22

^^super sophisticated almost 22 year old young woman up there^^

Doesn’t twenty-two sound so much older than twenty-one? It doesn’t quite feel it…but I haven’t sunk into it all yet. I feel like twenty-two will be a good year. It will be the year I finish college. The year I witness (and ‘bridesmaid’…if you can use that word as a verb) my big sister get married, the year I organise a hen party, produce a degree show, write a thesis, read a LOT, work my bum off, stay in love, do some sweaty-ass yoga, and hopefully make some big and exciting decisions.
I feel like 22 will be the year that I really get to sink my teeth into more things that I want to do and less things that I have to do because of such and such or so and so.

This year was a lot more low key than last year’s celebrations but I still had the loveliest birthday with all of my favourite people who chose the most perfect presents* ever. Thank you ALL!

Expect more detailed posts and photographs and all that jazz sometime in the vague future.

Happy Birthday Richard!

It’s crazy to think that this day four years ago I was wrapping up a CD for your first birthday that we were together. Four years? That is a long time friend, we have grown and changed and travelled and danced, ate lots of good food and kissed a ton in those four years.  I am so proud of you, thank you for being my boyfriend, I really love you. Happy Birthday. xo 

Happy Birthday (little) brother!

 Happy Birthday to my littlest AND tallest brother! You are one seriously handsome (or so you keep telling me anyway) pain in the ass and I love you!

PS I can’t wait to try the beer you’ll brew with your new home-brew kit. xo

Cake! The Best Cake!

Sorry we ate most of the cake big brother. But when you don’t come over to get it what do you expect? There’s always next year! It was deeee-licious. 

Cillian.

Happy Birthday big brother. You are the BEST & I love you! X

Brunch

 Some photos from my 21st Birthday brunch the Sunday before last. The sun shone, the rain stayed at bay and we tumbled out onto the deck to eat strawberry cake and sip prosecco (and tea!). It was beautiful, and like I said in yesterday’s post I felt utterly surrounded by love. I am so grateful for my family and for those friends who feel like family. Thank you all so much for coming, you guys are great!

 

 

xoxox

1991

On Saturday I had a party for my birthday. I was kind of nervous before hand and was worried that no one would come, or too many people would come or it would get out of hand. I was jumping to every conclusion possible.

Really though, I need not have worried, I have the best friends one could ever ask for. Everyone embraced the silly theme (1991) with gusto and we had the best night.

Thank you so much for coming out, for giving hugs and kisses and presents and for celebrating with me. I love all of you guys so much. Xo

Turning 21

 On the day of my 21st birthday the sun shone like it hasn’t done for weeks. Eoin and Monica clambered for the shade at breakfast while I was left with the sunny seat. It didn’t bother me however as it felt nice to feel warmth on my skin, warmth that we have not really had much of this summer. As I type this the rain is falling down hard but I don’t mind. I feel like the sun on Saturday was the last hurrah, a final goodbye before we settle into the comfort of cool autumn and even cooler winter. We went for a rather late breakfast at Bibi’s where I got an unexpected phonecall from my lovely sister. The line was terrible and the delay annoying but it was so nice to hear her voice! How strange it is to turn 21 without her by my side. I remember when she turned 21, and my brother 3 years after…it does not feel like that long ago which is a scary thought.

After breakfast we brought Eoin to Dun Laoghaire to sail and we meandered around down the pier (as much as you can anyway with a dog that pulls on the lead!) and along by the water enjoying the sunshine and scenery.

That night myself and Richard had probably the best meal of our lives at Chez Max. We left feeling high after the most delicious moules frites and creme brûlée I have ever tasted. We will definitely be returning. I fell into bed exhausted after a beautiful day. I could not have asked for anymore.
But more is what I got the following day when 30 of my family and friends and friends-that-feel-like-family came to celebrate over brunch. More on that to come though ;) 

30!

Happy Birthday to my most favourite sister in the whole world. I can’t believe you are 30! That is seriously old sistah sistah! I love you so much and am so thankful I get to have you forever. I hope you are having the best day ever…and enjoy this roundup of lovely baby photos (note how I avoided all the ones where you look like a boy? If I was you, I would never forgive mum for that horrendous haircut). Happy Happy Happy Birthday Aoife!


PS It’s not your birthday here for another hour and a half but you are in Australia so you have been 30 for 7 and a half hours! Woo!

21

A few things from my silly little wishlist for my birthday next month.


Click through for sources. 

today! today!

Happy Birthday to my most favourite boy in the whole wide world. You are the BEST!
I hope 21 is a great year. I love you, xoxo

yum

It was my little brother's 18th last week and we had an ah-mazing birthday brunch. 

Instead of cake we had brownies. And they were delicious. 

It's Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's recipe and it uses cocoa and dark chocolate.

(I've also made them with Lindt mint chocolate and they were divine!)

orange roses

birthday flowers from my orange loving boyfriend. they're beauts.

Update: just got my photos printed, check out the real things below

twenty

I had such a lovely birthday.

It didn't rain, I went for a beautiful walk and had a delicious lunch and dinner out .

AND I got the best presents! 

(none from my silly list...but soo much better)

1. I won a prize from Keep Sketch and it arrived, like a present, in the post yesterday!
2. Waiting for a walk.
3. Presents in the boot!
4. Birthday roses.
5 & 6. My walking buddies

7. Birthday Walk.
8. Pre-dinner cheese and crackers.
9. My birthday 'candle'.
10. BOO!
11. Keep Sketch Birthday Badge.
12. Snooze time.

P.S If you dudes at Keep Sketch are reading this, and let's face it, you're probably not...but you're probably thinking 'hey, she hasn't even given us any money yet!? And we give her free stuff!? Well lovely people I will be making a donation tomorrow, I lost my card, I can't wait to get my hands on those notebooks! And everybody else should get out there and fund it too. It's cool and Irish and everybody needs more notebooks. Don't they?

It's my birthday tomorrow!

20!!

No longer a teenager...

1. This adorable jumper.

2. Alll the goss... two weeks off the press from my sister in NY.

3. This film, from this shop.

4. Peanut butter M&Ms... also from the big apple.

5. If all else fails guys I'd love to go to New York. Anyone? 

6. Bensimon's from Dolls. Just found out they stock 'em, bit late for this summer but I could stash them for next year!

eeek I'm so excited!!