Monday's Moments: 28/04/14

Morning All and welcome to a brand new week. Even before I give thanks for the awesome days that went before the spirits are high following the magnificent weather we've been having. I was born in the wrong country, I'm convinced of it. Here be 5 Moments that are happily chasing any residual Monday blues away though. Ready? 

1. An Unintentional Winner!

If you follow me on Instagram (you totally should by the way) you'll know that I post a lot of first impressions and mini reviews of beauty products before they even launch. I've found it helps hugely to keep on top of what's new in the beauty world, even if full review posts of every product don't make it to the blog. 

Last week I had an unexpected but AWESOME side effect of that practice. Smashbox US chose one of my initial pictures of the Full Exposure palette to win their competition! The prize? A Full Exposure palette and their new 24hr Photo Finish Primer. 

Yep, I was gobsmacked and v grateful. I've since regifted said palette to a gorgeous gal pal that had done me a solid in the past so she can share in the Full Exposure awesomeness. It's nice to be nice, wha? (But THANKS Smashbox!)

2. The Best Boy

One evening last week I asked Adam to bring me up a phone charger. When he handed it over on the landing, without even thinking I said 'Thanks Ad, you're the best boy'. Up pipes Aaron (18!) from his room 'I do stuff for you too!'. I had completely forgotten that I used to use 'The Best Boy' as a way to get each of the lads to help out when they were younger, it worked like a charm (and seemly still does).

Ahh, Irish Mammy Guilts, I'll have to brush up!

3. Pre Pay Day Pocket Palooza 

Please find the one plus to the rain showers we saw on Wednesday. I had to switch coats for the trek to work, once I got to the coffee shop and patted my pockets for my purse I heard an unfamiliar rustle. Hellooooooo day before pay day awesomeness. €11.01 of unexpected awesomeness to be precise.  

No, relatively speaking, it's not a huge amount of money but when I was preparing to count sheckles to add an extra shot, this was pay dirt. I ordered the biggest, fanciest coffee I could think of and I could almost swear, it's the nicest coffee I've had in a very long time. 

4. A HIGHLY Recommended Chanel Counter 

I'm entirely blaming this post from Simone Loves Makeup (thanks S!) for drawing me to a Chanel counter like a moth to a flame in the first place but once I'd gotten chatting to Róisín (Chanel counter manager) in Boots Blanchardstown about Chanel Perfection Lumiere Velvet I was in, hook, line and sinker. 

I had just had my brows threaded so she sat me down to give my slap a touch up and disguise the lobster like unibrow I was now sporting. Not only was she a font of knowledge about the products, she invited me back that evening to have a complimentary Chanel makeover before The BOPs Awards. 

Lisa was on hand to complete my makeover, again, Chanel, you need to send some gold stars to these gals. She did an amazing job on my look and because she didn't have Impulsive Rouge Allure in stock she gave me the dinkiest Chanel tester lippie vial with enough lipstick to see me through the night. (!)

If you're thinking of a Chanel purchase (and you friggin' will be after my Perfection Lumiere Velvet post) then I can't recommend the Boots counter in Blanchardstown enough. Down to earth, knowledgeable, friendly girls without any hard sell. They're a breath of fresh beauty air. 

5. District 9 in Howth

Yesterday was the day we went to Capri without ever leaving Ireland. The Dublin Bay Prawn Festival was being held in Howth and because the sun was splitting the trees outside I knew it was the perfect day for a visit and to get some heat in our bones. I know I'm biased about Fingal Co Co but when we do something right, boy do we do it right. 

Temperatures hit 18 degrees, numbers hit their thousands and the prawns, OH MAN THE PRAWNS. We ate, we drank, we strolled, we ate, we drank, we made merry. Genuinely, Howth Harbour in the sunshine could be anywhere in the world. I'm thanking the lord we thought to trial Ambre Solaire's Dry Mist SPF as the hazy sunshine toasted us but as days go? Sunday will be remembered for quite some time. Huge well done to all involved.