The Interior DIYer
Islandbridge apartment

Big news for us …

For a long time I’ve been that duck analogy; attempting to look like I’m calmly paddling on a lake but in reality, my little feet have been paddling furiously under the water. After months [and in reality, a lot longer than that] of dreaming and planning, Robert and I are excited to finally share that we’re leaving our Dublin apartment and are moving to Canada. In 2 weeks!!!

Our rented apartment here in Dublin is sold, Juniper and Toshi are caught up on their vaccinations and vet checks, we start packing this week and we already have an apartment waiting for us in Ottawa [which I cannot explain how excited I am to see IRL].

We’re so excited, but I’m very nervous now. Really nervous. Like, wake up at 04:00 every night and think about the many ways of WTF are we doing?! kind of nervous. I know it’s natural, but I can’t help it. I’m probably so nervous because it would be so much easier to do nothing. It would be easier to stay and not move. And it has been. We’ve done that for a long time. But the reality is it’s no longer easy for us to stay. I’ll share why we’re moving in my next post because it’s the real life behind our move. But for now, we’re excited.
And nervous.
Very nervous.
Mental health

#DrunkInteriors reunion – Manchester edition

Last weekend Maria [of Dinki Dots] and I escaped to Kimberly [of Swoon Worthy]’s house in Manchester for 3 days of absolute nonsense powered by alcohol, pyjamas, way too much food and serious catching up. 
Long ago, the three of us forged an online friendship that has become so close, that I can easily say that Kimberly and Maria are two of my best friends. You name it, we’ve talked about it. No topic is taboo and when one of us is stuck in a situation or just wants to rant [lord, the ranting], we know exactly who to turn to. The whole idea of online friendships has gone completely against what I was told growing up – be careful if you’re chatting with someone online because they’re out to kill you or at the very least, sell your kidneys. 
Maria and I took the risk and not only met in 2014, but shared a hotel room at Blogtacular and risked the other person possibly being a bit of a Buffalo Bill. But it was a risk that paid off and we had an incredible time. The following year Kimberly and Maria came to Dublin for 3 days of introverted carnage. It was Kimberly’s turn this year and for anyone who follows Kimberly can only guess, it did not disappoint. 
I took loads of sneaky photos of Kimberly’s house [which is mind blowing], but there’s little-to-no need for me to share as her blog is the only way to view her home [plus, her photos vastly outweigh my hungover photography skills]. 
The first night we talked for 10 hours before heading to bed ahead of some Manchester touring the following day. I was lucky enough to stay in the Glam Cave and Maria slept in Kimberly’s office [quite fitting really as each room we stayed in reflected our design styles]. 
The next day we lazily headed into Manchester and stopped by The Refuge for a few drinks … 
I just can’t. 
From there we went to another bar [which I can’t remember the name of], wandered through some shops, and finally headed to the Grand Pacific for dinner and more drinks [this is called #DrunkInteriors, after all] …
We had a fantastic and very posh meal in utterly beautiful surroundings at Grand Pacific, but we knew it was time to go when the out, out [circa Micky Flanagan] people showed up in tiny shorts and giant hair and expensive watches so we headed back to Kimberly’s, got into our pyjamas, watched Bridesmaids and talked more shite. 
To say it was a fantastic weekend is an understatement. I didn’t want to admit it, but I really needed a break to recharge my batteries [mom guilt was telling me not to and I was confusing wanting to have me time with you’re abandoning your child?! I have learned these are two very different things].  
Thank you so much Kimberly, Maria and of course Wayne for putting up with me for 3 days, making me feel more than welcome and showing me a truly fantastic time. I already cannot wait for #DrunkInteriors round 3 when the wolf pack reunites next year 😉 Big feels. Such love. 
Uncategorized

When in Rome

To celebrate the 10 year anniversary of our first date, last week Robert and I ran away to Rome for some sun, warmth, food, lazy aimless wandering and to take in some sights. Did I mention food? So much food. 

There was fantastic weather for the four days we were there [two full days and two half days traveling on either side], the hottest being on our third day where it reached between 25 and 30 degrees. During our first full day we managed to lazily hit all the sites. We walked from our hotel to the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain and the Colosseum, all while stopping for copious amounts of pasta, pizza, gelato, beer and wine in between [ahem, iced tea for me] … 

The following day we went to the Vatican as I’ve always wanted to see the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. The chapel itself is not very big at all, but has a towering ceiling that is ridiculously gorgeous. It’s hard to know where to look; other than up. There’s a strict no photos and even no talking rule in the Sistine Chapel. There’s a security guard whose sole job is to enforce both rules by pressing a microphone to his mouth and loudly mumbling both repetitively and breathing heavy at the same time. The no talking rule we especially sniggered at like idiots because he was clearly the loudest person there. 

Oh, for the record, if you tell me to not take a photo of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, I’ma take a photo of it … 

While Rome wasn’t exactly what we expected [we had a lot of interesting encounters], we still had a lovely time in the sun wandering aimlessly. I also managed to sit a funny way on a bus on our first day and my back is still yelling at me for it. I’ve never had problems with my back! KNOCK ON WOOD. I blame all these damn pregnancy hormones. I think the only remedy would be for me to find some gelato in Dublin today …