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Home sweet home

July 8, 2015

We arrived home in Ireland last weekend after an almost two-year hiatus.

So far, this trip home has reminded me of all the reasons I love Ireland, and its people. I have drank more tea and had more lovely conversations with random strangers than I have in three years in Dubai.

Most of our time has been spent in Galway although I am currently writing this blog post from Dublin, where we will be for the next few days. After that, we hit the road to my favourite place in Ireland – Kinsale, where we will no doubt have a fabulous (and incredibly scenic) weekend!

Before cruising up to Dublin this afternoon, we hung out at a super cool cafe on the beach in Salthill for an hour or two. It’s called Jungle Beach Break Cafe – a small, surf hut style spot, that provides outdoor crate seating and serves up yummy coffee. If you’re from Galway, or find yourself at a loose end there on a visit, I highly recommend you pass by.

I uploaded a little vlog this week also, if you want to check it out. Although, it’s not the most exciting one I’ve ever uploaded. Imagine me on a farm in Co. Mayo and you’ll get the gist of it… 🙂

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This is my podcast corner. I try and sit here at l This is my podcast corner. I try and sit here at least once a day; for a little escapism and a cup of coffee in the sunshine. 
Podcasts are truly one of my most favourite mediums.  They entertain, inform, transport, and most importantly - distract. Ideal for when we have too much on our minds and on our plates (which is all the time, at the moment). 
I want to know what your favourite podcasts are, please. What are you listening to right now? Let's build a little collection of 'highly recommends' in this post's comments that we can refer to whenever, wherever. 
I'll start with my everyday listens; The Daily by The New York Times, and BBC World Service: The Documentary, plus the newest additions to my library; Power: The Maxwells, Bad Bridget, and The Immaculate Deception.
I’m also waiting (with baited breath) for update episodes from The Missing Crypto Queen and The Teacher’s Pet (highly recommend a listen to both if you haven’t already).
There's a highlight in my bio of phenomenal podcasts I've listened to over the last two years FYI, if you need immediate inspiration (mostly true crime, investigative journalism, and current affairs, politics 🤪). 
Happy Sunday my friends ❤️
Do you have Covid Fatigue? It’s a thing, apparen Do you have Covid Fatigue? It’s a thing, apparently. And we’re all suffering from it, in some shape or form, because of the overwhelming amount of stress being placed on our central nervous systems. 
Thank you so much, global pandemic. 
We’re tired - all the time, we’re overwhelmed, we’re emotional, and we’re frustrated. 
And this is why, according to research, it’s more important than ever to practice self-care; in whatever form that takes. 
Whatever it is you do for yourself that helps you recalibrate, and restore, and rejuvenate. Do that. 
For me, it’s a seven-step skincare routine, or 15 minutes of absolute silence while I do my makeup, or a murder mystery podcast (strangely relaxing) when I’m walking the dogs, or the process of making myself a brewed coffee and then sitting outside to drink it, phone-free. 
And it’s exercising, which I’m trying to do more of, and eating well, and drinking enough water, and going to bed at an acceptable hour, and taking the time to check in with friends and family, because at the end of the day, we’re all in the same boat. 
And if I still feel tired, after I’ve done all those things, I think that’s OK. Because I’m doing my best, and really, that’s all any of us can do right now ❤️
Polyglutamic Acid from @theinkeylist ❤️ Lots Polyglutamic Acid from @theinkeylist ❤️ 
Lots of you messaged after I used it in my Stories this morning, asking what it is, and why I like it. 
It’s a hydrating serum formulated with 3% Polyglutamic Acid, a humectant that can hold four times more moisture on the skin than Hyaluronic Acid. 
I apply it to damp skin, after my Vitamin C serum, and before moisturiser. It’s very lightweight and creamy, and makes my skin feel instantly plump and hydrated. 
You can use it with Hyaluronic Acid for extra hydration, and it’s also *amazing* when mixed with foundation - try it and you’ll see what I mean 😉 
#skincareroutine #loveskincare #theinkeylist
It’s the smell that gets you. The smell of empti It’s the smell that gets you. The smell of emptiness. The smell of disuse. 
Uncomfortable chairs. And an ever-present film of dust.  On the furniture. On the ornaments. 
A general air of awkwardness. Of discomfort. And really, when you look at it, shame. 
A room in a house used only on special days. For special visitors. A place to showcase, to pretend, to present, to prepare. Fine china, and tea sets, and brown bread. And shame. 
The room the priest sat in when he came to do the census. 
The room my mother sat in to tell people my father was leaving. 
The room used for bad days, for bad news, and bad people. 
The room played as a trump card in the old Irish game of ‘What Will People Think’. 
The game used to hide what’s really happening. The game used to plead ignorance. 
The game used to turn a blind eye to abuse, to bad behaviour, to bad decisions.
Because look! We’re in The Good Room! Everything is fine. 
And where has it got us? Where are we now, Ireland? 
With our secrets, and our pretence, and our war on women and children? A war directed, most mercilessly, from The Good Room. A cast of priests, and nuns, and government leaders, and ‘respectable’ members of the community, ready to take their seats. Ready to drag daughters from homes, babies from arms, and hearts from chests. 
For shame, Ireland. For shame. How could we be so unloving? How could we be so cruel? 💔 
#motherandbabyhomes
I own three @topshop Weekend T-Shirts and can’t I own three @topshop Weekend T-Shirts and can’t recommend them enough. 
Flattering fit, great quality (that survives repeat washes), and currently reduced to £4 on @asos 😆 #win
In other news this is what I wore today. 
We went out for an early breakfast, and then spent the (entire) day packing up all the Christmas decorations. 
I’m wrecked but *thrilled* as the clutter was starting to get to me 😆 
Hope you’re all doing OK ❤️
#nothingelsetoreport #overandout
Festive makeup on the most un-festive day, but we Festive makeup on the most un-festive day, but we made the most of it ✨ 
Santa thankfully got around the travel ban, so we opened presents, and we FaceTimed, and we sipped coffee; festive tunes tinkling in the background, faces squished to the screen, miss yous and love yous exchanged across 5,000 miles.
And then we went to brunch, just the three of us, and we ate burrata, and discussed dessert, as the sun streamed through the windows, and our phones buzzed with messages from people we love. And Charlie said; ‘it doesn’t really feel like Christmas. But it still feels nice.’ 
And in the end, as we made our way home, and got ready for afternoon on the couch, I realised it was more than nice. It was wonderful ❤️
What’s your all-time favourite moisturiser? Thi What’s your all-time favourite moisturiser? 
This is mine; @avene_uki Hydrance Aqua-Gel. I’ve always been a fan of Avene, but when this came out (two years ago now?) it was love at first slather. 
It’s a super lightweight gel-cream and incredibly hydrating (like a big drink of water for your skin), and it also doubles up as a great sleep mask (you can use it as eye cream too!). 
I know lots of you have bought this as a result of me constantly harping on about it, so I really hope you love it as much as I do 😂 
My only complaint... is that the pot is too small. I fly through it at an alarming rate, so for Christmas I’m asking Santa to put pressure on Avene to make a supersize version 😆 
#skincareenthusiast #myskincare #skincareover30
Todays face (and bod) picks ✨ Todays face (and bod) picks ✨
A dreamy breakfast at @parkers Beach House with @t A dreamy breakfast at @parkers Beach House with @thedesignsouk ☀️ 
Swooned over the interiors and then ate Granola French Toast. Now that’s what I call a good Sunday morning 😆 
#living #interiorgoals #khobar
(Closed) All I want for Christmas is... @patcholog (Closed) All I want for Christmas is... @patchology eye gels, which are now available at @meagherspharmacy! 
The team at Meaghers have very kindly given me a €250 voucher to give away - so you can stock up on your favourite makeup and skincare products, or treat someone you love to a beautiful gift set (or two!) 🎅🏻 
To enter, simply follow Meaghers on Instagram (and me!), and tag two of your skincare loving friends in the comments.
The winner will be selected at random and announced next week. Good luck 🥳
AD #skincarejunkie #meagherspharmacy #treatyoself
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