Wedding Dress-Up

Three years ago, almost all my dreams came true, when I married my amazing man. 9.5 months later, they were completely filled, as we welcomed our beautiful daughter into the world.

To celebrate remembering that fantastically fun day, and the fact that my two year old is already more than half my height, I gave her my wedding dress to try on. Any excuse to play with it! 

Handmade by my talented dressmaker Mother in Law, it is so beautiful, and was incredibly comfortable. She even put a pocket into it. 

Penn's ever present companion, RaaRaa, was delighted to find he could join in. Squeezing his big booty into the replica dress. 

My bouquet was made by my mum and I. Felt and crocheted flowers, together with broaches and jewelry gifted to me by friends and family. Penny particularly loved the little handmade spider, one of my bridesmaids gave me at my bridal shower, for luck. (So far, that spider has been doing it's job!) 

My shoes were chosen long before I was engaged, and the lace colour for my dress chosen to compliment the shoes. At the time, I thought they were incredibly practical, I would wear them all the time. Summer dresses, leather leggings and jeans would ALL go. I was used to dancing in 4 inch heels, so walking in nearly 6 inches would be easy peasy. Little did I know, I would be pregnant a month later (thank you lucky spider). Converse and Ugg boots became part of my pregnancy uniform. 

(I'd like to take this opportunity to formally apologise to my husband, who married a burlesque dancer. He's been living in an eternal pajama party ever since.... Oh so cosy, but cath kidsen brushed cotton isn't exactly a diamote nipple tassel! )

So, although these shoes haven't had much wear, I think I've found someone who will be happy to inherit them one day 

The last three years have been perfect. Our plans for all aspects of our relationship, parenting, home, careers and finally fun are very exciting. We enjoy every day together and feel so blessed. Especially as we have this crazy stylish little lady focusing us on what matters every single day. 

Wild Darlings Mocc love!

Little baby toes deserve the sweetest shoes. Penn has, by association, and maybe genetics, my love for shoesies! She has lots. Not as many as me, (it's not a competition...if it was, I'm still winning) but she has 30 years to catch up I guess. 

Somehow despite all the shoe buying, we had never bought moccs. I've no idea how, or why. EVERY kid on instagram has moccs and I love them. So, even though I don't enter too many brand rep searches, when Wild Darlings ran a competition to find brand reps and enthusiasts, I tagged some of P's photos. 

A few days later, Wild Darlings had kindly selected her as an enthusiast and a few weeks later her first pair arrived in the post. 

To make the delivery extra fun, fairies who live in the house at the bottom of the garden helped celebrate their arrival, by making a flower circle. It made a change from our slightly overweight, stubbly and ALWAYS grumpy postman handing over the box. One little girl was very excited. 

Fairies aka Wild Darlings leave a surprise in a flower circle

The most beautiful shimmering gold moccs

I chose gold, or Carousel style, as they are called. They are beautiful. Soft leather with a shimmer that shines in the sun (thus making it hard for my lame photography skills to capture properly)

They came packaged up with string and are now definitely one of our favourite things (are you singing along? Sorry!) 

Penn loves them, they help her run "very fast" apparently and we have already ordered a few more pairs. 

An early morning run in a tutu, crown and her new moccs

New season Beau Loves 

I am such a sucker for themes, colour, and little projects. Mackenzie, designer and creator of these gorgeous moccs is totally on the same level. She launches a 'mocc of the week' every Monday, giving a discount on that style. (Yay for discounts!) 

My absolute favourite thing about Wild Darlings as a business though, is that her moccs come out as collections. There has been the Disney Princess Collection, the Neverland Collection. (Oh yes, we are talking Peter Pan and TINKERBELL....) And the ones we went a little crazy for, The Sons of Anarchy Collection. Skulls, and leather and a motorcycle vibe.....what could be cooler? 

To choose a size, you measure your child's foot in inches, and buy that size. This means they fit perfectly with a little 'wiggle room'. For such beautifully handcrafted moccs, I am incredibly impressed by how reasonable they are. Her prices are fantastic. 

Peter Pan from The Neverland Collection

Beauty from The Neverland Collection

Jax from The Sons of Anarchy Collection

As a brand enthusiast, I do not need to even slightly stretch the truth, or fake any sort of excitement for having found this brand. They are gorgeous, creative, beautifully made and incredibly soft moccs, at an excellent price. They are certainly shoes for putting on the shelf, not in the wardrobe when they aren't being worn. What more could any adorable little kid want? 

Hurry over to Wild Darlings to buy a pair, or four! 

(I'll let you in on a little secret: The next few weeks will be Halloween style collections) 

Competition Time!

I sort of just fell off the face of the blogging world there for a while.

Whoopsies! 

However, Penn has a new bed, and seems to (*shock*) actually like being in it, so my evenings are back. I've a bit of catching up to do with how #colourbythewall went! 

Until then though, please enter my #citybythewall competition on Instagram. It's the first of a few I'm going to run during the month of September. 

This gorgeous necklace is by Maxi at IheartDublin. I adore mine. Wearing a little piece of this beautiful city around my neck. So, whether you live here, have been here, and fallen in love with our city, or want to visit, this piece is just perfection. 

The rules are on my IG account. 

UPDATE: Thank you to everyone who entered. Congratulations to Meowkristen. Your Iheartdublin is on the way. 

Anyone who would like to purchase their own necklace, please visit http://bit.ly/1rWaJGF

The next giveaway will be one for the kids in our lives...keep an eye on my Instagram profile! 

It's easy being green

Green is a soothing calming colour? Well Mr Colour-Pyschology-Guy, my toddler found green to be for bouncing. Which she did. In her cot, on my lap, and finally in my bed (on my head).... Until midnight last night.


Green was a LOT easier than grey. It's everywhere! Penn had the word down (well, 'Geen') two hours into day 1. Green grass under her toes, green trees above her head.

Her dad is off work, and the sun has been shining. Mainly we've been eating yummy food, and dressing like this!

Softbums nappy

Inspired by Throwback-Thursday on Instagram, we looked at photos of my childhood. When I was 7 or 8, there was a dress my best friend owned. Being a good 4-5 inches shorter than her, I waited (im)patiently to be given it as a hand me down. If I recall correctly her mum had to smuggle it out of the house, without my friend knowing. I was so delighted to finally own it. Now that I look back, I have no idea why the two of us were so attached!

Green featured in a dance show where we did a routine to Kylie's locomotion, and at my aunt and uncles wedding. I hated the skirt, I loved the floral dress. I think mum still has the dress in her wardrobe. I'm pretty sure, even if I stop eating biscuits at blog o clock, I'm never going to slim down to fit in it again.

Clockwise from top, dancing to the locomotion, two photos of that long-coveted green dress, and the floral flouncy number, worn to my aunt and uncle's wedding

My Mother is incredibly sentimental. I also found this relavent green box. Which is empty. It is the box belonging to my first shoes. Kept safe. Beside her will, passport etc. In case of a teeny tiny shoe box emergency.

I may be just as bad though. About 7 years ago, before I even met Penn's dad... I bought a 1979 Fisherprice Freddy Teddy to give to my first born on their first Christmas. I had been given one for Christmas 1982, and it was by my side for my entire childhood. I knit the little green jumper when I was about 9. He's worn it ever since. As you can see from the picture below, he has been well loved. So much so he has shrunk and lost his fur, and most of his bib. He still squeaks though! Penny hasn't become attached to hers at all yet...

My well-loved Fisher price teddy, bought in 1982 versus Penn's liked-but-not-adored fisher price teddy, bought in the early 2000s

To prove my guy, was once as fluffy as Penn's is now!

In keeping with the soppy theme, we met with some great friends for a play date in the Irish Museum of Modern Art. I couldn't believe to see they had all dressed their gorgeous kids in green for our meet up. It was so lovely. They all have fab taste too. Out of ten kids in green, there wasn't an Irish soccer jersey to be seen!

The girls chilling in the grounds of IMMA

Penn's friend's in green

Fiadh found me funny anyway

Sandpit time

I'm finding it great fun to be part of the challenge. We are totally embracing green, with date night outfits being colour coded (subtly I swear, we are no David and Victoria Beckham) and food been chosen to fit in too.

My Man

Spinach and artichoke cheese-less pizza

I'm squeezing myself into age ten Rock Your Baby 

Jewellery, art in our home, and even Penn's playroom, are all green

My 2012 Penny and my tiny jar of saffron, for Penny Saffron, born in 2012

Frod and Dind tins from Mira Mira

                       

Art by Irish Artist Barbara O'Meara 

Taking it that little bit further, we played with her amazing pintoy Eco lodge, encouraging green behaviour. It even has a solar panel and wind turbine! We got ours at Baba Me.

Pintoy Eco Lodge

Arts and crafts were by me this time, a feather crown that Penn wore on day 11 of the challenge

Little Bird Tshirt and sneakers, Rock Your Baby shorts

Tutu by Rock Your Baby

Top and Leggings are H&M, shoes are Livie and Luca

Our wishlist

Moobles and Toobles star cushion 

Whistle and Flute Kawaii Ice Cream tank

Marks and Spencer  Lace Up Retro Trainer

Little Bird green cord dress

So rather than sitting there green with envy, head over to the linked stores and pick yourself up some green stuff!

Grey Days full of sunshine!

My eyes, my poor eyes.... something's wrong. Oh. No, wait, nothings wrong. I haven't suddenly become colour blind...Ive just realised the error of my ways.

What colour-addict comes up with a colour challenge and puts GREY in as the third colour? I defend my upcoming white and black days. Both can be classy and are in their own right, very important in the colour palette. Grey though? Its such a non colour. There is no cheeriness in grey. Nature hasn't even bothered including it much. Except with the odd rock, or stone. Even then, it gave entire landscapes to much better coloured rocks....Utah, Arizona, Ayers Rocks anyone?

Yes, I crave a deep grey couch, especially after one of my instagram followers posted hers. (I have a slight problem with coveting anything pretty anyone else cool has... ) Yes, a slightly off white, grey even, paint would be gorgeous for our kitchen cupboards. But spending three days searching with enthusiasm (and with difficulty) for as many grey items with a two year old, has definitely quenched my need to put a large grey homewares bill on our credit card.

Grey has put the word challenge into the #colourbythewall challenge!


It doesn't happen often in Ireland, but the weather has been gloriously blue skied and downright beautiful. We've spent the last three days outside which has made for the perfect week so far, but its been hard to create grey photographs! I am incredibly grateful the weather hasn't participated though.

We've had playdates on the beach

"Ooh look kids, a grey mist across Poolbeg Chimneys" 

We've stepped into the craft room for a few minutes to make stone mice

We've pretended silver is grey by wearing silver jewellery and painting our toes 'grey'

We tried to spot some grey stuff while grocery shopping, but as we will discuss next, grey food, is thankfully not easily found. So, for the many many Ewelinas out there, here is your moment...

The only food I could think of that was in any way appetising was a limited edition champagne flavoured magnum. I'm a good mammy, and don't like to encourage alcohol consumption in the under threes, so, I made sure not to share this with the toddler.

On Tuesday night, I thought popping some grey food colouring into some macaroons couldn't be that bad... they'd be grey, giving me a photo opportunity, and they'd be macaroons. Of course I'd want to eat them all. I should have known as I put them on the baking tray, dessert might well be a strawberry yogurt from the fridge. 

blurgh

I carried on, baking and banging the tray on the table, hoping to create that all elusive macaroon 'foot' at the base. In vain I may add. My lemon flavoured grey (good oul food colouring again!) filling didn't do much to help the aesthetics of the macaroons. So we began the game of 'eating dessert with your eyes closed'. They were delicious. I'm sorry you have to look at them, rather than taste them. 

blurgh again

Just as I was losing all faith in grey, I read exciting news from Dublin Zoo, featuring one of our favourite grey animals. Born after a 22month gestation (poor mama elephant!) the male asian calf was born weighing about 80kg. There is a competition on Dublin Zoo's Facebook page to choose his name. Can Ewelina be a unisex name?

During this evening's preparation for green (wahoo, a REAL colour!!!) I discovered a gorgeous grey (or silver!) No Added Sugar dress I have put away until Penn fits into it, which will probably be next summer. I wish I could wear it! This photo does not do it justice at ALL!

Penny stood by the wall, wearing her grey clothes and I even joined in for day one. After today's laundry, I realised I actually have a few more options, but I was glad to use the excuse of having nothing suitable to wear, as I donned iluminois yellow, pink and teal the last few days instead.      (possible slight exaggeration)

Rock Your Baby bear dress, H&M hat, and Livie & Luca shoes

H&M hat and cardigan, with Oh Baby London trouser, and Ash Shoes hi tops 

Bobo Choses top, with Rock Your Baby circus tights

We added rub on tattoos to our arms and looked at our super cool art by Ciaran Brennan, all in the name in learning the word and colour grey. Penn can say and recognise it. She's not that fussed.. and if you haven't guessed, neither am I!!!!

Wearing our Mutiny tattoos 

Art Wats by Ciaran Brennan

We didn't have much time for online window shopping, but a quick visit to H&M and these items got our attention 

Glittery Tulle Dress €19.99

Pleated dress €14.99

Wool Hat €6.99 (we *need* this!)

2 pack knee socks €4.99 (we are sock obsessed in this house)

One of our all time favourite brands is Slugs and Snails. Irish, (so obviously amazing!) and with the loveliest customer service around. Penny has a pair of their tights that she has been wearing since she was two months old, and only at 20 months, did they go into the 'hand-me-down' pile. The quality, durabilty, not to mention the AMAZING patterns, quite simply put Slugs and Snails tights, the top of our list for autumn/winter 2014.

Here are a pair of their rainbow style. Now, there is no need for mammies to be jealous, as these come in adult sizes too!

With our best friend in Australia, we have become aware of the wonderful style and fashionable brands on the market there. One of our favourites is Ledgers Legs. Penn has the cutest fake-leather leggings from them. They are absolutely baby-rockstar material, and our next pair are these 'distressed leggings'. I can't wait to get them!

This is a bit of a cop out, but, these jeans are SO amazing, that if we didn't already own them, they would be on our grey wish list. From Rock Your Baby, purchased in Mira Mira, and as you can see, AWESOME! 

We are delighted that people have joined in with our hashtag, either alongside us, or at their own pace. We even have seasoned bloggers like Medicated Follower chatting about our challenge on her Trendy Thursday blogpost this week. Exciting!

So, here we are, rubbing our little grey toesies together three times, hoping that green is much more fun. Sure, we are Irish, its our colour....lets do this!