My Week in Pictures #31

I KNOW I KNOW I’ve been so bad for not keeping up with regular weekly post. I’ve been such a busy little bean lately but I feel like I’m really over using the “I’ve been busy” excuse a little too much so I’m sorry!

Witnessing Ellie take on the swings like a boss! She had a play date with her new best friend, whom she calls Banana (I assure you she is not a banana, it just rhymes with her name!) and they had a good few hours of trampolining and chasing chickens around the garden. // The best picture I have ever taken of Tiggy, he’s actually smiling NATURALLY which is an achievement in itself, Tigs always pulls funny faces and his idea of smiling normally looks like something from the Chuckie films.. // Cooking for the family! I made vegetable lasagne for the first time with aubergines and peppers. I’ve already been asked to make it into a regular weekly meal by xbox boy which I’m sure mum has no arguments against the idea! // Sneak shot of one of my many holiday dresses for Africa // Packing literally took three days and many many double checking did I actually need everything. I’m still not sure and I’m leaving in 5 days! // Ells Bells being awesome with my fake Ray Ban look-a-likes. // Goodbye drinks and lots of card games with my Budapestian and xbox boy.. Ended up being one of the funniest/randomest nights we’ve ever had! // Hangover food- Katie really makes the yummiest cookies.

Well there’s the over-view of my week! I’ve left home as of last night to spend my final few days in Cork with Shane before my flights on Wednesday afternoon. Today I learnt that two massive suitcases are great for seats when there are none on the train but are not good when lugging up the MANY hills of Cobh.. My poor legs! And that Audiobooks are the way to go in life! But they too come with their own problems, two chapters into listening to The Hunger Games on the train and I found myself fighting back the tears. I swear there’s something about the way the voice tells the story that had me welling up. Which would have looked REALLY weird if I did, balancing on a suitcase in the middle of the train, crying into my earphones surrounded by the many tourists visiting Cobh.. Yep. Glad I held back this time! XO

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