About Time - How Long Will I Love You

I watched this film tonight - it's incredible!

My twin sister had told me that it was great but I never got around to watching it.

Wow, I'm glad I watched it now.  Brilliant story and an amazing soundtrack!

Well worth watching.....

Christmas and New Year Message from President Michael D. Higgins 2016

A Christmas message from the President of Ireland - my favourite president ever!

Dog pick up!

As I mentioned, after Basket Brigade, we browsed in town and did a little shopping.

After this Ciaran picked me up from the city.

He waited on Molesworth Street and when I got close to the car I saw this little friendly face in the car!

Basket Brigade 2016

It was an early start for a Sunday morning when I got up before 8am to pick up Amy and head to Croke Park for this year's Basket Brigade.

I had about 8 bags of food that all of my work colleagues had very kindly donated.

When we arrived everyone was hard at work wrapping boxes so we decided to unpack and sort all of the donated food.

Here we are with our best pal Alice who has been doing Basket Brigade with us for the past few years.  

The food is organised in to donated food and bought food.  

Each hamper gets a chicken, ham, fresh veg, tea, coffee, sugar, paper towels and a box of biscuits.

Then additional donated food is added - like pasta, sauce, breakfast cereal, canned food, etc.

Here are a batch of hampers all ready for delivery. Over 170 hampers were made in total!!

Amy's day was made when we got a pic with "Deco" (real name Dave!) from Fair City. She is a big fan!

Dave was a very nice guy and his support is very much appreciated along with the support that came from all other avenues too......Keith Duffy donated €1,000!

Afterwards we went to our usual spot after this event - Pitt Bros.

After great BBQ food we did a little Christmas shopping. 

What a great day and hopefully the hampers will help some families have a good Christmas 2016.

The tree is up - Christmas is here!!

I normally put my tree up at the beginning of December but this year I only got it up on the 10th.  So late for me but I had a few things on that I was occupied with so didn't have the opportunity until now to put it up.

It takes a fair length of time to put my tree up by the time I get it and all the trimmings down from the attic and then get all the decorations on to the tree. But worth the time it takes, I think!

 At the top of my tree I put a Barbie Doll that was given to me by my twin sister.

How amazing is this Barbie?!

After putting up the tree we ate a turkey dinner and watched "Nativity!" on Netflix.  

Christmas is really here in our house!

Alexis Bernstorff 2017 Collection

On Thursday night myself and my twin sister went to the launch of the Alexis Bernstorff 2017 knitwear collection launch. 

It was held in The Design House on Dawson Street which is an amazing place. It was a first time visit for both of us and we plan to visit again soon.

We enjoyed viewing the Alexxi Design Cardi Coats - check out the amazing colours on the website here.

Sunday Sketching

After breakfast we hung out in Starbucks on Waterloo Road.  I told Ciaran about a Gingerbread House competition that I was considering entering. The concept of the competition is to build an edible Mid Century Modern design house. For fun, I got Ciaran to sketch up a design for me.  But then I looked at the closing date and saw that it is only 3 days away......so no gingerbread MCM for me.

After coffee we went to Boots on Baggot Street and got out flu jab. A bit late in the Winter, but sure at least we will be protected for Christmas. Next year we must be organised and get the shot in September.

Hygge with Francis Brennan

We were long overdue a new quilt for our bed so I decided to buy one when I was in town about a week ago. I always wanted a feather duvet as I love the rustling sound they make and also I think they are warmer than a regular quilt.

I had been admiring the Francis Brennan Bed Collection in Dunnes Stores so I bit the bullet and bought a full set of his lace trim range duvet cover and sheet along with new pillows from Dunnes which included 2 feather ones and 4 man made fibre ones. 

Having a super king bed can cause difficulties when buying bedding here in Ireland (I used to buy a lot of duvet covers in the USA on my travels) but I was glad to find Super King in stock in Dunnes.

This afternoon I made up my bed with the new quilt, pillows and coverings. I then bought new pyjamas and a dressing gown so that I could cosy up and have some hygge in my bed tonight.  I sure am looking forward to it!

Here's Francis himself, meeting everyone as they enter Dunnes Stores Homewares in The Swan Centre.

There's my bed all smartly made up!

The packaging is very nice for this range and everything is packed in to a stylish grey bag and wrapped in tissue paper.

Francis Brennan, along with his brother John, owns and runs the 5 Star Park Hotel Kenmare so he knows his stuff about hotel quality bedding. His attention to detail is second to none and is evident from watching him on his TV show "At Your Service".  He is also such a nice man and I can attest to this personally as my twin sister and I had a chat with him when he we met him at his book signing - you can read all about that here!

My pyjamas are from Dunnes Stores also - the pyjamas are so comfortable and the dressing gown is soft and fluffy - definitely making me feel all hygge as I sit on the couch blogging in my new PJ's!

Edit -
When I went to bed on Saturday night, I remarked to Ciaran that I felt like I was sleeping in a hotel - the new duvet was that good!!
Then when we woke up on Sunday morning, Ciaran turned to me and said "Let's order room service"......he definitely had a hotel like sleep experience!!

All Art is Theft at The Kemp Gallery

"All Art is Theft" opened in The Kemp Gallery last night. 

It is a group exhibition for Christmas. Artist's in the show included Pigsy, Kemp, Emma Sheridan & ADW and all of the art works are pieces that were inspired by famous artworks.

Kemp & Pigsy collaborated on this piece which is based on Caravaggio's "Salome with the head of John the Baptist"

Here's a Pigsy!  
It's called "Angel" and is based on Jean-Michel Basquiat's "Fallen Angel". 
One of Pigsy's pieces sold on the opening night (how great!) but if you want to own a Pigsy you can visit www.ciaranmccoy.com where both original artworks and prints are on sale.

It sure was a successful opening, particularly for Ciaran (Pigsy), which was sponsored by Manor Brewing Company who presented their "Mont" Irish Mountain Beer which everyone agreed was a tasty brew. 
If you are on twitter you might give them a follow!

If you are looking for a Christmas Present for someone special, call in to The Kemp Gallery to view this exhibition and also browse all of the gorgeous jewellery in The Design Yard.

For more info about Pigsy - click here.

Nathan Carter - Wagon Wheel - My guilty pleasure!

I can't decide if it's just the song I like!

Saturday & Sunday Funday!

After a burger in Bunsen we watched the Ireland / New Zealand game in the Gingerman pub. Unfortunately we lost.  After the game we headed home on our bikes stopping off at the shops to buy logs for the stove as it had gone VERY cold. As well as lighting the stove, we planned on warming up in the hot tub. However, when we lifted the lid, we didn't see steam rise. This was an indicator that something was wrong.  The power to the tub was gone. When we checked the switch board, we could see that a switch had been tripped. So it was no hot tub for us...and we will have to get an electrician out to look at the issue.

So instead we watched "The Holiday" which is a great holiday romance movie.  I love it!

During the week, my twin sister sent me a text with details of a pop up Hot Chocolate Cafe in Arnotts Dept Store. We made plans to visit on Sunday and I was looking forward to it all week.

It didn't disappoint! Very tasty Hot Chocolate in a lovely Christmassy setting.

After cycling home from town I warmed myself up with a bowl of Crab soup which I added cream to. Tasty!

Don't you hate when you lose 1 earring???

I've been wearing these earrings for the past while - and they were turning in to a favourite of mine. 

Well no more.  When I got home I discovered one was missing :-(

Vinyl Haul!

On Sunday I visited with my sister and her family. My twin sister had spoken to her earlier about some records that she knew my older sister had in her garage.

Here's the few that I took from the large box of records she had.

As you can see I chose a Dolly Parton album. I can tell you, even as a Dolly fan, I don't recognise a single song on the record.  I am currently listening to the album and it's not too bad!

One of the albums that I was pleased to get was Elton John's "Yellow Brick Road" which has the song "Benny and the Jets" - that's a favourite song of mine. It reminds me of holidays to the States as I first heard it when Ciaran played it on a juke box in the USA. It's kind of our holiday song.

At the front of the pic you can see an album of love songs.  Side 2 has Dionne Warwicks "All the love in the world" which I'm so happy about. I've seen Dionne in concert numerous times and she is a super performer. I look forward to listening to it.

Christmas Movie Time!

If you've been a long time reader of my blog you will know that my top two favourite Christmas films are "The Family Stone" and "The Holiday".

However, you may not know that my third favourite Christmas movie is "Four Christmases" with Reece Witherspoon and Vince Vaughan. 

We watched "Four Christmases" tonight (I borrowed it from the Library), not because we wanted to watch a Christmas film but because we wanted a laugh.

It was so funny and had me laughing out loud in parts!

What I find funny is that Ciaran and I both laugh at different parts of the film - I don't think we find the same things funny at all!

If you've seen this movie, let me know what you think, or let me know what your favourite Christmas film is.

What a super weekend!

All good things have to come to an end!

Ciaran's first solo show "I Find You Fascinating" closed on Saturday the 12th of November. It was such a success but I still felt sad when it finished up.

Here he is wrapping up one of his pieces to go to a new owner.

For the next while his work is available to buy online from The Kemp Gallery.  There are both originals and prints available.

"Fascinating" has found a new home for the moment in Campbell's Jewellers in Donnybrook - do call in and see it if you are interested in purchasing.

Later that evening we went to Forest &  Marcy which was lovely.  Food was excellent and the atmosphere was brilliant. This restaurant is just around the corner from us and I think it may have overtaken Brioche to become my favourite neighbourhood restaurant!

This was one of my favourite dishes.  It's not dessert!!

I'm currently typing this blog post on my new mini laptop (a birthday present!)  and I have to say it is just super. It's got a cute little keyboard, that takes barely any effort to type on because the keys are so close together. It's also micro enough to bung in my handbag and take to work or local coffee shops. It's brilliantly convenient in comparison to the large home laptop I have been using up to this.

What I'm doing....

What I'm reading.....

eComics and Graphic Novel on eBook are now available from my library.  Yesterday I downloaded and read Dilbert.  I found it funny!

What I'm drinking...

So the red cups are here!!!
It would be rude for me not to have a Fudge Hot Chocolate which is one of the new "Festive Favourites"

What I'm watching....

I happened upon this story about possibly the oldest flight attendant in the world - isn't Betty great?!

Hot Tub Weather!

The weather has turned here in Ireland. It was a very mild October but November is definitely saying Hello!

With temperatures heading towards minus numbers at night, I got out my Winter boots from last year. They are great, all black and pull on's with no laces. However, I then bought a second funkier looking pair with laces - I also bought a pair for Amy.  They felt so warm when I walked in to town on Saturday and Sunday. Next buy might be a pair of ski trousers if it gets much colder!!

We hot tubbed after the cinema yesterday (went to see The Accountant - we enjoyed it!) and then when I came in from work this evening, the first thing I said to Ciaran was "Rack it up".  The trousers I was wearing were so thin and the cold had got in to my knees.  But once the hot tub lid was racked up and I was in the hot steamy water all was well in the world again!!  Bliss!

Paint off in The Kemp Gallery

Saturday was a brilliant day!

Pigsy & Kemp worked on some collaborative pieces which was so interesting to see their processes. In some ways it was such a juxtaposition seeing Kemp's structured stencil work as opposed to Pigsy's free flowing loose approach.

The Kemp Gallery is a really great space to work in - there is a massive roof light in the centre of the room that sends light streaming in to the gallery. It is a great showcase for all of the amazing art.

While the paint activity was ongoing, beverages from O'Brother Brewing were enjoyed by the artists and all of the visitors to the gallery.

Amy and I enjoyed the beer and art too!

Look at the amazing results of the day!
Here's the before and after of one of the pieces.

The response online and off has been incredible - look at this instagram post

Oh and did I mention that he sold 2 more pieces yesterday?!!

The exhibition is in it's final week so do get in and see Pigsy's before it finishes up. However, if you don't get to make a visit you can always visit online on The Gallery Kemp website.

For more info about Ciaran's work, see here.