Top 10 Items in my handbag

There is no such thing as over-prepared.  And when you live in a city where you can experience ALL four seasons in one day, one has to be ready for anything!  My handbag has become my arsenal of weapons, my go-to bag of tricks to help me navigate this wonderful, yet sometimes unforgiving city.  Here is a list of the top 10 items (excluding my wallet, because that is a no-brainer, and therefore not worth mentioning) that go into my bag EVERY morning before I leave the house.  If you ever plan on visiting Dublin, ladies (and fellas) pay close attention..

1.  Passport - serves as your I.D., needed to exchange money at local bank, etc.  Crucial to keep in your purse at all times, but MAKE SURE you have a photo copy on file in case you loose it.

2. Iphone - I COULD NOT SURVIVE Dublin without this thing.  From using my Yelp app to find a good sushi joint nearby, to using the Maps app to navigate to my interview across town, I can't tell you how many times I use it in a day.

3. Black Leather Gloves - I bought these at M&S.  They are fleece-lined and keep my fingers nice and toasty.  Because if you are like me, once your hands get cold, it is all down hill from there.

4.  Vaseline Lip Tin - this little tin is my miracle product.  In this harsh weather, your skin and lips can get very dry and chapped, and this product can be used for both your lips and dry skin areas.  As an added bonus, the lip tin is so cute and retro.

5.  Re-usable grocery tote - Ireland makes you pay for plastic bags, so come prepared and always keep a folded up tote in your bag, because you never know when you are going to pop into the market and grab some potatoes and a bottle of wine!  Perks are: you are saving the planet and this retro Aldo bag makes a great fashion accessory.

6.  Warm knit beanie - this is a must have, because is can get cold and windy quick.  Plus it also serves as a bad hair day fixer, which can happen all too often in this windy city!

7.  Benadryl Allergy Strips - I never know when I am going to have a peanut episode and these little suckers are literally my life savers.  However, if you don't have a peanut allergy like me, you may still want to keep these close because Ireland can be a hot bed for hay fever.

8.  Sunnies - When the sun does shine in Ireland, it shines BRIGHT, like make you blind bright!   So keep a pair in your bag just in case. 

9.  A Good Book - Dublin is full of gorgeous parks scattered throughout the city.  You never know when you will stumble upon one, find a cozy bench, sit down and snuggle into a good book.  On a side note - Cecelia Ahern, who wrote P.S. I love You, is a widely popular Irish author.  She has several other amazing, magical novels out there, so check her out!

10. Umbrella - Perfect for those "sun showers" that come out no where and can absolutely soak you if you aren't prepared. Get one that folds down and fits perfectly in your bag.  NOTE - word to the wise, if it is at all windy, don't even bother with the umbrella.  It will slow you down and make you look a fool, trust me, I am speaking from experience!

Pancake Tuesday!!

Today is a big day in Ireland as thousands of families sit down for dinner tonight to eat...wait for it.... PANCAKES!  It is a tradition that goes back ages and is actually called Shrove Tuesday and is celebrated the day before Ash Wednesday.  Here is a great website that gives you all the history if you want to check it out http://www.irishcultureandcustoms.com/acalend/shrovetues.html

For the last week or so, every market has had a pancake display, complete with Betty Crocker Shake 'n' Make Pancake mixes.  And get this, you can choose between "Crepe Style" or "American Style".  I of course am going to go for the American Style, but unfortunately Mrs. Butterworth will not be making a cameo. *tear*  There is only one brand of syrup here and it is definitely not Mrs. B.  But, the Irish do like to add other fun toppings, like lemon and sugar, nutella, strawberry jam, etc.  I'm thinking Bailey's Irish Cream flavoured whip cream might be nice, since I am in Ireland :)

So happy Pancake Tuesday to all my Irish folks!  And to my Americans, why don't you embrace the holiday and whip up a short stack of flap jacks for din din tonight!!!

I used my sunglasses today!!

Beautiful sunny day along the canal...

The canal runs through the middle of the city

Sometimes you can see swans in the canal...but not today :(

Now for my Cali peeps this may not seem like a big deal, but it is a small victory for this gal!  After a very long and cold winter, Spring has shown her pretty little face here in Dub and I am taking FULL ADVANTAGE...i.e. throwing my sunnies on and walking along the canal.  The weather has been gorgeous these past few days...I didn't even have to wear a coat OR scarf the other day in fact!!  I was particularly excited to use my sunglasses today since they are a new pair I scored from Penny's (European Forever 21ish shop) last week...for only (brace yourself) 1.50 euros!! Thats right, less than a bottle of diet coke.  Ci laughed at me and said I was the only person in Dublin buying sunglasses...but you gotta believe in positive thinking and putting the vibes out there.  AND it worked!! Cause a week later and I am rockin' shades baby.  Here is a cute pick of my shades below.  Happy Sunny Day. xoxo

My chic sunnies...I heart Penny's!

DUBLIN TOWN -- Oh, how I love thee...

Cool night shot of the Dublin Docklands...right by our house and our local shop

The River Liffey, Dublin Convention Center and Samuel Beckett Bridge!!

Hi Guys!!!  Ok, so so so sorry that I haven't been keeping up on my bloggin'.  But I am back now and I am going to be bringing you all my adventures from Dub (that's Dublin for those of you who don't know..hehe)!!  That's right, Ci and I have made the move to Dublin and I am loving every single second of it!  I have never lived in a real city before (LA doesn't really count, since it is so spread out).  The city centre, i.e. Grafton Street, St. Stephen's Green, etc, is only about a 15 min walk away, and anything further is just a short double decker bus or train ride away.  So stay tuned....Cheers from Dublin Town!

Galway Irish Crystal -- Yes, please!

Crystal vase displayed like true works of art!

More lovely pieces

Amaaaazzing grand chandelier displayed as you walked in - I want one for my house!!  :)

I discovered a true Irish gem yesterday...Ci's mum and I took a quick drive up to Galway yesterday and popped into Galway Irish Crystal.  If you are ever in Ireland you have to make a stop here.  The place is just amazing and it is like a museum when you walk in, complete with a grand staircase and decadent chandelier.  Check our their website www.galwaycrystal.ie

The UK's version of "Jersey Shore"

The cast of "The Only Way is Essex"

The "Snookie" of the show - Amy Child

So I have to let you all in on a little secret...the Jersey Shore isn't the only place that breeds over-tanned, buff-bodied, uber-entertaining 20-somethings.  Thats right, you heard me, there is a new phenomenon that hit tellies over here and it is called "The Only Way is Essex"...a docu-series that follows the real life antics of five attractive Brits as they live it up in Essex (east edge of London).  Unfortunately the show is pretty crap, as the producers tried to go for more of a scripted, "The Hills" version, instead of the gritty, raw genius that is "The Jersey Shore".  But, the show has potential, especially thanks to cast member, Amy Child, who is basically the "Snookie" of the show.  She single-handedly makes the show interesting and funny with her random comments and lack of a filter.  Maybe next season they will get it right...fingers crossed.

My X Factor Fav - Cher!!

This girl is INSANE...and she if def my top pick to win X FACTOR! This vid is of her most recent performance for Elton John night. Cher has attitude, talent and tons of swagger!!! She is only a teenager and I am making an early prediction that Simon Cowell will be scooping her up and throwing her into the U.S. music market. She is like a better version of Fergie, sans the Black Eyed Peas.