2011 In Photos

I've been spending some time thinking of how best to capture all that has happened this year... And well.. I just can't! So I will try this idea to wrap up 2011. I found it over here. One photo for every month this year. :)

Surgery in January

February: Babysitting as usual, one of my favourite past times. :) 

Taylor Swift concert in March

April: Lots of walks to relieve exam stress!

May: Goodbye cards & letters from teachers (and their kids!)

June: Little cousins in big shoes (Alice & Eleanor)

July: My best friend Laura's Birthday (but she is too camera shy to allow a photo on the internet...for now!)

August: Graduation & Exam Results

Moving to college in September

October: Dressing as a nerd for Halloween!

November: Lots of new college friends (and please excuse my wet hair, pyjamas and 3D glasses haha)

December: Seeing family at Christmas time (Little cousin, Holly)

So there is my year in photos. :) Anyone wish to join me? Post a link for your blog, and I will check it out. :) 

Christmas Eve (Though it is after midnight!)

It's Christmas Eve. One of the most magical times of year. With no Santa Clause in our house anymore, Christmas seems to have lost some of it's magic... But nevertheless, we have made mince pies and watched The Sound Of Music, and and MTV is playing the old Christmas favourites. And just like every year, my puppy is terrified of all the wrapping paper and decorations, poor baby! 

(Meet Minnie)

I still feel like I'm talking to the wall, as my blog hasn't quite taken off yet... But if anyone is reading, then I wish you a very happy Christmas. I hope you have a lovely day tomorrow filled with family, friends and good food. :) 

Love,

Orla.x

Let's Get Christmassy!

I don't understand how the words 'Christmas Exams' can be put together. They take something so lovely and make it yucky. But last week we decided to look at it the other way, and we allowed our Christmas spirits to cheer us up despite having to study for exams. And we decorated the apartment! 

Agnes became our Christmas tree!

And it only cost us €16! They may not be the prettiest of decorations, but they cheered us up and we're feeling the Christmas spirit! We skipped around the supermarket with baubles and tinsel in our hair and handed out candy canes just because! 

Christmas Deco Playlist

1. White Christmas- Bing Crosby

2. Do They Know It's Christmas- Band Aid

3. Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer- Elmo & Patsy

4. All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth- Spike Jones

5. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas- Frank Sinatra

6. Let It Snow- Dean Martin

7. Sleigh Ride- The Ronettes

8. Mary's Boy Child- Boney M

9. Santa Clause Is Coming To Town- Bruce Springsteen

10. Santa Baby- Eartha Kitt

11. The Christmas Song- Nat King Cole

12. I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday- Wizzard

www.trendytree.com 

Money To Be Made

Song: 'Money To Be Made' by The Hoosiers

(How cute is this piggy bank?)

College students can easily be mistaken for grinches around this time of year, as we all grumble about how impossible it is to scrape enough money together to buy decent presents for friends and family. Well, I have done enough grumbling now, and I have decided to put my energy to good use and think of ways to save money from now until Christmas (and after that too if I can keep it up!). So here's what I've come up with. 

1. Packed lunches. I know, I know, boring. But what a money saver! So this week, I will cook extra pasta or rice or whatever I eat for dinner, and I'll throw it in a lunch box for lunch the next day. 
2. Walk, walk, walk. Taxis are expensive. You have feet, and they work for free. 
3. Starbucks at my college makes so much money, yet it would be so much cheaper to make coffee at home. 
4. Have movie nights at home with friends instead of going out to the cinema. We all have DVDs at home to bring along. We can provide snacks from our own cupboards, and we have the comfort of blankets and cushions, and a pause button! 
5. Share clothes. I don't like going out in the same outfit over and over again. But I don't mind wearing something that my friends have worn before- it feels new to me! 
6. Water is free! Fill a bottle from your tap and stick it in your handbag to avoid paying €1.60 for a bottle when you get to college. And avoid buying fizzy drinks- unnecessary cost. Bad for you too! 
7. Avoid special offers. Yes, you read that right. Just because something says 'Buy one get one free' doesn't mean you need it. It's only a bargain if it's something you had set out to buy in the first place, so quit going to the shop to buy milk and coming home with chocolate just because it was half price!
8. Students don't have to tip. Simple as. If you're tipping a waiter, chances are you're just giving your money to another student anyway. Keep it. 
9. Turn off the heat. Swap the radiator for an extra blanket. 
10. One of my favourite past-times costs me €1. I buy a cup of tea in a cafe, and I sit in the corner with a book to read or my journal and a pen for hours. Love. :)
11. Don't go grocery shopping hungry! This is one of my biggest problems. I want to buy everything! 
12. Get a piggy bank that you have to break to get into- best idea ever! 
13. No alcohol. This one is easy for me, I don't really drink. But it is a big money waster for a lot of students. 
14. Noodles. Cheapest food ever.  
15. Don't call- text! I pay €20 a month for 'free' texts, and that's it. Or if you really must, an evil little tip is to call, then hang up instantly. The poor person thinks they missed your call, they call you back and it costs them not you. But I didn't give you that idea. 
16. Baby wipes. Forget fancy facial wipes, washes or scrubs- baby wipes work for everything and are way cheaper.
17. Bring clothes home to wash them- doing laundry costs too much money if you don't have your own washing machine and dryer.
18. Forget fancy exercise classes- walk, dance, do sit ups and push ups and whatever you need to at home with your iPod.
19. Don't be tempted to wander into your favourite clothes shops if you know you can't afford anything. It's just mean. 
20. Fruit is cheaper than chocolate. 

I'm sure there are lots more ways to save money, but for now these will keep me going. I am determined to have money to buy Christmas presents!