Adding a Little Spring Colour....

January is nearly over at long last and with that hopefully comes some brighter days. I'm looking forward to buying new basic Spring items for my wardrobe. I culled almost everything back last year and with such a bad Summer didnt renew too much so I actually need some new bits right now! Starting with a printed shirt ... Here are some of my favourites.

Zara

Oasis

River Island

Dunnes

 So just pick whatever print or pattern catches your eye, add some toning accessories and dress up or down for a seasonal pop of colour! The best thing with print is you can be as mad or subtle as you like. All a matter of taste!

Anne xx

Two nights out ....

 Hope everyone is having a lovely weekend. This one was something of a rarity for me as I ended up going out two nights in a row ....  braving high wind and torrential rain the only thing bothering me was the thoughts of my black suede boots getting ruined! So here is the first outfit for Friday night drinks and a meal with my friends

And as hubs was off work this weekend we decided to go out for a meal last night to our favourite local restaurant! Of course the rain and wind made a second appearance but we're well used to that by now! The  black suede boots came out again but thankfully I got a lift both nights! They're actually not made for walking  too far anyhow!!

I also discovered a new found love for Bulmers cider and fish .... well not actually together, I had a couple of bottles of cider in the pub beforehand and some lovely white wine with the meals! I ordered haddock the first night amd seabass on the second and both were amazing!

 Not sure if the family will share in my enthusiasm but I'm making it part of my new year plan to cook more fish dishes!

Hope you all have a lovely week:)

Anne xx

Happy Friday....

 Yay it's the weekend and I'm delighted to be heading out tonight for some nice food and drinks with friends. We missed out on our usual night before Christmas so we will be celebrating big time this evening!

 Also I have a bit of the January blahs not helped by all the damp and cold we got instead of snow and our poor doggie wasn't a bit well this week. She is 13 so I suppose it was inevitable she would get sick at some stage. We are keeping a close eye on her and hoping for the best!

 For a little distraction I have been looking at some new Spring finds. I am in love with this bag from Lucy Nagle. I read about the company recently in a Sunday mag supplement and immediately checked out the lovely website. Lucy is an Irish designer based in London. Her bag designs combine high quality with a very affordable price point.

 This is my favourite pick.... A soft buttery leather shopper  priced at 99 Euro available early Feb and right at the top of my Spring wishlist at the moment.

 She also sells lovely scarves and wraps seen below ... a gorgeous selection and pure cashmere!

 Cashmere scarf/wrap 79 euro

There are lots of other fabulous bags on the website and well worth a look if you are after something a little different for a special occasion as in weddings, confirmation/communion, racedays! I'm not being paid to say this but feel strongly that smaller companies should always be supported where possible!

I must go now and plan an outfit for later on as usual I 've no clue whatsoever as to what I'm going to pull out for tonight! May have to make an emergency trip to town as I am a bit allergic to my wardrobe contents this week :)

Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Anne xx

Decor Inspiration : The Little Things ...

Whenever I feel the need to change things up a little in the home I always revert to my stack of interior mags currently homed in a large box in the bedroom.
Now much as I would love to paint or knock walls after reading through them again being realistic this is not always gonna happen but I do always hone in on the finer details of design when I need to create a fresh look.

A perfect little space with a warm throw, neutral cushions and an amazing  plant ... creating a stunning vignette like this adds an extra element to the otherwise plain background.

Yellow flowers, blue pottery and colourful stools lift this otherwise neutral kitchen and add an immediate freshness to the space.

Images via

If  money does not allow you to buy bigger items, a bunch of plain white flowers on a table can be an instant mood and room lifter!!

Speaking of little things these random  buys have made me very happy lately! I've decided my patio area will be getting some attention come Spring and I am busy collecting knick knacks to decorate it:)

These lanterns and cushion were picked up in sales at my local homestores over the last few weeks and are going to be part of my garden patio makeover later on! Hopefully Summer will co-operate this time and pay us a little visit!

Hope you are all having a good week :)
Anne xx

Cold Weather Basics ....

Whilst having a little wardrobe reshuffle yesterday I noticed I have a severe lack of basic jumpers. I have several chunky ones with a large cowl neck which are great for outdoors, school run etc but too hot for inside with the fire lighting and the heating up full blast!
I must take a look to see if I can pick up a few basic styles in neutral colours for everyday wear. The Mango one featured in this collage is lovely and at a reduced price niow also .

Boots/Clarks  Socks/The white company    Jeans/J Brand    Jumper/Mango   snood/Avenue 32

The above attire is  pretty much similar to what I live in during the week. My sock drawer could do with a little attention though. I could start selling odd ones by the bag load from our house!! Where do they all disappear too?

Hope you all have a great week and stay warm:)

Anne xx

Happy Weekend ....

Hi all!

Hope everyone had a good week. I am so looking forward to a nice quiet weekend. The lads have finished all exams and are off next week from college also. No more drops and pickups for me for a bit! I 'm  trying to get into the habit of eating more fruit and I was delighted to get this little diary free with my weekly fruit  shop .... Very handy for the bag and some lovely recipes in it too!

 I hear some parts may get snow, certainly cold here but all we seem to ever wake up to is rain! Anyhow I dug out a wool M&S coat I had for a change to wear with this Vila black tunic dress which I bought last year and never really wore it that much.
 The faux fur snood is still keeping me snug and warm also:)

Hope you all have a great weekend:)

Anne xx.

Mid-Week Recipe: Spicy Baby Potatoes...

I love my potatoes mashed or roasted, but these spicy little baby ones are a great alternative 

and very simple and quick to do. 

Ingredients:

21b baby/salad potatoes halved

2 tsp paprika

2 tsp chilli flakes

8 tbsps passata/salsa sauce

salt and pepper

cooking spray

chopped parsley to garnish.

Directions:

1) Preheat the oven to 220c. place the potatoes in a single layer in a non stick roasting pan.

                2)In a small bowl mix together the paprika, chilli flakes and the passata or salsa sauce. season well and spoon the mixture over the potatoes and toss to coat evenly.

                3) Bake in the oven for 20 mins until the potatoes are tender.

                4) remove from the oven spear each with a cocktail stick and serve on a dish garnished with the chopped parsley.

They are also handy to serve with some dips as part of a party platter.

Hope you enjoy the recipe:)
Anne xx

Weekend outfit : Woollen layers ...

Happy Monday!

 Hope you all had a good weekend! Although no snow appeared it was still fairly nippy so I went for layers again whilst out and about.
 I wore my stripe poncho but tied a belt around the waist for some added definition and to change the look a little.

Poncho/F&F @tesco    Jumper/H&M    Boots/LK Bennett
jeggings/M&S   Bag/Local Mexx Boutique

A second grey wool jumper worn underneath added just enough warmth so no coat was needed.
This may not last long though as there is still talk of some snow heading our way over the next few days :) I never really believe anything until I wake up and see it!!

Hope you all have a great week!

Anne xx

Weekend Time ....

Happy Friday everyone  At least the first week back to school routine is done. Speaking of routine I am loving my Liz Earle facial cleansers and cream I ordered before Christmas. I have started a whole new skin routine since  I got them. As I also have very sensitive eyes, I have to be very careful what products I use and I'm delighted with these so far!

Another thing I'm enjoying is making my morning coffee in the new nespresso machine the kids gave me for Christmas. even more delighted to have got €40 worth of free coffee pods winging there way to me. I will be a little high on caffeine when that happens!! Haha 

We also have a big birthday to celebrate this weekend.... my son Conor is 18 on Sunday. He is currently doing college exams so celebrations with his friends will have to wait until next weekend.

I hear the cold weather is coming so I will be pulling out all the comfy bits and pieces I bought over Christmas. The khaki parka I am wearing above which I bought a few months ago in Dunnes has been my go to piece every morning so far.I may have to don the puffa jacket next week if the temps drop!

Enjoy the weekend everyone!

Anne xx

Filling The Gaps ....

I am not a huge fan of sales shopping on the whole ... I just don't see the point of rifling through rails and rails of tops, knitwear, skirts etc only to eventually find something you like and your size is gone! Now thankfully online shopping has cut that right out and you can see what quality items are in stock rather than wasting half a morning trekking around shops. You can also bag quality items at reasonable prices something that is going to last and not get thrown away after one wear, something I did a lot of in the past!! Here are a few stalple pieces I have picked which would stand the test of time and look good year after year ....

Top/Malene Birger  Jeans/J brand    Bag/Whistles  Gloves/Dunnes  Vest/Donna aida  Boots/Clarkes

These items make up the basis of a great winter capsule wardrobe, bringing you right through to the warmer Spring days. I have bought a pair of casual boots myself this week as I needed a pair for comfort and these reikers were in a local shoe store down from €80 to 60 

Reiker black suedette ankle boots €60

 And as I heard the cold weather is set to make an appearance at the weekend  I also bought this woollen aztec scarf from Dunnes which will come in handy on sale for €8. It was also available in a grey colourway on the day I bought it.

Hope you are all having a good week:)

Anne xx 

A fresh look ...

As I mentioned the other day the pantone colour of the year is emerald green and as with any colour there are always a ton of varying shades. You may not like to use such a strong colour as emerald in decor but for a clean fresh start other shades of green work particularly well in the home. Having just done a major clear up after the festive season I am all for a fresh start and new beginnings:)

images via

Hope you get some nice inspiration here and are all settling back

 into a normal routine after the holidays :)

Anne xx

Quiet Days ...

Hope you are all off to a good start for New Year. I am still a little in laid back mode at least until school and college start next week ... well that is college exams for the boys! I do like these quiet times to think about some goals and aspirations I need to work towards for the New Year ahead.

As usual when the decorations start comimg down I  buy some new interior magazines and love planning some house projects for the months ahead. Indeed the invitation to a friends new house yesterday may spur me into action quicker than I thought! She moved in Christmas week and has it looking amazing already!!

I have managed to refrain from any online clothes shopping as I decided to hold off for some new Spring styles hitting the shops ... I did pick up a handy black shopper the other day in a local boutique down from €70 to €50.

 I was looking for a nice size black bag for everday use so this will suit me fine :)

I see the new pantone colour of the year is emerald green. I vaguely remember wearing a long dress for some dinner we attended many moons ago (circa the eighties I think it was )!! Not sure how I would feel about wearing it now, but I have to admit it is a very striking colour!

 via

Hope you all enjoy the weekend!
Anne xx

Happy New Year ...

May you always have walls for the winds,

a roof for the rain, tea beside the fire,

laughter to cheer you, those you love near you,

and all your heart might desire.

Happy New Year to all my lovely blogging friends:)

Anne xx