When in New York City

June 11, 2012

While I was in New York City, I got to have dinner with my friend Brandi (who writes this wonderful blog). We ate at one of her favorite spots – a Tibetan restaurant called Tsampa. It was delicious – and affordable! After dinner, we strolled all over the place. We stopped into two great shops I think everyone should visit when they’re in the city. If I didn’t have luggage restrictions flying back to Dublin, I would have bought up both shops!

The first shop was called Fish’s Eddy, and it was chock full of kitchen supplies, both new and vintage.

There was lots of this green color all over – I love that color.

This was a sweet postcard – you embroider the places you’ve been!

So many plates! Seriously, why don’t we have this store in Dublin? Adding it to the list of stores we need to open over there!

The second spot Brandi took me was called the Strand, a book store with new, used and rare books. According to their signage, they have 18 miles of books! They also have very, very knowledgeable staff. Every question I heard a customer ask they knew the answer!

{This guy was flipping every single book forward, systematically. Bet the staff just loved him!}

I loved the Strand’s graphics – the Just Arrived Fiction with a stork illustration! So cute!

So there you have it, two places you must visit next time you’re in New York City. Just make sure you have a big suitcase to bring home!

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The Author’s Daughter

June 8, 2012

Tonight I was so thrilled that I got to attend an event at the South Portland Public Library, where my dad was speaking. Did you know he’s a famous author?

My dad writes mystery novels. He’s published eleven, in fact. And they’re so good. Those eleven books count two different series – one with a freelance reporter protagonist and another with a police officer protagonist. I think you should read every one of them, you’ll get sucked right in.

I love attending my dad’s book signings and readings when I’m home. I always learn something new about the thought process behind his work or a little snippet from his past. Tonight he speculated that most crime novelists, himself included, are really sentimental at heart. They write crime novels because they want to see justice served, better or more fully than it is in real life. That about sums up my dad. He wants to see justice served a little more fairly.

So in his books, there is crime, but there’s also a good dose of honor and justice. And a whole lotta heart. Which makes me one proud daughter.

With any luck, we might even have a byline together soon!

You can find all of his books on Amazon or visit his website for more speaking events in Maine this summer.

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Tough Questions

June 7, 2012

I love our visits back to America. Twice a year they are food for my soul. But inevitably, we get big, fat, tough questions thrown our way.

What’s Dublin like?

Do you love it?

Do you think you’ll ever move back to America?

Where will you move back to? 

Over the weekend, it seemed everywhere I turned I was faced with a version of these questions. Between weddings and mini reunions with old college roommates, I found myself stumbling over my words as I tried to explain what Dublin is like for us. I got tongue-tied attempting to tell why we like it and why we’ll probably stay for a while longer, and even why I’m not sure I can picture us living back in the U.S. of A.

During each conversation, I wished I could have called a time out so I could put my spinning thoughts into more eloquent words.

Michael and I love being in Dublin; it’s home for us for now, but it’s hard to put that into one or two sentences over lunch or a drink. Dublin is where our life is, so we go to work, have a house, see some great things and travel a bunch. But lots of the time it’s rainy, it hardly ever gets very warm, and there aren’t any good craft stores. Right now, we don’t want to move back. But some days all I want to do is move back. Five years? Ten years, maybe? Where would we move? Who the heck knows. East coast, but not too hot, not too cold. City, but not too city.

Does that sum it up? I’m not sure. I’m not sure I squeezed in enough conflicting feelings there.

Before this trip home, I barely had time to pack, let alone get excited – I was just powering through a busy, busy schedule to get to that plane. But when I arrived in Boston airport, I nearly cried when the customs officer looked at my passport and said welcome home. I needed this trip, and maybe I need a little more time here in this country altogether. I’ve been away for nearly four years, and all of a sudden that feels like a very long time. Maybe I do want to move back after all. Some day.

We don’t (and likely won’t) have to decide any time soon, but it’s amazing how being home makes those tough questions consume my thoughts. So if you see me on this side of the ocean and ask what our plans are, be prepared for a jumbled, scattered, not-so-straightforward answer. Yes, but no. We love it, but I’m not sure we can stay forever. Soon? Later? I haven’t a clue.

For now, I still don’t have any final answers to those tough questions.

Have you ever lived abroad? Did you feel like I do?

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Friday Finds

May 25, 2012

As you read this, I’m on a plane to Maine! Well, Amsterdam, then Boston, then Maine. I have a long day of traveling ahead of me, but I’m so excited to spend the month at home. We have two weddings in a week (!) and then we’ll be spending lots of time with family and friends.

This week has been a whirlwind of trying to wrap up things at work, tackle a few new projects, and get packed. And packing for a month of weddings and different climates was a challenge! I’m a little worn out, but I know I’ll get a rest once I get there!

Until Monday, I’ll leave you with these great finds!

Well s’more bars sound like a great idea.

This story will break your heart. (Thanks for sharing this one, Brandi.)

Design Mom explained to us at The Hive that Olive Us was a reaction to what’s out there in kids’ television these days – snarky and sarcastic. She wanted positive and encouraging and she certainly delivered!

First there was Paris by Color, and now there’s a beautiful, color-coordinated map.

I feel like summer is finally here, and I think this cocktail should be the first to kick it off.

General dinosaur hilarity. Ha!

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Planet Modulor: Craft Heaven

May 23, 2012

Planet Modulor might not look like much from the outside, but let me tell you. It was simply craft heaven. I could have moved in, slept on the tile floor between the rolls of fabric and paper, and been happy for days. Maybe weeks, even.

I was trying to explain to a friend the difference between Modulor and big box craft stores in America, like Michael’s or Hobby Lobby. Modulor seemed a little more polished, with supplies for serious artists or makers. Or you could just say Modulor is Michael’s on steroids.

These dancing models cracked me up. Even they love Modulor!

Craft supplies are hard to come by in Dublin, which is probably why I was so enamored of Modulor. It also happened to be right next door to The Hive conference, which was oh-so-tempting all weekend long! I made multiple trips!

One of my favorite things at Modulor was that on each floor, there were studios. Most of the signage was in German, so I’m not sure quite what the rules were, but it seemed like you could pay to use the studio space and tools. And the studios were enticing – a goldsmith workshop (called the Gold Coop – with the cutest logo), a mosaic-making workshop, and a sewing workshop.

I came home with a few little supplies – and I can’t wait to show you what I make with them soon!  I also came home with a strong desire to open my own Modulor-type craft mecca in Dublin. How fun would that be?!

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Dublin Tip: Murphy’s Ice Cream

May 22, 2012

Last year, I complained a teensy bit about the lack of ice cream options in Dublin. Well, I’ve found the ultimate solution: Murphy’s Ice Cream.

They have amazing flavours like brown bread and honeycomb caramel. Founded in Dingle in 2000, Murphy’s ice cream is all made with milk from special and rare Kerry cows – neat, right?!

I loved mixing and matching flavors – I tried Olive Oil Brownie and Caramel Honeycomb and the combination was delicious! I’m hoping for lots more Murphy’s in my future this summer – hopefully the weather will cooperate!

Murphy’s Ice Cream, 27 Wicklow Street, Dublin 2

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Berlin!

May 21, 2012

Happy Monday, everyone!

I arrived back from Berlin last night and my trip was so much fun. Today I’m tackling the much-less-fun task of unpacking from Berlin and packing for America while also trying to get the house cleaned and ready.

So while I have so much to say about my trip, I’m going to start you off with a little photo tour. Because let’s be honest, it’s been tough easing into Monday!

// OUTDOORS

The streets in Berlin were enormous and complicated. More than once I found myself looking the wrong way for oncoming traffic!
The park at my front door – it was huge!
The door to my apartment building!

// UNDERGROUND

There wasn’t much not to love about the subway in Berlin. It was clean, came frequently and had the coolest colors!
Seafoam green subway tile. I may have taken a million more photos of all that pretty green!

// PEOPLE

There was a little moment with Design Mom and the mommy-fashion-bloggers Hauptstadt Mutti!
The lovely Anne from Pret-a-Voyager color coordinated her entire wardrobe for the weekend – and included her presentation! Check her packing tips here.
Ashley and Brittany had too many giggles for a serious photo. Story of our weekend!
And then Ashley brought out Hazel Blue and everyone melted. (She has her own tumblr and hashtag – #dailyhazel!)
Oh, and then I spoke. But more on that later – including tips from my presentation on how to create a great DIY tutorial in cased you missed it!

And much more on the wonderful Hive conference when my head stops spinning!

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Sponsored Post: A Trip to Clare with Groupon

May 11, 2012

A few weeks ago, Groupon got in touch with me to see if I wanted to try one of their travel deals. I’ve written about scoping out travel deals when you’re heading on vacation before, and I just think it’s a great way to enjoy a new place and save a little money. We’re already on the look out for Groupon deals for Maine for our trip next month.

When Michael and I saw a Groupon for the Armada Hotel in County Clare, we jumped on it. We rang the hotel to book a room and hoped they wouldn’t already be booked – sometimes that happens with Groupons, they’re very popular! We were thrilled that they had room for us last weekend.

I thought I’d take you on a little photographic tour of our trip to the other side of the country.

Scenic Roadtrip

We started off on Saturday morning and headed for the Burren. It’s not quite on the way to Spanish Point, where the Armada Hotel is, but it’s close enough that we had to make a little detour.

See all the rock behind the cows? That’s the Burren. Lots and lots of rock. It goes on for miles, but apparently it’s great for grazing cows because of the high mineral content.

Armada Hotel, Spanish Point

That’s the Armada Hotel on the right. Not a bad little view!

And the view was equally incredible from our room.

There was a wedding going on in the hotel – can you imagine having your wedding with that view?! But despite the wedding commotion, the staff were wonderful and welcoming.

The towel swans gave me a giggle!

And of course, I had to try out the bathtub with the view. It was downright luxurious.

Even though we were only staying one night, I spent some time on the beach in the morning. I went for a run, then returned to take a whole bunch of photos of the sea. It was so nice to look out to the Atlantic Ocean and know Maine is just on the other side!

This photo makes me cringe – right after I took the photo, Michael crunched that poor periwinkle. I’m telling myself it was accidental.

I was a little bit taken with these teeny tiny mussels, snuggled together in the crevices between the rocks. There were millions of them!

Cliffs of Moher

When we left Spanish Point, we headed up to the Cliffs of Moher before returning to Dublin. They were stunning.

Mike’s still learning my camera, but I thought this photo was kind of nice anyway!

Overall, we loved our little trip away. It felt a little luxurious – which is really Groupon’s charm, I think. You get to experience something you might not otherwise try because its normal price might be just a bit too expensive. But if you get a Groupon, it feels like a treat.

If you’re planning a trip, to Ireland or anywhere else, check out the Groupons in your destination first. Just today, I saw a few in Ireland I’d like to try – like this sewing machine class or this walking tour!

I’ve also shared a few little videos of our journey over on Facebook.

This post was made possible by Groupon. However, all opinions in this post are my own. 

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Comfort Food: Shepherds Pie

May 8, 2012

Over the weekend, when we got back from our road trip, I made a batch of shepherd’s pie to bring to a friend and her family. I saved a little extra for us to have for dinner and it was so yummy – the perfect dinner for a stormy Monday!

Here’s the recipe – in case you need a little comforting too – although in most parts of the world I know it no longer feels like winter. If you are in one of those parts, I’d rather not know about it. I can’t remember what warm weather feels like!

FCV Shepherd’s Pie

1 onion, chopped
1 tbsp olive oil
500 g ground beef
1 cup corn (canned or frozen)
5 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp garlic granules
3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp flour
3 cups beef broth
1 tsp fresh rosemary, chopped
salt and pepper

In a hot pan, saute the onions in the olive oil until they’re translucent. Set aside. Brown the ground beef (I used the same pan, didn’t even bother washing it!), season, and again, set aside.

Meanwhile, put the potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes or until a fork inserted into a potato chunk goes in smoothly. Drain the potatoes and add the milk, sour cream, garlic granules and salt. Mash with a potato masher (our potato masher might be one of our most useful wedding presents – it’s great for making guacamole as well!) and set aside while you make the gravy.

In a small pan, melt the butter over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add the flour and whisk until combined. Let the flour and butter cook for 2-3 minutes. Add the beef broth and whisk. Keep the pan over medium heat and whisk until the gravy starts to thicken. Add the rosemary and salt and pepper, and stir until the gravy coats the back of a spoon.

In a 9 inch square pan (or another shape that’s a similar size!), layer the beef, onions and corn. Pour over the gravy. Top with the mashed potatoes. Sometimes I add a little grated cheese on top of the potatoes and put it under the broiler for five minutes so the cheese gets all bubbly.

Enjoy!

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