I’m sorry to be mentioning Christmas so early but this collection launches tomorrow 23^rd October 2017 and although I’ve shared the photos on my Instagram when I attended the event, I just had to share more details with you here.

This year every Jo Malone London gift comes wrapped in prints created by British fashion designer Jonathan Saunders. Bold. Bright. Bursting with colour in green and pink. Just like Jonathan’s own design.

Christmas is my favourite time to light candles and this year I’ll be taking out the pine Jo Malone London one again (it smells of Christmas trees!), but aswell as that there is a new Christmas scent on the block in the Jo Malone London Green Almond & Redcurrant (Cologne and it also comes in a Ceramic Candle is €150) and the Orange Bitters Cologne (100ml €114).

Green Almond & Redcurrant cologne ( €114)

Giant Christmas cracker! The normal sized ones €39 and come filled with Jo Malone goodies.

Green Almond & Redcurrant Ceramic Candle €150 (in pink and green Jonathan Saunders box).

Available in Brown Thomas and newly in Arnotts this year.

If you remember back in June I headed to London to have a first look at the DFS Capsule collection along with five other lovely bloggers.

The collection consists of three armchairs, four styles of sofas and three footstools – (You can see all the photos here from my previous post) all available in 45 different fabrics, from velvet and suede to brushed cotton.  This means that everything is completely personalised to you, and subsequently made to order just for you! The chairs and sofas even come with removable arms and compact widths to ensure that they get into any entry way, doorframe or stairs.

It also consists of printed cushions and I received the cushion I got to design in London, in velvet grey and white chevron (see above)!

All my interiors wishes came true when DFS asked me to choose a piece from the capsule collection and style it in my house.  I was difficult to narrow down (everything is so fabulous!) but I eventually decided on a mustard yellow armchair- the Calm wing back chair (€556) in velvet.

Even with all the fabrics available (all forty five of them, including child-friendly, washable ones), I still went for velvet as the mustard hue was so gorgeously golden when I saw the chair up-close and I am a sucker for gold colours and luxurious feeling interiors, I must admit.

I’ve been thinking about a reading corner some time now and had left a space in the kitchen unfurnished, for this very reason. I’d looked at so many armchairs but in the end, once I saw the Calm chair by DFS, I knew this would be perfect.

The chair has been endlessly road-tested by us and any visitors who come to the house and all have agreed that the chair is very comfortable to sit in– it’s really hard to find a comfy armchair these days you know!

The light floods into this corner during the day and in the evening it’s a haven to escape to if I want to get away from the TV room and catch up with my thoughts or read. Unfortunately the day I took the pictures it was raining and grey!  The Philippe Stark stool was a gift from my sister.

Truth be told Ruby loves it too and keeps gravitating towards it, including to eat food while sitting on it, so I may have been too ambitious with the velvet and keeping it clean but I am beyond thrilled with how the chair and the reading corner have turned out.

I’d love to pair it with a matching velvet hexagonal footstool (like they did at the DFS launch in London) so this is next on my wish list to complete the space. I love the art deco vibe the hexagonal print gives (the cushion above is HM Home which I picked up in New York).

The print is Slim Aarons (bought at Yellowkorner ).

Sheepskin rug is Homesense.

Lantern is from Hickeys.

What do you think of the Calm chair? Would it be your choice?

DFS capsule is available online and in DFS Carrickmines from 12^th September.

*This post is in collaboration with DFS who gifted me the chair.  As always the photos and opinions are my own.

After the Dublin Horse Show it was on to The Shelbourne Hotel for the post horse show place to be –  The Shelbourne’s Most Stylish Lady competition.

Alex Butler from Cork was chosen from over 200 ladies by judges Melanie Morris, editor-in-chief of IMAGE, super-stylist Marietta Doran, style icon and business woman Pippa O’Connor Ormond choosing between the most elegant ladies and splendid outfits.

Wearing a headpiece from Michelle Kearns and a dress from Vows Boutique Blarney, Alex exuded style and elegance. Alex won the gloriously luxurious top prize of a two night stay in one of The Shelbourne’s wonderfully chic Suites and a two night stay in the stylish Renaissance Le Parc Trocadéro Hotel, a short stroll from the Champs-Élysées in the heart of the world’s style capital, Paris, and more!

Second and third place Most Stylish Lady finalists won an overnight stay with breakfast for two people at The Shelbourne, a voucher from The Salon at The Shelbourne, a pretty floral bouquet created by Flowers By The Shelbourne, and a subscription to IMAGE Magazine.  We loved Laura O’Hanlon’s outfit (she made her hat herself)  and chatted to Nicola Grant who was stunning in blue with a hat by ‘style by Rosylnd’

Check out some of the attendees and the winners below:

Aoife Sharkey and Sarah Hayden at the Most Stylish Lady at The Shelbourne Hotel in association with IMAGE Magazine

Bernadette Gogarty and Liza Brennan

Laura O’Hanlon 3rd place, winner Alex Butler, Nicola Grant 2nd place and Yvonne Donohue Director of Sales at The Shelbourne Hotel at the Most Stylish Lady at The Shelbourne Hotel in association with IMAGE Magazine

Cassie Stokes, Brian Ormond and Yvonne Donohue

Naoise Pelin and Sarah Clancy

Carola Ferreira, Everton Da Silva and Aline Santos

Hannah Cross and Melanie Morris

Eva Hayes Morrissey and Laura O’Hanlon

Photos: Kieran Harnett

Pictured above: Carol Kennelly, Sarah Tansey. Elaine De Roiste, Rebecca Rose Quigley and Lisa McGowan at the Dundrum Town Centre Ladies Day at The Dublin Horse Show in the RDS

One of the most hotly contested competitions of the Dublin Horse Show took place today with Aoibheann McMonagle from Falcarragh, Donegal being crowned the Dundrum Town Centre Ladies’ Day best dressed. A large crowd was present to witness as she was picked from a shortlist at the band lawn stage in the RDS and was presented with a shopping voucher worth €10,000 for Dundrum Town Centre, redeemable anywhere in the Centre.

Best Dressed Lady at Dubin Horse Show 2017

Aoibheann Mc Monagle impressed judges with her take on Ladies Day fashion. Her outfit exuded elegance, with a little fun, which clearly struck a chord with the judges top fashion stylist Courtney Smith, fashion editor Bairbre Power and Dundrum Town Centre personal stylist Lorna Weightman. Her classic boater-style hat was designed by Ashleigh Myles, which tied in perfectly with her printed Marc Jacobs Skirt. Neutrals in the form of a crisp white Karen Millen skirt and Aldo bag and shoes, completed the look.

Winning the ‘Longines Elegance is an Attitude’ prize of a Longines Equestrian Collection Boucle watch, which is cased in steel with diamond set indices, was Martina O’ Donovan, who was noted by judges for her effortlessly elegant ensemble, with her headpiece adding real attitude. The ‘Great Lengths Most Creative Hat’ was won by Kaela Kegan for her stunning vintage inspired headpiece. The sartorially savvy men were not left out and the ‘Louis Copeland Best Dressed prize’ for the men was won by the very smartly attired Everton Tadeu Da Silva, who will now have a handmade suit made for him from the famous tailors, after impressing judges with his great colour combinations and excellent attention to tailoring. An additional prize for ‘Style and Attitude’ was awarded to the very stylish Brian Kidd by Louis Copeland.

Speaking of the winner, judge Courtney Smith said, “The sun and the style were out in full today and there was a brilliant atmosphere for this year’s Dundrum Town Centre Ladies Day. I was struck by the originality today – lots of people making or borrowing elements of their outfits which really added a personal edge to the looks.”

Looking at the trends from the day, judge Lorna Wightman noted, “There was lots of monochrome which I think is always a failsafe, classic choice. It also leaves scope to add colour and personality with the accessories, and we saw some really creative looks today.”

Bairbre Power said “Once again the standard of entrants was so high, making our job very difficult! It was fantastic to see so many ladies making their own headpieces. It seems millinery is hobby of the season!”

Check out the style from the Dublin Horse Show below.

Aoibheann McMonagle winner of the best dressed lady at the Dundrum Town Centre Ladies Day at The Dublin Horse Show in the RDS

Carol Kennelly and Sarah Tansey at the Dundrum Town Centre Ladies Day at The Dublin Horse Show in the RDS

Doireann Garrihy and Suzie Griffin at the Dundrum Town Centre Ladies Day at The Dublin Horse Show in the RDS

Holly Carpenter

Linda Malone

Martina O’Donovan from Galway Winner of the ‘Longines Elegance is an Attitude’ prize of a Longines Equestrian Collection Boucle watch at the Dundrum Town Centre Ladies Day at The Dublin Horse Show

Suzie McAdam

Laura O’Hanlon

Heidi Higgins

Photos:  Kieran Harnett

I popped along to the Primark press day check out the latest from Penneys autumn winter collection. I must admit, I way prefer winter dressing to summer so I’m looking forward to when this collection lands!

I wanted all of the shoes and boots. The Valentino rockstud lookalikes pictured above are the business and I’ve bought them in flats (they come in grey or nude) – check out my Instagram to see how I’ve worn them.

At the Primark AW17 press day. Pic: Anthony Woods

Take a look at some of the highlights below along with their gorgeous autumn winter photo shoot.

The collection will be hitting Penneys stores in August.

What happens when you’re drooling over a furniture collection before you ever see it in ‘person’, thumbing through the online photos and fantasising about having IT ALL in your house? This is exactly what happened when DFS invited me to London to check out their new DFS capsule collection.

The setting for it was the coolest of spaces called The Skinny House, in Greek St, London, with whitewashed walls which showed off DFS capsule with aplomb.

An accent chair in a bright colour, a footstool with hidden storage, a velvet sofa, an armchair for that reading corner you’d love to create, a tub chair that’ll always be a talking point – it’s all in the DFS Capsule collection. You get to choose your own fabric, feet (wooden or metallic), shape and finishing touch.

Next up we met designer (each piece is handmade in the UK) who was at pains to tell me how child friendly and washable the fabrics were.

I am obsessed with all things velvet so this velvet couch in charcoal is simply stunning.  The lamps, rugs and marble table are by Dwell, owned by DFS.

Following that, I got to do a cushion print workshop with the textile designer Victoria Knew and the other delightful bloggers who attended. I ‘created’ a chevron print in grey velvet and white (cant’ wait to show it here when it arrives) over afternoon tea before heading back to Dublin.

How I wish I could live in the Skinny House with all of this gorgeous furniture.

What I wore: Jacket: Maje, Dress: River Island, Boots; Isabel Marant Etoile

Check out DFS online or in DFS  in Ireland (Carrickmines. Limerick, Cork or DFS Blanchardstown).

This post is in collaboration with DFS but as always the opinions are my own.

Imagine a shop the size of a TK Maxx, but  packed with branded  homeware at amazing prices?

Homesense by TK Maxx opened in Dublin today.

Anyone who saw my Instagram story last night could see my excitement and how fab the whole shop is. The pieces are all once-off, so you know you’re going to be rocking those #InteriorsGoals with anything you get here.

Part of the TK Maxx family, Homesense offers savings of up to 60% off branded homeware with an ever-changing mix of unique interiors finds – from furniture, lighting and branded kitchenware to quality bedding, beautiful bathroom pieces and gifts. 

They’ve got the most amazing collection of notebooks (including Bando), Kate Spade stationary, pet and kids furniture, mirrors, towels, footstools, vases and faux flowers.

I went along for a sneak peek last night and this is what I saw:

I bought this dark sheepskin rug for my living room. It was €39. (#Ad Disclosure: Homesense gave me €50 to choose anything for my home).

Homesense Dublin , Westend Shopping Park, Blanchardstown

Homesense will open a second store in The Capitol development on Grand Parade in Cork on Thursday, June 15.  

Go to  www.homesense.ie for more info.

Pictured: colouring at Starbucks, more colouring at Milano Haddington Rd, shopping at Avoca, kids cinema in the toy shop at Avoca Dunboyne.

A few friends have had visitors come to Dublin and have said Help, what do I do with them if they have a toddler in tow? And so all those weekends seeking out child-friendly things to do in Dublin have been documented. Here’s a round-up of my fave things to do with a toddler in Dublin.

Malahide Castle

Take the DART train to Malahide to find Malahide Castle, where you can go on beautiful walks in the grounds (they have a park run ok Saturdays if you are up for it with the buggy).

In the castle there’s  Avoca for breakfast/lunch/ shopping which has a fab kids shop (where all the kids play in Wendy house /toys). They have best playground ever just off the car park, get takeaway coffee and hit up playground with the little ones.
Malahide is also a lovely village with cute shops and restaurants  but there will be a few hours worth in Malahide Castle alone.

The National Gallery Dublin

On Sunday head to the National Gallery, they have a kids session with an artist every Sunday from 1130am-1pm which is open to kids from 18 months old -8 years old. It’s free and takes place every Sunday.

They also have a baby and toddler playroom in the restaurant  which it’s located in a beautiful bright atrium where both you and kiddies can grab some breakfast or lunch (taking turns to check out the art exhibition they’re currently showing Caravaggio until May).

Playgrounds in Dublin

It’s the first thing I check for now when we visit places. Sunday morning is the new Saturday night. Luckily we discovered a playground in Merrion Square Dublin 2, near the National Gallery. It’s located in a beautiful square too which is nice for walks.

You’ll also find a playground in Dublin city centre in St. Stephen’s Green Park. Take along some bread to feed the ducks!

A little outside the centre, you’ll find a playground in Herbert Park, which is also a lovely park to go for walks in. Look out for the farmers market and (if you’re up with a toddler as early as me the much needed) coffee van on Sunday mornings.

Eating out with children in Dublin

Also if you want to eat out in town Milano is a great place, any of them, we  particular love the one on Baggot Street bridge/Haddington Rd as it has an outdoor terrace overlooking the canal – great for dining al fresco for an early supper on the summer .

There are other Milano in Dawson St and in Temple Bar and if you’re shopping there’s one in Dundrum shopping centre and Blanchardstown shopping centre. They give colouring books, stickers and crayons to the kids, have high chairs and the kids menu is good. Plus it’s nice food and drinks for the adults !

Beach walks in Dublin

If you fancy nice walks and the beach Clontarf is lovely, we go here at weekends as it’s nearby. Parking in Clontarf car park in the village by the water is free until 11am on Saturday and free all day on Sunday. Walk along the promenade and then cross the wooden bridge to Dollymount strand, which is a long beach with dunes and  fantastic for long beach walks.

For food in Clontarf you could bring a picnic to the beach. Otherwise there is a Beshoffs for fish and chips or ice cream cones (99s) or head to Moloughneys restaurant in Clontarf which is great for breakfast and lunches, is coeliac friendly (fabulous pancakes scones and bread we’ve heard) as well as having a great, overflowing toy box and colouring for kids.

Do you have a top thing to do with children in Dublin? Please let me know in the comments below.

Pioneers of the fashion tan, St. Tropez kicked off London Fashion Week SS17 season at Julian MacDonald, with a super wet look skin finish. The collection is full of sparkle, sheen and high gloss so it was only right that the skin should match.

‘This girl is glossy, expensive and healthy with a perfect gleaming tan’ says Emma Kotch, St. Tropez tanning and skin finishing expert. Emma created the look as if the girls had just emerged from the sea, creating a deep base of colour first then topping this with a dry oil to add a bronzy, golden warmth to the skin.

So if you fancy a tan with a glossy finish to highlight curves, here’s how to get the look in 3 steps:
 

Step 1: Apply one layer of St.Tropez Self Tan Dark Bronzing Mist (RRP €34.99) all over the body and leave to soak into the skin.

Step 2: Apply St.Tropez Self Tan Luxe Dry Oil (RRP €33.49) over the top using the St. Tropez Applicator Mitt.

Step 3: Mist The Sanctuary 4 Day Moisture Body Oil (RRP €11.00) over the skin to perfect this glistening glow with water droplets on the skin.

Availability: St. Tropez & The  Sanctuary are available at Boots nationwide

When we finally moved into our house I was so happy that Ruby was going to get her own room and excited to decorate this for her.

I had decided on a white, gold and dusty pink scheme.

She had spent her ‘ baby time’ in our room in cot until age 16 months (when we moved into the house) – we had little choice in the matter as previously we lived in a one bed flat! So getting her own room was a big deal and has led to better night’s sleep for all of us.

First things first, the cot. I bought the Hoxton cot and toddler bed in  I’ve been advised by those in the know, not to scrimp on baby furniture and to ensure that it reaches certain standards. Plain white was what I was after and although the Hoxton took a while to get delivered (6 weeks)- we ordered it from Mamas & Papas in Dundrum- it was worth the wait. This cot also converts into a toddler bed so it will grow with her and last a few more years.

I sometimes add a faux white throw to the cot for pictures like this but this is mostly for our room! It’s Julian McDonald at Debenhams.

Then there was this pink canopy. I wanted a space for Ruby to play and read and I can safely say that this space has brought the most fun and joy into our daily lives, as every evening we huddle there for a bed time story. She loves playing in it and plays hide and seek behind the canopy. I ordered it on eBay.

Not pictured – a faux fur dusty pink throw, also from Primark which is the ‘floor’ under the canopy and adds a lovely cuddly luxe feel to the reading corner.

The cushions are (from L to R) West Elm white Mongolian fur cushion,two Primark Pink velvet cushions, a Primark gold heart cushion and two Primark white and gold cushions.

Next was the lamp shade. I’d seen this one on Made.com and decided it was so perfect that I got it for our hallway also– it’s a white clay shade with a copper interior.

The carpet is a grey/mink colour and the built-in wardrobes already were in the room and are a light grey colour. It’s a box room so it’s not huge but I am delighted with the overall result.

Have a great week.

Anne Marie x