February so far: birthdays, book club and presents from Boston
I don't know about you, but it's only now, with the brightening days, that it's truly beginning to feel like a new year. Bringing that message home was Ari's sweet school craft:
He made and decorated this candle at school as part of Imbolc celebrations at the start of the month, to remind us “of returning light, hope and warmth.”
Recent life
Little sister's big birthday
At the start of the month, we headed to Cork to celebrate Kel's birthday, and we also got to pop in to The Grumpy Bakers fab new Midleton location. Can confirm that the coffee, cardamon morning buns and sourdough are just as good as ever.
Charm bracelet workshop
My buddy Amanda signed us up for this v cute and fun Galentine's charm bracelet workshop with Galway small biz Skye Jewellery.
Boston goodies
Ben had to go on a last minute trip work to Boston – I'm not a fan of solo parenting, but I am here for magazines and Trader Jo and Sephora loot. And how about those hugs from the kids on his return? 🥹
Ben brought back a sample of Ice(d) by Commodity and I’m surprisingly obsessed. Normally not a fan of anything labelled ‘fruity’ but the juicy top notes quickly mellow out into something that manages to be fresh, zingy but still kind of warm and aromatic? I feel like it shouldn’t work but totally does.
V-Day cuteness
For Valentine's Day, we 3D printed these cute mailboxes for the kids, and popped in some little treats and sweet name bracelets from Irish biz Bijou.
Reading and listening to
- Heating and Cooling by Beth Ann Fennelly
A collection of mini memoirs, these are perfect for dipping into when home with the kiddos or out and about. Some are laugh-out-loud funny. Some I snap a picture of to send to friends. Some pierce you with their insight, emotion, love, and humour. Well worth picking up in paperback even if, like me, you're usually on an e-reader.
- Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid (again!)
I joined a book club, and was fizzing with excitement to chat about this book again (I've now read the book and listened to the rather brilliant audiobook).
Recent work
Rebuilding my main website and portfolio
After many years paying a monthly subscription for something I rarely changed, Ben and I decided to re-do my website and portfolio. We went with a self-hosted Jekyll static site and so, after lot to hard graft from Ben and few too many late nights all-around, nathalie.ie is live (and very much evolving). Now my photography, editing and writing work will have one online home, which is a real treat after years of cobbling together a few different services.
And finally, how nice is it to be getting out about just a little bit more?
