When Life Gives You Pumpkins...

"Dear Great Pumpkin, I am looking forward to your arrival on Halloween night. I hope you will bring me lots of presents..."

I agree with Charlie Brown...Picking the right pumpkin is essential, almost as important as selecting the best Christmas tree (but that’s another story for a colder month). Our family has always taken the painting route vs. carving so I had never taken a knife to a pumpkin until a few years back when my husband (then boyfriend) and I started our own competition which turned quite competitive (as we're STILL talking about whose was . I do prefer painting because it opens up so many more options, plus I’m a better artist than a handyman…though the year I used the drill to create a disco ball pumpkin, I may have even impressed myself ;)

If you haven't decorated yet, there's still time! Here are a few fun ideas, I love #2 & #5! 

Sweater: Target (LOVING this Knox Rose line!)

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Sole Society (On sale!)

Sunglasses: Karen Walker (Use code SISTERSMARIE to rent your first pair for free!)

Hat: Purchased at a tiny shop in Galway, Ireland (Similar)

Necklace: T+J Designs

Have a wonderful Halloween!

Xo,

Ireland Top 5

Our trip to Ireland is comprised of so many wonderful memories including #1, our stay at Ballyfin, long drives in the country and the folklore story telling night at the Brazen Head. I had imagined what it would be like before we left, but it far exceeded my expectations...The people were more than welcoming, the pace is MUCH more relaxed and the scenery is unmatched.

While it's hard to narrow down, I wanted to share my top 5 things to do/see while in Ireland:

The Long Room at Trinity College

This was not only my favorite sight from our Ireland trip but probably one of the greatest things I have ever seen. I've always dreamt of seeing a real life library that resembled the one that the Beast gives to Belle and this was even better.

Built in the 1700's, it is approx. 200 feet in length and filled with 200,000 of the library’s oldest books. When we walked in and saw it all for the first time, I had tears roll down my face...it was a slightly unexpected reaction, but I truly felt overwhelmed by the beauty and history that was surrounding me.

The Cliffs of Moher

This is a destination I had on my bucket list before we ever seriously considered going to Ireland in the first place. I remember seeing it in the Princess Bride and Harry Potter, reading about it in books and deciding it was a place I had to see. Standing 702 feet at their highest point, they stretch for 5 miles along the Atlantic coast of County Clare in the west of Ireland. 

The human story and history of the Cliffs of Moher dates back at least two thousand years as the name derives from a 1st Century BC fort that stood where Moher Tower now stands. The old Irish word “Mothar” means ruined fort and it is this that gives the cliffs their name.

Killarney National Park

Killarney National Park is located beside the town of Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland. It was the first national park established in Ireland, created when Muckross Estate was donated to the Irish state in 1932. We visited Muckross House & Muckross Abbey, a 19th century Victorian Mansion and a Franciscan friary from approx. 1448, respectively. 

The attractions are gorgeous but so are the walking paths in between - we chose the "adventure path" which led us through a forest along the lake where the trees looked like a set out of Into the Woods. 

Quay Street in Galway

Galway is overflowing with charm, even if we couldn't escape the heavy mist/rain showers that loomed over us all day long. While I do wish the weather would have been nicer, we will never forget roaming Quay street and taking in all of its quaint details. We ate at the Pie Maker, the tiniest restaurant you will ever see, owned by an equally tiny blonde who creates Sheppard's pie from scratch on the spot. We wandered in and out of stores (most with gorgeous colored doors), visited some gorgeous churches and stopped by Galway Bay.

Gap of Dunloe

THIS place is what you think of when someone says Ireland. The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass in County Kerry and within it are five lakes. We took a horse and buggy along the gorgeous 7 mile path which led to the winding road which makes the gap at the end. The landscape is absolutely unbelievable and it is so serene, almost hard to believe it's real. As you pass by the grazing sheep and the running waterfalls, it's so easy to forget the honking cars and ringing cell phones back home in Chicago...

 

Have you been to Ireland? What were your favorite sights and destinations? 

Share with us in the comments!

Royalty for a Night

Some reviews describe it as “beyond special”… “out of this world”… and “will take your breath away.” It’s hard to believe that these loaded descriptions are referring to a building, but Ballyfin in Ireland is SO much more than that. After spending less than 24 hours at this castle-esque mansion, I can confirm that all of these claims are (MORE THAN) accurate. However, there is no description that can convey it’s how special it truly is – it is simply something that must be experienced.

We stayed in the "Tapestry Room," which not surprisingly, had gorgeous ornate textiles covering all each wall. Our 4 post canopy bed was a dream come true...if we had more time here, I would have laid there all day and read books.

Our bathroom was larger than life and quite the sight for sore eyes...the chandelier...the oversized tub...the walk-in shower...the his and hers robes/sink. Can I live here?

Tea & sugar cookies upon our arrival...when asked if we wanted them delivered to our room or the library, my husband and I just looked at each other with wide eyes..."this is going to be good."

I loved this quote from a Tripadvisor review: "The grounds are hugely impressive...Turns out rich, landed folks had nothing better to do 150 years ago than build grottos and towers." We spent most of our afternoon trolling these places spread throughout the 614 acre estate on our bikes (mint colored with a basket, can this be any more charming?). Our travels took us through the beautiful woods, down by the lake, near the grotto and into the gardens (to Grandmother's house we go...)

We also climbed a million steps up to the top of the tower, built as a folly in the 1860's (complete with a drawbridge and moat -- dreams are made of this stuff!) It was an amazing view that allowed us to see 6 different surrounding counties of Ireland. For a the brief moment at the top, we realized how far away from home we really were and how wonderful it felt to be so isolated from our everyday routine and stress.

Wearing: Sweater, Blouse, Jeans: Old Navy | Rain boots: Kamik | Sunnies: Target

After our afternoon adventures, we came back to our room to clean up for dinner. I loved that there was a specific time set for pre-dinner drinks so everybody gets ready and comes downstairs together yet there are so many (unbelievable) sitting rooms to choose from that you don't feel like you're crashing anyone else's plans. It just felt like an old tradition of friends gathering for a fancy dinner, speaking of which, was memorable for more reasons than one...

Wearing: Top: LOFT (similar) | Lipstick: Kate Spade

With this easily being the most high-end dinner we have experienced, we did our best not to make complete fools of ourselves when it came to etiquette. Use the right fork, sample your wine, pronounce Foie Grais correctly...oh, and still remain dignified after your second bottle of wine. Luckily it was smooth sailing! Thank you Princess Diaries for teaching me the importance of a palate cleanser.

Also, can we talk about my dessert choice? I don't recall the exact title but it can easily be renamed "chocolate heaven." Chocolate crust, chocolate mousse, peanut butter candies and oh yes...edible gold leaf...because why wouldn't there be?

After dinner, we headed outside and parked on the front steps of the hotel to check out the full moon. This was easily my favorite moment of our stay...while there were so many to choose from, I will always remember leaning on my husband's shoulder and turning around to see the front doors open...

A very kind gentleman from the hotel staff brought out 2 blankets and wrapped them around us to stay warm..not only was it such a sweet gesture, but the blankets smelled fantastic, a combination of the hotel and a wood burning fire. Sometimes, a smell can ingrain a memory in your brain forever. 

Before we headed up for the night, we walked around the hotel to see how everything glowed at night and one of the staff members offered to take our photo in the Gold Room. With nobody else around, it seemed like everything in that moment was all about us and it was the perfect way to end our stay.

Everything about our trip to Ireland was incredible and I am so glad we saved this hotel stay for last. I have collected many wonderful experiences in my life but this is one of those that earns a permanent spot in your heart and mind...a once in a lifetime moment. Thank you to the amazing Ballyfin staff for giving us this story to tell!

Full Disclosure: This post is not sponsored - I just HAD to share the details with somebody because I think my husband is growing tired of hearing me talk about it ;)