Today I have another awesome Irish Christmas present to share with you all! This one is for all your foodie friends and family: Irish Atlantic Sea Salt! I bought a box a few months ago and I use it nearly every day. It’s perfect for crumbling into a simmering pot of anything and it’s my go-to for sprinkling on top of avocado toast. The perfect crunch without being overwhelmingly salty.

One of the most fun things about Irish Atlantic Sea Salt is that it’s made in West Cork on the Beara Peninsula, which is the place my family stayed the first time we ever came to Ireland when I was in high school – long before I had any idea I would ever meet Michael or move to Dublin! It’s an incredible part of the world – rugged and wild and filled with sheep – and it’s really fun to have a tiny bit of it in what we eat!

You can buy it online and if you act fast, you should be able to have it delivered before Christmas!

Dublin’s Damn Fine Print studio has done it again – a fabulous collaboration with some of Ireland’s hottest designers, this time all on the theme of song lyrics. This Beastie Boys quote, illustrated by the talented Neal McCullough, is my favorite. I’ve gotta million ideas I ain’t even rocked yet. True that.

Damn Fine Print is hosting a print sale on December 5th at their studio at their Block T print studio in Smithfield. They’ll be selling limited editions of each print for just €30. Such a steal – and of course, perfect for Christmas presents!

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

I managed to squeeze in a few mini Thanksgiving feasts while I was home in Maine earlier in the month, so while we won’t be having a big Thanksgiving dinner tonight I still feel like I’ve celebrated my favorite holiday. We’ll be spending tonight counting our blessings. Thanksgiving is a day for being grateful – for health, happiness, family and friends, travels and adventures. We are so very grateful. Thank you for sharing this place with me, and may your day be full of life and smiles.

Image from here, text by me!

I had a wonderful piece of mail waiting for me when I returned to Dublin a few weeks ago: Pol O’Conghaile’s new guidebook to Dublin called Secret Dublin. I’ve been loving it, and I think you might too – whether you’re a local or a visitor.

Last week, I had a whole bunch of my walking tours to do – and each set of people who booked my tour had a different interest. In fact, one was a 25 year old woman with her 17 year old brother. Twenty-five year old ladies – totally easy. Seventeen year old boys? Not my typical tour! So I broke out the Secret Dublin guide for a little inspiration and found a few super options to suit all sorts of interests.

One of my favorite bits in the book was an explanation of the beautiful lamp posts in Merrion Square Park. I almost always take my tours through Merrion Square Park because it’s lovely and has the most beautiful lamp posts. But I had no idea, until I was reading Secret Dublin, that the lamp posts are part of a living exhibit put together by the Dublin City Council to highlight the various lamp post styles throughout the decades. Who knew?!

Last week, I also dragged one of my tours all the way down the quays to see the old diving bell. Honestly, I never knew it even existed, but if I had walked past it there’s no way I would have known what it was. Devoid of any plaque or information, the big metal structure was used in the 1860’s to compress the bottom of the Liffey River so steam ships could travel up the quays. Men would work in the little compartment, often suffering from hearing loss from the pressure under water, and sometimes they’d manage to catch a few fish to bring home for dinner!

I was glad to see I did recognize many of the places in Secret Dublin, including Dublin City Hall. The mosaic above as well as the view from the front steps make it one of my favorite spots in the city. But of course, I learned a little extra info about the building and its artwork from Pol’s guide. The artwork in the frieze was created by students at the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art in 1913. It does look a little wiggly in places!

Secret Dublin made me finally stop into Sweny’s Chemist, the pharmacy often frequented by James Joyce and which features in Ulysses as the spot where Bloom buys a bar of lemon soap. It’s not a functioning pharmacy anymore, instead it’s a historical time capsule run by volunteers who hold free readings at 1pm every weekday and Thursdays at 7pm. I have to return next time there’s a reading, but in the meantime it was such fun to see all the lovely old glass bottles.

The guidebook is set up by neighborhood with maps that are perfect for planning your route around secret Dublin. I just decided my route, then looked to see what we would be passing anyway. And thankfully, it’s a handy little size that isn’t too heavy to lug around!

I’m not a guide book person – in fact, when we travel, I make Michael do all that sort of research – so it’s probably because I know how interesting Pol is that I even opened the book to begin with! But I’m so glad I did. I’ve already learned so much about my adopted city that most locals probably don’t know!

You can find Secret Dublin on Amazon – just in time for Christmas!

Friends, it happened. I turned 30, and I survived! It really feels mostly just the same. I still don’t feel a day over 25! Well, perhaps a little wiser than I was at 25. I really enjoyed coming up with each of these lessons (almost) every day. It certainly helped focus my attention on how wonderful my last decade was! So, here is the last update on my 30 Before 30 Lessons Learned series on Instagram.

Day 18: In my 20’s I learned that my siblings are possibly the best people on the planet. Well, I knew this before but my late 20’s really confirmed it. These two are so smart and funny and compassionate. 2014 is going to be such a big year in the Boyle family. Don’t even try to hold these two down, they are going to do such big, worthy, gutsy things. I am a very, very proud big sister.

Day 19: In my 20’s I learned what a privilege it is to have a dad who is a creator. He understands the struggle and the hustle and the desperate need to put words on paper. Not only does he give the best pep talks when my inner critic gets the best of me, but he willingly edits all my most important pieces. I learn so much from him each time I hear him speak about his work, and today I got to smile proudly while he spoke at the governor’s mansion. It’s the most giant blessing that we have been able to collaborate on a novel together that you’ll hear more about in 2014!

Day 20: In my 20’s I have begun to learn, because I am surely not there yet, how to be present in a moment. It is a skill that takes practice, to put the future out of your mind so you can enjoy the present. After  years of meltdowns leading up to the ends of visits with my family, I have begun to work on enjoying those moments instead of being sad they will soon be put on hold until next time. A work in progress, but I can see the benefits.

Day 22: In my 20’s I learned the beginnings of what it means to be a wife. At 24, I had zero idea what it meant or involved, but I am learning that it is so much more than I could have imagined. Mostly in the best possible ways.

Day 23: In my 20’s I learned (and am still learning) that comparison is the thief of joy. I am enough, by my own standards, not anyone else’s.

Day 24: In my 20’s I learned that I can have lots of homes, which was and is key in lessening the homesickness when I’m so far from my original home. With a little time and energy, I made Dublin my home. And then when and if all fails, I get to have Michael as my home. It’s a lot harder to be homesick if you get to have lots of homes! What a blessing.

Day 25: In my 20’s I learned that my natural hair color isn’t all that bad! For 12 years (or more?!) I mostly bleached it, although I went brown once and red once, until it just about all turned crispy. It’s been almost 2 years and I am loving my natural brown.

Day 26: In my 20’s I learned there are only 18 letters in the Irish alphabet!?! According to the kind lady at the Irish Design Shop where I bought the sweetest Irish alphabet by Rene Mullins.

Day 30: In my 20’s I learned to appreciate every moment. While out running tonight I was thinking that so many people don’t even get to make it to 30. I am healthy and happy, opportunities have been plentiful and disappointments few and far between. I am one lucky duck to be celebrating this milestone tomorrow. Feeling hugely grateful to those who helped shape me in my 30’s. Here’s to another 30!

Thank you to everyone who followed along with this little series! And for your birthday wishes. It was a very special day!