Shopping haul

My sisters and I decided to take a trip out to Kildare to do a spot of shopping on Saturday.  My younger sister is home on leave from Oman where she works for an airline so we thought it would be nice to go out for the day.

Our first stop was the Newbridge Silver Factory which has a large store and museum.  I love Newbridge Silver!  Their jewellery is great as is all their silverware and Christmas decorations.

My younger sister bought a pair of earrings for her flat mate and a watch for her boyfriend along with a Christmas ornament for our mother.

I bought a Christmas ornament for my sister too as she only has silver decorations on her tree which always looks stunning.

The style icon museum is very cool which lots of great pieces including clothes worn by Princess Grace and Princess Diana.

Here's a dress worn by Audrey Hepburn

Look at my boot (trunk) - it's full!  ;-)

Brownie bake off

One of my favourite things in the world is brownies - you may have guessed by the amount of brownies you see on this blog!!

Anyhoo, today I decided to skip my Starbucks brownie and bake my own.

I melted chocolate and butter

Mixed eggs, sugar and water

I folded the two mixtures together and then folded in flour

After spreading the brownie mix into a baking tray I spread a little melted peanut butter on top (this was a variation on the recipe!)

Baked for 30 mins at a low heat they came out perfect - soft and gooey on the inside and chewy on the outside.  Yum!

Look who is all nicely groomed!

At short notice I was able to get booked in to Mutt Ugly to get groomed.  I got a 1pm appointment in the Charlemont Street of Mutt Ugly but was able to leave him in at 11.30am as I walked to yoga in Drury Street.

Here he is before

And nicely cleaned up and very tired after his day at the groomers

It's beginning to look a lot like....

The Christmas lights and decorations were put up the day after Hallowen in the Blanchardstown Shopping Centre.

It really is beginning to feel like Christmas is coming!

Especially now that the Red Cups are here!!

Christmas blend - seasonal offerings from Starbucks 

Here are few more of the decorations (these ones are near the cinema)

Day trip

I'm on a course in Malahide today.  I chose not to drive.  To get to Malahide, I got a lift from Ciaran to the closest Dublin Bike Stand and collected a bike.  I then cycled to Pearce Station and waited for a train for 15 mins.  Once I got to Malahide (25 mins on train) I walked about 1 min to my destination.

On my way home, I will get the train back to Pearce and then cycle to yoga in Drury Street.

Pictured above is the "Dart" Train - Dublin Area Rapid Transport

At lunch I went to Starbucks - first day of the red cups!!

Porridge and pumpkin seeds

The weather has turned colder here in Ireland.  It's time to start eating porridge to warm me up in the morning.

This morning, after a walk with the dog, I'm having porridge with pumpkin seeds. Yum!

Funday Sunday

Ciaran and I stopped off for a quick Starbucks on the way to Dublin Airport.  He went off to Manchester to watch the Squash British Open Final.  It is a flying visit - he will be back home tomorrow.

I then met my sister and had a browse around the Swan Centre.  I bought some Christmas napkins with matching plate chargers.  I also bought some really traditional looking tin Christmas ornaments for my tree.  I plan to put my tree up in early December this year!