Christmas Gift Guide Series 2016: BEST in IRISH!

{Christmas scenes: window treatments at Brown Thomas Grafton Street, Dublin.}

It’s beginning to look a lot like…

Looking for Christmas gift inspiration? Here’s the lowdown on the best in IRISH gifts – from Irish country chic to occasion wear, accessories and homewares, I’ve got you covered this Christmas and New Year! 

Magee:

Celebrating a staggering 150 years in business, Magee 1866 has a range of clothing for both the male and female fashion lovers amongst us inclusive of hats, scarves, gloves as well as key pieces such as their biker style jacket – pictured below.

Foxford Woollen Mills:

There’s nothing more satisfying than receiving a special, authentic gift and Foxford Woollen Mills have an array of gorgeous offerings in stunning colour palettes – from accessories such as über stylish gloves to cosy homewares such as festive throws and blankets as seen in their Nordic Collection – pictured below.

KYMAÏA:

Standout pieces from KYMAÏA are an updated version of fashion favourite ‘the cape‘ specifically catered as a sophisticated cover-up to compliment occasionwear, the sequin jumpsuit (as modelled by KYMAÏA Owner and Designer Kabira below) alongside beautifully tailored coats and dresses.

Custom Vintage:

This on-line gem has taken up temporary residence in Arnotts, Dublin for the festive season offering a personalised monogram service on their cashmere scarves as well as a host of other offerings and customisation services, so if you or a loved one adore personalised gifts go check ’em out and tell ’em I sent ya!

Beauty Belle:

Irish distributor of award winning Korean Sheet Masks, Beauty Belle has really made a splash this year with such masks as the Glacial SNOW Algae face mask. I have a review of this mask coming up but it’s safe to say it’s a winner and the perfect hydration hit for winter ravaged, dry or dehydrated skin and travel.

Vouchers & Tickets:

The Irish High Street has an abundance of shops to choose from for the Fashion and Beauty obsessed such as Penney’s, Zara, River Island, &Other Stories, Buffalo Shoe Lab, Brown Thomas, Debenhams, Marks and Spencer, Links of London, Peter Mark, H&M, Parfois, COS, Arnotts, Boots, Space NK, Dundrum Town Centre with Gap, House of Fraser, and Harvey Nichols or perhaps choose something like One for All vouchers. If you can’t figure out what to buy a loved one vouchers are a terrific go-to! Don’t forget the coffee addict in your life with vouchers available from Starbucks and the music fans with renowned music festival Body and Soul tickets on sale now as well as upcoming Irish concert dates from the likes of Justin Bieber, Guns and Roses and Bob Dylan!

{Buffalo Shoe Lab: Courtney Smith X Shoe Lab collection also available in Arnotts, Dublin.}

{Designer Re-sale: bags of style at Siopella, Dublin.}

Jewellery:

Who doesn’t love a bit of sparkle especially at Christmastime?! I know I do, so I’m shining a spotlight on four of my favourite Irish jewellery companies whose products and backstory have won my heart.

BYOS by Melissa Curry

The Success Collection celebrating the empowerment and encouragement of women, with a tagline of ‘Be Your Own Success’ the pieces serve as a reminder, a talisman of hope and aspiration to the wearer on the daily.

Be Bold. Be Brave. Be You.

ROXLUNA: by Emily McKeogh

From leather tassle earrings in an array of colours to initial necklaces and statement rings and necklaces ROXLUNA has something for everyone. A gorgeous display of both statement and delicate jewellery awaits at roxluna.com and I have a special discount code of 15% OFF EVERYTHING using code VIP15 on the site!

Liwu Jewellery: by Áine Breen.

The new ‘Native’ collection from Liwu Jewellery focuses on ancient Irish symbols believed to promote serenity, balance, progress and such.

Aine’s first collection was Chinese inspired and includes stunning pieces such as her ‘3 Lucky Stars’ necklace representing luck, prosperity and longevity. I am yet to treat myself to this piece but it is definitely on my wish-list!

With Liwu meaning gift in Chinese, each collection from this designer is filled with meaning and beautifully represented by each design.

The Shore Collection by Martina Hamilton:

Inspired by the coastline in Sligo, the Shore Collection by Martina Hamilton comprises of truly eye-catching pieces. The wave inspired and shell-like pieces really speak to me, being a lover of the tranquillity of the ocean and the texture and shapes of shells.

There you have it – my ‘Best in Irish‘ top picks for Christmas Gift shopping!

Who are some of your favourite Irish brands or companies?

I hope you enjoyed this post and got some major inspiration for gift buying…

Happy shopping!

Thanks for stopping by!

Gail. xx

Photography: © Gail O’Connor.

BYOS image: © Melissa Curry.

Custom Vintage image: © of CV.

Disclaimer: I do consultancy work for BYOS in Marketing/Comms capacity. The Beauty Belle Face Mask is a PR sample. ALL opinions however are expressly my own as always!

Spotlight on: Dublin Fashion – ‘& Other Stories’ SS17 Makes Landfall!

The Event:

It was a case of old world meets new at the ‘& Other Stories‘ Press Preview.

The Date: October 2016.

The Location:

Set in the uber historic surroundings of the hidden gem that is Marsh’s Library, Dublin the SS17 presentation from ‘& Other Stories‘ was right at home – nestled beautifully in a place filled with stories and legends of it’s own, perfectly in keeping with the brand ethos.

What’s to Come From & Other Stories Dublin?
Encompassing two Atelier collections & Other Stories delivers a nod to the style of Stockholm and Paris in its Atelier collections.

Paris Atelier:

Feminine and extravagant, this collection explores the decadent bourgeoisie. The look is flourishing in lavish details, rich colours and floral prints, reinventing the perception of French flair. – Philoméne Tellaroli, Accessories Designer, & Other Stories

Key elements of the collection: floral prints, embroideries and high collars – combined they deliver another chapter of boho escapism.

Stockholm Atelier:

Dress up or dress down your outfit this season with a pair of contradictory shoes. Mix casual with stiletto heels or dress down tailored pieces with soft, easy flats. Find and effortless look by playing with proportions and contrasts. – Nicole Johnson, Shoe Designer, & Other Stories

Key elements of the collection:

Shoulders are slightly dropped and waistlines are marked, punctuated with key details such as ribbons and belts that control the flow and shape of the garments.

Check out the gallery below for a closer look at some of the collections, snaps from the preview plus a look at some of my favourite picks from ‘& Other Stories‘ when it hits Grafton Street, Dublin before Christmas!

{Blacksheep Foods provided a delicious and uber healthy lunch – highly recommend this company for top notch grub!}

Maximialist Joy: the SS17 collection from the Paris Atelier features ultra feminine silhouettes highlighting an emphasis on bell sleeves and ruffles with a palette that dabbles in hues of red, blue, white and pink.

Renew Volumes: taking influence from the 1930’s, the Stockholm Atelier presents a strong and minimalistic approach to the SS17 collection and sets the stage for a contemporary silhouette with a nod to a relaxed yet chic approach to layering.

This collection places emphasises on a new approach to power dressing – a bold fresh take for the modern, working woman’s wardrobe. With the signature tailoring of & Other Stories the collection encompasses a palette of light blue, yellow, white, bright green and black.

The Accessories:

Sleek, modern ornate graphic design pieces and on-trend ultra stylish key pieces are at the heart of the accessories collection – a little bit of heaven for any wardrobe.

Decorative pieces such as brooches make an appearance alongside grandiose rings and earrings, mini bags and scarves worn as necklaces.

The Beauty of & Other Stories:

Not just offering apparel, ‘& Other Stories‘ has some seriously gorgeous beauty and makeup items as well as candles to decorate your chosen space.

The scents featured in the body care  and candle ranges are blended to perfection, unearthing some weird and wonderful treats for the senses, uniquely different pairings that somehow just work!

{My favourite scent – cannot wait to get my hands on this!}

{For the home: scent offerings from the candle collection, elegant and smell divine.}

{The colour payoff from this highlight is insane! See below for closer look…}

{Blinded by the light…stunning highlight offering from & Other Stories. #musthaves}

Are you excited for ‘& Other Stories’ to hit Dublin? Have you already experienced ‘& Other Stories’ abroad? If so, what are some of your must-haves?
Tell me!

Tweet me: @DublinGail Instagram: @littlegforce, Snapchat: DublinGail or comment below!

The official website is down for maintenance , meanwhile you can visit ‘& Other Stories’ on Tumbler , Twitter, YouTube and Facebook.

Thank you: ‘& Other Stories’ and Balubas PR for having me in attendance.

Thanks for stopping by until next time…

Gail. Xx
Photography:© Gail O’Connor.

Siam Thai Restaurant Turns 21! #Siam21

An Evening with Siam Thai: #Siam21

An invitation to Siam Thai Restaurant and Cocktail bar recently, saw me immersed in an evening of food heaven with curry and cocktails by candlelight.

The Event:

Siam Thai’s 21st Birthday Bash!

The Date:

Wednesday, October 21st 2015.

The Location:

The Candlelight Bar – Siam Thai, Dundrum Town Centre, Co. Dublin.

Siam Thai is a renowned Thai restaurant in Ireland. Family owned and run, it was the first Thai restaurant to open in Dublin twenty one years ago and one of the first to open in Ireland! The original restaurant was the Malahide branch which put the company on the map and was so successful, it was inevitable that the family would open more. The Candlelight Bar in Dundrum was the brain child of current owner Eoin Flanaghan and his sister and is home to some of the best cocktails around and authentic Thai chefs. The restaurant boasts an outdoor terraced area to enjoy some fine food, intimate chats and delectable drinks.

The event was impeccably executed by the über professional Emma O’Farrell and the lovely Avila Lipsett, who on arrival, welcomed guests on the chilly evening with a warm greeting and the invitation to a glass of prosecco!

The atmospheric entry-way at Siam Thai Dundrum.

The Candlelight Bar: Siam Thai, Dundrum Town Centre.

I absolutely loved the Halloween vibe that Siam Thai had going on in the venue on the night!

The venue had various decorative features littered around the room for Halloween – skulls with a voodoo-esque style, crystal balls, ghoulish ghosts and spider webbing, all softly illuminated by flickering candlelight (obviously).

The Candlelight Bar oozes decadence with dark wooden floors, ambient lighting from stunning chandeliers and aforementioned candlelight from statement candelabra, decorative wine decanters and luxurious seating.
The room has the perfect vibe for anyone wanting a more intimate dining experience be it dinner for two or an exclusive event, such as this one!

Speech Time: Owner Eoin Flanaghan sharing anecdotes about the family business and thanking guests for attending and celebrating with him and his team. 

The Menu:

Trays of a variety of delicious curries were dispatched to every table and guests anxiously selected their chosen dish. Thai Green Curry, Chicken Cashew and Beef Massaman were some of the dishes on the menu. I went with the Thai Green Curry which was incredibly tasty and fragrant whilst being mild on the spices. A best-seller, this dish is tantalising on the taste buds, plentiful in authentic Thai flavour, fresh and vibrant, and left me wanting more and more and…(you get the drift!)

Prosecco flowed freely with complimentary cocktails, such as Coconut Shy and Loop the Loop and it tasted like – you guessed it, it tasted like the popular ice-pop…chocolatey goodness and all! The cocktails came via award-winning mixologist Darren Geraghty and it’s clear why he has this claim to fame, as the cocktails were delicious!

Any foodies out there? If you’re on the hunt for a beautiful venue for the upcoming Christmas party season or just visiting Dublin in general – I highly recommend checking out any of the Siam Thai restaurants for an authentic taste of Thailand, right here in the Emerald Isle! I’ll definitely be back soon!

Happy birthday Siam Thai!

Thanks go to Emma O’Farrell and Avila Lipsett for both the invitation and organising a thoroughly enjoyable night and Eoin Flanaghan and his team for an evening of fine food, fun and frolics!

As usual, thanks so much to my readers for stopping by, really appreciate it guys!

Gail.Xx
Photography: © Gail O’Connor.
Opening first image via: Siam Thai.

The “EMERGENCE” Exhibition Launch & Fashion Show! Irish Designers in: Clothing, Jewellery & Millinery Design!

A Celebration of Irish Designers!

A few weeks ago I received a delightful invitation to an exclusive fashion event. An exhibition launch dubbed “Emergence” built around the idea to showcase emerging talent in Irish Design within Gorey’s fashion hub.

A chance for four designers of clothing, jewellery and millinery, to showcase their creative talent and latest collections for Fall/Winter 2015. I had been looking forward to this event for a while now, so I packed my bags and went along to the event last Thursday!

The Location:

The Gaslamp Gallery, Esmonde Street Gorey, Co. Wexford

Esmonde Street is known to be part of Gorey’s fashion district. The Gaslamp Gallery made for a modern, personalised, bright and airy space perfect for a showcase event, fashion show and to house the “Emergence” Exhibition.

Gallery owner Claire was a warm, welcoming presence upon my arrival at the gallery on the rain soaked afternoon and was an amazing host for the evening.

The Designers:

(L-R) Naoimh Prim, Kabira Allain, Amanda Byrne and Áine Breen.

Naoimh Prim – Naoimh Prim: Hand Printed Textiles.

Kabira Allain – Fashion Designer and owner of the label KYMAÏA.

Amanda Byrne – milliner and owner Highbury Designs.

Áine Breen- Limu Jewellery.

Each designer is registered with and members of, The Design and Crafts Council of Ireland and their passion and dedication to their craft is apparent in the detail of every piece they create.

The Behind the Scenes Access:

The “sunny south east” of Ireland obviously didn’t get the memo that I would be in town and I arrived in the afternoon off the train from Dublin to a rainy, cool and breezy “summer’s” day.

The Gaslamp Gallery was a hub of activity upon my arrival. I met with the designers, chatted a little, snapped some sneak peek shots of the collections, updated social media and then rolled up my sleeves to freshen up the hats from Highbury Designs to give a helping hand.

I have a real appreciation in seeing “the behind the scenes” at an event, it’s always so interesting to see the last minute details come together. From steaming garments to making sure hair and makeup is running on time and the photographer is getting the shots he wants, seeing everything fall into place before any event, especially a fashion event – is very satisfying to witness as a Fashion Blogger.

I couldn’t resist snapping this hat/jumpsuit combo. Hat – Highbury Designs.

This look stole my heart! The handmade, handstiched hat, adds a showstopping element to the exquisite jumpsuit and the simple, complimentary colour scheme makes this a versatile look – a modern, sophisticated take on separates resulting in a winning combination. A stand out look for me and one I would totally sport to a myriad of events and occasions!

Amanda Byrne of Highbury Designs.

Up Close and Personal with Liwu Jewellery:

A stunningly crafted collection with different meanings behind each of the designs, such as; “Love – life to the heart, grace to the body.”

Inspired by a trip to Beijing and influenced by Chinese calligraphy and the ancient meaning of the beautiful characters, Áine set about designing a jewellery collection, even the company name Liwu has a meaning – “gift”. I certainly wouldn’t mind receiving anything from this collection as a gift would you?!

The Liwu Jewellery collection is a superb array of super stylish, delicate, yet eye-catching pieces to adorn ourselves with ladies!
#newfave in the jewellery world for me!

Naoimh Prim: Hand Printed Textiles:

An earthy, classic, yet sophisticated collection including snoods, scarves and wraps – here is a closer glimpse at some of these pieces actually being showcased and some possible ways to style them.

I adore the print on these pieces and the colour selection!

Organic jersey cotton, hand printed designs in a myriad of colours and styles.

KYMAÏA: by Kabira Allain.

This coat is a must have this A/W 2015! Effortlessly stylish, yet will keep you cosy in the depths of the Irish winter.

This dress is another favourite of mine, I adore the modern, egdy addition of leather and the combination of different textures in the piece.

This cape and leather monochrome skirt ensemblé was a favourite amongst the crowd with a number of folks “coo-ing” over it!

What I love about all of the collections from the designers, is that their pieces suit a wide variety of age groups and styles.

Pretty as a Picture!

A journey of inspiration and preparation by the designers, captured and displayed in a unique fashion (pun totally intended!) at the Emergence Exhibition:

Hours of work went into creating this photographic piece by the designers themselves.

Behind the scenes the atmosphere was charged and the energy was electrifying, the pace high octane and there was a buzz of excitement that intensified with every tick of the clock…

After all of that, I freshened up and got myself ready for the event.

The Event:

Guests were greeted with Prosecco on arrival accompanied by an Artisan cheese reception. Mint and blueberry water was also available and after a well deserved glass of Prosecco it was the infused water that became my drink of choice. Delicious!

The gallery was soon packed to capacity with a guest list that boasted some of Ireland’s most influential faces in fashion, art, craft, business and entrepreneurship, with local support in abundance.

The footfall was astounding for a first time “collective” showcase by the “emerging” Irish Designers and even on a soggy evening, the queue to get in was out the door!

The Showcase:

The fashion show went down a storm and many pieces were met with appreciative nods from the attendees.

Here are some of my favourite looks from the fashion show!

Liwu Jewellery kicked off the show.

The “Three Lucky Stars” long chain necklace (pictured above) – worn with outfit from fellow “emerging” designer Kabira Allain of KYMAÏA designs. All other jewellery: Liwu Jewellery.

Caped monochrome ensemble from KYMAÏA.

Hat by Highbury Designs.

The pops of mustard are the perfect “pick me up” for winter in the KYMAÏA A/W 2015 collection.

The blue scarf and creamy coloured cape are a must have for me…yep, I’m currently lusting after them!

In the Frame! The designers and I “framing” our memories of the night.

The Outfit:

I opted for a chic, monochrome ensemblé, featuring a romantic touch with a white broderie anglaise top and added a lightweight leather jacket to give my outfit a little edge. A long, delicate pearl necklace, statement pearl bracelet, black skinny jeans, nude and black strappy wedge heels, red nail polish and a flash of silver to my bag completed the look.

I was “Live Tweeting” the event and Xposé Magazine showed their support for the designers and the event on the Twitter machine by re-tweeting my coverage of the event!
Totally unexpected but sincerely appreciated.
Absolute dolls the lot of you!

The powers that be at Xposé HQ have even given the Emergence Exhibition some coverage in the A-Listings Section of this month’s edition which is on shelves now!

The event eventually wound down and the attendees dwindled until it was time to celebrate the evening in a local pub, a chance for the designers, to actually comprehend the success of the event and the fact that they have successfully “Emerged” into the psyche and onto the radar of fashion lovers everywhere in the world of Irish Design and beyond.

Admittedly, I did do a little PR for the event but it was the designers themselves and Claire, owner of The Gaslamp Gallery who worked non-stop to pull off such an amazing event. Hard workers and talented…hats off to you ladies! (I’m full of the fashion puns today!)

This was my first “out of county” event invitation and here’s to more events like this. I’d so much fun covering this fashion event!

Emergence Exhibition at The Gaslamp Gallery:

The exhibition has been extended by special request and is now running from July 17-29th 2015 at the Gaslamp Gallery, Gorey, Co. Wexford.

A huge thank you to the designers Kabira, Amanda, Áine and Naoimh for inviting me to attend the event and to Claire from The Gaslamp Gallery for her hospitality.

If you do attend I’d love to know what you think of the Exhibit so you can:
Leave a comment below or:

Tweet me: @DublinGail 

Tag me on Instagram: @littlegforce or:

Leave a comment on the GlamForce Blog by Gail O’Connor Facebook Page!

As usual thank you so much for stopping by guys!

Gail. Xx

All Photography: © Gail O’Connor.
*Please do not use without permission.

SHOP the Looks:

Liwu Jewellery

Highbury Designs

KYMAÏA by Kabira Allain

Naoimh Prim Hand Printed Textiles

The Gaslamp Gallery Facebook Page

The Official Launch of SLEEK Make-up in Ireland….well if it’s good enough for Eva Longoria!

The Event:

I was thrilled to have received an invite last week to the Official Launch of Sleek Make-up in Ireland. A brand I’ve long admired (due to the rave reviews), but actually never tried as I had always found it hard to get my hands on! Not anymore though, as Sleek Makeup is now readily available throughout Ireland, and with amazing endorsement of the brand’s quality from the always immaculately turned out Eva Longoria, I’m looking forward to being impressed!

The Location:

The über cool Dean Hotel, Dublin. A fabulously trendy hotel with tables that re-charge your phone whilst you sip on your beverage of choice in the lobby area. #amazeballs

The event was beautifully presented with a gorgeously girly ambiance of twinkling tealights, candy coloured flowers and macaroons all pulled together with massive pink and white balloons, dotted around the room.

The Products:

When the event started to wind down and the blogger possë began to dwindle, we were kindly gifted with a fantastic goody bag on the way out.

I’ve got to say, we were spoilt with the goodie bag we received! A fab selection of products to really get a feel for the brand, across the board. Being a newbie to Sleek Makeup, I’m excited to experiment with these bad boys!

The glorious view of Dublin’s Georgian architecture from the Blue Room in the Dean Hotel.

A stunningly organised event, which gave me the chance to not only preview the latest Sleek Makeup products but to catch up with some old blogger buds and meet some new faces in the Beauty Bloggersphere!

Tell me, have any of you tried Sleek Makeup before? If so what are your favourite products and what do I need to try?

Huge thanks to Sleek Makeup and The Publicity Loft for having me!

Thanks for stopping by guys!

Photography: Gail O’Connor.

Pearls on Pearls – The Modern Twist on the Classic Pearl Earring!

Pearls. Classic, chic, timeless. The fashion world loves them, so when several new, modern twists on the classic pearl earring arrived to the catwalks and Fashion Houses such as Dior, it sent every fashionista into a tail spin in order to get their well manicured mitts on them!

With my bank balance not quite stretching to the likes of Dior, (understatement of the year), I patiently waited for the high street versions of this “modern pearl earring” to hit the stores. And boy was I glad I did!

First up!

Glitz and Pieces Coco Earring:

The quality and weight of these earrings is superb. Not too heavy and not too lightweight, I feel I’ve paid my money’s worth for a great quality, almost identical Dior-esque earring. The gold doesn’t look cheap either which is a major bonus with a high street version.

Glitz and Pieces is a budget friendly, Irish on-line jewellery store with swift delivery and excellent customer service. If you’re a bit of a magpie like me, go check ’em out…just don’t blame me if you do some damage to your bank balance on their site! Seriously, it’s that good. (Link below).

P.S. Bonus! They also do clothing, bags etc.

Next Up!

Penneys:

Now we all love a bit of Penneys (Penneys to us Irish – Primark to everyone else) in our lives, and when it comes to jewellery, Penneys are doing particularly well in supplying catwalk trends at high street prices. Actually better than the high street because they’re Penneys prices!
Check out the Ear Jackets below that were an absolute bargain.

Note: My American peeps do not fret, as Primark is set to open in Boston this Fall and across the U.S by 2016!

Ear Jackets are having their moment right now and at €2 for these beauts, how could you go wrong?! Yes, I said two euro, I know, I know, I was in disbelief too!

And last but by no means least!

River Island:

Another take on the timeless pearl earring, these are interchangeable, (like the ear jackets) meaning you can mix and match the fronts and backs of different earrings for different looks. These earrings sit nestled around the back of the earlobe sitting out towards the front, for a beautiful preppy finish.

There you have it, three fresh takes on the classic pearl earring.
Which style is your favourite? Let me know in the comments below! Me? I couldn’t possibly choose…

Thanks for stopping by guys!

Gail. Xx

Photography: Gail O’Connor.
Glitz and Pieces site here.

This is not a sponsored post.

Get to Know Me – GlamForce 10 Random Facts.

I’m sharing some funky facts about me here on GlamForce in a “Get To Know Me” session. The things that make ME, well me! I love to read these kinds of posts on blogs and thought I’d share some fun facts about me with you, because after seven posts I think it’s time we got to know each other a little better don’t ya think?!

Without further a-do…

Here’s 10 facts about me:

1.) Movie Mania:

I am a huge movie buff and lover of American TV shows (let’s face it, they tend to make the best TV shows) for example:
Remember ‘My So Called Life’? Yep, me too. Influential and ground-breaking in it’s day, it was the first time I laid eyes on Jordan Catalano…a.k.a Jared Leto. Swoon!

2.) Quotes:

I’m quote mad. I’m even on the lookout for a good quote book. Don’t judge!

3.) Pizza Lover: I am a pizza fiend! That is all.

4.) Dublin’s Fair City:

I am obsessed with the doorways of Dublin! I can’t help it! They’re just so darn pretty…and Instagram worthy.

5.) Quiet time:

One of my favourite things to do is find a quiet spot, grab my book, a mint tea and immerse myself in the pages of someone else’s life for a while.

6.) Lighthouses:

I love them. Everything about them…so much so, that I want to stay in one! For a week. In a storm… Okay, maybe not a storm.

7.) Writing:

I’m the Irish Contributing Beauty Writer for ‘Your Beauty Industry’ magazine and freelance writer.
Can you imagine my excitement when we got Khloé Kardashian as our cover girl, last issue?! Let’s just say it sounded a lil something like this…”Eeeekkkk!”
I also love that my blog (my little corner of the Internet world – a little Gilmore Girls reference there), allows me to further engage with people through my writing, it’s the best feeling.

8 & 9.) New England Love & the Open Road:

New England Love:

Anyone who knows me, knows I love America. New England in particular. I’ve been to Boston three times and counting. I’ve strong ties there and a little bit of my heart remains there with each visit. The people, the accent…Boston just rocks!

The Cape:
Cape Cod is everything you imagine and more.

Oh and Rhode Island? Well it’s just darling!

There’s so many stunningly beautiful places and states, nooks and crannies in the region left to visit, that I can’t wait to explore…

The Open Road:

I love empty, open roads. Looking at them, walking along them, photographing them, driving on them. There’s just a ‘peace’ about them that draws me in and awakens that “let’s go and explore” streak within me. The possibilities of the open road are endless!

10.) Flower Power:

I love fresh flowers. Peonies, tulips, you name it. Flowers brighten up any room, help lift the mood and make every and anywhere uber pretty, totally checking all of my “decor” boxes!

Care to share some facts about you?
Pop ’em in the comments below, I’d love to hear them.

Thanks for stopping by guys!

Gail. Xx

Pictures: 1,2,8/9 – via Pinterest.
All other photography: Gail O’Connor.