Jennuinely Interested in Irish Voting

Something a bit different and just my ramblings, pinch of salt and lemon in hand..

I try not to get too involved in the major debates of the world as I find it hard to discuss issues with people who have different opinions then me... a quirk I suppose. 

But in Ireland on May 22^nd, we are having an equal rights referendum, about gay marriage, and although I have no difficulty in deciding how to vote.  I can’t help feeling such mixed emotions about the whole situation. 

Our country seems to be so warped about voting, and what’s really important, equality and other issues too. 

That is a bit of a strong statement but hear me out.

     

     Recently our country has gone through a hard time during this recession, many have lost their jobs, are attached to homes that are worth not nearly what they paid for them, and probably will never get the money back when they sell. It is devastating to know that families that were once well off, and encouraged by banks to Spend! Spend! Spend! are now living week to week, or month to month because their house mortgage and car loans are so excessive. And yet a lot of these people are not out voting for a new government. 

We all complain, me too although I don’t feel too effected by all the changes right now that the country is going through.

    Although every day I do feel that there is such a divide between the classes of people, I use that term VERY lightly. We seems to all experience very different lives although we are all suffering in similar ways. I find it hard at times to digest the fact that I can’t afford to go to the doctors yet others have a medical card and can go for free. Now in saying this I am talking about the government and equality, and not about the person. 

  Why is it that people who are working hard in all ranges of jobs are paying taxes and are not directly benefiting from it. There are people who only work 20hrs so they can actually be part of their children’s lives, or child care is just too expensive and they don’t receive support of a medical card. I hate that I have to pay upwards of 60e to go to the dentist and I know my teeth need to be seen to. 

  And yet I’m not working right now as I’m trying to focus on getting my degree so I can earn the big bucks, which in turn will be taxed!

I think the Irish person in general just wants to see where there money is really going... and by that I mean that their money is being returned to them in some tangible way. No one minds helping their neighbour, but what about “me” too!

Now how is this related to May 22^nd?! A very important day for Ireland, and to be honest for the generations to come. I think no matter what the outcome is, this generation we will still have to listen to the superficial, scraping the barrel reasons the “NO Vote” people are spouting... But alas, they are by right allowed to canvas their side too!

But what I find amazing is the sheer passion of the younger people of this country, the fire that is being created, and also my fear that it will be short lived, I hope that these young strong opinionated men and women do vote, and that it will strike a chord in them to stand up and vote again for other important decisions our country has to make!  

We allow others to vote, mostly the older generations, and so they have every right to have their say whether it is for or against what is best for the modern equal Ireland, they vote and so there opinion is technically more valid then ours, as it actually means something. 

When the over 65’s were going to lose their medical cards... they marched and let the government know it wasn’t going to happen, and their voices were heard.

 It is the young people’s turn now! 

image: http://www.marriagequality.ie/getinformed/about-children.html

LOCO ABOUT COCO-NUT MILK

               Although I love chocolate, ice cream, a little cheese, butter and all animal products, I’m not a fan of the “raw” milk that some folks like to drink by the pint! (*shudders*) 

I went on a “non-dairy” journey in the last year to find the nicest milk to have with cereal, I don’t drink tea or coffee so maybe my choices aren’t A+ for those.

Okay, so I did tried, 

Soy milk is yuck, there's not much I have to say about it, its just not good.















Sweetened almond milk is nice,and i would definitely                                                                    repurchase it again, if on offer!

Non-sweetened almond milk not so much...

I tried an oat milk which tasted okay, I couldn't drink it as it didn't look right in my cereal, it was just too brownish for my liking!!  

So I hit the jack pot while perusing the healthy aisle, coconut drinking milk. 

Blissfully amazing yumminess! 

Now I won’t be drinking a glass of it, but in cereal it does the job deliciously!
Onto the bigger question (HA) which brand is the nicest! Usually I try and find a deal, BOGOF is ideal as coconut milk doesn’t need to be refrigerated until it’s opened, another bonus over cow’s milk, it lasts bloody ages!

I’ve tried Alpro Coconut milk, it’s my third favourite out of the three that I usually pick up, its much thicker than the others, more like the canned stuff for curries, it’s too thick for my liking and very strong tasting, but I would still use it. coconut content is 5.3%

Secondly is the Marks and Spencer brand coconut milk, usually on offer. It’s just a tasty milk, it ticks all the boxes, it is more like milk then the Alpro, its consistency is more appealing.

And my number one is KOKO coconut milk, it’s just the one I always reach for if I’m in Holland and Barrett, it’s about 2euro and lasts me about seven days. It also has more coconut content of 8%!

Seems odd to say, but I did have to get used to having non cow’s milk in my daily routine, we do get used to the usual tastes of cow’s milk, and I found myself silently freaking out every time I tasted the tangy coconut milk as I thought I was drinking gone off milk!!

Positives for drinking non-dairy milk... its non-dairy, I have acne and less milk is best for me as cow’s milk contain hormones that can cause issues to some. I’m not here to give the “no meat, no dairy promotion” as I love meat and I do eat dairy chocolate and ice cream.

Negatives about not drinking milk... listening to others saying I should drink milk... and I’m not quite sure when my coconut milk is bad... like if its extra tangy, is it still ok!! Haha

Jennuinely Interested in...BANANA BREAD

I love to bake, it’s a passion, nothing too complicated, tasty cakes usually, I tend not to bake so much as there aren’t many people to eat it around the house, need to be more brave and bring some into college, I’ll usually bake for family functions around Christmas!

So in the kitchen we have a beautiful fruit bowl… untouched by humans, and inside that big bowl are four very sad bananas, and last night I said... 

"enough is enough!! those bananas will live!”

And so, I decided to bake banana bread! I chose Donal Skehan’s “Aunties Ann’s Banana Bread”  recipe and let me tell you it is MAGNIFIQUE!!!! 

-I did add a sneaky extra ingredient of chocolate chips (why not?)

So here is his recipe, I made one large loaf, but I am tempted at another point to make a banana muffins with this recipe!

110g butter

190g caster sugar

2 large eggs

240g self-raising flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

3 large bananas (I used 3 1/3)

AND ONE BIG BAG OF CHOCOLATE CHIPS!  MMMMMMM

Utensils

Weighing Scales/Measuring Spoons

Oven @ 180C

Mixing bowl

Sifter

Electric Mixer/ a wooden spoon and strength

Spatula

Loaf tin/ mini loaf or muffin tins

A smile J

The Method is so easy, which is always A+ in my book!

Cream the butter and sugar, add one egg and sift some flour, beat then add the second egg and the remainder of the flour, combine. 

Then the best bit, squish the bananas until they are like wallpaper paste and add them with the vanilla extract and the choc-chips and gently fold them all together until the smell of the batter is so irresistible you have to have a taste then pour it into a greased tin (really grease it up!!).

                   

I added my cute decoration and placed it in the oven on the bottom shelf at 180C for 65 minutes -  in the recipe it did say 50 minutes, but I put mine on the bottom shelf, and also I think adding the fresh banana on top hinders its baking, but worth it for the cuteness, I also covered the cake after 40 minutes with tin foil to prevent any more browning.

The smell of banana bread baking through the house was just irresistible BUT the loaf really does need to cool as it’s so moist I don’t think it would hold together if cut while hot! leave the cake to cool for 6/7 minutes then get it out of the tin onto a wire rack to cool!

This morning I sliced a chunk for myself and WOW-WEE-WOWSA!! :D

It’s so moist and the banana and chocolate chips are a match made in heaven, it holds together perfectly but is squidgy and moreish, and I’d say if I drank tea it would go perfectly. 

 All round a delight and I would definitely give it two thumbs up!

Please enjoy this pictures while I enjoy another slice J  

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Here is Donal's link to his site because its his recipe after all!! 

http://www.donalskehan.com/2010/04/auntie-anns-banana-bread/

Keep'em Clean ... Make-up brushes that is!

So a story came to light recently about a woman in Australia who became paralyzed as a result of bacteria on her friend’s make-up brush that she had borrowed.

 Instant disbelief!! 

Bacteria is everywhere, and the thought of slathering make up and a side order of staphylococcus made me shudder, and so I decided there and then to be far more vigilant with keeping my brushes clean!

 I should anyway to prevent break outs!! 

I have used a handful of products to clean my brushes over the years, (usually shampoos or body washes) I do love the MAC Brush Cleanser, but I feel like, although effective, it’s almost better as a type of disinfectant then actually deep cleaning the brush itself. I’ve taken to rinsing my brushes in it after I’ve deep cleaned them separately.

Today I've used Johnston Baby Shampoo as a brush cleanser, it worked very effectively and is “kind” to the brush bristles, I got a big bottle of it in Boots Pharmacy and it was on offer, if the Boots version is cheaper I will pick that up next time as it’s just the same.
 Nothing more satisfying then a good bargain and clean brushes!

The Process 

So I have my shampoo in one hand and another little device in the other, its actually meant for removing make-up and exfoliating our face, but I’ve decided, after seeing other similar tools on the market, that I want to use it for cleaning my brushes!

You can see it in the picture below, it’s a cute little rubber tear drop with tiny bristles all over it!
I purchased it from Penneys/Primark for a Euro!

And does it work…  Yes…but not for all brushes!  

Everyone knows how to wash a brush, so let’s get to the actual RESULT, it worked amazingly for the eye shadow brushes, I was actually able to wash two or three at a time.. speed queen! (Haha)

The flat foundation brush did well too, the little bristles lathered the shampoo up lovely and I think that does help in the process.
 But the tightly packed Real Technique brush didn’t get the same result, I gave it three rounds of washing, and after I let it dry it still has foundation caked in the centre, disappointing!

 I can conclude then that firmer bristled brushes do far better with the tool, otherwise just the shampoo and brute force is needed! It really was a much faster process then just shampoo and massaging it into the brush. I will use it again!
The Real Techniques brush was just too tightly packed for the tiny bristles to penetrate.

-On a little side note, when I’m terrible lazy or need to quickly give my brushes a clean, I use a toner with tea tree in it as it’s a disinfectant, and also lifts the colour from the brush, I don’t know about the exact science of oxidation, but I’m sure it happens to my foundation brush while its lying around and I find my make-up darker when I apply it the next day using the dirty brush, I feel ill writing that sentence!

Just a better look at the cute scrubber! :) 

LETS DISCUSS THIS MATTE-R

MAKE ME MATTE

As a person with acne prone skin, I suffer with the dreaded “oil sheen” after a short while of wearing foundation, and more often than not, without foundation too! 

Although the dewy look is very popular for many, I like the fresh DRY face that won’t cause my foundation to slip to my ankles! 

  I have high colour cheeks and scars that are still red, I need the coverage that holds for the day, I've used many foundations for the matte finish, and none have given the effect that I desire, mostly drug store, I now use Revlon Colorstay (180 Sand Beige) and MAC (NC20) inter changeably depending on mood, and if I’m wearing some tan. 

 So back to the matte, I’ve used two primers, MAC Matte Crème Matifiante and NYX Shine Killer, both a silicone type primer to block those pores and stop the oil seeping through and ruining my face! 

Verdict is that the NYX is the way to go, much more effective than the MAC crème, which I found not to make me matte enough, like I said some of us ladies like a glow, but I don’t. 

The Shine Killer although not 100% effective is definitely the best of the two! 

Any suggestions of matte primers are welcome  :) 

I think I’ll leave foundation to another blog post, as I’d love to try some new ones and dedicate more time to writing about them and the ones that I use now! 

So powders are the next layer of defense, and I suppose for me the main focus of this blog (long winded way to get to the point!) I purchased MAC Pressed Blot Powder in Medium/Dark – side note, I am fairly Irish pale, I should not be on the medium/dark spectrum, sort that out MAC! 

Anywaays, I have used the MAC powder to the very last scrap, and although it was grand, that’s the extent I will go, it didn't keep me matte for long, I am not one to carry make up around with me so I would often return home with the majority of my foundation gone! BOO!! 

And so recently I retreated back to the safety of the drugstore brands, and decided to go for the cheapest and purchased Catrice Cosmetics ALL MATT Plus for 3.99Euro. 

Verdict I’m in lurrvve!! 

 I wore it on day one, shine free day, no top ups?! A MIRACLE, 

Yesterday I wore it to the cinema, NO SHINE!! What the heck?! 

And today, I wore it with no foundation to college and I maintained a beautifully shine free face! BLISS!! 

It’s silky, and has a fine dust, and didn't change the colour of my foundation! AND ITS CHEAP!!!!!

Okay it contains talc and it’s not the best for your skin, but it bloomin’ works and that’s what I need! I am delighted that I have a product that allows me to be low maintenance about my make-up! 

That’s what I am all about!! 

JENNuinely Interested In... ME!

Jen... that's me, and I am interested in so many things, and so I've decided to write about them! 

I'm twenty six, live in Dublin, Ireland avec the parents, and although its not the "ideal" it has allowed me to continue in education for the longest time.

I'm currently finishing up second year in Psychology and although I'm still finding my feet on "which path to choose," I really do love the course and hope to stay in the field and make the monies in a few years! 
Summer is long and lonesome at times and so bloggin' is the way to go!!

I'm Youtube obsessed,  I mostly watch vlogger families,but also love fashion,beauty and the "chit chat" videos, Basically I enjoy spending waaaaaaay too much time on there watching others live their "fantastic" lives! 
I would love to be part of the Youtube community and maybe one day I will, but I'm sure not up for the hate they experience! 


For the blog I shall talk about my interests... clearly!!  which will include the likes of
Make-up for acne prone skin, including SOMETHING TO MATTIFY my greaseball face! 
Products to make the eyebrows on FLEEEEK! 
Hair products for fine hair that has been dyed way too much!!  
Being tall and PLUS size!
Baking (all the cakes)
Life.. I love to ponder! 
Travel
Food Glorious Food!! 
Movies and Netflix <3 
 And finally anything my sweet self desires to discuss!!

This is my life motto, I never wanted one, but sometimes you really need one!! 

           "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better."

                 Samuel Beckett