Sunday Sunshine...

Waking up to another morning of sunshine is the greatest feeling. Ireland isn't blessed with the best weather so on mornings like this there is only one thing to do...make sure your legs are silky smooth and get out in that sunshine!!!

Why I love the sunshine....
Trips to the park for lunch & reading my magazines!

Sitting on my balcony after work with a glass of wine

MY SUN KIT:
What every girl needs to get her through the good weather
1. Kerastase shampoo for sun ready conditioned hair
2. Queen Of Shaves Pina Colada Twist shaving gel
3. Hawaiian Tropic Body Butter Exotic Coconut
4. Palmers Cocoa Butter Natural Bronze

Sun filled days call for even brighter sandals!

Loving my new pair from River Island..
yellow, white & tan leather!

My Saturday shopping outfit with my sis

A great basic purchase from F21...love the puffy, slouchy feel with
draped pockets...Will be a summer wardrobe staple
bargain for only €12

H&M colour popping cover up...accessorised to perfection

with a straw hat

NEW SHOP ALERT!
During the week I took my bike out after work to catch the final rays

of the day. A trip to my local shopping centre and I was glad to see the arrival

of a new shop TIGER.
The moment I walked into the store I knew my purse would receive a severe battering
but with only my bike and a little basket I couldn't shop to my fullest. I have advised
the boyfriend that WE will return (with his car) ha!

My online research confirmed that TIGER started in stylish Copenhagen (thought it had
an almost IKEA feel to it when I walked in)
I will never have to worry about finding my perfect candle or napkin colour option again!!

Saturday night was EUROVISION night! And although our Jedward didn't win..
we had fun playing our game. I choose Denmark, Russia and Hungary out of the lucky dip
- I was convinced my Russian grannies were in with a chance :( But it twas not to be!

Today is all about the outdoors so I am off to my folks for a lovely al fresco Sunday dinner...Enjoy!
Ali

x



Hi. My name is Ali and I am a cheese-aholic. It started out all so innocent as a child when I went to school with the odd cheese and salad sandwich in my lunch box. But recently I have taken it to another level. Since Friday of last week I have managed to consume a variety of cheeses daily...from brie to apple wood cheddar, blue cheese...cheese with chili...smoked Bavarian..Camembert and my beloved goats cheese. It doesn't help that wine goes smashingly well with my snack of choice and the dreaded bread. Oh how I wish my tastes went as far as a grape like Mrs Beckham but oh no I have to opt for something which causes serious facial and stomach bloating* perfect for the count down to my bikini season ARGH!

A trip to the Avoca food hall at the weekend left me carrying the most amazing chutney's (mango don't you know) which is the perfect mate for my dairy of choice. Thankfully I am not alone in this love. Yesterday my work mate and I discussed what I was going to have for dinner (goats cheese shortbread bites & salad) for a good hour while we sat waiting for some printing and binding to be carried out...we spoke in great detail of how I would cook it, what I would put with it...with as much passion and lust that any red blooded male would speak about Rhianna :) Tee Hee! So I am not alone.

After my scrummy dinner last night I made the error of trying on a new pair of trousers I had only recently purchased from Zara...BIG MISTAKE (in the words of Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman) The button definitely didn't dig into me like that last week...I am sure my stomach looked flatter...MEMO to self remove all bread and cheese from my fridge, hold the chutney, it is fruit after all and easily part of my five a day :)

Some of my favourite buys.....Another trip to Zara for some beautiful
Zara Lace Ballet Pumps

Embellished necklace with navy ribbon tie

Cos basic cotton tops...striped, navy and went back for white!

Urban Outfitter's gold peace sign necklace -
so delicate and decorates skin beautifully

Bring on the sun with my new tortoise RAY BAN

wayfarer's!!!!

Cappuccino's and chocolate croissants...

combined with my cheese obsession I don't know how

I will squeeze into my bikini's :(

Love a trip to the famous Bewley's on Grafton Street

for fresh baked pastries and fabulous old surroundings

This week I am mostly....Looking forward to the arrival of Chloe Greens new

shoe collection...goes on sale tomorrow Thursday 17th May

Lately I have just bought flat shoes...her heels look
like they will add two feet to my height!

My personal favourite the 'Misha' wedge...

I was mostly watching....
In my top ten favourite movies...The Royal Tenenbaum's
The soundtrack, the cast, the costumes never disappoint -

It only gets better the more I watch it!


Food Glorious Food....

This Bank Holiday weekend I decided to just sit back and relax.(And from the looks of things eat a hell of a lot of food) I started the weekend with a mojito...trips to the cinema with my nieces to see Beauty & the Beast 3D (crying at the same scene where we think we have lost the Beast and Beauty believes she has lost her one true love) more cocktails, followed by dinners with family and friends...cycling with the boyfriend and catching up on some movies. From tomorrow I will have one of the busiest two weeks in work...so I am glad I took some me time.

Ali
x

This week was all about.....Refreshing Cocktails

Breakfasts....
Possibly my favourite meal of the day.
Granola, natural yogurt, blueberries and strawberries

Another favourite on the menu: Breakfast Tortilla
Oh so tasty and simple to make. Since we woke late
it was more like brunch, so I went for eggs, bacon, mushrooms,
tomato and onion...finish with some relish and jalapenos to add a kick!

Dinners...
My boyfriends sister came for dinner, so we went for
chilli prawn tagliatelle with scallions, tomato and garlic

Sunday night was takeout night - so we hit up www.camile.ie - we fell in love with this Thai takeout
as the food is more restaurant quality.

We have been attempting to try Po Pia Sot, but it always
sells out. Finally tasted and it didn't disappoint - Thai rice paper rolls with fresh steamed Irish Salmon, baby leaves fresh mint, beansprouts, pickled ginger and a hint of wasabi mayonnaise - served with sweet chilli dip  

The boy and I may have to pay a visit to The Pieman Cafe
if only for their sign -LOOK INTO MY PIES - love it!!

Desserts...
Apple Crumble with vanilla ice cream and strawberries

Fabulous treats delivered to our offices...
I went for the coconut truffles and the toffee cookies
YUM YUM

Secret Shopping....on a budget*
Flowers; a cheap and cheerful addition to my home 

A visit to H&M Trend for this lovely black chiffon
cape detail blouse..perfect to add to my work wardrobe

The countdown to pay day has begun...but I will TRY to keep my shopping habits under reign's....I said TRY :)

Close your eyes & make a wish...

I never thought I would become one of those girls. But on Tuesday I felt the wrath of the 'Birthday Blues'. It came out of no where which was even more terrifying. I have been a firm believer in enjoying all parts of my life...I ran up to 30 and embraced it but this year was so very very different.
And to think it all started so well. I arrived to my parents house on Sunday with Mum doing her usual 'Celebratory Explosion' of banners, balloons, fabulous settings, cakes and a selection of food fit for a banquet - not for a family of 11. I was showered with cards, flowers, gifts...some a bit too sentimental for my delicate self (my niece handed me a pink tissue wrapped gift of a beautiful frame with her cute little face peering back at me) We ate, we drank and we had so much fun.
Cut to Tuesday morning when the boy leans over in bed with my card and gift...I walked half asleep to the bathroom, showered and that's when it hit me. God I am 31....THIRTY BLOODY ONE...what have I achieved, I still rent...my friends are married, some are parents...home owners...all of these thoughts went running through my head. As well as the 'God I wish I was 17 again!'. I got into so much of a lather that I didn't realise I had achieved the same with my hair thanks to overly aggresive use of tea tree oil shampoo. The rest of the day is a blur.

Then I had a conversation with a friend who made me see sense 'What's to be depressed about?' she said. 'Are you happy?' - yes I said -'Are you in love?' - yes - 'do you laugh at least once a day, are you surrounded by friends and family who love you unconditionally' -yes, yes, yes - 'Well then stop bloody moaning' she said. Like that I was out of my birthday funk.

Sitting at my desk this afternoon I hear people singing Happy Birthday & walking my way with a chocolate covered cake - colleagues surround me asking what age I am (getting compliments when I tell them 31)
I sit back, close my eyes and make a wish as I blow out the candles...a different wish to the 17 year old me*, less selfish...Today I wish for my family and friends, my boyfriend and OUR future together...It's not a bad life so don't waste it in a bad mood...that's my motto from today :)

This week I mostly......Got my new Celine.....Welcome Home Baby :)

Celebrated Mum's Birthday....

Followed a few days later by mine!

 Moaning about the rain but then today the sun came out...

and so did the paddle surfer's on the Liffey...bizarre!!!

Adding another bikini to my shopping basket,
this one from H&M is a winner with taupe and fluoro shades

Eating way too many treats...Laduree Vanilla Macaroon's

Red velvet cupcakes (courtesy of my office angels)
& a lovely chilled glass of Birthday bubbly

My Basic Buy...

1. Zara Basic V-neck
2. H&M Denim Leggings & the Perfect Cotton Bra
3. Zara Black Pocket Cigarette Pants
4. The Lovely Celine
5. Topshop Studded Loafers

Splashes of Colour....

1. Urban Outfitter's Skull & Peace Thread Necklace
2. H&M Trend Floral Black, White & Fluoro Scarf
3. Topshop Grey Jersey Dress, H&M Fluoro & Diamond Stud Necklace
Penney's Denim Jacket

Dublin's newest Frozen Yogurt.....

Now I am off to enjoy some more of the sunshine &
sit down to some M&S best....all I need now is the vino!

Love

Ali

x