It never rains but it pours

Hello!
You know the old story....I only went out for milk (how many times have I started a blog with this line!) It's just that the shop selling milk happens to be slap bang in the middle of a street full of charity shops, trying hard to remember Stelios's walk on advice, I'm weak and head in just for a wee look. You know the saying wait all day for a bus and then three come at once, well that's kinda what happened except it was umbrellas. I'm forever getting completely soaked, so when I spied three vintage designer umbrellas in the corner I snapped them up, they were a bargain too £3.50 each. My only saving grace is that these are an extremely useful buy and they feel really sturdy, ok so they don't fit in your handbag but when it's not raining they double up as a walking stick for me(I'm 5ft 1) I tested the pretty red one of Monday and as my sisters new pink brollie blew inside out mine stayed strong,  they don't make brollies like they used to. 

All that said, I really hope it doesn't rain!

Have a great week everyone!! xx

Reasons to be cheerful

Hello!
It's another drizzly day here in Northern Ireland, I don't mind though...I have a new rain mac, in pink and purple leopard print,  that rolls up and fits into one of it's pockets! I'm sorted, it can go in my handbag, ready for use at the first rumblings of a downpour. It claims to be "shower resistant" emmm? Not waterproof then? doh!! We'll see....
On days like this maybe it's just better not to leave the house....Instead....The perfect day to make cookies! These cookies are YUM (I hit the keys harder when typing that to show how YUM they are) If making these doesn't make you cheerful then eating them surely will.
COOKIES!!! Nom Nom Nom Nom

 This recipe makes 20
You will need
125g (4 1/2 oz) butter softened
225g (8 oz) soft brown sugar
1 egg (Thanks Beryl!) lightly beaten
225g (8 oz) plain flour
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp of baking powder
pinch of salt
200g (7 oz) choc chunks (M&Ms would be good too)
Preheat oven 180 oc, line a baking tray with parchment paper.......

1. Beat the butter and sugar together in a large bowl until the mix is pale and creamy.
2. Add the beaten egg and vanilla extract and stir to combine.

3. Combine the flour, baking powder, salt in a separate bowl.
4. Stir the flour mix into the butter mix.

5. Fold in the chocolate chunks.
6. Make little balls or heaped tablespoons of the mixture onto the baking tray, leave space between them!

 7. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
8. Allow to cool on the tray for 5 minutes then transfer to onto a wire rack (or straight into your mouth! Well quality control is essential when baking!)

AND ENJOY! 
Hope you're all having a cheerful weekend xx

Wardrobe Clearout

Usually by now in Northern Ireland we're having some good weather but there's been alot of rain here recently and it's been cold, sooooo cold! There's been a few wardrobe malfunctions of late, seeing the sun shining at eight in the morning doesn't always mean sunshine all day, OH NO! You've walked out of the house in your maxi dress and flip flops and five minutes later it's lashing down and you look like a drowned rat, not a good look! But with yesterday came the brilliant news of some much awaited for good weather...AT LAST!!! Sunshine this week and a heatwave on it's way!
Time for a wardrobe clear out, pack the winter jumpers away and get out the hot pants and crop tops (kidding) The wardrobe clear out is a yearly event but it's usually more of a tidy up but this time I was ruthless, and it felt good. With shops popping up everywhere offering cash for clothes, charity shops are suffering, with less people bringing in donations they're forced to put up their prices up to meet targets, then less people will buy from them equals no money for charity. So with that in mind, I tried on everything, thought seriously does this really suit me? does this actually fit? and managed to give away two bags from me and one from the big lad!

Time for a clear out!

See you later scarfs (hopefully not for a while)

Job Done!!

So clear out done, all biz, headed off to the charity shop to drop off the bags..... Should have left them at the door instead of actually going in, TOO DANGEROUS! NO WILLPOWER!!
Instead of coming home empty handed I came home with this....

I very lovely floor lamp from Oxfam, for only £5.99!

I am resided to the fact that when it comes to charity shops finds an opportunity is not to be missed because it won't be there next time you go. I have fallen off the waggon big time!
So I've got a neat and tidy wardrobe and an amazing new lamp, happy days : )
What have you all been thrifting week? I can't wait to see!
Head over to Sophie's blog for your fix of all of this weeks flea market finds!

Have a great Sunday everyone xx

Last years snow

Some photos of our garden, covered in snow. I can't believe the temperatures were so low last year........bbbbbbbbrrrrr.......  But so far no snow in Belfast this year, not much ice either, in fact it's been so mild it's been weird! or maybe I'm just getting more sensible and layering up!

Autumn watch

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower."

 Ormeau Park Belfast, on another beautiul Autumn day : )