Silver Coast, Portugal

After finishing a stressful final year at school, I was in need of a relaxing holiday. Throughout the year I yearned the sun and relaxing on the fine beach of the silver coast. Finally the time had come, I had finished the dreaded leaving cert, and summer had arrived. I missed the feeling of having nothing to do and nothing to worry about. I flew out to Lisbon with my mom a few days after finishing my exams, where we joined my younger sisters and dad. We stayed in Praia del Rey, a five star resort in Óbidos, an hour south of the incredible city lisbon.  ( I go there every year).http://www.praia-del-rey.com/en/ The holiday consisted of relaxing for the first few days by the pool side, walks on the beautiful beach every morning, reading, tanning, dancing the night away in beach bars until half five in the morning, eating toaties and Portuguese pastries, dining in traditional Portuguese restaurants, having barbecues and watching the sunset. I met friends of mine from cork and dublin out there, my cousins also joined us for a week. It was great to share the holiday with amazing people! 

Each day I went for a walk along the beach, my sister often came along with me. The golden sand, sun glistening upon the ocean,  with magnificent waves, the fresh air, I was in heaven. As I walked along the sea side I reflected on life, it made me realise how blessed I am. 

After, I would spend the day tanning, watching Wimbledon, going to the beach, catching up with my good friend from Dublin, swimming, reading or chilling. 

Once it hit 10:00 pm it was time to get ready for a night out, whether it was a night out in the beach bars in Baleal (a night in Baleal is guaranteed to be a wild one) or a night in the Zanzibar in the resort, it was always a great night, where we met new interesting people from Portugal, England, Belgium, and Ireland.  

The holiday was just what I needed after my exams. I was not quick to return back to reality, however all good things must come to an end and I did so feeling, invigorated!

A few things I like to do there;

-Visit the medevil town of Óbidos and walk the wall that surrounds the town.  http://www.obidos.pt

-Take a bus trip into lisbon for the day, the city is filled with amazing buildings, visit the shops, dine in the restaurants, chill by the sea, visit the fashion museum and Café Pastéis de Belém  http://www.pasteisdebelem.pt/en.html where they made the very first delicious famous portuguesese custard pies! 

-Shop in one for europes biggest shopping centres Colombo! http://www.colombo.pt

-Visit the surfing capital of Portugal Peniche .

-Get a boat to Berlenga island ( i have yet to go there but apparently it’s amazing) 

-Surf it up or soak up the sun, chill in the beach bars during the day in Baleal (Bar de Praia and Danau are my favourite ones)

-Chill on the amazing beach in Praia D'EL  Rey

-Go to yoga/pilates/spinning classes in the Marriott, (resort hotel) http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lisdr-praia-del-rey-marriott-golf-and-beach-resort/

Morning walk on the beach

Morning walk on the beach

Barbecue with my sister

I took this on my last morning beach walk

Pool Photo

Beach bar in Baleal

Amazing Sunset

My Crazy girl, Alesha

Night out in Baleal

Two years ago, myself and Kitty in Óbidos

Summer Outfit

Adventure trip to the Shack Beach

Soaking up some sun

Praia D'EL Rey beach

Desperados in Bar de Praia, Baleal

Baleal Beach

Praia D'EL Rey beach

Praia D'EL Rey beach

Promise Yourself...

Recently I came across this thought provoking post, it inspired me and I want to share I with you guys..

''Promise yourself

To be strong that nothing 

can disturb your peace of mind,

to talk health, happiness, and prosperity

to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel

that there is something in them

To look at the sunny side of everything 

and make your optimism come true.

To think only the best, to work only for the best, 

and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others 

as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past

and press on to the greater achievement of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times

and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself 

that you have no time to criticise others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear,

and  too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

To think well of yourself and to proclaim this face to the world, 

not in loud words but great deeds.

To live in faith that the whole world is on your side

so long as you are true to the best that is in you''

Think about this and apply it to your life, I encourage you to try new things, step out of your confortzone, do things that you never thought of doing, you will grow from these experiences! 

Brigitte Bardot

Brigitte Anne-Marie Bardot was a fashion Icon. 

Know for her outstanding beauty, she became an international icon in the 1950s and 60s. She is a former actress, singer, dancer and fashion model. 
Born in Paris on the 28th of September 1934, 
Bardot had initially intended to pursue a career as a ballet dancer. Nevertheless, after appearing in a fashion show in 1949 and, subsequently, in 
French Fashion magazine Jardin des Modes, she was discovered by French actor, writes and 
director Roger Vladim - who suggested her for the film Les Lauriers Sont Coupés and whom 
she later married. That film was never made, but it encouraged her to consider a career as an
 actress and after several smaller roles her career was launched when Vladim cast her in his 
controversial 1956 film And God Created Woman. She also starred in films such as Viva 
Maria! and Contempt (les mépris). She retired from acting in the 1970s and since has 
devoted her life to animal activism. At just 15 she graced the cover of the march edition of 
French Elle. There's no doubt that she will remain an inspiration to the fashion industry. 

Her photos are simply stunning!

                                              Young Ballerina

Her love for the French Riviera

Here are some links to read more about her life; 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brigitte_Bardot

http://www.biography.com/people/brigitte-bardot-9198860#synopsis&awesm=~oIeEfs0eDleuip

Thylane Blondeau

Just came across this 13 year old Beauty, her photos are just so Amazing that I decided to share them with you guys...

Thylane Léna Rose Loubry Blondeau (born 2001) is a French model. She is the daughter of footballer Patrick Blondeau and Véronika Loubry. 

Blondeau has had a reputation as both a child model and a fashion model since the age of four, her appearance in French Vogue igniting controversy over her working at a young age in what is traditionally seen as an adult role.  
(taken from the one and only wikipedia)

Every new Photo I see of her is unique and  striking. Is there any wonder I'm jealous of a 13 year old... who wouldn't want her looks! 

She is currently the cover of Jalouse a French Fashion Magazine (april 2014). With her face without makeup, her pout and piercing eyes , Thylane Blondeau stirs controversy . I must say that the girl strikes a pose like a pro.

Could she be the next Kate Moss.. watch the space, she will be everywhere.. already she has a website and over 12k likes on her Facebook  official page! 

Here are some photos... 

                                                           

Something to think about

Here is just a little something to think about. I am guilty of being such a ''people pleaser''. Trying to be the person everyone else wants me to be instead of being authentically myself.  During some recent reflection I realised that I base a lot of decisions on trying to make everyone around me happy. Trying to please everyone else instead of myself. Just last night I asked myself, If I could do anything without being judge what would I do? If i could live freely how would it choose to live? Am I being authentically true to myself? I want to encourage you to to ask yourself these questions as well. Are you living your ideal life or someone else's? Are you truly living your dream life? I know what a lot of you might say now, dreaming's silly wake up to the real world etc. Well I ask myself why not? why not at least TRY? This is life. Every minute that is passing you by, you will not get back. In a 100 years you will most likely be gone. This is your only chance, you'll never get these moments back. Forget what people think about you, and live your life the way you want to. I came across this quote recently '' Never get so caught up in making a living that you forget to make a life. Life is precious, stop worrying and just enjoy the ride.'' You can create the life you want. You can be anyone you want to be. Start living the life you dream!

Trip of a lifetime

Exactly a year ago at just seventeen, I embarked on a trip of a lifetime. I was given an incredible opportunity to travel to Kolkata (Calcutta). India's  most populated city. Travelling with the HOPE Foundation, an extraordinary charity, to this disadvantage area, I was responsible for raising  10,000 euro, along with a friend of mine to aid impoverished children by organising bag packing and a ball to raise necessary funds for the street children of Calcutta.

We arrived in Calcutta on Paddy's Day, March 17th 2013. That night the group of us were invited to attend a St. Patricks Day celebration by the Irish Embassy. We dined in one of Calcuttas most finest five star hotels. I was in awe at the amazing interior and delicious Indian cuisine. Each of us wore ball gown dresses and spent the night dancing, eating and chatting. 

In complete contrast was the following day, I had no idea what I was about to experience. I visited the slums and saw at first hand the poverty that exists. As our mini bus pulled up to the slums, the whole community stared smiling, the children were waving excitedly. As I got off the bus, children came up to me looking to shake my hand and greet me. A lot of these children didn't attend school. Most parents were only able to send a few children to the Hope schools while others would go out begging for food and money. The children that attended the Hope schools were lucky to receive an education. These kids were so happy with so little. Bubbles, balloons and clapping games made it feel like Christmas for them. The smells of the slums were unbearable, the filth was horrendous. I was in shock as to how people could live in these conditions. Walking between each shack, I could bearly fit the path ways were so narrow. I couldn't believe what I was seeing in front of my eyes. Words can not describe how bad the sight was. These children were stick thin. 

We visited the famous Howrah Train Station in Kolkata. Children come from all over India to this train station trying to escape from their horrible lives. Each night these children's lives are at risk, as they sleep all over the train station in fear of getting rapped and abused. Many take their own lives, while others sniff glue, looking for ways to avoid their troubles. I visited a day care centre here, where HOPE gave children the opportunity to go during the day. Children were fed, able to play and sleep during the day. Here I came across a little girl, she was so happy, full of life and excited to meet the group, hugging each and every one of us. I was disquieted when I found out that this little ten year old girl had no parents. She goes to the station every night along with her five year old sister, where their lives are at risk. 

While visiting the HOPE Foundation Hospital in Calcutta, I came across severely traumatised street children. Here I met Katbata, a thirteen year old girl. She was abused by many men both sexually and physically. She was brought to the hospital six months ago. She was beaten, bruised and traumatised. She wasn't able to look a man in the eye after her incidents, only the doctor which whom she called uncle and gained trust with. I couldn't believe what this young girl had been through. From here he life was going to change. This is was gave me hope for her. She would be brought to a girls home once she recovered. She would never live on the streets again. She drew me a picture, and a drew her one. She taught me a song and we sang together. She was happy now.  

I came across this inspiring quote of Mother Teresa, while visiting her convent in Kolkata. ''Spread love everywhere you go, let no-one come to you without leaving happier''. This quote completely inspired me to make a difference in peoples lives. 

I experienced so much in such a short amount of time. I could go on all day talking about it. We had sari night, where we dressed in saris, had dinner and got hennas. Each day was jam packed with new experiences. It really was a trip of a lifetime. It made me appreciate my life and look at life in a different perspective. I felt very privileged to make a deference in the lives of these young children, bringing hope to them in very difficult situations. 

Here are some photos of my trip.

Calcutta traffic

Visit to a boys home

Slum Children

Paddy's Day Celebration

In the HOPE Hospital with Kabata

HOPE school

HOPE school