Travel
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
Paris is always a good idea but even more so when there is the chance to see the works of Christian Dior in person. The Christian Dior: Designer of Dreams exhibition at Musée Des Arts Décoratifs was the central focus to my last visit to Paris and I’m going to say it straight out; if you have any interest in fashion and art go and see this exhibition! Continue reading
Again & Again & Again
If you follow me on social media you would have seen I recently packed my bags and hit the skies for, you guessed it, Paris. It is hard not to return time and time again and as if the croissants weren’t calling me enough I had the extra excuse of attending the Christian Dior, The Designer of Dreams exhibition to make the trip even more worthwhile. Continue reading
Grief, sunshine and no wifi
You probably saw that I had taken a few days off and hit the hills for some much-needed sunshine. Sorry Dublin, summer has been ok but let’s be honest we could all use more sunshine! A bit of a last-minute trip, mostly because Mr B and I couldn’t decide where to go but we finally got organised, packed our carry-on luggage (Ryanair weren’t getting another cent out of me!) and off we went to sunny Fuerteventura. Continue reading
Part 2
I have been holding off on putting this video up mostly because if I’m ready to talk about my flight back to Dublin it means holidays are over (insert sad face).
As much as I love holidays and travel I detest flying. Thankfully my plan this time round helped me manage the long long journey and I will definitely be incorporating these tips and tricks on my next holiday. I’m already planning.
Let me know what your travel essentials are and where you’re going next on holidays!
xo
Melbourne
You have probably all heard or seen by now that I am on holidays at home in Melbourne. With such a jam packed trip there isn’t a minute to spare in between all the coffees, celebrations, sitting in the sun and of course babysitting the real lovetomtom. Not that I would have it any other way of course!
While I get my dose of family and Melbourne life, here are a few things to keep you along the ride with me. If you haven’t seen it already, check out part one of my Long Haul Flight Essentials video. Part two is coming but if I’m honest it was rather an unpleasant flight to Melbourne and there are only so many ways to say ‘and then I vomited’ but seeing as I have to take the horrendous journey home to Dublin there will be a part two.
I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity to celebrate my wedding with my Aussie family so out came my wedding outfit and we had a lovely celebration at Trunk Restaurant and Bar followed by coffee and cake at Bruntetti, an old favourite Melbourne spot. To top the night off we had a lovely catch-up with our extended family and friends and I had such a great night I had no time to take any photographs!
A trip home is very different to any other holiday. It is jam-packed, emotional and there is never enough time to fit it all in. I’m trying to take full advantage of every moment spent with my family and friends and a little less time with technology which I’m sure you will all understand. Don’t worry though you can stay in touch on Instagram which is where I’m posting a few holiday snaps in between all the hugs and kisses with the real lovetomtom.
xo
Again
With a blink of an eye and what felt like a million footsteps (just ask my folks), my holidays have been and gone. That’s right, I packed my bags for Paris (again) but this time I was able to go with my parents. A first and very memorable trip.
Doesn’t matter how many times I visit Paris, there is always so much to see and of course I always have a lot to say, so here goes.
Where are all the Parisians?
Ahhhh August in Paris. I forgot that while many of us are on our summer holidays, so are the Parisians who actually leave Paris in droves! Not too much of an issue but something to keep in mind if you are planning a trip to Paris in August. Time and time again you will see that hand written sign on a shop front window saying something along the lines of ‘closed until end of August, Bon Vacances’.
Safety
I was a little nervous about heading off to Paris this time round, mostly because my parents were travelling with us and I felt somewhat responsible for them. The decision was made to continue with our travel plans and not to be too flippant about our concerns we made a very simple emergency plan and that’s all we said about that. Even if we didn’t talk about it, our worries were hard to ignore. There was a very obvious security presence on the streets of my beloved Paris and if I’m honest I was a little jumpy. I know I am beyond fortunate that a heavily armed military presence is not part of my day-to-day life, walking the streets, checking bags and scouring everyone and everything that passed them. On the other hand it was a constant reminder of the world we are currently in. A sad and worrying one.
Fashion
Paris will always be special, so let’s get on to the good bits. I had huge plans to do lots of shopping but as makeshift tour guides, I soon realised we were going to run out of time for my grand shopping plans. I did manage a few purchases, two vintage finds which I’m thrilled with. First is this polkadot number which I originally put back on the hanger because I thought the back was the front! A wide-brimmed collar really doesn’t suit me but at a closer glance I realised it was actually the back with big white buttons all the way down the dress. I tried it on (a must when it comes to vintage) and this baby was mine! In pure vintage style it is missing a few buttons and I only realised this once I was out of the changing room after giving everyone a clear view of my underwear. Once I was over my embarrassment I bought this gorgeous dress for only €8 and will enjoy my search for some replacement buttons.
The other fabulous vintage number I bought was this blue high-waisted skirt. I’m having a bit of a skirt moment of late and it’s fair to say they have replaced my black skinny jeans. This skirt is the perfect addition to my collection. Unfortunately there are no pockets, and it is an absolute pain to iron, something I don’t do, but that wasn’t going to stop me. I’ve already taken it for a spin and think it might be on repeat for some time, creases and all!
Beauty – the skincare type
Like my fashion hopes, I had huge plans to hit the French pharmacies with the same gusto and determination as I do a boulangerie. However, I think I managed about five minutes in a pharmacy while everyone waited patiently outside for me and I was rather overwhelmed by all the things I wanted to buy. I did get a few bits but you’ll have to wait until August’s Beauty Bag for all the details.
Beauty – the city
I have been to Paris I can’t tell you how many times and it never gets old. This trip was a little different as my parents were visiting the city for the very first time. With only four days in the City of Light, we wanted to show them some of the main sights and some of ‘our’ Paris. Basically walking the streets, eating, drinking and watching the world go by. It was fun to do some of the touristy things again and I know I go on and on about Paris, but boy do I love it there!
xo
Almost time for holidays
August is here and I’m still counting down to my holidays. Fret not: While I’ve been counting down to my own holidays, as part of lovetomtomSBD I’ve had the pleasure of looking through your eyes and seeing all your holiday snaps and adding to my travel wish list. Plus my parents arrived and I’ve been in holiday mode with them so really it’s been a great summer so far and I haven’t even gone on holidays yet!
Here are a few photographs that caught my eye. Take a look at this beautiful view of Lake Como by Amelia at la femme éclectique. A place definitely on my travel wish list.
I couldn’t pass a look at Paris through Marie in May’s eyes.
Then there was this building in Tokyo to entice me thanks to Kristy Who.
And of course I couldn’t resist reminiscing and looking back at one of my own snaps from New York, a place so dear to my heart.
Once again the reason I started lovetomtomSBD has really paid off this month. Instead of being envious of all the places I haven’t gone, I look at your holidays with hope of all the places I will go. Same time of year, different approach and oh boy is it helping me get through the fact that I’m not on holidays. Yet!
Don’t forget to check out all the links I’ve included of these fabulous pictures and the people that took them and keep sending yours through. I never tire of looking at them!
xo
Time to fly away
Before I get stuck into this month’s same but different I want to give you a quick wrap-up of last month. June was all about photography and doing something with all those snaps. I had great fun taking my camera with me nearly everywhere I went and even more fun changing some of the pictures I had hanging in the house. It’s something I’m going to try to keep doing as much as possible as changing a photograph can really lift a room without spending a fortune!
lovetomtom same but different for July and August is about one of my favourite things; travel! Whether you are on this side of the world planning summer holidays or on the other side daydreaming about escaping winter, it is the perfect time for travel and adventures. Actually travel is good at anytime!
I feel like everyone is on holidays at the moment and while I’m counting down to my own, I’m going to live through others’ to reminisce about places I’ve been and to discover new places I want to go. While I wish I could overload you with two months full of photographs of my own travels and adventures, I’ll have to pretend instead and share some pictures I’m drooling over. I’ll include all the links to everyone’s Instragram and websites so be sure to spread the love. What a hard task, checking out talented photographers and exotic places!
There’s no better way to start than with Gray Malin. Some of you may be familiar with Gray Malin’s work but if, not the only way I can describe his photography is that it’s like a big ginormous bowl of your favourite sweets. I never tire of looking at his pictures and when I grow up I want to have one of his photographs hanging in my house.
Photograph by Gray Malin
xo
