Summer Vacay Reads

I used to always have a book in my hand growing up. Libraries in my area in London were full to the brim of quality authors and titles- I guess I took it for granted. I would take 4-5 books out at a time and become engrossed in them. When I moved to Meath, we didn't have a local library, and the schools version of one, consisted of two shabby shelves that was supposed to cater a 1000+ student school. It was a disgrace. I then started to work more, and college took over and would only read when I was on a Summer holiday- and even then, travelling with Ryanair would mean I was so restricted on weight- that a heavy book was left behind in favour of another bikini!!!

I feel like I have lost a bit of my creativeness and imagination over the last few years, so I purchased four books from Amazon recently that I hope will fuel it back. Books allow you to get lost between the pages- and I'm quite looking forward to switching off from everything else around me.  I'm off work for the next five weeks (yey...joys of being a teacher!) and will bring two books each on the two holidays I am going on; Morocco with the family and Beijing/Dubai with friends. 

My Summer Vacay Reads;

'How to build a girl' by Caitlin Moran- a coming of age tell and a Sunday Times No.1 bestseller...I have heard good things about this book, so I am stoked to read it.

'The Rosie Project' by Graeme Simsion- a love story.

'The Collected Dorothy Parker' by Dorothy Parker- a collection of short stories, poetry and reviews written by Ms Parker (who I am rather embarrassed to admit had never heard of...) who was referenced by one of my favourite blogger- Audrey Rogers of 'Be Frassy' in one of her Instagram posts and I done a little bit of research and this seemed like a good book as it has collection of a bit of everything!

'The Girl with all the Gifts' by M.R.Carey- a thriller.

What's your favourite genre? Any books that you would highly recommend? I sort of read everything so would love to hear some good suggestions?

Florals and Fun

To celebrate the end of the stage school year yesterday, here is a little outfit of the day I whipped up before my Dublin date with my sister Grace. We went to our favourite sushi restaurant in Dublin to celebrate- Musashi on Capel Street (get the Ebi Tempura Masago rolls!)- it was her treat...luck me eh?! and we then went to Brother Hubbard for cake and coffee and their takeout iced tea. I popped into Folkster and bought a lovely pair of Indian Rose coloured culottes that I can't wait to wear on holidays in August and added these pair of Air Max 90's from Size? to my collection. I live in trainers, and having worked in Size? for over six years, biasedly, I still think the shop does the best collection of trainers in Ireland.

I am wearing a Zara waistcoat that I got in the recent Summer sale (similar here and here) || these Binx jeans from Topshop- I usually buy Joni, however these have more of a relaxed feel but are still high waisted || Nike AM 90 in black croc, similar here and here || this crepe tank top that I also got in the sale || a Michael Kors watch that was a gift- similar here || a beautiful bunch of pink flowers that I received from one of my students and had to accessorise with...(so lucky!)

Hope your all having a lovely Sunday, x

Confessions of a not so normal 20 something year old...

I always thought when I was younger that I would be this go-getter, travelling all around the world, un-stoppable, flamboyant female. Un-restricted and ballsy. Daring, but charming. Instead, I am writing this from my parents house, where I still live, in the converted attic, with a cornish pasty for dinner, and about to watch an episode of PLL's on Netflix...on a Friday night!

I am a self proclaimed dry shite. And love nothing more then coming home from classes, putting on my pjs and sprawling in front of the TV. But I have had this irking voice in my head the last while that says, 'Yas, what the hell are you doing with your life?!'. I picture a trapped bohemian clad version of me tutting at my lack of excitement in my life.

Your 20's are supposed to be about learning and growing. Making mistakes and having fun. Meeting new people and not taking life too seriously. Well I do. I take life beyond seriously. Planning and deciphering ways to be prosperous with work- I am totally goal focused, and while my close friends and family say that one of my best qualities is being a high-achiever. I also think this quality has become a total hinderance. I have totally neglected my social life- going out very rarely, cutting nights short for the fear of not being fully energised for my next days work. I am a worrier. I'm never spur crazy. To sum me up- I am the total opposite of most 26 year olds that I know.

I don't know why I am like this. I'm not a total recluse- I do occasionally see friends, meet for brunch, go for dinner and make random plans but plainly, I love my own company. I like being alone. I read a lovely post by one of my favourite bloggers- Audrey Rogers from BeFrassy, who also spoke about her favourite company being her own, teaching herself how to carry the weights of the world on her own and learning how to enjoy it. She ended her post by asking her readers to 'find your own sacrosanct spots on this earth- and return to both with cyclical devotion'. Is my sacrosanct spot my bed linen and a glass of Pinot Grigio? God I hope not...

Sex and the City, Gossip Girl and endless insta moments have dictated what I, as a 26 year old should be doing at this moment in time. I now have this looming fear that I'm going to wake up one day when I am older and say why was I not more free? It's not a case of choosing my current actions. Doing me is all I know?! 

As my work load starts to free up a bit more around summer, I do admittedly start to see more people- I make plans, have holidays booked and generally tend to loosen up a bit, but I know right when the academic year starts back, I'm going to dart right back into hole of hibernation...unashamedly.

D-Day...

Firstly, are YOU registered? Follow this link here and enter your details. Your not? Then this Tuesday (5th of May people!) is the last day to get your RFA2 forms...found here should you not be already registered. Print off the form, get your local guard to stamp the form and pop to the Post Office and send by express post to your local authority office...just to be on the safe side!

We live in a country where we have the opportunity to exercise our right to vote. How lucky are we?! And this referendum is an especially important one because it will show how progressive Ireland has come in achieving EQUALITY throughout the Emerald Isle. It wasn't so long ago the people of Ireland faced countless forms of discrimination in their migration journeys. Why would we now set the bar in this country where people are not equal?

Civil Partnership is not enough. There is no constitutional protection. Marriage gives that. Let's put an end to this discrimination and make OUR country a pro-equality place of love.

Sleeve-less Me Up!

Sleeveless jackets are my new favourite thing to dress up an outfit! Be it a duster, a waistcoat or a gilet. I think they are even topping a kimono...which is a big deal for me, as I love nothing more then a ankle length hocus pocus shawl (as my mum likes to call them!) You can throw them over a pair of jeans and a tee and your outfit is instantly updated! 

I recently bought this coral number in Topshop and loving the duster loose feel to it.

Below,  are my top pics from my two High Street favourites- Topshop and Zara- which ones are going in your basket?

1. Leather fringed waistcoat (obsessed, totally coachella-esque and so reasonable!)- Zara 

2. Long waistcoat- Zara

3. Sleeveless Ponte Jacket- Topshop (I actually have this one in grey, and its in a really comfy jersey material- and they also have it in a rust colour which would look awesome with a tan)

4. Premium Belted Jacket - Topshop 

5. Ok...so this one isn't High Street, but can we take a moment to appreciate this Isabel Marant number. Hey, it's all about goals right?! Cadiz feather and faux raffia vest by Isabel Marant- Netaporter

March loves!

All things I'm loving in March;

- Alpha H Micro Cleanser - I came off the pill about 9 months ago and have been rewarded with a constant bout of teenage acne. I have always had reasonably blemish free skin since my teens, and as I teach dance a lot, I'm not really in a position to wear heavy duty foundation. So, having promised ( a while back, see this post!) myself to spend more on my beauty routine, I have now incorporated two cleansers. As well, as my daily Jurlique cleanser, I'm loving this Alpha H one that I use twice a week! Leaves the face slightly tingly and glowly. (Beauty-Bay- €26.60)

- Moleskin diary- because my days all seem to roll into one big impending cloud (god I sound like such a moan!), this pop of colour always makes me smile. Plus, I'm now utterly organised. #winning (Moleskin diaries- Amazon- €16)

- Single rose. Just because flowers are epic.

- Pom Pom Keychain- I now have these in several colours and they totally chic up a bag. I know it's spring, but I love fur and especially candy coloured furness. (River Island- €9)

- '#GIRLBOSS' by Sophia Amoruso- This book was on my xmas gift list, and I have only just started it. Go getter. High achiever. Pull the finger-outter. My kinda lady. I salute you Sophia and your ambitious flair. (Easons- €26)

- Clippers tea- Always a fan of herbal and mixed tea leaves, and Clippers do a great range of fairtrade yumminess. (most local supermarkets)

- Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick compact in 'Rose'- Loving highlighters at the moment, especially when I'm feeling and looking dull and I need a bit of sparkle in my life! (Most department stores, except I got mine in duty free in Dublin Airport, and it came with a travel brush!)

My Message: International Women's Day

I have seen an awful amount of negative comments towards International Women's Day today and quite frankly, I'm horrified! 100 years ago women were expected to be in the kitchen and being solely mothers, Today we are seeing female CEO's, philanthropists, Educators and Creators shaping the world! And still, women are the minority and often face adversity, bullying and troubles to climb to the top! We are still seeing huge amounts of females being forced into marriages, sexually assaulted, enduring female mutilation all across the world and STILL have a long way were gender equality will be 50/50! There is no patronisation or feminism in this message- purely that I'm proud to be a woman and very proud of female leaders who have done wonders for health, education and equality in the world!