Another Appreciation Post

Hey guys!
Just a quick post today, and again I am declaring my adoration for another human being.
Today it's Annika at The Pineneedle Collective.

Her blog is just beautiful. I can't even put it into words. Her outfits are so cute and have this really nice old-fashioned feel to them. She creates outfits in a way that I wish I could make. Every single one of them just looks so perfectly composed, while still looking effortless. I think this one is my favourite, it is simply perfect in every way. Also the title is from one of my favourite MGMT songs, so, yup.

Also, her DIYS are the greatest. They really make me want to get my sewing machine out and start tearing shit up. I mean, she has good tutorials for things that I have been trying to get / figure out how to do for ages! Like This heart-cutout dress DIY. It is so amazing, I can't even deal. I am going shopping tomorrow to find a dress and attack it with this tutorial.

I know this probably doesn't make a lot of sense but I am just a little befuddled and in awe of this blog right now. Sorry if that has rendered me incompressible. So, you've seen my favourite blog of the moment. What's your's? Share it below and we can all find a bunch of other pretty blogs to drool over.

TTFN you, whoever you are. If there even is someone out there.

Oh, and don't forget to follow Annika. I didn't do a great job of promoting her blog but just take one look for yourself and you'll see what I mean.

"Strawberries Taste Like Lips Do"

Hello there!

I don't know what it is but recently I have been absolutely adoring strawberries. Maybe it's because of Wimbledon, or maybe just because it's Summer time! I don't know! I'm going to share with you my three items that are helping me on my way to complete strawberry obsession!

The Body Shop - Strawberry Shower Gel

This was a gift last Christmas but I never really used it until recently. It smells so beautifully amazing! I've been using it as both a shower wash, and I've taken to pouring it into my bath and using it as kind of a bubble bath. This is amazing because it makes the entire bathroom smell of strawberries. Another great thing about this wash is that the scent stays on your skin after you've washed it off and for the entire day after. I seriously freakin' love this!

The Body Shop - Strawberry Purée Body Lotion

I was given this along with the shower gel last Christmas. Again, it smells awesome, like really sweet (but not sickly) strawberries. It kinda smells of the Calpol medicine I had when I was little. I find this moisturiser to be a little sticky when first applied to the skin, but once it sinks in (which it does incredibly quickly) it leaves the skin so soft and supple. And smelling amazing! Again the scent lasts all day which is probably the main reason I love this (and the shower gel) so much.

Yankee Candle - Sweet Strawberry

I blame this little guy for my current obsession! He was a very kind gift from my best friend. Since he is so tiny, I haven't liked burning him, but I was having a bit of a down day today and decided to light up for a bit. Before I knew it I was dancing around my room to Vampire Weekend. Basically, this is my drug! It makes everything smell of. . . well, sweet strawberries and instantly puts me in a good mood.

And I'm just going to add these in here at the end:

Actual Strawberries! 

We have three punnets of these in our fridge and a two bags of frozen ones in the freezer at the moment. I love chopping up the fresh ones and eating them plain, and absolutely adore blitzing the frozen ones with a banana or two and some low fat natural yoghurt. Super healthy and super tasty to boot!

TTFN guys

How to pack like a pro.

I go away to France for just over four weeks next Tuesday. I am starting packing today, because I know that I am tragically incapable of packing like a sensible person. I try really hard to be intelligent about it; I make lists of what I need, plan outfits suitable for my plans, and usually it all goes into the case. And then it comes to about an hour before I have to leave. Let the freak-out begin. I start grabbing everything and putting it into my bags. I've taken stuff on holiday before that doesn't fit, or that I don't even wear. And I know it! But that doesn't stop me. This year, because I'm going away for so long and only have one case and a carry-on, I must be like the ninja master of packing. So, I have compiled a list of my ultimate "How to pack your suitcase like a mo' fo' boss", because of the task's importance.

1. Make a list: This will both help you plan what you need and also make sure you haven't forgotten something when you're coming home.
2. Don't bring that top that only matches those shorts and shoes. Try to bring outfits that can easily be mix and matched.
3. If there is clothes washing facilities available avail of them. But also bring the easily washed items. Not the dress that needs to be hand washed by monks in goat's milk.
4. Try to bear in mind, if you are a shopper like me, what you may buy when you are away. Cause that's all gonna have to come home as well, somehow.
5. (Not a problem I often encounter but. . . ) Don't under-pack. Otherwise you just end up buying stuff purely because you have nothing left to wear, and that's just a waste.
6. Shoes: Essential, right? But get them right. Bring a comfortable, broken in pair (or pairs) that go with both the holiday and a variety of outfits. Pack shoes a the bottom of the suitcase, above the wheels due to their heavier weight. Also, pack socks and underwear into shoes. this both prevents the shoes from being squashed as well as saving on space
7. Once the case is packed LEAVE IT ALONE! Take it out of the bedroom, and don't be tempted to add those extra few items that you know in your heart and soul, you don't need.

So those are my tips on packing. Let's hope they are some help to both you and me. One final thing, this video is both funny and relevant so I'm just going to slot it in here:

Good luck to you all on your packing adventures. And if you're packing for somewhere extra special, let us know.

Thanks guys. TTFN

Ryan Gosling Appreciation Post

Because I have been on Summer holidays for the past month, I've had quite a bit of free time. And because, I live in Ireland, it's been raining. A hella lot. Which means free time indoors. That means, for me anyway, a rather large portion of my time is now being consumer by movie watching. And re-watching Blue Valentine (which is actually one of my all time favourites), Crazy, Stupid, Love and (the good parts) of The Notebook, I have re-kindled my ever-present love for Ryan Gosling. And I know there is a million brilliant things about him, but can we just take a moment to discuss his clothes? (Well done, grace, you're doing a great job at sounding like a complete and total creep). I think part of the reason I love him is he is always so impeccably well dressed and dapper. I can't think of a single picture of Gosling and saw his clothes and thought "Ew". Here are just a few (of many) pictures that illustrate this point quite nicely:

I'm sorry about this post, it's one of my lesser moments. It's 2:30 am, I can't sleep and let's face it, Ryan Gosling has a nice face. That will be all. TTFN

NOTD: Ice cream stripes

I thought I would introduce you to my (rather messy) nails of the moment. I think the colours are really bright and colourful, perfect for the Summer. My little way of injecting some sunshine into the recent days. 

I started with a base coat. I used Sally Hansen's Hard As Nails, because I have unusually weak nails. I followed that with the infamous Barry M Peach Melba. The stripes were done using Angelica's Be Mine. The order of the coloured polishes doesn't really matter, I just found the Angelica polish has a slightly angled brush which is easier to control. To seal it all in place I used the Barry M Clear Basecoat, Topcoat and Nail Hardener.

I really like the way my nails look right now. Nice and sunny ice cream colours. Perfect for this time of year. More appropriate then the weather, that's for sure.

What is even going on?

Dear Anybody Reading This,

I just realised that I have not introduced myself. My name is Grace, and I'm a 17 year old Irish gal. I am interested in fashion, books, food and travel. All the usual cool blogger things. But I also am quite a bit of a nerd, I like cross-stitching, Playing and listening to music, film, musicals (both watching and performing), drawing, running and hanging out with good people.

I'm pretty much a regular old Joe. But then, I'm also a little bit different. Normal, but with a little bit of Gracie flare. So that is what this blog will be: all the normal stuff, with just a smidgen of me (It appears I also have horrible rhyming skills).

This blog will be posting anything from outfits (may take a while due to some odd camera malfunctions a the moment), favourites and product reviews to book reviews and random DIYs and food stuff and general life stuff. It will be a combination of everything, so there will probably be a bit of something for everyone here. Also, I don't claim to have any knowledge or training or even interesting opinions on any of the things I am writing about I just feel like documenting it and getting it out there anyway.

So, have a look around (I can be found on Twitter @simply__gracie - I tend to tweet even more nonsensical nonsense there), and enjoy.

Love, gracie

A week in my life #1

Sunshine and laughs in the park with the bestie

Soaking up the rays and catching up on my reading

Chilling with my little cousin - She is so damn CUTE!

Sometimes, I really love living in Ireland

Coffee and shopping with the other bestie

I badly need new shoes

New notebook! DIYed it, like a boss

I'm following the general crowd and doing a kind picture series of what I've been up to recently.