Christmas Markets in Derry

Hi Everyone, with Christmas only 6 days away I thought there was no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than spending the day in town at the ever popular Christmas Markets. This year the  markets were dotted all about the city centre from the Guildhall Square to Bishops Gate , there was a little something for everyone, young and old.

 I took my time and spent a little while at each one , I got to meet a few characters along the way. 

My first stop was at The Guildhall Square, Here there were Gorgeous little log cabins lined along the Derry wall , offering an array of beautifully handmade gifts and treats, There was also the very popular hotfood stand, which I had to sample of course.... I chose the steak burger which I enjoyed while listening to the Amazing Choir who sung Festive Tunes to the busy shoppers from the steps of the Guildhall itself.

Next I went to The Craft Village which is based on ShipQuay Street of the City, This is where I got the most Festive feeling, from the moment I entered the Village until I left , every corner I turned there were Christmas trees, twinkling lights, choirs and happy, friendly shoppers who had all stopped in for a wee festive tipple . 

My next stop took me to Bishops Gate, here I was met with 2 huge marquee's. Inside where tables dressed with numerous home-made and hand-made gift, home decor and more, although one table in particular stood out to me , it was the URBAN VILLAGE one, here the guys had a giant cardboard christmas tree set up beside them, on it there were endless post it notes, with different captions written on them, when i asked the guys what it was about they had said they asked what 3 things would help foster a positive community identity, then each person scribbled down what they thought and had posted it on the tree. They have set up a number of workshops around the city starting from January 2016 finishing in march 2016. venues are yet to be confirmed but be sure to check them out.

My Last stop I happened to find by chance as I was on my way to the car as I hadn't known there were going to be any stalls there this year and upon speaking to a few of the stall holders they had said also that they handn't seen many visitors through-out the day. 

These stalls were all adourned with home-made food items, baby knits and home decor, one stall had a very lovely lady who stopped to have a chat with me who had told me that she makes the very best whiskey marmalade in town... while another lovely lady who owns granny pats knits had shown me a beautifully hand painted flower pot that her daughter had gotten especially made for her as a present , to use for her stall. 

Guys these markets are only here for a limitied number of days this year, 20th December being their last day, so please be sure and check them out.

I hope you enjoy having a sneak peak before you go, I had a great day and truely hope you do aswell, for now though its Love, Hugs and kisses from

Heat Running App

I was so chuffed when I was contacted by the lovely Arya  ceo and co-founder of Heat Running and asked to trial a new fitness app that they had created, of course I jumped at the chance....
The Heat Running app is the first competitive and social running app that is available, this app allows runners of all levels to compete in races/marathons or just leisurly runs against each other, combining competition, gamification, fitness and motivation all into one of the most exciting app that I have ever seen on the market.

This fabulous app was set up by two personal trainers Arya Farzin and Joesph Phillips, Ayra's own struggles with obesity and the fact that he had realised that no other running app provided the motivation and support that had helped him to loose 200lb had encouraged them to put together this genius idea. they both set out to create a unique app that provided a level of competition and motivation that was previously unavailable.
Heat Running app is the only app that allows and actually encourages direct competition among its users by adding a social component instead of a computer generated one as most other running apps do. This app creates a virtual racing environment that allows you to enter head to  head competitions, bringing out your competitive side of course.

Bringing a social element to running some-how made me so so competitive,I mean in no way was I a runner before taking part in this trial, I secretly hated the thought of running to be quite honest, but once I actually started using the app and started competing against others I found myself starting to enjoy it and even looked forward to my runs each evening just to try and better my own times.
One of the apps mottos is "unlock your animal" urging you to go from an egg to eventually a cheetah, and by god I did (hahah) I was like an animal possessed by the end of it all and god only knows what people where thinking that had seen me when i was out on a run because I  was doing victory dances and all when I had won, not a pretty sight let me tell you that.

By making running into some sort if a game the Heat Running app slyly fools you into making running fun and more approachable for little beginners as myself, but this app would sit well even with professionals like athletes as-well.
These guys have a fantastic following on their social media sights, why dont you join the other 49.9K and give them a little like or follow on Facebook, Instagram and twitter.
 Heat Running is currently available for download on Apple App store

but unfortunately is not yet available for download for Android devices, but plans are to offer a version for Android in the future.
I found this app so fun to use and anything that can boost fitness is always a winner. I had downloaded the app on an Iphone 6+ , as you all know the phone is huge and running with it wasn't an issue to me at all. I recommend that you all give it a try, it is amazing and I know you will all love it as much as I did. I will list all their details below so you guys can check it all out for yourselves,
Website - http://www.heatrunningapp.com
Their fab Story -  http://heatrunningapp.com/about
Twitter - http://twitter.com/HEATrunning
Facebook - http://facebook.com/heatrunning
Instagram - http://instagram.com/heatrunning

For now my lovlies its love, hugs and kisses from Little Paintedme xxxooo.

Ashamed to be in my own skin.

Hi lovlies
             I'm only just back from my fab wee holiday but because of limited internet access I was not able to publish til i came home.I couldn't think of a better time than to discuss the #stoptheshame campaign that stellar.ie started around 8 weeks ago that I had only come across before I left for my holiday might i add (where have i been) 

Seeing girls being able to walk around a beach in front of everyone with a little bikini on makes me want to throw on a huge woolly jumper and become a little holiday hermit and never show my body again....I have to confess I am 31 years old , I'm a mummy of 4 and i have never ever worn a bikini EVER! Don't get me wrong I  would absolutely love to prance around on holiday in a skimpy little two piece but unfortunately the little image demon in my head tells me other wise, 

 The reason being that While I was pregnant my skin stretched so bad that I was left with an awful amount of stretch marks and loose skin all across my stomach to the point where it just looks like I have skin of an old lady now, my belly button has become non existent  because of the loose skin that hangs above it. I refer to my stretch marks as my "tiger stripes" that I earned while carrying my babies though , I lovingly  tell my children that it's a little map to show where they have come from. I know I must sound like such a moaner and that a lot of women would give a limb just to have the "tiger stripes" that I have, yet here I am crying about them !  they just make me feel so unattractive... disgusting in fact! I don't feel comfortable with my husband to be even seeing my body, I still cover my tummy with my hands so he cant see it. As a 31 year old woman I should feel super sexy and have a nice toned tummy, not ashamed to show off at all. Jesus I don't even feel comfortable enough to take my kiddies to the swimming pool wearing a one piece because I feel like everyone can see my saggy old lady tummy and feels repulsed, now I know that people are not that bad but in my mind I feel like their eyes are burning through me.
I have and still am in fact considering cosmetic surgery just to remove the excess skin around my stomach,  no one knows how amazing that would make me feel about myself,and  if that's not self body shame then I  don't know what is. I know though that its 50% for my own self esteem issues and 50% for acceptance in society when I do eventually get the nerve to venture out in a bikini in the future. How wrong is that though, i shouldn't feel like I need to cover myself up so not to disgust others or myself, I want to say good ridings to this body shame of mine once and for all, I want to be able to flaunt my belly to the world and if the only way I can do that is by shouting from the roof tops #stoptheshame then so bloody be it. Ladies/gents/world here is my tummy, stretch marks and all! 

Im sorry if it repulses you but if I can show you all this then its a hugeeee step in the right direction ,I just want to be able to say to each and every one of you, be proud of your stretch marks ladies, each one tells a little story of it's own, and believe me we bloody well earned them!! I hope this gives other women that feel the same way about their body the courage to show off their tiger stripes too

 I hope you all have an amazing day whatever your up to, but for now its love,hugs and kisses from Littlepainted me xxxooo