Weekend round up

On Friday evening after work I did a small but much needed chore and replaced the battery on my mains powered smoke alarm,

The chirping had been annoying me for a few evenings but with my ceilings being so high it was not as easy as just standing on a chair as I have done previously.  Conveniently I spotted a step ladder down in the basement of my building so I borrowed it for 15 minutes to get this job done.

 

Saturday I was up nice and early and off on the canvass trail with the Dublin Bay South chapter of Together for Yes.  It was a positive canvass overall and you can read all about it here

 

Then it was on to the real weekend fun stuff!

 

Enid and I got the bus out to visit our best friend Alice.

And Baxter the dog.  How cute is this pupper?!

 

We had a lovely evening with plenty of great food, drink and chat.  Playing in the background on Spotify for the whole night was Abba! Yes the whole night.  Enid, Alice and I have been massive Abba fans since we our early teens and there is nothing like it for sparking some reminiscing :-)

These prawns in garlic, chili and coriander were divine!

 

And how good does this steak, avocado and mac and cheese look!  I tucked into the steak and avocado, and athough I would have loved to hoover down all that scrumptious mac and cheese I was very careful and just had a bite or two of it.  The thought of a bikini in two short weeks is keeping me on the straight and narrow!

We finished with a Key West delicacy of coconut (key) lime patties which were so good!

And of course that went delightfully with our Key West conversations.  Key West and our recent big trip was of course a central theme to the night!

 

Thanks for a great night Alice in your beautiful new house!

This morning I had a lovely relaxing time reading the Sunday paper with a coffee.

I know I say this a lot but it really was nice to be up and out,

Later that morning I popped into Dunnes in Stephen's Green to try on a skirt from the Savida range I had seen on a mannequin.  I really like it, and it is so comfortable that I am going to try wear it instead of jeans  - for a change - I tend to live in tight jeans and biker boots at weekends, I should mix it up more.

The only bad thing about this weekend was my attempt at coconut keto pancakes which simply didn't work.  And in fact set off the afore mentioned smoke alarm!!

Pity :(  I really wanted some pancakes.  And now I am literally CRAVING pancakes and Canadian maple syrup.  Ah well... Probably for the best...bikini Amy, bikini!!!

 

Come West Along the Road

This weekend being Easter it is a long weekend in Ireland, so Enid and I took advantage of having Monday off and made plans for a little road trip.

 

With Enid's little IQ packed to the brim and coffee in hands we set off...with Bones in tow.  To be fair Bones is great company, and he really was no trouble at all this weekend. 

As we arrived near Galway city we realised we were very close to our sister Katie's apartment.  We drove up and gave her a phone call to see if she was home.  She was surprised, but delighted to hear from us and buzzed us straight in for coffees and a lovely chat.  She was delighted to see Bones too - she is a big fan of her furry nephew - and we all had fun playing with him and showing off the latest tricks he has learnt (a very funny one involving a €10 note in particular!)

 

The photo above was taken as Katie waved goodbye to us from her balcony.  It was great seeing her and we were really happy we had caught her at home.

 

Once we arrived at OKF (the lake house) we were pretty hungry so we whipped up a little lunch straight away.  It was so nice, we decided to take advantage of the weather and the beautiful setting, and eat lunch outside. 

Bones guarding the door!

Like I said above, he really was no trouble at all.

Later that evening we went for a little walk up to the village and had a drink in one of the local pubs.

But as planned, back in time to see the incredible sunset across the lake.

This photo was taken literally 2 minutes after the above photo.  Can you believe the different colours?

 

As the sky went dark, and the lights from all the houses around the lake twinkled on, we lit the fire and got comfortable for the evening.  We had a lovely night of chatting and reading our books on the sofa. 

 

Did I ever mention how bad the internet coverage is out West?  It makes for a nice little digital detox and a chance to catch up on ones reading!

On Sunday morning after a fantastic nights sleep we were up nice and early and I got the full Irish going on the hob.

 

Rashers, sausages, black and white pudding, and cheesy scrambled eggs. Nothing better! 

The weather was not as nice as the day before so there was no eating outside today. 

 

After breakfast and a little more relaxing, we began packing up the car and closing up the house. Before we got on the road back to Dublin we decided we would go visit the famous "Coral Beach" nearby.

Named for the unusual yellowish stony sand, Trá an Dóilín, a biogenic gravel beach actually made of coralline algae known as "maerl". 

In photos, and in real life, it was quite funny because Bones blended in almost to the point of camouflage with the "coral". 

Where's Bones?! :-)

Back in to the car for the long (but good) drive home, Enid and I chatted and listened to Elvis on Spotify.  We both agreed it was a super road trip and night away for the two of us. 

 

Sorry, I mean three! How could I forget Bones :-)

 

December comings and goings

A little lazy wrap up post of what's going on with me lately.

 

Thursday I strolled up to Grafton Street to collect a dress my mam had ordered for me in Marks and Spencers - technically it's my Christmas present but she gave it to me early so I can wear it to a party next week and on Christmas day. 

Thank you Enie! It's a beautiful red dress which will look fabulous over Christmas.

 

There, I grabbed a quick lunch in the M&S café.while I was there. 

Glass bottles of diet coke and coke!  I enjoyed that!

 

I have started using my reusable cup for all my coffee - especially any I buy from coffee shops (i.e. STARBUCKS) to avoid using the disposable cups which go straight to landfill. I still find it crazy that a company like starbucks has not managed to come up with a recycleable coffee cup.

 

This cup was sent to me by a facebook friend who saw an online conversation I was having about cups.  How nice was that of Jane!  Thank you Jane :-)

My tree is up!

Topped by the very last remaining barbie doll out of my collection of vintage Barbie dolls which I sold about 2 years ago. I miss those gals!  But glad they all went to good homes as I simply had nowhere to store them.  And super glad I saved this lovely lady!

Ok I don't know if it's just this photo, but in the light of the day this tree looks a little bit crooked! I need to sort that out!

 

I must say, I really like the serenity of my silver and white decorated tree up against the beautiful chaos of my Pigsy.  Quite the antithesis!

Nostalgia's not what it was - a solo exhibition

Busy times for my brother in law Ciaran McCoy aka the Irish artist Pigsy. At the moment he is preparing for his second solo exhibition at the beginning of October.  He is also being filmed and interviewed by filmmaker Mike Andrews for a documentary Mike is making about him.  Oh and on top of that he only had one of the projects that he was lead architect on featured in the Sunday Times this weekend (I like to say he is an architect by day, and an artist by night!).

Anyway, I digress.  His exhibition!
Running over 4 nights in the very cool Fumbally Exchange, opening night is Thursday 5th of October and am sure will have a great buzzy atmosphere just like his last exhibition.  And then on Friday night there will be a street party vibe - the Fumbally Exchange is on Dame Lane which is always good on Friday nights!

Oh and.  Did I mention free beer?
Hope Beer will be showcasing their hand made Irish craft beers at the exhibition too

For more information about Pigsy check his website out here



 

A round up of all the action of the past week

A flyby update of what I've been up to over the last few days

 

Last Monday was the Great USA eclipse. 

I saw some very cool photos from friends on facebook in America which I was delighted with,  Here in Ireland we were promised a partial eclipse.  What we got was a very cloudy day for the whole day, then a sun that peered out from clouds about 5 minutes before the forecast eclipse time and a sun that disappeared behind the clouds right at the scheduled time.  So in summary we didn't see anything exciting at all!  Which was lucky in some sense because none of us had the special viewing glasses or anything.  This is me taking a selfie with the sun in order to avoid looking at it directly.

Tuesday I went to the launch of the Designist shop in the Science Gallery in Trinity College.  I love Designist - I currently go to the George's Street branch so I am happy to have a branch even nearer to me now.  I pottered around the gallery and spotted these bikes which I had seen out and about and had been wondering about them.  They play tunes depending on where you cycle and the pace you cycle around Dublin.  I must investigate taking one out soon I think!

Thursday evening I was out for a work summer party.  The food was quite good and the wine was lovely too.  But I didn't stay out late and was home around half nineish.

Then on Friday I met two of my old (and closest) work colleagues.  We used to work together about 14 years ago and every single day we went for an afternoon coffee together. It has probably been about ten years since we all worked together (in one form or another) but we have always kept in touch which is nice.

Completely impromptu we started off with beer, cocktails and Prosecco in my house - we had arranged to meet in a pub then we all got delayed so decided to meet in mine and go from there. One little sociable turned into a few more but we got out eventually - it was still bright as you can see from this photo.  We went for something to eat and then on to the Bailey for the night.  It was a fun night as nights out with these pair always are!  Although...some of us were "a little" under the weather the next day though.  But not tooooo bad I hasten to add.

Saturday night I donned my Hawaiian shirt and went to Ukulele Hooley with my dad and my uncle,  It's always a good night and I enjoyed it a lot.  It is a bit of a tradition for my dad and I to go every year.   Sometimes Enid joins in too but not this year :-(

It is also a tradition for me to wear this pink shirt for it each year.

 

What else?

Oh yes - I stayed over in Enid and Ciarans on Saturday night and we got up at 4am to watch the McGregor Mayweather fight.  That is our tradition, the three of us do it for every McGregor fight.

I went to the vintage and craft market in Newmarket on Sunday and bought three records - one of them, Emmylou Harris, I am particularly happy about.

I also met Enid on Sunday and we did some strolling around town and some nice sitting in Stephens Green - on a park bench, watching the ducks, it was lovely.

Clothes swap / fundraiser night / fun with family

For the last couple of years one of my aunts has hosted a really fun social night which also raises money for a good cause.  For the past couple of years the funds raised has gone to our local hospice St Francis's which does the most incredible work ever.  This year the charity chosen was Laura Lynn which is a hospice specifically for children.

 

A lot of work goes into the evening! 

This is the conservatory which is set up and decorated to look just like a real shop. Doesn't it look fantastic. We all pay €10 each and then you basically try on and get to take anything you like!

My aunt also runs a raffle to raise further funds. Every year she gets some has great prizes which are donated by the attendees  Amongst the prizes this year were some Jack Vettriano prints, a Coach handbag, a silk scarf, a beautiful painting done by one of the guests, and other nice items.  Tickets are priced at €2 each and most people buy €10 or €20 worth.

The lucky dip is a lot of fun. 

It costs €1 and you take a little wrapped parcel out...which tends to contain a novelty gift.  Again these are donated by the attendees.

My aunt does the best food! 

In the red pot is her famous chilli made with her special South African spices!

 

Oh this is fun!

Another way of raising money is that she holds an auction of old photos.  An envelope is held up that has three names on it (of people at the party).  The photo within may be of any one of them. Therefore all three want it - so they all bid against each other to buy the photo.  The bidding starts at 10c and the photo is sold for around €1/1.50.  There is always great craic and competition to "win" the auction!

 

I bought this photo of my mother (second from the left in the trousers and jumper)

And I bought this photo for Enid of her wedding!

The best thing about the night is of course the clothes.  How cool is this Pucci-esque dress that I got?!  Perfect for my holiday to Ibiza in September I think!

And I got this dress!

It's not something I'd normally choose to buy for myself but that is what is good about this night you tend to pick up something a bit different.

 

A lot of fun was had.  I tried on loads and loads of clothes/outfits and modelled them putting on funny accents to match each outfit to make people laugh.

 

And then the next day I got a text from my aunt announcing the good news that €550 had been raised!  She should be very proud of herself.  Like I said at the beginning of this post it's a lot of organisation - before, during and after (all clothes left over need to be brought to the charity shop!)

Mondrian

How adorable is this!

 

Enid and Ciaran were recently in Venice, and Enid brought me THIS back from the Peggy Guggenheim museum.

 

It even looks great when it's still in its packaging

Literally 5 seconds to assemble, pop it on a wine glass, and there you have it - a Mondrian art lamp!

The scale of it doesn't really work in my window sill where I thought I'd originally put it

So it is currently residing on the mantelpiece.  I still think it looks a bit lost.

 

And hey! Literally watch this space.  I am currently looking at an art piece to replace the print above my mantle.  I'm really not fond of the print that is currently there.  Sometimes I think it might be a Georgia O'Keeffe or Georgia O'Keeffe inspired maybe?  But in any case it's not my taste, I guess it is my landlords taste...  Anyway as I said WATCH THIS SPACE! Something exciting is coming!

Clerys Heritage Gallery

By pure chance Enid and I found this wonderful little gem hidden in the Clerys department store.

What is it you ask?

It's a whole exhibition of the Clery's history and heritage.

Tucked up the back, on the 2nd floor - barely signposted and definitely not advertised - in a little room which looks like a shop, if you turn a corner there unfolds an exhibition of 5/6 rooms, and also a little screening room showing a 6 minute film.

It is FANTASTIC!  I cannot believe I have never seen or heard about it before.  I actually was in the little "shop" part of it about two weeks ago with mam and did not see that there were further rooms attached which contained the exhibition.

They really really need to sort out their signposting/advertising!

If I was Mrs (or Mr) Clerys, I would be advertising it as "the littlest museum inside a department store" or "the only department store with a museum" or "the only museum inside a department store" etc etc

You should check it out next time you are in Dublin.  It's small, but informative and interesting.  And it's free!