The Rewrite - Hugh Grant & Marisa Tomei

I borrowed a new Hugh Grant film from the library and we watched it yesterday evening.  I've been a big fan of Hugh Grant since Four Weddings.

He seems to have become typecast as a washed up/failed songwriter, singer and now in "The Rewrite" as a screenwriter.  I have no problem with this as I think it is a format that suits him and I think he was perfect as the writer of a one hit wonder in "About a boy" and even more perfect as an ex-popstar in "Music & Lyrics" which just happens to be a favourite go-to film of mine along with "The Family Stone".

So what about this new film?

Well it's not going to set the film world on fire but it is certainly watchable and I was thankful that it was not overly cliched in regards to him getting the girl.

So if you are a Hugh Grant fan, I'd definitely recommend but if you aren't well you can probably put it to the back of your to be watched list!

Gifts & pressies

I had a 50th & 60th birthday celebration over the weekend which was a lot of fun.  Here's the two gifts I got for the birthday boys all wrapped and ready to go.

And speaking of pressies, look what my super twin sister brought for me when she called over to my house before the 60th party on Saturday for nibblies and drinks.

It's this really cute serving tray from Laura Ashley.  As you know I love Humming Bird prints (check my Jennifer Rothwell dress out here) so I was thrilled by this little gift!

Kasey brought me an early Easter gift! Gorgeous truffle egglets and praline-filled soldiers from Hotel Chocolat.  

I feel quite spoiled by Amy and Kasey! 

The theme of the 60th Birthday on Saturday night was "Travel" as my uncle was a great traveler and lived all over the world including London and San Francisco before coming home and settling back in Ireland a few years ago.  

Here is his amazing cake which is shaped like a suitcase.  It was made by Candylane Cupcakes (which just happens to be owned by my cousin!)  

Nibblies

Kasey and Amy called over to my house before we all went to our uncle's 60th birthday party.  

We chilled out in the hot tub before snacking on a selection of nibblies from Lidl.

Below are tempura prawns with a sweet chilli sauce and scallops with garlic and parsley butter.

We also had vol au vents with a selection of fillings.

This is a new Philadelphia product - cream cheese filled with a sun ripened cream flavouring.

I served drinks in bottles with paper straws which are great fun!

Campaign to stop Out of Control Drinking

A new campaign to change the mindset and behaviours of Irish people has recently been launched by Fergus Finlay.  It is the Campaign to Stop Out of Control Drinking.

At the public workshop the main speaker was Clinical Psychologist Maureen Gaffney (author of "Flourishing") who my sister very much wanted to hear speak so she invited me to come along.

There was refreshments available which was great as I had come to the event straight from work.  Lots of varieties of sandwiches - my twin sister got a great giggle as I commented on each sandwich "Oh there is a big chunk of brie in this one"!

After the talk there was a brain storm type part with a facilitator at each table and 3 questions to consider.  This was quite interesting - we wrote on the paper tablecloths - here are some of the comments from our table.

After the workshop, I was left with more questions than answers.  How do you change a behavior that is ingrained and wrapped around ones "Irishness".

However there have been changes in Ireland in the past that we probably thought never could have happened, examples include:

* Smoking Ban.  No smoking is allowed in workplaces - which included pubs!

* Plastic bag levy changed the habits of Irish people.  Plastic bags are levied 22cents by the government so most people bring cloth bags to the supermarket.

* Drink driving - complete change in acceptance of drink driving - no young people tend to drink if driving.

This is a really important issue so I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!

Rathmines Post Office

Needed to get a small packet in the post this morning so I visited Rathmines Post Office before work.

I like the post office in Rathmines - it was built in 1934 and it's got an old atmospheric feeling in it.  Oh and it also has a Starbucks close by so I knew I could go for a coffee after I got my package in the post.

As you enter in the door there is a name plate to the left of the post office.  The Irish version is written in the old Irish alphabet.

They have slotted in a modern stamp vending machine in the space where presumably an older stamp vending machine used to be.

This is what it looks like inside.  It had old features that are sort of masked by the modern fixings needed to operate the post office such as the security screens on the counter.

The front door is great!

And  I noticed this funky looking vent cover.

Outside there are two postboxes - green of course!!

I blogged about the Rathmines Post Office before - click here to see what the external building looks like.

Molly Sterling - Playing With Numbers: Ireland's Eurovision entry

On Friday night, Ireland chose their entrant for the Eurovision competition during Eurosong.  The winner was Molly Sterling with her song "Playing with numbers".

While I think it is a good song, I don't think it is a Eurovision winner and I even think we may struggle to get out of the semi-finals in to the final.

Either way I am looking forward to the song competition in May!

Spring has sprung.....or maybe not!

We went in to town today to get some Nespresso capsules and also some food to watch the rugby game (Ireland v England).

As we walked through M&S on the way to the foodhall I noticed all the Spring fashion.  In my head I thought "ah yes Spring is here" as it is the 1st of March today.

But when we got out on the street we saw that there was hail and sleet.  This is our kitchen window when we got home.  My sisters also texted me pics of the snow where they live.

The weather didn't stop us nipping in for a little sushi before we went home.

While we were in Marks & Spencers I noticed that they have a new extended Gluten Free range. If you suffer from Coeliac Disease it might be worth checking out.