Sometimes, for a quick minute, I think there isn’t enough to do in this little old town of Dublin. Isn’t that what everyone thinks about where they live? Certainly it was more true in China Village, there were only a few options in our tiny town – movies, miniature golf in the summer, maybe some sledding in the winter? Some days, I can even feel that way this big city.

But it’s just not the case. There is always tons going on here! You just have to know where to look. I have some go-to places to find lots of cool, new, interesting, exciting stuff going on in this city. I figured today was a great day to share those resources with you! And the best part? Great for visitors and locals. You know those are my favorite suggestions to make, huh?! Equal opportunity suggestions, I like to say.

So here we are. Five fab resources for enjoying this lovely town.

Le Cool Dublin

Le Cool Dublin is a website and weekly email newsletter sharing everything that’s going on that week. For the most part, they focus on the cool and quirky concerts, shows, and events going on in Dublin. Sign up for their weekly emails – you’ll be shocked how much goes on each week! They also offer tours of Dublin – I reviewed one here!

Totally Dublin Magazine

Totally Dublin is a free monthly magazine you can pick up in lots of shops and restaurants around Dublin. It is packed full of restaurant reviews, the latest info on neighborhoods and exhibits and movements. Every time I bring one home, Michael and I say to each other, Can you believe they included all these places?! It’s a treasure trove. Technically, Totally Dublin has a website, but you really should pick up a paper copy. It’s so satisfying to flip through!

Dublin Event Guide

The Dublin Event Guide is a website devoted to the free events taking place around the city. Cool, huh? It includes events like markets or trad sessions that happen every week, as well as once-off events. It’s a great resource if you’re looking to save a little money but still get out and about!

Dublin Town

Dublin Town is a website packed full of photos and info about shops, restaurants, pubs, and galleries in Dublin. It’s really visual, which is nice, and it’s fun to browse their categories and find new places to check out. Whenever I’m scrolling through Dublin Town, I’m always shocked to find more shops and boutiques I didn’t know about.

Isle Magazine

Isle Magazine is a little different than the rest of these resources, but since it’s a free online publication filled with all the amazing things Ireland has to offer, I thought it would round out our resources nicely! Isle Magazine is full of articles about the food producers, crafts people, artists and just interesting folks here on this island. It may not give you plans for your weekend, but it’s certainly inspiring and incredibly positive!

And just for good measure, here’s one more fun resource that will at least keep you busy into the wee hours of the night, reading away! Check out the Latest Irish Blog Posts Pinterest Page for the newest posts from Irish bloggers. It’s great fun to discover new blogs from across Ireland.

So, friends, where do you find inspiration in your town? Any fun resources you want to share? Wherever you are, happy almost Friday!

I’m starting this morning quite proud of myself. I just spent the entire weekend without opening my computer, and it was amazing. Michael and I went for a hike in Howth, spent lots of time with friends and family, and even grabbed a Sunday afternoon nap. Altogether, a relaxing, refreshing weekend!

On Friday evening, we had friends for a little homemade pizza and craft beer tasting. We were sent a few bottles by the Craft Collection and Michael and our friends had a great time sipping and comparing. I stuck with my glass of wine (I don’t like bubbles!) and tried to capture a few photos before we lost the light. They are blurry, but I prefer to think of them as arty. Ha!

We were thrilled to have our friend Dan with us – he knows so much about beer (and whiskey, and wine ;). I spent most of the night wondering how he could keep so much information in his head! I can barely keep wine straight, let alone so many other categories!

Overall, it was a success of a weekend. Did you do anything nice? Or relaxing? Or hilarious? Have a wonderful Monday, friends!

{We got to pull props from the shop floor to add to our table settings – so much fun! Photos by Julie Matkin unless noted!}

Last night, I had the pleasure hosting a lifestyle blogger get together at Avoca Malahide. It was an idea that had been rolling around my head for a few months, to put together a meet-up where we could all chat, face to face, and build relationships. With a little encouragement from a few blogger friends, I decided to bite the bullet and set it up!

When I approached Avoca Malahide with the idea, I was nervous; sometimes I worry that the ideas I’ve created in my head won’t translate or that I won’t be able to explain them properly! But Odharnait (pronounced Orna!) Kiernan, the wonderful manager at the newest Avoca store, got it instantly. She said, “That’s perfect, you’re lifestyle bloggers, we’re a lifestyle brand.” Luckily, the lovely bloggers I invited liked the idea just as much as Odharnait and I did!

{Previous two photos by the lovely Nathalie}

Last night, Odharnait and the Avoca Malahide team, Allie, Andrew and head chef Michael,  gave us an incredibly warm welcome. Odharnait explained to us all that they are trying to build a community at Avoca Malahide that extends beyond the retail space, and becomes a space for locals and visitors to spend time together, connecting. We spent the night doing just that, chatting excitedly with each other, munching on gorgeous Avoca food, and wandering the empty store like kids who get to explore a museum after hours.

Last night provided more than 20 of us an opportunity to meet each other, put faces to blog names, and bring a community that began online, to a new level offline.

Writing From China Village has expanded my world. I’ve been introduced to some of the kindest, most open-hearted people around the world as well as here in Dublin. Writing here has created such a unique and creative community for me that has been instrumental in helping me feel at home in Dublin. It was such a pleasure and an honor to have so many warm, friendly people join together in person to learn more about each other and to celebrate one another. At least half of the conversations I had last night involved someone saying, “Did you know so-and-so did this? Amazing!” This community is positive, encouraging, and downright cheerful. I’m really proud to be a part of it.

I was so busy chatting I didn’t take a single photo. Luckily, Julie and Nathalie did – and captured the evening much better than I ever could! Unfortunately, we don’t have so many photos of everyone chatting away, but there certainly were lots of ladies having chats! And hopefully we’ll do a repeat again soon!

Thanks again to Avoca Malahide, and all the wonderful bloggers who attended for making it such a sweet evening!

All photos by Julie Matkin unless otherwise noted. Thanks, Julie, for all your help setting up, clearing out, and capturing the evening!

I was so excited to be asked to speak at this wonderful event in Belfast next month. It’s a series run by Refound, a shop that’s devoted to turning old furniture into works of art. The series features people talking about the creative projects they work on outside regular office hours. I’m going to be speaking about how I started my freelance career by working all those late hours after I got home from my desk job.

If you’re in Belfast, come say hello! It should be a really fun evening!