If you read yesterday's post, you saw incredible photos from my friends' Irish wedding. Hard to believe that was only day one of our trip! From Clifden, we drove back to Galway, where we checked into the most lovely B&B I've ever stayed at: the Kilcullen House. If you ever find yourself in Ireland, book a room at this place—it's reasonably priced, centrally located, and run by the most welcoming staff you could possibly imagine. We dropped our bags, and got back on the road—this time, traveling down to see the Cliffs of Moher. We took the scenic route, which made for a tight squeeze when passing others on the road, but was completely worth it since it meant we could drive along Ireland's beautiful coast.
Other Ireland favorites:
*The Guinness Factory tour in Dublin was touristy, yes, but tons of fun. It also features one of the most impressive views of the entire city!
*The castles. I felt like I fell into an episode of Downton Abbey every time we passed a magnificent castle, like the one pictured above near Clifden.
*I grew up in a small town, but I couldn't get enough of the cows, sheep and horses, roaming in the sweeping fields along the roads as we drove by. Also, amazing—the stone walls! It's incredible to think about how long ago they were built, and how they've withstood the test of time...and inclement weather.
*The food. We had the pleasure of dining at Kai, a delightful spot in Galway, where I enjoyed one of the best meals of the entire trip. Matt's steak—pictured above—was so tasty, with all organic ingredients, too.
*Last, the very best part of Ireland is the small town vibe of a country so lush, green, friendly and kind. Everywhere we went we either made friends or ran into them, which is exactly why I posted the pic of myself and my friend (and fellow wedding guest) Stephanie. Matt and I ran into Steph and her husband Tom the last night of our trip at a pub in Dublin. Together, we walked over to the Ha'penny Bridge over the Liffey River — a magical way to say goodbye to the city, and get ready for our next destination: Paris!
At last! Time to update you on my lovely and delightful trip across the pond. First stop: an Irish wedding. Our friends Shalah and Christian got married just outside of Clifden on the western coast of Ireland. We were amazed at how green and gorgeous everything was as we made our way from Dublin to Galway.
The wedding took place at Rosleague Manor, a stunning spot with breathtaking views of the Irish countryside. After an outdoor ceremony, we enjoyed a five-course meal, and dancing late into the night. The biggest struggle for Matt and I? Our jet lag! We took the red eye into Dublin the night before the wedding, and managed a couple of hours of sleep before the ceremony began. But it was absolutely worth it! The pics above should give you a glimpse of the day—the beautiful bride, the map filled with place settings, the blessing I got to read during the ceremony right after the couple said 'I do'.
Have you ever been to Ireland? More to come on my travels this week!
Thanks to Pinterest, I stumbled upon the work of Chelsea, the talented artist behind the Etsy shop Oh My Deer. Her gorgeous prints — pictured above — are available to buy and frame, each a wonderful sentiment to share and keep close to your heart. More of her work can be seen here.
I must admit — I adore the e.e. cummings line. Do you have a favorite quote about love?
(Images via Oh My Deer)
Those who read this blog know: I'm a huge fan of a show called Friends. :) That's why, this past weekend, it was a delight to catch David Schwimmer on Broadway in Detroit. I've always known that David got his start on stage, but seeing him in this show, I was quite impressed. It didn't hurt that he was supported by such a rock star cast. Amy Ryan, Darren Pettie, Sarah Sokolovic—all were great! The show's run at Playwrights Horizons was just extended so get your tickets now.
Any other Friends fans out there? More Friends here, here and here.
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I know I said I wasn't going to blog about my trip to Ireland and Paris until next week, but then Kate posted the image above and I couldn't resist. What an amazing reminder—in the midst of a chaotic day/week/month—to stop, even for a minute, and appreciate the view.
The shot directly beneath Kate's image is one I took through the windshield of our car while driving in Ireland. The speed was 120 kilometers per hour on that road(!), but I got Matt to slow down for a second—long enough for me to take this pic. We were driving just south of Galway, and the natural beauty here (and everywhere in Ireland) was astounding. Just looking at this photo is all the reminder I need to slow down and take a deep breath.
Wishing you a lovely Tuesday—more about my trip next week!
(Image via Wit & Delight)
Happy Birthday October! After traveling for three weddings, I'm officially back in New York (posts about Ireland and Paris to come next week). The best part? Fall arrived while I was away! Sure, I love September, but October is when this season really comes into it's own. The things I love the most about this month? Costume planning for Halloween, going apple picking, warming up with savory tomato soup and grilled cheese. Oh, and baseball playoffs! I may be a Red Sox fan, but I'm rooting for the SF Giants this year (more Buster Posey, please!).
What do you love most about this month?
(Image 1, 2, 3, and 4)
