Monday, April 7, 2008

Dublin,purchases and the Clarion Ball - Updated


Me and Lisa at the Clarion Ball 2008

I bought this tin from Avoca and this really cute Cath Kidston passport holder. They also had CK luggage tags etc, I could have gone a bit mad shopping!

Avoca in Dublin - one of the most beautiful shops!
A street scene in Dublin city - Grafton Street where all the lovely shops are including Habitat, Avoca, Brown Thomas, Laura Ashley - to name but a few.

" Humanity is never so beautiful as when praying for forgiveness, or else forgiving another" ~ Jean Paul Richter

Well, I am back in Cork, sorry I have been gone from blogging for nearly a week - I have been so busy, but having a good time as well!
Last week Tuesday, I traveled to Dublin to apply for my French Visa (which was a bit stressful I have to say). Anyway, I am hopeful that I will get it as I have now supplied all the documents they asked for.
The bus trip was three and a half hours, when we got there I went and had a peaceful cup of coffee at Starbucks and a lovely look around the shops, just soaked up the atmosphere in Grafton Street.
Then I took a taxi to the French Embassy and after that, I was exhausted - more Starbucks frappucinnos and paninis and a stroll around Habitat. Bliss in a world where kids and housework usually rule the day!
I will be posting about my planned trip to France later in this week!

On Wednesday evening, my good friend Lisa arrived from Manchester for a Ball we had been invited to on Saturday. It was great seeing her again, we have been friends since we were 17 and she is practically family. Here she is with my little boy Max.

We booked into the Clarion on Saturday afternoon and got ready. The Ball started at 7pm and we had a four course meal, which was beautiful.
Then, we went back to our room at about 3 am and woke up to a wonderful breakfast at the hotel. What a treat.
We spent the rest of the day at the Mall and had loads of coffee, saw 2 movies (I know, talk about indulgent) and then I took her to the airport (sob). I'll see her again in July.

Below: My good friends Stephanie and her husband Bruce.



Jody, my friend and the girl who hosted the Ball.

7 comments:

Tara said...

Hi JJasmine

Thanks for stopping by my blog! Yours is nice and I know I'll return. My grandfather was frmo Cork, a place I have never been! He came to New York when he was 16...and here I am, trying to raise three kids, work, keep house...hey, we may be oceans apart but we have an awful lot in common, right? So nice to meet you!
:0)
Tara

Claire said...

Hi, thanks for your lovely message! so glad you had a fab time at the Ball, where's your piccie missy?? Hope you don't mind me asking, why are you applying for a French visa, are you leaving for France?? Claire x

Jasminé said...

Hiya Claire!
I am on a South African passport and we need visas to get into the European states, except for Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales.
It is a real pain, but also an excuse to take a trip to Dublin (where all the embassies are)..
Hoping to get our Irish citizenship in the next couple of years..
I'm going on a little trip to Paris (first time) with 2 friends this month.
x

prettyshabby said...

Hi Jasmine..I'm so glad youve added a photo of you in your posh frock on your blog! I read your post this morning and thought..awww I wanted to see you in your pretty blue dress, I was going to nag you but Claire got in there first!! Sounds like you had a fab weekend..Avoca looks a gorgeous shop to have a mooch in and your purchases are so pretty...and you look so,so lovely in that dress! Fab!!

Ally Jay said...

Why ddin't we get to see you in your ball gown. I bet you looked stunning.

Jasminé said...

Hey Sairer
thanks for the comment, and flattery! Feel very spoilt!
Yeah, I loved wearing that dress, Monsoon saves the day yet again...
Avoca is the most amazing shop, besides finding really unique things, they have an amazing selection of CK, Greengate and their own range of FAB fashion, very different and quite bohemian with a touch of class.
Make your way there if you ever get to Dublin, I'll try meet you for a cuppa!
x

Miss sew n sew said...

Hi Jasmine
Thanks for visiting your blog and I'm glad I've found yours looks like we have lots in common and I'm a red head too! - not had the courage to add a picture to my blog yet you look great in yours your dress is lovely I have a ball coming up and am on the lookout for a nice dress too. Dublin looks great would love to visit one day that shop looks like my kind of shop! - It's fine to add me to your blog list hope you don't mind me adding yours?
Sarah x