Top Ten | The Best of Instagram

Now I'm not a multiple photos everyday Instagram user but I'm not sparse about it either, I think I've got a good balance now of what I post. Back when I first got it in December 2012, I was an insta hoe! Hashtags flying all over the show, like for like, follow for follow, all that craic. Now, I'm far more subtle. Most of my posts are fun times with family and friends, scenery, music and preachy positivity. I'd say I post every 3 or 4 days but that's only because something happened in my life I feel is worthy for Instagram which I feel is pretty good going. One out of about 50 photos will will be uploaded to Instagram and the rest to Facebook when I go on a night out or take a trip. So in this post I thought I'd share ten of my favourite posts so far!

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Flying Home

22/07/14

"Cheers for the past 3 years Newcastle, it's been real."

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Marriage Equality

19/07/14

"Happy Northern Pride! Unfortunately closed minds don't always come with closed mouths but they will be the ones that are left behind. Here's to the change."

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Graduation

10/07/14

"It happened #2014graduate"

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200th

27/06/14

"200th Post | Celebrating a 2:2 in my Psychology degree the only way I know how. Such a happy day for a lot of great people I know. Be positive, live a life you enjoy and be awesome to each other."

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English Trip

22/06/14

"Holy Island."

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Grad Ballin'

26/05/14

"1914"

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Lush

11/04/14

"Perfect balance between kid and adult: marshmallow bath & wine."

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#TBT

16/01/14

"mama and papa xxxxx"

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Bally

10/09/13

"Windmill  #walk #home #old #windmill #hinch"

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London

24/07/13

"Cheeky Chaboba in Camden. Strawberry and kiwi bubbles!"

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So there's some of my favourite posts so far, I might do a short list every year but there's 10/186.

Follow me of course, feel like Tyler Oakly with this shamless self promotion but I'll leave this here:

FOLLOW ME HERE @__franny___

The Giant's Causeway

I went to The Giant's Causeway for the third time the other day because my American cousins from San Francisco where over an they'd never been. It was my first time in the visitors centre though, it got a really nice gift shop and cafe. It also has a few interactive things and the story of Finn McCool plays on a big screen but I don't think it justifies the price of £8 to be honest. It's not the visitors centre you go for anyway it, it was a great day out!

After something to eat and a look around we headed on down to the Causeway. We got really lucky with the weather because the rain had stopped which was such a blessing! I snapped a few photos to share.

One of the great wonders of the natural world, right on our door step and I was the only one that had been before, tut tut. I think I have a bad case of 'the grass is always greener' thing where I pine over the beauty of other places and forget that where I am and the places around me are stunning too. Someone else could be thinking that my grass is greener if you get me? So I just need to appreciate where I am in the now. I mean look at these photos, just in awe of Ireland's very green scenery. 

Victoria's 21st Birthday

My friend Victoria turned 21 and a surprise party was held for her in our local RamJam. A pub filled with friendly familiar people is always a good scene. I loved this night and it was my first proper session in my local since I got home. I was ready for it!

As you can see, I like a lot of volume in my hair, which is very hard to achieve. I also wore my loom chocker that I just made that day cus I was all black err thing #swag I also tried to contour a lot more than I normally would and it came out no different #fail 

Birthday Girl's big bro Gareth and me. 

Me and the Birthday Guuuuurl <3

Home Birds

Me and Martin (the flash if usually my foe, it loves my blemishes) 

Looking decent ready to take our triple death shot (Sambucca, Vodka and Gin)

Speaks for itself really 

The night got a little messy after those shots but a little party never hurt nobody! 

Happy Birthday Victoria you beautiful, kind, wild woman!

Belfast Pride Week

This was quite a busy week for me and my chums, we were out every other night until Pride, celebrating the only way we know how. 

Tuesday at Boombox is HOOCHIE night so I tried to channel my inner hood by wearing my leopard print and chains and well that's about as hoochie mama as I get but I was with my hoes!

We stayed in my queen Ryan's flat in Belfast, he and a lot of others we know work in the Belfast gay scene so that meant cheap/free drinks all night which was fine by me. Little did me and Matthew know though, that Ryan's flat is the centre of all after party's. So while we thought we were coming back to eat our pizza and crash, we were greeted by half the club and I was more than alright with that. Party.

Thursday at Boombox is ZZAP! (Swear I'm not promoting them haha). This night me and Matthew were reunited with two of our old high school friends who I love to death, Niamh and Marty.

The best friendships I find are the ones were a whole year could past and it would seem like only yesterday you saw them. That's exactly what me and Niamh have. For the past three years we've been living in different countries and every time I see her it's no different. I would hate to go back to square one with anybody. 

Saturday night was PRIDE! Unfortunately it was raining all day so we didn't make the parade but that just meant more drinking time before we headed to Belfast. Fabulous.

We kit the Kremlin and anyone who was celebrating pride was there, it was packed! 
I love the Krem, it's always such a fun and friendly atmosphere. 

It was an awesome week celebrating good people for who they are. 

Make happiness the goal. 

We all play for the same team, 

others just need a little more practice.

Make your actions the coach. 

BLOGIVERSARY | 1 YEAR

So my little baby has turned 1 year old today and it's oddly emotional, like I didn't think it would feel this much of a big deal but I kinda wana celebrate. Then again who do I celebrate with when about three people know about it, maybe I'll just disguise it as a nice day out just because. 

When I created this blog a year ago I was honestly so excited but nervous at the same time, my only regret is that I didn't start it sooner! I love having my own little piece of the internet where I can creatively express myself. 
This community has been so kind and supportive, I just hope I send those positive vibes in return.

My goal for this next year is to put a lot more effort into my blog as I feel I could have done a lot more only the final year of my degree was taking up most of my time. Now that I'm in the real world and on the job hunt I'm willing to make time for this wee bird so it can fly even higher with loads of posts waiting in the wings... I'm so cringe, I can't cope!    

So Happy Blogiversary Beyond Bally, to health, happiness and growth!

I DID IT: I'm a Psychology Graduate

On the 10th July 2014 I graduated from Northumbria University with a Bachelor of Honours degree in Psychology.

I'm so happy I got to spend the day with the best people in my life. Now we get to go out into the real world and continue to be awesome to each other with whatever we choose to do!

Speak Soon, Stay Lucky x

What I'm Listening To #7

Hozier - Sedated

MO - Don't Wanna Dance

Betty Who - Heartbreak Dream

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Speak Soon, Stay Lucky x