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 :)