The first road trip of 2012...

I love nothing more than a road trip. So last Friday morning myself and the boyfriend hit the road for our first mini break of 2012, bags packed we headed north for our destination, Belfast. My sister the shopaholic, her husband and children joined us. We had already decided that once we checked into our hotel the boys would be visiting the pool with the kids while we went for a brisk walk....to the shops. Cases safely in our rooms are eyes were firmly on the prize...Victoria Square here we come:)

These are some of my favourite things....Destination Belfast
Early morning starts require caffeine kicks. While I grabbed
the coffee's boyfriend selected our road trip tunes!

A refuel courtesy of some frozen yoghurt &
strawberries...dellish!!

The city is full of funky restaurants..
so many that I think we may have to return sooner

rather than later

Beauty brand STILA has recently arrived back in the UK and
North of Ireland so I made sure I stocked up...

Zara Spring Collection has arrived..heels and both are on my list
but the return of the cold winter weather is making me question

my selection. Come on sun shine!!

Finally have my new skull cushion...have to remind
the boyfriend it's purely for decorative purposes and not
for his nap times!!!

Sister and I skipped back to the hotel and joined
the boys and kiddies..where they were surrounded by beers,
juices for the kids and nacho's. Sister and I opted
for some bubbly...pure bliss!

I spent the weekend trying to figure out how I could remove
 this couch without causing a scene ha ha! I LOVE it!

Returned to work today feeling sad that my mini break
had come and gone. That is until I arrived home to this little package
of my new SIGMA make-up brushes...

Night Night

Ali x

Je t'aime

Love is in the air....

This evening walking home from work I saw young men run into florists to put their order in for tomorrow, bouquets with balloons, bottles of pink champagne, teddy bears and loving messages covered the shop floor. Queues were starting to form in chocolate shops...people walking up Grafton Street with beautiful bags of Laduree Macaroons for their loves ones.

I smirked to myself thinking boyfriend will be oblivious to this 'holiday'...my smirk was wiped off my face though when I arrived home to some beautiful roses...a lovely cooked dinner (prawn, steak strips..in spaghetti mixed with chilli and oil) & now we are off for a romantic stroll. I gave him a big kiss and then said smartly 'You do realise Valentines is tomorrow'...he replied 'Yeah but Tuesdays footie night'...
That put me in my place..his one true love remains and forever will be FOOTBALL:)

This display enticed me so I picked up a box
for the boyfriend...(and technically for me too)

Following a tasting of some pink champagne truffles
I opted for Vanilla, Chocolate, Raspberry, Passion fruit combos!!

Mum's Valentines inspired cakes from yesterday
dellish and oh so sweet

My skin will suffer from all these treats..
so no better time to try out Benefits new
foundation...let's hope it lives up to it's name!

These heels that have just hit the shelves in Zara

could be a good gift...to myself!

So remember treat yourself

Happy Valentines

Ali

x

 

This week I was mostly...


Turning Parisian

a little project in work has me focused on
Paris life...chic, sophisticated & romantic

The wonderful Emmanuelle Alt

Oh how I would love a sneak peek at her closet...

Beautifully messy, unkempt hair...a tan &
some monochrome clothing..so simple yet so perfect

Cooking Vegetarian Dishes

After spending seven years of my life as
a non meat eater the boyfriend decided to give it a try

His tasty veggie take on burrito's...

My contribution...home made guacamole

washed down with an ice cold beer..yummy

Ate too much chocolate..Stuck at desk. Tired. 3pm slump.
Just add coffee & chocolate (way too much this week)



Tried some new beauty treats..

In Handbag heaven..looking for a simple black bag but which one??
Surprisingly I may opt for this bad boy from DKNY that a friend showed me...
mmm for €289 it's purse friendly too!

Meeting family for meals..

Saturday morning was  a girlie brunch in my beloved Cheese Pantry with Mum,

 sisters and nieces..& that night dinner with the boyfriends family

Problem is, when you go to a restaurant like Fallon & Byrne...I spent more time
talking about how yummy it was that I forgot to take pic's...but I would highly recommend the pork belly, asian salad for starters and the steak with bearnaise sauce...
As for dessert...cookies & cream!!

Loving Sunday Walks...

Boyfriend & I have something of a ritual now taking
our Sunday strolls, chatting about the week we had,
sometimes planning our future or even our dinner:)

My walking gear: Parisian Inspired ha!

This week we hit the Phoenix park..a lovely cold fresh day, perfect walking weather..of course we popped in to the cafe  - their use of beetroot interested me...
but I had been warned we were supposed to be exercising!

Night night
Ali

x