Hello friends! How are we feeling this Monday? There is a definite nip in the air in the mornings isn’t there? I’m finding myself getting out of bed a little slower, with one foot out first, tentatively testing the floor to check it’s not too cold before retreating back under the covers for just a few more minutes. The clocks are due to go forward this Saturday so the mornings will be even darker and the bed will feel even toastier I am sure. I might just have to start treating myself to a warm porridge to lure me out, with lots and lots of honey of course.
I hope your weekend was a good one despite Brian trying to out-do Ophelia with more wind and rain! Shannon (my little sister) and I had trotted down to Dublin for the weekend but the weather made it pretty difficult to see where we were going never mind actually seeing the pretty buildings. Fortunately Dublin isn’t short of cosy pubs to dry off in so we spent a few hours warming up between dodging puddles so we can't complain too much.
In spite of the weather we still had a ball exploring Dublin and most of all, enjoying the wee luxuries that came with staying in the Merrion Hotel, a pretty swish hotel in the centre of town. The stay was a birthday gift from Shannon and my Dad and it was so exciting to feel like an aristocrat for 24 hours; the doorman welcoming us in, the concierge delivering our suitcases to our room, a little birthday tart waiting for us by our bed (the dessert you filthy minx!). Of course this is not the life we are used to so we lapped up every second and took a million photos of it all because if you don’t Instagram it, it hasn’t actually happened right?!
The most stylish elderly couple walking arm in arm (I had to take a photo!)
Luckily the weather cleared up on Sunday and we went for a mosey around St. Stephen’s Green, admiring elegant couples and ivy clad walls. After making a final stop in O’Donoghue’s (the birthplace of The Dubliners whose portraits you can find hanging on the walls), we drove down to the Powerscourt Hotel to admire the estate and the hills, bracing the chilly winds for a few seconds to snap a few photos before running back to the car. It’s a beautiful part of Ireland, so rugged and wild it’s hard to believe you’re only a half hour’s drive from the city. We promised ourselves that the next time we pretend to be fancy we will do it in this hotel and run about the heather like we’re in a Brontë novel.
Our doorman
Alas, we are back to porridge today and with that in mind, I have another weekly roundup of the unnecessary worries that I am letting go of for good. Feel free to borrow some of mine or even better, tell me some of yours? Would love to know!! Choosing ethical clothing – in last week’s post I mentioned taking a few photos with my pal Mel Wiggins who is an inspiration to anyone who is wanting to make more ethical purchases when buying clothes. Sometimes we can really stress ourselves out when we go shopping, worrying if we’re contributing in any way to an industry that exploits the vulnerable & impoverished. This is where Mel steps in and introduces businesses that are doing it the right way and who are producing beautiful clothing that will save our conscience. Have a look at her latest post for more information including the photos we took while dandering around the Argory :) Providing Hallowe’en treats – I LOVE Hallowe’en so it’s no surprise that I thoroughly enjoy decorating the house a little in preparation for the little visitors that descend upon the house searching for treats. Last year Andrew put a sheet up on the front window and had a scary projector show which amused the adults way more than the kids so we’ll be keeping that tradition up this year. Also, I’m going to be trying my hand at these bad boys to try and shake up the usual habit of buying a multipack of sweets that I just end up eating myself anyway! Repetitive breakfasts – I am so boring when it comes to breakfasts! I have the same thing almost every day; granola, almond milk and chopped berries. Now that we’re approaching the dark and cold mornings I have decided I am going to start making porridge although I haven’t made it in years. Is there a good receipt to use that you’d recommend? Who does the best oats?? It’s the type of thing I should be ringing my Granny for! Lack of documentaries – I have loved watching Louis Theroux’s new ‘Dark States’ series which has provided an incredible insight in to working class poverty in America. The series has finished now but the new series of Blue Planet will be starting this week and I am so so so excited to hear David Attenborough’s grandfatherly voice coming out of my TV, sharing the most amazing footage of the deep blue. Hans Zimmer has provided the score for the series too so no doubt I’ll be an emotional wreck after each episode! Having a poor bedtime routine - my bedtime routine is something along the lines of: take off make up (un)properly, brush teeth, take a book to bed in the hope that I'll actually read it (and then end up scrolling through social media for a half hour) and try to have a normal conversation with Andrew before passing out. Not too impressive is it? Reading this article gave me new inspiration - and a good laugh too!! Have a great week folks!! x
40 Comments
Lupe Hartshorn
6 years agoHey! I’m at work surfing around your blog from my new iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the superb work!
Mel
7 years agoI love your photos, especially the one of the elderly couple. They look so so stylish! Dublin is such a gorgeous city, I haven't been in years!
Nicole Sparkle
7 years agoYour photos are amazing, you have a great eye for taking them! I love my porridge in the morning!
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoThanks so much Jess! There really is so much to Dublin, too much for just one trip!
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoI know, her in her Louboutins!
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoI know it must be so hard as a Mum to make time for yourself but you deserve to, try and put that laptop away for a few nights a week so you can wind down a wee bit!
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoI know they're the couple you want to be! I hope you get a proper visit one day, so much to see!
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoIt makes such a difference doesn't it? I've been using a serum too which has been so amazing for my skin too.
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoHaha the poor trick or treaters have nothing left by the time they get to my house!
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoThank you so much Amina! You should definitely try and visit Dublin one day although you should see so much more of Ireland if you ever make it this far!
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoI can only imagine how hard it is to get time to read when you have kids but even squeezing in 20 minutes before bed can be such a good way to wind down!
Rachel
7 years agoOoh, I panicked there for a moment thinking the clocks were going forward an hour....it's back, isn't it :-) Thanks for the link about ethical clothing, that's something that I've been thinking about recently so I'm heading over for a look x
Laura Haley
7 years agoI am so down for the extra hour in bed tomorrow morning! Can not wait. Love Dublin, too
Nicolette Hargreaves
7 years agoPerfect I have the same breakfast and never knew a bedtime routine was a thing I am screwed
Dash ☀️
7 years agoLouis Theroux’s ‘Dark States’ series was so good but I also can't wait for the Blue planet to start! It's a lovely post, we all need to be abit more mindful and let go of unnecessary worries :)
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoAh so porridge is a staple part of your breakfast then! It's such a hearty way to start the day though so I'm going to give it a whirl this winter :)
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoI know how amazing are they? Me and my sister couldn't get over them!
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoShe's amazing isn't she? Ebay is a friggin' goldmine for amazing clothes and I hadn't a clue!
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoHaha I do that all the time, especially if I've had a glass of wine while reading and I forget what I've read!
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoHis shows are so fascinating, the last one was so sad too but I love them.
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoThat is such a good tip Jessica! Scrolling before bed is such a bad habit, I do it in the mornings too and is definitely a bad habit. Thanks for the advice!
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoIt's so easy to turn a routine in to a habit but I'm hoping that I'll get a bit better at winding down before bedtime!
Alex Donnelly
7 years agoI think I might have to steal this recipe for a blog post Kate!
Sarah Humphreys
7 years agoI love all your photos, especially the changing colour of the red leaves on that building. I am not a porridge lover myself but my children love it with honey and banana on a cold morning. x
Jess And Co
7 years agoSuch beautiful photos! You've made Dublin look like the most Instagrammable place ever! I hear you on the bad bed routine front too, sometimes I even forget the make up removal bit!
Eva Katona
7 years agoLove your what not to worry about series!
Louis Theroux's documentaries are literally the only thing I watch in telly. They are amazing.
Jess Thought
7 years agoOh my goodness that elderly couple! I can only hope to be as stylish one day. Sounds like you had a brilliant trip.
Jenni
7 years agoI need to sort my bedtime out, it’s getting later and later as I try to get work done when my son is in bed x
Ky
7 years agoUm how amazing are that old couple?! They look so glamourous, I'm glad you got a photo of them. I've only been to Dublin once, and it was a pretty quicky flying visit so I would love to go back and explore more.
Deb Sharratt
7 years agoI've forced myself to take my make up off properly for the past week and us a good night cream and it has made such a difference. Feel like I glow again x
Amina
7 years agoomg! Your photography is beautiful! I need to go to Dublin and see these beautiful locations you shoot at! I have the same thing for breakfast every day too! Maybe I will switch it up and try yours!
Heidi Brown
7 years agoI also have repetitive breakfast, unfortunately, I don't have any suggestions I usually have egg on protein roll!
Tracy
7 years agoOh, how I wish I could go back to the days when the only thing I was reading in bed was a book. I miss it. I know it's self-inflicted and I do have a choice, there is so much to catch up on when the boys go to bed! Love your photos, they are amazing and you are right, there is a nip in the air and it is so much harder to get up and get motivated in the mornings. Hurry back, summer!
Jenni
7 years agoPorridge is a family favourite for breakfast in our house. But then, we do live in Scotland :)
Katie
7 years agoOh, I love Mel's blog. Her approach to eBaying clothes has completely changed how I shop - I now pretty much only buy clothes for myself and my kids on eBay. It's actually so easy and I've found some brilliant bargains, plus it gives the clothes a new lease of life!
Vicky
7 years agoI wish I could stop scrolling through social media too. If I read a book, I fall asleep faster but then I forget what I've read and have to start again hahaha
Helen
7 years agoI also really enjoyed Louis Theroux's series - always so interesting and thought provoking!
Jessica Goodenough
7 years agoGood read! ?
Pro tip: don't have your phone anywhere near your bed if you actually want to read. Mine is in another room, which has the added bonus of getting me out of bed to turn the alarm off. ?
Keep up the good work!
Jessica
www.jessicagoodenough.com
Rhian Westbury
7 years agoI have a poor bedtime routine too, I don't tend to stick to the things I should be doing x
Kate
7 years agoLove your blog as always Alex ..... here's a hearty but different twist on plain old porridge for breakfast Porridge pancakes:
75g porridge oats
Small tub of yogurt flavoured or natural
2egggs
1tbsp sugar or sweetener
Little olive oil
Fresh strawberries, raspberries, blackberries basically any berries, a mixture of them all or indeed fruit of any kind (banana is rather lovely as well)
In a blender blend together the yogurt, porridge oats, egggs and sugar.
Heat a pan, add a little olive oil, heat and drop in your mixture ... it's usually enough to make about 5 good sized pancakes (if making some for Andrew double up your mixture). Cook for about 3-4mins until edges are firm and ready to flip over, cook for a further 3-4mins until they are golden brown and hey presto you have your pancakes.
Top with berries, a good dob of natural yogurt and finish with a tbsp of honey or a drizzle of maple syrup. A lovely warm, filling and yummy breakfast that will certainly keep you going to lunch. Enjoy ? xx