Home

In the summer, my home is bursting with life. The hedges grow out, obscuring the roads, and the grasses grow tall. Before I started to suffer from hayfever, I would lie in the long cool grass and pretend to swim in it. I would hide from my parents and the merciless sun above (when it deigned to make an appearance at all). Still I become petulant when these things are sheared back, mown, put in "order". To me, it ruins the wild beauty all around that I love so.

In the winter, it is a different place. But it is beautiful all the same. Just different. It becomes bare and skeletal. All those abundant trees shake off their leaves and leave dancing limbs behind. The place is alive with noise rather than life; wind whistles through the emptiness and rain beats against the hard earth. Those same grasses grow lower and allow great sweeping views across starkly lovely landscapes, the peaks of Wicklow off in the distance. Though the sunsets come too soon, they stain the sky the most wonderful colours and the cool air is the sweetest and freshest I've ever known. I walk these paths and roads, ones I've walked thousands of times. I cycle with my parents. I laugh with my brother and sister. I chase after my ageing dog. I look around and, twenty-three years on, it is the most beautiful place I have ever known. I love my home and everything in it. It's not the stifling place that the nearby town where I went to school is - it's the place that bred me. It made that earlier version of me that knew nothing of unkindness or troubles and merely explored and questioned and adventured and tried. It was the giant garden of my youth and the haven of my teen years. And, now, it is my respite from adult life. It reflects who I am. I see myself in the wildness, in the empty ache and in the life-filled joy. 

I look around and I feel it in my heart, a sense of belonging so precious I know myself privileged to have it. I can see the love in the home I now spend less time in. But I know that it will remain my home forever more none the less.

Photo Post.

I think this may be my favourite photo post yet. I'm pretty proud of these images and how they look together. In the last few months I think I've just really found myself, my style, my aesthetic. It's like this veil has been lifted and I can see now. I'd describe it as moody with a sense of humour, looking for the lovely in the ordinary.

Ramblings of a lunatic? You decide.

View with this playing for optimal experience.

Little Gem: Irish Design Shop.

If you hadn't gathered by now, I'm a big fan/supporter of Irish design. So, when I spotted The Irish Design Shop ages ago, I intended to pop in. At the time, I didn't get a chance but when I passed it the other day as I moved from library to library (Noticing a theme here? Ugh. My life.) I decided to make the time.

And, boy, was I glad I did!

Originally established online in 2008 and then seen in various incarnations via pop-ups and a space in the RHA, the current Drury Street location really does the shop justice.  Light falls beautifully and illuminates the products softly. A range of different products are available in store; items of clothing, homeware, jewellery, artwork, books and more. And, as you might imagine, everything is wonderfully designed, down to the information leaflets and shopping bags.

There's a real sense of tradition in the space through tonal properties, materials and motifs but also a sense of how these things can be relevant today. Traditional practices sit alongside contemporary innovation. Some items are practical or elegant, others charming or amusing. Really, it's hard not to find something inside to fall in love with and a quick analysis of the demographics during my visit show interest among both locals and tourists, young and old. It's pretty lovely to see really.

I was familiar with some of the brands stocked but others were lovely new surprises and I was aching to buy some prints from Damn Fine Print Studio. Maybe next time. I said that a lot, actually. So, here's my shots and wishlist!

Intrigued? Check out their blog and facebook page!

Christmas Gift Guide - Part IV - Home IS Where the Heart is!

So, for this guide, I decided not to go through explanations of each choice. The following have click through links below for shopping. They are largely very reasonably priced and mostly unisex. They're loosely themed around the home for those people who want to be surrounded by beautiful things.

I will say that some personal faves are the teapot and cup from Carolyn Donnelly for Dunnes Stores which retail at twelve and two euro respectively. I'm planning on buying these for myself as I'm loving the tea ceremony vibe. And they're so pretty!

The Buffy lunchbox is pretty major, right? And, at $15 dollars, it won't break the bank.

The DIY Ukulele from Urban Outfitters is a cool idea for music lovers and I'm sure Daniel would love it. I, however, would not love how distracted I'm sure it would make him.

I love sentimental gifts so the Happy Jackson 'Hello Beautiful' case is perfect. It's nice to remind the people we love about how great they are. Motivation!

I actually love all these gift ideas. Any favourites yourselves? Hope you're enjoying these guides. Christmas cuddles, C x

Wide-Eyed and Blind Gift Guide - Home by fitzpac featuring a zipper top

ASOS Collection Catseye Glasses Pencil Topper, €3,98 / Happy Jackson zipper top, €20 / Peel Stick Chalkboard in Neon Green, €18 / Paint Job Bike Decoration Sticker, €5,21 / East End Prints: Home Wall Art at Urban Outfitters, €30 / Furry Googly Eye Hip Flask at Urban Outfitters, €17 / DIY Ukulele Kit at Urban Outfitters, €42 / Metallic Heart Mug - Marks & Spencer, €5,98 / Back Scratcher at Urban Outfitters, €7,18

Home

I'm at home for a reading week...ain't she lovely?

Home means you're NEVER alone.

But that's okay because I'm only back for the weekend. And also Mammy keeps feeding me. And she bought me new jeans.

Loving my Topshop sneaker wedges and actually getting a chance to wear them. I have to walk everywhere in Dublin so they're a bit of a no-go there. I helped my sister pick out her outfit for the fashion show she's in at school and got asked if I was in it too. Guess I still look like a teenager - how flattering! Not quite an old biddy yet!

The Blog Post equivalent of Snail Mail.

I haven't done an outfit post in a while. Mostly because I feel like a dork asking people to take my photo and also because I always forget until the light is crap.

As I'm at home this weekend and get to play with more of my wardrobe at large, I present a Hallowe'en inspired outfit of all black (with some navy), capes and dramatic silhouette. Lil' more drama than I normally go for but I was having a good day where being presented with a mirror made me say "Not so bad" instead of "Why can't I be Audrey Horne?" and that always leads to dressing up. Speaking of Ms. Horne, I also accentuated my freckle with an eyebrow pencil, kind of getting in the habit of it, and it's largely an homage to her.

The top is a black vintage suedette thing my Mam was throwing out a while back. I can't figure out if I love it or hate it...but it fascinates me. It's so unique and the silhouette is very vampish meets Mexican peasant from an old western. The skirt is my basic black tube skirt which I have been trying to find forever! (You'll probably see much more of it!) The shoes, navy suede flatforms from Topshop and the cape, another item stolen from my very stylish mother.

PS Using my brother's full-length mirrors again. Why are they the only ones in the house?! There he is dutifully studying away in the background. How adorable. Also, excuse the mess and smudges on the mirror. The wardrobe's been there a few months now so it's less super-sparkly. And as for the mess...well, he's a teenage boy...