Carolyn Donnelly Eclectic at Dunnes Stoes

Well winter is well and truly here and we have had rain rain and more rain.

I thought I would take a look at another range Carolyn Donnelly Eclectic at Dunne Stores. This range reminds me of the Irish version of Anthropologie . I like the colour and depth of this range everything from bedlinen to Christmas decorations. The price range is good and you can get lovely items that are great to give as a hostess gift (sounding american here).

When I first started work Carolyn had an amazing range of clothes with her friend called Quinn and Donnelly I bought most of my suits and party Sadly this range is no more but Carolyn now has a range of clothes called edit.

I hope you are on countdown to Christmas there is no denying it is on its way. I have my list done and bought one or two items so it's time to get focused as I definitely not a last minute shopper.

Have a lovely week

I like this duvet cover

An instore display

Great Christmas mat

On my wish list is this lamp

A great range of Delphi

Cute teapots and milk jug

I like the display cabinets

I have a number of bowls and cups from this range

From the Edit clothing range. I like this burgundy skirt

Need to try this on but like the pattern

A classic coat

I have this scarf

This is not a spnsored post it is my personal choices.

Dunes Stores Helen James

 I thought I would look at some Irish retailers who I love over the next couple of weeks.  

Dunnes stores is an Irish family business that seems to be here forever. It was known for its St Bernard's brand which was considered to be a discount brand.  In recent years it has been reinvented itself and is my favourite grocery store to shop in because of its quality, range and quality of products.

Where I feel it stands out is its homeware department it has introduced new ranges in collaboration with Paul Costelloe and more recently Carolyn Donnelly I will take a look at these ranges in the future.

The newest  range Considered by Helen James is quite simply stunning.  Helen qualified from The National College of Art and Design and headed to New York where she worked for Donna Karan and many more. She has returned to Ireland and collaborated with Dunnes on this range.

I just bought two items last week a candle and a dough scraper but I imagine I will be adding something to my grocery basket every week.  I was impressed with not only the design, style but the quality and price range .

I purchased from Dunnes Stores at the Beacon. You can see where the range is available on their website and you can purchase online and get it delivered to a store near you.

By the way this is not a sponsored post I just like this brand. Check it out at Dunnes Sores.com

My  Basil & Fennel candle

The candle out of the box €12.50

Dough scraper €2.50

Helen James

The display at the Beacon

I love the brass range which includes a wide range of pans and moulds.

I will definitely buy this linen bag which helps keep your bread fresher

The pottery range

The baskets

Such lovely cooking accessories

Have a lovely weekend

The Shelbourne

Greetings from a bad blogger I suppose we all go through a bit of a lull so I am back and thought I would focus a little on best of Ireland places, companies and shops I love In Ireland.  I am delighted one of my first blogging friends Dimi from Greece is coming to visit Ireland and I thought I would focus on some of my favourite places.

The Shelbourne is one of my favourite places to visit. I celebrated many events here most recently my 50th it never disapoints in terms of atmosphere or beauty. It is a place that I am quite happy to sit alone waiting for friends and enjoy watching the world go by.  It attracts all sorts shapes and sizes and is a form of entertainment in itself.  As with any top class hotel it is exspensive and a treat but for a special occasion I do not think it can be beaten.

I went for afternoon tea as a treat with a friend on Thursdays and we had a wonderful afternoon.  It is like a lovely shawl being wrapped around you as you sit in the very comfortable seats and are looked after with the most impeccable service . The black dresses the ladies serving wear are gorgeous . You choose your tea from a wide range and are then served a glass of champagne with a selection of sandwiches and deserts , scones etc.  

It was full of everyone ranging from the romantic couple , the mother and her young daughter, older ladies with their friends, couples on holiday and friends like us.  We enjoyed looking  at the art, flowers and interior design.  You must book in advance they have 3 sittings. One faux pas I did make was my blouse matched perfectly with the lovely mulberry silk curtains so I fitted in perfectly.

Afterwards we went to the bar for a drink and watched the world go by. A lovely evening.

The Shelbourne is situated opposite St Stephens green park and just down the road from Grafton Street a lovely place to shop.

The Shelbourne Hotel recently featured in a behind the scenes programme on rte which was a must see. Great to see the personalities and people behind the scenes.

This is not a sponsored post it my personal view of a place I enjoy.

The Shelbourne

The entrance hall my favourite part

The amazing staircase

The room where afternoon tea is served

The tables

Should have taken the photo before we ate everything

The decor

Not the best photo I only had my phone but the flowers are amazing

Photos via myself and trip adviser

Weekend

The sun is still shining and I even managed a barbecue during the week. It's a busy week college starts next week, all the jobs I said I will do after the summer now need to be done.  I am looking forward to getting into a routine. I find myself much more organised.

I am trying to buy just a couple of good outfits for the winter rather than bits and pieces here and there. I like the idea of a grey jacket and trousers as my first outfit. So here are a few grey outfits I like.

I hope you have a lovely weekend and enjoy this Indian summer we are having.

I like everything about this outfit

A big grey comfortable coat

A great j crew look

Such a stylish combination

Grey and silver accessories work so well

A touch of grey with the hat

Fashion

Navy and white is such a great combination  whether it's an outfit or decor.  It always looks so fresh and chic.

I think the time has come to put away the summer outfits and take out the boots and jumpers. I have not decided what I need for my winter outfits yet. I can never excited about winter clothes.

Very excited my son arrives home from his summer in California today.  Looking forward to his good humour, fun and chat.

I am away for the weekend it is difficult to pack for this time of year it is a combination of white trousers, jeans, t shirts, jumpers and fleeces a real irish weekend bag.

Have a lovely weekend.

Denim and white trousers a great combination

A classic trench with navy and white . This is what I will wear this weekend

Such a bright and fresh look

A navy chanel bag. I can dream.

J crews new winter combination. I love this look.

A winter blazer with white trousers looks good.

A beachy feel here

My sons room awaiting his arrival. His room never looked so tidy. But give me a messy room and my son home any day of the week.

Weekend

It's the weekend yippee I have not even unpacked from my summer holiday and I am packing again for a weekend away. But how the weather has changed here you can definitely feel autumn on its way.

It is almost time to pack away the shorts, vest tops, sandals and kaftans sob sob I am as I have told you before a summer girl at heart and find it difficult to get excited about winter clothes.

I thought I would should some outfits I like that suit this in between time.

Have a lovely weekend

My orange toenails I think this is my last sandal day sadly.

A long sleeved striped top with white trousers works well

The pink shirt and wedges are perfect

A denim shirt with a long skirt is perfect

The leopard pumps work so well here

Any stripey top with a touch of red and a chunky necklace

White and beige with the big bag. This looks so chic

Summer

It has been one of thoese summers that merories are made of. The weather has been fantastic and life has been good. Dunmore East is such an amazing little village that offers so much to do. You would need to be a real grump not to have a smile on your face every day.

My days have been filled with walking the dog, playing tennis, swimming and just spending my day outside being active.

The garden is in full bloom at the moment and is covered in butterflies and dragon flies both are very therapeutic to watch.

I have eaten fish or salad almost every day and would probably be much healthier if only for the odd glass of wine. My husband is down on holidays for 2 weeks so it is great to have some company other than a dog in the house. Countdown to returning to reality is just around the corner.

I hope you are all enjoying this lovely summer. 

Cannot beat this tennis court and it's view.

Flowers in the garden

Woodstown Beach

My morning view

A misty morning

My constant companion

Dinner alfresco at 9pm

Some flowers from the garden on the dining room table

Love this giant daisy

Enjoy these last weeks of summer