Bike time!

Ciaran has been promising to buy a bike for ages so that we can cycle to town together.  Yesterday was a really fine day so we decided to go look at bikes.

We went to Kimmage as we reckoned they would cost less than around where we live.

This is where he got his bike. 

I will put up a better picture of his bike but you can see it behind the cruiser to the front of the photo (it's the blue one).  He fancies himself as a bit of a hipster (he tries!) so of course he had to go for a secondhand "fixie" -  that is a refurbed fixed wheel bicycle.  The sales guy did put a brake on the front for him (I'm glad of that) and also put some black grips on the handlebars.

It's a nifty looking bike but the fixed wheel takes a bit of getting used to.  He definitely needs to use a helmet every time he is on it!

Check out this shop that was up the road from the bike shop.  I felt like I was back in the 1980's!!!

Seriously!  TV & Video Rental???!!!!

Hopefully he can use his car less now that he has his bike.  If you think car use is excessive in the world have a read of this article about abandoned brand new cars - it shocked me!!!

No shampoo alternative

Every so often I break out my inner hippy and quit shampoo for awhile.  Instead of using shampoo and conditioner, I head to my kitchen larder and retrieve the bread soda* (baking soda) and vinegar.

To make the "no-shampoo shampoo" I mix water and baking soda.  I make a paste that I rub in to my roots.  I don't use it on the lengths of my hair as I think it would be too abrasive.  After rinsing the baking soda out of my hair, I condition it by rinsing with watered down vinegar.  

I've very oily hair that gets greasy very quickly so I find this natural hair cleaner to be very effective. It leaves my hair super soft and squeaky clean.  

I believe that you can also make a "honey shampoo" by melting a spoonful of honey into water. I might give this a try!

Do you use any natural alternative to shampoo?  What do you think of this method?

*Bread soda is the Irish name for Baking soda

Prime Real Estate Dublin 4

Percy Place is being developed.  It faces on to the canal. Next to the vacant spot are a few houses.  Some of them have knocked their garden walls down so their gardens end when they hit the water.  I like that!

I took these pics when I was out walking with Bones this morning.  We walked along the canal and when I got to the lower part I let him off his lead.  He would let me go on ahead and then he would run and catch up with me.  At one point I turned around to see that he had got confused and was running the other way.  The silly little dodo had got lost on a straight path!!!

I had to walk all the way back to try get him.  At this point he had made his way back up the canal steps and out on to the main road.  Thankfully when I got to the top of the steps who was there waiting for me but Bones.  Phew!  He really scared me.

He went straight back on to the lead after that!

Recycling Nespresso capsules

When I bought my Nespresso Coffee Maker I was concerned about the carbon footprint of my coffee habit.

On the one hand, by making my own coffee in my own cup, I feel that I have reduced the amount of waste I create since I stopped buying takeaway coffee in cardboard cups from Starbucks.

However, each time I have a cup of coffee I end up with  metal cup leftover.  I have read on the web how people reuse these cups.  They scoop out the old coffee, refill with their own coffee and then seal with aluminium foil.  

While I think it is great that people are reusing the cups a few times I don't think this would be for me, for two reasons.

1)  I think I would find refilling a cup to be too inconvenient - the whole reason I love making this coffee is the convenience.

2) I'm sure you would be voiding the warranty on your machine by reusing capsules that you have refilled.

I think most people also refill their cups in order to keep the cost of their coffee down.  They aren't actually doing it to reduce their waste production.  

For me I think that a cup of coffee for about €0.40 is not too bad at all!!

Anyway back to recycling....

Here is how I will be recycling the capsules that I use at home and in work.

When I bought my machine I was given this bag to fill and then return to Brown Thomas.

As far as I am aware the used capsules are recycled to make the sides of one of the coffee maker machines (I think it is the Pixie).  I think that is fairly awesome!!

Do you have a coffee maker?  How do you feel about the carbon footprint of it???

TART: Tshirts & Art

My twin sister and I are taking part in an upcoming festival in Dublin.  We will be selling wall hangings (created by Amy) and Tshirts.

 The wall hangings are very funky!  The below piece is very "mod".

These are the Tshirts we will be selling.  
I have already sold two - I will be shipping them to the USA tomorrow.

If you like these items, please click on our Facebook page to learn more about them!

If you want to purchase any of the above items, send me an email at eniddublin@hotmail.com and I will send you a price list and an invoice through paypal.  I ship worldwide - tell me what country you are in and I can quote you for shipping also!

Brioche Ranelagh

We ate in Brioche Ranelagh last night.  It's a fairly new restaurant which is only open about 3 months or so.  When we arrived we were greeted by the friendly hostess who took out coats and seated us.  When we got to our table we had a good look around.  The restaurant is cute, very "french" but quite small.  The style of the menu is small plates which are bigger then a starter but smaller than a main. They recommend you order about 2-3 plates per person.

You can check out pictures of what we ordered below.

Sure what would they be serving to start in "Brioche" but some Brioche bread?!

We ordered a bottle of French Pinot Noir - it was strangely pale!

Scallops with Dublin Pay Prawn

Oxtail Beignet

Fermangh Black Bacon served over cabbage & hazelnut salad.

Beef daube with pureed potatoes

Rabbit

We split a cheese plate instead of dessert - it was very very good!

Food was all deliciously flavourful - you can check out the menu here 
As well as really enjoying the food, we loved the ambiance.  It's a teeny weeny restaurant with really nice decor.  The staff are also extremely gracious and make you feel very welcome and do everything to help you have a great night! Our server introduced himself to us (this doesn't happen as standard in Ireland as in the USA) which was a really nice touch.  This is probably one of the best restaurants in Ranelagh in my opinion.  

Tie me up!

Here's Bones looking all smart in his new tie that I made him.

Once again I made it with poppers so it can click in and out.  I can switch it out with the pink dickie bow that I made him a few days ago.

We are going to a Communion Celebration later today so he will wear it then!