Favourite Things Friday

Happy Friday peeps!

How was your week?

I thought I spent a lot of time on pinterest but it turns out I don't. I really need to start updating some of my boards so I can share my favourite things with you. I'm using you all as my excuse to get lost on there. Not that I really need one. Anywho, here are my favourite pins from this week.

Favourite Quote

Favourite Photo

Favourite for the Kids

Favourite Smoothie

Favourite Beauty Trick

Can you believe that tomorrow is March 1st. I love March. The weather will hopefully start to improve, spring is starting to appear and then we have St. Patrick's Day, which means more free printables for you guys. I also have my birthday and wedding anniversary to celebrate. Woo! Lots of celebrating to do.

Hope you have an amazing weekend!!

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Get Fit, Stay Fab : A weekly Fitness Link up

Welcome back everyone!

How was you week of fitness?

Did you workout?

In case you new to these parts let me fill you in on what being happening.

A few weeks ago I came across Sadie and her amazballs workouts that she was setting up for all us stay at home moms or busy working moms or anyone who really wanted a workout that you can do at home and didn't need any fancy equipment. I can't say enought good things about these workouts. They really are easy to do and I really enjoy doing each one of them.

Here's the link to the first two weeks.

Make sure you read the links in the first post. They are really important and full of very good info.

Week 1

Week 2

This week, I managed to get another workout in. My body is finding it easier to recover from the workouts. My legs are able to do more squats and my arms are getting stronger.

I did 3 of this weeks workouts and I got a days hunting in too. That's two and a half hours up on a horse. Cantering around jumping whatever comes in our way. Total body workout. Trust Me!

I'm still doing some of the moves slightly modified. Like push-ups. I just can't for the life of me do a proper army style push-up. But I will. Someday. For now I'm doing the girly one but it's still tough. And I can honestly say that I don't think I will ever be able to do a pull up but I'll keep trying.

I said last week I needed some new music to workout to. I have fallen in love with one song in particular and I love the better life message behind it.

I'm loving a few of their songs right now, Swedish House Mafia's song "don't you worry child" is also a good one. And Shakira and Rihanna have a great one out at the minute that is great for running to. And I love me a little Pharrel and his song Happy. It just puts me in a good mood.

Do you have any favourites?

Let me know, K?

Here's week 3 of the workouts people.

I'm also trying to give up sugar and cut way back on the sugary things I eat. The headaches are killer and I feel like shit but I'll be worth it. If you have any tips on helping me to give up this lovely sweet drug of mine, please let me know.

Keep using the #getfitstayfab4life on instagram if you post any photos.

Don't forget to link up any of your fitness posts below.

Mom Fail : Falling through the cracks

When I got pregnant with my son I promised I was not going to let the new baby make my daughter feel left out or ignored. Coming to the end of my pregnancy I made a big effort to do things with her. We spent more time together doing things. Just simple things like watching TV or a DVD or going to the park. I really noticed that she loved this time together.

Fast forward 2 years, things have changed. With everything that was going on with having a new baby then a toddler and school and everyday life, I felt that she was slipping through the cracks a little bit. Even though I wanted to do these things with her, I wasn't getting one on one time with her. I thought when the little guy sleeps I do something with her. But there was always something to be done. All the cooking, cleaning and other stuff had to get done but my daughter was missing me.

Even though we were together all the time, we weren't spending quality time together.

And then she said the words that broke my heart.

"Mommy, why don't we do thing together anymore? Just us."

I nearly cried right there in front of her.

I felt like a failure.

Like a bad mother for letting this happen.

But I held it together and thought how could we fix this.

I asked her what she wanted to do.

She didn't mind what it was once it was just us. No brother!

She told me she loved him but he was very noisy and took alot of my time.

Both of those thing are so true.

So now we do just us.

Mother/Daughter dates.

Nothing amazing or anything. Going to Tesco to get some shopping or doing her homework when her brother is asleep. It' didn't matter once she had my full attention and it was just us.

the difference in her is unreal. She is much happier and content in herself. It's not that she wasn't happy before but she'd just happier now.

Her love cup is full.

The point I'm making is that we all need one on one time with each other. 

So go and grab one of your kids and have a date with them.

Just them.

It'll make all the difference.

What do you do to make you kids feel special?

Let me know in the comments or drop me an email.

I'd love to know.

Favourite Things Friday... On a Saturday

Yesterday was one of those days where everything took way longer to do.

I had so much to do and just not enough hours.

It came to a toss up between doing my blog post and cleaning up the kitchen...

And for the sake of my marriage and my husbands sanity, the kitchen won.

So I'm doing it today instead. 

Favourite Easter Craft

Favourite Quote

Favourite St. Patrick's Party

Favourite Look

Favourite DIY

Favourite Printable

And there you have it my friends, a little roundup of my favourite pins from this week.

I hope you like them.

I'm looking forward to a weekend full or fun and exercise with my little family.

Hope you have a great weekend.

Get Fit, Stay Fab : A weekly fitness Linkup

Welcome back everyone!

How was you week of fitness?

Did you workout?

I managed to workout 2 days this week using Sadie's 6 weeks to fab workout plan.

I wanted to do more.

The workouts are great. 

Easy to understand and follow but my god do they make you work. My poor legs were screaming at me while I was doing it. I could feel all the muscles that I was using. And I could feel them for days after too.

That right there is why I'm doing this. I need to feel like I'm doing something. It's also the reason that I only got two workouts in. I wasn't able to walk after the first workout. My kegs were killing me in a good way. I knew that I had worked and done something good. I don't feel bad that I only got two in. It's two more workout than I did last week and I going to get more again this week.

It's all about making every day count. Making everyday a workout. I'm trying to be more active in my everyday life. Taking the stairs or walking around town instead of driving around. Doing more with the horses. Getting out and playing with the kids. All of these things will help me in a small way. Making me fitter and more able to do my workouts.

This is the workout plan for week two of Sadie's Workout

If your late to the game, head on over to last weeks post where I have week one workouts and all the links you need to read to make sure you have all the information you need. Sadie has really checked all the boxes when it comes to this workout.

The pther thing I'm struggeling with is finding music to use while working out.
Do you have some favourites that always push you to do more?
Let me know. Send me an email or comment below and I'll see if I can find any to share next week.

Don't forget to link up and if you happen to share any pic of your progress on instagram use my  #getfitstayfab4life hashtag and sadie's #6weekstofab hashtag.

I wanna see who else is trying to get fit and stay fab.

Add you link below.

Mid week Brain dump

Happy Hump Day peeps!

I haven't done one of these is a while, so I'll fill you all in on the little bits of loveliness that have been going on round these parts.

My Little guy have the chicken pox. I didn't even know he was getting them. Mom of the year right here. He's slowly turning into a red spotted bundle of cuteness. I must say he's being a trooper and not complaining that much. It could be that he can't talk yet. Ha!

My little woman had her senior infants parent teacher meeting. I don't know why but I hate these damn things. It's the fear that my child isn't doing as week as I thought or that they're the class trouble maker. I'm happy to report that she's doing great. She is doing great in all her school work. Only thing she can improve on is the talking. She can talk. Alot! What can I say she's like her Mama.

We got a dog before Christmas. She's a 4 year old Dalmatian and she's deaf. Yes, you heard me right. DEAF. She's a great dog. She was a rescue dog. she came neutered, house trained and trained to walk on a lead. All the work was done. I'm now trying to teach her sign language to sit, stay, give the paw and lie down. She has sit and stay but gets so excited about giving the paw that she nearly knocks my out with it. As if I hadn't enough going on.

Last Wednesday, we had the mother of all storms. I was a hurricane of some sorts. It destroyed alot of the country. Trees were falling left, right and center. Roof were getting pulled off sheds and tiles got blown off my roof. We had no power and internet for a few days and it was horrible. I never realized how much we rely on electricity. It's not fun trying to find a toddler in the dark. I'm full prepared if it happens again though. Dooms day prep bag. Check!

I've been doing a new workout. It's a crossfit workout that I'm doing and I'm loving it. I involves a lot of the same exercises I used to do in the class I took last year. Let me tell you, it kicked my ass every day so far. But, I feel great after it. I'm trying to ignore the pain and keep going. You check out the workouts by clicking on my Get Fit, Stay Fab linkup. Just search the blog for it. You won't be disappointed. 

I'm working on some really cute printables for the coming weeks. Spring, St. Patricks Day, Easter. I love this time of year. Everything is fresh and clean and the colours are amazing. I'll be posting the here on the blog and on my Facebook page so make sure to keep an eye out. They're perfect for making little days extra special.

Another thing I've been doing alot of lately is folding clothes. Not really! As a mother of two I find that I have to share all my snacks with my kids. And normally I have no problem. I love them after all. but sometimes this mama needs something for herself. So I go "fold clothes" and eat a cream egg or whatever else I've hidden in my room. It's the little things that keep us going.

Oh and you know what else keeps us mamas going... 4 day weekends. MIDTERM baby. It starts tomorrow. No school for 4 whole days. I think I'm more excited than Jasmin.

And that is it. The random pieces of news that I didn't need to share or you didn't want to read but you did anyway cos I'm just that cool.

Just kidding!

Favourite Things Friday

Happy Friday Y'all.

I'm a little bit behind on my posts this week.

We have just had the worst storm in history and we're still recovering.

Currently, I have quite a sizable hole in my roof and we only got power back last night.

My parents still have no power so I'm down there all day helping out.

Thank you for being patient with me.

I know it's hard. :)

So here you go.

Favourite Quote

Favourite Tattoo

Favourite Workout

Favourite Little Girls Room

Favourite Look

Favourite Food

And that's it folks.

Hope y'all have a great weekend.

Please pray for some good weather and send it my way.

Get Fit, Stay Fab : A weekly fitness link up

Welcome back Everyone.

I hope you've had a productive week.

I have been celebrating and researching all week.

First I'll share the celebration.

Last year in January 2013 me, my mom and sister took measurements of our hips, waist and bust.

We had started to follow Operation Transformation and we wanted to see if there was any change after all our work.

Fast forward 6 months and we totally forgot about the measurements.

It wasn't until this past weekend that we remembered them.

My daughter had her tiny measuring tape and was checking how big everyone was.

Then we remembered, found the old ones and compared them.

OMG!

I was shocked.

I knew I had toned up a bit but nothing like this.

I have lost 4 inches of my waist and 4.5 off my hips.

HAPPY DAYS!

That is such an amazing feeling.

It's like finding a €10 in the pocket of an old pair of jeans.

It has really motivated me to keep going.

I wasn't doing a whole pile to loose those inches but can you imagine the results if I really pushed myself.

So I started the research to find something that I can do at home or at the gym.

Something that I can do even when the kids are with me.

Something that was easy to follow and doable.

Enter SIMPLE SADIE JANE.

I came across Sadie on instagram.

This is the photo that caught my attention.

Yes that is the same woman.

Amazing, right?

So after a little blog stalking, I realized that she has been doing Crossfit for year and was after starting a 6 week at home Crossfit workout.

The workout is for all us busy moms that can't find time to workout.

Well I'm going to MAKE time to do this.

I'm late to the game, as usual, but I'm looking forward to doing this program.

There are a few posts of Sadies that I think you should all read before you do the program.

Sadie's Fitness Class : Part 1: Nutrition

Sadie's Fitness Class : Part 2 : Fitness

Sadie's Fitness Class : Part 3 : Putting it all together

Make sure you have a look around her blog. She talks about her AT HOME CROSSFIT GYM and her PALEO diet. She even has a HEALTH AND FITNESS QUESTIONS ANSWERED post.

Here is the first week of the program. Click here for the full post.

I'm still doing the ab challenge and i'm starting to feel the burn now.

I'm getting kind of bored of it though.

I'm going to stick with it and start Sadie's workout today too and see how I go.

If you want to see what the ab challenge is check out last weeks post.

I hope you'll come along with me on this journey with me.

We're all just trying to find time and support to get back to where we once were.

We CAN do it!!

Don't forget to use the #getfitstayfab4life on instagram if you're posting workout/progress photos.

Join in and link up below.

Have a good one!

I'm guilty of these 6 things.

I am guilty of these things.

I forget everything.

I don't mean to. But I have the worst short term memory in the world. Ever. Ask me what happened 2 years ago. No problem. Ask me to get bread and milk from the shop and I'll come home without it.

I swear. Alot!

My husband tells me I swear like a fishmongers wife. Whatever that means. But sometimes it just feels good to say f*ck or Sh*t. I just can't bring myself to write it on the blog yet.
Oh, Fuck it!! :)

I'm not such a great friend.
I would do whatever I could to help my friends. But sometimes, life and kids get in the way and I sometimes forget to text/ring/call to friends. I'm sorry friends. I will try to do better. Promise!

I love reality TV.
I don't mean big brother and The Kardashians type stuff. I like the ones on discovery. Mountain Men, Alaska: The Final frontier, Swamp People. You get the picture. Real man type tv. They're brilliant. I won't say no to a little Real Housewives every now and again either.

I feel naked without my phone.
My life is in my phone. Without it I wouldn't be able to contact anyone, see in the dark, tell the time, get up in the morning, check my social media 100 time a day or play candy crush. Yes, I know that sounds insane but it the truth.

I eat my feelings.
Great day? Lets have a cream egg. Feeling blue? Lets have 2 cream eggs.
Worst day ever? Eat all the cream eggs.
I have problems.

Please tell me I'm not alone.
Are you guilty of any of these?

Favourite Things Friday

Hello Friends! And welcome to another week of Favourite Things Friday.

I'm so glad that you are enjoying these posts.

It makes me feel a little better about all that time I spend looking at Pinterest.

I don't spend that much time on it. I swear. Ha!

Anyway the first thing I'm loving this week are you guys.

Thank you for you comments, emails, likes and follows.

I'm so glad that my ramblings are being read by someone.

I am thankful for everyone of you and for the people I have met, even if not in person, through blogging.

Favourite Kids Look

My little guy would look so cute in that puffer vest. Need to get on ASAP.

Favourite DIY

I wish I had one of these in my room but I might have to settle for my Daughters room.

Next DIY maybe??

Favourite Hack

If this works the possibilities are endless.

Favourite Valentine photo

How cute is that??

Favourite Laugh

This right here made me laugh out loud.

And because it's FRIDAY and I'm HAPPY and I want you to be HAPPY

I give you.

Favourite Video

ps. I love me a little Pharrell. HOT!

Happy Friday lovelies!

Have a great weekend.

Get Fit, Stay Fab : A weekly fitness linkup

Welcome back lovelies!

I'm late with this post today as my internet has returned to the stone age and has been acting like a bipolar nut. It's either really slow or just won't work at all. But I'm here and I ready to report.

Last week I announced this little link up and why I wanted to start it.

I feel like I need somewhere to report to. Somewhere that I can see if I'm pulling my weight.

I don't know if anyone will link up and that is worrying but I hope if you have any fitness goals and want someone (namely me) to help you stay on track.
Then join in!

Ok, so I'm doing the Fab ab challenge and it's going good. I'm doing the exercises and I feel ok so far.
I'm feeling a little burn but nothing I can't handle. Next week could be a different story. If you want to join in on the challenge, I've posted a picture below.

I thought alot about my diet over the past week and I figured out I'm not that bad when if comes to my main meals. We have a home cooked dinner at least 6 if not 7 nights of the week and there iv always veg on my plate. I't my snacking where I have a problem. I have a problem with sugar.

Hi.
I'm Caroline.
And... I'm addicted to sugar.

This might seem funny but it's no joke. I gave up cigarettes easier. I tried to cut it out completely since the start of February. Not a good idea. I swear I had with drawls and everything. I was not an easy person to live with either. Sorry Hubs. So instead I'm going to try wean myself off it slowly. I'm going to cut back on the sugar I add to things and cut back on the lovely cream eggs.

I don't want to stop having nice thing all together. I'm not that good. I like cake and cookies and chocolate and sweets and eclairs... ok you get the point. I know giving up all of these things will make me want them more and make me more likely to fail. So instead I'm going to treat myself each day with my sugar fix and fell ok with that.

Everything in moderation.

Iwas doing some research on at home workouts and things that I can do when my kids are around.

I think I've found the perfect thing and person the inspire me.

The transformation this woman has undergone from hard work and dedication is ah-masing!!

But, You'll have to check back next week and see what I'm talking about.

I have some more research to do.

Until then...

Oh, don't forget to follow me on Instagram and use the #getfitstayfab4life to see how I'm doing.

6 things I wish someone told me about Motherhood

I didn't expect some of the things I've gotten so far from Motherhood, but it doesn't seem to care. Just when I think I have it all figured out, I'm surprised again. Here are some of the biggest surprises to date.

Gaining alot of weight after my pregnancy. I excepted the weight gain while I was pregnant. I mean there's the 7-8 lb baby, some fluid and other stuff, so we're looking at 15 lbs tops, right? Wrong! No one told me that it stayed there. No one told me about how easy it was to gain weight after you had the baby. I'm talking a stone weight. I guess all that sitting around cuddling a new baby and drinking teas and eating cupcakes didn't help. Be careful! It creeps up on you.

Just how little sleep I would get. It's not much people. There aren't even any good, long stretches. No such thing as a lie in either. If someone doesn't first wake you up, you're waking up to make sure everyone is breathing. Don't laugh! When they do finally sleep through, you too will check if the baby is breathing. When my daughter slept through for the first time, I panicked and thought something was wrong. I put a mirror under her nose to see if she was still breathing. She was. So I didn't touch her. I'm six years in and still rarely sleeping through the night.

How difficult it is to change a nappy. Between the belly button and the fact that they're so small and fragile, the first couple weeks of nappy changes were life-changing events. By the time you've got everything cleaned, creamed, and replaced, it was time to start it all over again. And that's just the girls. Add the boy pee-stream in your face and it just gets better. Oh, but wait. Wait till you have a 2 stone, 2 year old who's favorite pastime is to kick and wiggly his way through his nappy changes. My floor and clothes have seen more poo than they ever wanted to.

How long it takes to do...everything. I can't really tell you exactly what I do all day now. I just know it involves lots of preparing meals, cleaning meals up off the floor, butt wiping, breaking up fights, 10 times more laundry than before, and picking up toys that are pulled out at twice the rate I'm cleaning them. And don't even think you can "run in" anywhere. What was once a five-minute run to the shops will literally take 30 minutes with kids. And that's just to get them into the car. Seriously! 

That my children would ever be those children. You know those kids. The kids that are sitting on the floor screaming because they can't go on the train at the supermarket. The ones running wild like the only meal they had that day was a bag of sugar. The ones that can be heard over every other kid at the playground. Those are my kids. And one day it will be yours. Why? Because it's payback! We were once those kids.

That my kids will make my heart burst with love.  I took my kids to the park for a picnic during the summer when we had the weather for it and on the way home my daughter said " Mom, You're the best Mom ever. I love you!" . That right there, melted my heart. All the drama in the supermarket and the lack of sleep was all forgotten because of that. That is why we become parents. That is why we do it.

Being a parent has been, by far, the hardest and most rewarding thing I have ever done. Some days? I'm so done. I'll be the first to be honest and say those days where there were no kids? They were way easier. I never thought I was loosing my sanity from lack of adult conversation. I never found myself crying and asking my husband to take them back. But life has never been as full of joy as it is today. It may be crazy, loud and grey-hair causing, but it's completely wonderful and I wouldn't change it for the world.

Motherhood is hard but the rewards are worth it. Big time!!

Thanks for reading!

You make my Heart Glow : Free Valentines Printable

Happy Monday Friends!

How was your weekend?

It was a dreadful one here weather wise.

But we made the most of the break we got yesterday.

Back to the Rain again today, so I'm sharing a little something to brighten up your Monday.

Last Monday I shared a craft and free printable with you guys.

This week I've got another.

I love designing and sharing my printables.

It's become a real passion of mine.

I hope you enjoy them.

"You make my Heart glow!"

I had a few glowsticks left over from my daughters birthday.

I got something like 20 for €1.49 in Deals.

Deal, right?

I don't want to give my kids a whole lot of chocolate for valentines.

I want to give them other things that they can enjoy.

And a cute printable to tell them how much they mean to me just make it even more special.

So here you go.

Just save the picture to your computer and print away.

Just print them, cut them out and punch two holes to hold your glowstick.

It's that easy.

And there you have it.
Another cute non chocolate idea for valentines.

I would love to see if you use them for your kids.
If you use them and are on instagram, tag your photos with #CGRprintables .
Or tag me on my Facebook page.
I'd love to see how they turned out.

Thanks for reading!