Childs Play...

A magical weekend spent with my Mum, sisters, nieces & nephew at a very tasty Christmas market. On an icy Sunday morning I was delighted that A Taste of Christmas was held in the new Convention Centre, which overlooks the River Liffey in Dublin city.


As we entered the building we were welcomed by a magnificent brass band who had us in the festive mood playing various Christmas tunes....followed by greeter's offering us all the yummiest mince pies (this was my breakfast and first of many NAUGHTY but OH SO NICE treats of the day) and then the children squealed with delight as they caught their first glimpse of Santa.


The child in me came out as I strolled around the different floors humming Christmas Carols...watching Miracle on 34th Street at the special Hamley's cinema and dancing with my nieces & nephews probably embarrassing them! (it's a right of passage which I endured with my Grandad dancing hysterically on many a holiday so I have to pass the torch)


This is what Christmas is all about, spending time with our loved ones, eating way too much and laughing because quite frankly every day life can get all too serious. I am oh so excited for Christmas but until then the 12 days of Christmas Market which starts on the 8th of December will be a great way to help me countdown to the Christmas festivities:)

These are some of my favourite things...

Would this be a totally extravagant

decoration for my tree??

A newly opened jewellery shop
stocking my fave designer Alex Monroe..yipeee

Another treat from Taste of Christmas..
which we washed down with some bubbly pink champers!!!

so many flavours to choose from..
we went for Oreo, '99 Ice cream,
Wimbledon (vanilla,strawberry&shortbread) and Smarties

Beauty Must Have:
Smashbox Naked Eye Palette

A future purchase & addition to my ever expanding

skull obsession

 

Loving this wooden HOME for my window...

A lunch time trip to Urban Outfitters...

How I wish I could carry this home...

I think I am in love with this flower shop...

Night night

Ali

x



Planes, trains & automobiles

Okay so today it's just trains as I travel to what is always referred to by some 'as the real capital'; Cork.
Sadly a trip for business rather than pleasure. I am sitting on the train in my comfy seat excited to visit a county that I have only been to once, as a child. (An horrific experience purely for one simple memory - going on the usual must have tour of Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone; legend says if you kiss this stone you get the gift of the gab. Well all I got was panic stricken - I was never good with heights so having to climb the steps to the top, lean back practically suspended with an acrobatic manoeuvre to kiss this stone had my stomach in knot's, it didn't help that on said day it turned grey and windy just as we arrived and I had selected a pretty dress (courtesy of Laura Ashley) and jumper to wear - cut to many shrieks from me as I worried I was flashing unsuspecting tourists - so that's nil points to Cork)
I am sure I won't be forced to do any acrobatics's (fingers crossed) so I am hoping this experience will be much nicer.
There is something therapeutic about travelling by train. One reason I love this mode of transport is because of my Grandad Paddy. Paddy was a train driver on the Dublin/Belfast route - so instantly a mention of a train gives my face a beaming smile.
Second reason: I personally feel it is far more glamorous than air travel.
Well anyone who watched Some Like It Hot and remembers the beautiful Marilyn Monroe as she tottered along the platform in her uber tight, curve enhancing dress will agree. As this vision approaches the train, all eyes are on her (with the exception of a comedy element when a cloud of steam stops her in her elegant tracks) she is perfection.



Of course If I was trying to recreate this look I would achieve something more memorable of Carrie in SATC. She too had the romantic notions of train travel - but all she was left with was a pimple, a cabin you couldn't swing a cat in and a first class flight home. This is confirmed when some time ago I was woken from my sleep dribbling on my hand...oh the glamour Marilyn :)

Must have items for my train journey

Magazines, water & coffee

On arrival a glass of pinot grigio, some thai cuisine..and

I'm off to bed

These are some of my favourite things...

Fab installations of

Hermes & Alex Mc Q Scarves

 

These are lights I would lurrrrve on a dancefloor..

comfy but very sparkly brogues

Skull top from The Kooples

Hair Crush: Caroline Flack

A new Marc by Marc Jacobs laptop cover

brightens up the room on a winters day

Christmas lights in Dublin...

Windows depicting Swan Lake.....

Night night

Ali

x

Rain rain go away...

Oh the rain has returned to Dublin...why did I wear ballet flats to work..leaving me confined to my desk!
I braved the slippy street to pop up the road to grab a coffee and have a look at the Versace for H&M launch. Wiping the raindrops off my coat and taking the escalator to the 'pen' area i was greeted by empty rails (bar one wall of possibly three styles of SUPER BRIGHT dresses) and a table with some shoes, belts and books. It was as if I was walking from Autumn straight into Spring 2012 - way too Miami for my liking and after last seasons Lanvin collaboration I was left feeling a little let down. (Speaks volumes when I didn't even have the urge to take a picture)

I have been looking on other sites which had footage from the UK stores and it looked like pure fashion carnage...maybe us Irish just aren't into the blonde bombshell! I am sure tomorrow morning alot of people will wake up with shoppers remorse* and realise that the neon pink studded leather dress wasn't such a good buy :)

*Okay I lie there was a pair of these strappy heels - in my size 5 in black - that I was close to buying but my foot drenched ballet flats made me realise that a pair of wellies would be a better investment 

The rain last night did have some reason to celebrate though. Throwing on my big comfy dressing gown, I jumped into bed for a blogfest and came across this little beauty on the ever inspiring www.llymlrs.com/ - at first I was afraid to check the price of this fab pleated black leather skirt, thinking it could be The Kooples or Acne...but to my delight it was PRIMARK or Penneys as us Irish call it.

So this morning with a bounce in my step I boarded the bus early and hit Penney's just as the doors opened at 8.30...by 8.31 I was happily strolling the short walk over the Liffey to my office swinging my new purchase in a bag!
I have to say I was worried it would look plastic but it is amazing quality...for only €15..my sister is already saying she will need to take a trip to purchase one too!

These are some of my favourite things...various versions of taupe

My clutch needs this party palette from Bobbi Brown

Lusting after this fur gilet from Zara..the girl in work rocks it

 (I tell her to keep her eye on it as I may 'borrow' it)

Christening gift for Sunday...

love the scalloped neck line

This weeks hidden gem....

Yum Thai Noodle Bar

Myself and the boyfriend love this place, we sometimes drive into the city to pick it up - no delivery service - but it's worth it, for the funky boxes, dellish menu (I can highly recommend the chicken green thai curry or the pad thai noodles) and the fact it's another cheap & cheerful find!

Santa Baby...

The time of year has arrived that we all mentally do 'Christmas Wish Lists' - admit it! I see my nieces and nephews, with serious concentration (tongues hanging peeking out of the sides of their mouths) write their lists..changing them regularly over a couple of days ...much to the annoyance of their parents & of course Santa :)

As a child I put a lot of thought into what deserved inclusion on my lists before properly 'signing them off' in time for Christmas. Over the years I had various must haves, as a child Barbie was always up at the top, oh she had a great life. No wonder I am so disillusioned 'But I thought all girls grew up to have a white sports car' - Barbie lived in a dream home with a walk in wardrobe bursting full of clothes (I'm not quite sure what she did for a living but she earned a hell of a lot of money to buy a lot of frivolous items. Come to think of it judging by her collection of patent boots, metallic short skirts or drain pipe sprayed on trousers and cocktail dresses - I am starting to think old Bab's may have been...how do I put this nicely 'A Lady of ze Night' WINK WINK)

I lived in this dreamworld where Barbie would throw on one of her ridiculous OTT ensembles, jump in her sports car and whizz around the city (or my parents dining room) - for weekends she would 'rough it' in her mobile home, pink of course complete with en suite and full kitchen - though I doubt she got much use out of that (my Barbie had an invisible chef you see).

Now when I think of my beloved Barbie I think of her with disdain. Oh I too thought I would grow up to live in the lifestyle I had so (imaginarily) become accustomed to. This Christmas if either of my nieces are playing with Barbie's I feel it is my duty to inform them that it's a recession and Barbie should downsize maybe not get the sports car and go for something more practical...I just couldn't bear to see another child's dreams shattered :)

These are some of my favourite things...

Alex Monroe & feathers...beautiful

 Topshop Allegra boots

my non purchase regret...investing for xmas

My style crush; Sunday Girl

This sweet rope ring..sometimes simplicity is best

Baking!

my rocky road bites were demolished by the girls in my office

so need to get creative in the kitchen again!

And finally....

Ali's Rocky Road Bites

*An easy peasy (naughty but oh so nice) treat you can whip up in a couple of minutes*

Ingredients

125g unsalted butter

300g Cadbury's Milk Chocolate (broken into pieces)

3 Tbsp Golden Syrup

200g Cadburys Shortbread Biscuits (broken, but remember to leave some chunks)

100g Mini Marshmallows (would normally use pink & white but only had white in cupboard)

Icing sugar

Pop your butter, syrup and chocolate in a pan and put on a low heat, stirring

Put your broken biscuits into a bowl

When the pan contents are almost melted add the marshmallows in, whip off the stove and fold most of mixture into the biscuits - be sure to leave some choc mix in the pan

When biscuits are fully covered in the mix, pour into an ovenproof dish, flatten the mixture with a wet spatula

When nice and flat pour the remainder of the pan over the biscuit mix and spread with the wet spatula (doesn't have to be perfect looking hence the name)

I left mine to refrigerate overnight and finished with a dusting of icing sugar.

*When I produced these in work the girls raced to have one! While I accompanied mine with a creamy Nespresso from our kitchen.

Happy Baking

Ali x