With a six month old
It feels like a lifetime ago that I was in Italy especially because this piece has been sitting in my draft folder for six months and even more so because Lucille has changed so much since our trip. And of course we have since travelled to the other side of the world so a three-hour flight to Italy seems like a piece of cake. Looking back now it was the perfect time for us to have that adventure and what an adventure it was! Continue reading
Can I still say Happy New Year?
I realise we are at the beginning of February but Happy New Year! I’m slightly late to the party but better late than never. I feel like I’ve actually been in hiding all of December. I was preparing for my surprise visit home to Australia and it was best for me to avoid being on social media as much as possible as no doubt I would be the one to let it slip. I’ve always wanted to do a surprise like that and it was everything I imagined. And I imagined that moment a lot! It really was a special Christmas; Lucille’s first surrounded by her entire family both from Australia and Ireland. She won’t remember any of it of course but it was very special for me to be able to share a hot, noisy Christmas with her just as I did growing up. The flight from Dublin to Melbourne was a whole other story and one that caused me a lot of stress both in the lead up and in the sky but she did surprisingly well and a dear friend reminded me before I left; the flight is temporary and I reminded myself of that every minute she was awake. Continue reading
Upcycling
In the next instalment of my Would You series, I’m looking at the role of upcycling in the world of fast fashion. There was no better woman to chat to than Carrie Ann Moran, Circular Fashion expert and Head of Fashion and Textiles at the Rediscovery Centre in Dublin. If you have never been to the Rediscovery Centre you should. It is an amazing space that provides learning opportunities with some of the best in the field of sustainability. Speaking of experts, I was lucky enough to sit down with Carrie Ann to talk all things fashion and sustainability. Continue reading
There aren’t a lot of newbies added to the beauty bag recently which is a good sign as I’m loving the products I’m currently using. Nevertheless I do have two to show you.
These products are stand outs. One I was a bit skeptical about buying and the other was a gift from a friend. Both have turned out to be super impressive and I’m so glad they have been added to my current skin care routine. With these newbies I continue to use Clinique Moisture Surge Overnight Mask and am scraping every last drop out of it. Now there has been the odd night of not washing my face at all but even with that I feel like I’ve struck gold with the current combination of products. Continue reading
It’s hard to believe the newest lady in my life has already been in the world five months. Life with Lucille so far has entailed endless nappy changes, crying, cuddles, rocking, bouncing, lots of firsts, lots of questions and not a lot of answers. At times I feel my heart is going to explode with happiness and all the other times it feels like my head will explode with the ‘what ifs?’.
It really is amazing to watch Lucille develop. I describe it as one of those beautifully shot David Attenborough films. Every day there is something new. A new movement, a new discovery, a new expression. And then there are some expressions that I recognise. A cheeky glance, a smile, an inquisitive stare and even an evil eye! For someone I’m still getting to know, this familiarity can catch me off guard and I can’t help think of how lucky she is to have these characteristics but even more so, how important it is for her to know who gave them to her.
Before Lucille had even arrived I was astounded at the kindness, generosity and love shown to me and her by the incredible women around me. I often think of how these women will fit into Lucille’s life and how it is my responsibility to ensure that they have a role. I’m determined for her to be surrounded by intelligence, empathy, humor and strength. By women who will support, encourage and challenge her. I need her to see that these are not exceptional women; they are simply women and I’m very fortunate to know them.
But what about the women who have left us, who I see in her daily? How will she know what they gave her? My mind has gone back to a piece I wrote some two years ago for a jewellery company, Song of Jewellery. A lot has happened since I wrote that piece. Just as I had to say goodbye to more amazing women, I said hello to another. I’m sharing this piece again as this is just one example of memories I will share with Lucille. Memories of women that will become familiar to her, even if through my eyes. If she has their qualities she sure is going to know who she got them from!
It’s hard to start this piece about my late Nonna’s earrings without saying ‘I feel she is with me when I wear them’. For someone who is not religious or spiritual, I find this statement conflicting yet true.
I inherited many things from my Nonna, that’s grandmother in italian. Her generosity, stubbornness, I’d like to say her charm, her love for cooking, her plastic turquoise powder container and her earrings. A woman so influential on my life that I am spoilt with endless memories of her. Memories of time spent with her, watching, listening, laughing, at times disagreeing with her ways and her with mine.
Life has moved on and I have taken a path that means I am now living away from my family. Physical reminders of Nonna are limited and my memories are even more precious. Her earrings, a pair of small diamonds encased by gold that fall just below my earlobe ignite such love and longing it at times can be overwhelming. I close my eyes and see her wearing them, standing in the kitchen, preparing a meal fit for royalty and in her mind, that’s what her family was. I can see her smile as I arrive to her house and hear her voice calling my name in her own inimitable way. She would ask if I’ve eaten and in the space of our usual greeting of hugs and kisses, the coffee was on and I was going to be fed whether I was hungry or not.
Just five months ago I married my Irish love in New York. Just the two of us on an adventure which has been the nature of our entire relationship. Even though it was just the two of us, we had reminders of our loved ones including Nonna. Before any decisions were made for such a momentous day I knew I would be wearing her earrings, regardless of what the rest of my outfit looked like. I did wear them and they were perfect.
As precious as these earrings are I don’t just save them for special occasions. I wear them often because I want to share their beauty and hers with anyone who asks, ‘Your earrings are gorgeous! Where did you get them from?’
xo
Sustainable fashion, slow fashion, recycled fashion, repurposed fashion, upcycled fashion; all terms that have been at the forefront of my mind lately. I’ve spoken about this topic many times before so please bear with me while I explain why I’m talking about it again now. Before I do that from here on in I’m going to pile all those terms together under the umbrella of ‘slow fashion’ as anything that contributes to slowing down production, reducing waste, improving conditions to workers and consumers to me is slow fashion. Ok so last year I was having a crisis of inspiration. If you need a reminder read about it here. This lead to an unexpected personal shopping ban and despite my love for shopping, surprisingly I managed well. Then came pregnancy, during which I relied heavily on hand-me-downs, charity shops and borrowing clothes. Again if you need a reminder click here. Now post-pregnancy and breastfeeding I find I’m in a similar position. Some clothes in my wardrobe either don’t fit or are not breastfeeding friendly and I have no intention of spending money on clothes that are not going to be permanent features in my wardrobe, so I continue to look and not buy. I’ve bought the odd thing of course but my shopping habit continues to be somewhat subdued and I’m rather happy about it. Continue reading
Clinique x Marimekko
My beauty bag is looking extra healthy the past few months with some new products taking centre stage on my bathroom shelf. Just before Lucille was born I was in desperate need for a pick me up and it was perfect timing as Clinique had collaborated with Marimekko and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on what was on offer. Continue reading
Part Two
Here it is Part Two of my Pregnancy Wrap Up which has taken longer to publish than Part One! Now would be a good time to read Part One if you haven’t already. Part two is slightly different as I’m going to spill the beans on some of the other highs and lows I experienced while Lucille called my body home. Keep in mind this is my experience of pregnancy; I’m well aware others may have different views and different experiences but I think it’s important to share all the same. Continue reading
Part One
It has taken me long enough to get this post finished but I finally made it. Considering I started writing this at thirty-nine weeks when I had all the time in the world and I’m only finishing it now with a baby strapped to me you can get a sense of what the past few weeks have been like. By now you know that Lucille has arrived and I’ve entered a world of not being able to finish a single task, cold cups of coffee, eating one-handed and semi-functioning on only a few hours sleep. Throw in the cuddles, staring at the wonder that is this mysterious human and kissing her cheeks so much it’s not worth me wearing lipstick! Continue reading
Sort of.
You’ve probably heard the news by now that lovetomtomHQ has a new member, baby Lucille. I started this post while I was waiting for Lucille to arrive but I got rather distracted and never posted it! I can say now that Lucille is here I’m so glad I included this dish in my batch cooking! I hope you like it as much as I do. Continue reading
