Moving to the dark side!

I had a lovely evening with my twin sister in Rathmines.  We both cycled separately and then met in Starbucks. It was very chilled out. It's all a new experience for Amy who has moved from the Northside suburbs to an amazing apartment on the Southside (the dark side!)

I tell her she is ruined!

Click here to check out her new digs.


We got samples of coffee in Starbucks - Guatemalan blend.

We were both amazed when we came out of Starbucks - it was so mild.  It positively felt warm.........but it's bucketing rain now!

Starbucks Leeson Street, Dublin

When I first moved to Dublin 6 there were no Starbucks in close vicinity (the Ranelagh Starbucks had closed a few years previously).  About a year ago or more a Starbucks opened in Rathmines which at the time I thought was great.  However, it is a very loud open plan style Starbucks and not very conducive to relaxing.

Recently a Starbucks opened in a former restaurant premise on Leeson Street.  There is also another one on Waterloo Road which is fairly close to my house and then the one on Harcourt Street is not too far away either!

I timed my walk to the Leeson Street Starbucks (pictured below) this morning.  It took exactly 10 minutes.

A further 10 mins takes you to Stephen's Green where, guess what, there is another Starbucks.  I call this one the Vampire Starbucks as it is open 24 hrs.

We generally sit outside as we have the dog with us.  They have a great heater in the Leeson Street Starbucks where you can can switch it on for 15 minutes to keep you warm - it does the job and we didn't feel the cold on this cold December day this morning!  

Christmas is coming!

I got the first 20 of my Christmas cards written.  I'll try and get them in to the mail tomorrow - in particular the cards that are going abroad.

This year, as always Bones posed for our Christmas card, but the change I did make is that I got them professionally printed by Vistaprint.  I'm very happy how they turned out!

I bought my wrapping paper and matching present tags in M&S.  They had quite a good selection and it was all 3 for the price of 2.

Wreathes are appearing in my neighbors doors.  I thought this door was particularly attractive with the plant pots either side of the door.

Starbucks have started their 12 Days of Gifting.

I do like their reindeer mugs!

And I will probably buy some of their bags of coffee when it is on offer. I generally give a bag for my parents to have on Christmas morning in Hotel Bebbington!

I'd love to put our tree up this week but I unfortunately need to hold off.  I have representatives from a Department Store calling this week to look at my house.  They are considering whether it is suitable to use for shooting their Spring catalogue in.  If it is chosen as the location for the shoot I won't be able to put up my tree and decorations until after the shoot has taken place.

A brownie day

I'm on my coffee break, it's lashing rain - it's a brownie day!

I will have to brave the rain to buy fake flowers for my wreath making, later today.

Cup of Joe

I hold my hands up to the fact that I am addicted to Starbucks.  It's my little treat to myself my quiet time in the middle of my hectic days.

I love Starbucks. I like the way they are consistent in how my drink is made.  I like their free WiFi.  I like their brownies.

I was so surprised when I found this website.  From what I can see it is full of Starbucks baristas venting about their customers (or disgustomers as one forum poster calls them).  Lol!

Below is a picture of Starbucks at the Wright Venue.  Very funky!

Starbucks pic

No communication!!! Thank god for Starbucks!

Would you believe I still have no TV, landline or Internet in my house?

I have been trying to get them all hooked up for nearly 3 weeks at this point.  I have had two engineers out from UPC and still no joy.  Another engineer is due out tomorrow so hopefully I will get it sorted then.

Currently I am blogging from the Starbucks close to my work - I drive to work now and it takes me about a half hour to get across the city so I just leave a bit earlier so that I can have a strong cup of coffee and go on my laptop before work.  Life is good!