*** The following piece was published in a newspaper in Ireland               

May 10^th 2020

A typical day in my life during lockdown

Lockdown for me has changed every single aspect of my life.

I don’t think I’m ready to return to ‘normal life’ yet. Or want to. It has been astounding to learn how few people matter in my life. We are so busy chasing what’s ahead that we have forgotten how to be completely present and enjoy the ‘now’.

I have spent the last 8 weeks completely immersed in family life and never been happier. We need so little to live a reasonably comfortable life and never has this been as evident as now.

As I am an employee of the Health Service Executive, I have been temporarily transferred to Public Health within the HSE to carry out contact tracing. I travel 1hr 15 minutes to my hub, GMIT. I relish every moment of this journey, child free and time to immerse in my favourite podcasts, namely Second Life by Hilary Kerr and more recently, Death becomes him by Brian Dowling.

My role in Public Health is to contact people that have tested positive for Covid 19 and to inform them of such. On paper, it sounds awful but I thoroughly enjoy it. A mini work detour has been an amazing eye opening experience. Dealing with the public has always been a strong point for me.  99% of cases are very straightforward, people are generally lovely and always thank me for taking the time to talk to them. Most are not surprised, just relieved that in fact the strange symptoms they have been suffering is this virus and nothing even more sinister. In Ireland, we have had 19, 470 full recoveries. We have tragically lost 1,547 people and I think about that figure every day.

My last call today was the hardest. I rang an elderly case to tell them they had tested positive and I spoke with her daughter. She was extremely irate when I mentioned I was calling from Public Health as if we were in some way responsible. She told me how her adored mother had gone into hospital for a minor procedure and wouldn’t be coming home as she had contracted Covid 19. I listened and listened some more…..

She spoke about not seeing her mother, how she couldn’t hold her hand, that this exceptional woman had reared a huge family and now they had left her to die alone. I felt her sense of loss. I felt her pain at the lack of contact. I couldn’t speak. She was crying hysterical as she told me I wouldn’t have a clue what she was going through. I told her I had sadly lost my own dad 3 weeks ago at 70. Her demeanor changed and she softened. She asked me ‘was I ok?’ , she could hear me sobbing …. It was awful  

That was a hard day.

The ritual of saying goodbye to a loved one has changed but the sentiment remains the same. I found comfort in my father’s private funeral. Just ourselves. No standing for hours on end. My hometown was lined with people bidding a final farewell. This made us all so proud. We got to say goodbye. He wasn’t alone and for that, we will be forever grateful.

Being a stay at home mother during lockdown has come with its surprises too. Nothing makes me happier than been with them. Home schooling has dwindled and I feel no guilt. My 6 year old gets greater enjoyment from kicking a football. She’s naturally studious but I don’t push her at this time. The weather has been amazing and I’m grateful for every day. Our girls tell us that they love being at home with us and seeing the close bond our three girls have really hit me. It’s the simple things for them.  Pre lock down, every morning was a rush. Every evening was a rush. In all honestly, we had limited quality time together Monday through Friday. This will be the hardest adjustment. Life at this slower pace is so enjoyable. In no time at all, schools will be back, daily work schedules will be up and running and time will be limited once again but attitudes will have changed ….

I will be spending time with family and very close friends, the people who really matter. I want to enjoy and cherish that time. I will live my life on my terms. I have never cared about what people perceive me as and now even less so.

‘When everything is uncertain, everything that is important becomes clear’

Bow Backless Dress //

Summer means three things, blue skies, lots of sunshine, and higher temperatures. So, time to put away those thick jackets and black boots. In the meantime, bring out your light, flowy pieces that’ll help you beat the heat. And hey, just because you can’t go anywhere at the moment, doesn't mean you can't feel great ! 





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When strangers and friends make comments to me that they don't know how I do it with three kids, I always say “Its not that much harder than two kids”. Three kids is a whole new ball game but for reasons such as changing your car to accommodate the additional baby seat rather than life in general becoming tougher. I don't know but my girls were very easy babies and having three so close in age wasn't really a huge transition...

When Cara Lily was born, Arabella and Isla Rose had each other to play with so there was no guilty feelings when I sat on the couch for hours breastfeeding. A huge advantage for me was that both girls were in childcare so they had a very set routine and that didn't change. I understand not everyone can afford to send their kids to childcare while they are at home on maternity leave but I am 100% sure this is the reason for my easy transition into baby no 3 and also enjoying those one on one cuddles without the madness and noise that the others might bring!

Arabella, being our first child , lived the first 26 months of her life with the undivided attention of my husband and I. We doted on her, marvel over every new achievement, play, paint, craft and sing with her. Baby No 2 arrived and there’s an inevitable downturn in attention that can be heaped on the first. The first is generally unimpressed with that change of events, but slowly adjusts. I remember when Arabella came to collect me from the hospital , it was the first time in 26 months of her life that I witnessed any kind of jealously. This lasted for about 2 days and then she was back to her normal caring little self. 

By the time Cara Lily arrived,  Arabella had adjusted to sharing the limelight with Isla Rose. The world never revolved around Isla Rose the way it did with her, she barely batted an eyelid at the arrival Cara Lily. 

I definitely made some mistakes the first time around, manly leaving the room to breastfeed and suiting other peoples schedules. By the time Isla Rose arrived, there was no way I would leave my cosy living room to breastfeed because visitors arrived. The most important lesson of all , never suit anyone else's schedule. I found that if visitors arrived unexpectedly at bedtime, I would immediately accommodate them rather than continuing my own bedtime schedule. Obviously mayhem ensued afterwards as we tried to put exhausted children to bed...

With the first baby you feel the need to entertain them, so you drag them to lots of classes that they don't need to attend, the pool for baby swim lessons, to baby sensory classes or baby massage! The second child goes to the odd class. The third baby has outings to the supermarket! When you get to the third baby you’ve given up trying to engage them all of the time, you relax and enjoy them as babies. You don’t feel stressed about finding the best swim instructor, in a warm pool with small class sizes. You take the days slower. This is so so important because those days are gone in the blink of an eye.

With the first child , there’s plenty of time for one parent to have some time to themselves. With the second child, you’re both pretty much occupied all of the time.  When the ratio becomes 2:3, it's important to have 'me' time, meet friends, escape to the shops, have a spa day ..... My husband is great for this, he enjoys his hobbies such as football so we work as a great team when it comes to alone time.

Never turn help down, grandparents or the young girl who offers to baby sit. One of the changes I've made is getting Saturday help. It might sound extreme but why not ? It allows me to get things done, It allows the older two to play outside when Cara Lily naps, its allows trip to the cinema and swimming pool with an extra helping hand if my husband is working. It allows me to cook and clean. Parenting is hard work 24/7 and there is absolutely no shame in accepting help.

Coachella Style 2019 //

Californian music festival Coachella is considered one of the hottest tickets on the festival and celebrity circuit for a slew of reasons, not the least of which is its stellar location. The music festival is held in celebrity ground zero, California, making it almost too easy for Hollywood’s hottest to attend. And, since its inception in 1999, it has evolved into more than just a festival for music lovers. It’s now also a place for fashion lovers to show off their best ‘festival fashion’ and get wardrobe inspiration from their favourite celebrities, who love posting daily Coachella outfit snaps almost more than they love posting selfies. 

Coachella Season is upon us!!

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter //

The future of make up arrived in 2018 but it's taken me this long to hop on board. I was unsure as to what this product actually was but this customisable, hybrid complexion booster is quite unlike anything I've tried before. It offers the imperfection-blurring benefits of a primer, the mega-watt glow of a highlighter and the unbeatably perfecting properties of your favourite photographic filter. In seven versatile shades, you can wear it under, over or instead of foundation, or mix it with your favourite base products for a beautiful boost. Ms. Tilbury herself calls it ‘the ultimate high gloss, high glow celebrity skin filter in a bottle’ – and as the make up artist to the stars, she should know!

Tilbury, who is obsessed with all things Hollywood, wanted to create a product that would imitate the soft filter look that old movie stars perfected. It's like a highlighter, but far sheerer and shinier.

You can mix it with your best base products or use it under, over or instead of foundation, or dotted onto the areas you want to glow the brightest.

I use beneath foundation as a primer, along tops of the cheekbones, down the nose, above the cupid’s bow as a highlighter or go ‘mega-watt’ and wear it all over, erasing any imperfections for a fresh, glossy, all-over-glow! If you are blessed with perfect skin, you could easily wear it on its own.

Charlotte Tilbury Hollywood Flawless Filter is available at charlottetilbury.com for £30

Adare Manor, the romantic Victorian mansion in County Limerick, Ireland, isn’t a stranger to reinvention. It began life as Adare House. A century later,  the 2nd Earl of Dunraven and his wife, Lady Caroline, suggested that he transform their home into an estate in the Neo-Gothic style, garnished with lancet arches and heraldic tapestries. The construction took over thirty years, but the resulting castle was extraordinary enough to remain largely unaltered from the 3rd Earl to the 7th, who sold the family seat in the 1980s. 

Adare's most recent renovation was completed this spring after two years of construction.  The castle was already a luxury hotel when the Irish racehorse tycoon J. P. McManus bought it in 2015 for a reported 30million euro. However, McManus’s plans included a substantial addition to the existing castle, built in the same architectural style with local limestone, and a world-class golf course that will make a bid to host the Ryder Cup in 2026. 

When we arrive for our stay the atmosphere is busy and formal, and as we’re taken to our room, the halls are full of people like ourselves searching for some much needed relaxation. Our suite has a sitting room with bay windows and a marble fireplace. There are books of Irish poetry on the nightstands and a yawning tub in the bathroom. All of the windows look out on the river. Each room is individually designed and decorated with ornate cornices, vaulted ceilings and mahogany furniture modelled on 19th century Georgian antiques. You will find soft creams and golds exuding opulence and comfort, a Victorian slipper bath overlooking the manicured gardens and a rainfall shower big enough for two. Oh and Acqua di Parma toiletries generously dotted throughout…

The Gallery is an exquisite space that was once the Dunraven family’s favourite room with its ornate design, gothic inspired oak carvings and breathtaking original stained glass windows it is now being fully utilised as the ultimate dining space. Afternoon tea and breakfast are both served in this stunning room, opening up the space to non residents should you wish to indulge in the Manor’s copious amount of pastries which are all made in house and baked fresh everyday.
After eating for a couple of hours, we took a much needed bike ride around the spectacular grounds to explore the multi million pound mansions! Bikes are free of charge which is a lovely touch. 

Prices for this unforgettable Afternoon Tea experience start from €55 and Executive Pastry Chef Xavier Torne and his team have ensured every detail of this ultimate treat have been refined to the highest standards. 

The main restaurant at the castle is The Oak Room, which looks exactly as it sounds—an elegant clutch of tables surrounded by wood panelling, the upper walls covered with green Irish wool. Head chef Michael Tweedie ensures this is fine dining at its best, the menu an impressive reflection of the abundance of top quality produce. Contemporary and innovative even in the layout, there are flexible options of mixing and matching dishes from the five course menu which starts at €90 per person – and it is worth every single cent.

I think the pool (above), spa and changing areas are too small for a 104-bedroom hotel of this calibre. They are perfectly plush, but the La Mer spa has just five treatment rooms, the pool is no bigger than a plunge pool and the sauna has a single bench (when I swim, the water is on the chilly side, too). I understand the spatial constraints between the historic house and River Maigue, but given the spend lavished elsewhere, these facilities feel too hemmed-in for purpose. 

B&B ranges from €500 per night for a Classic King and €595 for a Deluxe to €1,450 for a Dunraven Stateroom and €2,250 for a Signature Suite.

Call (061) 605200 or see adaremanor.com.

Cara Lily was born on the 27-09-2017 @ 15:52 weighing 7lb 2 ounces, 21 inches long. She arrived 2 weeks late and I was induced. My waters were broken which was a very quick and easy process, I never had my waters broken before and I was terrified at having to be induced but the experience couldn't have been better. In actual fact, the labour was pretty idyllic! 

After my waters had broken, I met a friend for tea and buns in the hospital, i figured sugary treats would help with my energy. I walked around for an hour afterwards and felt really great and ready for baby! After returning to the labour ward, I was given a drip to increase contractions as I was only having 2 slight pains every 10 minutes. The intensity of the contractions increase immediately and very soon after , I was ready for an epidural. I would absolutely recommend an epidural- it is amazing. It made the labour experience very easy and enjoyable. The 'pushing stage' lasted only about 30 minutes with minimal effort and we couldn't believe how easy it was in the end!

Our perfect little girl arrived so content and was breastfeeding within 30 minutes!

She has been a dream like her big sisters, who have taken to her so easy. Like all mothers, I worried that my other girls would feel left out or 'abandoned' but it has been great so far. I think a routine helps and we keep them in a steady routine so that not much has changed in their lives. I think that is absolute key. 

Even now, she is 5 weeks and she has grown so much. I wish she would stay little forever. I just want to savour every moment as I know how fast it goes by.

Total weight gain: 21 lbs. In both pregnancies, I lost 7lbs from weeks 35-40 so I expect the same this time around. 

Maternity clothes? Topshop Maternity Jeans and normal sized tops. I swear by H&M vest tops, which I wear under everything so I can continue to wear normal sized tops. I really struggled this pregnancy to find anything decent in the stores to wear and I refuse to buy 'maternity' clothes as they are just so hideous. In the picture above, I'm wearing a size 8 Topshop dress which is great as I can wear it after baby too. 

Stretch marks? None

Baby things? My Sleepyhead Deluxe and Moses Basket arrived this week and I am so so happy with them! I wanted an old style moses basket this time around and I just love the one I got . 

I have heard amazing things about the Sleepyhead Deluxe and while it is pricy, I'm hoping that it is worth it.

I also picked a girls outfit and a boys outfit for coming home, I think that day is so special , I wanted something new for the new addition. 

Sleep: Like a baby!

Workouts: Nada- I wish I had done some exercise but I just didn't have any energy whatsoever:( My iron is now normal again at 10.8 so maybe in the next few days , I may manage a few walks.

Diet: I definitely have gone off so much food, especially meat. I don't crave as much sweets and tea as I used to which obviously is a good thing! 

Miss anything? Not being pregnant! At this stage, it gets so much harder to move around as normal. 

Food cravings: Nada.

Gender: Surprise! 

Labour signs: Lots of Braxton Hick contractions, some of which are painful at times. I never experienced these before, they feel like mini , irregular contractions but only last for a short period. 

Symptoms: Tons and tons of movements and kicks!

Looking forward to: Bringing baby home! I'm ready for action now and can't wait to have a newborn again:) 

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My last blog post on OTK boots was one of my most popular so now that we are rapidly approaching the cooler days , I'm looking at the chicest boots of the season again.

Last year, I invested in a pair of Stuart Weitzman's Highland OTK boots and have not regretted it since. Although the wear has been minimal with being pregnant, that will all change in the coming weeks .. 

Perfect for those chilly days, these boots will keep you warm and on-trend with ease. Modernised to be more polished, over-the-knee boots are now perfect for day or night. 

My favourite way to wear them is styled with oversized sweaters, skinny jeans with casual tees. A knee length floaty dress is also perfect. The relaxed but elegant look is made complete with a feminine flash of skin at the thighs. But they are so versatile as seen below. Invest in a good quality pair (link below) and they will see you through until next spring.




























Similar styles HERE , HERE & HERE!





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Transitioning Into Fall //

Transitioning your wardrobe from season to season is a masterful fashion feat. In other words, its hard work! While it's not quite the right time to bust out the woolly sweaters and leather pants, its time to start sifting through your summer wardrobe to see what chic (and unexpected) summer-to-autumn outfit ideas you can rustle up...

I have put together some of my favourite pieces right now and these are perfect for your autumnal wear.

Happy Shopping:)