Washing my hair, doing my (minimal) makeup, wearing a dress. I always feel best when I wake up early enough to shower and wash my hair, dry it, do a bit of makeup… On the days when I wake up late, I feel like I spend the day catching up on myself, and I also feel kind of grubby when I don’t wash my hair (even though I know I shouldn’t wash it every day…) And the dress? It’s just so much more comfortable. If I could live my life in athleisure and oversized dresses from Monki, I would.
Hmmm. So this depends, really on how confident I’m feeling! If I’m feeling myself, I’m going to Herbstreet to eat their French toast with buttered bananas and mascarpone. It is orgasmic. But I need to be feeling very good to go eat that on my own.
Anyone who’s ever been, or thought of themselves as being, fat will know the agony of wanting to eat something fattening and delicious and feeling like people will be looking at you. I don’t make a lot of my life decisions with that in mind, but it does sometimes come into it! If I’m too lazy to cross the Liffey I’m going to Two Boys Brew for their avo and eggs. It’s very, very good.
There are so many great coffee places in Dublin that it’s hard to choose! I work in Dublin 8 so the Fumbally and Two Pups are my regular coffee haunts, but Daniel (on Clanbrassil St) by the guys from 3FE serves delicious coffee, as do the guys in Proper Order in Smithfield.
Home, to be honest! I can rarely concentrate on work anywhere else; I feel bad taking up too much space in a cafe for too long, and honestly I just end up drinking too much coffee and spending too much money! If I absolutely HAVE to get some work done on the go, I’ll often end up going to a hotel lobby – they’re more open, relaxing spaces than a cafe and you can still order drinks etc, albeit at a slightly higher price. I like the Dean and the Conrad has a great lobby / bar area.
I eat out A LOT – I’m working on it! – so there are always millions of places I could eat lunch in and be very, very satisfied. Right now I’m partial to Masa; they do delicious, fresh tacos and they’re very affordable.
God, I am THE WORST for ideas for kids. Most of my friends only have babies, so the biggest concern is where is going to be comfortable and spacious enough for them to breastfeed! Costa Coffee in Smithfield is good for that; there are loads of comfy couches.
I do a lot of my shopping online, but when I’m doing IRL shopping I’m torn between Cos, for really cool separates, or M&S, for basically everything. I have never bought an item of clothing, or accessory, from M&S and found it wanting. The quality is really good the price and they always have some lovely bits.
I don’t know if I know any genuine hidden gems because, let’s face it, I’m basic AF – so I’d probably bring them to Wishbone, for delicious chicken wings; Meltdown, for incredible toasted cheese sandwiches; or to Laine, My Love on Talbot St for lovely coffee and nice vibes.
If money’s no object, I’m going to Shanahan’s on the Green. I love steak and they have the most incredible crispy fried onions. L’Ecrivain is also a gorgeous experience. I’ve been a few times, for events (for which I thankfully didn’t pay) and another time when I won a voucher. It’s expensive but the bread – THE BREAD! – alone is worth it.
If I’m attempting to stick to some sort of budget, I’m going to Hey Donna in Rathmines. Their bavette steak with caramelised fish sauce is AMAZING, and they do this garlic sauce that has to be tried to be believed. I went there on a date a few weeks ago and, for reasons of romance, didn’t get the garlic sauce, which I am still regretting.
You know what? I don’t really drink. I’ll have the odd glass of wine with dinner, and I like Tanqueray 10 gin, but nine times out of 10, I just won’t bother. But if I am going out for drinks, the cocktail bar, Bonsai Bar, just below Taste by Dylan McGrath, is very chic.
Whelan’s. I don’t think I’ve danced anywhere as much as I’ve danced at Whelan’s.
Eddie Rocket’s. No contest.
That it’s so easy to get around! I’m a chronically lazy person, but even I can’t deny that you can walk from Rathmines to Drumcondra pretty handily – and it’ll be a nice walk! I cycle, bus or walk around and everywhere is really accessible.
The penthouse at Kelly’s Hotel. It’s really central, the decor is great and the penthouse design is really lovely, bright and relaxing.
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