Sunscreen & Popsicles

 

I have just spent the most wonderful summer of my life taking care of 3 little boys in Canada. I've explored Toronto, I've been to Niagara Falls. I've had an awful lot of adventures, and it has changed me forever. But I must admit... When I'm old and grey, my fondest memories of my summer as an au pair in Toronto will be of sitting on the porch in the sun licking melted popsicle off little fingers and laughing and telling stories about frogs and balloons and Thomas the Tank Engine.

Sunscreen & Popsicles Playlist

Smile Bright- Letters & Lights

Rollerblades- Eliza Doolittle

When I Grow Up- The Beach Boys

One Thing- One Direction

Three Little Birds- Bob Marley

When I'm Gone- A Rocket To The Moon

Gold Rush- Ed Sheeran

Does Your Mother Know- Abba

Follow Me- Uncle Kracker

Brighter Than The Sun- Colbie Caillat

Never Grow Up- Taylor Swift

Summer Soundtrack

If it's possible, I feel even more musical during the summer. :) I go through moments of inspiration and contentment, followed by buzzing euphoria. And as always, I need music to set the right atmosphere. I want to give you a shortened version of my Summer Soundtrack playlist, and also some recent photos of my summer in Toronto. :) 

1. Bucket by Carly Rae Jepsen

2. Without Me by Kina Grannis

3. Count On Me by Bruno Mars

4. Strawberry Swing by Coldplay

5. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz

6. What Makes You Beautiful by One Direction (For Kate!)

7. One Love by Bob Marley

8. Rhythm of Love by Plain White Tees

9. Brighter Than The Sun by Colbie Caillat

10. Under The Sea by Shaggy

11. 5 Years Time by Noah and the Whale

12. Gone In The Morning by Newton Faulkner

13. Walking On Sunshine by Katrina & The Waves

14. Put Your Records On by Corinne Bailey Rae

A little glimpse of my summer, and its soundtrack. :) 

Love always, 

Orla

Morning Lullabies

I could write about how I love the morning sunshine streaming into my bedroom, and the fresh air through the open window. How I enjoy my breakfast of fresh fruit, and I sit and ponder all of life's precious offerings. I would be lying. And I would never lie to you girls. Truth is, I look a bit like this in the mornings: 

I am not a morning person. At all. In order to avoid the morning blues, I have to come up with ways to wake myself up as pleasantly as possible. So I have come up with a 'Morning Lullabies' system, whereby I set my alarm every night with a happy song to wake me up. Music calms me, and helps me to start the day as best I can. 

Morning Lullabies

Upside Down- Jack Johnson

Bucket- Carly Rae Jepsen 

A Message From Your Heart- Kina Grannis

When I'm Gone- A Rocket To The Moon

Bubbly- Colbie Caillat

Count On Me- Bruno Mars

Ours- Taylor Swift

Breakfast At Tiffany's- Deep Blue Something

Here Comes The Sun- The Beatles

Morning Lullabies- Ingrid Michaelson

Sweet Springtime

I don't know about you, but I have music to suit my every mood. That's why my iPod is so jam packed with different playlists. Right now, the beginning of Spring is leaving me feeling relaxed and inspired...

Sweet Springtime Playlist

Over The Rainbow- Israel Kamakawiwo'ole

She Moves In Her Own Way- The Kooks

Find My Way Back Home- Priscilla Ahn

Morning Lullabies- Ingrid Michaelson

A Thousand Miles- Vanessa Carlton

Nine Million Bicycles- Katie Melua

Lucky- Jason Mraz & Colbie Caillat

And The Birds Sing- Tyrone Wells

Neopolitan Dreams- Lisa Mitchell

Early Morning Rain- Eva Cassidy

Chasing Pavements- Adele

New Shoes- Paolo Nutini

New Soul- Yael Naim

Thank You- Dido

1234- Feist

Icky Sicky

I have been given the wonderful gift of a chest infection this week. Not fun. That is until you find ways to make it a bit more interesting...

Things To Do When You're Sick
+Drink hot tea
+Watch The Ellen Show
+Attempt to sing, and laugh at the 'noise' it makes
+Sleep for a while
+Read lots
+Blow bubbles
+Colour
+Watch a really old movie that you haven't seen in years
+Write in your diary
+Make a 'Sick and Tired' playlist on iTunes
+StumbleUpon on your phone- kept me amused for hours!
+Walk around with a blanket like a cape
+Look through old photos and home videos
+Eat an entire box of chocolate fingers without feeling guilty
+Paint your toenails
+Repeat the same word over and over until it sounds ridiculous
+Watch Youtube videos
+Sport the no make up and ponytail look
+Text a friend and annoy them for a while
+Have a bubble bath

Sick &Tired Playlist 

Breathless- Taylor Swift

Jaded- Sarah Crummy

Fix You- Coldplay

Just Like A Pill- Pink

Cold Coffee- Ed Sheeran

Tired- Adele

So Sick- Ne-Yo

Lullaby- Priscilla Ahn

Fever- Lady Gaga

Sympathy- The Goo Goo Dolls

 

Have a lovely day. x

Travelling Alone

During the week, I'm in college in the city, and every weekend I travel back home. It makes for a lot of train journeys. When Kate is with me, we have so much fun. Some days we're exhausted after a long week, so we listen to my iPod and chat away happily. Other days we are bursting with energy, and we do something like this: 

 

And that's very bold, you shouldn't do that. 

I love traveling with Kate. But I am also getting used to taking the train on my own. I love climbing onto the train with my suitcase and rucksack. I love sitting down in a seat with a table to myself. I take off my jacket, stick on my iPod, take out my journal, and I retreat into my own little world. 

I feel like a fly on the wall when I'm on my own on the train. Nobody ever notices the girl sitting alone. They carry on with their lives, they have normal conversations. And I know this might sound very strange, but there is something quite soothing about observing other human beings living their lives. The old ladies talk proudly about the achievements of their children and grandchildren. The teenage boys laugh about the silliest of things. The mother cuddles her toddler, and points out every tree and bird we pass, before calling her husband to let him know when they'll be home. And the teenage girl with the iPod writes about all of them in her journal, and considers what a joy it is to be alive. 

Try it some time. Travel alone. Watch the people around you. You'll learn more about life than you could ever imagine. 

Travelling Alone Playlist: 
1. Say What You Need To Say- John Mayer
2. Blackbird- The Beatles
3. And The Birds Sing- Tyrone Wells
4. Your Song- Ellie Goulding
5. Long Live- Taylor Swift
6. Drops Of Jupiter- Train
7. Autumn Leaves- Ed Sheeran
8. New Soul- Yael Naim
9. Mountain & The Sea- Ingrid Michaelson
10. Happy- Natasha Bedingfield


Oh, and one more thing. Would you mind going back one post (or clicking this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2Y43z0CrlI&context=C35bb41dADOEgsToPDskKi6dbenAPN34lPMb2BapsN ) and telling me what you think? 


Have a lovely Sunday. :) 

This Week

This week was catching up with old friends. It is one of life's finest pleasures to have those friends who you can meet up with after a year, and talk to as if you see them every day. And I find that hot chocolate and heart to hearts go hand in hand. 

(http://theinglenook.blogspot.com/)

This week was journaling on the go. I have been keeping a journal for a year now, and I've noticed a very inconvenient pattern. The more time I have on my hands, the more I write, but when I'm busy, my journal is neglected. This means that there are gaps left in my journal for the times that are most exciting! But this week when Kate and I traveled to Kerry to meet up with cousins/friends, I wrote at every opportunity so that the  precious memories wouldn't be lost. 

This week was swapping music. The only thing that brings me more joy than finding new music is sharing it with those who I know will appreciate it. :) This week we swapped some Drew Tabor, Sarah Crummy, Taylor Swift, A Rocket To The Moon & Ally Rhodes. 

This week was cosy reading. I love how simple my life can be when I'm away from home. I had no internet, no TV, no distractions from life's simple pleasures. All I had with me was what I had packed in my little rucksack, so while the girls slept in in the mornings, I enjoyed some quality time with my book.

'This Week' Playlist

1. Safe & Sound- Taylor Swift

2. Tragic- Drew Tabor 

3. Like We Used To- A Rocket To The Moon

4. New Soul- Yael Naim

5. Dark Blue Tennessee- Taylor Swift

6. Coney Island- Good Old War

7. Small Bump- Ed Sheeran

8. Don't Worry, Be Happy- Bob Marley

9. Jaded- Sarah Crummy

10. Your Winter- Sister Hazel

I hope you enjoyed your first week of 2012. And if not? Well let's make next week simply wonderful. :)

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 

This Is My Winter Song

From Song: 'Winter Song' by Ingrid Michaelson & Sara Barreilles

This week, I have been wrapped up in layers upon layers of scarves, socks and coats. And I realised that when I told everyone I wouldn't really miss home when I went to college, I was wrong- I miss the open fire! The city apartment can get very cold at night, making it extra difficult to drag myself from my lovely bed at 6am. But it's the weekend, and I'm curled up in front of the fire with my laptop, hot chocolate, and Ellen on TV- yay! 

Winter Love: 

1. Christmas
2. Cosy cardigans
3. Scarves
4. Soups
5. More lazy days
6. Christmas shopping
7. Tea & Biscuits
8. Santa Clause
9. Boots
10. Really crisp, fresh air
11. Christmas decorations
12. Bubble baths
13. Fairy lights 
14. Open fires
15. Pretty snow flakes
16. Sledding
17. Giant books
18. Slippers
19. Candles (preferably vanilla scented)
20. Pretty gift wrapping
21. Snow angels  
22. Curling up in bed with layers of blankets
23. Christmas music
24. When it's so cold you can see your breath
25. Fluffy socks
26. Hot Chocolate
27. Curling up with blankets and a book
28. Snow Days
29. Christmas parties
30. Babies all wrapped up
31. New pyjamas
32. Fireworks on New Years Eve
33. Christmas movies
34. You can get away with not shaving!
35. Snow men/ snow families
36. Ice skating
37. Seeing all of my family
38. Buying a new calender
39. All the winter birthdays (my friends and family all seem to be winter babies!)
40. Snowball fights
41. Roasting marshmallows
42. Leaning against the radiator
43. Icicles
44. More baking
45. More chocolate
46. Power cuts
47. Watching animals playing in the snow
48. Christmas episodes of Friends
49. Being the first to walk on fresh snow
50. Cuddles :) 

Cosy Winter Playlist

Winter Song- Ingrid Michaelson & Sara Bareilles

Sea Of Love- Cat Power

Stuck On You- Lionel Richie

Winter- Joshua Radin

Yellow- Coldplay

Changes (Landslide)- Stevie Nicks

Hear You Me- Jimmie Eat World

Feels Like Home- Chantal Kreviazuk

Enchanted- Taylor Swift

Everything- Michael Buble