faster than the blustering hurricanes outside (thanks for never letting us down, irish Summer!) I’m so excited for this month to happen because I get to achieve my biggest dream & number one destination spot on my Bucket List, Travel to South Africa!

Things I have Achieved Since July 1st:

• After years and ears of lusting after a canon camera, I finally have one to call my own! How I ever lived without one is beyond me. Best investment ever!
• I sponsored the beautiful Lyzi and her blog, beinglittle last month! Love. Her. Blog!
• Bought new books and read through three last month, fastest reading session in a long time!
• I’ve kept up exercising but if I’m being truthful I haven’t been for a run in a while, due to doctors orders. I think it’s time I took up cycling/swimming again to save my poor knees!
• I completed the photo-an-hour challenge last month! More on that later this month though :)
• I’ve grown my own veggies! And last night I even harvested my first Courgette and ate it, it was delicious.
• My blog has risen from height to height and I have only you beautiful readers to thank :)
• It’s not on my resolutions but I’ve wanted to branch out on my cooking more, last week was my first attempt at making vegetable lasagne for the family and it went down a treat! It’s definitely something I want to continue cooking regularly.
• I managed to organise a trip of a lifetime to South Africa (in 8 days time!) mostly by myself and all with my own money. Surely that’s an achievement?!

Things I’ve Started since July 1st:

• I started what is turning out to be the longest DIY ever, I did plan to have it finished before I leave the country but honestly, I don’t think I’m going to have enough time!
• Planning things to do in South Africa with my cousin, from what’s already planned I know it will be a trip of a lifetime!

Things I Haven’t Started but Should because They Aren’t That Difficult:

• As usual, driving lessons. But as I said last month, these things will  have more of a chance of being completed once I’m back from my trip!
• Been to the zoo/theme park (non-existent in Ireland!..Funderland doesn’t count!) or seen a band live this year.

Last month was so jam packed with getting everything organised and sorted for Africa that not much else ‘resolution wise’ got a look in. It’s been such a busy month but it will all be worth it, in a few shorts days I will be experiencing my ultimate dream and realising that with a little planning and careful savings, anything is possible. God that sounds SO cheesy! :) XO
(you can see my other monthly recaps, January, February, March , April, May and June and my resolutions here!)

follow me on instagram: @sylvieepops //bloglovin’ // twitter // pinterest

 

Goodbye June (Hello July!)

Scary thought… 5 months till Christmas! I think I say this every month but time really does need to slow down a bit. What’s the rush like!

I’m two day’s late writing this but i’m sure noones going to shoot me over it.

Things I Have Accomplished Since June 1st:

• I’ve seen through another month of running and power walking, although I took a week break when I went to stay with Shane but other than that I’ve been consistent with exercising in my free time.
• This year my blog has risen in views and followers exponentially with last month being my personal best month ever, I am so pleased to see something I am so passionate about soar. Thank you so much to everyone who supports,follows and likes my blog. ♥
• I finally went to the doctor and dentist! It only took me half a year to pluck up the courage to face my fear of the dentist (i’m not scared off them but because I had put off going for so long I was freaked about what I would need done) and it wasn’t so bad. I do need to go back to both though!
• I had the opportunity to write a review for a cute vintage company, I Like It Here boutique, which was a goal ticked off my blog list!
• I even got a bit social and went out on a much needed girls night :)
• My veggies have been growing away without my help! Soon I should be able to eat home grown courgettes!
• Last month I made a new blogger friend living in Texas thanks to a random but lovely email she sent. Hello Jennifer! :)
• I also got started on my Sweet Swap idea, having two friends who I will be sending yummy treats back and forth! (one lives in the US and the other lives in the UK, yay!)

 

Things I’ve started:

• I’ve very nearly almost got myself my dream SLR camera. Watch this space :)
• I’ve been filling notebooks with lists and diy projects for when i’m away next month. NEXT MONTH! Its so close its scary.
• I’ve gotten more interested in photography but nothing serious. I did work a lot with photography outside of the blog last month for the local irish college though, which was awesome and great work experience.
• I’m close to finishing last months book, Interview with a Vampire. I’m making the last few chapters count because it’s such a beautiful book.
• Planning things to do for my trip to South Africa, did you know you can go Ostrich racing over there? Madness!

Things I Haven’t Started but Should because They Aren’t That Difficult:

• Driving lessons. Surprise surprise! I do plan to do something about this once I’m back from SA and have more money available.
• Seen my family in the UK or a live band.
• Haven’t had a chance to do most summery things on my list as we don’t seem to be getting a Summer this year!

I like to think I got a lot done last month, I even managed to keep on top of blogging and running in between my work experience. June was a lovely month minus the crazy rainy days. It’s getting so soon to August i’m starting to panic a little about getting everything ready for my big trip away! How was June for you? Was it a nice month or are you glad to see the back of it? XO

(you can see my other monthly recaps, January, February, March , April and  May and my resolutions here!)

Hello May! (April recap)

April is over and now we say Hello to the month of May. April kinda flew a bit for me, there was one day where I realised that it was half way through the month and still felt like the first week! April was was a month filled with good days and bad days, wonderful friends, birthdays, late nights and super early morning starts, exercise and crafting days whilst the rain poured and poured. Although looking back on the month it feels like I didn’t do much all month.. Oh dear! On with the recap!

Things I’ve Accomplished since April 1st:

• I’ve been reading more and finished another book, The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath (wonderfully written!) and added another book to my collection thanks to Shane, for any crafty lovers out there ‘Queen of Crafts’ by Jazz Domino Holly is such a great book!
• I’ve recently rediscovered my love for scrap-booking and have been gradually filling up pages of sketchbooks
• Last month was more outdoorsy than most, I pushed myself to exercise thoroughly every morning with fitness walking and thanks to a recent purchase of new running trainers I have begun running again. I even climbed a mountain last month but I’ll get back to that day at another time.
• More movie nights in with mama! Some great films being The Omega Man, Drive, Mermaids, Into the Wild and Apocolypto. SEE THESE FILMS!
• I’ve gained some more followers to my little blog (hello lovelies!) and thanks to worpress’s new stats I can see where in the world you are coming from. I seem to have a lot of European, American and Australian visitors which is awesome. Thank you!
• I grew a pair of balls and finally took the leap into realising one of my biggest dreams was totally reachable, all thanks to the support of my family I can now look forward to the future. (more on this later too!)

Things I’ve Started:

• Using some of my collection of floral fabric, I have two new dress patterns cut and pinned awaiting to meet my sewing machine.
• I’ve made sure to always have a pile of projects on the go that I can slowly tip away at with no rush to finish whenever I feel like. Some being recovering my old laptop case and revamping some cute clothes.
• I finally fixed my old iPod. I know this wasn’t on my resolutions but it has been bugging me since last October (when it broke) that I hadn’t had it fixed since. Although I have an iPhone I prefer running with my iPod as I can’t bear the thought of breaking another iPhone screen!
• I’ve been looking into finding a car for myself. I still haven’t booked any driving lessons but this is next on the cards.
• I also want to look into college courses and the possible purchase of a new camera.

Things I Haven’t Started but Should because They Aren’t That Difficult:

• Still haven’t been to the doctor or dentist. Well technically I went to the doctor but I couldn’t get an appointment but ended up going anyway with a friend. I will be making more of an effort to do this as I have to get some jabs and vaccinations in the coming months.
• I had plans to travel back to England last month, a week after my birthday but due to unforeseable problems, bad timing and being unorganised I ended up having to cancel my flight. Sucks but I learnt an important lesson, always organise prior to making big plans!
• Didn’t do much gardening last month but I improved my intake of vegetables,vitamins and pulses. I even gave Pistachios a try, and they aren’t half bad!
• Still no picture an hour blog post. Will I ever remember to capture my days hourly?

So really, I didn’t get up too a lot resolutions wise. It was really busy in terms of birthdays, I turned 23 and my little sister turned 2 as well as some other friends and family members celebrating there’s too. My biggest achievement last month has definitely trounced everything else as well as making me the happiest I’ve been in a long time, but I’m waiting to reveal all my plans in a separate blog post of its own. It’s so exciting! How was April for you? XO

(you can see my other monthly recaps, January, February and March and my resolutions here!)

Goodbye February (and thank you for being so nice)

February is my favourite month of the year to spell. That might sound weird but I really enjoy saying and spelling the word. October, of course is my ultimate favourite month but that’s not for ages so lets get on.

Another month has gone by! Lots of people have said how quick last month has been but for me it felt like a good long month. I like it when they don’t fly, I’ve always thought the first three months whizz by. Thankfully it hasn’t this time! It’s time to do a recap of Last month and what I got up too resolutions wise. Here’s January’s recap too if your interested!

Things I’ve have accomplished since February 1st and/or continued:

• I got myself pretty new bedding. Seems a silly one but my quilt likes to take the piss, I can’t find any bedding that fits it! Alas, I have stolen found some pretty checked bedding from mum’s our cubboards.
• I’ve read another book. I’m actually disappointed with my reading speed lately. I know I’ll never read 150 books this year.
• I’ve travelled a bit! and spent a day at the Bodies exhibition (this counts as a museum right?)
• I’ve started a notebook for my blog containing ideas,diys and future projects.
• I’ve been exercising more, including trampolining and running! *cringe*
• I’VE MADE ANOTHER PATCHWORK QUILT! So proud of this one too :)
• I’ve altered dresses, made tshirts and being a right little nerd at my sewing machine all month.
• I think I’ve been a better blogger? I’ve gained more followers too! (hello wonderful lovelies!)
• I’ve given up chocolate and biscuits for Lent, still going strong too I might add.
• I’m still keeping to my 365 project and my DIY project 52, although I am still a week or two behind on it!
• aaaand finally, i’ve been saving up my pennies for future awesome plans.

Things I haven’t started but should have because they’re aren’t that difficult:

• Been more helpful in the garden/farm & planted my butternut squash seeds.
• organised myself a bunch of driving lessons. *ugh*
• Photo an hour posts just haven’t happened. My day’s really aren’t that interesting!
• Sent my pictures to Lockdown… I’m just avoiding that goal at this stage!
• Finished painting my room. I have the paint I just cant be bothered!
• Become a member of the local library, gone to the doctor/dentist etc.. i’m so bad for this!

Once again the accomplished outweigh the unaccomplished but I need to really tick off the easy ones that I keep putting off! February was such a good month, and a busy one! Especially in the crafty side of things, up until a couple of days ago I was spending every day on my sewing machine and making something big each night! (I still have a few things to show you from my craft binge but more on that later) How about you? Have you kept to your resolutions or Lent giver-uppers? :) xo

Pinch Punch

Seeing as it’s the first of the month (Hello February!) and all I thought why not do a little January re-cap of how I did with my long list of resolutions so far and more importantly, what I haven’t started yet. I’m hoping this won’t be too much of a long post but don’t hold your breath!

Things I have accomplished since January 1st;

• I’ve enquired about my canon 550D and awaiting a call back about prices, so that’s exciting!
• I have finally acquired a luggage holdall on wheels (no more achy shoulders!)
• Jelly sweets are no more. This is a tough one but since mama has amazing friends in England who send me over little packages full of Swedish Fish, i’m a content little cherub. Also, Marks&Expensive sell Percy Pigs in gelatin free options.
• I have began my 150 book challenge, finishing one book and beginning another during Jan. I have come to terms with the fact that 150 books is just aiming too high, I may live a dull life in the rural outback but I do have other things to be doing. I’ve heard some people have already finished their 7th/8th book-do they seriously just read ALL the time or what?
• Ticked off some things from my 101 list.
• I’m routinely sticking to twice daily stretching and trampolining when the weather allows.
•  Been more crafty, scrap booked some more, bought new sketch book for blog ideas and projects.
• Recycled as much as I usually do. My newly cleared art cupboard is full of filing systems devoted to bubble wrap, envelopes and cardboard. as well as organised fabric piles and papers.
• Movie nights with the brother leading to his newest obsession – Dexter.
• Gained more followers to my blog, best news ever! Hello lovely new readers :]
  
  

Things I have started;

• Patchwork quilt planning. I’ve recently come into a lot of new patterned fabric, which means I’ve been planning a new quilt! I want this new one to be harder patterned and therefore it needs lots of planning. Small colourful piles are sitting awaiting to be stitched together.
• Crochet more. again, I’ve small colourful piles of granny squares in a tub at the end of my bed.
• photography. I’ve been working silently on this..
• more drawing/painting in my scrapbook. Slowly but surely that beast is getting finished.
• 365 projects. I’ve been keeping to all three I have going so far, my scratching pictures, instagram’s photo a day and my project 52 (although i’m a week behind on this!)

Things I haven’t started and should have because they aren’t that difficult;

• Helping out more in the garden, I’ve only done this once so far. To be fair the weathers been shite, although that never stops mama..
• I haven’t joined the local library. I walk past this library countless times on my way to my favourite charity shop. Why I haven’t joined yet is beyond me.
• Dentist & Doctor visits have still not happened. Silly girl I am.
• Lockdown still have not heard from me. Reasons being that I am afraid & keep putting it off
•  Quality nights with mama haven’t been happening at all, this sucks as I am more and more aware of how much a sucky daughter I can be.
• Framed and hung up Shane’s picture he drew for me. I need a frame that fits it!

So as we can see.. I’ve accomplished a lot so far last month, ticking off a few goodies from my resolution list. The accomplished definitely outweighs the unaccomplished but I really want to start getting the easier things ticked off, the things I’ve been putting off for no good reason. I must make time for things. How about you? Have you been strict with your resolutions? xo