I hope you all had a lovely long weekend. We had a super chilled one, I had the biggest wave of tiredness this weekend I literally slept 10/11 hours every night and still woke up wrecked. Baby must be doing some growing!

You might have seen we shared the gender of our baby, another gorgeous boy. We are thrilled, I love being a boy mom. It has been the biggest blessing & just better than I could have ever imagined. And it is true what they say, boys really love their moms. To be able to give Jude a brother & a best friend for life, we feel so lucky! We didn’t find out the gender the last time but I’m so glad we did for this baby. It’s allowed me to imagine our life, get Jude prepared mentally and get ourselves prepared physically. Even when it comes to life/ house planning, I already have them sharing a room in my head in a few years time.

Jude told us the gender. My friend did up a box for us with a pair of blue socks and a blue car that neither of us had looked inside. First of all, of course Jude couldn’t open the box, then when he did he got so distracted by the car he didn’t say the colour for a few seconds (which felt like minutes) and then we heard “blueee” and that has shaped our family picture forever. It was so special to have him tell us and having him as a part of this journey. He (again) has been telling anyone who will listen about his brother. Although he didn’t quite understand that his brother is going to be a baby, and not a child he can play with. He wants a “big brother”. So we went this weekend and got him a little baby doll and buggy and that has actually really helped, he is so attentive and gentle and just seems to get it a little more.

It’s mad what they can understand at such a young age. God help me seeing them together when the baby gets here. I will be a mess!

Anyways, other than that bit of news, we have just been busy making the most of the last few weeks of summer. It’s felt so long this year hasn’t it? In the best way, I’m thanking the fab weather for that. It’s mad to think next summer I’ll have two little besties in tow, I can’t quite get my head around it!

• Fashion: Links to pieces I’m loving

Ok in terms of fashion I’ve made it my mission to try maternity bits from a couple of different stores. Mainly jeans is what I’m looking for, I’ve tried Penneys, H&M and Mango and I have found some good options, I just need a slightly longer pair as I’m giant (5ft 10”). I’ve ordered a pair from Abercrombie and an Aussie brand call Soon so will report back on those when I get them!

I’ve linked the pieces from the H&M and Mango try ons here.

One other piece I have to recommend is this dress from Bumpsuit, I had it for my last pregnancy and wore to death. I just spotted it’s on sale in the white colour which I also had and wore so much!!

• Beauty: Fave products of the week

Not exactly a product buttt, my beauty fixation this week is sock curls. I actually cannot believe I haven’t done this sooner. I get much better, stronger curls than I do from a curling tong and it’s heatless, and takes way less time.

I tried out the new Clarins Haircare range this week, there’s a shampoo, conditioner, scalp treatment and serum and if you (like me) love a strong smelling hair scent, one that lasts, these smell sooo good. Like with all the Clarins skincare, it’s nearly all natural ingredients so good for your hair and not damaging. Obsessed. It feels like a spa day for your hair when you’re using the products.

Oh I also tried the new Charleen Murphy x Kash collection & have to say I really like the lipstain in shade "Hard to Get” and the lip oil in “Soft Kiss”. They’re out tomorrow!

• Recommendations: Shows/ books/ podcasts

I’m in mourning that Love Island is over lol. It’s my first time watching it in years and I loved the ritual of my 9pm tv time, then bed. I got all my jobs done before, sat down, fully indulged in someone else’s world and followed all the updates online. Tell me I don’t leave the house in the evenings anymore without telling me lol. I’m considering trying Love Island USA but I watched about 5 mins last week and gave up. Have any of you given it a go?

I’m currently reading “It could have been her” by Lisa Jewell a follow on from “Don’t Let Him In” which I read on holidays. It’s my usual thriller vibe, but maybe not quite as fast moving as the first one. I am hard to please with books these days and life is too short to read something you’re not enjoying so if doesn’t get me by about 30/40% of the way in, I’ve been known to throw in the towel.

I do have some other books on my list, I’ll share below, I’ve only included books I haven’t read. You can check my highlight on Instagram here for ones I have read.

Book recommendations:

Gone before goodbye by Harlan Coben and Reese Witherspoon

Forget me not by Claire Allen

Behind closed doors by BA Paris

The perfect lie by Jo Spain

Ghosts in the Wires by Kevin Mitnick and William L. Simon

The Detective Maeve Kerrigan series by Jane Casey

My husbands wife by Alice Feeney

Will Trent series by Karin Slaughter (The Silent Wife in particular)

What ever happened to Betsy Blake by David B Lyons

Anyways that is all for this week, I hope you’re all

That is pretty much it for now, I hope you’re all enjoying the last few weeks of summer.

Chat to you all soon,

Louise xx

How are we all? I am so sorry for the radio silence. I did not keep my promise of posting weekly on here. To be totally honest I’m putting that down to me not having shared our pregnancy news at that point. I couldn’t come on here and chat open and honestly which exactly the point of this little space.

Sooo to fill you all in, we are nearly 22 weeks pregnant with our second baby. And we are so excited, Jude is so excited. This second pregnancy has felt very different to my first, having a toddler means there hasn’t been much time to stop and think about it, to note down everything, read the apps every week and take bump pics. I’m not complaining though, it really has flown this time because of that. I’ve felt very calm and a lot less anxious this time than I did with Jude.

We have our big anatomy scan tomorrow. We booked to go for lunch after and hopefully we’ll have time to buy a little something for the baby. I think that will make it feel very real.

So many people have told me going from 1-2 is easier than 0-1, and I hope it’s the same for us. I know every child can be so different. But I also know we have so much experience from what we learnt with Jude, we have way less buying to do this time, we know how to use all the baby bits, and where to go for help. We do have some other life things we need to figure out, but I know from the first time, the baby doesn’t need much, just us at the start and things have a way of working out.

Jude asked me yesterday “why is the baby not here yet?” he’s known for a long time now, and has been telling everyone in creche for months. Which has been pretty funny. He doesn’t get that it’s gonna take another 4 months, he’ll be sick of hearing about it by the time it’s here lol.

I have really popped in the last week or so, it’s mad, and actually really nice to be able to see a little bump and feel movements. I have packed away all my jeans and shorts that don’t fit anymore (which is basically all of them) and have taken out some bits I saved from my last pregnancy (so glad I kept them now!). It feels so strange to have other people notice now too, but that’s also really exciting.

It’s a very similar timeline to my pregnancy with Jude (3ish weeks in the difference) & I do think this time of year is lovely to be pregnant. Flowy dresses, baggy shirts and stretchy shorts have been my best friend. I also know what I’m in for in terms of the time of year, we will have a teeny tiny baby for Christmas, I am so excited. It’ll just be so special.

If you follow me on Instagram you may know we’ve been busy getting Jude ready, we said bye to his dodies (soothers) and did toilet training too (which has been going great! He actually woke up the last 2 nights in the middle of the night looking to go, which I wasn’t expecting so soon!) I talk a little bit more about our toilet training experience here. But so far so good. It feels like a big weight off to have done a good bit of the heavy lifting there, before I get bigger! We will literally be just done with nappies & dodies and we’ll be straight back into them.

We’ve also been away on holidays in Greece, which was so lovely. We’ve been to 2 weddings, and have just been making the most out of the Irish summer we’ve been getting. It’s literally been the nicest weather I can ever remember us getting. I hope it never ends!

Anyway, that is pretty much all the updates for now, I’ll be able to come on and chat a bit more often now that there are no secrets!

If you have any tips for me on preparing for life with two, please send them my way! Life is about to get busyyy and look a little different, so excited to let you all in on it.

See you all soon,

Louise xx

How are we all? Welcome back! Week 5!!

For those of you who are Ireland based, how amazing has this week been! Blue skies everyday, it’s just heaven, and we deserve it after the longest winter of all time lol!

I’m really hoping this is the start of multiple heatwaves this summer!

Anyways let’s get straight into it…

Moments that didn’t make the grid: Joyful moments and real life

Tomorrow marks 6 months of married life for Mark & I. It’s mad! In ways it’s absolutely flown and then in other ways it feels like 10 years ago already. When I look back on Jude at our wedding, he has grown up so much since. He’s like our time stamp haha!

Mark sent gorgeous flowers which arrived a day early today. I nearly cried when I saw them :( so cute!

• What I’ve been up to: General life catch ups on what’s been going on

This week (besides work), I’ve been getting us ready for a wedding we have in the South of France on Saturday. I am so excited! We’re flying into Nice & staying in Antibes which I’ve never been to so I’m very excited.

It’s a quick trip we are in Friday night and back Sunday but it’ll be fab! I’m so happy we could make it work, it’ll be lovely to have time just Mark & I and Jude is soo excited to be spoilt by his grandparents all weekend.

Outfit is still TBC fingers crossed I can get the one I’m hoping for back from the dry cleaners in time! I’ll post pics next week.

• Fashion: Links to pieces I’m loving

My fashion picks this week are heavily influenced by the heatwave we’re currently having. I did a little bit of a NEXT haul last week, I posted a video here. I said it a few posts back, and I’ll say it again, they are absolutely killing it with their summer collection this year. I’ll link all the different pieces here.

• Beauty: Fave products of the week

To be totally honest, I have no new products I’m loving this week.

But! Some bits I really rate that have been a part of my routine for a while:

Bondi Sands Dark Tanning Foam - for obvious reasons this week, I’m loving being super tanned. I love this tan it’s a gorgeous olive tone and never goes streaky! I spotted it’s on sale here.

L’Occitane Almond Supple Skin Oil - my skin has been kinda dry recently, which is not the vibe coming into summer, or in summer I should say. This oil is amazing, it leaves your skin so soft & smells so good!

The Tatcha Luminous Skin Mist - for make up with a really natural, healthy skin looking finish. I won’t say glowy, and I won’t say dewy, it’s somewhere in between and it’s fab. I have used this since 2018 I think but I forgot about it for a while. I rebought it and have remembered why I loved it so much!

Recommendations:

Ok recommendations wise this week, I have a few!

I finished “Such a Nice Girl” by Andrea Mara, last week. Sooo good! Add it to your summer reading list!

I started “It’s Not What You Think” by Clare Mackintosh and so far I’m loving it. It’s the same kinda thriller vibe as Andrea Mara’s stuff. In saying that I’m not far into it, but it has great reviews.

For a change I actually have a TV recommendation for you! “Off Campus” on Amazon Prime, if you like mind numbing, easy to watch TV, this is it. It’s very One Tree Hill coded, and I feel like I’m probably not the target market as it’s all about college kids, but I have to say I really enjoyed it. More than I expected to, and I’ve seen soo many people chatting about it online so I’m not the only one.

Alsoooo, Love Island starts this week. I haven’t actually watched it properly in years, but I think this year I will!

Anyways, that is all for now. I hope you all have a fabulous week in the sunshine whatever you get up to, here’s hoping in continues into the weekend,

See you all here same time next week

Lou xx

I can’t believe another Wednesday has rolled around & we are 4 weeks in. Time is flying! I hope you’re enjoying the weekly posts, thank you for coming back & supporting!

Let’s get straight into it xx

Moments that didn’t make the grid

Sooo after a busy few weeks, and the coldest May I can remember, it finally caught up with us in our house. We were all a little under the weather, so we took it very easy this week besides work. So our moments that didn’t make the grid this week were not so exciting moments.

I am so ready for some sun to arrive this weekend, I think everyone is!

What I’ve been up to

I had the VIP Style Awards on Saturday which is always a fun one to get dressed up for. I kept it quite simple this year in a gorgeous Charcoal dress I rented from Darlo. I loved the fit and tailoring of it.

I paired it with a statement bracelet & earrings from One Dame Lane, my bag was from Revolve (a great one for summer weddings) and the heels were Zara.

Style picks

Adidas Running Shorts

When I’m home and running around with Jude I live in activewear so when the weather gets warmer these are definitely something I could see myself in. This pinstripe pair, this red pair and this navy pair I have my eye on.

I love how they can be styled up differently. I could see myself wearing them like she has in this video, and there’s some inspo pics below too.

Suede Jackets

Only in Ireland are you dreaming of a suede jacket in May! I saw this All Saints one and I can’t get it out of my head, I do think it would be a good one for summertime with the colour! Imagine with broderie skirts, denim shorts, capris, it would work so well! It’s pricey, and I know Zara did a great dupe but it’s sold out now sadly! I’ll see how the heatwave goes this weekend, and if I’m still in a suede jacket mood next week.

Thick thong sandals

I bought this pair and I am so excited to style them up. They are great dupes of the Row version, and they come in Black, Dark Brown & Leopard Print. If they’re comfy they’ll be a style I’ll get a lot of wear out of I think, I will report back once they arrive!

Beauty faves

Ok two beauty faves from me this week, one is a new foundation combo I’m loving for summer:

Armani Luminous Silk (shade 5) mixed with Victoria Beckham Foundation Drops (Light 4)

Mixed together you get the most gorgeous dewy finish foundation with perfect coverage. I’m loving!

The other is a new blush from Charlotte Tilbury, they had released this last year too and tbh the packaging kind of put me off even trying it, but now I have I have to say I really really like it! The darker pink is a gorgeous matte blush for your cheeks & the lighter pink is a colour corrector for under your eyes. It comes in 2 shades, the “Pillowtalk Flawless Pink” one is my favourite.

Recommendations

This week I have a really good book recommendation for you! “Such a Nice Girl” by Andrea Mara. I started it less than a week ago and I’m a few pages off finishing (that’s what I’ll be doing as soon as I’ve posted this!) It’s a thriller, with lots of drama and it just totally keeps you guessing. I always love her books but this one is particularly good. If you need something for holidays, or something to get you back in the swing of reading, this is it!

It’s funny, doing this Substack has made me realise how little TV I actually watch. I love and get more excited about a good book because you literally can’t do anything else while you’re reading and I just get so engrossed in it. There’s also nothing like it before bed to set me off to sleep!

On that note, I’m off to finish this book, I really need a good recommendation for what to read next, if you have any send them my way!

Hope you all have a good week, enjoy the first bit of summer this weekend (fingers crossed)

Louise xx

My summer schedule of events seems to have started already. Quiet weekends don’t exist right now! All fun stuff though it’s great. We had London last weekend, I’ve the VIP Style Awards this weekend, my friends hen the weekend after and an abroad wedding the weekend after that! Outfit planning is in full swing…

What I’ve been up to

First of all, let’s have a little catch up on London. We decided pretty last minute to book it about 2/3 weeks ago, we were supposed to do a night away in Ireland but a little city break like this is something we said we really wanted to do once we weren’t saving and planning a wedding anymore lol.

We went first thing Saturday morning & came back Sunday evening, and we fit a lot into two days. It was so much fun, there is so much to do for toddlers over there, and for us, we had amazing food options and shops that we don’t have at home! Seeing Jude’s little face when I told him what we were doing and that we were going on an airplane, it was just priceless. It’s the first time he’s really understood it. And he had a lot of quesions, everything was “why”.

My top tip from our stay would be to get Chat GPT to plan it all for you! I put in our flight details, and the different activities we wanted to do and it did a whole itinerary for us. I am never this organised. I had nothing booked until my sister looked at me funny. Chat GPT gave us all the restaurant recommendations (which I then went on & booked, so glad I did that), advised how best to travel (train, Uber etc), and timings for each. It took a few decisions and a lot of figuring out, out of the equation.

I did a little vlog you can see here. & this below was our rough itinerary, I did a bit of editing, but how handy to have it laid out like this when you’re with a toddler. I am adulting!

Saturday

8:00–10:00 Arrival & transfer

Take Gatwick Express → Victoria (~30 mins) or Thameslink → central London

Taxi/Black Cab to hotel (easiest with luggage + toddler)

Drop bags at ME London

10:30 Easy breakfast near hotel

Recommendations:

Grind Covent Garden – very child-friendly, space for prams

The Ivy Market Grill – reliable, relaxed brunch option

Check out the street performers in Covent Garden

11:30 London Transport Museum

12.15 Walk along the South Bank towards Big Ben

13:00 Lunch in Pizza Pilgrims Covent Garden

2.00 train to Wembley Park

3.30 Mundo Pixar experience

5.30 back at hotel freshen up for dinner

6.15pm dinner at Wahaca Covent Garden – Mexican, casual, noisy = toddler-friendly (booked)

Early night is wise after travel day

⸻

SUNDAY

8:30 Breakfast near hotel

Recommendation

• WatchHouse Covent Garden

We actually went to B Bagel on Strand St - would recommend!

10am Kensington Gardens to see Coop

7 mins drive (depending on entrance)

11.45am Natural History Museum

Better booking tickets in advance if you can

But we queued and got in in 10 mins

Use the Exhibition Road / East Entrance rather than the main Cromwell Road entrance — locals on Reddit repeatedly mention it’s usually quicker.

10 min drive

12.45pm Buckingham Palace

25 min walk

1.30 Lunch in Bancone Covent Garden

3.00 Travel to Stansted

1. Taxi/Uber from your hotel to Liverpool Street Station

   • About 15–20 mins on a Saturday afternoon

   • Usually £15–25 depending on traffic

2. Stansted Express train from Liverpool Street to London Stansted Airport

   • Around 45–50 mins

   • Trains every 15–30 mins

6pm flight home

⸻

🚇 Transport tips (important with toddler)

• Use black cabs/Uber to save energy (worth it for short stay)

• Tube is fine but avoid rush hour

• Many stations aren’t fully step-free (can be awkward with buggy)

⸻

🍴 Extra restaurant ideas (near your hotel)

If you want backups:

• Flat Iron Covent Garden – simple + fast

• Homeslice Neal’s Yard – big pizzas, casual

• Giraffe South Bank – very family-oriented
  
  A few other things lots of people recommended for kids but we didn’t get around to doing: Hamleys, the Postal Museum, Paddington experience, Peppa Pig bus tour, Diana memorial playground, Science Museum, FRAMELESS London (art experience), Battersea Power Station. There’s also lots of kids shows on at different times. Sooo much to do!

Moments that didn’t make the grid

Ok so where to start? I’m fighting the urge to go straight into gushing mom mode, right away, for this section every week. Back to Jude in a minute lol.

I had a lovely night with my mom last week at my sisters concert she had organised for her school. Nicole is a music teacher and is so passionate about it, she helped organise & direct the most amazing show to fundraise for her school. It really was incredible & I’m not just saying that. Proud sister moment!

Another really special moment was being reunited with my Coop (IYKYK). And seeing Jude with him again, he calls him “Hooper”. It’s the cutest thing. He lives with my friend in London now, we got him together when we lived together in our twenties. We didn’t preempt or talk about how we would one day be introducing our dog baby to our human babies. My friends daughter is 2 years older than Jude and seeing the bond they have is really special. Hopefully he’ll be home later in the summer & we can have more time with him. He really is the best doggie. Can you believe he turned 9 in February? If you’re with me since the start you might even remember him as a pup. Where has the time gone!

Speaking of time flying, Jude always has to get his little mention in this section. I find this age so rewarding, the chatter, the love and affection, the laughs. It’s just the best. We have some big plans this summer, potty training being number 1 and dropping the dodie being number 2. I’ve explained to him already that soon we’re gonna give them to the “fairies” (My friend did this, with a little fairy door, and they left presents in exchange for them), he seems on board with the idea so far. He said they’re gonna bring “chopolate” I just need to decide when I’m ready to commit to a few bad nights sleep lol.

Style picks

I realised looking back at pics when I got home I was clearly in a stripe/ white denim mood in London lol. I’ve linked the blue top (wearing size medium) & shorts outfit here, and the pink shirt/grey jumper/ white jeans outfit here.

In terms of other things I have my eye on, with all the events I have coming up I have no shortage of things to buy for!

I got this for my friends hen next weekend, love.

I ordered this for potentially day 2 of a wedding I have coming up. And if not I know I’ll wear it again during the summer. It’s out of stock right now but I signed up to restock notifications and had it ordered within an hour!

I tried on my dress for the VIP Style Awards yesterday and I love it. It’s very different to anything I’ve worn to the awards before. It’s always a fun night getting glam with everyone. I’m actually nominated this year for “Look of the Year”, if you want to cast your votes or even have a nose at the nominations I’ll leave the link here.

And lastly, I made my first order from the website Kookai last week, it’s an Australian brand and it does really timeless, capsule wardrobe pieces. They just opened their first store in London. They are a little pricey but I got 4 pieces and the quality and fit is fab on all of them! No customs either!

Beauty faves

Ok 3 beauty faves this week!

1. A good duo brush. I just got this one from Refy which I’m excited to try, this Sculpted Duo Brush is a part of my routine every day for foundation & concealer, and I use this hourglass one for cream bronzer & cream blush

2. The new Sculpted Cream Luxe bronzer, blush & highlighter. They’re more pigmented than the original & the packaging is just so cute!

3. The new Sì Nude Bloom Eau de Parfum - its a lighter, fresher, more floral and romantic sister to the original Sì by Armani (which is one of my all time favourites). A really nice one for summer!

Recommendations

Ok book wise I am still working my way through Yesteryear, I still see so many people saying they loved it so I just need to get through the kinda dark parts lol.

You’ll know if I’m loving a book or not based on how fast I can get through it!

Podcast wise if you’re a true crime gal you will love the Foundling story. It’s about a newborn that was abandoned by her mother.

And if you need a laugh, I am obsessed with the I’m Grand Mam podcast. This got me through the training for the half marathon! They just crack me up so much!

Anywayyy, that is all for this week, if you’ve any recommendations for me, please send them my way! Always welcome, I especially need a good book after this one.

Thanks for sticking around & being here, same time next week!

Louise x

Lol. Hi and thanks for being here! Week 2!! As with last week I’m gonna be chatting under a few different headings:

• Moments that didn’t make the grid

• What I’ve been up to

• Style picks

• Beauty faves

• Recommendations

Moments that didn’t make the grid:

I was so delighted to make it through the half marathon at the weekend, it was such a great buzz and atmosphere, that really helped carry me. I started it with Mark and his mom but we all just went at our pace so not to put anyone (me) under pressure. I put on a good playlist (I love House music for running, Ten Leaves on Spotify have some good ones) it helped me just zone out and get into the rhythm. I have really started to enjoy running although I get this thing called “runners knee” which is actually quite sore afterwards, so I’m not sure if it’s something that really suits my body long term. But hey I’m happy I did it, and equally happy to hang up my running shoes for a little while!

When I got to the finish line and I saw Jude there smiling at me I had to stop and take him with me. He was laughing out loud on my back, it was actually the cutest thing. The official photos at the finish line are gonna be framed!

Another really exciting moment that happened on Sunday, Jude has decided to start with the toilet training?! I was gonna wait until the summer but he just went for it, and has done a few times since. He was so proud, “show everyone” he told me. I, of course, did and made a huge deal out of it! When did he get so grown up!!

What I’ve been up to:

This week I’ve been planning our trip to London for this weekend, we spontaneously booked it a few weeks ago, we’re making the most of the time and flying out Sat morning and back Sunday evening. We have some really fun things planned. Mainly the Pixar Mundo Experience, I think Jude is going to loveee it.

I had Chat GPT do a whole itinerary for us based on a few things we wanted to do, and it gave us our whole route and restaurant recommendations too. So handy. I don’t think I’ve ever been as organised. Obviously with a toddler chances of everything going according to plan are slim but I’ll fill you in on everything next week!

Style picks:

Wedding season is here! So I (and a few of my friends) have started the hunt for dresses, I put together a collection of some of my favourites online at the moment.

First I did a collection of bridal outfits, click here to see those.

Then I did a collection of the best wedding guest dresses I could find, click here for this one.

Beauty faves:

Last week I was invited to the launch of the reformulated Estee Lauder Double Wear. It’s the UK and Ireland’s no.1 foundation, it’s iconic. It has some serious die hard fans.

The new formula is thinner and more fluid so you have more playtime when applying. It’s lighter and more skin-like in coverage, BUT if you want that full coverage finish (that it’s known for) you can apply a second (or third) layer and you’ll get that.

I was skeptical at first as when I posted about on Instagram I got a few messages from people saying they were disappointed and really loved the original.

I will say the shades are slightly different, I was a 2N1 in the original and that feels a little light for me now, but I have to say I honestly really, really like it. I have been reaching for it and wearing it everyday.

The original Double Wear feels a bit dated in comparison. It feels heavier and more powdery than this formula. The new one feels really light on, leaves your skin flawless but with much more of a glow than the original. Big fan.

If you’re popping by an Estee counter get re-shade matched and a little tester, I bet you’ll love it! I’ll put a little video in here of it on, no filter or anything (and I’ve just had my brows/lashes done here so excuse that, but you can see what I mean with the glow and the coverage).

Recommendations:

I was invited to the Premier of the Devil Wears Prada 2 last week! Highly recommend going to see it. A movie as iconic as TDWP was always gonna be hard to follow, and the sequel was always going to be harshly criticised but I really enjoyed it, it’s pure escapism. They tell the story of the change in the media/ fashion magazine landscape over the last 20 years really well.

The cast are amazing. Meryl Streep in particular, just so so good. There are lots of great one liners and nods to the first movie, which everyone wanted.

I don’t love Anne Hathaways character in it, and at times it does feel like more of a reach than the first does, but overall, it’s a very good sequel! If you’ve seen it what did you think?

One other recommendation before I go, if you haven’t started the 3rd season of Euphoria yet (or any season) now is the time! Again, pure escapism. I have one to catch up on tonight so I’m off to do that.

See you here same time next week,

Louise xxx

Hope you enjoy!

Moments that didn’t make the grid:

I have a funny feeling this section will be filled with Jude stories each week, as I don’t usually share too much of him online, and honestly even if I wanted to I couldn’t catch the hilarious moments on camera.

I’ve been trying to note down some of the funny things he’s being doing and saying. He is getting chattier by the day meaning his baby words for things like “quinkle quinkle” for stars, “minamins” for vitamins and “chopalat” for chocolate are slowly making their way out of his vocabulary. There’s this saying I’ve seen online about not knowing when things are your “lasts” with small kids, it would be great if I could remember what it was, but essentially things change so quickly with them that the things you love and laugh at everyday suddenly are gone and replaced with something else, usually something better. So I’m trying to document more while I’m in it. Time is going too fast!

What I’ve been up to:

Ok so the last week or so has been buusssy. I was away for a few days in Majorca on a NEXT press trip and it was stunning! Majorca in general is just the most beautiful island, it was the first taste of summer sunshine, it was a gorgeous group of people, it was all just really good for the soul!

The outfits were amazing. I’m always a summer girl when it comes to clothes, and this was the first taste of that. The pops of colour, the flowy dresses, the ease of slipping on sandals. And as a tall girl, I don’t have to worry as much about finding trousers long enough every day of the week!

We stayed in a fab adults only hotel Son Xotano, it was about 30/40 mins from Palma airport. The interiors, the pool and the food were simply perfection. All of the rooms seemed to be as beautiful as eachother. It is inland which is the only thing, I imagine most people going to Majorca would like to be near the coast, but if you’re looking for a few peaceful days away somewhere just to relax and read a book this is it.

On Sunday, Mark, Jude & I went down to Ballymaloe House in Cork for the night & it was honestly one of the nicest stays we’ve done in Ireland ever. You know when you just feel really far away, and all you can see is fields and all you can hear is birds, and the sun is shining. That to me is heaven! It’s been on my list forever, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s really cozy and beautiful inside, the food is amazing, most of it is grown in their own farm. Speaking of the farm, I didn’t realise how many animals there would be, and Jude absolutely loved seeing them. Especially this time of year, there were calves, piglets and baby chicks. There is some animals at the house and even more in the Cookery school which is less than a 5 min drive away. The gardens are gorgeous here for a walk around. We left saying it’s somewhere we will definitely come back to. And they’re on the Blue Book, we have a few vouchers from our wedding that we need to put to use!

This coming weekend I’m doing the Dublin Half Marathon on Sunday. I’m not gonna lie I’m feeling a bit nervous for it, I’ve been taking the training for this one at a much slower pace, I just want to finish it. I did one in September, so at least I know I can lol. It will feel like such an achievement! I’m off to fuel up all week.

Style picks:

Ok I can’t mention the NEXT trip & not mention all the gorgeous summer clothes we got to wear on it. Some of my favourites were this polka dot two piece set, this white top and skirt with the colourful beach bag & this strapless maxi dress, the accessories for this look were amazing.. the beaded shoes, the sunglasses and the bracelets. They remind me of designer pieces that are a much higher pricepoint. You can find links to everything I wore on the trip here.

Another thing I’m loving at the moment, which isn’t exactly groundbreaking for spring, is floral pieces. In particular a cutesy floral dress like the Spirit & Grace one I wore in Ballymaloe, Reformation also has some gorgeous ones, I got a similar style on ASOS last week for a really good price.

I started the wardrobe switchover this week, the winter coats are gone. Next on my list is to go through my bags of summer clothes from the attic and decide what’s going up on my Vinted. I’ve become a lot more ruthless with what I keep recently, and it’s a good feeling. I find when I have too much in my wardrobe I don’t even know what I have because I can’t see it. Maybe I’m also just a little bit addicted to Vinted.

Beauty faves:

This week I’m gonna mention 3 new products that have recently been added to my routine & I’m loving:

1. Haru Haru Black Rice Hyaluronic Toner

A toner is a product I have not had a part of my routine for a long time! Do you remember when everyone’s skincare routine was “cleanse, tone, moisturise”? Nowadays it’s a little more customised and dare I say, complicated. But hey when it works, it works.

I bought this product after a friend of mine was raving about the difference the Probiotics Barrier Essence made to her skin, and how well make up sat on it afterwards. It’s a Korean brand so of course they are the best for skincare. I have been loving the toner, it leaves my skin a lot brighter and literally like glass. And it was only €15ish. So good! Click here for the link.

2. Sweed Eye Lash Serum

I’ve been using this about 2/3 weeks now. I got this recommendation after complimenting another girls extremely long natural lashes at an event recently, she swore by this serum.

I have not been able to find a good lash serum that actually works (that doesn’t have prostaglandin) in such a long time. I used to love Revitalash but it definitely made my eyes red, this doesn’t do that and I noticed yesterday how much my lashes have grown, I badly need to get them curled so I can see the length properly. Click here for the Sweed Lash Serum.

3. Sisley Black Rose Cream Mask

This is at the more pricey end of the scale but wow. This is worth the hype. I don’t know what magic is in this formula but it just leaves your skin so glowy and plump. They recently launched a serum as a part of the Black Rose range too, which is fab also, especially if you love that glassy skin look. But this is my favourite. If you’re in the mood to treat yourself, this is it. Click here for the link.

Recommendations: Shows/ books/ podcasts

Books-wise. I am not having much luck. I have started and got far enough into two books this month.

The first was “The News from Dublin” by Colm Tóibín. I normally love his books (I especially loved Long Island, if you haven’t read it!) but this is a series of short stories. The short stories are really good, but I think you need to be someone who likes reading them. I feel like I’m just getting into it and then its over. And the next short story is in a new setting with new characters and a new story. It takes a lot of brain power every few pages. Maybe I’m just not in the mood for that right now, so it’s on pause.

I started Yesteryear by Caro Claire and I had seen nothing but rave reviews online about this. I’m about 30% through it, and although I like the idea of it, I find it a bit too dark and I really don’t like any of the characters bar the little kids. It’s hard to read a book where you don’t like anyone lol. I may have to give up on this. Life is too short to read something you're not enjoying. If anyone has read it should I power through? Does it get better?

I’m thinking of starting Louise O’Neill’s new book “Whatever Happened to Madeline Stone?” I always love her books.

Anyway, this has ended up being a lot longer than I expected it to be, I hope you enjoyed reading it and the format makes sense. Any recommendations for things I’m missing here or even something I should try/ read/ listen to, always welcome too.

Hope you all have a lovely bank holiday weekend,

See you here same time next week,

Louise x

I’ve been going back and forth about starting this for a while. It’s been ages since I’ve put my thoughts out into the world in writing, and honestly, I’ve missed it. I’ve been really enjoying reading on Substack lately, so I thought… why not give it a go myself?

A little about me, for those of you who don’t know me…

I’m Louise, I live in Dublin, Ireland. I’m recently married & we have a gorgeous son, Jude, who is just our pride & joy. I studied Communications, Marketing & International Business and I’ve been chronically online for about 12 years now.

It started with a blog, where I would write very much like this, weekly. I started my first blog in 2011, but was too embarrassed to share it with the world until 2014. I did a lot of life updates, travel, fashion, and some beauty.

Next year marks a decade of doing this as my full time job. Crazy!

As time went on, slowly but surely social media took over, first Instagram, then Snapchat, YouTube, TikTok. 24 year old me certainly didn’t think that was going to be the case when I handed in my notice back in 2017. I just wanted to travel more!

Things are changing all the time in the online world. The first big change was the phase out of the blog, as social media grew and the reach grew there, writing and collating blogs just didn’t warrant the time spent on it anymore (for me anyway).

Then things moved largely from just photos to video. Lots and lots of video. I remember being terrified of this shift as I got really nervous talking to camera (and still do a lot of the time). But I eased into it and actually ended up really loving YouTube, and being able to share more, in an authentic way.

For me, as someone who kept a diary most of my life (again, up until the social media era) writing is where I can make sense of things and share a little bit more openly than I’m sometimes willing to say out loud. I can feel myself shifting away from doom-scrolling (trying to at least), back towards long form content & things that can hold my attention for longer. Substack, for me, is a place I can learn and get some inspiration, it feels like a little bit of self-care. So I thought it could be nice to reintroduce that and get involved, to help me find the joy in online again.

What can you expect from me here…

I’m aiming to write a weekly newsletter every Wednesday to get me started and into the rhythm of it.

I’ll keep it short & sweet:

• Moments that didn’t make the grid: Joyful moments and real life

• What I’ve been up to: General life catch ups on what’s been going on

• Fashion: Links to pieces I’m loving

• Beauty: Fave products of the week

• Recommendations: Shows/ books/ podcasts

I’ll figure it out as I go, and I’m excited that you’re here as I kickstart it,

See you next Wednesday,

Louise x