Some thoughts...to warm your Winter heart!

I've been thinking about volunteering...again.

As if there was something in the ether last Thursday when I spoke about a yearning to return to Salzburg...next day I got an email from a friend in Ukraine saying that she and my Norwegian EVS friend wanted to organise a REUNION for next August 2010 in Austria to re-unite all the crazy, wonderful EVS participants of 2007/2008.

Brilliant! I have also been better at contact people lately on facebook/emails.

I think that I went through a lazy phase for the last few months - realised that I can actually do other things in the evenings instead of watching Lie to Me or Misfits!

Anyways...haven't formulated anything just yet...but I've put in motion something that makes me smile and just warms my heart in these cold times & I'm not speaking meteorologically!

I'm not going to say much more right now - we'll just see what happens...

Below something I spotted a while back but goes with the sentiment of the post - enjoy!

Ten Truths For Being Human

1. You will receive a body. You may like it or hate it, but it’s yours to keep for the entire period.
2. You will learn lessons. You are enrolled in a full-time informal school called, “life.
3. “There are no mistakes, only lessons. Growth is a process of trial, error, and experimentation. The “failed” experiments are as much a part of the process as the experiments that ultimately “work.”
4. Lessons are repeated until they are learned. A lesson will be presented to you in various forms until you have learned it. When you have learned it, you can go on to the next lesson.
5. Learning lessons does not end. There’s no part of life that doesn’t contain its lessons. If you’re alive, that means there are still lessons to be learned.
6. “There” is no better a place than “here.” When your “there” has become a “here”, you will simply obtain another “there” that will again look better than “here.”
7. Other people are merely mirrors of you. You cannot love or hate something about another person unless it reflects to you something you love or hate about yourself.
8. What you make of your life is up to you. You have all the tools and resources you need. What you do with them is up to you. The choice is yours.
9. Your answers lie within you. The answers to life’s questions lie within you. All you need to do is look, listen, and trust.
10. You will forget all this.

Taken from Le Craic blog.

Currently listening to Paolo Nutini's Coming up Easy & Pencil Full of Lead - soulfully good.

Night,

A*

Recent Wish List items for a cosy winter...

'Ginger' blouse from Peter O' Brien for Awear...vintage feel & glamour!

A Carrie Bradshaw fun tulle skirt from A-wear which is only €20!!! Frou frou fun!

This beautiful black dress & the next 3 items below ( a cream version of the red Ginger blouse) and a gorgeous cosy knitted cardi are all from the very final Peter O' Brien collection for A-wear which I will try & invest in before they are all gone - so beautiful cut & made with couture fabric at non-designer prices...I think it's worth it!

Below is a very chic puffball flannel coat from A-wear...love love love it! I've just bought a winter coat from Monsoon but I think I might just have to get this too - very practical. I'm all for bright colours in clothes but I find black the most practical for winter & in coats as it hides any fluff or small marks that might on end up on your lovely coat from rain, contact with other garments & public transport!

Lace - who knew...I remember having very similar clothes growing up in the 80's [ok not as nice as the dress below but my mother is to blame for my childhood facshion disasters!!!:)] I even remember having a dress with deep purple velevt with sleeves made of lacy material & high victoriana collar - I loved it but the collar wasn't the most comfortable!

This dress I am digging & it's also come in a purple version however the grey appeals to me more

And now to Urban Outfitters where I went for a drool-a-thon over their stuff...like this Silence & Noise dress below - it's a 2-in-1 blouse skirt combo as a dress. Very cool, practical & day to night friendly.

I love flats & ballet pumps - I have one problem though...I have very weird thin ankle bones at the back of my feet & since the dawn of time I have NEVER (sob sob) been able to wear a slip on shoe...unless like the little beauty above they are elasticated. I will be skipping to Urban Ottfitters over the weekend I hope, to see if these are in my size...I have been searching for ages in vain to find a cute, jeweled pair of flats that will stay on my foot!

Grunge-tastic...I again already have a pair of studded ankle boots purchased recently but these beauties called to me...

These suede mamas are on sale for 20STG...god only knows may €25/28 or there abouts...I do hate being fleeced in the Sterling versus Euro conversions from shops like Topshop etc...anyway love the cosy ankle cuff - toasty feet for winter :)

Recently animal print is something I thought I would never ever like. I bought a skirt with a grey & not too bold animal print on it & got lots of compliments - quel surprise!
I think that my firm youthful memories are of Bet from 'Coronation Street' Soap (sorry if this makes no sense) in animal prints - sometimes head to toe that made me always think it was cheap & tacky looking. However this sexy number disproves my theory. I think it would be a great winter dress teemed with tights & boots & in summer bare legs & pumps. Throw a cardi on or a bolero & you're away...


That's all for Tuesday...feeling more energised (weirdly) after a full day back at work.
Hope that some nice person gets you something on your Wish list for Christmas.

A*

Just for fun...

Christmas is coming! I limped down to DL yesterday to see the lights being switched on but due to the horrific stormy weather it was postponed. Pity...anyway you get the idea from the photo above. I am not a very Christmas crazed person - I don't have to buy a trillion presents & I don't usually go anywhere special...but with my friends we have good craic. They truly make my Festive Holiday. We are already planning a special Christmas meal together where we all cook something for the 22nd Dec. Things like that make me happy - just spending time in good company- simple happiness.

I look forward to seeing my relations & catching up. We all now tend to see each other less and less - everyone is so busy with their lives as we get older. Also I like to bake things this time of year & I love the smell of Christmas baking & the real tree we always buy. Pine mixed with spices, cinnamon, cloves, Port, Guinness, cherries, dried fruits all mixed into the aroma. It's intoxicating - I promised to make/ bring Mulled wine Salzburg style to the party. This is making me salivate!

What are your favourite things about Christmas - that make you happy at the smell, touch or taste of something? and why those things?

Wrap up it's chilly out...

A*


Below is a little questionnaire that I saw on some favourite blogs of mine - I thought that anyone should do it to...so feel free to copy, paste & fill in :)

1. Where is your phone? Upstairs on my bed
2. Your hair? Tied up
3. Your Mother? studying & full of questions
4. Your Father? curious & fixes things
5. Your favorite food? I can't decide
6. Your dream last night? I don't remember...but I didn't rest too easy :(
7. Your favorite drink? a vanilla latte (iced or hot)
8. Your dream/goal? Directing theatre & having my own theatre company
9. What room are you in? Computer room
10. Your hobbie? yoga & swimming
11. Your fear? Not reaching my full potential & making bad decisions.
12. (is missing)
13. Where were you last night? sofa with my feet up
14. Something that you're not? not always punctual...but I'm getting better!
15. Muffins? Yes please - blueberry or chocolate.
16. Wishlist item? A beautiful dress with lots of tulle in a 50's style.
17. Where did you grow up? In the Emerald Isle, close to the sea.
18. Last thing you did? eat a yogurt & drink some water
19. What are you wearing? A warm cream knitted cardi, black bottoms & a t-shirt I got in Ljubljana (good memories).
20. Your TV? off at the moment
21. Your pets? none
22. Friends? wonderful & funny
23. Your life? slow moving
24. Your mood? tired & in a bit of pain
25. Missing someone? Granny F
26. Vehicle? my feet, bus, luas, bike...
27. Something you're not wearing? slippers
28. Your favorite store? hum... Awear or H&M
29. Your favorite color? Mix of blues or purples...
30. The last time you cried? Don't recal a few weeks ago I guess.
31. Whens the last time you laughed? Saturday
32. Your best friend? Mag wheels
33. One place that I go to over and over? The National Gallery
34. Facebook? Not used very much
35. Where do you eat? Everywhere...but usually at a table.

Listening to Aqua Lung 'Strange & Beautiful' & Snow Patrol's Up to Now Album.

Overhaul...

I haven't been on this for a good while now...

That absence is down to a few things - in general work as I have been working full time & I never realised how work could take over your life like it has up until now.
Often my friends, family (& even collegues) at times have commented how I can end up over doing it & working too hard or just too much - spreading myself thinly over different places & projects. It's only healthy when this happens once or twice but not always as it seems to.

I have some time to think recently...about what I want for myself. I think that people are now struggling against things that their parent's generation had never faced - yes it's true each generation creates & has to face their own demons.

I haven't felt creative enough to give this blog a proper go...I have been so caught up in work that after coming home in the winter darkness I mostly cosy up with the fire & tv. It's very sad. I wish that I had a clearer idea of what the future holds. Because I have decide & I thought it was all mapped out but now I've gone fuzzy again.

I blame my stupid sense of duty to my work. I blame my silly sense of loyalty to the company. Ok so these are things to be admired in employees but not when you realise that I am only running myself into the ground & I get very little out of it at the end - I am my own worst enemy.

Recently a dear friend of mine said that I chose work over having fun.
This remark cut deep. First I was angry - how dare someone judge how much I work - I take pride in the jobs I've had & would always want to been seen in a good light.
It cut deeper on second thought because I knew this to be true.
I never seemed to say no or switch off properly from work. I was always 'on call' per say.
I swung from extremes of jumping through hoops of fire for projects to the other end of being so over burdened that I get ill with stress & lock myself in bed or just have a teary, angry rant at friends or family about it. I haven't yet seemed to manage a balance.

For my future I want to balance things - not end up the dog chasing it's tail in futility. I want to be someone who can go out have a good time, enjoy life not let it slip by because I was tethered to my desk.

So I resolve to be kinder to myself - to enjoy my life. It's the dash on the headstone that counts! It's what I did between the dates that matters the most & if I don't make it count I am wholly responsible. I hope that November it treating you well. As we near Christmas & family times I wish that this year I can find peace of mind & between people.

A*


Listening to Snow Patrol 'Just say yes'

Autum approaches...

Autumn approaches...

Yesterday the date was celebrated & commemorated...
I celebrated my father's birthday
Half the world remembered
Sang Hymns, lay wreaths, wept a little less than before.

I saw Beckett come alive
Ate a Vol au Vent
Drank cold Sauvignon Blanc
Met an old friend
Outside a re-vamped haunt

The clear skies held a cold breath
The stars up high offered no warmth
The leaves crunch
Wrap my scarf tighter around
March home to music
In by the midnight hand.

H & M - my cosy picks for Autumn...

Boots - laced up & tough or grey & glam

Denim for those comfy days

Check shirts - for Saturday brunch

I love this jacket from A-wear...I love the frill edges, asymmetric zip and long cuffs...

Below is one of a few tunics that I have bought recently...worn with leggings & flats, braved the wind & salty rain on Lehinch Strand a few weekends ago when I spent some time in Ennis visiting family.
My thoughts turn to leaves...the various hues of gold, brown, mocha, grey and taupe.

I like the crispness of Autumn - it suits my love of wrapping up & kicking through the fallen debris from the trees :)

Have a great Saturday,

A*

Coco Avant Chanel - simply superb!

Today I went to the pictures!!! Something that I had been waiting to come to the cinema is this wonderful film with one of my favourite Actresses, Audrey Tatou as Gabrielle ''Coco'' Chanel. It is a fascinating story of young Coco's life and how Chanel came to be. I admire the strength she had - that love was not something she sought out but to make a life for herself. To find her true self after an orphaned upbringing.

Go and see it if you like Biopics tales, if you like strong women, beautifully shot scenes, decadence from another era, clothes that will blow you away, attention to detail that dazzles and if you have ever wondered how on earth do French women have such an impeccable sense of taste! The photos below give you a small idea what the film achieves - visually stunning and the acting is superb. It certainly makes me want to go out & but some Chanel clothes :) What a phenomenal & elegant Lady.








This film made me while away this evening in a wonderfully pleasant way. I was with two girl friends & we had a great time.

Last night's party went well enough. I was spiritually drained from the funeral - the service was sad but an amazing testament to my friend's mother. I had been on another planet all day and was glad when work was over. I eventually turned up at 10pm and stayed for 3 hours or so. Met some old school friends, we drank cocktails, I had flowers in my hair & good conversation flowed. It was fun but I was exhausted & got to my bed round 2am.

In the brighter light of day - reflections kick in.
Not everyone is taking the 'new couple' news well.
I just wonder what will happen in the long term.

This weekend is a Bank Holiday - I plan to take it very easy. I have my Nana staying so I will be spending some quality time with her. maybe go to the park market.

In other fun news...I am thinking of doing a wee shopping trip into Dublin on Monday to check out the new & absolutely HUGE American Apparel store. This maybe old news to those of you who have AA in your country ages - but it's our FiRsT store & apparently the LaRgEsT in Europe! I can hardly believe it...I'm dying to see all the colourful pieces in store.

Our new gigantic store! woop woop :)


And so ends this post...have a great weekend tout le monde!

A*

Soft & hard...a fragile frustrated railing against the state of things...

H & M's current collection - my pick of the Ballerina soft nude pallet mixed with the harder Blackened edgy accessories...this reflects my current mood - softly confused while darkened thoughts cross my mind.

I don't understand many things.
I don't understand why illness claims so many good people much too young and with so much more to give.
I have a funeral to attand to tomorrow.
I am pretty pathetic when it comes to the somber events such as funerals/removals/wakes.
I can not cope - emotion that strong rips through my being and I am usually a teary mess.
The thought of losing someone just makes me so completely dispair.
Saddness on that scale (which I have expereinced too many times already) is hard to deal with when you are already a very sensitive person and suseptible to being upset.
Plus I'm a Picean...tears flow easily.
The woman who passed away was a mother and a creative lady - she was much too young to die and had a lot more to do with her life.
I think that cancer is the scourge of this century (amongst other things) but because there is no cure as yet it continues to claim lives that should live on for many years to come.
Wealth can be made.
Health can be lost.
Of the two you can't buy your health back.
I wish her family peace of mind to know that she has stopped suffering now.
Still none of these words make up the pain she endured and the pain the family now continue to bear in her absence.

On another note - I am trying to learn all the time how to deal with people.
Life always throws things at you that you never really expect.
In light of the paraghraph above this topic seems trivial but the other surprising (and not in a good way) event that happened this week.
Two of my friends are going out. I rail against this because she is on the rebound only a month after breaking up with someone and he is a massive flirt and never far from some bit of skirt.
I also expected to be told like everyone else. They seem not to value me as a friend like other people in my circle and have decided to leave the huge elephant in the room.
I don't know whether now to make a comment or just leave it.
It can't be left unsaid either...but I want to come away from this with my dignity intact & not be ridiculed for being affronted that they didn't tell me.
Humour as a defensive weapon can rub me the wrong way when I am having the piss taken out of my felings which happens with this particular guy on occasion.
So any ideas?
I have to go to a big party where they both will be tomorrow and I don't want to do the 'I'm 16 again on the gossip merrigoround' that behaviour is done & dusted in my book. I just need to get my head around it as their pairing is so out of the blue with no indication whatsoever...

Tomorrow is going to be difficult for many reasons.
Here's hoping I get through it ok...

Night, A*

In love with that floaty feeling...

Peter O' Brien's new Summer '09 Collection for A-Wear

The dress above is from the regular A-wear collection & I am intent on buying this very very soon. The dress below I bought for €10 a few days ago - wore it out last night for the first time and it seemed to go down well!!! The Peter O' Brien pieces are stunning and I hope to buy some of them - I am in love with the floaty feeling of summer and wearing flowing dresses - it's freeing and uplifting.

I have a song on repeat - Blood Bank by Bon Iver...
Thoughts of late - don't expect too much from people. Rely on yourself, your instinct, try & keep your judgements to yourself - or just be open to everyone. Situations can change and frowns soon turned to smiles by a positive thought, a stress releasing smile. To be so quick to make your mind up about everyone - people are so alike underneath each exterior.

I had a line stuck in my mind for writing something - ''Today I discovered my mascara was not tear proof and the eyes were blackened by the salty drip down my earlier beautification and the present emotional mess...things come to a head and are open in the light''...

I think about being a writer of verse and other times I just think.
I think wonderful things and then get to that point - how? when? where? why? and not only these worryfilled questions barge into my mind but the permanent doubt battle - being creative means being so incredibly vunerable and who would want that for their life's vocation?

I do - but in so many ways. Work for me is going ok at the moment and I guess that last night's chance meeting with an old college friend was brilliant timing. I believe in that - chance coincidences and timing being written in the stars...she has asked me to get involved with a theatre production and to direct the play.

I can barely believe this and yet - it's right that I get back to my roots.
With a clear mind, passion, energy and love you craft something from start to finish - you get on that path and who knows where it will go but you do it anyway as I have long know that the rehearsal journey is the most informative and amazing part of directing that keeps the creative fires burning in the minds of those who love theatre.

I am also doing another stint as Stage Management/ Directing for production for the Fringe in Dublin this September...not too much I can give away but I am very excited by this prospect and the Fringe festival shows as a whole.

There has been a good few things to report since my last post - I had Cash visit - a friend from my Salzburg travels - in the photo he is in my kitchen eating freshly baked scones & coffee with my Mum before he headed to the airport on the last day!

The weather has been cloudy, wet and yet warm and sunny...typical Irish summer

Killruddery House, Co. Wicklow is a new place for me to discover & as part of Bray Summer Fest they hosted Lisa Hannigan - 22 July. It was an amazing venue and the music was gorgeous

Last night's party...till 4.30am it was wine filled laugh a minute fun!

Below photos from the last few days at The Iveagh Gardens at the Carlsberg Comedy Festival for Lisa's Birthday - so much fun :)

Random silly self made photo!

On that note - time to retire for the night and to think on what I want to do in the future...'that secret that we know, that we don't know how to tell'...

A*