When we were doing our summer planning, Michael and I decided this would be our year of travel. We knew it would be a little hectic, but since we put house-buying plans on hold when I started working for myself (turns out no one will look at us for a mortgage until I’ve been at it for at least two years), we decided we’d use some of that flexibility to our advantage. Therefore, America, France and Spain during Michael’s school holidays. I think we will have actually been in Dublin about two weeks the whole summer.

We haven’t been back to Almunecar, Spain, where Michael played basketball after we graduated from college, since the year he played there. So we decided to take a trip back, kind of for our five year anniversary. Very quickly after that, most of Michael’s family jumped on board, at which point it became family vacation instead of anniversary getaway. Technically, our anniversary isn’t until we get back, so we’ll celebrate together (and alone!) when we return!

This photo is from the first time I visited Michael in Almunecar. It’s a lovely little town about an hour east of Malaga, right on the beach. The weather is always amazing, and we’re going to sit by the pool and try to cope with the 100 degree weather! I’ll be dragging my computer with me, so work will continue as normal, just with a different view!

One of my favorite things about France was seeing so many fruit trees in gardens and hanging over sidewalks. I picked a fig from a tree that hung over the sidewalk, and we spied pears, these oranges in the photo above, and of course, lots of grapes. The markets, which happened Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, were filled to overflowing with fresh produce that looked like it really was picked that morning from a farm around the corner.

When I was in college, I lived briefly in Los Angeles. While I was there, upon seeing lemon and lime trees growing in the neighbor’s garden, I made a declaration that one day, I’d have a fruit tree in my own garden. I’m starting to think my choices will be limited to apple or plum trees, but I’m still holding onto hope that one day I’ll have my own stash of something fruity growing in the back garden. I think it sounds luxurious and convenient. And warm!

When we returned from France on Monday, we spent the whole afternoon painting. Still. We are nearly done with the white painting – very, very close! The next step is to paint our two tiny bathrooms a darkish grey blue. I’m hoping they’ll be finished by next week.

At which point, one or both of those little bathrooms is getting the stencil treatment! I’m still trying to decide between a white or gold paint for the stencil, and the shape is up in the air as well, but there’s a stencil happening for sure! I’m leaning toward white and I have a week to choose a shape. Any ideas? Those bees are awfully cute!

One // Two

Aren’t these posts awfully informative? We’re back from a wonderful long weekend in France. Really, truly wonderful. I can’t wait to share lots and lots more photos very soon, perhaps tomorrow.

I think it’s safe to say Michael and I are now in that phase of life where everyone we know seems to be having babies. We have five friends who are due in the month of December alone, including our two best friends here in Dublin. And this week we found out we are going to be having a niece this winter! Neither Michael nor I have any nieces or nephews yet, so we’re very excited!

We have been trying to get in on this baby party, but we’re not quite there yet. But that’s a story, perhaps, for another day. The story today is really more about the cutest Irish baby clothes you could possibly find for all those friends and family popping out babies.

I’ve had my eye out for some well-designed Irish-made or inspired baby clothes and to be honest, they’re pretty hard to come by. I’m not the biggest fan of onesies emblazoned with Luck of the Irish or Kiss me I’m Irish. But beyond the tacky ones, I’ve had a tough time finding beautiful Irish baby clothes. Until this week! When I was clearing out papers and mail during our big painting project, I happened upon a flier for Old Rectory Print Studio that I must have picked up somewhere on my travels. It was such a happy find.

Their clothes are designed and screen printed in Wicklow, by two talented sisters, Stephanie and Joanna. The clothes are organic, have the most beautiful prints, and look like they’ll stand up to a lot of wear – in fact, between them, Joanna and Stephanie have seven boys, so I’d say they have a good test audience!

But what really got me? These images from their website of their clothes on sweet Irish babes, in the sweet Irish countryside. They really make you want to scoop up the whole line – and luckily there are so many babies making their debuts soon, I might very well get to choose one of each!