THIRTY FOUR

today was a very good birthday.

truth be told i think it comes high in my top five...a high chart entry indeed when it ranks alongside the one where i not only had a strawberry shortcake birthday cake but also wore a strawberry print ra-ra dress and received a bean bag in the shape of a strawberry...all made by my clever mum. it was sunny that day too. i think i was seven.

and my mum didn't disappoint with this year's cake either. raspberry and chocolate. ciaran and me have just indulged in two helpings with an evening cuppa. life is good.

i woke up early and read my book before ciaran woke up. i didn't even need to open the curtains it was so bright. listening to the birds in conversation outside. opening cards in bed. a long catch up with my brother on the phone. lunch outdoors with warm shoulders and chatty people. hugs from my family. a surprise flower arrangement that i want to carry with me from room to room. (my very favourite peonies and a sweet william that has a special meaning...my dad took my mum a bunch wrapped in newspaper when i was born) and with two new cake stands too this birthday is nearing the number one spot!

i am a very lucky girl.

BEFORE MAY RUNS AWAY

it's time to return with a little makeover and a bit more spring in my step...thanks to the splendid sunshine here it's sandals ahoy and pale legs bared for the world to see! loving the simplicity of dressing in this weather...not loving those "what-no-socks?" blisters that my soft winter heels have endured as i dared to wear new shoes. no-back footwear is the only way forward for me i feel!

i often find myself in these cycles of blogging. i take a week off and then seem to step away from it all for a lot longer not knowing why and not knowing how to get back. but back i am and with things to share.

so for starters...a spot of friday baking and today's cupcake of choice is the hummingbird...courtesy of this recipe found through miss pickering (she of the red stained fingers!) i added a bit of cinnamon to mine and very nearly some grated carrot too just because i do love a vegetabley cake...i was very disciplined though and stuck with the original ingredients. (cooks note...for the cream cheese frosting i reduced the quantity of everything by a third which was plenty and as a bonus means a standard 200g sized tub of philly is perfect.)

and in other news...

the first rose in the garden has bloomed and i spy four fat pink peony buds too.

leya started up a new weekly flickr group called daily rituals

i launched a webite with my mum to showcase our stitching adventures...you can see a bit more of what we do over here. it took a good few weeks of my scribbles on paper and ummings and ahhings to be cleverly converted into html by ciaran. he who's patience was tried more than occasionally with many a diva-ish demand for colour changes and spacing issues on my part...and the poor boy got paid in baked goods only...ok with a good helping of love!

stories of painted furniture and chopped hair? stay tuned for the next episode...

TEAR SHEET TUESDAY :: 008

i treated myself to an easter vogue. i don't buy it every month as i used to for so many years but i occasionally feel the urge now and then and the may 2009 issue holds a gem of a fashion story alongside stella tennant's diary of the trip to damascus...so i'm not disappointed that i gave in to the glossiness.

i only happened to pick up the issue by accident though. i find the covers hit and miss. something like this from the inside on the outside would have had me running for the counter with my pennies...ok pounds then.

to me her haircut is the best. it is inspiring me to go for the chop. a bit more blondiness wouldn't go amiss right now either. i may be armed with bleach and dangerous by the weekend!

(photos :: tom craig)

LET THE EASTER TREATS BEGIN

dark chocolate nests have been made here. and i have eaten most of them already greedy person that i am...the next batch must be given away before i have more moments of weakness! and another batch must be made or that packet of shredded wheat just sits at the back of the cupboard until it goes out of date for the following easter.

it is so good to be on holiday for a long weekend. four days in a row is heavenly right now and we've got a few nice things planned to do plus a whole lot of time with nothing planned which my other half is particularly fond of being the spontaneous creature that he is! i fancy a go at dyeing some eggs as seen here...an old red cabbage in the fridge is calling me to try this. hope you enjoy your time off too wherever you may be and whatever you may be up to. my good intentions begin again next tuesday!

p.s. i'm loving whatever you are be a good one...from one of my favourite etsy shops paloma's nest

edited to add a photo of the dyed eggs...such lovely colours...it'll be hard to break those shells at lunchtime!

LONG LIVE LOVE

this day last year i did something pretty awesome...something i have never done before and probably won't again. i set up a blind date. and today they are celebrating their anniversary number one!

and even better the couple are one half my cousin and the other a very old school friend.

i am not a spontaneous person but for some reason i was that day. love is the best!

CALLING FRIENDS IN THE NORTH

well to be more specific in manchester!

i am travelling your way...for a little weekend break with my c. we are off to a do with gaelic football players aplenty past and present...dinner suits and posh frocks and lots of speeches and maybe the odd guinness...but i plan to sneak in some time to rekindle the flame with a city dear to our hearts (where we met nearly 15 years ago!) i am really excited to see how the city has changed and hopefully how it hasn't in places.

it's been a long time since we stepped out there and i wondered if any of you have suggestions of what a girl (ok. and. boy) should see/do in 48 hours?? i'm thinking along a creative line...exhibitions...a gem of maybe a shop or two...a great place to eat would be rather handy. hey it's only fair as i am giving half the stay over to the st. brendan's team!

SPRING SALTWATER

just a few favourites from the new collection. i love the name of this label. and on a spring sunny day like today i would love to don that dragonfly scarf. can't wait to bring that lightness into what i wear now it feels like a new season is really starting. you can now shop online. their website is here. dangerous!

(all these beautiful images are by saltwater)