Birthday

My favourite day of the year has to be my birthday, as self-centred as that sounds! Though it can feel unnerving to get older I place a large importance on marking them as an occasion, probably passed on from how brilliant my parents were at making me and my siblings feel so special on that one day a year. When I get the chance I try and do the same for those closest to me, there's nothing quite like being spoilt even if it's just a muffin with a candle in it, or a scribbled homemade card, it all counts. Even after all these years I was definitely touched by the little details. My parents still wrap up anything, even if its a keyring or something lying around they thought I would like. It's become a bit of a joke over the years, and I always expect the kind of free merchandise that you get on planes and from companies they represent! Year after year they write me a message in a funny card and arrange everything so beautifully that I just melt.

 This year I was twice as lucky, treated to cake in the garden, bubbly on the beach and dinner at a beautiful little restaurant in Vieux Nice. After blowing out my candles we ended the evening by visiting Fennocchio's ice-cream parlour and buying some wacky flavours to eat by the boats. All in all, a wonderful day...and I'm so grateful to my family, friends and boyfriend for being so sweet! 

Details of home

There is nothing I love more than coming home after being away for awhile. My family tend to spread out in all directions due to our varying work and life commitments, so this feeling is one we know all too well. Our house in Cork is like a base where we all meet from time to time, a familiar, cosy and wonderful haven bursting with memories and links to our past. Each piece of furniture, knick knack or painting has a story and they have all come to deeply represent the essence of what I call 'home'. Thanks to my mum's dedication - Swedish design dominates, with hints of Ireland and of course, the Middle East. I realized it's the little details you grow used to that make all the difference, be it in my case the playfully colorful glass, soft rugs, fake tulips or arabian coffee pots, they are the sum of what makes any house a home. 

It was a lovely stay, and I was sad to leave my parents as usual.  Moving to London as a new graduate is my next chapter, I hope it will be as exciting as I think it will be! Home, sweet, home..it's been wonderful, see you next time! x

Art Gallery Dwellers

 I recently took a trip to the Maeght Foundation in St. Paul de Vence in France. I'm a big fan of art and never pass up an opportunity to wander around a gallery for a day as I get so much from it. I don't claim to know an awful lot about art, having never studied its various periods and defining moments, however each time I go I am inspired and captivated by the stories told and learn more about it as a result. I love that feeling, and I wanted to look at other people's connections to the art around me. 

Shy visitor

We had a shy visitor at the house a few weeks back, the cutest little black and white cat just wandered onto our patio one afternoon. Needless to say we spent half the day giving her milk and trying to get her to come close. (too much time on my hands, #graduateproblems) She had such elegance and composure, not to mention beautiful fur...I wish she was mine! 

Busy bees

When I first got my new camera, I was at home in Cork for a few days with my parents and so I made use of their beautiful garden by testing out the new settings on all the flowers. All the bees were happily at work extracting pollen and it was fascinating to watch their meticulous process. I used to be terrified of bees until I realized how harmless they are, and especially how important they are to balancing our ecosystem. Without bees not only would we not have any honey (and who wants that) but we wouldn't have any fruit or grain crops either as they act as pollinators which are essential to crop production. It's amazing that these little guys literally facilitate most of what we eat every day! Governments are slowly becoming aware that agricultural policies that allow certain pesticides to be used are having a hugely destructive effect on the honeybee, as is the conversion of wild land into domestic and urban uses. Hopefully the more the public becomes aware that pretty much everything we eat is at stake, then more pressure can be placed on them to act sustainably. Long live the honeybee!