Self-Improvement Book Review

No matter how good the previous year was, I love that on New Years Eve I can put a whole year behind me and begin a new one.

Today people everywhere are most likely writing out their expectations for 2016, how to achieve them, and how to make it their best year yet. I know I am! Cue the New Year's resolutions list... I had quite a few resolutions last year but I have to say one of my best ones, and the one I enjoyed the most, was my resolution to 'Read two books a week', one fiction and one non-fiction. Granted, I didn't always make my target two books, but I made a good stab at it and in the process learnt so much.

Gift giving

"Buy less, choose well, make it last" Vivienne Westwood.

As much as I can I always try to shop local and buy Irish especially over the festive season. There will still be the usual toy purchases at bigger shops - Fireman Sam and yet more Lego will make their way into our home! But, along with these, supporting small independent companies is really important to us. So this year on the blog I thought I'd write a little gift giving guide featuring some of those wonderful Irish shops and businesses that we absolutely love. I hope this post is helpful to anyone looking for the perfect gift this Christmas.

Riverbank | Country Pub & Guesthouse

Last week, with the tail end of hurricane Abigail still belting down, we set off for a night in the country.

By the time we left it was late in the evening, so we packed our overnight bags into the car as quick as we could in the biting winds and lashing rain, kissed everyone goodbye, and put the wipers on full speed. Temperatures had plummeted from the previous week and anything that wasn't nailed down literally took flight!

It was the perfect night for a country pub with a roaring fire, and luckily that was exactly where we were headed.

Cannes la Bocca Plage | Le Cabanon

I discovered an interesting hashtag on Instagram recently while browsing though Local Milk's beautiful feed. It was called #theartofslowliving. I loved it immediately. Here I found pictures of everyday things, beautiful everyday things, that sum up the simplicity of life and how truly precious it is.

And this photo I took on holiday last month with my family (Mum, Dad, Alison & Emily) really sums this up for me.

Habitat | What home means...

When Habitat decided to close its doors on College Green, Dublin in 2008 I have to admit I was a little bit devastated.. To me Habitat wasn't just a retail shop, it was a place where I used to not only browse but dream of filling my first home with its smart, contemporary, well-designed products.