Snapshots of Summer 2014

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

Friday Treat

I asked myself what treat I wanted last Friday, "how can I be kind to you today, my friend?". But of course, some raw fish! That'd do the trick nicely! 

A Day at the Beach

There are very rare occasions when one can take to the beach in togs and flip flops in Ireland. It just so happens that one and one's best friend end up in the same swimsuits when the opportunity does present itself!

Lahinch, Co. Clare

Plenty of tea and pancakes-afterswim treat

Holiday Snaps

This is just a mere snapshot of my travels through Eastern Europe-beginning in Budapest, Hungary; continuing onto Belgrade, Serbia; Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzogovina and finally a week in Croatia (Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb and Zadar). The sites, the food, the people, the merchandise-there's just too much to explain, I'll let the pictures do the talking!

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.

Happy birthday, sunny days

22 today. That's somewhat of a grown up age. I'll gladly take the sunshine that is gracing us with it's presence and perhaps not care too much about the numbers!

Graduation

Today, I am officially a graduate of a BA in Irish and Journalism!

Bargain Tip of the Week: The Essential Item

 
Waiting on a Sunny Day
Top-Present
Tights-€1.50, Penneys

Sunglasses-€7.50, HandM
Shoes-€13, MandS
Earrings-€14, Accessorize
Parasol-Present

So my calling in this life is to find the best bargains around. Seriously, if you question any garment that I wear you can be sure that it was obtained at some ridiculous price, by some inexpensive means or even for free. And over the years I have picked up many tips and tricks which I've decided to impart with you here-because let's face it; there are always sales, it's how you seperate the rubbish from the gems is where the real art of bargain hunting lies (the smiles and styles part!). 

So my first bargain tip to you is this: the essential item. The one thing in you wardrobe that come rain, shine, nights out or a day out-it can be dressed up, down, warm or breezy. These shorts are figure flattering and cheap (€5), yes, but thre are literally hundreds of €5 items out there. The trick is to make that bargain worthwhile in the knowledge that it'll enhance your wardrobe no end.

Tip #1: Don't buy for the sake of buying. Make sure your bargain find will serve you well!

Winter Wonderland
Jumper-Clothes Swap
Tights-€1.50, Penneys
Scarf-€4, Penneys
Collar-€9, Miss Selfridge
Boots-€20, Shoe Rack 

Wild Night!
Leopard Print Top-€3, H&M
Blouse/Belt-Clothes Swap
Tights-Present
Bag-€3, Penneys
Flower-€2, Funky Monkey
Shoes-€48, Debenhams

Walk in the ParkJacket-€9, Penneys
Scarf-€5, Laura Ashley, Charity Shop
Top-Clothes Swap
Tights-€2, Penneys
Belt-€4, Penneys
Bag-€9, Penneys
Boots-€20, Shoe Rack

These shorts have a lot going for them: the colour, the pleats and shape, the gold button detail-they go with everything!

21st Trinkets

A few little 21st gifts:

Summery & refreshing scent by Benifit

A beautiful pair of gold feather earrings from my sister

A floral tea cup-something that I love using for holding accessories as well as tea!

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!!