How We Do (Party)

Those of you who know me will know that a few of my favourite things are my family & friends, singing & dancing...and drinking. So of course I was very excited for another reason to embrace all of the above on the special occasion of Lynda's 60th birthday (my dads cousins' wife). Who else can relate to having a bigger extended family than the brady bunch? I guess it comes with being of Irish descent...my grandad was the youngest of 11! Ratings to my great grandmother for squeezing eleven children out of her lady parts. Ouch.

My dad, sister, granny, another one of dads cousins and I crammed into a cosy (crowded) car and set off for Rugby yesterday afternoon. Fact of the day: the sport, rugby, originated there. Who'd have thought eh?

Four hours later, we dragged our limp limbs out of the car and leapt up the stairs to get ready to partay. I love staying in new places: the hotel was holding a wedding reception and obvs had me day dreaming about my big day, one day, with the one.

After a rush of makeup re-application, a panic at the thought I might have to rock my Nike frees to the party as I couldn't find my platforms (turns out they were in the back of the car boot) and a minor squabble with the sis (standard), we headed to the bar Lynda and Johnny had hired out in a coach which bought back memories of my aunty's wedding last year. 

The dance floor lit up with disco lights and the *free* drink flowed (the perks of partying with your nearest and dearest!) 

Highlights of the night: 

My uncle John trying his first sambuca shot...

and this reaction...

My sister wanting to spend time with me (15 and she wears the trousers in our relationship)... 

My little cousin Dolly aka Buzz lightyear. She sure did rescue that dancefloor at the start of the night...

Johnny's speech for Linda. The. Cutest. Ever. Forget the bass...it's all about that love, Meghan Trainor. 

The food. Oh my, I've never tasted anything quite like those cheesey potato skins. They'll be on my mind for a long long time (I was too busy eating it to take pictures). 

My dad singing (this is unheard of).

My granny's Irish dancing. She's just so great.

The DJ's enthusiasm (Megan!)

...and this face...

Some more snaps...

I do love ma fam.

Hope everyone had an enjoyable Friday! Is it just me or has this month gone insanely quick? 

XOXO

"Run Beast Run"

Hi there! (Or should I say bok...) 

I'm in Croatia at the mo with the famo....all those that know my family will be well aware of our competitive nature. So it was inevitable that we set up a competition of some sort. This time round, rather than the typical card/ board games allowing my dad a chance to show off his general knowledge and my uncle to out-wit us, our competitive streaks shone in the form of a 5k race around hilly Cavtat. 

The runners were as follows: 

Myself, Nish O'Connor aka "The Beast"

Treadmill runner, interval trainer. Record time for 5k on treadmill: 23 minutes 20 seconds. 23 years of age. 

My bro, Niall O'Connor aka "Dodgy Knees"

7 month break from running due to injury. Record time for 5k on treadmill: 22 minutes. 20 years of age. 

My dad, Eamonn O'Connor aka "The Old Man in the Corner"

Running since 1989. 50 years of age. 

My uncle, John O'Connor aka "The Cyclist"

Cycles daily up the hills of Highgate, North London. 47 years of age. 

...nicknames courtesy of John O'Connor whilst discussing the challenge the night before with a beer in hand!

We took this race very seriously. A sweepstake was drawn up. Bets were placed. Distances were set.  Handicaps were discussed (and refused). John even suggested banning Niall from his morning dose of cereal in the fear that he'd "benefit from all the goodness". So we all settled on cereal an hour before the whistle (and lots of coffee for myself of course). Fair game. 

As you can see, John and I weren't messing about...

Before the race...

The two oldies thought carrying water would hinder their performance so employed their own water boys/gals (my cousins) to pass them H2O as they completed the first lap. I employed them for a different matter...as photographer! 

Lap one: 

John, Niall and myself were all head to head...my dad lagging behind, still 'warming up' (his asthma means he takes a while to get into his run, but we all thought his sheer determination and competitive nature still made him a threat). 

Lap two:  

I managed to pull a good 10 metres ahead but Niall soon caught up, at which point I figured the game was over, knowing we still had the dreaded hill and an added 70 steps to finish on! 

I stuck with him for a bit before he paced ahead...John and my dad nowhere to be seen! 

"I can walk this hill"

"Run beast run"

3 minutes later...

"Call an ambulance"

Results:

1st place:  Dodgy Knees

2nd place: The Beast

3rd place: The Old Man in the Corner

4th place: The Cyclist

My dad had been left for 4th, but a glimpse of John's fluorescent yellow T-shirt in the far distance was enough to make him sprint for 3rd. He caught him at the hill, and looked pretty pleased with himself...

You know somethings wrong when your dads shorts are shorter than yours!!! 

In all fairness, the two oldies have more weight to carry than Niall and I have. Plus he has a runners build...not that anyone made any excuses or anything...

I think a 3 lap race is in order before we leave. 

XOXO 

Bank Holiday Weekend OOTD #1: The Maxi Dress

Maxi dresses...I've always had a love/hate relationship with this lasting trend. 

I'm quite small (5'4" to be exact) so always found that in a LOT of the ones I've tried, I've resembled more a child in an adults dress, the fabric threatening to engulf my entire body. 

...I clearly wasn't trying on the right ones. 

On Saturday, me and the fam made a trip to Essex (what you saaaaayin') for my cousins First Holy Communion. We missed the Church as they only allocated one row per family and the O'Connor's alone would've needed half a dozen....not that I'm complaining (soz Jesus) and arrived just in time for the good part! Domino's pizza (for the kiddies but obvs I 'supervised'), Mr Whippy's, cake, cheese, more cake, boxes of chocolates and lots of wine. It was like Christmas all over again! and my idea of heaven?

I was rushing as per usual, trying to find something to wear when I came across this maxi dress in my wardrobe from last year - I've decided I really like it! Definitely a spring/summer staple. I am on the lookout for a simple black maxi...if anyone's seen a nice one, please let me know!

Outfit Of The Day: 

I Am Wearing

Maxi Dress - River Island 

White Blazer - Primark 

Coral Pumps - Primark 

Necklace - Car Boot Sale

Ring - Topshop

Sunglasses - Topshop

Lipstick - Topshop in 'Macaroon'

Nail Varnish - Models Own in 'Beach Bag'

Some snaps!

My sister made these beauties...mmmmmm buttercream icing.

And I leave with you with a sistaz selfie!

Peace & lurrrrrve

XOXO