Snapshots of Summer 2014

Am having a pretty enjoyable summer so far and surprisingly the weather has been decent!

A Few of My Favourite Things

Do you remember that song? From the Sound of Music? The little ditty you sing when you feel bad things, "dog bits, bee stings, feeling sad". Well I'm simply going to remember my favourite things and then I might not feel so bad. (Doctor visit/dosage tweaking/counselling assessment/mindfulness and reflection all to take place on Monday, I don't really need to bore you with any further details other than to say, I'm slipping a little)

The Liebster Award

A lovely lady and talented blogger, Susie Santry, has nominated me for the Liebster Award on her beautiful blog, Spring Summer Susie. 

Bloomin' Tasty

The great thing about birthdays is, there are always presents of some sort. I have found as I have gotten older that they tend involve less wrapping paper and more envelopes-not all together a bad thing if you ask me! This year, I got to go to Bloom in the Park (above) and Taste of Dublin. Both lovely days with plenty of food and frolics and the chance to don a flower and some sunglasses.

Christmas time

Nail It

If there's anything I love more than polka dots, it's nail varnish. And having 10 mini canvases at my disposal, well-I'm in heavan! Still have yet to "nail" my polka dot creations (do you know how hard it is to get each invidiual dot the same size as the last!) but what do ya think? :)

Flo & Snow

Sketch of Florence Welch by Amy Mc Mahon(sister)

Ireland does not lend itself to pretty concert clothes come festival time. They can hold all the summer concerts they want-it's a rare occassion that the weather will oblige the avid concert goer. Luckily, the Irish weather has equipped us with an inherent trait-being prepared. For all eventualities!

My sister and brothers were ever so kind to present me with three tickets to the Phoenix Park gig for my birthday, with such headliners as Florence + the Machine and Snowpatrol. I, on many an occassion, have been likened to the fiery Florence herself and Snowpatrol were my all time favourite band when I was 15. Weather forcast-bleak. Mud-most definitely. Day ruined? No chance, a little dull weather would never dampen my spirits.

Light garments such as a summer dress and tights kept me cool while layers such as cardigan and floral scarf equipped me for night time chills (We really go all out for concerts, hardcore and hopping til the very last note!)

Dress-€5, H&M; Belt-€5; Sunglasses-Present

 Of course rain jacket and wellington boots finish any Irish festival attire and just for fun and maybe just for a little colour in the dull July weather, bright clashing prints, jewellery and sunnies almost made me forget the damp and cold. Throw in a packet pasta lunch and really one can't go wrong ;)

Birthday Weekend Out

 Anyone can have a birthDAY! But for me, I had a whole weekend of attention-lucky me! :)

Seeing as it was the June bank holiday weekend (and my birthday on Tuesday 5th) my wonderful mother decided to come visit me in Dublin.

Our plans got off to a blustery start in Howth where we stumbled upon a martello tower for shelter-which just so happened to be a wonderful little Vintage Radio Museum-very enjoyable evening of old record players, vinyll, transistor radios and Vintage posters.

Fortunately, for our next outing, the weather picked up (and reminded us that, yes, it is actually June in this country!) "Bloom in the Park" was in full....well, bloom (oh Lord...)

Birthday Chocolate Souffle!

Then my actual birthday was marked by a couple of friends and a scrumptuous feed in Eddie Rockets-mmmmmm mmmm! 

Post on birthday gifts to come...

March-Valencia

Falla statue at Fallas Festival, Valencia

March had be travelling yet again (I swear, how I was fitting college around my advntures I do not know-not to mention a thesis!).

I ventured to sunny Spain to visit my cousin in Valencia-my goodness it was good to see some sunshine again!

 

I also got a glimpse at the Fallas festival preparations--it made me sad to think of all the wonderful colourful Falla sculptures being burnt to the ground as part of the celebrations-could you send Leonardo up in flames?

First cup of Sangrea

Spanish tapas was most definitely not lost on me however-enough to feed an army! (Or a very hungry Irish girl!)

And where would March be with out a night out or two-much partying in Spain was done. Can you see a pattern emerging here because I can!!

February

So February saw me visiting Edinburgh and among many mishaps (the main one involving an emergency passport home again) I can safely say that it's one of the most beautiful places I have ever been.

...if a little cold! The cobblestones didn't lend themselves to a comfortable night in heels either but we managed to have our fun out on the town :)

And so begins the 21st birthday festivities-the trendy way to be for most of my friends in 2012-what a wonderful excuse to get all gussied up!

Winter in Warsaw

I recently went to Poland to visit my best friend who is studying there for a few months. There's nothing nicer than a sunny day with blue skys where its icey cold and the air is crisp. I tried to match my clothes with icey and baby blue shades, broken up with pinks and reds. I don't ever feel the need to go black, brown, navy or grey once winter sets in!
It was nice to get in touch with the things that matter again; just having fun with a friend for the sake of fun. College and life was beginning to get a little heavy. Shopping, walks in the park, coffee breaks, make-up, more coffee, good food, hair dos, cocktails-They were a sure way to make sure that I came home feeling de-stressed and ready for the Christmas season :)

My beautiful best friend and I had much fun with a little photo shoot of our own.

Mermaid of Warsaw

Marie Antoinette Museum

Dumplings-yum!